Journal of Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Seroepidemiology of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection in Psychiatric Inpatients and Healthy Controls in North Iran: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Hamidreza Zakerzadeh Khoshroudi, Najmeh Shahini, Rasool Mohammadi, Farideh Tohidi, Aieneh Hagieh Pangh, Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, Mitra Sharbatkhori","doi":"10.1155/japr/2530719","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/japr/2530719","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Gorgan, in northern Iran, is a humid region where <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is common. The association with psychiatric illness has never been examined there. We measured seroprevalence in psychiatric inpatients and matched controls, quantified it for each major DSM-5 diagnostic category, and identified local risk factors for infection.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A case-control study was conducted with 100 psychiatric inpatients and 100 healthy controls, frequency-matched 1:1 on sex and 5-year age stratum. Diagnoses were recorded as free text at discharge by the attending psychiatrists under DSM-5 criteria and were mapped to six categories using rules fixed in advance. Sera were tested for anti-<i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> IgG and IgM by ELISA. Associations were estimated by logistic regression, with secondary analyses comparing each diagnostic category with the controls.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Anti-<i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> IgG seroprevalence was 39.0% in patients and 47.0% in controls (OR = 0.721, 95% CI: 0.411-1.265, <i>p</i> = 0.254; adjusted for the matching variables, OR = 0.668, 95% CI: 0.359-1.240, <i>p</i> = 0.201); IgM positivity was rare (1.0% vs. 0%). No diagnostic category differed from controls. Seroprevalence was 38.9% in schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (<i>n</i> = 18; OR = 0.73), 34.8% in bipolar and related disorders (<i>n</i> = 23; OR = 0.62), 36.4% in depressive disorders (<i>n</i> = 22; OR = 0.66), and 57.9% in substance- or medication-induced disorders (<i>n</i> = 19; OR = 1.52). Heterogeneity across categories was not significant (<i>p</i> = 0.533). Psychiatric status did not predict seropositivity (aOR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.42-1.70). Age was the only consistent independent predictor (aOR = 1.08 per year, 95% CI: 1.04-1.11, <i>p</i> < 0.001), seroprevalence rising from 5.0% at 20 years or younger to 72.2% above age 50.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Latent toxoplasmosis was not associated with psychiatric disorder overall or within any diagnostic category. Seroprevalence was governed principally by cumulative age-related exposure. These data add to a growing set of null and inverse reports from high-endemicity settings and indicate that the epidemiological expression of this association is context-dependent.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"2530719"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13662829/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149194714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Burden and Risk Factors of Urinary Schistosomiasis and Bacteriuria Coinfections Among Schoolchildren in an Endemic District in the Ashanti Region, Ghana.","authors":"Patrick Frimpong, Denis Dekugmen Yar, Nana Yaa Awua-Boateng, Ebenezer Assoah, Kofi Addo Agyapong, Kwaku Addai, Christian Amponsah","doi":"10.1155/japr/4632076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/japr/4632076","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis coinfection with bacteriuria among schoolchildren in an endemic District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the prevalence and coinfection of urinary schistosomiasis with bacteriuria among 312 participants. Urine samples were collected from each participant and examined microscopically for <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> eggs and also cultured for bacteriuria. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among the participants was 27.2%. Children aged 12-13 years had the highest rate (33.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.04), and males had a higher rate (37.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.01) than females (16.4%). Users of streams/rivers and boreholes as water sources had schistosomiasis rates of 40.1% and 31.7%, respectively. Prevalence rates of 42.9%, 32.5%, and 28.2% were recorded among children who swam, fished, or used stream water for domestic activities, respectively. The majority of schoolchildren (51.6%) had bacteriuria, with <i>Escherichia coli</i> (27.9%) and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (18.6%) being the predominant isolates. The prevalence of coinfection of urinary schistosomiasis with bacteriuria among schoolchildren was 17%, with <i>E. coli</i> (28.3%) and <i>S. aureus</i> (18.9%) the most common causes. Swimming in rivers/streams and being male increase the odds of schistosomiasis infection by 2.00 (95% CI = 1.50-2.70, <i>p</i> = 0.01) and 3.20 (95<i>%</i>CI = 2.80-3.80, <i>p</i> = 0.04), respectively. Water-contact activities, such as fishing (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 0.82-2.23, <i>p</i> = 0.03) and domestic activities (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.86-1.86, <i>p</i> = 0.04), significantly increased the risk of bacteriuria. These findings suggest that these infections were linked to environmental exposure and inadequate hygiene. It is recommended that integrated control strategies that address both schistosomiasis and bacterial coinfections, including regular praziquantel administration, improved sanitation, snail vector control, and school-based hygiene education, be implemented to curb the transmission of the dual burden in endemic communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"4632076"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13656201/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149182669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Frequency of Mutations Within P-Glycoprotein and Beta-Tubulin Associated With Ivermectin Treatment in <i>Onchocerca volvulus</i> Adult Female Worm Populations in Some Onchocerciasis Endemic Communities in Ghana.","authors":"Rufus Akinkagle, Millicent Opoku, Millicent Selassie Afatodzie, Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei, Sampson Otoo, Sarah-Sally Mawunyo Dogbe, Abena Akyeamaa Nyarko, Martin N Donkor, Mawuli K Azameti, Iddrisu Fuseini, Sellase Pi-Bansa, Daniel Adjei Boakye, Millicent Captain-Esoah, Kwadwo Kyereme Frempong","doi":"10.1155/japr/3136302","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/3136302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ivermectin is the drug of choice for the control of onchocerciasis because of its potent embryostatic and microfilaricidal effect. However, with long periods of mass drug administration, the effect of ivermectin on the <i>Onchocerca volvulus</i> worms is waning. These suboptimal responses have been linked to genes such as p-glycoprotein (<i>P-gp</i>) and beta-tubulin (<i>B-tub</i>). The purpose of this study was to define the proportion of adult female <i>O. volvulus</i> from some endemic communities in Ghana that have mutations in these genes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong><i>O. volvulus</i> adult female worms were obtained from 33 participants in four endemic communities. Genomic DNA was isolated from worms and evaluated utilising polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using <i>Dde</i>I and <i>Alu</i>I restriction enzymes to identify genetic mutations within <i>P-gp</i> and <i>B-tub</i> genes. The wild-type and mutant forms of the genes were identified and associations between the frequencies of the mutations and ivermectin treatment were determined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 45 adult female worms were obtained from 33 participants, and about 40% of these worms were reproductively active. High frequencies of mutant genes observed in parasite population (91.1%) for the <i>B-tub</i> gene and all the samples (100%) for the <i>P-gp</i> gene. Irrespective of these high frequencies in mutation, a Fisher's Exact Test (<i>p</i> = 0.621) and Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test (<i>p</i> = 1.000) showed no significant relation between mutations and community rounds of ivermectin or individual participant's treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study shows a high frequency of mutations in both <i>P-gp</i> and <i>B-tub</i> genes in <i>O. volvulus</i> isolates, indicating the possible involvement of genetic changes in suboptimal response of the disease to ivermectin in parasite population. Continuous molecular surveillance to monitor emerging resistance is important to guide future strategies towards elimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3136302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13643362/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149137320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Type Distribution of Malaria Among Children in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Alemayehu Abate, Solomon Alebele, Miseganaw Sisay, Tesfalem Asnake, Abaineh Munshea","doi":"10.1155/japr/7895997","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/7895997","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children in sub-Saharan Africa. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the prevalence and type distribution of malaria among children in Ethiopia and species-specific patterns.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All appropriate databases and gray literature were searched to find relevant articles. Studies reporting the prevalence of malaria among children were included. The quality of each study was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel 2016, and analysis was done using STATA 16.0 statistical software. The pooled prevalence and its associated factors of malaria were determined using a random effect model. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochrane <i>Q</i>-test statistics and <i>I</i> ² test. Furthermore, publication bias was checked by the visual inspection of the funnel plot and using Egger's and Begg's statistical tests. Subgroup analyses were conducted by region and parasite species.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pooled prevalence of malaria among children in Ethiopia was 17.96% (95% CI: 11.92-24.01). Subgroup analysis showed significant regional variation (<i>p</i> < 0.001), with the highest prevalence in Afar (41.90%) and the lowest in Benishangul-Gumuz (3.90%). <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> was the dominant species (59%), followed by <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> (35%) and mixed infections (6%). Evidence of publication bias and small-study effects was observed; however, sensitivity analysis indicated that the overall estimate was robust. Species-wise, pooled proportions were <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> (0.59; 95% CI: 0.59-0.60), <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> (0.35; 95% CI: 0.34-0.35), and mixed infections (0.06; 95% CI: 0.04-0.08).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Malaria remains a major public health challenge among Ethiopian children, with significant regional and species variation. Strengthened, region-specific malaria control strategies are essential to reduce transmission and improve child health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"7895997"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13643218/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149127866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental Evolution of Reduced Susceptibility to Artemether-Lumefantrine in <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> Following Serial Drug Pressure.","authors":"Stephen Mwangi Njoroge, Shadrack Kanyonji Kimani, Teresia Wambui Ngonjo, Maureen Stella Olunga, Julius Seng Ete Wambua, Milka Wambui Waithera, Hamida Yahaya Wawa, James Ng Ang A Waweru","doi":"10.1155/japr/1895485","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/1895485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria remains a major global health problem, with uneven progress and the greatest disease burden clustered in sub-Saharan Africa. Antimalarial drug resistance continues to undermine malaria control efforts, with widespread resistance reported in <i>Plasmodium falciparum,</i> including reduced susceptibility to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). However, despite increasing concerns over the long-term effectiveness of ACTs, the processes through which resistance to artemether-lumefantrine (AL) partner drugs evolves and contributes to resistance against individual drug components remain poorly understood. Consequently, we investigated AL resistance in <i>Plasmodium berghei ANKA</i> towards understanding resistance development to full ACT regimens rather than individual drugs. Firstly, drug efficacy was evaluated using the standard 4-day suppressive test (4-DT), with baseline effective doses (ED₅₀ and ED₉₀) for the parental line determined as 1.45 and 2.80 mg/kg, respectively. Following 20 stepwise in vivo drug selection pressure passages, from the parental (0th) to the 20th passage in mice over 26 weeks, resistance increased by 2.85-fold in ED₅₀ and 2.65-fold increase in ED₉₀, indicating reduced drug susceptibility and stepwise resistance selection. After five drug-free passages and recovery following 45 days of cryopreservation at -80°C, the parasite retained slight resistance across all assays, indicating a stable resistance phenotype. In conclusion, continuous drug exposure successfully led to the development of <i>P. berghei</i> parasites with reduced sensitivity to AL, as evidenced by significantly lower chemo-suppression in resistant lines compared with sensitive controls (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that AL resistance can be progressively selected over a period of time and stability maintained in <i>P. berghei</i>, providing insights into the durability and evolutionary vulnerability of ACTs under sustained drug pressure. Future studies should enhance the level of resistance, evaluate its stability, and investigate the molecular basis of AL resistance to identify reliable genetic markers for monitoring resistance to ACTs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"1895485"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13618564/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149074978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Zoonotic Parasites and Genetic Diversity of <i>Ancylostoma caninum</i> in Dogs From Machakos County, Kenya.","authors":"Camille Glazer, Nicholas Bor, Erastus Mulinge, Maurice K Murungi, Eric M Fèvre, Zipporah Gitau, Michael Mugo, Dishon M Muloi, Neil Sargison, Lian F Thomas","doi":"10.1155/japr/1863975","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/1863975","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) remain a major global public health challenge, with dogs recognised as important reservoirs for several zoonotic species. In Kenya, data on the prevalence and genetic diversity of canine gastrointestinal helminths are scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of zoonotic helminths in dogs and characterised the genetic diversity of canine hookworms in Machakos County, Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional household-based survey was conducted across three sublocations representing low, medium and high human population density. Faecal samples were collected from 104 dog-owning households and examined using Mini-FLOTAC and zinc chloride sieving-flotation techniques. Hookworm species were identified using nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, followed by DNA sequencing. Phylogenetic diversity of <i>Ancylostoma caninum</i> was assessed using median-joining haplotype network analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mini-FLOTAC detected a higher prevalence of hookworm (89.4% vs. 81.6%), <i>Toxocara</i> spp. (45.2% vs. 19.7%) and taeniids (29.8% vs. 5.3%) compared to zinc chloride sieving-flotation. The latter identified additional parasites, including <i>Trichuris</i> spp. (9.2%), <i>Spirocerca lupi</i> (3.9%), <i>Alaria</i> spp. (1.3%) and <i>Clonorchis sinensis</i> (2.6%). <i>A. caninum</i> was the sole hookworm species identified, alongside genetically distinct <i>A. caninum</i>-like lineages. High genetic variability was observed, comprising 80 polymorphic sites and 40 haplotypes, of which 31 were singletons, seven occurred in two sequences each and two were represented by five and six sequences. Haplotype network and phylogenetic analyses revealed high genetic diversity and weak population structuring in <i>A. caninum</i>, with Kenyan isolates clustering with global lineages while exhibiting local diversification. We also report the first molecular confirmation of <i>Angiostrongylus vasorum</i> in domestic dogs in Kenya.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings underscore dogs as key reservoirs of zoonotic helminths and highlight the need for strengthened surveillance and integrated One Health strategies incorporating molecular diagnostics and targeted education within dog health programmes in line with the WHO NTD Roadmap.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"1863975"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13598803/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149039378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Community Pattern of Ectoparasite and Endoparasite Fauna of Urban-Dwelling Anurans in the Southwestern Coast of Sarawak, Borneo Island, Malaysia.","authors":"Dayangku Batrisyia Qistina Aneez Awang Raduan, Zalifah Husna Ali, Abang Haziq Abang Ismail, Ahmad Shahmi Abdul Salim, Ramlah Zainudin, Madinah Adrus","doi":"10.1155/japr/6409751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/japr/6409751","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urbanization has greatly influenced ecological interactions, impacting both host species and their parasites. Gaining insight into the relationship between parasites and urban anurans is vital for enhancing public health awareness. This study documented parasite fauna in anurans across urban areas in Kuching and Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Borneo Island.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 170 individuals of urban anurans from five families and eight species were examined for ectoparasites and endoparasites. Across 170 urban anurans, infection prevalence reached 51.2% (<i>n</i> = 87). <i>Duttaphrynus melanostictus</i> exhibited the highest parasite burden and diversity, particularly for gastrointestinal (47.8% of <i>D. melanostictus</i> individuals) and blood parasites (10.0%), and showed frequent coinfections. Ectoparasites were infrequent and restricted to this host. Seven out of 10 parasite species are of potential zoonotic concern.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results offer a baseline overview of parasite fauna in urban anurans, identifying rainfall and temperature as key environmental drivers of infection and community composition and highlighting zoonotic risks that warrant ongoing public surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6409751"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13598802/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149039360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synthesis and Evaluation of Clove Oil-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> Protoscoleces.","authors":"Niloufar Mansouri, Zahra Hesari, Sara Nemati, Mohammad Zibaei, Ehsan Javanmard, Zahra Mirabedini, Abolfazl Miahipour, Hamed Mirjalali","doi":"10.1155/japr/3101296","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/3101296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The most prevalent approach during treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE) relies on surgical cyst removal and long-term chemotherapy with benzimidazoles. However, cyst rupture may lead to anaphylaxis or secondary cysts and adverse effects. This study is aimed at synthesizing and evaluating the potential of clove oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (ClO-SLNs) against <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> protoscoleces. Clove bud (<i>Syzygium aromaticum</i>) oil was purchased and ClO-SLNs were synthesized. Physicochemical characterization of the nanoparticles was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and their zeta potential was measured. In addition, encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) were performed. The cytotoxicity of different concentrations of ClO-SLNs was evaluated on HepG2 cell line. Protoscolicidal effects of different concentrations of ClO-SLNs were investigated as well. One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc tests where appropriate was employed to analyze data. Nanoparticles with round smooth margins were characterized by TEM. The size of particles was about 122.3 ± 30.0 nm with a zeta potential of -0.9 mV. The EE% and DL were 59.68% and 16.08%, respectively. The cell viability remained high (> 80%) across two concentrations, 100 <i>μ</i>g/mL and 1 mg/mL, of ClO-SLNs. Raw clove oil extract exhibited no cytotoxicity at 50 mg/mL and the cell viability of albendazole was more than 60% at 10 mg/mL. The mortality rates of protoscoleces exposed to ClO-SLNs were concentration-dependent in all time points with <i>p</i> values: 0.013, 0.0074, 0.0064, and 0.0042 for 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. The ClO-SLNs exhibit good biocompatibility across all tested concentrations with highly potent and rapid protoscolicidal activity against <i>E. granulosus</i> protoscoleces. These findings suggest that ClO-SLNs may represent a potential protoscolicidal candidate for future intraoperative applications. However, further in vivo studies are required before considering clinical evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3101296"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13559983/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148930182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modelling the Transmission Dynamics and Risk of Ovine Cystic Echinococcosis in Argentina Using the CEST Model (Cystic Echinococcosis Stochastic Transmission Model).","authors":"Jo Widdicombe, Mahbod Entezami, María-Gloria Basáñez, Daniel Jackson, Edmundo J Larrieu, Guillermo Mujica, Joaquín M Prada","doi":"10.1155/japr/6394607","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/6394607","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by <i>Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato</i> (s.l.). Exerting substantial health and economic impact on humans, and the agricultural industry of affected countries, CE is one of 20 neglected tropical diseases included in the 2021-2030 World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The CEST model, a stochastic disease transmission model for CE, captures the lifecycle and disease dynamics of the parasite in dogs and sheep. Calibrated with data from Río Negro, Argentina, and incorporating annual fluctuations in livestock husbandry, the model includes historical interventions employed in the Río Negro control programme since its onset (1980) in a retrospective analysis. A prospective analysis models various intervention scenarios (2025-2035). Dog deworming with praziquantel and sheep vaccination with EG95 are simulated at different frequencies and coverage levels. Annual CE prevalence in dogs, sheep and predicted human risk are presented for each intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Monthly deworming most rapidly reduced dog prevalence and environmental egg burden; however, increasing vaccine coverage from 60% to 80% achieved a greater impact on sheep prevalence. Vaccination was less effective at 60% coverage, highlighting the importance of achieving the higher coverage and full dosing of animals in control programmes. Although current interventions can reduce disease prevalence in dogs and sheep, even when they are modelled at increased frequencies and coverage, sporadic transmission is predicted to continue. To break the status quo, alternative intervention packages need to be considered.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Enhancing CE control requires additional measures, including a deeper understanding of factors contributing to disease persistence despite current control efforts. The CEST model can be extended to simulate additional interventions, making it a valuable tool for policymakers and stakeholders in planning CE control efforts beyond the Sustainable Development Goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6394607"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13560500/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148944916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Burden and Associated Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infection Among Prisoners in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Kemal Mohamed, Abdulhakim Mussema, Asnake Simieneh, Dagmawi Woldesenbet","doi":"10.1155/japr/7271924","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/7271924","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Intestinal parasitic infection poses a significant health problem among prisoners. This burden arises from inadequate facilities and limited access to health education, malnourishment, limited access to drinkable water, overcrowding, and poor cleanliness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PRISMA guidelines were followed in this systematic review and meta-analysis. To find relevant data, we looked through gray literature sources and published studies through online databases like ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Semantic Scholar. The Condition, Context, and Population (COCOPO) principle was used to develop search terms. The papers' quality was evaluated using the critical assessment checklist for prevalence studies developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). To arrange, assess, and cite relevant studies, EndNote (Version X9) was utilized. Data analysis was performed using Stata software, Version 17.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>This study, included a total of eight studies, involving 2412 prisoners. According to a random-effects model, the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among prisoners in Ethiopia was 45% (95% CI: 39%-51%), with a significant degree of heterogeneity (<i>I</i> ² = 87.79<i>%</i>, <i>p</i> < 0.01). In this study, the most common monoinfection was <i>E. histolytica/dispar</i> (16%, 95% CI: 12%-23%), whereas the most common multiple infection was <i>E. histolytica/dispar</i> + <i>G. lamblia</i> (3%, 95% CI: 2%-5%) and <i>E. histolytica/dispar</i> + <i>A. lumbricoides</i> (3%, 95% CI: 1%-6%). In this review, intestinal parasitic infection was associated with handwashing after toilet (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.11-5.45), handwashing before a meal (OR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.71-8.68), the status of hand hygiene (OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2-4.48), and untrimmed hand fingernails (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.51-2.96).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In Ethiopia, intestinal parasitic infections are prevalent among prisoners. The common parasitic infections were <i>E. histolytica/dispar</i> and <i>E. histolytica/dispar</i> + <i>H. worms.</i> Among prisoners, intestinal parasitic infection is associated with handwashing before a meal, handwashing after toilet, the status of hand hygiene, and untrimmed fingernails.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"7271924"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550994/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148912612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}