Journal of Parasitic Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Investigating the anti-proliferative effect of <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>: the saga of developing concomitant immunity against cancer.","authors":"Rajarshi Chattopadhyay, Avisek Banerjee, Avijit Dey","doi":"10.1007/s12639-026-01907-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-026-01907-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cancer is undoubtedly one of the most notorious diseases in the history of mankind. With an epidemiological data approximating almost 10 million deaths in 2020, it stands out to be the second leading cause of death-only after cardiovascular diseases. There are several reported and unreported causes that might lead to cancer. Parasites are classified as one of the pro-carcinogenic agents. However, we have also to keep in mind that, in the light of evolution, the parasites won't allow the host to die out, but inadvertently becomes the cause of their death too. Keeping this in mind, this review-article targets the anti-proliferative effects of <i>Trypanosoma cruzi,</i> to identify the factors by virtue of which they can exert control on the oncogenes. Induction of apoptosis, enhanced immune response, prevention of metastasis and angiogenesis, reduction of proliferative signals, and control of inflammatory responses are some of the positive effects of parasite infections on tumourigenesis recorded so far. The aim of this review is to study the factors, significantly produced by <i>T. cruzi</i> and the mechanism of their action, by virtue of which the expression of oncogenes can decrease.</p><p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"515-528"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525992/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865309","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":"Morphological and molecular identification of <i>Sarcocystis</i> sp. from the Temminck's stint, <i>Calidris temminckii</i> (Leisler) (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae), for the first time in Egypt.","authors":"Nermean M Hussein, Khaled Mohamed El-Dakhly, Waleed M Arafa, Suad Hamdan Almasoudi, Wafa Abdullah I Al-Megrin, Yasser F M Karar","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01877-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01877-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Scarce literature on sarcocystosis in wading and migratory birds in Egypt is available. Meanwhile, studies on sarcocystosis in Charadriiformes are lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of sacrcocysts in muscles of the Temminck's stints, <i>Calidris temminckii</i> (Leisler) (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae) in Qena province, Upper Egypt. Muscle specimens from 35 Temminck's stints were parasitologically examined, using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and molecular tools including conventional PCR and phylogenetic analysis using both 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genetic loci, during the period from September 2018 to December 2022. In <i>Calidris temminckii</i> (13/35; 37.14%), sarcocysts were thread-like. Ultrastructurally, the thick cyst wall contained finger-like protrusions of variable sizes with underlining by a clear ground substance with internally located bradyzoites and metrocytes. Generally, this is the first report denoting the occurrence of <i>Sarcocystis</i> sp<i>.</i> from <i>C. temminckii</i> and, in particular, Egypt. Phylogenetic analysis proved that <i>Sarcocystis atraii</i> El-Morsey, El-Seify, Desouky, Abdel-Aziz, El-Dakhly, Kasem, Abdo, Haridy, Sakai and Yanai, 2015 is the most genetically closely related to our specimens, however, with different ultrastructural morphology. Both <i>S</i>. <i>atraii</i> and our specimens exhibited a host ecology-based convergence pattern with <i>Sarcocystis rileyi</i> ( Stiles 1893) Minchin, 1903. Future traditional and molecular studies are required to identify both macroscopic and microscopic sarcocysts in domestic and wild birds in Egypt.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"591-603"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13526005/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865408","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":"Avian malaria: an in-depth overview on its biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, economic impacts, diagnostic, treatment and control strategies.","authors":"Tewodros Alemneh, Wassie Molla, Seid Abdela, Samir Medjekal, Mourad Guetouache","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01887-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01887-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Avian malaria is a serious disease affecting diverse bird species worldwide, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus <i>Plasmodium</i> and transmitted exclusively by infected mosquitoes. The parasite completes its life cycle in both the avian host and the mosquito vector, undergoing multiple developmental stages. Clinical signs range from mild to severe and may include lethargy, anemia, respiratory distress, altered feeding behavior, and reduced activity, with young or immunocompromised birds particularly vulnerable to mortality. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical observations and laboratory methods, including traditional blood smears and serology alongside molecular tools such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), metagenomics, and transcriptomics. Treatment options are limited, typically involving antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine phosphate, primaquine phosphate, mefloquine, sulfachloropyrazine, sulfaquinoxaline, Trimethoprim, and Pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine combination along with supportive care and environmental management. Control strategies target both vectors and hosts, including habitat modification, chemical application, chemo-sterilization, the use of endosymbionts like <i>Wolbachia,</i> housing management, drainage of water bodies, biosecurity measures, vaccination, and the rearing of genetically resistant avian breeds. Ongoing research into the ecology of avian malaria and its vectors is essential for developing effective prevention strategies and mitigating its impact on vulnerable bird populations. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and ecological consequences of avian malaria, with the goal of informing conservation and management strategies.</p><p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01887-z.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"538-577"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13526009/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865285","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":"Morphological and molecular characteristics of trematode cercariae isolated from the freshwater snails collected from three paragonimiasis endemic areas in Manipur, India.","authors":"Umananda Yumnam, Karma G Dolma, Paron Dekumyoy, Urusa Thaenkham, Kangjam Rekha Devi, Mutum Ranjana Devi, T Shantikumar Singh","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01883-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01883-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A study was conducted to identify and characterize trematode cercariae infecting freshwater snails in three paragonimiasis endemic areas namely, Luwangsangbam matai, Motbung, and Moreh of Manipur, India, from 2020 to 2024. A total of 9467 snails belonging to seven species namely <i>Bortia costula</i> (2404), <i>Filopaludina bengalensis</i> (1869), <i>Paludomous pustulosa</i> (1474), <i>Racesina luteola</i> (1147), <i>Melanoid tuberculota</i> (891), <i>Radix rufescens</i> (869) and <i>Indoplanorbis exustus</i> (814) were collected and examined for cercarial infection using the shedding and crushing methods. The overall prevalence of trematode infection in snails was 0.26%, with the highest infection rate observed in Moreh (0.41%), followed by Motbung (0.36%) and Luwangsangbam Matai (0.09%). Among the snail species, <i>Melanoides tuberculata</i> showed the highest infection rate (0.90%), whereas <i>Indoplanorbis exustus</i> and <i>Paludomous pustulosa</i> were not infected. Morphological examination revealed nine different morphological types of cercariae: Lophocercous (1), Apharyngeate ocellate furcocercariae (1), Gymnocephalous (2), Xiphidio (1), Furcocercous (2), and Echinostomous (2). Molecular analysis based on 18 S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis identified six trematode species: <i>Euryhelmis costaricensis</i>, <i>Trichobilharzia stagnicolae</i>, <i>Haematoloechus sibiricus</i>, <i>Australapatemon burti</i>, <i>Echinostoma revolutum</i>, and <i>Hypoderaeum conoideum</i>. Seasonal variations in cercarial infection were observed, with higher rates from late spring to summer and lower rates in winter and early spring. This study provides baseline data on trematode-snail dynamics in the freshwater ecosystems of Manipur, which can be used for future epidemiological research and targeted control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"746-756"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13526002/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865386","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":"Occurrence of helminths in southern tamanduas (<i>Tamandua tetradactyla</i>) that are roadkill victims on a highway in the state of Espírito Santo, Southeast Brazil.","authors":"Júlia Rosa Luz, Júlia Pedrini Machado, João Pedro Barbosa Assis, Carolina Magri Ferraz, Ana Caroline Dantas de Amorim, Thais Ferreira Feitosa, Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela, Fabio Ribeiro Braga","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01879-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01879-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is a scarcity of studies on the occurrence of endoparasites in tamanduas and limited use of roadkill carcasses of these animals for helminthological studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of helminths in southern tamanduas (<i>Tamandua tetradactyla</i>) that were victims of roadkill. Seven southern tamanduas, collected after being struck by vehicles, were the subject of this study. The animals were gathered by wildlife rescue teams and kept frozen (- 20ºC) until necropsy. Initially, the animals were cataloged according to identification code, date of death, sex, highway kilometer marker and direction, and the time they were found. They were then necropsied, and their gastrointestinal tracts were examined for helminths. The parasites were collected and identified based on their morphological characteristics using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that in three (42.8%) of the animals, gastrointestinal parasites were found attached to the mucosa of the small intestine. Morphological analysis of these helminths revealed the presence of acanthocephalans of the genus <i>Gigantorhynchus</i> and cestodes of the genus <i>Mathevotaenia</i>. SEM observations identified <i>Gigantorhynchus echinodiscus</i> as the species of acanthocephalan present. It was not possible to determine the lowest taxon for the cestodes found due to the absence of well-preserved specimens. The findings of this study highlight the importance of better scientific use of roadkill animal carcasses and represent the first record of <i>Gigantorhynchus echinodiscus</i> in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"771-776"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525996/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865455","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":"Co-infection of balantidium coli and emerging enteric pathogens: a public health perspective.","authors":"Noor Mian, Miraal Khalid, Tooba Naveed, Hufsa Naveed, Manusche Ibbad, Fizza Faisal, Afrah Saeed Shaikh, Syed Sarosh Rehman","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01872-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01872-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Balantidium coli is a large ciliated protozoan that causes Balantidiasis, a forgotten intestinal infection transmitted by the fecal-oral route in tropical and low-resource settings. Even though it is usually asymptomatic, it may cause severe dysenteric diarrhea, particularly in patients with compromised immunity. Other enteric pathogens that co-infect, such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Shigella, and Salmonella, compound disease severity, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics, including PCR and environmental sampling, have revealed the surprising prevalence and genomic diversity of B. coli, suggesting that the bacteria may differ in virulence by region. Its persistence can be attributed to environmental factors such as intensive pig farming, inadequate water and sanitation, and global warming. It examines this in the context of the changing epidemiology of B. coli, co-infection processes, new testing methodologies, and the imperative to strengthen surveillance and control methods, particularly in poorly reported areas worldwide, such as Pakistan.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"766-770"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525979/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865360","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":"<i>In vitro</i> anthelmintic activity of <i>Vachellia aroma</i> and <i>Libidibia paraguariensis</i> fruit extracts against <i>Haemonchus contortus</i>.","authors":"F Bruttomesso Mia, S Di Ciaccio Lucía, Lobayan Sergio, G López Paula, E Salvat Adriana, H Fortunato Renee, Méndez Ramiro, H Schapiro Javier","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01895-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01895-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Haemonchus contortus</i> is a major parasite affecting sheep production, causing significant economic losses in animal health and production. Due to increasing resistance levels developed by the indiscriminate use of synthetic antiparasitic drugs, there is growing interest in exploring non-chemical control strategies. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of <i>Vachellia aroma</i> and <i>Libidibia paraguariensis</i> fruits and detect the secondary metabolites present in the extracts. The anthelmintic activity of the extracts was evaluated by egg hatching and larval migration inhibition assays, and phytochemical screening was performed by thin-layer chromatography. In the egg hatching inhibition assay, both plant extracts demonstrated 100% efficacy at the highest concentration evaluated (50 mg/ml). In the larval migration inhibition assay, the highest activity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of <i>L. paraguariensis</i> was 26.09% at 50 mg/ml and 56.57% at 12.5 mg/ml respectively, in contrast that of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of <i>V. aroma</i> was 14.51% and 27.73% at 50 mg/ml. The secondary metabolites detected in the methanolic extract of <i>V. aroma</i> were coumarins, flavonoids, saponins and tannins, whereas those detected in the aqueous extract were only coumarins and flavonoids. In both <i>L. paraguariensis</i> extracts, the secondary metabolites detected were flavonoids, saponins and tannins, whereas coumarins were detected only in the methanolic extract. Given the anthelmintic activity exhibited by these plant species against egg hatching and larval migration, these fruits can be considered a valuable tool for the control of <i>H. contortus</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"707-715"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525987/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865123","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 and molecular characterization of plant parasitic nematodes from major banana growing regions in Tamil Nadu, India.","authors":"Tharani Gunasekaran, Alagarsamy Alagesan, Subramanian Manivannan, Jayaraju Jeyasree, Muruganandam Siva","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01894-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01894-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the nematode population in 140 commercial banana plants in Tamil Nadu, India, focusing on identifying the most common plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) associated with bananas. The prevalent nematode species were <i>P. coffeae</i>, <i>M. incognita</i>, <i>H. multicinctus</i> in major banana belts. Morphological characteristics were employed to describe the plant parasitic nematode <i>P. coffeae</i>, revealing features such as flat lips, a thin stylet with well-developed knobs, and an esophagus that ventrally overlapped the intestine. <i>Meloidogyne incognita</i> exhibited a lengthy vermiform appearance in the male nematode, while the spiral nematode <i>Helicotylenchus sp</i>. displayed a hemispherical lip with conspicuous, broad stylet knobs. These nematodes were found throughout the sample areas, leading to gall formation and necrotic lesions on the surface and cortical tissues of banana roots. The highest prevalence rates were recorded for <i>H. multicinctus</i> (70.4%), <i>M. incognita</i> (61.1%), and <i>P. coffeae</i> (55%) in the Namakkal, Dindigul, and Thanjavur regions, respectively. The frequency distribution of <i>M. incognita</i> significantly exceeded that of <i>P. coffeae</i> and <i>H. multicinctus</i>, suggesting its role in gall formation within the cortical tissues and root surface. Species-specific primers PC11LUSF and PC11LUSR were utilized to amplify a 789-base-pair product of <i>Pratylenchus</i> species through PCR. Additionally, the 18 S rRNA gene sequences of <i>Meloidogyne</i> and <i>Helicotylenchus</i> species were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyletic nature of <i>M. incognita</i>, clustered with other <i>Meloidogyne</i> species originating from Brazil, China, Australia, Taiwan, and India. This study contributes to a better understanding of the prevalence, distribution, and genetic characteristics of economically significant nematodes affecting banana crops in Tamil Nadu.</p><p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"727-740"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525999/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865274","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":"Elemental zinc inhibits <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> blood-stage forms and enhances the efficacy of standard antimalarial drugs in vitro.","authors":"Vinoth Rajendran, Ranjitharan Karnan, Nimitha Cherthedath Naveen","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01881-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01881-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The recent rise in malaria cases post-COVID-19 and antimalarial resistance in <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> present new treatment challenges. Repurposing existing drugs or creating new combinations is an effective strategy. Elemental zinc (Zn²⁺) mitigates cancer progression and viral infections. However, no study has demonstrated the direct lethal effect of zinc on blood-stage <i>P. falciparum</i>. This study examined Zn²⁺ antiplasmodial effect on the blood-stage <i>P. falciparum</i> 3D7 strain using a time-inhibition growth assay (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) with the SYBR Green I method. The findings indicated that Zn²⁺ exhibited IC₅₀ values of 49.5 and 26 µM at 72 and 96 h, respectively. When fixed Zn²⁺ concentrations (50 and 25 µM) were co-treated for 48 h with standard antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine (CQ) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA), there was a notable decrease in CQ IC₅₀ value (0.017 and 0.026 µM) and DHA IC₅₀ value (0.007 and 0.011 µM) compared to treatment with these drugs alone. Stage-specific studies revealed that trophozoites and schizonts were highly susceptible to Zn²⁺ in combination with CQ or DHA. This study is the first to show that elemental Zn²⁺ alone impedes blood-stage parasites in a time- and stage-dependent manner and its combination with CQ or DHA improves antimalarial treatment effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"777-783"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525994/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865314","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":"Repurposing sirolimus as a single and combination therapy for malaria: in silico, in vivo and pharmacokinetic studies.","authors":"Bassey Asuquo Andong, Samuel Onyeka Onyechi, Ekemini Victor Etukakpan, Mfonobong Effiong Umoh, Joseph Chinonso Nwanja, Aniebiet Udofot Udoumoh, Aniekan S Ebong, Festus Esenam, Abayomi Omotosho, Olorunfemi A Eseyin","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01888-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01888-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria remains endemic in Africa, with emerging reports indicating resistance of the causative agent, <i>Plasmodium spp.</i>, to Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACT) approved for malaria treatment by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Sirolimus, an immunosuppressive, antineoplastic agent as a repurposed drug for treating malaria and study the pharmacokinetic interactions of Sirolimus with dihydroartemisinin, a component of ACT. In silico molecular docking studies were conducted using seven <i>Plasmodium</i> protein targets to evaluate the binding affinity of Sirolimus compared to reference antimalarials. In vivo suppressive and curative tests were performed using <i>Plasmodium berghei</i>-infected mice. Pharmacokinetic studies assessed the effect of Sirolimus on dihydroartemisinin parameters. Sirolimus had a better binding affinity than the reference compounds on almost all the target proteins. Sirolimus significantly (p < 0.01) suppressed parasite replication more than Artemether. However, mice treated with only sirolimus 72 h after infection showed little reduction in the percentage of parasitemia. Percent parasite reduction by artemether, sirolimus, and coadministration of sirolimus with artemether were 75.35 ± 3.48, 38.68 ± 2.98 and 80.91 ± 6.23, respectively as against that of distilled water which was 4.76 ± 2.57. Also, co-administration of Sirolimus with Artemether affected the pharmacokinetics profile of dihydroartemisinin. The result suggests that Sirolimus possesses suppressive antiplasmodial potential particularly when administered early in infection, and can be combined with Artemether to increase the curative activity of the latter.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"604-613"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525976/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865389","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}