Dracunculiasis, otherwise known as guinea worm disease (GWD), is caused by infection with the nematode Dracunculus medinensis. This nematode is transmitted to humans exclusively via contaminated drinking water. The transmitting vectors are Cyclops copepods (water fleas), which are tiny free-swimming crustaceans usually found abundantly in freshwater ponds. Humans can acquire GWD by drinking water that contains vectors infected with guinea worm larvae. This disease is prevalent in some of the most deprived areas of the world, and no vaccine or medicine is currently available. International efforts to eradicate dracunculiasis began in the early 1980s. Most dentists and maxillofacial surgeons have neglected this kind of parasite infection. However, when performing charitable work in developing countries near the tropic lines or other regions where GWD is endemic, it is important to consider GWD in cases of swelling or tumors of unknown origin. This paper reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical criteria, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and prevention of dracunculiasis. It also summarizes important factors for maxillofacial surgeons to consider.
Copepoda ; Dentists ; Developing Countries ; Dracunculiasis* ; Dracunculus Nematode ; Drinking Water ; Epidemiology ; Fresh Water ; Humans ; Larva ; Minocycline ; Parasites ; Ponds ; Surgery, Oral*

To develop a recombinant lentivirus co-expressing structural protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and secreted Gaussia Luciferase (Gluc), we first constructed an expression vector that encoded HCV structural protein (C, E1, E2) and GLuc named pCSGluc2aCE1E2. The expression of HCV proteins and Gluc was confirmed by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and the detection of luciferase activity. Recombinant lentivirus (VSVpp-HCV) was developed by the co-transfection of pCSGluc2aCE1E2 into 293T cells with pHR'CMVA8.2 and pVSVG. The infectivity of VSVpp-HCV was confirmed by luciferase activity detection, IFA and western blotting. Virus-like particles were identified using electron microscopy after concentration. The results showed that the level of luciferase activity correlated with the expression of HCV protein after the infection of cells with lentivirus VSVpp-HCV. Therefore, the expression level of HCV proteins could be evaluated by detecting the luciferase activity of Gluc. In conclusion, this research pave a way for the development of transgenic mice that express HCV proteins and Gluc, which enable the evaluation of anti-HCV therapy and vaccine in vivo.
Animals ; Copepoda ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatitis C ; virology ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Luciferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Viral Structural Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Sparganosis is a zoonosis caused by sparganum. Humans can be exposed to sparganum by ingesting undercooked snakes or drinking infected copepods harboring sparganum. Sparganosis commonly manifests as migrating subcutaneous masses and may involve multiple organ systems such as the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, the eyes, and the genitourinary system. We report here a case of laparoscopically confirmed sparganosis caused by ingestion of undercooked snakes. The sparganosis involved the liver and peritoneum and was initially difficult to differentiate from peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Carcinoma ; Central Nervous System ; Copepoda ; Drinking ; Eating ; Eye ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Liver ; Musculoskeletal System ; Peritoneum ; Snakes ; Sparganosis ; Sparganum ; Urogenital System

Background: Vietnam is one of eight countries with dengue fever / dengue hemorrhagic fever circulating seriously in the region. Some recent studies showed Mesocyclops dropping is one of effectively dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever preventive approaches.\r\n', u'Objectives: To survey the distribution and role of mesocyclops in preventing dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever in three communes in Thanh Hoa province.\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The study was conducted in Dong Hai, Thanh Hoa, Hai Chau communes of Tinh Gia district, Nga Lien commune of Nga Son district. Research subjects are Mesocyclops collected in the artificial water containers and Adesaegypti mosquito larvae in water containers.\r\n', u'Results: Two species found are M.woutersi mesocyclops and M.thermo. M.woutersi exits in all of three local studied Mesocyclops rate in the water containers is 8.2%. Mesocyclops rate in water containers in Nga Son district is highest (13.26%) and in city is lower (13.26%). Of the experimental five species dropped on field, there are four species survived after a long-term period. Among them, M. Woutersi is highest (65.51%), M.aspericornis (15:52%). They breed and grow very fast, easy to adapt to natural conditions in Thanh Hoa.\r\n', u'Conclusion: The results show that Mesocyclops can be cultured in Thanh Hoa province.\r\n', u'\r\n', u'\r\n', u'
Dengue ; Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever ; Copepoda ; Densovirinae ;

Cyclops of zooplankton propagates prolifically in eutrophic waterbody and it cannot be exterminated by conventional disinfection process. The mutagenicity of Mesocyclops leukarti and its extermination with oxidants in a drinking waterworks in China were studied. Among five oxidants for use in bench-scale, chlorine dioxide is the most effective and the potassium permanganate is the weakest against Mesocyclops leukarti under the same conditions. Full-scale results showed that Mesocyclops leukarti could be effectively removed from water by 1.0 mg/L chlorine dioxide preoxidation combined with conventional removal physical process. After filtration, chlorite, a by-product of prechlorine dioxide, is stable at 0.45 mg/L, which is lower than the critical value of the USEPA. GC-MS examination and Ames test further showed that the quantity of organic substance and the mutagenicity in water treated by chlorine dioxide preoxidation are obviously less than those of prechlorination.
Copepoda ; drug effects ; physiology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Filtration ; methods ; Oxidants ; toxicity ; Survival Rate ; Water Pollutants ; isolation & purification ; Water Pollution ; prevention & control ; Water Purification ; methods

A practical and convenient method of rearing Eucyclops serrulatus in a microculture environment is described. A complete life cycle of E. serrulatus was maintained in a narrow space on a microscope slide glass on which a cover glass of 22 x 40 mm in size was mounted at a height of 0.8 mm. The culture medium was constituted by bottled mineral water boiled with grains of Glycine max (soybean). Chilomonas paramecium, a free-living protozoan organism, was provided as live food. Growth of nauplii hatched from eggs to the first stage of copepodite took an average of 7.7 days, and the growth of copepodite 1 to the egg-bearing adult female took an average of 20.1 days in the microculture cell with an average life time of 44.7 days. Continuous passage of copepods was successfully maintained as long as sufficient medium and food were provided. The microculture method enables an in situ microscopic observation on the growth and developmental process of helminth larvae experimentally infected to copepods as well as of copepod itself. Furthermore, it does not require anesthetization and, therefore, minimize the amount of stress exposed to copepods during the handling process.
Protozoa ; Male ; Female ; Culture Techniques/*methods ; Culture Media ; Copepoda/*growth & development ; Animals

By this study, 5 species of Mesocyclop were identified. All have high ability to kill the larvae of Aedes mosquito. In 24h an average of 28,7-41,3 larvae could be killed, especially 36 larvae by M. woutersi and M. aspericorni, which occurred mainly in water reservoir. The involvement of the community in the eradication of malaria vectors in local area using Mesocyclops was recommended.
Water ; Dengue ; Larva ; Copepoda

Mesocyclops were collected from 631 water areas and fresh water containers over 31 provinces and city between 1998 - 1999. It was found 10 species that involved in Mesocyclops gender. Messocyclops distribute widely and are available in fresh water containers in crowded regions. They can reproduce and develop easily under natural conditions. They have high potential in killing Aedes aegypti larvae. Mesocyclops can become an effective biological agent in preventing actively the Dengue fever/Dengue hemorrhage vector in Viet Nam
Copepoda ; Densovirinae

Source of Aedes larvae was investigated in 200 households in provinces of Hµ T©y, Thõa thiªn HuÕ, §µ N½ng, Kh¸nh Hßa, Kiªn giang between 1998 - 2000. Mesocyclops were released to water containers and the waste water containers were eliminated. the results showed that in Northern area, mosquito and larvae population reduced by 100% after 13 months of project and maintained for several following months. In Central area, larvae population reduced by 90,7% and mosquito by 39.2% to 71.8%. In southern area, larvae population reduced by 97.7%, mosquito by 92.0% and there was not patient with dengue fever
Copepoda ; Dengue ; Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Subject 6928 persons in 1454 households, T©n Minh commune, Th­êng TÝn district, Hµ T©y province where the dengue hemorrhagic fever occurred during 1988 -1992. Methods: survey of focus of Aedes aegypti, training, and education for public perception, release of Mesocyclops in the field training and monitoring the vector. Results: the education for enhancement of the public perception, release of mesocyclops and removal of the wasted objects gave the long-term social and economic efficacy. These were easy to implement and can be enlarged to other areas to actively control the epidemic fever/ dengue hemorrhagic fever
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever ; Copepoda