Prevalence and Pattern of Intestinal Parasitic Infestations among HIV Infected Children in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections significantly affect paediatric population globally with over 800 million children at risk. The chronic nature of these infestations is associated with chronic disabilities approaching 9 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Co-infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and intestinal parasitic infections adorned the pre-Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) era resulting in impaired nutritional state and dysfunctional immune system, especially amongst affected children. The success of HAART in conjunction with other life-saving measures has improved the outcome of children living with HIV. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of parasitic infections among children living with HIV in Lagos. Methodology: Consecutive children attending the paediatric anti-retroviral clinic were enrolled. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics elicited from the clinical examination were recorded. Fresh stool samples of the children were obtained and examined for intestinal parasites. Data were analyzed with the Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20 software. Results: A total of 102 children participated in the study with a majority being males (52.9%), in primary school (73.5%) and living in urban settings (82.4%). Six children were found to harbour intestinal parasites giving a prevalence of 5.9% with Ascaris lumbricoides (50%) and Entamoeba histolytica (33.3%) being the prevalent parasites seen. Children with a Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-score < ?1 had higher estimates of intestinal parasitic infestations [p value < 0.05, OR 10.27, CI 1.72 - 61.20]. Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal infestation was 5.9% with Ascariasis being the commonest intestinal parasitosis in our study. Malnutrition was found to be significantly associated with its occurrence.

Rice Grain Damage by Combination and Sequence Infestations by the Rice Leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and the White-Backed Rice Planthopper, Sogatella furcifera Horváth(Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

The rice leaffolder （RLF）, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenée （Lepidoptera：Pyralidae）, and the white-backed rice planthopper （WBPH）, Sogatella furcifera Horváth （Hemiptera： Delphacidae）, are major insect pests in China and several other Asian countries. These two pests commonly occur simultaneously or in a temporal sequence. Thus, the investigation of the effect of complex infestations or temporal sequence infestations by these pests on rice yield has a practical signiifcance for the control of these pests. The present study comprised experiments with the following four different variables in potted rice at the tillering stage：single pest species infestation, complex infestation, complete combination infestation and temporal sequence infestation （C. medinalis infestation prior to S. furcifera and S. furcifera infestation prior to C. medinalis）. The results showed that the four infestations resulted in a signiifcant decrease in 1 000-grain weight （1 000GW） and rate of yield loss （RYL） but an increase in blighted grain rate （BGR）, with a signiifcant positive correlation with the infestation density. However, the inlfuences of the complex infestation, complete combination infestation or sequence infestation on the 1 000GW, BGR and RYL were greater than those of the single pest species infestations but did not have addition effects, i.e., the effects of the complex infestation and combination infestation or sequence infestation on the 1 000GW, BGR and RYL were less than the additive effects of the two single pest species infestations at the same densities. In the condition of the same total infestation pressure, no signiifcant differences in the 1 000GW, BGR and RYL were found between C. medinalis infestation prior to S. furcifera and S. furcifera infestation prior to C. medinalis as well as between the sequence infestation and the complex infestation.

Association between Brainerd Diarrhea and Zebra Mussel Infestations

Brainerd Diarrhea is a syndrome of acute onset of watery, non-bloody diarrhea that lasts for a duration of 4 weeks or more. The index case of Brainerd Diarrhea was recorded in 1983, in the first such outbreak in Brainerd, Minnesota. In 1989, a prohibited invasive species named Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were found in the great lakes of the United States. The 7 recorded outbreaks of Brainerd diarrhea were correlated with the location and time of zebra mussel infestations. The first outbreak that occurred due to consumption of raw milk took place in Minnesota which is near the waters infested by zebra mussels. All other outbreaks were related to consumption of contaminated unchlorinated water occurred in regions not directly close to the infested rivers. However, since infestations are thought to occur due to human activity, undocumented infestations faraway are still possible. Evidence shows minor correlations between Brainerd Diarrhea outbreaks and Zebra Mussel infestations. However, none of the facts are strong enough to establish or deny a significant correlation or causation. Further cohort studies and research need to be done on the recent discoveries of Zebra Mussel infestations and new Brainerd diarrhea outbreaks. The primary search engine used to gather information for this review was ScienceDirect and PubMed. More than 35 articles and case reports were reviewed and only 20 were shortlisted and used as references. None of the studies included were restricted to study design, but studies with less than 10 participants/patients were excluded from the review.

Modeling the effect of stand and site characteristics on the probability of mistletoe infestation in Scots pine stands using remote sensing data

Over the past decade,the presence of mistletoe(Viscum album ssp.austriacum)in Scots pine stands has increased in many European countries.Understanding the factors that influence the occurrence of mistletoe in stands is key to making appropriate forest management decisions to limit damage and prevent the spread of mistletoe in the future.Therefore,the main objective of this study was to determine the probability of mistletoe occurrence in Scots pine stands in relation to stand-related endogenous factors such as age,top height,and stand density,as well as topographic and edaphic factors.We used unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)imagery from 2,247 stands to detect mistletoe in Scots pine stands,while majority stand and site characteristics were calculated from airborne laser scanning(ALS)data.Information on stand age and site type from the State Forest database were also used.We found that mistletoe infestation in Scots pine stands is influenced by stand and site characteristics.We documented that the densest,tallest,and oldest stands were more susceptible to mistletoe infestation.Site type and specific microsite conditions associated with topography were also important factors driving mistletoe occurrence.In addition,climatic water balance was a significant factor in increasing the probability of mistletoe occurrence,which is important in the context of predicted temperature increases associated with climate change.Our results are important for better understanding patterns of mistletoe infestation and ecosystem functioning under climate change.In an era of climate change and technological development,the use of remote sensing methods to determine the risk of mistletoe infestation can be a very useful tool for managing forest ecosystems to maintain forest sustainability and prevent forest disturbance.

Grasshopper Incidence and Severity of Damage as Influenced by Cyanogenic Potential in Leaf Tissue of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

This study assessed the effect of cyanogenic potential (CNP) in leaf tissue on grasshopper incidence and severity of damage in cassava for the identification of parents with desired complementary traits for crossing. The experiment was conducted at the Foya Wulleh, Njala experimental site in Sierra Leone during 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons in a randomized complete block design with three replications. A total of 30 genotypes comprising 26 breeding lines, two improved and two local genotypes were assessed. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) linear relationship between leaf CNP and grasshopper infestation (incidence and severity of damage) among cassava genotypes. Findings showed that the higher leaf CNP, the lower the grasshopper infestation in cassava genotypes. About two genotypes (Cooksoon and Cocoa) had low leaf CNP;three genotypes (TR0020, TR0037 and TR0013) CNP had moderately low leaf CNP;eight genotypes (SLICASS 6, TR0029, TR0032, TR0011, TR0012, TR0016-1/17, TR0002 and TR0010) had intermediate leaf CNP;seven (TR0009, TR0015-1/17, TR0036, TR0022-1/17, SLICASS 4, TR0007 and TR0026-1/17) had moderately high leaf CNP;eight (TR0008, TR0019-1/17, TR0006, TR0005, TR0021, TR0021-1/17, TR0022 and TR0024-1/17) had high leaf CNP;and two genotypes (TR0001 and TR0018-1/17) had very high leaf CNP. This suggests the indirect dependence of leaf cyanogenic potential on grasshopper infestation (incidence and severity of damage) in cassava that could be exploited for the genetic improvement of cassava for improved resistance to grasshopper infestation, nutrition and utilization of the crop.

Effects of fertilization and herbicides on growth of young loblolly pine and infestations of Nantucket pine tip moth（Lepidoptera： Tortricidae）

A 2-year-old pine plantation was selected to receive treatments of fertilizers and herbicides to evaluate effects on Nantucket pine tip moth infestations and the tree growth parameters of height, diameter and volume increment. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and hexazinone and sulfometuron methyl herbicides were used in creating six treatments： （i） control; （ii） phosphorus; （iii） nitrogen and phosphorus; （iv） phosphorus and herbicide; （v） nitrogen, phosphorus and herbicide; and （vi） herbicide. Treatments were applied in 1987 and 1988. In 1987, trees treated with nitrogen, phosphorus and herbicide had significantly greater height, diameter and volume growth than trees not receiving fertilizer treatments, but did not have significantly higher tip moth infestations than control trees. Treatments receiving phosphorus only had much lower tip moth infestation rates than other treatments except nitrogen and phosphorus. In 1988, tip moth infestations were uniformly low, with no differences in treatment effects observed.

Occurrence pattern and morphological polymorphism of Chinese weedy rice

Rice,the main food crop in China,has been sporadically reported to suffer from weedy rice infestation.However,the overall occurrence and distribution pattern of Chinese weedy rice remains unclear because a systematic survey has not been conducted.In order to reveal the infestation of Chinese weedy rice,a field survey was conducted in 999 sampling sites all over the rice-growing regions in China from 2009 to 2016 using seven-scale visual scoring of the level of weed infestation.Weedy rice was found 39%occurrence incidence in a total of 387 sites.The sampling sites with 50%or higher overall weedy rice infestation index mainly radiated from Jiangsu,Heilongjiang,Ningxia and Guangdong to the whole East China,Northeast China,Northwest China and South China.A total of 45 morphological characters from 287 populations(collected simultaneously with the field survey)out of those occurred sites were observed and analyzed using multivariate analysis in common gardens with the same cultivation conditions in 2017 and 2019.Canonical correlation analysis showed that 45 morphological characters were significantly related to the latitude,mean temperature,minimum temperature,precipitation and mean diurnal range factors.The 287 weedy rice populations were divided into three morphological groups with climate-dependent geographical differentiation:strong tiller type only in Jiangsu,large leaf type in South China and Central China and large grain type mainly in North China.Weedy rice seriously infested rice fields and had a geography,climate and cultivated rice type-dependent morphological and biotype differentiation in China.It is suggested to pay attention to the harmfulness of weedy rice and adopt comprehensive control strategies.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the defense mechanisms of citrus infested with Diaphorina citri

Huanglongbing(HLB) is a devastating disease that has led to an acute crisis for growers of citrus, one of the world's most important fruit crops. The phloem-feeding Asian citrus psyllid(ACP), Diaphorina citri, is the main pest at the new shoot stage and is the only natural vector of HLB pathogenic bacteria. Little is known about how plants perceive and defend themselves from this destructive pest. Here, we characterized changes in the expression of various genes in citrus plants that were continuously infested by D. citri for different durations(12, 24, and 48 h). A total of 5 219 differentially expressed genes(DEGs) and 643 common DEGs were identified across all time points. Several pathways related to defense were activated, such as peroxisome, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and phenylpropanoid and terpenoid biosynthesis, and some pathways related to growth and signal transduction were suppressed in response to D. citri infestation. The expression of genes including kinases(CML44, CIPK6, and XTH6), phytohormones(SAMT, LOX6, and NPR3), transcription factors(bHLH162, WRKY70, and WRKY40), and secondary metabolite synthesis-related genes(PAL, 4CL2, UGT74B1 and CYP82G1) was significantly altered in response to D. citri infestation. The findings of this study greatly enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the defense response of citrus plants to D. citri infestation at the molecular level. Functional characterization of the candidate defense-related genes identified in this study will aid the molecular breeding of insect-resistant citrus varieties.

Patterns of Ips cembrae(Herr)infestation on trap and standing trees of European larch(Larix decidua Mill.)

The large larch beetle,Ips cembrae,is a significant pest causing the death of larch.In 2020,the attack density of I.cembrae on larch trap trees and standing trees was evaluated using sample sections placed along the trunk.As a defensive measure against I.cembrae,trap trees were highly effective in both spring and summer.The attack density increased with increasing trap tree surface area/volume.Galleries were established evenly throughout the entire trunk including the thin upper portion.When the number of trap trees was low and their capacity full,a continual aggregation of adults occurred due to pheromone communication,leading to attacks on healthy standing trees in the immediate vicinity.It was found that I.cembrae attacked standing trees from the trunk base,with a continual colonization of the stem up to 70%of the tree height in a time-differentiated progression of development stages.The attack density of I.cembrae on standing trees was up to 40%lower than on the trap trees.

Prevalence and Sensitization and Intestinal Parasitic Infestation of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in School Children of Kinshasa

Background: There is no study that estimates the prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and the association between vernal keratoconjunctivitis and intestinal parasitic infestation in our setting. Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the vernal keratoconjunctivitis prevalence, describe the profile of sensitization and determine the association between vernal keratoconjunctivitis disease and intestinal parasitic infestation in school children of Kinshasa during the scholar year from 2022 to 2023. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was performed from September 2022 to June 2023. The children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis were recruited by using the four-stage probability sampling technique. Children attending in the school children of Kinshasa with vernal keratoconjunctivitis were enrolled in the classroom and underwent a clinical examination and skin prick test for 11 allergens and stool examination direct with microscope in the Laboratory. Data were entered in Microsoft Sheets using SPSS version 20.0. The Chi-square test was used to compare the sex, age groups, home environment (grow trees and/or flowers around the yard), dampness in the house, keeping pets (cat and/or dog), number of people per household, number of people sharing a bedroom and intestinal parasitic infestation. The significant level was set to a value of p Results: A total of 28,800 students from four-stage probabilist sampling technique in school of Kinshasa were included, and 2100 students had symptoms according to the vernal keratoconjunctivitis-related symptom questionnaire. Children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis were enrolled and the mean age ± standard was 7.2 ± 3.7 years, with a prevalence of 7.2% and gender was three boys for one girl. All vernal keratoconjunctivitis children recruited in urban and rural part had 33.1% positive skin prick test (SPT) and 67.9% showed polysensitization. Children an urban part was more sensitized than rural respectively with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 28.1% vs 28.9%, p = 0.00001, Blomia tropicalis. 15.9% vs 14.9%, p = 0.00001 and cockroach 12% vs 13%, p = 0.00001 in both parts. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis children in rural part were more affected to the intestinal parasite than urban with Ascaris lumbricoides 14% vs 18.3%, p = 0.0006, followed by Ancylostoma duodenale 9.5% vs 12.5%, p = 0.003, Anguillule 7.9% vs 10.1%, p = 0.001, Oxyure 5.7% vs 8.2%, p = 0.0001 and Trichuris trichiura 2.6% vs 3.3%, p = 0.0009. Conclusion: This study outlines that the prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis was 7.2% and 33.1% of children attending for vernal keratoconjunctivitis in school children had a positive skin prick test to at least one allergen, in particular for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Blomia tropicalis and cockroach. The most common intestinal parasitic infestation was Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Anguillule and Trichuris trichiura.

A Far-Out Case of Ascariasis Causing Small Bowel Obstruction in Mauritius

Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides), the soil-transmitted helminth is the most prevalent parasitic infection of the gastrointestinal tract in developing countries. Heavy worm loads mainly due to untreated worm infestations are often associated with increased risk of severe sequelae. We report the first complicated case of A. lumbricoides causing small bowel obstruction in a 9-year-old boy that necessitated surgical intervention on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, where cases of Ascariasis are rarely encountered.

Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis in children:Report of three cases

Rationale:Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis is a form of posterior uveitis and has a few clinical presentations according to the onset of presentation.Patients’concern:A girl(5-year-old)and 2 boys(both 12-year-old)were included in this report.Upon presentation,the visual acuity ranges from 6/12 to 6/60.All three cases had different symptoms(case 1:floaters;case 2:eye redness and pain;case 3:central scotoma).All of them had variable posterior uveitis features(case 1:vitritis and focal retinitis;case 2:subretinal larva track;case 3:choroiditis).Diagnosis:Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis.Intervention:All 3 patients were treated with oral albendazole.Outcome:All patients showed remarkable resolution of inflammatory reactions of the eye and also improvement of vision.Lesson:High index of suspicion should be made for children and young adults who are previously healthy but presented with suddenly onset of reduced vision with clinical features of posterior uveitis of variable degree.Clinical features together with a full blood picture can help to diagnose the problem when other parameters are negative.

Intestinal acariasis in Anhui Province

The mites found in stored food and house comprise a large group of subclass Acari, belonging to the suborder Acardida of the order Acarifornes. They can be found in dust and vacuum samples from floors, furniture, mattresses, Chinese herbal medicine, dry fruit, grain, flour, sugar, and bedding. These mites are nidicolous and feed on organic debris, including sloughed human skin, fungi, spilled food, pollen, etc. These mites are particularly prevalent in Chinese herbal medicine, dry fruit, grain, flour, sugar, beds, though carpeted floors near beds or couches may also have large numbers. The most common species are Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae , Dermatophagoides farinae , D . pteronyssinus, Glycyphagus domesticus, G. Ornatus, Carpoglyphus lactis and Tarsonemus granarius, etc. The viability of mites in storage is quite strong and they can invade and parasitize the intestines of humans[1 -15]. They can cause pulmonary acariasis[16-25] , urinary acariasis[26-33] and so on. The dejecta of mites is a quite strong allergen and can cause different allergic diseases[34-44]. Intestinal acariasis can be caused by some mites related to the way of diet intake and invading against intestinal mucosa, intestinal muscle[45-5a]. The first report of intestinal acariasis caused by these mites was made by Hinman et al (1934)[45]. From then on, all kinds of studies on the disease have been reported gradually. In order to make an epidemiological survey of intestinal acariasis the investigation of the disease was taken in some areas of Anhui Province from 1989 to 1996.

Trends on gastrointestinal bleeding and mortality:Where are we standing?

Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract and its management are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.The predisposing factors that led to the occurrence of these hemorrhagic instances are largely linked to the life style of the affected persons.Designing a new strategy aimed at educating the publics and improving their awareness of the problem could effectively help in eradicating this problem with no associated risks and in bringing the mortality rates down to almost zero.

Combining WV-2 images and tree physiological factors to detect damage stages of Populus gansuensis by Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) at the tree level

Background:Anoplophora glabripennis(Motschulsky),commonly known as Asian longhorned beetle(ALB),is a wood-boring insect that can cause lethal infestation to multiple borer leaf trees.In Gansu Province,northwest China,ALB has caused a large number of deaths of a local tree species Populus gansuensis.The damaged area belongs to Gobi desert where every single tree is artificially planted and is extremely difficult to cultivate.Therefore,the monitoring of the ALB infestation at the individual tree level in the landscape is necessary.Moreover,the determination of an abnormal phenotype that can be obtained directly from remote-sensing images to predict the damage degree can greatly reduce the cost of field investigation and management.Methods:Multispectral WorldView-2(WV-2)images and 5 tree physiological factors were collected as experimental materials.One-way ANOVA of the tree’s physiological factors helped in determining the phenotype to predict damage degrees.The original bands of WV-2 and derived vegetation indices were used as reference data to construct the dataset of a prediction model.Variance inflation factor and stepwise regression analyses were used to eliminate collinearity and redundancy.Finally,three machine learning algorithms,i.e.,Random Forest(RF),Support Vector Machine(SVM),Classification And Regression Tree(CART),were applied and compared to find the best classifier for predicting the damage stage of individual P.gansuensis.Results:The confusion matrix of RF achieved the highest overall classification accuracy(86.2%)and the highest Kappa index value(0.804),indicating the potential of using WV-2 imaging to accurately detect damage stages of individual trees.In addition,the canopy color was found to be positively correlated with P.gansuensis’damage stages.Conclusions:A novel method was developed by combining WV-2 and tree physiological index for semi-automatic classification of three damage stages of P.gansuensis infested with ALB.The canopy color was determined as an abnormal phenotype that could be directly assessed using remote-sensing images at the tree level to predict the damage degree.These tools are highly applicable for driving quick and effective measures to reduce damage to pure poplar forests in Gansu Province,China.

An Integrated Approach to Fatigue Life Prediction of Whole System for Offshore Platforms

The failure of one or even more components usually does riot lead to the collapse of the whole structure. Most of the analysis of fatigue is centered on only a single component which the researchers are interested in or Much attention should be paid to. However, the collapse of a structure is the result of failure of a series of components in a specific order or path. This paper proposes an integrated approach to fatigue life prediction of whole structural system for offshore platforms, mainly describing the basic principles and prediction method. A method is presented for determining the failure path of the whole structure system and calculating the fatigue life in the determined failure path, The corresponding final collapse criteria for the whole structure system are discussed, A simple method of equivalent fatigue stress range calculation and a mathematical model of structural component fatigue life estimation in consideration of sea wave and sea ice loads are provided. As an application of the proposed approach, a fixed production platform Bohai No. 8 is chosen for the predication of fatigue life of the whole structure system by means of the software OSFAC developed based on the present methods.

Effects of Priming in Combination with Fungicides on Germination and Infestation of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Two seed lots of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Krlowa Majowych were primed in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000 at -1.25MPa for 7 days in dark at 20C. Two fungicide treatments combined with PEG were used to control fungi: 1) Funaben T(0.1%) and Apron 35 SD (0.02%) were added to -1.25 MPa PEG solution (PEG+F); 2) After seed priming and drying,Funaben T was mixed at 5 g kg-1 and Apron 35 SD at 1 g kg-1 of seeds (PEG then F dust). PEG, PEG+F and PEG then F dusttreatments reduced significantly thermodormancy and increased the seed germination at 35C in both lots. PEG then Fdust treatment had the best effect on reducing seed thermodormancy at 35C, and increased seed germination to 64.5% inlot 1 and 72.0% in lot 2 compared to 0 in untreated. PEG and PEG then F dust treatments have accelerated germinationspeed at 20 and 15C in both lots. There was a significant reduction in seed infestation in which the seeds were treatedwith PEG+F and PEG then F dust compared to untreated seeds and PEG primed seeds. PEG priming enhanced seedinfestation considerably by Alternaria alternata, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and Ulocladium spp. Mycologicalanalysis showed higher frequency of Alternaria alternata and Ulocladium spp. in untreated seeds at 20C. Priming incombination with fungicides significantly alleviated the infestation of fungi, especially Alternaria alternata infestation.

Disseminated cysticercosis incidentally diagnosed in a patient of low backache:A case report and concise review of literature

Disseminated cysticercosis is an uncommon presentation of a common disease.Asymptomatic disseminated cysticercosis is rarely reported in literature.Here,we are reporting a case of asymptomatic disseminated cysticercosis incidentally diagnosed in a patient of low backache. Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbosacral spine and neuroimaging done subsequently during the course of evaluation revealed diffuse cysticercosis involving abdominal,paraspinal,pelvic and gluteal muscles along with neurocysticercosis.Such a disseminated cysticercosis was diagnosed incidentally in this patient of low backache with right sciatica and radiculopathy at L5-S1 prolapsed intervertebral disc and was subsequently managed by L5-S1 interlaminar fenestration and discectomy.

Acarine ectoparasites of Panti Forest Reserve in Johore,Malaysia

Objective:To identify the presence of acarine ectoparasites and determine whether there is any potential public health risk in Panti Forest Reserve,Johore,Malaysia.Methods:Trapping of animals and avifauna was conducted simultaneously along 5 expedition trails using 150 wire traps,10 harp traps and 30 mist nets for 6 consecutive nights.A total of 140 animals consisting of 7 species of birds,19 species of bats,6 species of rodents and 1 species of tree-shrew as well as 8 myriapods were examined.Results:Infestation rates of ticks,mesostigmatid mites and chiggers on animals examined were 24.3%,28.6%and 27.9%,respectively.Infestation on bats was low(1.5%) and none occurred on birds.Majority of ticks extracted were at immature stages(78.9%). Genera of ticks on animals were Amblyomma,Dermacentor,Haemaphysalis and Ixodes.Ixodes granulatus was the only species of licks identified from the animals.Examination of ticks under vegetation revealed 54%adults leading to identification of 3 species of ticks.A total of 7 species of mesostigmatid mites were found.6 species were on rodent,Maxomys mrifer and another one species,Laelaps nuttalli was found only on Leopoldamys sabanus.Laelaps sanguisugus was the only mesostigmatid found infesting tree-shrews.Seven genera of chiggers were identified.From this,5 genera were on rodents,4 genera on tree-shrews and 1 genus on a bat.Conclusions:A total of 16 genera,2 sub-genus and 14 species of acarine ectoparasites were found in this area. Findings of the survey demonstrate the presence of three spesies of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk i.e.Ixodes granulalus,Laelaps nuttalli and Leptotrombidium deliense.

Oleuropein-Specific-β-Glucosidase Activity Marks the Early Response of Olive Fruits (Olea europaea) to Mimed Insect Attack

Olive fruits are seriously deteriorated by pre and postharvest damage due to the attack of insects, such as Bactrocera olaea, which strongly alters the quality of olives. Defence response in olive fruits injured both by pathogens and by mechanical damages has been associated with the enzyme β-glucosidase, which specifically hydrolyses oleuropein, producing highly reactive aldehyde molecules. In situ detection of ^-glucosidase activity in olive fruit tissues following injury, which simulates Bactrocera oleae punctures, is reported. The assay was performed in two cultivars showing different degrees of susceptibilities to fly infestation. In both cultivars, the histochemical assay for β-glucosidase showed that within 20 min after the injury, a strong ^-glucosidase activity could be observed in the damaged tissues. Thereafter a progressive enzyme inactivation occurred starting from tissues around the boundary of the injury with decrease of the enzyme activity and stopped after 3 h. Whereas the mass of active cells reached a distance of （300±50） μm from the edge of the injury. Biochemical analyses showed that in extracts of the injured fruit, β-glucosidase activity rapidly increased within 20 min from injury, thereafter decreasing and reaching values comparable with those in intact fruits. Following puncture, the oleuropein contents did not change significantly in the high susceptibility cultivar, whereas it rapidly decreased in the cultivar showing low susceptibility. The results strongly suggest that olive fruits susceptible towards fly infestation could be related to the ability of the oleuropein-degrading-β-glucosidase to produce the highly reactive molecules in the damaged tissues. As a consequence of puncture, high level of peroxidase activity was detected. This feature also suggested that this enzyme could play a key role in the defence response against insect injuries.