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peer-reviewed Background Quantitative genetic studies suggest the existence of variation at the genome level that affects the ability of cattle to resist to parasitic diseases. The objective of the current study was to identify regions of the bovine genome that are associated with resistance to endo-parasites. Methods Individual cattle records were available for Fasciola hepatica-damaged liver from 18 abattoirs. Deregressed estimated breeding values (EBV) for F. hepatica-damaged liver were generated for genotyped animals with a record for F. hepatica-damaged liver and for genotyped sires with a least one progeny record for F. hepatica-damaged liver; 3702 animals were available. In addition, individual cow records for antibody response to F. hepatica on 6388 genotyped dairy cows, antibody response to Ostertagia ostertagi on 8334 genotyped dairy cows and antibody response to Neospora caninum on 4597 genotyped dairy cows were adjusted for non-genetic effects. Genotypes were imputed to whole-sequence; after edits, 14,190,141 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 16,603,644 SNPs were available for cattle with deregressed EBV for F. hepatica-damaged liver and cows with an antibody response to a parasitic disease, respectively. Association analyses were undertaken using linear regression on one SNP at a time, in which a genomic relationship matrix accounted for the relationships between animals. Results Genomic regions for F. hepatica-damaged liver were located on Bos taurus autosomes (BTA) 1, 8, 11, 16, 17 and 18; each region included at least one SNP with a p value lower than 10−6. Five SNPs were identified as significant (q value

Fascioliosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica (common liver fluke). Initial clinical symptoms are frequently non-specific. Even after the development of liver tumors, a range of different underlying disorders will have to be considered. The rare cause of a parasitosis is not always included in the differential diagnostic work up. We report on a 41-year-old truck driver from Middle East who was admitted at our hospital due to ongoing upper abdominal pain, fatigue, night sweat and nausea lasting for weeks. Diagnostic investigation showed leucocytosis, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, elevated liver values and IgE as well as blood eosinophilia. Radiological findings of the computed tomography were bilateral pulmonary lesions 3 mm in size and multiple hepatic lesions up to 4.5 cm in diameter. Due to the suspicion of a malignant disease, a liver biopsy was planned but cancelled after parasitological serology (Western blot and ELISA) revealed IgG-antibodies against F. hepatica. Detailed history gave evidence of a recent parasitological infection during a stay in Turkey with consumption of vegetable which were grown and washed with water from the local river. Eggs of the parasite could neither be found in analysis of duodenal secretion nor in examination of fecal culture. However, confirmation for the infection with F. hepatica was proved with another positive serology. The treatment with Triclabendazole (Egaten(®)) for two days with a total dosage of 2000 mg was followed by a remarkable recovery of the patient's symptoms and decrease of eosinophilia in the blood count just one month after treatment and normalization after four months.

Titelblatt, Abkürzungsverzeichnis, Inhalt, Danksagung, Selbständigkeitserklärung 1\. Einleitung 2\. Literaturteil 3\. Material und Methoden 4\. Ergebnisse 4.2 Ergebnisse der elektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchungen 4.2.2 Ergebnisse der transmissionselektronenmikroskopischen (TEM) Untersuchungen 5\. Diskussion 6\. Zusammenfassung 7\. Summary 8\. Anhang 9\. Literaturverzeichnis, Ultrastrukturelle Untersuchungen an Fasciola hepatica nach der Therapie mit Albendazolsulfoxid bei Rattus norvegicus und bei Schafen Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde untersucht, ob und in welcher Konzentration Albendazolsulfoxid zur Therapie gegen F. hepatica geeignet war. Zudem wurde ermittelt, ob der Einsatz eines Enhancers zur Verbesserung der Wirkung und Verwendung von geringeren Wirkstoffmengen führte. Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen erfolgten sowohl an experimentell infizierten Ratten als auch an natürlich infizierten Schafen. Das Medikament wurde auf unterschiedlichen Applikationswegen verabreicht. Die Wirksamkeit des Wirkstoffes wurde anhand von Kotuntersuchungen überprüft. Im Anschluss wurde eine Sektion der Ratten durchgeführt. Des Weiteren wurde die Wirkung von Albendazolsulfoxid auf die Morphologie des Parasiten untersucht. Das Wurmgewebe wurde sowohl transmissionselektronenmikroskopisch als auch per Rasterelektronenmikroskopie analysiert. Im tierexperimentellen Teil dieser Arbeit ergab sich, dass Albendazolsulfoxid oral, subkutan und intraperitoneal bei Ratten in einer Dosierung von 30 mg pro Kg Körpergewicht kurativ wirkte. Durch die kombinierte Behandlung mit dem Enhancer konnte die Wirkstoffmenge bei den oben genannten Applikationsformen auf 20 mg pro Kg Körpergewicht reduziert werden. Für die pour- on Behandlung der infizierten Ratten ergab sich bei der alleinigen Applikation von Albendazolsulfoxid eine Dosis von 130 mg pro Kg Körpergewicht. Wurde der Wirkstoff in Kombination mit dem Enhancer verabreicht, lag die Dosierung von Albendazolsulfoxid bei 90 mg pro Kg Körpergewicht. Bei den durchgeführten Untersuchungen ergab sich, dass der Enhancer allein keine fasziolicide Wirkung hatte. Er bewirkte eine Reduktion des benötigten Wirkstoffes und reduzierte die Eiaussscheidung um einen Tag. Die an den Schafen durchgeführten Untersuchungen ergaben ebenfalls, dass die orale Wirkstoffmenge bei einer mit Enhancer kombinierten Behandlung bei 20 mg Albendazolsufoxid pro Kg Körpergewicht lag. Die ermittelte Dosierung für die pour- on behandelten Schafen lag bei 200 mg Albendazolsulfoxid pro Kg Körpergewicht in Kombination mit dem Enhancer . Für die elektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchungen wurden Ratten mit 20 mg und mit 40 mg Albendazolsulfoxid pro Kg Körpergewicht behandelt. Es erfolgte eine Behandlung mit Albendazolsulfoxid allein und eine Kombinationsbehandlung des Wirkstoffs zusammen mit dem Enhancer. Die Untersuchung der Würmer erfolgte nach 24 und nach 48 Stunden. Es zeigte sich sowohl bei der Rasterelektronenmikroskopie als auch bei der Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie, dass die Schäden am Gewebe mit der höheren Dosierung und bei der längerer Wirkzeit zunahmen. Durch den Zusatz des Enhancers waren die Schäden an F. hepatica im Vergleich zur alleinigen Behandlung mit Albendazolsulfoxid in allen untersuchten Präparaten deutlicher und stärker ausgeprägt. Bei den REM- Untersuchungen erwies sich, dass es durch die Behandlung der Parasiten offenbar zu einer deutlichen Schädigung der Wurmoberfläche kam. Bei allen behandelten Würmern wurde eine Schwellung des Teguments beobachtet, wodurch die darauf befindlichen Häkchen eingesunken erschienen. Auch traten auf dem Tegument Ansammlungen von Bläschen und zytoplasmatischen Trümmern hervor. In hoher Dosierung und durch die zusätzliche Applikation des Enhancers entstanden Furchen im Tegument und es kam zum Häkchenverlust an der Wurmoberfläche. Anhand der TEM- Aufnahmen wurde untersucht, welche Schäden auf zellulärer Ebene im Tegument, Darm und Ovar durch die Behandlung entstanden. In allen untersuchten Geweben wurden Schäden in Form von starker Vakuolenbildung festgestellt. Die stärkste Schädigung zeigte sich im Bereich der Basallamina in Form von verschmelzenden Vakuolen. Durch den Zusatz des Enhancers, wurden die Schäden stärker und es entstanden Spalträume. Zudem kam es zu morphologischen Veränderungen an den Mitochondrien in Form von Schwellungen bzw. Platzen. Teilweise löste sich die Basallamina vom umliegenden Gewebe ab und es entstanden große Hohlräume, so dass das Wurmgewebe zum Teil völlig lysiert wurde., Ultrastructural investigations in Fasciola hepatica after the therapy with albendazole sulphoxide with Rattus norvegicus and with sheep In the course of this study several tests were out into whether, and in what concentrations, albendazole sulphoxide is suitable for use in therapy against F. hepatica. It was also determined whether the use of an enhancer results in an improvement of efficacy and allows the reduction of the active substance. The study also investigated the effects of albendazole sulphoxide on the morphology of the parasite. Parasite tissue was analysed using both transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy in order to determine whether morphological changes occurred under exposure to the active substance. In the animal experimental part of the study, it was found that albendazole sulphoxide has a fasciolide effect whether administered orally, subcutaneously or intraperitoneally to rats in a dosage of 30 mg per kg bodyweight. In combination with the enhancer, the quantity of active substance in the aforementioned forms of administration can be reduced to 20 mg per kg bodyweight. For pour- on treatment of the infected rats, a dose of 130 mg per kg bodyweight was found to be necessary if albendazole sulphoxide was applied by itself. In combination with enhancer the albendazole sulphoxide dose for pour- on treatment could be reduced to 90 mg per kg bodyweight. The studies showed that the enhancer itself had no fasziolide effect. It allowed a reduction of the quantity of the active substance required and stoped the secretion of eggs faster. The effective quantity of the active compound in the oral application in sheep was found to be 20 mg albendazole sulphoxide per kg bodyweight. The pour- on dosage determined as being necessary in sheep was 20mg to be 200 mg albendazole sulphoxide per kg bodyweight in combination with the enhancer. For the electron microscope examinations, rats were treated with 20 mg and 40 mg albendazole sulphoxide per Kg bodyweight. Treatment was given both in the form of albendazole sulphoxide alone and in combination with the enhancer. The worms were examined after 24 and 48 hours. Both scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed that the higher the dose, the more substantial the damage caused to the worm. It was also found that the damage to the parasite increased the longer it was exposed to the active substance. With use of the enhancer, the damage to F. hepatica was greater and more marked than under treatment with albendazole sulphoxide alone. Examination under the scanning electron microscope revealed that the treatment evidently causes marked damage to the surface of the worm. In all the worms exposed to treatment, swelling of the tegument could be seen, causing the hooks located on top to appear sunken in. Additionally, an accumulation of small blisters and cytoplasmatic debris was observed on the tegument. Under higher dosages and with additional application of the enhancer, furrows occurred in the tegument, with loss of hooks from the worm`s surface. The examinations revealed no differences in reaction between the ventral and the dorsal tegument. However, the damage to the rear end of the worm was more marked than to the front end. With the aid of the TEM images, it was possible to examine the damage caused by albendazole sulphoxide alone and in combination with the enhancer to the tegument, intestine and ovary. In all the tissue examined, treatment with the active substance was found to cause damage in the form of extensive vacuole formation. The most severe damage in all the tissue examined was observed in the area of the basal lamina in the form of merging vacuoles. Use of the enhancer intensified the damage, with additionally fissuring. Mitochondrial changes in morphology such as swelling and bursting occured. In some cases, the basal lamina broke away from the surrounding tissue, creating large cavities in the worm tissue in some cases being completely lysed.

The owners of 54 cattle herds with bovine fasciolosis, as a livestock problem in Switzerland, were surveyed on their farm, on their education and knowledge on Fasciola hepatica. The aim of the survey was to assess the awareness of the farmers concerning this economically important parasitosis. The analysis of the questionnaires revealed that 72.2% of the farmers were unaware of the fasciolosis in their animals. The knowledge of 51 out of 54 (94.4%) respondents was classified as low to moderate, only four farmers (7.4%) had knowledge of control strategies in addition to the parasite cycle. The knowledge on fasciolosis did not correlate with farm data or year of graduation from school for agriculture. Furthermore, the results were compared to the answers of 33 farmers whose animals were not infected with Fasciola hepatica. Of this group of respondents 12.1% believed that their cattle suffered from fasciolosis.

The owners of 54 cattle herds with bovine fasciolosis, as a livestock problem in Switzerland, were surveyed on their farm, on their education and knowledge on Fasciola hepatica. The aim of the survey was to assess the awareness of the farmers concerning this economically important parasitosis. The analysis of the questionnaires revealed that 72.2% of the farmers were unaware of the fasciolosis in their animals. The knowledge of 51 out of 54 (94.4%) respondents was classified as low to moderate, only four farmers (7.4%) had knowledge of control strategies in addition to the parasite cycle. The knowledge on fasciolosis did not correlate with farm data or year of graduation from school for agriculture. Furthermore, the results were compared to the answers of 33 farmers whose animals were not infected with Fasciola hepatica. Of this group of respondents 12.1% believed that their cattle suffered from fasciolosis.

On the basis of meat inspection in an abattoir in the eastern part of Switzerland, the incidence of liverflukes in cattle was recorded weekly during one year. The prevalence was compared with surveys from the seventies and nineties. The average incidence of Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection did not change. Although the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica apparently slightly decreased, an actual decrease of liverflukes could not be demonstrated.

An einem Ostschweizer Schlachthof wurde wochentlich wahrend eines Jahres der Befall mit grossem und kleinem Leberegel beim Rind anhand der Fleischschau festgehalten. Die so erhaltene Pravalenz wurde mit Studien aus den 70er- und 90er-Jahren verglichen. Die durchschnittliche Befallsrate mit Dicrocoelium dendriticum hat sich nicht verandert. Obwohl die Pravalenz von Fasciola hepatica scheinbar leicht zuruckgegangen ist, konnte eine tatsachliche Abnahme der Erkrankung nicht nachgewiesen werden.

A 36 year old man was diagnosed with eosinophilia and elevated liver-enzyme levels in a preoperative routine laboratory testing. In the course of the evaluation we found high levels of Fasciola hepatica specific antibodies which lead to an ERC with biliary aspiration after choleretic stimulation. The bile showed Fasciola eggs and subsequently we recovered a parasite from the bile duct. Abdominal CT- and MRI-Scans showed lesions of the liver consistent with hepatic fascioliasis. Focussed patient's history revealed ingestion of contaminated watercress in Turkey as the most likely source of infection. For patients with elevated liver-enzymes of unknown etiology with eosinophilia or in combination with a congruent patient's history even without eosinophilia serologic studies of Fasciola hepatica seem to be advisable. We suggest an ERC with biliary aspiration to prove the diagnosis in case of positive results, if the prepatency period of 4 months after the ingestion is over. Fasciola hepatica is rarely diagnosed in Germany probably due to the lack of awareness of the disease.

A 42-year-old man who had just returned from a trip to Turkey presented with recurrent right upper abdominal pain and bouts of fever. Physical examination was unremarkable except for an enlarged liver on palpation.There was a slight increase in tests indicating cholestasis and in transminases. There was a marked eosinophilia of 57% in the differential blood count. Ultrasound examination indicated an inhomogeneous and enlarged right lobe of the liver with a 2.5 x 3 cm poorly circumscribed echo-poor space-occupying lesion. Computed tomography demonstrated multiple hypodense foci. Needle biopsy revealed a histological picture suggesting parasite infection.The patient was referred to a department of tropical medicine. His symptoms progressed and the antibody titre for Fasciola hepatica was increased, but no Fasciola eggs were found in the stool. Administration of triclabendazole resulted in lasting regression of the symptoms and a dramatic fall in eosinophilia to ultimately 6%.In eosinophilia of undetermined origin parasitic infection should be considered and any previous visit to countries with endemic parasitic disease taken into account.

In Llamas and Alpacas infestation with Fasciola hepatica or Dicrocoelium dendriticum can cause liver damage, sometimes even with lethal outcome. Once infected South American Camelids (SACs) react more sensitively to these parasites than other domestic ruminants. We report here on the pathology, parasitology, clinics and therapy of this disease. Concerning Dicrocoelium dendriticum we describe own clinical results and therapeutic outcome in addition to the pathological investigation. According to anatomic corrosion casts, the bile ducts of SACs show more similarity with the equine bile system than with the bile system of domestic ruminants.

RT-PCR and degenerative Oligonucleotide primers derived from conserved cysteine protease sequences were used to amplify seven different Fasciola hepatica cysteine protease cDNA clones (Fcp1-7). Five of the clones showed homology to proteases of the cathepsin L type, whereas two appeared to represent the cathepsin B family. The 5' and the 3' regions of Fcp1 were amplified using the rapid amplification of cDNA Ends PCR (RACE-PCR) protocol. The Fcp1 cDNA fragment was also subcloned in the expression vector pGEX and expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. Antibodies, raised in rabbits against the GST:Fcp1 fusion protein, were used in Western blot analysis to examine expression in different life-cycle stages of F. hepatica. In extracts from immature and adult parasites proteins of 30 and 38 kDa were detected. In other stages, proteins of different molecular weight were recognized by anti-GST:Fcp1 antiserum, indicating stage-specific gene expression.

A 29-year-old patient was admitted with acute abdomen in the 17th week of pregnancy. History revealed two episodes of colic in the right hypochondriac area during the previous six months, but no other abdominal complaints. Clinically the picture was that of acute cholecystitis. Laboratory findings included an elevated white cell count, a slight elevation of serum transaminases and a marked increase of serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Echographically there were dilated intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts containing two hyperechogenic elements without casting an acoustic shadow. A hydrops of the gallbladder with sludge and a thickening of the wall could also been seen. Because of pregnancy an ERCP could not be performed due to the need for X-ray, so we had to resort to open surgery. Under tocolytic and antibiotic shielding we carried out open cholecystectomy and choledochoscopic exploration of the common bile duct. Using a Fogarty balloon catheter we extracted two live, adult liver flukes and placed a T-tube in the duct. Because of positive fecal probes for fasciola eggs the T-tube had to be left in place until childbirth. Afterwards we performed a pre-cut-papillotomy by ERCP and took the T-tube out, having confirmed a clear duct on a T-tube-cholangiogram. With negative fecal probes and the eosinophilia on the white cell count returning to normal, we decided against the planned chemotherapy and assumed self-healing of the disease. The patient has been well since.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A 39-year-old man was hospitalized because of a 5-week history of feeling very ill, with fever up to 39 degrees C and nonspecific upper abdominal pain. He looked very pale and his spleen was painful on palpation. There was a blood eosinophilia of over 50% and computed tomography demonstrated hypodense areas in the liver, suggesting a parasitic infection with liver involvement. An ELISA factor of over 100 and the finding of liver fluke eggs in bile confirmed the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infection, which was probably acquired by eating wild watercress when visiting in the Allgäu. A fasciola infection was also proven in his 37-year-old sister who for some time had complained of colicky right-sided upper abdominal pain, her 40-year-old husband with similar symptoms and their 10-year-old daughter. All four were successfully treated for two days with 10 mg/kg triclabendazole daily by mouth. Persons eating raw vegetables and salads of wild-growing plants are at risk of being infected with Fasciola hepatica.

Bulls artificially infected with a varying number of metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica were kept under uniform, standardized laboratory conditions. 6 months after the infection the daily range of variation and the distribution of the Fasciola eggs in the faeces were determined 3 times a day (morning, noon and afternoon) over two test periods, each of 5 days. This test, carried out in over 800 individual faeces samples, showed that the excretion of Fasciola eggs over a period of several days fluctuates considerably within one animal and within one infection group; the excretion of Fasciola eggs over one day varies widely at different times in each animal and also in each infection group; the distribution of Fasciola eggs in the faeces is always irregular within one day and also over several days in all animals. The variations demonstrated here must be taken into consideration when assessing the results of coproscopical diagnosis because studies of the faeces carried out on a single occasion can lead to completely incorrect conclusions being drawn.

Ten pony foals were infected with Fasciola hepatica; five animals received up to 1000 metacercariae orally, the remaining animals received up to 80 specimens of 24 hours old adulescariae intraperitoneally. The rate of development of the parasites varied in a wide range between 0,2 and 41%. Most of the liverflukes were found in animals severely infected with strongyles in the same time. Only 22 weeks after oral infection, the flukes had reached a length of 20 mm and sexual maturity. Fasciola-eggs could not be detected in the feces.

Two cases of human fascioliasis in Austria (a 3-year-old boy and a 4-year-ond girl) are reported. A description is given of the clinical picture and the diagnostic procedures employed in the two cases. The importance of the serodiagnosis of fascioliasis is demonstrated, especially in the case of liver flukes; 4 different serological tests, partly of high sensitivity, were performed. After unsuccessful therapy with Resochin both children were treated with dehydroemetine; after a 4-week interval during which no eggs of Fasciola were found in several stool samples from either child, ova were yet again detected in the faces of the boy. The problems concerning the chemotherapy of fascioliasis are discussed.

Rule I: The more advanced in its primary evolution a life cycle is, the greater the participation of the animal component in it is. Parallel to that, most often the direct effect of the non-living component of the ecosystem on the cycle running is decreased. Rule II: In the majority of secondarily evolved life cycles of trematodes the following occurred in comparison with their initial life cycle: a) either a decrease of the direct effect of the non-living component of the ecosystem on the cycle running; b) or a decrease of the participation of the animal component of the ecosystem in the cycle; c) or most often a decrease of both together.

In the regions of Basel, Jura and Zürich (Switzerland) 765 blood donors completed a questionnaire with respect to symptoms, animal contacts and occupation, and their sera were tested for antibodies to tissue helminths in ELISA. 5.1%, 3.3% and 6.5% exhibited antibodies solely to the respective antigens of Toxocara canis, Fasciola hepatica, and Echinococcus granulosus. Combined seroreactions were mainly observed between F. hepatica and E. granulosus antigens. Reactivity to T. canis antigen was associated with animal contacts at work, as well as contacts with cattle and sheep but not dogs or cats. Toxocara antibodies were found in all age groups. Their prevalence varied markedly by region.

Following field observations, the ability of Fasciola hepatica to develop in domestic rabbits as compared with sheep was investigated under experimental conditions. The results indicate the development of F. hepatica is impaired in various phases after rabbit passage. Only 4.2 percent of the metacercariae gained after one rabbit passage developed to adult F. hepatica in sheep, whereas the respective percentage after sheep passage was 51.2 percent. It can be calculated that after rabbit passage 4.5 liver flukes develop from 100 F. hepatica eggs as compared with 2,141.3 parasites after sheep passage. The result justify the assumption that rabbits may play only a minor role in the epidemiology of fascioliasis.

An 8-year-old Turkish boy had recurrent abdominal colics associated with marked eosinophilia. Four different kinds of parasites were isolated from stool and duodenal juice: Fasciola hepatica, Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides and Lamblia intestinalis. Conventional drugs were successful in treating the latter three parasites. But because of problems connected with the treatment of F. hepatica, praziquantel was administered, 15 mg/kg five times daily for 5 days, with curative results. This is the first published successful treatment of Fasciola hepatica with this drug in Europe.

Low experimental infections with Fasciola hepatica (8...17 flukes per animal) in sheep, 6...12 months old, caused less gain weight over a period of 22 weeks. Changes in the number of erythrocytes and in the Hb-concentration were not found. In contrast to the controls the infected sheep showed strong fluctuations in the number of lymphocytes. 3 weeks post infect. a significant eosinophilia was observed, which continued until the end of the investigation. With the beginning of the fourth week post infect. the values of serum albumin were lower, the values of gamma-globulin higher than those of the controls, but there was no statistical significance. The bromosulphalein-test for liver function was negative.

1. The length of the uterus of Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Pleurogenoides medians and Fasciola hepatica at different stages of development is correlated with the corrected size of the body (parallel length x breadth). 2. The data plotted in a log-scale show for all three species a sigmoid curve with linear middle section. 3. The function y = ax + ac(xw - x)3 + b(y = log length of the uterus, x = log length of the body, xw = log length of the body at the turning point) fits very well to the data obtained from Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The constants a, ac and b were determined numerically. The function is valid also for Pleurogenoides medians and Fasciola hepatica but with other constants. 4. The linear middle section of the sigmoid curve may be interpreted by allometric growth. During this phase of development the uterus is tubelike. 5. During the earliest stages of development the uterus forms a solid cord of cells (three-dimensional growth) and grows slower than in a later stage after formation of a cell-free interior (two-dimensional growth). 6. The latest phases of development are characterized by a small increase in length of the uterus due to the three-dimensional dilatation by the produced eggs. 7. The computed function is considered as a modification of the law of allometric growth Y = B . Xa, respectively y = ax + b (log Y = y, log X = x).

In a patient with liver fascioliasis (already excreting eggs with the faeces) a CT scan of the liver showed after i. v. contrast injection a relatively characteristic aspect with multiple, small, hypodense areas, partly in formations of bunches of grapes, partly in a street-like arrangement towards the portal vein - bile duct - areas. 9 months later the hypodense lesions had markedly decreased.

Pilot trials are described in which BHS, a Czechoslovak fasciolicide, was employed for mass treatment of fasciolosis in cloven-hoofed animals in wild-animals' reserves at the rate of 30 mg body weight using BHS-medicated feed. The treatment was combined with control measures against the intermediate host snail, Lymnaea truncatula, in primary biotopes using Frescon, a molluscicide of English origin, and CF-4, a molluscicide of Czechoslovak origin, at concentration of 1 and 0.5 per cent, respectively. Where the application of molluscicides was impracticable the intermediate host snails were controlled by means of sciomyzid larvae or by blasting surface layers of the soil.--Using this combined approach, the extensity of infestation, evaluated on the basis of coproovoscopical examination, was reduced from 7.05 to 0.71 per cent. The extensity of infestation, evaluated on the basis of necropsy findings, was reduced from 50 to 6.2 per cent. The intensity of infestation was reduced from 7.7 to 0.31 per cent per animal.--The results may prove useful in devising fasciolosis control schemes based on a complex approach.

The destroying effect of ionizing radiation on parasitic resistant stages in sludge has been tested. Suitable for that process is an electron beam accelerator which will be provided with energy from the electric power supply network which can be switched on and off according to the requirements. Such modern utilities have an enormous beam capacity and a high operating safety. The process is working according to the continuous flow principle and at room temperature. In a series of 13 experiments the effect of different doses has been tested. A dose of 480 kRad (accelerating voltage; 400 kV, beam current; 10 mA, irradiation time: 24 sec.) can easely obtained in practical work and is economically acceptable. By these means approximately 97% of the following parasitic stages have been destroyed: undeveloped eggs of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Fasciola hepatica and gastrointestinal strongylids of pigs, embryonated eggs of Capillaria obsignata and probably of Taenia spec. A few third-stage larvae of Oesophagostomum (Strongylidae) of pigs survived even 108 sec of irradiation; however, they did not develop to maturity in the definitive host. Approximately 25% of the sporulated oocysts of Eimeria renella were still infective after 108 sec of irradiation.

The case of a 60 years old patient with a rare parasitosis, fascioliasis hepatica, is presented. The clinical, parasitologic, radiologic and histologic findings are discussed with reference to the literature. The diagnosis was established by examination of the faeces of the patient. The radiologic examinations document the extent of the organic involvement, in the presented case that of the liver. The finding of circumscribed hypodense liver lesions can be decisive for the further diagnostic proceedings only in the light of an appropriate history and typical laboratory findings.

The presupposition for the hatching of the eggs of Fasciola hepatica is the presence of undissociated CO2 with the most effective concentration of 2-10 mMols/l. Higher concentrations show inhibitory effects (Abb. 6). In hatching pH has only importance in dissociation of carbonic acid and so in maintaining free CO2. To provide for sufficient CO2 at higher pH - but below 8.3 - the concentration of carbonic acid must be increased by higher concentrations of metallic ions electrically neutralized by hydrogen carbonate (e.g. in Abb. 1-4). Higher pH is necessary for miracidia surviving. Beside the wellknown hatching factors of exposure to light and cooling, darkening is a new found factor (s. Abb. 7) as well as sufficient increase of CO2 itself. The effect of light stimulation is lasting for at most 3 h with exponential decrease (Abb. 7). At low CO2-pressure the occurrence of hatching is greater without any oxygen (Abb. 5).