Phylogenetic relationships and systematics of tapeworms of the family Davaineidae (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea), with emphasis on species in rodents.

The present study aims at clarifying the poorly known phylogenetic relationships and systematics of cestodes of the family Davaineidae Braun, 1900 (Cyclophyllidea), primarily the genus Raillietina Fuhrmann, 1920 and of the subfamily Inermicapsiferinae (Anoplocephalidae) from mammals (mostly rodents, 31 new isolates) and birds (eight new isolates). Phylogenetic analyses are based on sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (28S) and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene (nad1). The main phylogenetic pattern emerging from the present analysis is the presence of three independent lineages within the main clade of the subfamily Davaineinae, one of which is almost entirely confined to species from rodents and the other two show a mixture of species from birds and mammals.

Data on New Intermediate and Accidental Hosts Naturally Infected with in La Gomera and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain).

is a metastrongyloid nematode and the etiologic agent of angiostrongyliasis, a disease characterized by eosinophilic meningitis. This emerging zoonotic parasite has undergone great expansion, including in some regions of Europe and America. In the Canary Islands, the parasite was first discovered parasitizing on the island of Tenerife in 2010.

New Data on () Wedl, 1861 (Nematoda, Rictulariidae) Parasite of the Algerian Hedgehog Linnaeus, 1758 (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae) from the Canary Islands.

A redescription of the rictulariid nematode () Wedl, 1861, is made by means of light and scanning electron microscopy, including the first data on male specimens. The morphologic study was based on specimens recovered from two Algerian hedgehogs () from Tenerife and Gran Canaria islands (Canary Archipelago, Spain). The main characteristics of () males are the presence of 49-53 pairs of cuticular projections, the presence of one or two midventral precloacal fans (generally one), and the size of two unequal spicules, measuring 98-123 µm (right spicule) and 185-236 µm (left spicule).

Myiasis by Cordylobia anthropophaga (Calliphoridae) in rodents from Cape Verde.

Purpose: The tumbu fly, Cordylobia anthropophaga (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is widely distributed in continental tropical and subtropical Africa, being the most common cause of furuncular myiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the present work was to analyze the role of rodents as possible reservoirs of C. anthropophaga in Cape Verde, considering the zoonotic character of this fly species.

Cryptosporidium spp. in wild murids (Rodentia) from Corsica, France.

Cryptosporidium spp. are worldwide protozoan parasites that can affect to a broad range of vertebrate hosts, including rodents. In the island of Corsica (France), there are no previous data about these protozoa infecting wild rodents.

Pathogenic Leptospira species in rodents from Corsica (France).

Leptospirosis is a worldwide emerging zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species, that in some patients develop severe forms with high mortality. In France, Corsica is the area where the highest incidences have been reported. The present study was focused on the analysis of pathogenic Leptospira species in rodents of Corsica, as these micromammals are the main natural reservoirs of the bacteria, in order to identify the circulating species and to locate possible risk focuses of transmission, as no previous study on the presence of Leptospira species has been carried out in the island.

Rodents as Reservoirs of the Zoonotic Pathogens and in Corsica (France).

and are intracellular pathogens that cause important reproductive disorders in humans and animals worldwide, which translates into high economic losses. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible role of peridomestic small mammals in the maintenance and transmission of and in the Mediterranean island of Corsica, by the analysis of the seroprevalence in rodents. Our results showed a wide distribution of and in Corsica in and .

First ocular report of Gurltia paralysans (Wolffhügel, 1933) in cat.

A two-year-old cat from Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain), presented with two months history of uveitis in the left eye. It had been treated for two months but still showed an active uveitis. After new treatment, eye examination showed a mobile worm in the anterior chamber.

Bartonella in Rodents and Ectoparasites in the Canary Islands, Spain: New Insights into Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships.

Bartonella genus is comprised of several species of zoonotic relevance and rodents are reservoirs for some of these Bartonella species. As there were no data about the range of Bartonella species circulating among rodents in the Canary Islands, our main aim was to overcome this lack of knowledge by targeting both the citrate synthase (gltA) and the RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) genes. A total of 181 small mammals and 154 ectoparasites were obtained in three of the Canary Islands, namely Tenerife, La Palma, and Lanzarote.

Leptospira interrogans in Rodents from Cape Verde.

Leptospirosis is an important worldwide zoonotic disease that can infect both animals and humans. In most cases, leptospirosis is a nonspecific self-limiting illness, but some patients can develop a severe form with a high mortality. This study was carried out in Santiago Island, Cape Verde, in 2012-2013.

Spermatozoon ultrastructure of Thysanotaenia congolensis (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae, Inermicapsiferinae): phylogenetic implications.

The mature spermatozoon of Thysanotaenia congolensis, an intestinal parasite of black rat Rattus rattus from Cape Verde, is described by means of transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural organization of the sperm cell of T. congolensis follows Levron et al.

Bartonella spp. in Small Mammals, Benin.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella organisms in small mammals in Cotonou, Benin. We captured 163 rodents and 12 insectivores and successfully detected Bartonella DNA from 13 of the 175 small mammal individuals. Bartonella spp.

First spermatological study in the Atractotrematidae (Digenea, Haploporoidea): the case of Atractotrema sigani, intestinal parasite of Siganus lineatus.

The ultrastructural organization of the mature spermatozoon of the digenean Atractotrema sigani (from Siganus lineatus off New Caledonia) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The male gamete of A. sigani exhibits the general morphology described in digeneans with the presence of two axonemes of different lengths showing the 9 + "1" pattern of the Trepaxonemata, a nucleus, two mitochondria, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation, spine-like bodies and granules of glycogen.

Serological survey of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Coxiella burnetii in rodents in north-western African islands (Canary Islands and Cape Verde).

Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii are intracellular parasites that cause important reproductive disorders in animals and humans worldwide, resulting in high economic losses. The aim of the present study was to analyse the possible role of peridomestic small mammals in the maintenance and transmission of C. burnetii and T.

Intermediate hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Tenerife, Spain.

The nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the causative agent of human angiostrongyliasis, the main clinical manifestation of which is eosinophilic meningitis. Although this parasite has been found recently in its definitive rat host in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), showing a widespread distribution over the north-east part of the island, there are no available data regarding which snail and/or slug species are acting as intermediate hosts on this island. Consequently, the objective of this work was to determine the possible role of three mollusc species, Plutonia lamarckii, Cornu aspersum and Theba pisana, as intermediate hosts of A.

Genetic Diversity of Talpa Europaea and Nova Hanta Virus (NVAV) in France.

Nova hantavirus (NVAV) was first identified in a single European mole (), captured in Hungary. Analysis of lung tissues from 94 moles captured in France revealed NVAV in 50%. Based on the genetic diversity of the cytochrome mtDNA, moles collected in Poitiers and Bordeaux were more closely related to the Iberian mole (), a species previously assumed to be restricted to the Iberian Peninsula.

Collyricloides massanae (Digenea, Collyriclidae): spermatozoon ultrastructure and phylogenetic importance.

The spermatological characteristics of Collyricloides massanae (Digenea: Collyriclidae), a parasite of Apodemus sylvaticus caught in France, were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy. The mature sperm of C. massanae presents two axonemes of different lengths with the 9 + "1" pattern of the Trepaxonemata, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine-like bodies, one mitochondrion, a nucleus and granules of glycogen.

Functional ultrastructure of the parenchymatic capsules of the cestode Thysanotaenia congolensis (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae, Inermicapsiferinae).

Proglottids from adult Thysanotaenia congolensis from naturally infected black rats Rattus rattus from Santiago Island, Cape Verde, were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The uterus in mature proglottids is composed of an ephemeral transverse tube or sac that breaks down, releasing eggs into the parenchyma where they are sequestered in groups and encapsulated by parenchymatous layers. In gravid proglottids, eggs accumulate in groups of 6-12 at the distal end of sac-like uterine ducts.

A transmission electron microscopical study of the tegument of Maritrema feliui (Digenea: Microphallidae).

The tegument of the microphallid digenean Maritrema feliui, examined by means of TEM, is described as a syncytial epithelium organised into two layers. The outer layer is an external anucleate, cytoplasmic region connected to a second region composed of nucleate perikarya (cytons) deeply embedded in the surrounding cortical parenchyma. The surface layer of the tegument is covered by a plasma membrane with many deep invaginations, which are apparently pinocytotic.

Identification of a novel assemblage G subgenotype and a zoonotic assemblage B in rodent isolates of Giardia duodenalis in the Canary Islands, Spain.

The flagellated parasite Giardia duodenalis is known as one of the most common causes of protozoal diarrhoea in both humans and animals worldwide. The aim of the present work was to perform the first study of G. duodenalis in rodents in the Canary Islands (Spain) and analyse the level of genetic variation and the potential zoonotic role of the isolates.

Ultrastructure of the intrauterine eggs of the microphallid trematode Maritrema feliui: evidence of early embryonic development.

Intrauterine embryonic development in the microphallid trematode Maritrema feliui is examined by means of transmission electron microscopy. Both fertilization and eggshell formation take place in the ootype. The eggshell is formed from a shell globule material derived from the vitelline cells combined with secretions of Mehlis' gland.