Patterns of prevalence and host specificity of the parasitic castrator, Loxothylacus panopaei, in a region of parasite introduction (Chesapeake Bay, Maryland-Virginia) were compared to those within its native geographic range (Indian River Lagoon, Florida). Prevalence in five species of xanthid crabs was measured at several spatial and temporal scales along the east coast of North America. The ...

The first steps in leishmaniasis are critical in determining the evolution of the disease. Major advances have recently been done in understanding this crucial moment. Fundamental research in parasite-vector interaction, parasite biology, insect saliva, and vertebrate host response have shed new light and uncovered a most fascinating and complex moment in leishmaniasis. We review here some of t...

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for growth in consumers. P-limitation and parasite infection comprise one of the most common stressor pairs consumers confront in nature. We conducted a life-table study using a Daphnia-microsporidian parasite model, feeding uninfected or infected Daphnia with either P-sufficient or P-limited algae, and assessed the impact of the two stressors on life-his...

Resistance to mucosal infection varies greatly in the population, but the molecular basis of disease susceptibility is often unknown. Studies of host-pathogen infections are helpful to identify virulence factors, which characterise disease isolates, and successful defence strategies of hosts that resist infection. In the urinary tract infection (UTI) model, we have identified crucial steps in t...

The involvement of the lectin/carbohydrate interaction in the invasion of the turbot intestinal epithelium by Enteromyxum scophthalmi was studied in vitro using explants of turbot intestine and pre-treatment of parasite stages with the plant lectins of Canavalia ensiformis (Con A) and Glycine max (SBA). Both lectins inhibited the attachment and invasion of E. scophthalmi stages to the intestina...

This short article carefully formulate a simple SI model for a parasite-host interaction through the basic birth and death processes analysis. This model reveals and corrects an error in similar models studied recently by various authors. Complete mathematical investigation of this simple model shows that the host extinction dynamics can happen and the outcomes may depend on the initial conditi...

The initial interaction between bacteria and the renal pelvic epithelium may determine whether intrarenal infection occurs. A model of retrograde pyelonephritis was employed to study these events by electron microscopy. Female rats received an intravesicular inoculation of a 0.5-ml suspension of Proteus mirabilis containing 10(8) organisms. At intervals after inoculation, the kidneys were fixed...

Phytoplasmas are plant pathogenic bacteria that are transmitted by insects. We examined several molecular biological findings involved in both plant–phytoplasma interactions and insect–phytoplasma interactions. (i) The complete genomic sequence of the phytoplasma suggested that the genome encodes very few metabolic functions, implying that the consumption of metabolites by phytoplasmas in plant...

Abstract Purpose of Review Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi . Parasite transmission primarily occurs through direct interaction with an infected triatomine insect vector (kissing bug), but other routes are known. We aim to review literature and discuss unique circumstances CD in US state Florida. Recent Findings Florida home natural...