Experimental parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Digital PCR-based quantification of Leishmania infantum in Lutzomyia longipalpis: comparison between promastigote and macrophage-derived amastigote infection models.","authors":"Lucas Alexandre Farias de Souza, Gabriela Casani Cardoso, Francielly Maria Wilke Ramos Gos, Daniela de Pita-Pereira, Constança Britto, Edneia Amancio de Souza Ramos, Magda Clara Vieira da Costa-Ribeiro","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109224","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109224","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains a major public health concern in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where Leishmania infantum is primarily transmitted by the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. Understanding parasite development within the vector is essential for elucidating transmission dynamics, yet classical microscopic assessments often lack sensitivity for detecting early or low intensity infections. In this study, Lu. longipalpis females were experimentally infected with either promastigote or amastigote forms of Le. infantum and the infection dynamics were evaluated by both optical microscopy and digital PCR (dPCR). Microscopic examination revealed successful midgut colonization in both groups, with higher parasite counts in amastigote-infected sand fly females during the early phase of infection. Quantification by dPCR confirmed this pattern, detecting significantly higher parasite loads at the initial time points in amastigote-fed sand flies. However, parasite loads converged between groups at later stages, indicating comparable infection dynamics regardless of the parasite infective form. Both methods showed consistent patterns of parasite dynamics, whereas dPCR provided greater sensitivity for detecting and quantifying low parasite burdens, particularly during periods of reduced infection intensity. Overall, our findings provide new insights into parasite-vector interactions and validate dPCR as a precise and sensitive tool for assessing Leishmania infections in sand fly vectors, with potential applications for entomological surveillance and transmission studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"109224"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149192187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geraniol as a promising natural compound in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis: In vivo efficacy and safety in immunosuppressed mice","authors":"Hussam Saeed Al-Aredhi","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109212","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109212","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cryptosporidiosis remains a significant health concern, particularly in immunocompromised hosts, for whom available treatments may have limited efficacy. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of geraniol (GR), alone and in combination with nitazoxanide (NZ), in immunosuppressed mice experimentally infected with <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em>. The mice were treated in groups with varying doses of GR (25 and 50 mg/kg), NZ (100 mg/kg), and their combination for 7 days. Treatment effects were assessed based on fecal oocyst shedding, intestinal antioxidant enzyme activities, Th1-associated cytokine gene expression, and selected hepatic and renal biochemical markers. GR significantly reduced oocyst shedding and improved antioxidant and immune-related parameters compared with untreated infected/immunosuppressed mice (p &lt; 0.01). The combination of GR with NZ produced a greater reduction in oocyst shedding than either treatment alone, with the GR 50 mg/kg + NZ 100 mg/kg regimen producing the greatest overall effect (p &lt; 0.001). The combined treatment was also associated with restoration of CAT and SOD activities and increased expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ (p &lt; 0.001). No evident treatment-related hepatic or renal toxicity was observed based on the evaluated biochemical markers. Overall, these findings provide preliminary experimental evidence that GR, particularly in combination with NZ, may warrant further investigation as an adjunctive approach for cryptosporidiosis. However, validation in additional animal models and ultimately well-designed clinical studies is required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"289 ","pages":"Article 109212"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149059479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A terpyridine derivative exhibits potent and selective anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity in BeWo cells","authors":"Paulo Cesar Gomes de Lima,&nbsp;Meiry Leandra de Lacerda,&nbsp;Rafael Martins de Oliveira,&nbsp;Natália Carine Lima dos Santos,&nbsp;João Vitor Cagliari,&nbsp;Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro,&nbsp;Ronaldo Júnio de Oliveira,&nbsp;Samuel Cota Teixeira,&nbsp;Wendell Guerra","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109213","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109213","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis widespread worldwide, although it primarily affects populations in underdeveloped countries. In humans, infection can lead to serious complications, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. Despite advances in the diagnosis of this disease, therapeutic regimens for treating toxoplasmosis are not fully effective, and new drugs are highly desirable. In this context, we evaluated 4′-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (L) and its previously reported Pt(II) complex (<strong>1)</strong> against <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>. The free ligand L exhibited greater antiparasitic activity (IC₅₀ &lt; 0.78 μM) than <strong>1</strong> (IC₅₀ = 2.4 μM), significantly reducing intracellular parasite proliferation in BeWo cells. Both compounds showed high selectivity toward host cells, with selectivity indices (SIs) exceeding 128 and 41 for L and complex <strong>1</strong>, respectively. Molecular docking studies against TgCDPK1 and TgDHFR-TS were performed to investigate the potential binding modes of the compounds. Simulations suggested that both molecules can accommodate the ATP binding site of TgCDPK1 and the cofactor binding pockets of TgDHFR-TS. The free ligand L showed higher docking scores compared to the complex <strong>1</strong>. This observation may be attributed to the greater conformational flexibility and lower steric hindrance of the free ligand, which potentially allows for a more optimized fit in the catalytic cavity under the simulated conditions. These findings indicate that terpyridine derivatives represent promising candidates for the development of new anti-<em>T. gondii</em> agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"289 ","pages":"Article 109213"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149059536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Expression profiling of GP63 isoforms with predicted nuclear localization signals in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis” [Experimental Parasitology 286 (2026) 109155]","authors":"Lara da Mata Aredes Riguetti,&nbsp;Luzia Monteiro de Castro Côrtes,&nbsp;Thais de Araújo-Pereira,&nbsp;Fransuellem Batista de Moura Brito,&nbsp;Léa Cysne-Finkelstein,&nbsp;Franklin Souza Silva,&nbsp;Carlos Roberto Alves","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109163","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 109163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148223838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cercarial infection is associated with shifts in culturable gut bacterial communities of Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos","authors":"Panthong Kulsantiwong,&nbsp;Sattrachai Prasopdee,&nbsp;Jutharat Kulsantiwong","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the diversity of culturable bacteria in the gut of <em>Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos</em>, the first intermediate host of trematode parasites. It examined the relationship between bacterial communities and trematode infection. Snails were collected from freshwater habitats in Udon Thani and Khon Kaen provinces, Thailand, and classified as infected or uninfected using the cercarial shedding method. A total of 132 bacterial isolates were obtained and identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacterial abundance differed significantly between the two groups, with higher counts observed in uninfected snails (2.06–8.60 × 10³ CFU/ml) than in infected snails (1.06–1.60 × 10³ CFU/ml) (p &lt; 0.05). Bacterial composition also varied according to infection status. Bacterial isolates from infected snails were predominantly associated with <em>Acinetobacter</em>, <em>Vogesella</em>, and <em>Stenotrophomonas</em>, whereas <em>Exiguobacterium</em> spp. were mainly found in uninfected snails. Several taxa, including <em>Bacillus</em> spp., <em>Chryseobacterium</em> spp., and <em>Micrococcus</em> spp., were detected in both groups. These findings suggest that parasite infection is associated with shifts in both the abundance and composition of gut bacterial communities in <em>B. siamensis goniomphalos</em>. The results provide new insights into host–microbe–parasite interactions and may contribute to a better understanding of parasite transmission dynamics in freshwater ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 109169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148497475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First identification of Cryptosporidium meleagridis in wild white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus)","authors":"Michel dos Santos Pinto,&nbsp;João Alfredo Biagi Camargo Neto,&nbsp;Grazielli Aparecida Messias de Assis,&nbsp;Guilherme Zaratin Dumalakas,&nbsp;Michelle Santos Sabioni,&nbsp;Maria Carolina Corrêa Leite Gimenes de Almeida,&nbsp;Marcelo Vasconcelos Meireles,&nbsp;Felipe Augusto Soares,&nbsp;Jancarlo Ferreira Gomes,&nbsp;Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this research, we investigated the genetic diversity of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. in 65 free-living white-eyed parakeets (<em>Psittacara leucophthalmus</em>) from the central-eastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Using real-time nested PCR of the 18S rRNA gene and conventional nested PCR of the actin and heat shock protein (HSP-70) genes, two samples were positive for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp., representing an prevalence of 3.08% (95% CI: 0.85–10.54%). However, oocysts of this protozoan were not observed through coproparasitological examination, nor were clinical signs characteristic of cryptosporidiosis noted in any bird. The amplicons obtained in this study were subjected to bidirectional Sanger sequencing. Among the positive samples, one presented sequences of sufficient quality for analysis of the 18S rRNA and HSP70 genes, exhibiting 100% and 99.64% genetic similarity, respectively, with <em>Cryptosporidium meleagridis</em> sequences deposited in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis using HSP-70 gene sequences from <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. confirmed that the amplified <em>Cryptosporidium</em> sequence is closely related to <em>C. meleagridis</em> sequences, grouping within the same clade. Nested PCR targeting the parasite surface glycoprotein gene (GP60) was performed; however, a sufficient number of amplicons were not obtained, making subgenotyping impossible. We believe this to be the first report of <em>C. meleagridis</em>, a protozoan with zoonotic potential in the synanthropic white-eyed parakeets (<em>P. leucophthalmus</em>).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 109172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148497372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of promethazine and hydroxyzine, two inhibitors of Tumor Controlled Translational Protein (TCTP), on the growth of in vitro culture of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma congolense","authors":"Géraldine Bossard ,&nbsp;Anne Geiger","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109087","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2025.109087","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>TCTP, an ubiquitous protein excreted by trypanosomes when cultured <em>in vitro</em>, has also been identified in the intestine of the tsetse fly and in the blood of infected mammalian hosts. Recombinant TCTP was able to modulate the growth of tsetse fly intestinal bacteria and mice immunization with this recombinant protein its survival after challenge with the parasite. TCTP is involved in a number of biological processes, including cancer expansion; TCTP inhibitors have been shown to reduce or even suppress the multiplication of tumor cells. In this study, we have tested the efficiency of two TCTP inhibitors, promethazine and hydroxyzine, on the growth and survival of <em>Trypanosoma brucei gambiense</em> (Tbg) and <em>T. congolense</em> (Tc) pathogenic for humans and animals, respectively. The effectiveness of the inhibitors was assessed by measuring the ED50 (Effective Dose), i.e. the concentration of inhibitor required to reduce, for a given incubation time, the growth of the tested trypanosome species by 50%. Both inhibitors slowed down the multiplication of parasites but differed in their efficiencies, promethazine being more effective than hydroxyzine in reducing the growth of both Tc and Tbg. For example, regarding Tc, the ED50 was reached after a 24 h incubation in the culture medium supplemented with promethazine at a 5 μM concentration, whereas a concentration of 40 μM of hydroxyzine to obtain a similar result. Finally, Tbg was shown to be much more sensitive to both inhibitors than Tc. The results, which were obtained <em>in vitro</em>, show that TCTP is involved in the development/multiplication of both trypanosome species, one of which, Tbg, being pathogenic for humans. The next step will be to verify the possible effect of treatment with TCTP inhibitors on infection of mice with trypanosomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"283 ","pages":"Article 109087"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146161991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trans-stadial midgut development in Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is long-term impaired by sublethal concentrations of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) leaf preparations","authors":"João Ricardo Sá Leitão Camaroti ,&nbsp;Livia Lais de Santana Silva ,&nbsp;Thiago Lucas da Silva Lira ,&nbsp;Kenner Morais Fernandes ,&nbsp;Franciane Rosa Miranda ,&nbsp;Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva ,&nbsp;Gustavo Ferreira Martins ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Viana Pontual ,&nbsp;Thiago Henrique Napoleão","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109114","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Control of the vector <em>Aedes aegypti</em> L. is the main prophylactic measure for limiting the spread of dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus diseases. In light of the environmental toxicity and resistance development associated with synthetic pesticides, plant-derived insecticides have been investigated as potential alternatives. A saline extract from <em>Schinus terebinthifolia</em> Raddi leaves and its fraction rich in cinnamic derivatives (designated F1) have been reported to be larvicidal against <em>Ae. aegypti</em>. This study evaluated the impacts of exposing third-instar <em>Ae. aegypti</em> larvae to sublethal concentrations of these preparations on trans-stadial midgut development. The larvae were incubated with the extract (0.6% w/v), F1 (0.2% w/v), or distilled water (control) for 24 h. After this period, they were transferred to distilled water and monitored until adult emergence. Larvae, pupae, and adults were collected, and their midguts were dissected and analyzed by optical and fluorescence microscopy. Treatment with the extract and F1 resulted in cellular deformation, hypertrophy, and vacuolization of the midgut epithelium across all life stages (larvae, pupae, and adults). The number of proliferative cells positive for phosphohistone H3 (PH3) was reduced by 73.6% in larvae and 72.7% in pupae treated with the extract or F1 compared with controls, indicating impaired midgut regeneration and remodeling. In contrast to the control group, proliferating cells were detected in adult midguts of individuals previously exposed to the extract. Caspase-3–positive apoptotic cells were observed in larvae and pupae exposed to the extract and F1, whereas no such cells were observed in controls. In conclusion, exposure of <em>A. aegypti</em> larvae to the saline extract and F1 chronically affected midgut development, leading to marked morphological alterations in subsequent life stages. These changes were associated with apoptosis and disruptions in cellular regeneration processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"282 ","pages":"Article 109114"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"7-dehydrocholesterol reductase inhibitors control Leishmania spp. in human macrophages","authors":"Carlos Henrique da Silva Mota,&nbsp;Ana Marília Viana Utim,&nbsp;Wesley Lima de Paula,&nbsp;Geovanna Medeiros de Oliveira,&nbsp;Ana Luísa Macedo das Mercez Torres,&nbsp;Fátima Ribeiro-Dias,&nbsp;Rodrigo Saar Gomes","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109112","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leishmaniasis, caused by <em>Leishmania</em> spp., is a neglected parasitic disease with a broad clinical spectrum, whose treatments are toxic and present failures and resistance. <em>Leishmania braziliensis</em> and <em>Leishmania amazonensis</em> are highly prevalent species in Brazil. Cholesterol metabolism affects immune responses. 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to cholesterol and this enzyme regulates macrophage polarization towards the M2 profile. Inhibiting DHCR7 enhances pro-inflammatory responses and may control infections, prompting investigation into its effects on <em>Leishmania</em> in macrophages. Human macrophages derived from THP-1 cells were infected with <em>L. amazonensis</em> or <em>L. braziliensis</em> for 24 h and treated with pharmacological DHCR7 inhibitors tamoxifen and AY9944. Inhibition of DHCR7 reduced infection by both <em>Leishmania</em> species in human macrophages. Additionally, DHCR7 inhibitors promoted an increase in the production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROS) and in the production of TNF and IL-1β by human macrophages infected with <em>L. amazonensis</em> and <em>L. braziliensis</em>. These data suggest that DHCR7 inhibitors control <em>Leishmania</em> spp. infection <em>in vitro</em> and pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for this neglected disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"282 ","pages":"Article 109112"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of intestinal parasites in a tertiary care hospital and utility of AI-assisted fecal analyzer for their detection","authors":"Prabhav Aggarwal,&nbsp;Jyoti Choudhary,&nbsp;Pallavi,&nbsp;Sonal Saxena,&nbsp;Sneha Dey","doi":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109110","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109110","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Intestinal parasitic infections, caused by protozoa and helminths, can lead to malnutrition, anaemia, and impaired growth. While direct wet mount microscopy is the routine diagnostic method, it is limited by low sensitivity, labour intensiveness, and reliance on skilled personnel. Automated image-based systems using artificial intelligence (AI) present a promising alternative.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. Microscopic findings from 7267 fecal samples were analyzed. Additionally, 275 samples were processed using both conventional microscopy and the MISPA-F30 fecal analyzer. Microscopic images analyzed by the inbuilt AI software was reviewed independently by two microbiologists. Results from direct microscopy, MISPA-F30, and expert user audit were compared.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over three years, 7267 stool samples were examined via wet mount microscopy, detecting parasitic elements in 204 (2.8%) cases, with <em>Giardia lamblia</em> most frequently identified. A subset of 275 samples was concurrently analyzed using the MISPA F-30 fecal analyzer and microscopy. The analyzer showed 83.3% agreement with microscopy and 84.7% with user audit, which revealed 35 misidentified cases and six missed detections. However, MISPA F-30 identified ten cases overlooked by microscopy. Using a composite reference standard, the analyzer's sensitivity and specificity were 66.7% and 86.2%, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>MISPA-F30 demonstrated acceptable sensitivity and specificity, it additionally reduces manual workload and alleviates fatigue of sample processing and microscopy. When supplemented by expert audit, its diagnostic performance was excellent. With further AI software development and database expansion, automated stool microscopy has considerable potential as a reliable diagnostic aid, though cost-effectiveness has to be weighed in.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12117,"journal":{"name":"Experimental parasitology","volume":"282 ","pages":"Article 109110"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146104482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}