The invasion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has resulted in enormous ecological and economic consequences worldwide. Although the spread of this weed in Africa, Australia, and North America has been well documented, its invasion in China is yet to be fully documented. Here we report that since its introduction about seven decades ago, water hyacinth has infested many water bodies acro...

Clinical and histopathological findings in a litter of German Shepherd dogs consisting of seven puppies with acute inflammation confined to the footpads were reported. Affected footpads were characteristically erythematous, swollen and painful. Lesions were present on all four feet in 3/7 cases and on the rear feet in 4/7 cases. None of the dogs had evidence of ectoparasitism. Fecal flotation, ...

Epidemiology and pathology of ectoparasitic infestations in Black Bengal goats were studied in different areas of Mymensingh and Gaibandha districts, Bangladesh from December, 2006 to November, 2007. A total of 125 Black Bengal goats were examined. Among them 91 (72.8%) were infested with one or more species of ectoparasites. Six species of ectoparasites were identified, of which four species w...

Aedes albopictus was discovered in Los Angeles, California, in June 2001 in a maritime cargo container from China containing a shipment of a commercial plant product known as "Lucky Bamboo" (Dracaena spp.). To keep the plants alive during the ocean transit, they were shipped in 5-8 cm of water, providing an excellent habitat for Ae. albopictus. Mosquito infestations were subsequently detected a...

Pathogen evasion of the host immune system is a key force driving extreme polymorphism in genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Although this gene family is well characterized in structure and function, there is still much debate surrounding the mechanisms by which MHC diversity is selectively maintained. Many studies have investigated relationships between MHC variation and spec...

A complete understanding of how parasites influence marine ecosystem functioning requires characterizing a broad range of parasite-host interactions while determining the effects of parasitism in a variety of habitats. In deep-sea fishes, the prevalence of parasitism remains poorly understood. Knowledge of ectoparasitism, in particular, is limited because collection methods often cause dislodgm...

The stinging wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) are an extremely diverse lineage of hymenopteran insects, encompassing over 70,000 described species and a diversity of life history traits, including ectoparasitism, cleptoparasitism, predation, pollen feeding (bees [Anthophila] and Masarinae), and eusociality (social vespid wasps, ants, and some bees) [1]. The most well-studied lineages of Aculeata a...

AHsrKACT, The most common gastrointestinal helminths in camels in Saudi Arahia are Ilaemm/chlis 10I/Kis/ipes.. 'I'richllris spp" Parahm/ema skrjahil/i. C'amelosmmKyll,s mel/l/lla/lIs, l'ricilostrm/Kyllis spp., Nema/(Jdirn" spp, fil"ci(Jla KiKal//ica and H. c(mt(Jrl/(,'. ()l/ch(J('erca fl/,cia/(( is the most common extra-intestinal helminth in indigenous camels. Hydatidosis (due to infection wit...

Introduction: Henoch schonlein purpura (HSP) is a self-limited systemic disease with multiorgan involvement. While cutaneous involvement may wary, presenting as itching papules is not a common manifestation. In this report we discuss a case of HSP which was presented solely with itching papules; mistaken for scabies. Case presentation: A 7 year old boy presented with itchy palpable papules with...

www.expert-reviews.com ISSN 1746-9872 © 2009 Expert Reviews Ltd 10.1586/EDM.09.18 Human louse and scabies infestations are an ancient, common and well known medical problem of mankind. These ectoparasitic infestations have been, and unfortunately still are, associated with a perception of uncleanliness and social stigma. Despite their relatively ‘simple’ and straightforward nature, these infest...