Journal of Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Studies on Pathological Changes in the Gastrointestinal Tract Due to Helminth Infection in Backyard Chickens.","authors":"Sahar Bhutto, Sadaf Khushk, Mansoor Tariq, Javaid Ali Gadahi, Sana Noor Panhwer, Zaheer Ahmed Nizamani, Shaharbano Memon","doi":"10.1155/japr/6446780","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/6446780","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Backyard poultry farming is an important aspect for enhancing Pakistan's rural economy, yet helminth infections remain a major issue for flock health and productivity. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites and to record the associated gross and histopathological lesions in backyard chickens from 12 villages in and around Tandojam City, Sindh, Pakistan, between August and December 2022. A total of 76 adult chickens of both sexes were selected through systematic random sampling. Each chicken underwent a complete necropsy, and the gastrointestinal tract was carefully examined for helminth infestation. Tissue samples were collected and processed for histopathological evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Out of 76 chickens examined, 68 (89.47%) were infected with parasites. Four species of cestode were isolated: <i>Cotugnia digonopora</i> (<i>C. digonopora</i>) (32.89%), <i>Choanotaenia infundibulum</i> (<i>C. infundibulum</i>) (27.63%), <i>Raillietina cesticillus</i> (<i>R. cesticillus</i>) (14.47%), and <i>Amoebotaenia sphenoides</i> (<i>A. sphenoides</i>) (3.94%). In addition, two nematodes were identified: <i>Heterakis gallinarum</i> (<i>H. gallinarum</i>) (43.42%) and <i>Ascaridia galli</i> (<i>A. galli</i>) (35.53%). Mixed infections involving both <i>H. gallinarum</i> and <i>A. galli</i> occurred in 12 birds (15.79%). Gross pathological changes included intestinal obstruction with bloody exudates, ballooning and enlargement of the ceca, petechial hemorrhages in the duodenum, and mild hepatic inflammation. Histopathologically, all infected chickens showed inflammatory cell infiltration, mucosal erosion, villous degeneration, and hemorrhagic enteritis. Notably, scolices of <i>R. cesticillus</i> and <i>A. sphenoides</i> were embedded within the intestinal epithelium. The detection of <i>A. sphenoides</i> in backyard chickens represents the first confirmed record of this species in Sindh Province, Pakistan. These findings highlight the high burdens of helminth infections in rural poultry and underscore the urgent need for routine anthelmintic treatment and strengthened biosecurity measures in backyard poultry across Sindh.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6446780"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13329835/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148390948","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":"Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Tick-Borne Diseases Among Healthcare Workers in Two Hospitals in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Elichilia R Shao, Jaffu Chilongola, Rebecca F Bodenham, Sarah Cleaveland, Tito J Kibona, Eliaichi A Mlay, Laura J Shirima, Innocent B Mboya, Daniel Mujuni, Rehema A Mavura, Zacharia L Laizer, Edna-Joy Munisi, Jeremia J Pyuza, Felix Lankester, Ray Kayaga, Johana Teigen, Blandina T Mmbaga, Melinda K Rostal","doi":"10.1155/japr/3390133","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/3390133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are significant causes of febrile illnesses in humans. Healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding ticks and TBDs may influence prognosis. This study is aimed at assessing the KAP and associated factors among HCWs regarding TBD to provide evidence to improve preventive strategies, diagnosis, and enhance patient outcomes. The electronic questionnaires were used to collect data on respondents' demographics and KAP on TBD. Of 401 HCWs, the median age was 29 (interquartile range (IR): 26-39). More than half of all HCWs (58.4%) were aged ≤ 30 years, and 51.1% were male. Only 12.2% received training outside Tanzania, 45.4% were medical doctors. Among all HCWs, 47.1% had TBD knowledge above the median. Regarding attitude of HCWs toward TBD, 208 (97.7%) out of 214 who had some awareness of TBD recognized the knowledge gap and a need for further training on TBD. After adjusting for other factors, being male (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.01-2.46), having a postgraduate education (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.45-6.39), and having received TBD training (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.28-3.40), remained significantly associated with TBD knowledge above median. Similarly, after adjusting for other factors, being male (AOR = 0.57, 95<i>%</i>CI = 0.37-0.89), having postgraduate education (including physicians; AOR = 0.28, 95<i>%</i>CI = 0.13-0.61), and having awareness on TBD were significantly associated with practice above median toward TBD prevention. The knowledge gap on TBD among HCWs was substantial as more than half of the HCWs had knowledge score below median about TBD. On attitude, almost all HCWs who had some awareness of TBD were in need of training on TBD. More than half of HCWs practiced TBD preventative actions below median. Targeted training to improve and expand HCWs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding TBD are expected to enhance early detection, improve patient outcomes, reduce transmission rates, and strengthen public health response efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3390133"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13331878/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148390945","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":"Evaluation of Imatinib and Its Combination With Albendazole Against <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> Protoscoleces and Microcysts In Vitro.","authors":"Zahra Hanifeh, Ali Haniloo, Negin Torabi, Mehdi Farhadi","doi":"10.1155/japr/6521300","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/6521300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Currently, benzimidazoles are the main drugs used for the treatment of hydatidosis. However, the available medications do not demonstrate the expected therapeutic efficacy. As a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib may interfere with parasite signaling pathways and exert antiparasitic effects. The present study is among the first to evaluate imatinib in <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i>, especially on microcysts and in combination with albendazole. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro antiparasitic effects of imatinib and its combination with albendazole on the protoscoleces and microcysts of <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i>.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The effects of imatinib alone and in combination with albendazole were assessed on protoscoleces and microcysts over 33 and 15 days, respectively, and compared with albendazole monotherapy. The viability percentage of protoscoleces was determined using the eosin exclusion assay. Ultrastructural and morphological changes were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and inverted microscopy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Maximum protoscolicidal activity was observed at a concentration of 40 <i>μ</i>g/mL imatinib and the combination of 20 <i>μ</i>g/mL albendazole + 20 <i>μ</i>g/mL imatinib, both of which resulted in complete mortality of protoscoleces within 6 days. In contrast, 6 days after exposure to 10 <i>μ</i>g/mL albendazole, 84.33<i>%</i> ± 4.5<i>%</i> of protoscoleces remained viable. Exposure of microcysts to 15 <i>μ</i>g/mL imatinib and the combination of 10 <i>μ</i>g/mL albendazole + 1 <i>μ</i>g/mL imatinib led to their complete destruction by Day 6.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study demonstrated that imatinib has a significant effect on the protoscoleces and larval cyst forms of <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i>, showing higher protoscolicidal activity compared with albendazole. Moreover, the combination of imatinib and albendazole exhibited stronger and faster effects than monotherapy. These effects may be related to inhibition of tyrosine kinase-dependent pathways. Further in vivo studies are required to confirm these results and evaluate their potential clinical implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6521300"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13317143/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361202","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":"Intestinal Helminth Infections and Their Association With Nutritional Status and Diarrheal Diseases Among School-Aged Children in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.","authors":"Gebre Ayanaw Alula, Tilahun Endale, Maru Wudu","doi":"10.1155/japr/1613179","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/1613179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intestinal helminth infections remain a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among school-aged children, where they contribute to malnutrition and diarrheal diseases. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections and their association with nutritional status and diarrheal diseases among school-aged children in the North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2025 among 374 children selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and hemoglobin assessment, and stool examination was performed using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with helminth infection and health outcomes, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. The prevalence of intestinal helminth infection was 14.97% (<i>n</i> = 56). Helminth infection was associated with higher odds of stunting (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.05-3.12), anemia (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.10-3.82), and diarrhea (AOR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.52-5.01). Furthermore, poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, inadequate hygiene practices, and low dietary diversity were significant predictors of helminth infection and were also associated with increased risk of stunting, anemia, and diarrheal disease. Overall, intestinal helminth infections and modifiable environmental and nutritional factors were independently associated with adverse child health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of integrated interventions combining deworming programs with improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), along with nutrition-sensitive strategies, to improve child health in the study area.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"1613179"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13317142/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361218","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":"Antiparasitic Potential of Bioactive Compounds From <i>Punica granatum</i>: Preventive and Therapeutic Effects.","authors":"José Roberto Vargas-Villanueva, Filiberto Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez, Verónica Yadira Ochoa-Maganda, Sendar Daniel Nery-Flores, Lissethe Palomo-Ligas","doi":"10.1155/japr/4715270","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/4715270","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diseases caused by parasites are a global public health problem. Due to their heterogeneity and diversity, they can affect various hosts, and some diseases are considered zoonotic. Therapeutic control in parasitic diseases has lost its effectiveness over the last decades. The factors associated with therapeutic failure include drug resistance, nonadherence to treatment due to the presence of adverse effects, and reinfections due to inadequate sanitary conditions. Therefore, a strategy to search for new treatment alternatives is the use of natural compounds. The pomegranate is a plant that has multiple biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. It is highlighted that the use of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of pomegranate, mainly from the peel, has greater activity against clinically relevant pathogenic parasites. The use of <i>Punica granatum</i> as a preventive, monotherapy, or adjuvant agent demonstrates its protective and restorative capacity in the damage produced by various parasitoses. These effects are mainly attributable to phenolic compounds, principally ellagitannins and ellagic acids. Among these molecules, punicalagin, punicalin, luteolin, epigallocatechin gallate, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, and quercetin stand out. The identification and study of these candidates is a promising alternative to complement the arsenal of available antiparasitic drugs. In this research, the antiparasitic activity of pomegranate is summarized.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"4715270"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13305679/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148345657","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":"Assessment of Anthelmintic Resistance in Major Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep and Goat Farms in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.","authors":"Md Rakibul Islam, Md Mehedi Hasan Mizan, Anisuzzaman, Mst Sawda Khatun, Faishal Al Ashad, Mohammad Zahangir Alam, Babul Chandra Roy, Anita Rani Dey","doi":"10.1155/japr/5515786","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/5515786","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anthelmintic resistance (AR) is a well concern in livestock production. Hence, the study was designed to assess the status of AR in sheep and goat farms at Mymensingh sadar using fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and egg hatch assay (EHA). To do this, 10 farms were selected. For FECRT, 40 animals of each farm having more than 200 EPG of feces were selected randomly by employing the McMaster technique and treated with albendazole (ABZ), levamisole (LEV), and ivermectin (IVM). Fecal samples from animals of each treated and control group were collected directly from the rectum on Day 0 (pretreatment) and Day 14^th posttreatment (p.t.), pooled, and considered for coproculture to detect resistant parasites. For EHA, pooled fecal samples were collected from each farm and isolated eggs by combining flotation and sedimentation techniques. The isolated eggs were treated with different concentrations of ABZ solution, such as 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 <i>μ</i>g/mL, by maintaining a control group with no ABZ solution. The result revealed that in FECRT, ABZ resistance against gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes was detected in nine farms and suspected resistance in one farm. LEV resistance was detected in six farms and suspected resistance in four farms. Interestingly, IVM resistance was developed in one farm, suspected resistance in five farms, and susceptible against GI nematodes in four farms. Also, <i>Haemonchus</i> and <i>Oesophagostomum</i> were recognized as resistant parasites using coproculture. In EHA, ABZ resistance was also detected in all farms. The EC₅₀ value of ABZ ranged from 0.1290 to 0.2393 <i>μ</i>g ABZ/mL (> 0.1 <i>μ</i>g/mL) with the coefficient of correlation (<i>R</i> ²) > 0.98. The present study suggests that AR is increasing and creates an upsetting situation in controlling GI nematodes in Bangladesh. Therefore, the use of alternative control methods such as ethnomedicine, bioactive forages, and selective treatment procedure should be practiced.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"5515786"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13287827/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148317675","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":"Molecular Characterization of <i>Wolbachia</i> Endosymbionts and Their Association With Canine Dirofilariasis in Colombo District, Sri Lanka.","authors":"Neyon Loku Gamage, Koshila Ranasinghe, Wasana Rodrigo","doi":"10.1155/japr/9996613","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/9996613","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Canine dirofilariasis is caused by <i>Dirofilaria</i>, a type of filarial parasite that can also infect humans and is becoming a growing concern in Sri Lanka. Previous studies have noted that Sri Lanka has some of the highest numbers of dirofilariasis cases in Asia. This study was aimed at detecting <i>Wolbachia</i> bacteria-which are found inside <i>Dirofilaria</i> parasites-using molecular methods and also at identifying which <i>Dirofilaria</i> species are present in dogs in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Blood was collected from 368 dogs of various breeds between May and December 2025. Of these, only 35 samples (9.51%) tested positive for microfilaria using a microscope. These samples were then analyzed using DNA extraction and PCR with both general <i>Dirofilaria</i> and species-specific primers. At the same time, samples were also screened for <i>Wolbachia</i>, a bacterium that is important for <i>Dirofilaria</i> survival and reproduction, using <i>Wolbachia</i>-specific primers (wsp). Of the 35 microfilaria-positive samples, 18 (51.43%) were positive for <i>Dirofilaria</i>, and of those 18, only three (16.67%) were positive for <i>Wolbachia</i>. Among the <i>Dirofilaria</i>-positive samples, one (5.56%) was identified as <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i>, 11 (61.11%) as <i>Dirofilaria repens</i>, and three (16.67%) as <i>Dirofilaria asiatica</i>; a few samples did not match any of the species-specific primers. The PCR products for both <i>Dirofilaria</i> and <i>Wolbachia</i> were verified by gel electrophoresis and sequencing. The sequence results showed the presence of <i>D. repens</i> and <i>D. asiatica</i> in dogs. Importantly, this is the first molecular evidence of <i>D. immitis</i> in Sri Lanka and the first molecular identification of <i>Wolbachia</i> in <i>Dirofilaria</i> species in the country. The study also found that both <i>D. repens</i> and <i>D. immitis</i> can infect the same dog. These findings provide new information about canine dirofilariasis in Sri Lanka and highlight the need for <i>Wolbachia</i>-targeted parasite control and accurate molecular diagnosis to guide treatment and control efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"9996613"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13282681/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148295340","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 and Genetic Characterization of <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> in Paraffin-Embedded Human Tissue Samples From the Northwest of Iran, West Azarbayjan.","authors":"Mahsa Boustani, Shahram Khademvatan, Elham Yousefi, Farahnaz Noroozinia, Saber Gholizadeh","doi":"10.1155/japr/6008555","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/6008555","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> larval stage, poses health problems in the world, including Iran. This study is aimed at investigating the epidemiological and molecular characterization of <i>E. granulosus</i> collected from CE samples in Urmia, the northwest of Iran.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, the demographic information of 295 hydatid cyst patients who underwent surgery between 2010 and 2021 was recorded and analyzed statistically. Due to time and financial constraints, a total of 74 samples were evaluated. DNA of FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) hydatid cyst samples was extracted, and PCR was performed using mitochondrial genes <i>cox1</i> and <i>nad1</i>. PCR products were electrophoresed and sequenced, and sequence analysis was performed using BioEdit and BLAST software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 295 cases studied, 173 (58.64%) were female and 122 (41.36%) male, respectively, and the CE frequency was significantly higher in patients aged 20-30 (<i>n</i> = 24/295; 8.1%), villagers (<i>n</i> = 70/295; 23.7%), and low educated cases (<i>n</i> = 82/295; 27.8%). The most group affected by CE was the housewives (<i>n</i> = 33/295; 11.2%), followed by the illiterate people (<i>n</i> = 82/295; 27.8%) and the farmers (<i>n</i> = 17/295; 5.8%). The liver (<i>n</i> = 52/295; 17.6%) and the lung (<i>n</i> = 40/295; 13.6%) were the most common sites for cyst formation, followed by the abdomen (<i>n</i> = 9/295; 3.1%), kidney (<i>n</i> = 4/295; 1.4%), thorax (<i>n</i> = 2/295; 0.7%), spleen (<i>n</i> = 2/295; 0.7%), and the pancreas (<i>n</i> = 3/295; 1.0%). DNAs from all 74 paraffinized hydatid cyst samples were extracted successfully. Of the whole FFPE samples amplified by PCR assay using nad1 and cox1 genes, only 27 and 25 FFPE samples were sequenced, respectively. The 9.1% (<i>n</i> = 27) for cox1 and the 8.4% (<i>n</i> = 25) for nad1 were sequenced. All samples' analyses resulted G1. In addition, analysis of cox1 and nad1 genes did not identify any haplotypic variation. DNAs from all 74 paraffinized hydatid cyst samples were extracted successfully. Of the whole FFPE samples amplified by PCR assay using <i>nad1</i> and <i>cox1</i> genes, only 27 and 25 FFPE samples were sequenced, respectively. The 9.1% (<i>n</i> = 27) for <i>cox1</i> and the 8.4% (<i>n</i> = 25) for <i>nad1</i> were sequenced. All samples analyzed resulted G1. In addition, analysis of <i>cox1</i> and nad1 genes did not identify any haplotypic variation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Molecular findings identified the G1 genotype as the predominant genotype involved in <i>E. granulosus</i> transmission in the northwest region of Iran.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6008555"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13282682/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148295251","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":"Genetic Diversity and Allelic Distribution of <i>Plasmodium falciparum msp1</i> and <i>msp2</i> Genes in a High-Transmission Setting: Southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Kefiyalew Jote, Yirgalem Gebrehiwot, Cheikh Cambel Dieng, Eugenia Lo, Lemu Golassa, Bayissa Chala","doi":"10.1155/japr/2796576","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/2796576","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although both preventable and treatable, malaria remains a significant burden on health and economic stability, particularly in regions of high transmission such as Africa and parts of Asia. The parasite's genetic diversity enhances its ability to evade the host immune system and adapt, posing challenges to effective treatment strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The primary objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> by analyzing polymorphisms in the merozoite surface protein genes among clinical isolates collected from public health facilities in Arba Minch town and Mirab Abaya, Southern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of <i>P. falciparum</i>. Capillary blood samples were collected from 200 participants using both microscope slides (for phenotypic analysis) and Whatman 903 filter paper (for molecular investigation using polymerase chain reaction). Parasite genomic DNA was extracted using the G-spin Total DNA Extraction Mini Kit. Nested PCR was performed to confirm the presence of <i>P. falciparum</i> by targeting 18S rRNA and to genotype the <i>msp1 and msp2</i> gene allelic families.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 200 samples initially confirmed for <i>P. falciparum</i> infection, 138 (69%) were mono-infections. Males accounted for 55.1% of the confirmed cases, whereas 44.9% were females. More than half of the participants (58%) had parasite density of ≥ 10,000 parasites/<i>μ</i>L. The mean hemoglobin level recorded was 13.4 g/dL (95% CI, 13.06-13.7). Genotyping revealed 131 <i>msp1 and</i> 164 for <i>msp2</i> alleles, with MAD20 (58.8%) and FC27 (52.4%) frequently detected allelic types, respectively. <i>msp2</i> infections were nearly evenly split between monoclonal (53.2%) and polyclonal. A significantly higher multiplicity of infection (MOI) was observed in Arba Minch town for <i>msp2</i> (MOI = 2.19) <i>p</i> < 0.001.</p><p><strong>Conclusion and recommendation: </strong>This study revealed substantial genetic diversity in <i>P. falciparum</i> alleles, with variations linked to geographic location, age group, and residential setting. These findings underscore the complex epidemiology of malaria in Arba Minch and the surrounding areas, emphasizing the need for geographically and demographically targeted control strategies based on local transmission patterns to guide elimination efforts. Enhancing community awareness about risk factors and vulnerable populations is critical for the success of malaria prevention programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"2796576"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13280986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148295258","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":"Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Extensively Managed Pastoral Small Ruminants: The Case of Nyangatom District, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Yebelayhun Mulugeta, Getachew Mulugeta, Nahom Belay, Mahider Tesfaye","doi":"10.1155/japr/6971937","DOIUrl":"10.1155/japr/6971937","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastrointestinal nematode infections pose a significant challenge to the productivity and reproductive performance of small ruminants in Ethiopia. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in small ruminants in one of the pastoral areas of Ethiopia, identifying the main gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites, and assessing potential risk factors linked to their occurrence. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2025 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats in Nyangatom District, Southern Ethiopia, using both qualitative and quantitative coprological examinations. A total of 384 small ruminants, 176 sheep and 208 goats, were systematically selected from the study population and examined for GIT nematode infection. Of these, 253 (65.89%) tested positive for one or more GIT nematodes. The prevalence was 71.59% in sheep and 61.06% in goats. Among the samples, 198 (51.56%) were positive for <i>strongyle</i> eggs, 15 (3.91%) for <i>Strongyloides</i> eggs, 9 (2.34%) for <i>Trichuris</i> spp. eggs, and 31 (8.07%) for mixed infections. Three risk factors, namely study kebeles, species, and body condition score (BCS), were statistically linked to GIT nematode prevalence. These results highlight the significant impact of gastrointestinal nematode infections on small ruminant health and productivity in the study area. The high prevalence rates call for urgent implementation of effective control measures. Strategic deworming programs should be adopted to reduce infection burdens, and animal health extension workers need to actively educate local communities about parasite control. Overall, this study emphasizes the necessity of integrated parasite management strategies to reduce the negative effects of gastrointestinal nematodes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitology Research","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6971937"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13273833/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148277745","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}