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Recently, DNA barcoding based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( COI ) has become a widespread tool to identify animals. Its use with parasites of humans has been limited with some groups of nematodes where the amplification of this gene has been difficult. In this study, we present the first COI barcode sequence of a rare parasite from tropical regions, Lagochilascaris minor , which parasitized a human host from Quintana Roo, southern Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Destruction of the mastoid apophysis in the lateral sinus and cerebellar involvement were observed at the site of infection. After a radical mastoidectomy and a treatment with 200 mg oral albendazole for 63 days, the patient completely recovered. Lagochilascaris minor was identified based on the ratio between length of spicules and ejaculatory duct, shape of eggs, and host, as well as comparison with its congeners. The mode of infection is unknown, although it could be after direct exposure to eggs or consumption of uncooked wild meat. Morphology of adults is demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy, and high-quality sequences of COI barcode are presented from amplifications using semi-degenerate primers designed for micro-crustaceans. DNA barcoding proved to be a reliable identification method for L. minor . A comparison of the sequences for this species with 81 ascaridoids obtained from the Barcode of Life Database places it in a unique clade most closely related to Baylisascaris procyonis . Future diagnosis of larval and adult stages of L. minor using DNA barcoding will allow the recognition of its infection parameters, transmission, and precise epidemiology. Reports of lagochilascarosis in the Yucatán Peninsula have been occurred over the last decade, suggesting it is an emerging zoonotic disease in the region.

Lagochilascariosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the nematode Lagochilascaris sp., with the northern of Brazil representing 81.2% of all reports of the disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to report the first occurrence of feline lagochilascariosis in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern of Brazil. It was diagnosed through coproparasitologic exam and laboratorial identification of the nematodes., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Reasons for Performing Study: There is a consensus in the veterinary literature that Parascaris equorum (ascarid) impaction carries a poor prognosis. Hence surgery is often delayed and foals are often subjected to euthanasia after diagnosis of ascarid impaction is established. Our clinical impression was that ascarid impaction carries a better prognosis than previously reported., Objectives: Our expectation was that manually evacuating the impaction into the caecum, thus refraining from opening the small intestine, would improve the prognosis for survival of horses with ascarid impaction. The aim of this study was to examine medical records of horses treated surgically for ascarid impaction, record their clinical findings and evaluate the association of outcome with the method of relieving the impaction., Methods: The medical records of all horses presented to our hospital between October 2002 and December 2011 that underwent exploratory celiotomy for ascarid impaction were reviewed. Information retrieved from the medical record included surgical findings, surgical technique, complications, short- and long-term survival. The association between categorical variables was assessed using the Fisher's exact test. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Fifteen horses fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Eighty percent of horses (12/15) survived to discharge and 60% (6/10) survived for at least one year. Five horses are doing well but are still in convalescence. Horses that underwent small intestinal enterotomy or resection and anastomosis (n = 5) were less likely to survive to discharge (P = 0.022)., Conclusions: In our study, manual evacuation of ascarid impaction into the caecum, while refraining from opening the small intestine resulted in significantly improved survival in horses with ascarid impaction., Potential Relevance: Refraining from opening the small intestine may be the key to improving surgical outcome in horses with ascarid impaction.

Aims: To retrospectively evaluate the medical and surgical records of horses with acute small intestinal obstructions associated with Parascaris equorum infection; to describe the gastrointestinal lesions; and to determine the outcome of cases with such lesions., Methods: Records of 25 horses with acute small intestinal obstruction associated with P. equorum between 1985 and 2004 were reviewed to determine signalment, history, physical examination, surgical or post-mortem findings, and outcome., Results: All horses except one were less than 12 months old. Standardbreds were over-represented in the population studied. Sixteen horses (72%) had been administered anthelmintics, including pyrantel (n=8), ivermectin (n=7), and trichlorphon (n=1), within 24 h prior to the onset of colic. Of the 25 cases reviewed, 16 had simple obstructive ascarid impactions (SOAIs), and nine had complicated obstructive ascarid impaction (COAI) including volvulus (n=6) or intussusception (n=3), both concurrent with ascarid impaction of the small intestine. Short-term survival (discharge from hospital) occurred in 79% of horses treated for SOAI, and was 64% for all horses. Long-term survival (>1 year) occurred in 33% of horses with SOAI, and the overall long-term survival was 27% for all horses. Formation of adhesions was the most frequent finding associated with death for horses that did not survive long-term., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The incidence of anthelmintic treatment within 24 h of the onset of colic in this study population (72%) was higher than that previously reported. Resistance of P. equorum to ivermectin recently reported in Ontario may be associated with increased ascarid burdens, predisposing horses to ascarid impaction. The long-term survival of these horses was better than that reported previously.

An 11-year-old girl presented from Villa Azueta, Veracruz, a poor and small town on the Tesechoacan riverside. The Tesechoacan riverside is a tropical area in the south-east of Mexico, between 18 degrees, 04',32" latitude and 95 degrees, 42',23" longitude. Her family consisted of both parents and 12 brothers, all apparently healthy and living in a humble hut, with poor nutrition and hygiene. The main sign was a tumor on her neck that had developed during the previous 6 months. On clinical examination, the patient's temperature was normal and her weight was 27.5 kg. Below the right angle of the jaw a firm-to-hard tumor was noted measuring 5 x 3 cm, it was tender and lobulated (Fig. 1) with a central purulent fistula containing small worms with morphology of Lagochilascans minor (Fig. 2). Iron-deficiency anemia was found with no increase of blood eosinophils and a while blood count of 9000/mm3 with 72% of neutrophils. Roentgenograms of the head and chest were both normal. A stool was negative for parasites; glutamic oxalade and glutamic pyruvate transaminases were normal. Histopathologic examination revealed parakeratosis and mild acanthosis with exocytosis of eosinophils. The superficial dermis showed an inflammatory reaction, mainly composed of eosinophils, plasma cells, and histiocytes, and in the deep dermis an abscess containing different sections of the parasite was seen surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule (Fig. 3). There was no clinical improvement after medical treatment with two courses of thiabendazole (50 mg/kg orally, two 5-day pulses) and praziquantel (400 mg orally for 3 days). Therefore, the growth was extirpated under general anesthesia; however, the clinical condition of the patient did not improve. Eggs, larvae, and adult worms continued to be present in the pus after surgical excision. Finally, the patient asked for a discharge and did not return to the institute.