Heinz Mehlhorn Knihy

This book sheds new light on the use of nanoparticles in the fields of parasitology and public and animal health. Nanotechnology has been used in many fields of research and in practical applications. A special subgroup is represented by the so-called nanobiotechnology, which is a multidisciplinary integration of biotechnology, nanotechnology, chemical processing, material science and engineering. In the fields of parasitology and public and animal health this technology has been used to develop systems, wherein acaricides and insecticides are included. This technique avoids direct contact of the hosts of parasites (animals, humans) with the insecticides/acaricides and thus minimizes effects on their health and also the development of resistances of the vectors (ticks, mosquitos, flies etc.). Since actually many original articles on the use of nanoparticles bearing arthopodocides appear in different journals – as well as in Parasitology Research of Springer - it seems reasonable to check the status quo and to elucidate possible chances of progress. This book will appeal to a wide readership, from researchers through veterinarians to professionals working in the conservation, public health, or sustainable agriculture area.

This textbook focuses on the most important parasites affecting dogs, cats, ruminants, horses, pigs, rabbits, rodents, birds, fishes, reptiles and bees. For each parasite, the book offers a concise summary including its distribution, epidemiology, lifecycle, morphology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapeutic measures. Numerous informative tables and more than 500 color micrographs and schemes present the most important aspects of the parasites, their induced diseases and the latest information on suitable prevention and control measures. 100 questions at the end of the book offer readers the chance to test their comprehension. The book is well suited as both a textbook and a reference guide for veterinarians, students of the veterinary and life sciences, veterinarian nurses, laboratory staff, and pet and livestock owners.

This textbook provides an up-to-date overview of the most important parasites in humans and their potential vectors. For each parasite, the book offers a concise summary including its distribution, epidemiology, life cycle, morphology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapeutic measures. Numerous tables, diagrams and over 200 colorful illustrations highlight the main aspects of parasitic infestations and present suitable control measures. 60 questions help to test readers’ theoretical knowledge of the field. In short, the book is highly recommended for anyone looking to delve into the field of human parasitology. It is intended for students of biology and human medicine, medical doctors, pharmacists and laboratory staff alike. Furthermore, persons who plan to visit or live longer in endemic regions will find essential information on necessary preventive and control measurements.

This book intensively examines the efficacy of plant-derived products that have been used for over a thousand years by practitioners of so-called Traditional Chinese Medicine in the light of recent chemotherapeuticals. The chapters were written by renowned Chinese medical researchers and are supplemented by results obtained in German antiparasitic research projects. Parasites and emerging diseases are a major threat of our time, which is characterized by an enormous increase in the size of the human population and by an unbelievably rapid globalization that has led to the daily transport of millions of humans and containers with goods from one end of the earth to the other. Furthermore the slow but constant global warming offers new opportunities for many agents of diseases to become established in new areas. Therefore it is essential that we develop precautions in order to avoid epidemics or even pandemics in overcrowded megacities or at the large-scale farm animal confinements that are needed to secure a steady flow of food in the crowded regions of the world. Of course intensive research in the field of chemotherapy since 1900 has produced unbelievable breakthroughs in therapies for formerly untreatable and thus deadly diseases. However, a large number of untreatable diseases remain, as well as a constantly growing number of agents of disease that have developed resistances to standard chemical compounds

This book gathers contributions by 16 international authors on the phenomenon bats, shedding some light on their morphology, the feeding behaviors (insects, fruits, blood) of different groups, their potential and confirmed transmissions of agents of diseases, their endo- and ectoparasites, as well as countless myths surrounding their lifestyle (e.g. vampirism, chupacabras, batman etc.). Bats have been known in different cultures for several thousand centuries, however their nocturnal activities have made them mysterious and led to many legends and myths, while proven facts remained scarce. Even today, our knowledge of bats remains limited compared to other groups in the animal kingdom. Also, their famous ability to avoid collisions with obstacles during their nightly flights with the help of a sophisticated and unique system using ultrasound waves (which are transmitted and received) is as poorly studied as birds finding their way from continent to continent. In recent times, where globalization transports millions of people and goods from one end of the earth to the other, there are increased risks posed by agents of diseases, as a result of which bats have received increasing attention as potential vectors. These suppositions are based on their proven transmission of viruses such as rabies

The stages of Blastocystis have been known for 101 years. However, many facts are still disputed, e. g. even the question whether it is a true pathogen or a commensal present in sometimes life-threatening diarrheas. The present book evaluates in chapters contributed by renowned researchers the latest findings on: •Landmarks in the discovery of Blastocystis •Epidemiology, transmission and zoonotic potential •Morphology of human and animal Blastocystis isolates •Clinical aspects of Blastocystis infections •Behavioral decision analysis: what makes us sick? •Blastocystis-host interactions •Molecular approaches on the systematical position •Genetic polymorphism •Blastocystis from a statistical point of view •Diarrheas due to different agents of disease •Zoonotic diseases in comparison As such, this book provides a broad range of information for people working in this field, for physicians and veterinarians who are confronted with clinical cases, teachers, students and technical staff members in the fields of microbiology, parasitology and diagnostic methods.

Parasites threaten the health of animals and humans alike. Especially in times of increasing globalization and global warming, parasites can enlarge their “kingdom” by spreading. At the same time many of the existing medical products have become ineffective. As these products have been used for many decades, parasites have developed resistances, so that they have progressed in their fight for survival. Therefore it is obvious that humans must develop new methods to face these dangers. Thus parasitological knowledge increases daily and must be formulated to be accessible for as many parasitologists (veterinarians, physicians, biologists) as possible. Therefore it is necessary that reviews reflecting the present status of the progress in many fields of research be published. Therefore this book, published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the German Society of Parasitology, compiles 18 reviews on recent “hot topics,” including a new vaccine against malarial parasites; severe diseases with poor chances of treatment (cryptosporidiosis, coccidiosis, theileriosis); vectors (mosquitoes, ticks) and their transmission activities; and fish parasites, including molecular insights into the sex of parasites with a focus on the survival abilities that made them so dangerous. These chapters provide detailed information for researchers, as well as for teachers and students in parasitology.

Nature initially aids organisms by developing measures that allow bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals to thrive in their struggle for survival. As a latecomer, Homo sapiens gained the ability to observe, analyze, and utilize the skills of other living beings, which has propelled human advancement over the past 10,000 years. Initially, fungi, plants, and animals were primarily used as food or lifestyle products, but their potential as remedies, insecticides, and even weapons became apparent. Extracts from these organisms were recognized for their medicinal properties, leading to their application in various fields. Over the past century, the pharmaceutical industry has often mimicked nature by synthesizing pure compounds from organic substances, targeting specific ailments with fewer side effects. However, this approach has led to the emergence of resistance among disease agents, resulting in diminishing effectiveness of certain treatments. Consequently, there is a growing movement, especially in poorer nations, advocating for a return to natural remedies. This shift has spurred extensive research into the therapeutic potential of natural extracts. The book presents a comprehensive overview of promising applications of extracts from bacteria, marine organisms, plants, and animals in treating infectious diseases, repelling parasites, aiding in diagnosis, promoting wound healing, and even assisting in criminal investigations.

Parasiten bedrohen trotz jahrzehntelanger Anstrengungen nach wie vor die Gesundheit und das Leben des Menschen und seiner Haus-, Nutz- und Heimtiere. So sind fundierte Kenntnisse der parasitären Erkrankungen angesichts des zunehmenden weltweiten Reiseverkehrs sowohl für Reisende als auch für Humanmediziner unerläßlich. Zudem haben Parasiten als opportunistische Erreger bei AIDS-Patienten eine vorrangige Bedeutung erlangt, sind sie doch meist die eigentliche Todesursache. Aber auch Tiermediziner werden ständig mit Parasiten konfrontiert - sei es bei der Produktion von Lebensmitteln oder bei der Behandlung von Haustieren. Konzept dieses nun in sechster Auflage erschienenen Kurzlehrbuchs und Nachschlagewerks für Biologen, Tier- und Humanmediziner ist es, die Entwicklungszyklen der wichtigsten Tier- und Humanparasiten vergleichend darzustellen sowie ihre Übertragungswege und Überlebensstrategien im Wirt aufzuzeigen. Dabei können prophylaktische Maßnahmen z. T. größere Bedeutung erlangen als die Chemotherapie, die heute oft recht problematisch ist. Zudem werden die Morphologie und die biologischen Daten der wichtigsten Parasiten in für Studenten erlernbarer Weise aufbereitet und in über 700 Abbildungen und 20 Tabellen dargestellt.