Phyllocaulis variegatus--an intermediate host of Angiostrongylus costaricensis in south Brazil.
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Molluscs collected in five localities in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) were digested and examined. The infected slugs were identified as Phyllocaulis variegatus and the larvae found were inoculated per os into mice. After 50 days, worms with the caracteristics of Angiostrongylus costaricensis were recovered from the mesenteric arterial system. The results establish the role of P. variegatus as intermediate host of A. costaricensis in south Brazil, where many cases of abdominal angiostrongyliasis have been diagnosed. (+info)
In vitro predatory activity of conidia of fungal isolates of the Duddingtonia flagrans on Angiostrongylus vasorum first-stage larvae.
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Eosinophilic meningitis and radiculomyelitis in Thailand, caused by CNS invasion of Gnathostoma spinigerum and Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
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During the 6 year period from January 1980 to December 1985 44 patients with infection of the central nervous system by Gnathostoma spinigerum or Angiostrongylus cantonensis were admitted to the Division of Neurology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. In 16 patients the diagnosis could be confirmed serologically by means of ELISA techniques. In gnathostomiasis encephalitis, myelitis, radiculitis and subarachnoid haemorrhage formed the majority of clinical syndromes. Intracerebral haematoma and transitory obstructive hydrocephalus are described in this report as being caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum infection for the first time. In angiostronglyus infections the clinical syndrome of meningitis was predominant, but one patient, whose angiostrongyliasis was proved serologically, also showed bilateral paresis of abducens nerve. The main laboratory finding was eosinophilic pleocytosis in the CSF (greater than 10%) which in patients originating or returning from South-East-Asia, particularly Thailand, is highly suggestive of these parasitic infections. Increasing transcontinental travel, influx of refugees and those seeking asylum as well as importation of food from South East Asian countries demand greater awareness of these parasitic infections even in Central Europe. (+info)
Studies on chemotherapy of parasitic helminths (VIII). Effects of some possible neurotransmitters on the motility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
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Effects of some possible neurotransmitters such as GABA, adrenergic drugs, and 5-HT and their antagonists on the motility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis were studied. Paralysis was caused by GABA, avermectin BIa (Av-BIa), piperazine and alpha-adrenergic agonists such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, phenylephrine, clonidine and methoxamine, but not by beta-adrenergic agonists such as isoproterenol. The paralysis by GABA or Av-BIa was antagonized by GABA antagonists such as picrotoxin and/or bicuculline with cholinergic agents such as N-methylcytisine (N-MC) or eserine. The paralysis elicited by alpha-adrenergic agonists was antagonized by alpha-adrenergic antagonists such as phentolamine and dibenamine, but not by beta-adrenergic antagonists such as propranolol. 5-HT affected the motility of A. cantonensis paralytically or spastically. The paralysis induced by 5-HT was antagonized by alpha-adrenergic antagonists such as phentolamine and dibenamine, while the contraction induced by this compound was further stimulated by N-MC, but antagonized by strychnine. Other agents such as glutamine, glycine, aspartic acid, taurine, and substance P showed little effect on the motility of A. Cantonensis. From these findings on the neuropharmacological properties of A. cantonensis, it is suggested that this worm is useful as an excellent nematodal model for the investigation of anthelminthics. In addition, this worm may also useful as one of screening models of drugs affecting the central nervous system in mammals. (+info)