Aug

15

Cercarial Dermatitis

August 15, 2008 |

From Here :
Avian schistosomes are the primary causative agent of cercarial dermatitis in humans, but despite its worldwide occurrence, little is known of the immune mechanism of this disease. Using a murine model, hosts were exposed to primary (1x) and multiple (4x) infections of Trichobilharzia regenti via the pinna. Penetration of larvae into the skin evoked immediate edema, thickening of the exposure site, and an influx of leukocytes, including neutrophils, macrophages, CD4+ lymphocytes, and mast cells.

From Here :

More research from the Czech Republic indicating that this problem may be more widespread and damaging to humans and other mammals than at first thought.

Horák P, Kolárová L, Adema CM.
Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Vinicná 7, CZ-12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic.

Trichobilharzia is the largest genus within the family Schistosomatidae, covering over 40 species of avian parasites. To clarify the existing confusion in the systematics of the genus, we recommend combining knowledge of life cycles and developmental stages, snail/bird hosts, cytogenetical and molecular data together with morphological criteria for the characterization of particular species. The high specificity of Trichobilharzia for the intermediate host is a likely reflection of the ability to avoid the internal defence of specific snails. The spectrum of final hosts (birds) seems to be much wider. The infection of birds–trichobilharziasis–may lead to considerable tissue injuries, caused by eggs of the parasite or migration of immature/mature worms through the body. Most Trichobilharzia (visceral species) migrate through the viscera of the host, but nasal species display a neurotropic mode of migration. Due to a low specificity of penetrating cercariae, mammals (including humans) can be attacked. This leads to cercarial dermatitis, predominantly in sensitized hosts. Experimental infections indicate that Trichobilharzia never mature in an incompatible (mammalian) host. However, not all cercariae and schistosomula are necessarily trapped and eliminated in the skin, and parasites may migrate throughout the viscera and the nervous system of mammals. These findings suggest that the pathogenicity of Trichobilharzia may have been underestimated in the past and health risks associated with trichobilharziasis need to be studied further.


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