Proceedings of the schistosome genome project.

"The host-parasite relationship" is a vast and diverse research field which, despite huge human and financial input over many years, remains largely shrouded in mystery. Clearly, the adaptation of parasites to their different host species, and to the different environmental stresses that they represent, depends on interactions with, and responses to, various molecules of host and/or parasite origin. The schistosome genome project is a primary strategy to reach the goal; this systematic research project has successfully developed novel technologies for qualitative and quantitative characterization of schistosome genes and genome organization by extensive international collaboration between top quality laboratories.

Epidemiological and genetic observations on human schistosomiasis in Kinshasa, Zaire.

A survey for Schistosoma intercalatum conducted in Kinshasa, Zaire, in September 1994 revealed a prevalence of 3.6% (n = 167). Three isolates of schistosomes were made by exposing Bulinus wrighti to miracidia hatched from eggs collected from 2 infected children.

Some molecular insights into schistosome evolution.

Robust phylogenies based on molecular data for species within the genus Schistosoma have been generated in recent years. The considerable progress made in understanding the relationships between many of the 19 recognised species of Schistosoma is reviewed with particular attention being given to the detection and analysis of parasite variation as shown by studies on ribosomal RNA genes, mitochondrial DNA and RAPDs. For the most part, molecular phylogenies agree with observations based on morphological or life-history characteristics.

Cattle schistosomiasis in Zambia.

A total of 358 cattle was examined for schistosome infection in Zambian slaughterhouses. A total of 542 worms collected from 104 infected individuals was examined for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucomutase using isoelectric focusing. The overall prevalence of infection was 51%.

Schistosomiasis in Dogon country, Mali: identification and prevalence of the species responsible for infection in the local community.

The prevalence of schistosomiasis amongst the Dogon people in 4 villages and one school of the Bankass district of Mali was determined during 2 surveys in 1992; 1398 urine and 1199 stool samples were examined. The most common schistosome was Schistosoma haematobium, with an overall prevalence of 51.3%; S.

Schistosomiasis in the Republic of São Tomé and Principe: characterization of Schistosoma intercalatum.

This paper reports the morphological and biochemical characterization of the species of Schistosoma infecting humans in the Republic of São Tomé and Principe. The eggs are typical in shape and size of S. intercalatum, measuring on average between 174.

A phylogenetic analysis of Schistosoma haematobium group species based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles were produced using four oligonucleotide primers with genomic DNA from 15 isolates of schistosome. Both inter- and intraspecific variation were noted. Intraspecific variation was greater for two species of the S.

The substitution of procyclic for bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in isoenzyme studies.

Examination of 10 enzymes from 8 stocks of Trypanosoma brucei showed that procyclic forms could be substituted for bloodstream forms in isoenzyme studies. T. b.

A new method for isolating Trypanosoma brucei gambiense from sleeping sickness patients.

Low infectivity to laboratory mammals and low virulence make Trypanosoma brucei gambiense difficult to isolate and grow in amounts sufficient for biochemical characterization. We report the isolation of T.b.

The effect of growth-promoting antibiotics on the faecal enterococci of healthy young chickens.

Small groups of chickens were given feed containing either avoparcin, nitrovin, virginiamycin or zinc bacitracin from the day of their purchase as day-olds. Differences between the birds receiving growth promoters and the untreated controls were observed during the last third of the 23 d survey period. The enterococcal population of the 'dosed' birds contained a greater proportion of Enterococcus faecium than did that of the control birds while the converse was true for Ent.

The effect of ampicillin and tylosin on the faecal enterococci of healthy young chickens.

Enterococcal isolates from young chickens were differentiated into one of three species, namely Enterococcus faecalis, Ent. faecium and Ent. gallinarum.

Preliminary observations on the influence of antibiotics on the ecology of Escherichia coli and the enterococci in the faecal flora of healthy young chickens.

Two separate replicated experiments are described. In the first the influence of oxytetracycline on the Escherichia coli flora was assessed, while in the second the effect of tylosin on the enterococci was investigated. In both experiments the administration of the antibiotic was associated with an increase in the average proportion of isolates resistant to the agent although in experiment 1 the agent had no apparent influence on either the total number of E.