International journal for parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Bat phylogeny and geographic location, rather than bat individual characteristics, explains the pattern of trypanosome infection in Europe.","authors":"Antoine Perrin, Laura Clément, Tamara Szentivanyi, Philippe Théou, Adrià López Baucells, Laura Bonny, Dino Scaravelli, Olivier Glaizot, Philippe Christe","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the drivers of parasite susceptibility provides valuable information, such as how parasites spread, what conditions favour their transmission, and what host characteristics make infections more likely. It can also reveal co-evolutionary dynamics and adaptation strategies between hosts and parasites. In this study, we investigated the infection patterns of several bat species across Europe by trypanosome parasites. We used phylogenetic generalised linear mixed models to investigate whether geographic location, individual characteristics (sex, body mass and body size) or species affect trypanosome infection. Additionally, we examined whether infection patterns were influenced by host phylogeny (similar prevalence among genetically close species) and tested for a cophylogenetic signal between bats and trypanosomes. Our results show that individual characteristics were poor predictors of trypanosome infection, whereas host phylogeny and geographic location significantly explained variation in infection. We also found a cophylogenetic congruence between bat species and trypanosome lineages, but this was primarily driven by the association between the bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) and its trypanosome lineages. Overall, host phylogeny emerges as the main determinant of trypanosome infection in bats. These findings suggest that the probability of infection is governed by deterministic factors rather than random encounters between bats and their trypanosome parasites. However, the high host specificity and absence of a strong cophylogenetic signal indicate that random host switching, rather than co-speciation, is the dominant mechanism shaping bat-trypanosome associations.</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144505640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gyrodactylidae from Fundulus heteroclitus (Fundulidae, Cyprinodontiformes) in South Carolina, USA, and insights on the historical ecology of the gyrodactylids of Fundulidae.","authors":"Juliana Rosa Matias Ciccheto, Emanuel Razzollini, Isaure de Buron, Walter A Boeger","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) hosts a diverse array of parasites, including several species of Gyrodactylidae. We surveyed populations of mummichogs across three estuarine systems in South Carolina, USA, for gyrodactylids and studied their taxonomy, phylogenetics, and evolutionary history. Molecular analysis using concatenated sequences of 18S, ITS, and 5.8S rDNA fragments support the synonymization of Fundulotrema with Swingleus, as the former was shown paraphyletic. Five species of Gyrodactylidae were encountered. Gyrodactylus kritskyi n. sp. is described and four other species are redescribed: G. stephanus, Swingleus polyclithroides, S. prolongis n. comb., and S. porterense n. comb. Analyses of the phylogeny, tanglegram, and Euler diagram of gyrodactylids of Fundulidae reveal a complex mosaic of historical processes, including ecological fitting, oscillation, taxon pulses, and putative hybridization events driving host-parasite associations observed, fully compatible with the Stockholm Paradigm. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of gyrodactylid evolution within Fundulidae and highlight the utility of this model system for studying host-parasite diversification and evolution of host repertoire.</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144496147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global analysis of Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in wild avian hosts: effects of phylogeny, ecology, and detection methods.","authors":"Katherine E Buschang, Jerusha Bennett, Clément Lagrue, Robert Poulin","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Toxoplasma gondii is an Apicomplexan protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals, including birds. Birds may play a significant role in the parasite's transmission due to their diverse habitats, diets, dispersal abilities, and potential as prey for predators. However, information on T. gondii infection dynamics in avian hosts is limited globally. To address this, we conducted a systematic review of 82 studies reporting T. gondii prevalence in wild birds. Using generalized linear mixed models, we analyzed global prevalence patterns across avian taxa and explored predictors of prevalence, including bird order, habitat type, trophic level, and lifestyle, in serological and direct (e.g., genetic and histological) detection studies. We also assessed the strength of the phylogenetic signal in T. gondii prevalence among avian lineages. The global distribution of studies was geographically clustered, with direct detection methods more frequently used in Europe and North America. Certain bird orders, particularly Anseriformes, Accipitriformes, and Strigiformes, exhibited higher prevalence rates, suggesting their important roles in T. gondii transmission. Ecological factors, such as habitat characteristics and trophic levels (e.g., omnivores), were significant predictors of infection. Although phylogenetic analysis revealed a weak phylogenetic signal, high prevalence values were observed in hawks, owls, and falcons. These findings consolidate existing knowledge and emphasize the importance of targeted surveillance efforts. They highlight critical gaps in research on T. gondii transmission in avian hosts and provide direction for future studies. Such insights can inform wildlife management strategies and efforts to mitigate zoonotic disease risks associated with T. gondii.</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144368840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"Old hosts die hard\": the return of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and the re-emerging threat of Cardiopulmonary Dirofilariosis in Northern Italy.","authors":"Filippo M Dini, Carmela Musto, Rudy Brogi, Barbara Moroni, Laura Fiorentini, Patrizia Bassi, Alessandro Bianchi, Giovanni Pupillo, Perla Tedesco, Alessandra Di Donato, Simona Perulli, Serena Robetto, Marco Apollonio, Marco Gobbi, Mauro Delogu, Roberta Galuppi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the past decades, the grey wolf (Canis lupus) has expanded its range across Italy, reclaiming historical habitats, including anthropized landscapes. This resurgence raises concerns regarding its potential role in maintaining and spreading pathogens. In this study, we focused on Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of canine heartworm disease, investigating its prevalence in wolves and exploring the environmental factors influencing infection risk. A total of 488 wolf carcasses collected from northern and central Italy between 2021 and 2024 were analysed. Morphological identification of adult nematodes was conducted using light and scanning electron microscopy, while molecular analyses of mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes were performed to assess genetic variation. Spatial modelling was applied to evaluate infection risk based on environmental factors. D. immitis was detected in 3.5% of the sampled wolves, with prevalence varying among regions, reaching 5.2% in Emilia-Romagna. Microfilariae were identified in two cases, confirming the wolves' potential role as competent hosts. Phylogenetic analysis revealed no significant genetic divergence between D. immitis from wolves and those previously recorded in dogs and other hosts. Spatial analysis indicated that infection risk was highest in low-altitude areas of the Po Valley, a historically endemic region for dirofilariosis. These findings suggest that the expanding wolf population may serve as a competent host for D. immitis, potentially influencing local epidemiology and complicating control efforts in domestic dogs. Continued surveillance is necessary to assess the impact of wildlife reservoirs on heartworm transmission and public health.</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Genomic Analysis of Necrophagous and Parasitic Subspecies of Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Provides Important Insights into their Divergent Biologies.","authors":"Shilpa Kapoor, Paul V Hickner, Allison N Dickey, Ezra M Bailey, Leticia Chiara Baldassio de Paula, Esther J Belikoff, Rebecca J Davis, Sophie Tandonnet, Carolina K Canettieri, Matthew A Bertone, Krzysztof Szpila, Ross S Hall, Neil D Young, Pasi K Korhonen, Robin B Gasser, Trent Perry, Aaron R Jex, Vernon M Bowles, Brian M Wiegmann, Tatiana T Torres, Clare A Anstead, Maxwell J Scott","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lucilia cuprina, a species of blowfly, consists of two recognized subspecies: L. cuprina cuprina and L. cuprina dorsalis. Although they are morphologically and molecularly similar to each other, they have very different ecological roles. In Australia, L. c. dorsalis is predominantly found in rural areas and is the primary causative agent of sheep myiasis (flystrike), while L. c. cuprina is necrophagous and not a significant pest of livestock in the Americas or elsewhere. Here, we present a chromosome-scale genome assembly for L. c. cuprina and an improved assembly for L. c. dorsalis, enabling comparative genomic analysis between these subspecies. While both genomes share a similar gene content, subspecies-specific genes were identified, which may contribute to their divergent ecological roles -necrophagy in L. c. cuprina and parasitism in L. c. dorsalis. Phylogenetic analyses across target genomic regions reaffirm the close relationship between L. c. cuprina and L. c. dorsalis and position L. sericata as their sister species. Gene mutations linked to diazinon resistance were exclusively observed in L. c. dorsalis, while malathion resistance was detected in both subspecies. Additionally, we identified genes with accelerated evolutionary rates in each subspecies, which may underlie their distinct feeding behaviours. We also conducted a detailed analysis of chemosensory genes, revealing that L. c. dorsalis possesses slightly larger repertoires of all four chemosensory gene families analyzed. In comparison to Drosophila melanogaster, both subspecies exhibit an expanded gustatory receptor clade. Our findings provide valuable insights into the genetic factors underpinning parasitism and insecticide resistance and provide a valuable genetic resource for future research endeavours, including the development of engineered strains aimed at genetic biocontrol strategies. This work enhances our understanding of the evolutionary adaptations for this important blowfly species.</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Positive correlation of prevalence of Angiostongylis cantonensis in Parmarion martensi (semi-slug) with higher human neuroangiostrongyliasis (rat lungworm disease) caseloads in east Hawai'i Island.","authors":"S I Jarvi, L M Kaluna, K Howe, K D Fiedler, C T Vlautin, M G Severino, J Botticelli, R McHugh","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Toward a better understanding of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection within intermediate gastropod hosts, we evaluated prevalence of A. cantonensis in gastropods from east Hawai'i Island and Kaua'i, and used this data to begin to explore how gastropod infection may relate to human neuroangiostrongyliasis patterns in these regions. An overall infection prevalence of 43.3% was found among four of the eight species tested. Of the seven species tested from Kaua'i (n = 170) 12.9% were positive among three species, and of the two slug species tested from east Hawai'i island (n = 320) 59.4% tested positive. In east Hawai'i Island, parasite prevalence was significantly greater in Parmarion martensi (84.4%) than in Veronicella cubensis (10.2%) (P < 0.001), however, infection rates in V. cubensis on east Hawai'i Island did not significantly differ than in V. cubensis tested on Kaua'i (11.6%) (P = 0.878). Comparing parasite loads among regions within east Hawai'i Island, parasite loads were significantly greater in P. martensi from Pāhoa than in those from Hilo (P < 0.001) and in those from Kea'au than Hilo (P = 0.004), and significantly differed among these districts (P <0.001). Based on zip code tabulation areas (ZCTA) in east Hawai'i Island, prevalence of infection of slugs collected from ZCTA's with 1-5 human cases of neuroangiostrongyliasis was 9.5%, in ZCTA's with 11-15 human cases averaged 65.7%, and in ZCTA's with 16-31 cases was 67.3%. Slug infection prevalence appears higher in ZCTA's with higher human neuroangiostrongyliasis caseloads, at least in these regions in east Hawai'i Island (P < 0.001).</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age-associated occurrence of Giardia duodenalis genotypes and subtypes in a birth-cohort of dairy calves in Guangdong, China.","authors":"Kangli Feng, Weilong Cai, Yilin Chen, Weijian Wang, Yaqiong Guo, Lihua Xiao, Yaoyu Feng, Na Li","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Giardia duodenalis is a common enteric pathogen in humans and animals, with the disease giardiasis being a zoonosis. Currently, little is known about the occurrence and age patterns of G. duodenalis genotypes and subtypes in calves. To examine the infection dynamics of G. duodenalis in dairy calves, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were conducted using PCR and DNA sequencing tools. In the cross-sectional study, 467 fecal samples were obtained from dairy farms in Guangdong Province, China, and age-associated differences in the infection rate of G. duodenalis were observed. In the longitudinal cohort study, 47 calves on Farm 5 were followed from birth to nine months of age. The shedding of G. duodenalis cysts began on day four, peaked at five weeks of age, and maintained at high levels until three months of age. Most calves continued to excrete low numbers of cysts intermittently after three months. Based on the bg locus, assemblages E (n = 486), A (n = 13), B (n = 5) and D (n = 2) were identified. Overall, there were two infection peaks of assemblage E at 3-13 weeks and 20-23 weeks of age, leading to a cumulative incidence of 100% (47/47) for this dominant assemblage. The average duration of cyst shedding for assemblage E in the cohort study was 4.0 ± 2.1 weeks for the initial infection and 2.1 ± 0.5 weeks for the subsequent one. The intensity of cyst shedding was markedly high during the initial infection but was subsequently lower in the second infection. Within assemblage E, high genetic diversity was observed, with E3 (234/486) and E5 (113/486) being the dominant subtypes. In addition, zoonotic assemblages A and B were predominantly identified in calves during the second peak of infection. Among the assemblage A-positive samples, subtypes A5, A8 and A1 were found at the bg, gdh, and tpi loci, respectively, all belonging to the AI sub-assemblage. This is the first longitudinal study of the natural history of G. duodenalis in dairy calves using genotyping and subtyping tools, and we established a standardized qPCR curve to assess the intensity of G. duodenalis infection. The results provide new perspectives on the complexity and dynamics of G. duodenalis infection in these animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Variability among taxonomists in helminth species discrimination decisions: a noise audit.","authors":"Robert Poulin, Jerusha Bennett, Bronwen Presswell","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Determining whether or not superficially similar helminth specimens belong to the same species can be challenging, even for expert taxonomists. The possibility of cryptic species and host-induced morphological variation, combined with the lack of universally accepted thresholds for what can be considered intraspecific genetic variation, are largely to blame. In the end, decisions come down to the judgment of taxonomists. As with other domains of human judgment, however, taxonomic decisions are subject to noise, i.e., differences of opinions among taxonomists when presented with the same evidence. Here, we quantify this noise and test the role of past experience in taxonomic decision-making. We presented morphological, genetic and host data on 15 sets of hypothetical but realistic trematode specimens, each split into two groups, and asked many of the world's top trematode taxonomists to decide whether the two groups belonged to the same species, to different species, or they were not sure. Working independently on the exact same information, the taxonomists rendered species delimitation decisions that were largely inconsistent with each other, and unrelated to their past experience (measured as years of experience or numbers of published species descriptions). The inevitable conclusion is that whether two sets of trematode specimens are considered to represent the same species or two different species depends entirely on the particular taxonomist who examines them. We propose three strategies to reduce noise and achieve greater consistency and repeatability in species delimitation among different taxonomists: establishment of clear species discrimination guidelines, decomposition of the evidence into its separate components prior to a final decision, and aggregation of independent judgements from two or more experienced taxonomists. Limiting subjectivity in species delimitation decisions is essential if taxonomy is to continue underpinning other disciplines, from biodiversity and ecological research to conservation biology and wildlife management.</p>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protection against anuran lungworm infection may be mediated by innate defenses rather than their microbiome","authors":"Chava L. Weitzman ,&nbsp;Gregory P. Brown ,&nbsp;Kimberley Day ,&nbsp;Catherine M. Shilton ,&nbsp;Karen Gibb ,&nbsp;Keith Christian","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.01.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.01.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Host-associated microbiomes provide protection against disease in diverse systems, through both direct and indirect interactions with invaders, although these interactions are less understood in the context of non-gut helminth infections in wildlife. Here, we used a widespread, invasive host–parasite system to better understand helminth–amphibian–microbiome dynamics. We focus on cane toads and their lungworm parasites, which invade the host through the skin, to study the interactions between lungworm infection abundance and skin and gut (colon) bacterial microbiomes. Through two experiments, first reducing skin bacterial loads, and second reducing bacterial diversity, we found no evidence of protection by skin bacteria against infection. We also did not find divergent gut communities dependent on lungworm infection, signifying little to no immune modulation from infection causing changes to gut communities, at least in the first month after initial parasite exposure. In light of previous work in the system, these results underscore the contribution of toads’ innate susceptibility (including possible protection provided by skin secretions) rather than skin microbes in determining the chance of infection by these macroparasites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"55 7","pages":"Pages 365-371"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143255637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a novel assay for extensive characterization of the germination conditions of Spraguea americanus: a microsporidian parasite of the American anglerfish (Lophius americanus)","authors":"Noah P. Rogozynski,&nbsp;Sophie A.R. Dyke,&nbsp;Brian Dixon","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The microsporidia are a widespread group of intracellular parasites which infect a broad range of hosts across the animal kingdom. In particular, the microsporidian <em>Spraguea americanus</em> has received considerable attention in recent years due to its role as an endemic pathogen in American anglerfish (<em>Lophius americanus</em>), a species of highly valued finfish currently at risk due to overfishing. However, like many species of microsporidia, the germination responses of <em>S. americanus</em> remain poorly described. This study outlines a novel in vitro germination assay for microsporidians, which is then used to comprehensively survey the germination responses of <em>S. americanus</em> under a variety of conditions. The results of this investigation indicate that <em>S. americanus</em> is responsive to mechanical pressure, hydrogen peroxide, sodium carbonate/bicarbonate and divalent cations, but not to mucus or mucin proteins as seen in closely related species. These observations provide evidence to refute the predominant hypothesis that members of <em>Spraguea</em> enter their hosts via the subcutaneous mucosal glands. In addition to providing much needed insight into the transmission of <em>Spraguea</em> spp., this study is among the first to extensively assess the germination responses of a single species of microsporidia; data which may lend itself to a more complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the initiation of germination in microsporidia or support the establishment of new in vitro models for economically relevant species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"55 7","pages":"Pages 373-385"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143566625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}