Sarcocystis Ramphastosi Sp. Nov. and Sarcocystis Sulfuratusi Sp. Nov

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Sarcocystis Ramphastosi Sp. Nov. and Sarcocystis Sulfuratusi Sp. Nov Acta Parasitologica, 2004, 49(2), 93–101; ISSN 1230-2821 Copyright © 2004 W. Stefañski Institute of Parasitology, PAS Sarcocystis ramphastosi sp. nov. and Sarcocystis sulfuratusi sp. nov. (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) from the keel-billed Stefański toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) J.P. Dubey1*, Emily Lane2 and Erna van Wilpe3 1Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, BARC-East, Building 1001, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA; 2P.O. Box 556, Derdepark, South Africa; 3Electron Microscope Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa Abstract Two new species of Sarcocystis, Sarcocystis ramphastosi sp. nov. and Sarcocystis sulfuratusi sp. nov. are described from a nat- urally infected keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus). Only sarcocysts were found and they were mature. Sarcocysts of S. ramphastosi were up to 3 mm long and up to 1 mm wide. The sarcocyst wall was smooth. The villar protrusions on the sar- cocyst wall of S. ramphastosi were up to 6.5 µm long and up to 3 µm wide; they were folded over the sarcocyst wall giving a thin-walled appearance. The microtubules in villar protrusions were smooth and confined to villar protrusions. Bradyzoites in sections were 4–4.5 × 1.3–1.6 µm in size. Sarcocysts of S. sulfuratusi were up to 900 µm long and up to 200 µm wide. The sarcocyst wall was smooth and thin-walled. The villar protrusions were up to 4.3 µm long and 1.4 µm wide. The microtubules in villar protrusions extended deeper into the granular layer of the sarcocyst wall and those in the granular layer were more elec- tron-dense than in the villar protrusions. Bradyzoites were 5.0–7.0 × 1.5–2.2 µm in size. Key words Sarcocystis ramphastosi, Sarcocystis sulfuratusi, Protozoa, toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus Introduction Skóra sum (Didelphis virginianus) as the definitive host (Cawthorn et al. 1981; Box et al. 1984; Dubey et al. 1989, 2003). We re- Sarcocystis species are protozoan parasites with prey-predator port two new species of Sarcocystis, S. ramphastosi and S. sul- 2-host life cycles (Dubey et al. 1989). Herbivores (prey) are furatusi from the keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus). intermediate hosts and carnivores (predator) are the definitive hosts. The definitive host becomes infected by ingesting the asexual stage (sarcocyst) encysted in the tissues (muscles) of Materials and methods the intermediate host. The sexual cycle occurs only in the car- nivore host and it is restricted to the intestinal lamina propria. An adult toucan, which had been imported from Central Amer- Species of Sarcocystis are generally host-specific for their ica nine years ago died in captivity in Hillcrest, South Africa intermediate hosts. There are more than 100 species of Sarco- of iron storage disease. The bird was examined at necropsy cystis but life cycles of only a few of them are known (Dubey one day after death and tissues had undergone mild autolysis. et al. 1989). Multiple sections were immersed in 10% buffered neutral for- Little is known of the species of Sarcocystis in birds. There malin and routine histologic examination was performed on are 2 well known avian species, Sarcocystis rileyi with ducks paraffin-embedded sections (6 µm), stained with hematoxylin (Anas clypeata, Anas sp.) as intermediate host and the skunk and eosin (H and E). (Mephitis mephitis) as the definitive host and Sarcocystis fal- For transmission electron microscopy, formalin-fixed catula with passerine birds as intermediate hosts and the opos- muscle from neck was post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide in *Corresponding author: [email protected] 94 J.P. Dubey et al. Śląski Millonig’s phosphate buffer, rinsed in the same buffer, dehy- rate. The ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl ace- drated in ethanol and embedded in epoxy resin. Semithin sec- tate and lead citrate before examination in a Philips CM10 tions were stained with toluidine blue in 1% sodium tetrabo- transmission electron microscope operated at 80 kV. Fig. 1. Sarcocysts of Sarcocystis ramphastosi sp. nov. in histologic section of skeletal muscle of toucan. A and B. 5-µm section stained with hematoxylin and eosin. C-E. 1-µm section stained with toluidine blue. The thickness of the sarcocyst wall is indicated by opposing arrow- heads. A and B. Note thin sarcocyst wall (opposing arrowheads), a peripheral area with intact bradyzoites (small arrows) and a central degen- erating area (large arrows). C and D. Note variability in the thickness of the sarcocyst wall (opposing arrowheads and arrows) in the same sarcocyst and septa (se). E. A group of bradyzoites (b) separated by septa (se). Opposing arrows point to longitudinally cut bradyzoites Sarcocystis species in toucan Zdzisław 95 Stanisła Results reaction. In the H and E-stained sections two sizes of sarco- cysts were recognized, the large ones with a diameter of up to Grossly visible sarcocysts measuring approximately 3 × 1 mm 750 µm, and the small ones with a diameter of 200 µm. Be- were seen in cervical musculature, unassociated with any host cause both types of sarcocysts had thin walls and similar sized Fig. 2. TEM of sarcocyst walls of Sarcocystis ramphastosi sp. nov. A. Note three (1–3) villar protrusions (vp) at irregular distance, absence of vp in an area indicated by arrows, granular layer (gl) devoid of microtubules, septum (s) and bradyzoites (b). Sarcocyst no. 1. B. Higher magnification of a villar protrusion, showing parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (pvm), microtubules (mt), and granular layer (gl). The mi- crotubules at the villar tip are less electron-dense than at the base of the vp, and they do not extend into the granular layer. Sarcocyst no. 2 96 J.P. Dubey et al. Roborzyński rosbśźćv fjad kadsææ¿æ Fig. 3. TEM of a villar protrusions (vp) of Sarcocystis ramphastosi sp. nov. Higher magnification of villus no. 2 from Figure 2A. Note elec- tron-dense layer (edl) of varying thickness lining the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (pvm). Note undulations on pvm (arrowheads). The microtubules (mt) are more dense at base (double arrows) than at the tip (single arrow) of the villus. There are no mt in the granular layer (gl) Sarcocystis species in toucan 97 Fig. 4. Bradyzoites of Sarcocystis ramphastosi sp. nov. A. From sarcocyst no. 1. B. From sarcocyst no. 2. Note conoid (c), pellicle with elec- tron-dense thickening (arrowheads) at the conoidal ends, few rhoptries (r) with long neck (double arrows), few micronemes (mi), subpellic- ular microtubules (mt) and a terminal nucleus (n) Fig. 5. Sarcocysts of Sarcocystis sulfuratusi sp. nov. from the toucan. Toluidine blue stain. Note extension of microtubules (arrowheads) in the granular layer of the sarcocyst 98 J.P. Dubey et al. bradyzoites they were considered one species. However, un- Sarcocystis ramphastosi sp. nov. (Figs 1–4) der oil immersion differences could be detected between the two types of sarcocysts. Electron microscopy revealed ultra- Description: Sarcocysts were 3 × 1 mm in size. In 5-µm sec- structural differences. New names are proposed for these two tions stained with H and E the sarcocyst had a thin (< 2 µm) types of sarcocysts because they are structurally distinct from and smooth sarcocyst wall (Fig. 1A, B). The interior of the known species of avian Sarcocystis species. sarcocyst was divided into compartments by prominent septa. Fig. 6. TEM of three sarcocysts of Sarcocystis sulfuratusi sp. nov. from the toucan. A. Sarcocyst no. 3. B. Sarcocyst no. 4. C. Sarcocyst no. 5. Note villar protrusions (arrowheads) extending into the granular layer (arrows), septa (s), and longitudinally cut bradyzoites (b) Sarcocystis species in toucan 99 Two distinct zones were recognized, an outer zone containing over the sarcocyst surface. The inner component consisted of intact bradyzoites and an inner central area with degenerated a smooth granular layer (gl) which was approximately 1 to 5 material (Fig. 1A, B). In 1-µm sections stained with toluidine µm thick (Fig. 1C, D). Bradyzoites were 3–5 µm long (Fig. blue, the sarcocyst wall was approximately 2–7 µm thick, de- 1E). pending on the plane of section. Two components of the sar- Two sarcocysts were examined ultrastructurally. The outer cocyst wall were recognized in 1-µm sections. The outer com- layer of the sarcocyst, the parasitophorous vacuolar mem- ponent consisted of villar protrusions (vp) that were folded brane (pvm) was wavy in outline and undulated (Figs 2 and 3). Fig. 7. TEM of villar protrusions (vp) of Sarcocystis sulfuratusi sp. nov. A. Sarcocyst no. 4. B. Sarcocyst no. 6. C. Sarcocyst no. 5. Note undu- lations (arrowheads) on parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (pvm), microtubules (mt) cut longitudinally in A, in cross-section in B and tan- gentially in C. The microtubules are more electron-dense than in the granular layer (gl) (large arrows) than in the vp 100 J.P. Dubey et al. The pvm was lined by a 40–50 nm thick electron-dense layer Intermediate host: Keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfu- (edl) that was thicker at the undulated areas. The vp were ratus). spaced at irregular distances (Fig. 2A), were narrow at the tip Definitive host: Unknown. and wider in the basal half. The vp were up to 6.5 µm long and Distribution: Unknown. up to 3 µm wide. They contained smooth microtubules (mt) Specimens (syntypes) deposited: Histologic sections of that converged towards the base of the vp and that were more muscle deposited in the United States National Parasite electron-dense at the base than at the tip of the vp (Figs 2 and 3). Collection (USNPC) United States Department of Agriculture Microtubules were restricted to vp. The granular layer was Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. One section stained with H smooth and continued into the sarcocyst as septa.
Recommended publications
  • Extended-Spectrum Antiprotozoal Bumped Kinase Inhibitors: a Review
    University of Kentucky UKnowledge Veterinary Science Faculty Publications Veterinary Science 9-2017 Extended-Spectrum Antiprotozoal Bumped Kinase Inhibitors: A Review Wesley C. Van Voorhis University of Washington J. Stone Doggett Portland VA Medical Center Marilyn Parsons University of Washington Matthew A. Hulverson University of Washington Ryan Choi University of Washington Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gluck_facpub See next page for additional authors Part of the Animal Sciences Commons, Immunology of Infectious Disease Commons, and the Parasitology Commons Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Repository Citation Van Voorhis, Wesley C.; Doggett, J. Stone; Parsons, Marilyn; Hulverson, Matthew A.; Choi, Ryan; Arnold, Samuel L. M.; Riggs, Michael W.; Hemphill, Andrew; Howe, Daniel K.; Mealey, Robert H.; Lau, Audrey O. T.; Merritt, Ethan A.; Maly, Dustin J.; Fan, Erkang; and Ojo, Kayode K., "Extended-Spectrum Antiprotozoal Bumped Kinase Inhibitors: A Review" (2017). Veterinary Science Faculty Publications. 45. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gluck_facpub/45 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Veterinary Science at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Veterinary Science Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Wesley C. Van Voorhis, J. Stone Doggett, Marilyn Parsons, Matthew A. Hulverson, Ryan Choi, Samuel L. M. Arnold, Michael W. Riggs, Andrew Hemphill, Daniel K. Howe, Robert H. Mealey, Audrey O. T. Lau, Ethan A. Merritt, Dustin J. Maly, Erkang Fan, and Kayode K. Ojo Extended-Spectrum Antiprotozoal Bumped Kinase Inhibitors: A Review Notes/Citation Information Published in Experimental Parasitology, v.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of Sarcocystis in the Brain of Two Exotic Birds1
    © Masson, Paris, 1979 Annales de Parasitologie (Paris) 1979, t. 54, n° 4, pp. 393-400 A new species of Sarcocystis in the brain of two exotic birds by P. C. C. GARNHAM, A. J. DUGGAN and R. E. SINDEN * Imperial College Field Station, Ashurst Lodge, Ascot, Berkshire and Wellcome Museum of Medical Science, 183 Euston Road, London N.W.1., England. Summary. Sarcocystis kirmsei sp. nov. is described from the brain of two tropical birds, from Thailand and Panama. Its distinction from Frenkelia is considered in some detail. Résumé. Une espèce nouvelle de Sarcocystis dans le cerveau de deux Oiseaux exotiques. Sarcocystis kirmsei est décrit du cerveau de deux Oiseaux tropicaux de Thaïlande et de Panama. Les critères de distinction entre cette espèce et le genre Frenkelia sont discutés en détail. In 1968, Kirmse (pers. comm.) found a curious parasite in sections of the brain of an unidentified bird which he had been given in Panama. He sent unstained sections to one of us (PCCG) and on examination the parasite was thought to belong to the Toxoplasmatea, either to a species of Sarcocystis or of Frenkelia. A brief description of the infection was made by Tadros (1970) in her thesis for the Ph. D. (London). The slenderness of the cystozoites resembled those of Frenkelia, but the prominent spines on the cyst wall were more like those of Sarcocystis. The distri­ bution of the cystozoites within the cyst is characteristic in that the central portion is practically empty while the outer part consists of numerous pockets of organisms, closely packed together.
    [Show full text]
  • Control of Intestinal Protozoa in Dogs and Cats
    Control of Intestinal Protozoa 6 in Dogs and Cats ESCCAP Guideline 06 Second Edition – February 2018 1 ESCCAP Malvern Hills Science Park, Geraldine Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3SZ, United Kingdom First Edition Published by ESCCAP in August 2011 Second Edition Published in February 2018 © ESCCAP 2018 All rights reserved This publication is made available subject to the condition that any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise is with the prior written permission of ESCCAP. This publication may only be distributed in the covers in which it is first published unless with the prior written permission of ESCCAP. A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library. ISBN: 978-1-907259-53-1 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 1: CONSIDERATION OF PET HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS 5 2: LIFELONG CONTROL OF MAJOR INTESTINAL PROTOZOA 6 2.1 Giardia duodenalis 6 2.2 Feline Tritrichomonas foetus (syn. T. blagburni) 8 2.3 Cystoisospora (syn. Isospora) spp. 9 2.4 Cryptosporidium spp. 11 2.5 Toxoplasma gondii 12 2.6 Neospora caninum 14 2.7 Hammondia spp. 16 2.8 Sarcocystis spp. 17 3: ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF PARASITE TRANSMISSION 18 4: OWNER CONSIDERATIONS IN PREVENTING ZOONOTIC DISEASES 19 5: STAFF, PET OWNER AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION 19 APPENDIX 1 – BACKGROUND 20 APPENDIX 2 – GLOSSARY 21 FIGURES Figure 1: Toxoplasma gondii life cycle 12 Figure 2: Neospora caninum life cycle 14 TABLES Table 1: Characteristics of apicomplexan oocysts found in the faeces of dogs and cats 10 Control of Intestinal Protozoa 6 in Dogs and Cats ESCCAP Guideline 06 Second Edition – February 2018 3 INTRODUCTION A wide range of intestinal protozoa commonly infect dogs and cats throughout Europe; with a few exceptions there seem to be no limitations in geographical distribution.
    [Show full text]
  • Cyclosporiasis: an Update
    Cyclosporiasis: An Update Cirle Alcantara Warren, MD Corresponding author Epidemiology Cirle Alcantara Warren, MD Cyclosporiasis has been reported in three epidemiologic Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases and settings: sporadic cases among local residents in an International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, MR4 Building, Room 3134, Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. endemic area, travelers to or expatriates in an endemic E-mail: [email protected] area, and food- or water-borne outbreaks in a nonendemic Current Infectious Disease Reports 2009, 11:108–112 area. In tropical and subtropical countries (especially Current Medicine Group LLC ISSN 1523-3847 Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, and Nepal) where C. cayetanen- Copyright © 2009 by Current Medicine Group LLC sis infection is endemic, attack rates appear higher in the nonimmune population (ie, travelers, expatriates, and immunocompromised individuals). Cyclosporiasis was a Cyclosporiasis is a food- and water-borne infection leading cause of persistent diarrhea among travelers to that affects healthy and immunocompromised indi- Nepal in spring and summer and continues to be reported viduals. Awareness of the disease has increased, and among travelers in Latin America and Southeast Asia outbreaks continue to be reported among vulnera- [8–10]. Almost half (14/29) the investigated Dutch attend- ble hosts and now among local residents in endemic ees of a scientifi c meeting of microbiologists held in 2001 areas. Advances in molecular techniques have in Indonesia had C. cayetanensis in stool, confi rmed by improved identifi cation of infection, but detecting microscopy and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and food and water contamination remains diffi cult.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny of the Malarial Genus Plasmodium, Derived from Rrna Gene Sequences (Plasmodium Falciparum/Host Switch/Small Subunit Rrna/Human Malaria)
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 91, pp. 11373-11377, November 1994 Evolution Phylogeny of the malarial genus Plasmodium, derived from rRNA gene sequences (Plasmodium falciparum/host switch/small subunit rRNA/human malaria) ANANIAS A. ESCALANTE AND FRANCISCO J. AYALA* Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92717 Contributed by Francisco J. Ayala, August 5, 1994 ABSTRACT Malaria is among mankind's worst scourges, is only remotely related to other Plasmodium species, in- affecting many millions of people, particularly in the tropics. cluding those parasitic to birds and other human parasites, Human malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium, a such as P. vivax and P. malariae. parasitic protozoan. We analyze the small subunit rRNA gene sequences of 11 Plasmodium species, including three parasitic to humans, to infer their evolutionary relationships. Plasmo- MATERIALS AND METHODS dium falciparum, the most virulent of the human species, is We have investigated the 18S SSU rRNA sequences ofthe 11 closely related to Plasmodium reiehenowi, which is parasitic to Plasmodium species listed in Table 1. This table also gives chimpanzee. The estimated time of divergence of these two the known host and geographical distribution. The sequences Plasmodium species is consistent with the time of divergence are for type A genes, which are expressed during the asexual (6-10 million years ago) between the human and chimpanzee stage of the parasite in the vertebrate host, whereas the SSU lineages. The falkiparun-reichenowi lade is only remotely rRNA type B genes are expressed during the sexual stage in related to two other human parasites, Plasmodium malariae the vector (12).
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution of Ruminant Sarcocystis (Sporozoa) Parasites Based on Small Subunit Rdna Sequences O
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Vol. 11, No. 1, February, pp. 27–37, 1999 Article ID mpev.1998.0556, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on Evolution of Ruminant Sarcocystis (Sporozoa) Parasites Based on Small Subunit rDNA Sequences O. J. M. Holmdahl,*,1 David A. Morrison,* John T. Ellis,* and Lam T. T. Huong† *Molecular Parasitology Unit, University of Technology, Sydney Westbourne Street, Gore Hill, New South Wales 2065, Australia; and †Department of Parasitology and Pathology, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Received August 18, 1997; revised May 19, 1998 take of infective sporocysts shed by the definitive host We present an evolutionary analysis of 13 species of in feces, the parasite will proliferate in the tissues of Sarcocystis, including 4 newly sequenced species with the intermediate host and finally establish itself as ruminants as their intermediate host, based on com- sarcocysts (sarcosporidia). The sarcocysts, containing plete small subunit rDNA sequences. Those species cystozoites or bradyzoites, are found in muscle and with ruminants as their intermediate host form a nervous tissue in the intermediate host, which is then well-supported clade, and there are at least two major consumed by the definitive host. clades within this group, one containing those species Sarcocystis may be of considerable economic impor- forming microcysts and with dogs as their definitive tance, because domesticated ruminants will act as an host and the other containing those species forming macrocysts and with cats as their definitive host. intermediate host for a wide range of species. For Those species with nonruminants as their intermedi- example, there are three species of Sarcocystis that ate host form the paraphyletic sister group to these infect cattle (Bos taurus), namely S.
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity Characterization of Natural Populations of the Parasitoid Parvilucifera Sinerae
    Vol. 76: 117–132, 2015 AQUATIC MICROBIAL ECOLOGY Published online October 22 doi: 10.3354/ame01771 Aquat Microb Ecol OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Genetic and phenotypic diversity characterization of natural populations of the parasitoid Parvilucifera sinerae Marta Turon1, Elisabet Alacid1, Rosa Isabel Figueroa2, Albert Reñé1, Isabel Ferrera1, Isabel Bravo3, Isabel Ramilo3, Esther Garcés1,* 1Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar, CSIC, Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain 2Department of Biology, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden 3Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía), Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390 Vigo, Spain ABSTRACT: Parasites exert important top-down control of their host populations. The host−para- site system formed by Alexandrium minutum (Dinophyceae) and Parvilucifera sinerae (Perkinso- zoa) offers an opportunity to advance our knowledge of parasitism in planktonic communities. In this study, DNA extracted from 73 clonal strains of P. sinerae, from 10 different locations along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, was used to genetically characterize this parasitoid at the spe- cies level. All strains showed identical sequences of the small and large subunits and internal tran- scribed spacer of the ribosomal RNA, as well as of the β-tubulin genes. However, the phenotypical characterization showed variability in terms of host invasion, zoospore success, maturation time, half-maximal infection, and infection rate. This characterization grouped the strains within 3 phe- notypic types distinguished by virulence traits. A particular virulence pattern could not be ascribed to host-cell bloom appearance or to the location or year of parasite-strain isolation; rather, some parasitoid strains from the same bloom significantly differed in their virulence traits.
    [Show full text]
  • Classification and Nomenclature of Human Parasites Lynne S
    C H A P T E R 2 0 8 Classification and Nomenclature of Human Parasites Lynne S. Garcia Although common names frequently are used to describe morphologic forms according to age, host, or nutrition, parasitic organisms, these names may represent different which often results in several names being given to the parasites in different parts of the world. To eliminate same organism. An additional problem involves alterna- these problems, a binomial system of nomenclature in tion of parasitic and free-living phases in the life cycle. which the scientific name consists of the genus and These organisms may be very different and difficult to species is used.1-3,8,12,14,17 These names generally are of recognize as belonging to the same species. Despite these Greek or Latin origin. In certain publications, the scien- difficulties, newer, more sophisticated molecular methods tific name often is followed by the name of the individual of grouping organisms often have confirmed taxonomic who originally named the parasite. The date of naming conclusions reached hundreds of years earlier by experi- also may be provided. If the name of the individual is in enced taxonomists. parentheses, it means that the person used a generic name As investigations continue in parasitic genetics, immu- no longer considered to be correct. nology, and biochemistry, the species designation will be On the basis of life histories and morphologic charac- defined more clearly. Originally, these species designa- teristics, systems of classification have been developed to tions were determined primarily by morphologic dif- indicate the relationship among the various parasite ferences, resulting in a phenotypic approach.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Phylogeny and Surface Morphology of Colpodella Edax (Alveolata): Insights Into the Phagotrophic Ancestry of Apicomplexans
    J. Eukaryot. MicroDiol., 50(S), 2003 pp. 334-340 0 2003 by the Society of Protozoologists Molecular Phylogeny and Surface Morphology of Colpodella edax (Alveolata): Insights into the Phagotrophic Ancestry of Apicomplexans BRIAN S. LEANDER,;‘ OLGA N. KUVARDINAP VLADIMIR V. ALESHIN,” ALEXANDER P. MYLNIKOV and PATRICK J. KEELINGa Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Program in Evolutionary Biology, Departnzent of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T Iz4, Canada, and hDepartments of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Invertebrate Zoology, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, I I9 992, Russian Federation, and ‘Institute for the Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy qf Sciences, Borok, Yaroslavskaya oblast, I52742, Russian Federation ABSTRACT. The molecular phylogeny of colpodellids provides a framework for inferences about the earliest stages in apicomplexan evolution and the characteristics of the last common ancestor of apicomplexans and dinoflagellates. We extended this research by presenting phylogenetic analyses of small subunit rRNA gene sequences from Colpodella edax and three unidentified eukaryotes published from molecular phylogenetic surveys of anoxic environments. Phylogenetic analyses consistently showed C. edax and the environmental sequences nested within a colpodellid clade, which formed the sister group to (eu)apicomplexans. We also presented surface details of C. edax using scanning electron microscopy in order to supplement previous ultrastructural investigations of this species using transmission electron microscopy and to provide morphological context for interpreting environmental sequences. The microscopical data confirmed a sparse distribution of micropores, an amphiesma consisting of small polygonal alveoli, flagellar hairs on the anterior flagellum, and a rostrum molded by the underlying (open-sided)conoid. Three flagella were present in some individuals, a peculiar feature also found in the microgametes of some apicomplexans.
    [Show full text]
  • Histopathology of Protozoal Infection in Animals
    Veterinaria Italiana, 2012, 48 (1), 99‐107 Histopathology of protozoal infection in animals: a retrospective study at the University of Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine (1972‐2010) Abigail M. Baticados & Waren N. Baticados Summary Istopatologia da infezione The authors describe the first parasitological survey of protozoal infections on tissue slide protozoaria negli animali: uno sections of field cases processed at the studio retrospettivo (1972‐2010) histopathology laboratory of the College of presso l’Università delle Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Over 80% Filippine nel College di of the field cases were from Region 4 Medicina Veterinaria (CALABARZON) and the rest were equally distributed from other areas of the Philippines, Riassunto namely: Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Gli autori descrivono la prima indagine Metropolitan Manila (National Capital Region), parassitologica delle infezioni protozoarie su vetrino Region III (Central Luzon) and Region VI attraverso sezioni di tessuto, di casi trattati in (Western Visayas). Histopathological analyses campo, presso il laboratorio di istopatologia del of tissue sections from 51 archived cases (1972‐ Collegio di Medicina Veterinaria (CVM) attivo 2010) of parasitic aetiology were performed. nell’ Università delle Filippine a Los Baños (UPLB). Microscopic examination of a total of Oltre lʹ80% dei casi provenivano dalla Regione 4 286 histopathological slides revealed the (CALABARZON) e il resto dei casi proveniva presence of several protozoa, including equamente da altre zone delle Filippine, e precisa‐ sarcosporidiosis, hepatic coccidiosis, intestinal mente: dalla Regione 2 (Cagayan Valle), coccidiosis, balantidiosis and leucocyto‐ Metropolitan Manila (National Capital Region), zoonosis. In addition, the finding of Balantidium dalla Regione III (Central Luzon) e dalla Regione and Sarcocystis may have zoonotic implications VI (Western Visayas).
    [Show full text]
  • Coccidian Parasites Cyclospora Cayetanensis, Isospora Belli, Sarcocystis Hominis/Suihominis Vitaliano Cama
    CHAPTER 3 Coccidian Parasites Cyclospora cayetanensis, Isospora belli, Sarcocystis hominis/suihominis Vitaliano Cama 3.1 PREFACE Cyclospora cayetanensis, Isospora belli, and the Sarcocystis spp. Sarcocystis homi- nis and Sarcocystis suihominis are parasites that infect the enteric tract of humans (Beck et al., 1955; Frenkel et al., 1979; Ortega et al., 1993). These parasites cause disease when infectious oocysts are ingested by humans. The routes of transmission can be direct human to human contact or through contaminated food (Connor and Shlim, 1995; Fayer et al., 1979) or water (Wright and Collins, 1997). Taxonomically, these parasites are very distinct: Cyclospora and Isospora belong to the Eimeriidaes, whereas Sarcocystis belongs to the Sarcocystidae. Nonetheless, some similarities are noteworthy: infectious stages of these parasites have morphological similarities, they have been reported to be food-borne, they cause infections of the intestinal tract of humans, and their clinical presentations have similarities (Mansfield and Gajadhar, 2004). Thus, relatedness and differences between several aspects of cy- closporiasis, isosporosis, and sarcocystosis will be covered in this chapter. 3.2 BACKGROUND/HISTORY Cyclospora is probably the most important foodborne pathogen of the three parasites. It is endemic in several regions of the world, primarily in developing countries (Markus and Frean, 1993; Ortega et al., 1993), whereas in the developed world it has been associated with important foodborne outbreaks (Charatan, 1996; Herwaldt, 2000; Herwaldt and Beach, 1999). It has also been reported in travelers returning from endemic areas (Gascon et al., 1995; Soave et al., 1998). Isospora belli is an infrequent parasite of humans, with most cases reported from tropical areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Genome-Wide Identification and Evolutionary Analysis of Sarcocystis Neurona Protein Kinases
    Article Genome-Wide Identification and Evolutionary Analysis of Sarcocystis neurona Protein Kinases Edwin K. Murungi 1,* and Henry M. Kariithi 2 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, 20115 Njoro, Kenya 2 Biotechnology Research Institute, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, P.O. Box 57811, Kaptagat Rd, Loresho, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel: +254-789-716-059 Academic Editor: Anthony Underwood Received: 6 January 2017; Accepted: 17 March 2017; Published: 21 March 2017 Abstract: The apicomplexan parasite Sarcocystis neurona causes equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a degenerative neurological disease of horses. Due to its host range expansion, S. neurona is an emerging threat that requires close monitoring. In apicomplexans, protein kinases (PKs) have been implicated in a myriad of critical functions, such as host cell invasion, cell cycle progression and host immune response evasion. Here, we used various bioinformatics methods to define the kinome of S. neurona and phylogenetic relatedness of its PKs to other apicomplexans. We identified 97 putative PKs clustering within the various eukaryotic kinase groups. Although containing the universally-conserved PKA (AGC group), S. neurona kinome was devoid of PKB and PKC. Moreover, the kinome contains the six-conserved apicomplexan CDPKs (CAMK group). Several OPK atypical kinases, including ROPKs 19A, 27, 30, 33, 35 and 37 were identified. Notably, S. neurona is devoid of the virulence-associated ROPKs 5, 6, 18 and 38, as well as the Alpha and RIO kinases. Two out of the three S. neurona CK1 enzymes had high sequence similarities to Toxoplasma gondii TgCK1-α and TgCK1-β and the Plasmodium PfCK1.
    [Show full text]