Journal of Helminthology最新文献

{"title":"A review of <i>Triplotaenia undosa</i> Beveridge, 1976 (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from macropodid marsupials, with the erection of <i>T. macropodis</i> sp. nov.","authors":"I Beveridge, C Gauci, A Jabbar","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100618","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0022149X25100618","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Molecular evidence (28S DNA) has suggested that <i>Triplotaenia undosa</i> from macropodid marsupials is a species complex. Additional data (cox 1) presented in this study confirmed the hypothesis and a morphological examination of all available specimens identified a new species, <i>T. macropodis</i> sp. nov., in the grey kangaroos <i>Macropus fuliginosus</i> and <i>M. giganteus</i> as well as the tammar wallaby, <i>Notamacropus eugenii</i>, and the red kangaroo, <i>Osphranter rufus.</i> The new species differs in the ratio of the number of testes to the number of female genital complexes. Specimens of <i>T. undosa</i> from the swamp wallaby, <i>Wallabia bicolor</i>, the type host, and the common wallaroo, <i>Osphranter robustus</i>, are each genetically distinct, but the fixed material from <i>O. robustus</i> is too fragmentary to permit a detailed morphological description. An amended description and new illustrations of <i>T. undosa</i> from <i>W. bicolor</i> are provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e96"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative taxonomy of <i>Raillietiella gigliolii</i> Hett, 1924 (Pentastomida: Raillietiellidae) - molecular and morphological evidence from Neotropical Amphisbaenians.","authors":"R G da Silva, A A M Teixeira, R E C R F Chaves, S C Ribeiro, R R Ferreira, A Vasconcellos, W O Almeida","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100655","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0022149X25100655","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the morphology and genetics of <i>Raillietiella gigliolii</i>, an endoparasitic pentastomid found in amphisbaenians. The research was based on specimens deposited in the Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), as well as newly collected individuals from the Brazilian Caatinga. Detailed morphological descriptions were carried out, including measurements of the hooks, cephalothorax, tail, buccal cadre, and the copulatory spicule in males. In parallel, the first molecular characterisation of this species was performed, targeting the mitochondrial COI gene (barcode region). All specimens exhibited consistent morphotypes, particularly in the shape of the hooks, with no observable variation between males and females, nor between individuals parasitising different hosts (<i>Amphisbaena alba</i> and <i>A. vermicularis</i>). Molecular analyses revealed a well-supported monophyletic clade, with no detectable genetic divergence among individuals, confirming both the morphological stability and genetic delimitation of the species. These findings support the recognition of <i>R. gigliolii</i> as a clearly delineated species, currently restricted to amphisbaenians, which does not exhibit significant morphological variability, in contrast to other congeners.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e94"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recognition of <i>Toxocara canis</i> excretion-secretion antigens in the serum of children with epilepsy. Involvement in the diagnosis of visceral larva migrans.","authors":"M D L Caballero-García, F I García-Sorrondegui, M D P Crisóstomo-Vázquez, L Eligio-García, F Solórzano-Santos","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100540","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X25100540","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Visceral larva migrans syndrome (VLM) is caused by L2 <i>Toxocara canis.</i> This parasitic disease is difficult to diagnose in humans, but specific antigen identification could allow for parasite detection. The aim of this study was to analyse antigens of different parasite developmental stages and observe their cross-reactions with antigens from other parasites to determine their importance in the diagnosis of VLM caused by <i>T. canis.</i> Sera from 14 children with cryptogenic epilepsy previously positive for <i>T. canis</i> were analysed via Western blot (WB) using T. canis excretion-secretion antigens (TESs) from distinct morphological parasite stages; cross-reactivity of these antigens with antigens from other parasites were evaluated. Children sera recognized antigens from L2 <i>T. canis</i> TES, mainly a protein of 24 kDa. Proteins in the medium- and high-molecular-weight ranges were also detected in the egg phase. In the adult phase, only 42.9% of analysed sera recognized a protein of high-molecular weight. Cross-reaction tests identified medium and high-molecular weight proteins, mainly from L2 of <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> and <i>Gnathostoma binucleatum</i> and adults of <i>Ancylostoma caninum</i>, but none of the proteins found had crossover with low-molecular weight proteins from <i>Toxocara canis.</i> Antigens in the larval morphological stage of <i>T. canis</i> TES were recognized in the highest percentage of the analysed sera; these antigens could be used to diagnose VLM.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel sequences of schistosomes and their snail intermediate host species in the Democratic Republic of Congo: first phylogenetic analyses.","authors":"G Kapour, B André, M Misinga, T Emboni, J Madinga, H Muhindo, P Mitashi, T Huyse","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100606","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X25100606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malacological surveys were conducted in 2021 in the Kimpese region of Central Kongo Province, west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Snail specimens were collected following a standardised protocol, identified using morphological and molecular methods, and tested for schistosome infection using a diagnostic PCR assay. Positive snail samples were sequenced to characterise the infecting schistosome species. Partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene sequences were used in phylogenetic analyses to explore the evolutionary position of these snail species within the broader African context. At least four intermediate snail hosts were identified: <i>Bulinus truncatus</i>, <i>Bulinus forskalii</i>, <i>Biomphalaria pfeifferi</i>, and a <i>Biomphalaria</i> species belonging to the Nilotic species complex (tentatively named <i>Biomphalaria</i> cf <i>sudanica)</i>, of which the species identity needs to be confirmed. A total of 37 out of 1,196 snails (3.1%) tested positive for schistosome infection, with an infection prevalence of 7.4% for <i>B. truncatus</i> with <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> and 1.5% for <i>Biomphalaria</i> spp. with <i>Schistosoma mansoni.</i> The <i>S. mansoni</i> sequence retrieved from these samples formed a basal clade relative to Zambian isolates, whereas <i>S. haematobium</i> grouped with the most frequently characterised haplotype cluster previously identified across mainland Africa. It is important to note that no animal schistosome species were identified in this study. Both the sequences from the snail hosts and the parasites represent novel contributions from the DRC. Additionally, the findings update the current knowledge of schistosomiasis transmission in the Kimpese region by providing insight into the phylogenetic placement, species diversity, and infection status of local snail populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e93"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144794678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Aprocta bainae</i> sp. nov. (Spirurida: Aproctidae) from a flammulated owl in the USA.","authors":"Y Mutafchiev, J M Kinsella, S C Getty, B Neov","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X2510059X","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X2510059X","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Aprocta bainae</i> Mutafchiev & Kinsella sp. nov, collected from the orbits of a flammulated owl, <i>Psiloscops flammeolus</i> (Kaup) (Strigiformes: Strigidae), from Montana, USA is described based on light and scanning electron microscopies. Additionally, fragments of 18S and 12S rRNA genes of the new species are provided. Based on the molecular data of the 18S gene, <i>A. bainae</i> n. sp. was included in a monophyletic clade of the genus <i>Aprocta. Aprocta ophthalmophaga</i> Stossich, 1902 and <i>Aprocta colaptidis</i> Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1950 are considered <i>species inquirendae. Aprocta colaptidis</i> Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1951, a homonym of <i>A. colaptidis</i> Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1950, is considered a <i>species incertae sedis.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e91"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144760300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parasite diversity in plaice (<i>Pleuronectes platessa</i>): potential tool for stock identification in Icelandic waters?","authors":"E-M Pubert, H S Randhawa","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100382","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X25100382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the stock structure of a commercial species is essential for sustainable management. Failure to do so can lead to the depletion of regional sub-populations, erosion of genetic diversity, and ecosystem services loss. Plaice, <i>Pleuronectes platessa</i>, is a commercially exploited species inhabiting the continental shelf around Iceland. Despite a tagging study providing support for strong spawning site and feeding ground fidelity, and otolith microstructure analysis revealing local population structure, plaice is managed as a single stock in Icelandic waters. Here, we describe and quantify the parasite fauna of plaice and assess the potential of parasites as biological tags for stock identification of plaice in Icelandic waters. A total of 82 plaice were sampled from different geographical locations (north and south) and seasons (summer and winter) in Iceland. Our sampling identified 11 parasites, five of which are new parasite records for plaice in Icelandic waters: the trematodes <i>Zoogonoides viviparus</i> (adults) and <i>Rhipidocotyle</i> sp. (metacercariae), and the nematodes <i>Contracaecum osculatum</i> (larvae), <i>Dichelyne</i> sp. (adults), and <i>Hysterothylacium aduncum</i> (larvae and adults). Additionally, we recovered metacercariae of the trematode genus <i>Apatemon</i>, which has not been recorded previously from plaice. Two parasites were identified as potential biological tags for stock identification - namely, the nematode <i>Anisakis simplex</i> and the trematode <i>Z. viviparus.</i> Our findings support a complex stock structure for plaice in Icelandic waters and the need for an integrative strategy to stock identification to provide fine spatial scale data required to inform fisheries managers.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144742262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the therapeutic impact of <i>Allium sativum</i> against the intestinal and intramuscular stages of murine trichinellosis.","authors":"S K Hammad, E S Elbahaie, B H Abdel-Hameed","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100539","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0022149X25100539","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trichinellosis is a global foodborne zoonotic disease. Numerous drugs used in its treatment exhibit inadequate absorption and diminished efficacy against encysted larvae in muscle tissue. Therefore, there is a need for innovative therapeutic agents to treat trichinellosis. <i>Allium sativum (A. sativum)</i>, commonly known as garlic, is a bulbous plant that has been historically utilized in the treatment of various ailments. Currently, there is a paucity of data regarding the in vivo efficacy of <i>A. sativum</i> against trichinellosis. This study assessed the antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects of <i>A. sativum</i> in murine models, independently or in conjunction with albendazole (ABZ), against the intestinal and muscular stages of trichinellosis. Fifty mice were equally categorized into five groups: negative control, positive control, ABZ, <i>A. sativum</i>, and a combination of ABZ and <i>A. sativum.</i> The effectiveness of the examined drugs was assessed through parasitological, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical methodologies. <i>A. sativum</i> resulted in a significant reduction of adult counts by 39.7% and larval counts by 54.4%. The inflammatory cellular infiltrate in the intestine and muscle was significantly reduced. In mice treated with <i>A. sativum</i>, serum levels of IFN-γ exhibited a significant increase, accompanied by a rise in Bcl-2 expression and a notable decrease in COX-2 expression. In conclusion, <i>A. sativum</i> demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for treating experimental trichinellosis, particularly during the muscle phase of the disease. It may serve as a safe promising therapy for trichinellosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e88"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144731731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent advances and current state of knowledge of phylogenetics and systematics of the Diplostomoidea with a proposal of a new classification system and a key to genera.","authors":"T J Achatz, V V Tkach","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100473","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0022149X25100473","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The superfamily Diplostomoidea Poirier, 1886 is a large, globally distributed group of digeneans characterized by the presence of a unique holdfast organ and parasitic in most major groups of vertebrates (birds, mammals, reptiles, fishes) as definitive hosts. A number of diplostomoideans are associated with diseases in their intermediate and, more rarely, definitive hosts. Prior to this work and upon the recent synonymization of the Brauninidae Wolf, 1903, the Diplostomoidea included 5 families: Bolbocephalodidae Strand, 1935; Cyathocotylidae Mühling, 1896; Diplostomidae Poirier, 1886; Proterodiplostomidae Dubois, 1936; and Strigeidae Railliet, 1919. The separation of these families was based primarily on the structure and shape of prosoma and holdfast organ as well as the presence/absence of cirrus sac and paraprostate. More rarely, distinguishing among families was based on life cycles and types of larval stages, excretory system or even host specificity. However, due to the inconsistent nature of most of morphological and biological characters across the Diplostomoidea and nearly universal lack of agreement on their relative value, the systematic history of the group has been extremely tumultuous, and none of many classification systems proposed over the last 140 years has become broadly accepted or supported by phylogenetic analyses. Extensive molecular phylogenetic studies of the Diplostomoidea in the last 15 years helped to partly improve the classification system and resolve multiple taxonomic questions. Notably, practically all molecular phylogenies have clearly demonstrated non-monophyly of the two largest families, the Diplostomidae and the Strigeidae and indicated it as systematic problem. We provide a brief overview of the history and current state of knowledge of diplostomoidean systematics and re-evaluate the classification system of the Diplostomoidea based on morphological and molecular evidence. We propose changes in the classification system that reconciles the traditional morphological and life cycle data with molecular phylogenies. The major element of the proposed classification system is the synonymization of the families Proterodiplostomidae and Strigeidae with the Diplostomidae as the only feasible way to resolve the problem of consistent non-monophyly of the latter two families and provide stability to the classification system.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e87"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144731733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological and molecular characterization of <i>Neodiplostomum vaucheri</i> Dubois, 1983 (Digenea: Diplostomidae) from <i>Trachops cirrhosus</i> (Spix, 1823) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in the southern Peruvian Amazon using third-generation sequencing (Oxford Nanopore).","authors":"E R Cacique, N Barriga, R Bello, J Pino, L Salcedo-Mejia, L Ñacari, C Cruces, A Mondragón-Martínez, J D Chero","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100564","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0022149X25100564","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Neodiplostomum vaucheri</i> Dubois, 1983 is a digenean trematode originally described from the intestine of the woolly false vampire bat, <i>Chrotopterus auritus</i> (Peters, 1856), in the northwestern Peruvian Amazon. Decades later, it was also reported from the fringe-lipped bat, <i>Trachops cirrhosis</i> (Spix, 1823), in Ecuador. During a helminthological survey of phyllostomid bats at the Kawsay Biological Station in Madre de Dios, southeastern Peruvian Amazonia, specimens of <i>Neodiplostomum</i> Railliet, 1919 were recovered from the intestine of <i>T. cirrhosus.</i> Morphological comparisons with the holotype confirmed these specimens as conspecific with <i>N. vaucheri.</i> Phylogenetic inference supported the morphological identification, recovering the Peruvian isolate with an <i>N. vaucheri</i> isolate from another South American region within the same clade, with strong support (ML = 90; BI = 0.9587). The observed genetic divergence (4.47% under the Kimura two-parameter model and 4.27% based on uncorrected p-distances) in the partial cox1 sequence may indicate cryptic diversity, as previously noted in congeners. This represents the first integrative characterization of a digenean from a bat host in Peru, contributing to our understanding of parasite diversity in neotropical chiropterans. Furthermore, the use of third-generation sequencing technology (Oxford Nanopore) proved effective for generating reliable partial gene sequences, underscoring its applicability in molecular helminthology.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e89"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144731732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental and climatic risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis in the northeast of Iran.","authors":"R Shafiei, A Gholami, M F Farmad, M Pakdaman, H R Shoraka, K Arzamani, Z Kanannejad, M A Ghatee","doi":"10.1017/S0022149X25100400","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X25100400","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a significant zoonotic helminthic disease with considerable public health and economic impact in endemic regions. We aimed to analyse the climatic and environmental factors affecting the human CE cases in North Khorasan Province, northeast Iran. Using a geographic information system, we map the addresses of 316 hospitalised CE patients from 2012 to 2022 and examined the influence of climatic variables, altitude, and land cover on CE case distribution. Data were analysed using logistic regression models. Most patients were female (58.9%) and aged 21-60 years (67.4%), with liver involvement being the most common (57.3%). The multivariate model identified urban settings, irrigated and dry farms, soil temperature, and humidity as the most important geoclimatic determinants, respectively. In contrast, gardens, moderate and excellent rangelands, minimum, maximum, and mean air temperatures, and rainfall were only found to be significant factors in univariate models. High-risk areas for CE include urban and suburban regions, surrounding fields, and pastures where stray dogs and wild canids roam, livestock husbandries are present, and residents consume unsanitised vegetables. Additionally, areas with lower soil and weather temperatures and higher humidity conditions that may enhance the survival of <i>E. granulosus</i> eggs dispersed by canids were identified as high-risk zones. Health managers can use these findings to prioritise control programs and allocate limited resources to these areas, ultimately reducing the future incidence of CE.</p>","PeriodicalId":15928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Helminthology","volume":"99 ","pages":"e79"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}