Echinostomes are medically- and veterinary-important parasitic flatworms that invade humans, domestic animals and wildlife and also parasitize in their larval stages numerous invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts. The interest in echinostomes in parasitology and general biology comes from several areas: (1) Human infections; (2) Experimental models; (3) Animal infections; (4) Systematics. The application of novel techniques is moving the echinostomes to the frontline of parasitology in fields such as systematics, immunobiology in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and proteomics among others. The Biology of Echinostomes demonstrates the application of new techniques to a group of trematodes that may serve to obtain information of great value in parasitology and general biology. The book includes basic topics, such as biology and systematics, as well as more novel topics, such as immunobiology, proteomics, and genomics of echinostomes. The authors of each chapter emphasize their content with: (i) the most novel information obtained; (ii) analysis of this information in a more general context (i.e. general parasitology); and (iii) future perspectives in view of the information presented. The subjects are analyzed from a modern point of view, considering aspects such as applications of novel techniques and an analysis of host-parasite interactions.

This convenient source of reference analyzes spectro-physical properties in activated insulating laser crystals and systematizes mechanisms for obtaining stimulated emission based on these properties. Tabulations of the most important spectroscopic and pumping parameter data for insulating laser materials and the wavelengths of stimulated emission from activated insulating laser crystals permit selection of the active medium for a specific application. In addition, the book discusses the fundamental properties responsible for laser phenomena in activated crystals and a number of spectroscopic methods devised to investigate these processes. Thus it can also serve as an introduction to the physics of laser crystals and to the stimulated emission spectroscopy of activated crystals. The second edition contains updated data in the tables and more recent literature references.

Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach focuses on the conceptual basis of parasitology, with the goal of providing students with an enriched view of parasites and their biology. Concentrating on concepts will enable readers to gain a broader perspective that will increase their ability to think critically about all kinds of parasitic associations. The interfaces between the study of parasitism and prominent biological disciplines such as biodiversity, immunology, ecology, evolution, conservation biology, and disease control are highlighted. Studying individual parasites is an essential part of parasitology so Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach contains an appendix which provides a concise overview of the biology of important human and veterinary parasites. End-of-chapter questions are provided, as is an instructor manual.

This book provides up-to-date information on the characteristics of each species of intestinal fluke found in humans and on the management of infections caused by these trematodes. Biology, epidemiology, host-parasite relationships, pathogenicity, clinical aspects, diagnosis, and treatment are all reviewed in detail. The zoonotic intestinal flukes comprise 38 genera belonging to 16 families. They are morphologically diverse and each species has a characteristic life cycle and geographical distribution. Intestinal fluke infections are commonly considered as tropical endemic diseases in Asian countries, where 6 million people are infected, but the geographical limits and populations at risk are expanding and changing owing to a range of factors, including growing international markets, improved transportation systems, changes in eating habits, demographic trends, and climate change. While the pathogenicity of intestinal flukes is generally mild, the impact in immunocompromised individuals requires clarification and some diagnostic problems remain to be solved. In exploring all aspects of human intestinal fluke infections, this book will be invaluable for clinicians and researchers alike.

Echinostomes are ubiquitous intestinal flatworm parasites of vertebrates and are of importance in human and veterinary medicine and wildlife diseases. Echinostomes can be maintained easily and inexpensively in the laboratory and provide good models for biological research ranging from the molecular to the organismal. Considerable but scattered literature has been published on the subject of echinostomes and a synthesis of this wide range of topics has now been achieved with the publication of this book, which presents a wide range of topics in experimental biology related to the use of echinostomes as laboratory models. It will have a special appeal to advanced undergraduates and graduate students in parasitology and should also appeal to professional parasitologists, physicians, veterinarians, wildlife disease biologists, and any biomedical scientists interested in new model systems for studies in experimental biology.

There has been a continual expansion in aquaculture, such that total production is fast approaching that of wild-caught fisheries. Yet the expansion is marred by continued problems of disease. New pathogens emerge, and others become associated with new conditions. Some of these pathogens become well established, and develop into major killers of aquatic species. Diagnosis and Control of Diseases of Fish and Shellfish focuses on the diagnosis and control of diseases of fish and shellfish, notably those affecting aquaculture. Divided into 12 chapters, the book discusses the range of bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens, their trends, emerging problems, and the relative significance to aquaculture. Developments in diagnostics and disease management, including the widespread use of serological and molecular methods, are presented. Application/dose and mode of action of prebiotics, probiotics and medicinal plant products used to control disease are examined, as well as the management and hygiene precautions that can be taken to prevent/control the spread of disease. This book will be a valuable resource for researchers, students, diagnosticians, veterinarians, fish pathologists and microbiologists concerned with the management of diseases of fish and shellfish.

Approaches to Research on the Systematics of Fish-Borne Trematodes is a concise guide for systematic studies of the prevalence of fish-borne trematodes both in the endemic areas and experimental laboratories. It includes methods to identify species of fish-borne trematodes to enhance the precision of research studies based on the metacercarial stage. Misidentification of trematode species is a common occurrence when researchers are new to the field and have no guidance. Consequentially, sometimes publications report inaccurate prevalence rates of these parasites. This compact guide gives clear direction on: - Collection of parasites in the final hosts - Collection of cercaria from snail first intermediate hosts - Collection of metacercaria from fish hosts - Molecular identification of parasites - Systematics of fish-borne trematodes - Provides research guidelines and protocols for studying systematics of fish-borne trematodes using both morphological and molecular data - Presents keys to enable identification of metacercariae of fish-borne trematodes in the Greater Mekong subregion

While a number of introductory books on basic and molecular biology are available, none highlight the foodborne parasitic pathogens. Until now. A state-of-the-art review, Biology of Foodborne Parasites charts significant progress and outlines key biological techniques applied to foodborne parasitic pathogens research. The book covers basic biology, genetics and genomics, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, control, and prevention. It showcases recent research that can then be used to spark further breakthroughs. The book addresses challenging issues in food pathogen detection. It details individual foodborne protists and helminthes, with each chapter following a similar format for a consistent presentation of information. It discusses topics ranging from basic biology, genetics and genomics, molecular detection and typing, and pathogenesis to epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, treatment and prevention, among other current concerns. It also details the methods used to diagnose the infection, characterize the pathogen, and detect parasites in three food commodities: meats, water, and fresh produce. With chapters written by experts in their respective fields, the book presents a reliable roadmap for future development of improved, innovative biological and molecular methods for analysis of foodborne parasitic pathogens. A handy, comprehensive reference on all aspects of biology of foodborne parasites, it highlights research needs and directions, helping you develop advanced diagnostic tools and new intervention measures.

First published in 1963, Advances in Parasitology contains comprehensive and up-to-date reviews in all areas of interest in contemporary parasitology. Advances in Parasitology includes medical studies on parasites of major influence, such as Plasmodium falciparum and trypanosomes. The series also contains reviews of more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy, and life history, which shape current thinking and applications. Eclectic volumes are supplemented by thematic volumes on various topics, including control of human parasitic diseases and global mapping of infectious diseases. - Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field - Contributions from leading authorities and industry experts

The book by K. V. Galaktionov and A. A. Dobrovolskij maintains the tra- tion of monographs devoted to detailed coverage of digenetic tr matodes in the tradition of B. Dawes (1946) and T. A. Ginetsinskaya (1968). In this - spect, the book is traditional in both its form and content. In the beginning (Chapter 1), the authors provide a consistent analysis of the morphological features of all life cycle stages. Importantly, they present a detailed char- terization of sporocysts and rediae whose morphological-functional orga- zation has never been comprehensively described in modern literature. The authors not only list morphological characteristics, but also analyze the functional significance of different morphological structures and hypothesize about their evolution. Special attention is given to specific features of m- phogenesis in all stages of the trematode life cycle. On this basis, the authors provide several original suggestions about the possible origins of morp- logical evolution of the parthenogenetic (asexual) and the hermaphroditic generations. This is followed by a detailed consideration of the various m- phological-biological adaptations that ensure the successful completion of the complex life cycles of these parasites (Chapter 2). Life cycles inherent in different trematodes are subject to a special analysis (Chapter 3). The authors distinguish several basic types of life cycles and suggest an original interpretation of their evolutionary origin. Chapter 4 features the analysis of structure and the dynamics of trematode populations and is unusual for a monograph of this type.