In developing a novel model for studies of the allergen-induced late-phase airways obstruction, by using the pig, the importance of endogenous cortisol levels was examined by the use of metyrapone, a cortisol-synthesis inhibitor. Specific-pathogen free pigs were actively sensitized with Ascaris suum allergen. One group of pigs was treated with a constant infusion of metyrapone in order to maint...

Acetylcholine-activated single-channel currents were recorded from cell-attached and inside-out patches of isolated muscle vesicles from Ascaris suum. Acetylcholine (1-10 mumols l-1) activated cation-selective channels of two amplitudes: 40-50 pS and 25-35 pS. Both channels had linear I/V relationships and mean open durations independent of voltage. The larger conductance was analysed in detail...

Diethylcarbamazine is a drug that is used for the treatment of filariasis in humans and animals; it also has effects on intestinal nematodes, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Emodepside is a resistance-busting anthelmintic approved for treating intestinal parasitic nematodes in animals. The novel mode of action and resistance-breaking properties of emodepside has led to its use agai...

One of the fundamental aspects of a parasitic infection diagnosis is the use of adequate antigens to develop specific and sensitive immunoassays. This fact is especially complicated in nematode infection cases because of the high cross-reactivity among different parasites in this group. We performed an evaluation of Anisakis simplex antigens purified by affinity chromatography. We used sera fro...

Vertical starch gel electrophoresis and trefoil immunodiffusion were used to study the systematics of some ascaridoid nematodes. Within the Ascarididae, the time scale of divergence was too great for intergeneric electrophoretic comparisons. Congeneric electrophoretic comparisons of Baylisascaris procyonis (host--raccoon) versus Baylisascaris transfuga (host--black bear), and Toxocara canis (ho...

The agricultural use of sewage sludge is possible on condition of maintaining microbiological and parasitological standards, and one of the most modern methods improving its sanitary state is solar drying. In the presented study, the effect of this process on the elimination of indicator microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Senftenberg W775, Enterococcus spp.) and eggs of Ascaris suum i...