The recent discovery of a larval nematode in the epididymides of free-living wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) suggests a sexual transmission of these parasites. They have been placed within the bursate nematodes (order Strongylida) through 18S rDNA analysis, suggesting that they are undetermined meta-strongyloid nematodes. The possibility that these parasites are transmitted sexually opens an intriguing field of research because sexually transmitted metazoan parasites are known to occur mainly in invertebrates, whereas in vertebrates sexually transmitted parasites are usually microparasites such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.
Casiraghi, M., Ferraguti, M. (2005). The occurrence of strongylid nematodes in the epididymides of wood mice. TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY, 21(7), 305-307 [10.1016/j.pt.2005.05.014].
The occurrence of strongylid nematodes in the epididymides of wood mice
CASIRAGHI, MAURIZIO;
2005
Abstract
The recent discovery of a larval nematode in the epididymides of free-living wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) suggests a sexual transmission of these parasites. They have been placed within the bursate nematodes (order Strongylida) through 18S rDNA analysis, suggesting that they are undetermined meta-strongyloid nematodes. The possibility that these parasites are transmitted sexually opens an intriguing field of research because sexually transmitted metazoan parasites are known to occur mainly in invertebrates, whereas in vertebrates sexually transmitted parasites are usually microparasites such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.