Petr Válek

Concentrations of Zn, Mn, Cu and Cd in different tissues of perch (Perca fluviatilis) and in perch intestinal parasite (Acanthocephalus lucii) from the stream near Prague (Czech Republic)

We monitored concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn in acantocephalan parasites (Acanthocephalus lucii) and its final host (Perca fluviatilis). The concentrations in parasites were found to be significantly higher than those found in the muscle, gonads and liver of fish host. The bioaccumulation factor values (BF=C(parasite)/C(host muscle)) were 194, 24.4, 2.2 and 4.7 for Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn, respectively. This suggests a benefit for the host due to the high accumulation of toxic cadmium.

Is the tapeworm able to affect tissue Pb-concentrations in white rat?

The effect of gastrointestinal helminths on Pb accumulation in the host body is ambiguous. A laboratory experiment with Rattus norvegicus/Hymenolepis diminuta model was conducted to determine Pb toxicokinetics in a terrestrial host-parasite system. The ET-AAS or ICP-OES techniques were used to determine Pb concentrations (CPb) in both tapeworms and host tissues (kidney, liver, bone, testes, muscle and intestinal wall). Concerning the entire host-parasite system, the highest CPb were detected in H. diminuta. Rat kidneys and bone were the only two tissues whose mean Pb levels were lower in parasitized animals than they were in non-infected subjects after both levels of exposure. At low Pb exposure, parasitization slightly changed the Pb toxicokinetics in the host body. However, with respect to tissue at the same exposure level, no significant differences were detected between the parasitized and non-parasitized animals and no significant correlations were found between CPb in tapeworms and those of host tissues. The results of this study indicate that H. diminuta does not protect rat from elevated Pb exposure even if tapeworm accumulates a higher portion of ingested Pb dose compared with that of the most Pb-loaded host soft tissue. The portion of Pb dose accumulated in H. diminuta correlates positively with parasite biomass.

Endoparasites in European hares (Lepus europaeus) under gamekeeping conditions in the Czech Republic

SummaryDuring December 2007 and November–April 2008/2009, 128 gastrointestinal tracts and 1680 faecal samples of hares from different parts of the Czech Republic were examined. Evaluation of the faeces samples indicated that the samples could have been infected with any one of the following parasites: Eimeria spp., Trichostrongylus retortaeformis, Trichuris leporis, Graphidium strigosum, Strongyloides sp., Protostrongylus spp. and Anoplocephalidae tape-worms. Trichostrongylus retortaeformis was the most common nematode (75.8 %). 39.8 % of the animals were infected with Trichuris leporis. Only four hares were in-fected with Graphidium strigosum. Eimeria spp. was the most commonly occurring parasite (90.5 %). The follow-ing species were found: Eimeria coquelinae, E. cabareti, E. leporis, E. babatica, E. europea, E. pierrecouderti, E. macrosculpta, E. orbiculata and E. stefanski. Eimeria coquelinae was the most prevalent species (68.4 %). Eimeria cabareti and E. leporis were the next most frequently found species (64.5 % and 57.8 %, respectively).

Effect of Acanthocephalus lucii Infection on Total Mercury Concentrations in Muscle and Gonads of Fish Host (Perca fluviatilis)

The samples from 13 perches (Perca fluviatilis) – muscle with skin and bones; fish gonads; and acanthocephalan parasites were analysed for mercury (Hg). Hg concentrations were present in all analysed samples. There were found no statistically significant difference in Hg concentration in fish tissues between perches either with or without infection by the acanthocephalan parasite, Acanthocephalus lucii). In this study there was no evidence that acanthocephalan worms accumulate mercury from hosts. For this reason, A. lucii is not a suitable bioindicator for mercury pollution.

Competition for minerals (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu) and Cd between sheep tapeworm (Moniezia expansa) and its definitive host sheep (Ovis aries)

SummaryConcentrations of various essential and toxic elements (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu and Cd) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in the sheep tapeworm (Moniezia expansa) and in different tissues of its host Ovis aries. The element concentrations of the cestode parasites were compared to different organs (liver, kidney, and muscle) of sheep that were exposed to experimental amounts of Cd (0.2 g of CdCl2 added to 10 ml of distilled water and administered orally to the sheep every day for a period of 1 week). All sheep were randomly divided into four groups; the first group (Cd) contained uninfected, Cd exposed sheep, and its control (group C) were uninfected and unexposed to Cd; the second group (TCd) contained infected, Cd exposed sheep, and its control (group CT) contained infected, unexposed sheep. The experimental Cd exposure resulted in significantly higher Mn concentrations in sheep tapeworms (10.0 mg/kg) than in sheep muscle (0.6 mg/kg) and kidney (0.8 mg/kg). The experimental Cd exposure also significantly decreased the Cu concentrations in sheep liver and muscle. Moreover Cd exposure decreased the Fe concentrations in sheep kidney but caused it to increase in sheep liver and muscle. Zinc concentrations showed no differences between groups (Cd, TCd, C, T) in any monitored sheep tissues. The article also discuss the effect of tapeworm infection on a significant decrease of Fe in sheep muscle, liver and kidneys, as well as a decrease in Cu levels of the muscles and liver. This mineral imbalance may contribute to various health problems such as osteoporosis, metabolic processes disorder, antioxidant (SOD) dysfunction etc.

Can the Hyperaccumulating Plant Arabidopsis halleri in Feed Influence a Given Consumer Organism (Rattus norvegicus var. alba)

Zinc and cadmium concentrations in rat (Rattus norvegicus var. alba) tissues were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Rats were fed the zinc and cadmium hyperaccumulating plant, Arabidopsis halleri. When compared to the control group, a Cd increase in all tissues (liver, kidneys, small intestine, spleen, testes, muscle), with the exception of bone tissue was observed. In comparison to the control group, the kidneys, liver and small intestine contained 375, 162, and 80 times more Cd, respectively. Differences between zinc concentrations in rats fed with A. halleri and those of the control group were significant only in the small intestine and kidney tissues. Results suggest using the hyperaccumulating plant A. halleri as a feed stresses the consumer organism not through its Zn content, but through its Cd content.

Effect of lead in water on the absorption of copper, iron, manganese and zinc by sheep (Ovis aries) infected with sheep tapeworm (Moniezia expansa)

The sheep tapeworm (Moniezia expansa) and its host Ovis aries were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for their copper, iron, manganese, zinc and lead levels. Element concentrations in cestode parasites were compared to those in various organs (liver, kidney, and muscle) of sheep. Tapeworms in the small intestine of sheep that were administered 2g of Pb(CH(3)COO)(2) per os daily (7 days) had significantly higher lead concentrations than sheep tissues. Cu levels significantly increased after Pb administration in sheep muscle and sheep tapeworms. Contrarily, Zn content significantly decreased in sheep muscle, but significantly increased in sheep tapeworms. However, Mn content significantly decreased after Pb administration in sheep tapeworms. Furthermore, Fe content significantly decreased after Pb administration in sheep liver and kidneys.

Black grouse in Czech Republic and its parasites

SummaryAccording to the newest data (2010), the state of the black grouse is in decline in the Czech Republic. One of the reasons for this decline is the parasitic infection. The examination of 170 faecal specimens disclosed 6 species of parasites. Helminth eggs were found in 50 % of the examined faecal specimens. The following eggs were found: cestode Hymenolepis spp. (28 %), with the highest prevalence (84 %) and mean intensity (1076 EPG) in spring; nematodes Trichostrongylus tenuis (24 %), and Ascaridia compar (3 %) with a mean intensity of 11 and 12 EPG, respectively. Coccidia infections were present in 1 % of faecal specimens only in spring, with an intensity of 35 OPG. However, in the following year, Eimeria lyruri was the most abundant parasite in the faecal specimens. During the second year of our research, the prevalence of E. lyruri was 28 %; the highest prevalence (67 %) was in summer with an intensity of up to 9433 OPG.

Trichomonas spp. in Pigeons: Detection by OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test

SUMMARY The efficacy of the OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test (developed for rapid diagnosis of human Trichomonas vaginalis) in detection of Trichomonas spp. in pigeons (Columba livia) was investigated. Two oral cavity swabs were taken from 50 farm pigeons. Cultivation in Diamond Trichomonas medium was used as a reference method. According to a morphological determination, Trichomonas gallinae was the only protozoan found; however, no further molecular analysis was conducted. The OSOM Trichomonas test was positive in 39 oral swabs. In comparison with the cultivation method three samples were identified as false negative and one as false positive. Test specificity and sensitivity were established as 93% and 90%, respectively. Using Cohens Kappa, the concordance between the two testing methods was found to be strong (&kgr;  =  0.7506, 95% CI  =  0.5162–0.9850). The OSOM Trichomonas test is not able to distinguish between Trichomonas species; however, results suggest that the test is suitable for the rapid detection of Trichomonas spp. infection in pigeons. RESUMEN Nota de Investigación—Trichomonas spp. en Palomas: Detección por la prueba rápida de OSOM para Trichomonas. Se investigó la eficacia de la prueba rápida OSOM para Trichomonas (desarrollada para el diagnóstico rápido de Trichomonas vaginalis en humanos) en la detección de Trichomonas spp. en palomas (Columba livia). Se recolectaron dos hisopos de la cavidad oral de 50 palomas de granja. El cultivo en el medio de Diamond para Trichomonas se utilizó como un método de referencia. De acuerdo con una determinación morfológica, Trichomonas gallinae era el único protozoario que se encontró, sin embargo, no se realizó un análisis molecular posterior. La prueba OSOM para Trichomonas fue positiva con 39 hisopos orales. En comparación con el método de cultivo, se identificaron tres muestras como falsas negativas y una como falsa positiva. Se determinó que la especificidad y la sensibilidad del ensayo eran de 93% y 90%, respectivamente. Mediante la prueba Kappa de Cohen, se encontró una fuerte concordancia entre los dos métodos de prueba (&kgr;  =  0.7506, 95% CI  =  0.5162–0.9850). La prueba de Trichomonas OSOM no fue capaz de distinguir entre especies de Trichomonas, sin embargo, los resultados sugieren que la prueba es adecuada para la detección rápida de la infección por Trichomonas spp. en palomas.

The initial discovery of thorny-headed worms in sheep.

Acanthocephalans belonging to the species Acanthocephalus lucii were found in the colon of a lamb from ecological farms in the Czech Republic. The main determination features used for these acanthocephalans are the shape and size of the hooks as well as the number of hooks on the proboscis. Three immature specimens measured 5.0-13.2mm in length; the appearance of the acanthocephalan body (in the studied material) suggests that passage through this unusual host causes the cystacanths to slightly increase in length. In the case of the lambs examined, the infection may be acquired through the accidental ingestion of the intermediate host - waterlouse (Asellus aquaticus).