Zoonotic filarial infections have been reported from most parts of the world. However, the range of species involved, host-parasite interactions and morphologic criteria for the specific identification of the species is still poorly known and understood. Species of Dirofilaria are the most common agents of human infection and the most studied group of zoonotic filariae. Several other groups, including species of Brugia and Onchocerca are being reported with increasing frequency. Loaina uniformis, a common parasite of rabbits in the southeastern United States, represents yet another species recovered from human tissues, although extremely rare. This parasite is of additional interest because its apparent morphologic and possible biologic similarity to Loa loa a common filaria of humans in West and Central Africa. The present study was undertaken to characterize the morphologic features of Loaina uniformis to enable its recognition when encountered in human tissues. This objective additionally permitted comparison of L. uniformis to Loa loa at both, gross and microscopic levels to determine, to whatever extent possible, the relationship of the two parasites. L. uniformis adult worms both living and dead were collected from the tissues of the natural host, the rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus. These were processed for gross examination and histologic study by light microscopy of serially sectioned material. Detailed microscopic observations were recorded for worms of both sexes and full anatomic characterizations were prepared. Emphasis was placed on the structure of the body and detailed features of the cuticle, hypodermis and musculature. The structural features of the digestive and reproductive systems as well as their arrangement within the pseudocoelom have been characterized. Observations indicate that L. uniformis can be distinguished from all other known species of zoonotic filariae available for study on the basis of their microanatomical features. Equivalent material of L. Loa obtained from experimental definitive hosts was compared with L. uniformis. The anatomical features of L. uniformis and L. loa are similar in many respects and they share many biological features suggesting that they are taxonomically closely related / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_25576 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Contributors | Rodriguez, Beatriz (Author), Orihel, Thomas C (Thesis advisor) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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