International journal for parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Climate driven patterns shape clusters of co-occurring ticks and vertebrates in the Western Palearctic-Tropics","authors":"Agustín Estrada-Peña ,&nbsp;Sara R. Wijburg ,&nbsp;Hein Sprong","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.09.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The assembly of parasite communities is driven by the intricate interplay between geography, climate and host communities, all of which define the range of tick species. Understanding these processes is necessary for uncovering the dynamics behind the circulation of tick-borne pathogens. In this study, we identify traits that define endemicity and ß-diversity patterns in interacting vertebrate and tick communities, based on the distributions of 82 species of ticks and 121 genera of vertebrates across a region that spans the Western Palearctic and the Tropics.</div><div>Both ß-diversity and endemism exhibit considerable variation between climate regions, with maxima in the Rift Valley, South Africa, and a narrow oceanic band in Namibia. ß-diversity is high in sub-Saharan Africa, and lower in the Western Palearctic.</div><div>Four chorotypes of co-occurring ticks were identified. Environmental and spatial niche sharing among chorotypes is high, except for certain tick species distributed over the Western Palearctic. Chorotypes display low values of hosts phylogenetic diversity, denoting a low impact of the occurrence of vertebrates on the delineation of chorotypes. Of importance, some ticks that overlap their environmental niche use phylogenetically distant hosts.</div><div>Chorotypes aid in understanding biodiversity patterns and interactions among hosts and ticks. They are proposed as a framework for investigating the occurrence and spread of tick-borne pathogens. This framework allows a consistent structure for mapping and exploring critical vector-hosts associations in large areas, that could drive key epidemiological patterns of tick-borne diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 3","pages":"Article 104735"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145124689","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":"Diversity of domestic and imported assemblages of Giardia in Norway and multi-locus sequence typing of domestic assemblage A isolates","authors":"Jahid Hasan Tipu ,&nbsp;Anika Tabassum ,&nbsp;Christian Klotz ,&nbsp;Audun Sivertsen ,&nbsp;Jan-Egil Afset ,&nbsp;Peter Gaustad ,&nbsp;Lars Sandven ,&nbsp;Hanne Brekke ,&nbsp;Hilde Marie Lund ,&nbsp;Tore Lier ,&nbsp;Liv Reidun Tverelv ,&nbsp;Lucy J. Robertson ,&nbsp;Kurt Hanevik","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Giardia duodenalis</em> is a gastrointestinal parasite and one of the most frequently reported parasitic infections associated with contaminated water. This study investigated the diversity of domestic and imported <em>Giardia</em> assemblages in Norway, with a focus on the genetic characterization of domestic assemblage A isolates using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) targeting six genome markers. We analysed 340 human, and 40 animal faecal samples collected between February 2022 and January 2024 from six medical microbiology laboratories and one veterinary diagnostic center across four Norwegian health regions. All the samples were analysed using nested PCR targeting part of the triose-phosphate isomerase (<em>tpi</em>) gene, and MLST was performed on 33 assemblage A isolates, targeting six polymorphic markers. The results revealed that assemblage B was most prevalent in humans (59 %), followed by assemblage A (41 %). Among the sub-assemblages, AII was the most frequently identified (37 %), followed by BIII (32 %), and BIV (27 %). Regarding the origin of infection, 30 % were of domestic origin, while 33 % were reported as imported–primarily originating from Africa (48 %) and South-East Asia (22 %). Sub-assemblage AII (46 %) was more common in domestic cases, whereas BIV (42 %) predominated in imported cases. We found a regional clustering of sub-assemblages, with AII frequently identified in Western Norway, BIII in South-Eastern Norway, and BIV in Mid Norway. The MLST analysis of domestic assemblage A isolates demonstrated high genetic variation, identifying 20 distinct MLST types among 21 isolates, including five novel variants. In animals, assemblage E was most common (62 %). This study provides a comprehensive overview of <em>Giardia</em> assemblages in human infections in Norway, offering insights into their genetic diversity. It also underscores the feasibility of employing MLST as a tool to evaluate potential epidemiological links of <em>Giardia</em> assemblage A isolates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 3","pages":"Article 104730"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992457","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":"Broad host specificity of Trichinella chanchalensis and minimal interspecific competition with T. nativa and T6 in naturally co-infected hosts","authors":"Cody J. Malone ,&nbsp;N. Jane Harms ,&nbsp;Vladislav A. Lobanov ,&nbsp;W. Brad Scandrett ,&nbsp;Camila A. Queiroz ,&nbsp;Maarten J. Voordouw ,&nbsp;Thomas S. Jung ,&nbsp;Sarah E. Parker ,&nbsp;Emily J. Jenkins","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Trichinella</em> are muscle-dwelling parasitic nematodes that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans. <em>Trichinella chanchalensis</em> is a newly recognized species that has been reported in wolverine (<em>Gulo gulo</em>). To investigate the host range of <em>T. chanchalensis</em> we examined the tongue and/or diaphragm from 125 wolverines, 34 red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>), 23 Canada lynx (<em>Lynx canadensis</em>), 13 grey wolves (<em>Canis lupus</em>), 10 coyotes (<em>Canis latrans</em>), six black bears (<em>Ursus americanus</em>), one grizzly bear (<em>Ursus arctos</em>), and one polar bear (<em>Ursus maritimus</em>), from Yukon, Canada. Larvae were recovered from tissues by artificial digestion, quantified as larvae per gram (LPG), and genotyped using next-generation sequencing (NGS) on pools of larvae. The parasite intensity of three <em>Trichinella</em> species/genotypes (<em>T. nativa, Trichinella</em> T6, <em>T. chanchalensis</em>) in each sample was estimated by multiplying LPG and relative abundance. <em>Trichinella</em> larvae were detected in 74 % (158/213) of animals and prevalence ranged from 16.7 % in black bears to 86.4 % in wolverines. Median infection intensity was highest in wolverines (13.5 LPG) and lowest in lynx (1.2 LPG), and 92 % of hosts were co-infected with ≥ 2 <em>Trichinella</em> species/genotypes. The parasite intensity of <em>Trichinella</em> T6 was two times greater than <em>T. nativa</em>, and 17 times greater than <em>T. chanchalensis</em>. <em>Trichinella chanchalensis</em> was detected in three new host species including lynx, wolves, and a coyote. There was no significant interaction between <em>Trichinella</em> species/genotype and host species which suggests minimal host specificity. The parasite intensities of <em>T. nativa</em> and T6 were highly positively correlated, which suggests no competition and that infection with one species does not preclude infection by the other species. Our study demonstrates low host specificity and minimal interspecific competition among <em>Trichinella</em> larvae within muscles of naturally co-infected carnivore hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 3","pages":"Article 104731"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145064613","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":"Future climate change is projected to predominantly suppress the transmission potential of the small ruminant parasite Haemonchus contortus in Africa","authors":"J.H.I. Tinsley,&nbsp;E.R. Morgan","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper examines the impact of climate change in Africa on the transmission potential (<em>Q₀</em>) of <em>Haemonchus contortus</em> (<em>H. contortus</em>), a highly pathogenic haematophagous gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasite that has significant implications for the health and productivity of small ruminants. Changes in <em>Q₀</em> were assessed over the period 1981–2070 under a high emission scenario (RCP 8.5). Climate data was sourced from bias-adjusted Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) models for Africa, which was split into 13 subregions based on areas within each having approximately similar rainfall seasons, which also defines typical periods of <em>H. contortus</em> transmission in Africa. Results indicate that while the transmission potential of <em>H. contortus</em> may increase across some months in the Atlas region and in some high-elevation and coastal areas, <em>Q₀</em> is more widely projected to decrease across much of Africa. While climate change is not expected to alter the length of the transmission season in most areas of Africa, marginally shorter transmission periods are expected in southern East Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, and the Eastern Sahel, while new periods of transmission are projected to occur in western Southern Africa. Future research should focus on optimising the model for Africa and developing a decision-support tool for farmers, advisors and animal health services that classifies <em>Q₀</em> by hazard severity and provides tailored management recommendations for each category.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 3","pages":"Article 104725"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144953053","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":"A tale of tails: a review of zygocercous cercariae (Digenea), including their first record in Europe after a century and a half","authors":"Miroslava Soldánová ,&nbsp;Camila Pantoja ,&nbsp;Petra Kundid ,&nbsp;Roman Kuchta ,&nbsp;Mikuláš Oros ,&nbsp;Tomáš Scholz","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cercariae of the zygocercous morphotype represent a fascinating and unique morphological and ecological adaptation among trematodes (Digenea). They are characterised by an unusual behaviour in which individuals join their tails to form rosette-like clusters consisting of several to hundreds of cercariae that actively move in the water by wagging their tails, resulting in a rolling motion. This aggregation behaviour is a textbook example of prey mimetism, a strategy in which a parasite resembles the prey of a predator (i.e., the next host in the life cycle) in its appearance and movements. In this article, we review all known reports of zygocercous cercariae, whose identity is largely unknown. A total of 16 putative species forming groups of ‘rat-king’ type cercariae (i.e., zygocercous) have been documented in freshwater and marine snails in 12 countries worldwide. Zygocercous cercariae occur in several unrelated groups of trematodes and have evolved independently several times, apparently as an effective ecological adaptation to increase the success of transmission of the cercariae to the next host, usually a fish. In addition, we report newly discovered zygocercous cercariae found in the non-pulmonate snail <em>Microcolpia daudebartii acicularis</em> (Férussac) (Caenogastropoda: Melanopsidae) from the Danube River in Slovakia. This is the first record of this type of cercaria in Europe in almost 150 years. Molecular data suggest that these cercariae belong to the recently resurrected genus <em>Mesorchis</em> Dietz, 1909 (Echinochasmidae), which includes species with 20 or 22 collar spines. Five taxa previously assigned to the genus <em>Echinochasmus</em> Dietz, 1909 (whose species generally have 24 collar spines) and for which molecular data are available are hereby transferred to <em>Mesorchis</em> as new combinations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 3","pages":"Article 104749"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573849","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":"Aims and scope Editorial board","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0020-7519(26)00041-X","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0020-7519(26)00041-X","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 3","pages":"Article 104810"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147428216","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":"Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of the Whirling disease-resistant Gunnison River Rainbow Trout","authors":"Abdullah A. Gharamah ,&nbsp;Renald J. Legaspi ,&nbsp;Elisabeth H. Richardson ,&nbsp;Eric R. Fetherman ,&nbsp;Katharine E. Magor ,&nbsp;Patrick C. Hanington","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Whirling disease is a debilitating disease of Rainbow Trout caused by <em>Myxobolus cerebralis</em>. The parasite invasion leads to skeletal deformities, neurological impairment, and high mortality. Since its introduction to North America, <em>M. cerebralis</em> has severely impacted wild trout populations in several regions. In this study, we focus on a promising Whirling disease-resistant Rainbow Trout strain developed in the Gunnison River, Colorado. We analyzed the genomes and transcriptomes of this resistant strain at different time points after challenge with <em>M. cerebralis</em>. Signature selection analysis revealed several regions across the genome under selection, with the highest density found on chromosome 23. Several genes found in areas under selection are associated with neuron differentiation and nervous system development. Also, several immuno-genes were under selection, including several with relevance to the innate and adaptive immune response. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that the Gunnison River Rainbow Trout develops a comprehensive immune response after exposure to <em>M. cerebralis</em>. This is supported by the significant enrichment of specific immune response pathways, including differentiation and activation of B-cells and T-cells. These results suggest that certain immune pathways are likely to participate in building the Gunnison River Rainbow Trout’s early, mid, and long-term immune response against <em>M. cerebralis</em>, while other pathways related to nervous system development may help juvenile fish survive the effects of Whirling disease. The transcriptomic analysis also reveals that more than half of the top 20 upregulated immune genes are components of the complement pathway. Notably, CD209 (DC-SIGN), a critical gene involved in antigen recognition and dendritic cell function, is among the most highly upregulated genes. The results also indicate the presence of a specific region on chromosome 9 in this strain, previously linked to resistance to this disease. This may explain this strain’s strong disease resistance and survival capacity in natural environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 3","pages":"Article 104728"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145008206","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":"Aims and scope and Editorial board","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0020-7519(26)00020-2","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0020-7519(26)00020-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 2","pages":"Article 104789"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146096025","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":"The key glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase is involved in Eimeria tenella resistance to maduramycin","authors":"Huanzhi Zhao ,&nbsp;Qiping Zhao ,&nbsp;Shunhai Zhu ,&nbsp;Liushu Jia ,&nbsp;Yu Yu ,&nbsp;Jinwen Wang ,&nbsp;Sishi Zhang ,&nbsp;Qian Feng ,&nbsp;Jia Yang ,&nbsp;Bing Huang ,&nbsp;Hui Dong ,&nbsp;Hongyu Han","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The protozoan parasite <em>Eimeria tenella</em> causes coccidiosis in poultry, which results in substantial economic losses to the global poultry industry. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in <em>E. tenella</em> is essential for developing effective control strategies. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of <em>E. tenella</em> phosphofructokinase (<em>Et</em>PFK1) in mediating resistance to maduramycin, a widely used anticoccidial drug. Characterization of <em>Et</em>PFK1 expression across developmental stages and under drug treatment revealed elevated mRNA and protein levels in sporulated oocysts and maduramycin-resistant strains. Immunofluorescence assays showed its localization in the cytoplasm and on the surface of sporozoites. To elucidate the role of <em>Et</em>PFK1 in maduramycin-resistant strains, an <em>Et</em>PFK1-overexpressing strain was generated using the drug-sensitive strain of <em>E. tenella</em>. Overexpression of <em>Et</em>PFK1 reduced the sensitivity of <em>E. tenella</em> to maduramycin, as demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo assays. Specifically, the <em>Et</em>PFK1-overexpressing strain exhibited complete resistance to 2 ppm maduramycin and light resistance to 5 ppm, indicating that <em>Et</em>PFK1 contributes to the development of drug resistance in <em>E. tenella</em>. Additionally, <em>Et</em>PFK1 overexpression reduced the pathogenicity of <em>E. tenella</em>, as demonstrated by fewer cecal lesions and lower oocyst output in infected chickens. <em>Et</em>PFK1 overexpression enhanced adaptation to high-glucose environments, potentially facilitating drug resistance. These findings highlight the multifaceted role of <em>Et</em>PFK1 in mediating drug resistance in <em>E. tenella</em> and provide insight into the development of novel therapeutic interventions against coccidiosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 2","pages":"Article 104720"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144953008","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":"Wildlife fleas and ticks in Wisconsin, USA: unrecognized vectors of bacterial pathogens","authors":"Charlotte O. Moore ,&nbsp;Caroline V. Andrews ,&nbsp;Erin M. Lemley ,&nbsp;Michelli Inacio Gonçalves Funnicelli ,&nbsp;Marcos Rogério André ,&nbsp;Edward B. Breitschwerdt ,&nbsp;Erin Lashnits","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small wildlife species host flea and tick species that can also infest or transmit pathogens to domestic animals and humans, including <em>Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Borrelia, Ehrlichia,</em> and <em>Rickettsia</em> species. Despite their zoonotic potential, little is known regarding the prevalence, diversity, and epidemiology of these pathogens. Therefore, we aimed to survey the ectoparasites found on Eastern Cottontail Rabbits (rabbits), Eastern Grey Squirrels (squirrels), and Virginia Opossums (opossums) in south-central Wisconsin, and describe the prevalence of select pathogens. Ectoparasites were opportunistically collected from small mammals, then identified to the species level, pooled, washed, and DNA extracted for quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect Anaplasmataceae, Apicomplexa, <em>Bartonella,</em> hemotropic <em>Mycoplasma,</em> and <em>Rickettsia.</em> To analyze the genomic diversity of uncharacterized <em>Bartonella</em>, three flea pools were subject to metagenomic sequencing. <em>Cediopsylla simplex</em> and <em>Haemaphysalis leporispalustris</em> were the most common ectoparasites on rabbits, while <em>Orchopeas howardi</em> was most common on squirrels and opossums. <em>Bartonella</em> species were detected in <em>C. simplex</em> pools (<em>n</em> = 52)<em>,</em> most commonly two distinct <em>Bartonella alsatica</em>-like bacteria (38 %; 20/52). <em>Bartonella durdenii,</em> definitively identified by metagenomic sequencing, was detected in 42 % (13/31) of <em>O. howardi</em> pools from squirrels<em>.</em> From metagenomic sequencing, <em>B. alsatica-</em>like species displayed a 4.8 % dissimilarity rate while <em>B. durdenii</em> displayed a 0.4 % dissimilarity rate. Sequencing of one <em>B. alsatica</em>-like flea pool also identified phage-associated genes not found in the <em>B. alsatica</em> genome. <em>Rickettsia felis</em> (<em>n</em> = 1) and opossum-associated hemotropic <em>Mycoplasma</em> sp. (<em>n</em> = 2) were detected in <em>O. howardi</em> from opossums<em>. Rickettsia bellii</em> and <em>Anaplasma</em> sp. were detected in <em>Haemaphysalis leporispalustris</em> from rabbits. These findings reinforce the value of metagenomic sequencing, facilitating the correct identification of <em>B. durdenii</em> and identifying genes not found in the type strain, specifically phage related genes. Due to the known zoonotic potential of <em>B. alsatica,</em> further examination of <em>B. alsatica</em>-like and <em>B. durdenii</em> pathogenicity is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13725,"journal":{"name":"International journal for parasitology","volume":"56 2","pages":"Article 104716"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144953024","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}