Journal of Parasitic Diseases最新文献

{"title":"In vitro anti-leishmania tropica activity of ganoderma lucidum extracts.","authors":"Nada Younis, Arwa Shukur, Mohammed Mohaibes, Dhamia Al-Bdairi, Hussein Al-Shemary","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01901-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01901-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), caused by Leishmania tropica, remains a significant public health issue in endemic regions like Iraq. Current treatments are limited by toxicity and drug resistance, underscoring the need for safer alternatives. This study evaluated the in vitro anti-leishmanial activity of aqueous extracts of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) against L. tropica. Parasites were isolated from CL patients in Baghdad and confirmed as L. tropica using kDNA-PCR. The effects of three concentrations of GL extract (50, 100, and 150 mg/mL) on cultured promastigotes in NNN medium were assessed, with viability monitored hourly using erythrosine-B staining. The results demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent parasite destruction. A concentration of 50 mg/mL resulted in 50% mortality, 100 mg/mL showed moderate effects (~ 75% mortality), and 150 mg/mL led to complete inhibition (100% mortality) after 4 h, compared to only 5.98% in the control group. kDNA-PCR confirmed a diagnostic accuracy of 95% for L. tropica. These findings highlight the potent in vitro efficacy of GL aqueous extract, positioning it as a promising natural candidate for CL treatment. Further in vivo studies are warranted to validate its therapeutic potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"697-706"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525993/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865364","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 risk factors of ectoparasitic infestations in dogs with first molecular characterization of <i>Hippobosca longipennis</i> in Cairo, Egypt.","authors":"Nesma Adel, Ahmed Kamal Dyab, Abdallah Abdel-Samie Hassan, Shimaa Abdel-Radi","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01890-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01890-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ectoparasites are important vectors of infectious diseases for both humans and animals. This study aims to assess the prevalence and impact of ectoparasite infestations in stray and owned dogs in various localities in Cairo, Egypt, during the period from February 2024 to January 2025. A total of 200 dogs (100 owned dogs and 100 strays) of various ages were examined. Ectoparasites were collected and analyzed parasitologically, with molecular characterization of <i>Hippobosca</i> spp. via COX1 gene sequencing for the first time in Egypt, aiming to achieve specific identification. Ectoparasite infestation was observed in 72% (144/200) of dogs, with a higher rate (98%) in stray dogs compared to owned ones (46%). Ticks (<i>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</i> sensu lato) were the most prevalent, followed by fleas (<i>Ctenocephalides canis</i> and <i>C. felis</i>). Mites (<i>Sarcoptes scabiei</i>, <i>Demodex canis</i>, and <i>Otodectes cynotis</i>) and <i>Hippobosca longipennis</i> were detected at lower rates. Age, sex, and season were significant risk factors for infestation (<i>p</i> < 0.001). This study highlights the role of dogs as hosts of ectoparasites that may transmit zoonotic pathogens, emphasizing the need for integrated control strategies to protect animal health, safeguard public health, and support effective veterinary care.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"659-672"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525988/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865376","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 associated risk factors of pediculosis capitis among female primary schoolchildren in Dhamar City, Yemen.","authors":"Abdulelah H Al-Adhroey, Haifa'a N Robied, Heba A Al-Yemeni, Kholod S Mahdi, Mohammed A Al-Gbri, Ola A Herran, Thekra A Alobahi, Yahya A Al-Ansi, Abdulrahman H Amer, Mohammed A Al-Kholani, Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01889-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01889-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pediculosis capitis, or head lice infestation, continues to be an essential health issue triggering negative physical, social, and psychological effects, particularly among female schoolchildren and their families. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and independent risk factors of pediculosis capitis among female schoolchildren in Dhamar City, Yemen. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 400 girls, aged between 6 and 13 years. They were selected from three public primary schools in different localities in Dhamar, and screened for head lice infestation by visual hair inspection using disposable fine-toothed combs. Data about risk factors were collected from parents using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the potential risk factors for predicting pediculosis capitis infestation. The prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 48.75% (195/400). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that a large family size of ≥ 7 members (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 1.70; 95% confidence interval; CI = 1.01, 2.86), frequency of hair combing of 1-3 times per week (AOR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.18, 5.56, responsibility for combing hair of child herself (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.05, 4.49) and responsibility for child care of other than mother (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI = 1.08, 6.04), were the significant independent risk factors for predicting higher prevalence of pediculosis capitis among the study population. These findings underscore the need for regular health education programmes aimed at improving personal hygiene behaviours and early detection of head lice, as these could play a crucial role in reducing the rate of infestation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"650-658"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525997/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865447","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":"Development of parasitic disease biobank and new antileishmanial agents.","authors":"Awanish Kumar","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01898-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01898-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dengue, HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, etc., are infectious diseases prioritized by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, some other infectious diseases like Chagas disease, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, trachoma, etc., are known as neglected diseases because people affected by these diseases are unable to pay for the expensive treatment. Leishmaniasis warrants specific attention due to its significant disease burden, and there are no satisfactory therapeutic measures available for it. Many antileishmanial drugs have shown increasing resistance, and there is no vaccine available for this disease. Therefore, new and effective antileishmanial drugs are urgently required, and a parasitic disease biobank (PDB) related to neglected disease and drug repurposing would be helpful to discover new antileishmanials. A total of 26 articles were included based on specific interventions of PDB and antileishmanial drugs. They were searched from the websites Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate, and published in peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years. Articles published in non-English languages and not reporting specific outcome measures were the exclusion criteria. Further target-based drug repurposing can be done to develop new antileishmanial drugs quickly. PDB could play a crucial role in monitoring infections (Leishmaniasis, Malaria, Trypanosoma, etc.), understanding multi-drug resistance, and biomarker-based diagnosis that could be a step forward in the management of parasitic diseases like Leishmaniasis. This article explains the need for PDB, its operational considerations, and its governance for its useful access. The paper emphasizes its need in developing countries, and the interesting issue of target-based in vitro repurposed drug screening for the development of effective antileishmanial molecules against Leishmaniasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"529-537"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865320","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":"A rare fatal parasitic infestation in an immunocompetent patient: a case report.","authors":"S Fathvunnisa, Banushree Chandrasekhar Srinivasamurthy, C Ashley Solomon, A R Keerthi","doi":"10.1007/s12639-026-01903-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-026-01903-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> is a parasitic nematode that can cause a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to life-threatening disseminated disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Perforated colitis associated with <i>Strongyloides</i> infection is an extremely rare occurrence. We report a rare and unusual case of a 60-year-old immunocompetent male from India, an endemic region for the parasite, who presented with an acute abdomen due to <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i>-induced perforated colitis. This case underscores that even immunocompetent individuals in endemic areas may develop severe complications from <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> infection. Early recognition of the parasite and prompt initiation of appropriate antiparasitic therapy are essential to prevent potentially life-threatening outcomes such as perforated colitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"791-794"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525980/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865256","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":"High occurrence of anti-<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> and anti-<i>Neospora caninum</i> antibodies in dogs from the microregion of Pajeú, Sertão of the state of Pernambuco.","authors":"Samuel Souza Silva, Renato Amorim da Silva, Jéssica de Castro Souza Carvalho, Pollyanne Rayssa Fernandes de Oliveira, Renata Pimentel Bandeira de Melo, Gílcia Aparecida de Carvalho, Rinaldo Aparecido Mota, Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos","doi":"10.1007/s12639-026-01908-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-026-01908-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> and <i>Neospora caninum</i> infections among dogs from the microregion of Pajeú, Sertão, state of Pernambuco. Blood samples (n = 247) of dogs apparently healthy were collected through puncture of cephalic vein and serum evaluated using the Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Risk factors were calculated using univariate analysis and logistic regression. We determined the spatial distribution of seroreactive animals through maps created using the QGIS software. The overall seroprevalence was 61.54% (152/247) and 64.78% (160/247) for <i>T. gondii</i> and <i>N. caninum</i>, respectively. Of the animals tested, 40.89% (101/247) were seroreactive for both protozoa. The presence of ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) (OR = 0.53; 0.2850-0.9931) and hunting behavior (OR = 0.45; 0.2115-0.9415) were considered risk factors for anti-<i>N. caninum</i> antibodies. Age ≥ 5 and < 10 years old (OR = 1.94; 1.0301-3.6655) and crossbreed (OR = 2.35; 1.0935-5.0652) were risk factors for seropositivity for both pathogens. Seroreactive animals were distributed heterogeneously across the microregion of Pajeú. The high occurrence of anti-<i>T. gondii</i> and anti-<i>N. caninum</i> antibodies in the dog population indicate previous exposure to these pathogens. Therefore, preventive measures should be promoted to mitigate the risk of animal and human infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"757-765"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525989/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865299","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":"Microscopy detection and genotyping of intestinal parasites in schoolchildren of Corinto (Chinandega, Nicaragua): a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Jacklyn Comas, Aleyda Pavón, Alejandro Dashti, Pamela C Köster, Sergio Sánchez, Mónica Santín, Rafael Toledo, José Guillermo Esteban, David Carmena, Carla Muñoz-Antoli","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01893-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01893-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Surveys investigating the occurrence and molecular diversity of intestinal parasites are needed to fully understand their epidemiology and public health impact in endemic areas such as Central America and the Caribbean. This is a cross-sectional study assessing the percentage of intestinal protist and helminth parasites in apparently healthy children in Corinto Municipality (Chinandega Department, Nicaragua) during January 2023. We collected single stool samples (<i>n</i> = 88) and epidemiological questionnaires on demographics, behavioural habits, drinking water and toilet access from participating children. Microscopy methods were used for the initial screening of the samples. Molecular methods were used in selected samples for confirmatory and genotyping purposes. Basic statistical analyses were carried out to assess the association of the gathered variables with an increased likelihood of infection by intestinal parasites. <i>Blastocystis</i> was the most prevalent intestinal parasite found (30.7%), followed by <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> (22.7%), <i>Endolimax nana</i> (20.5%), and the commensal <i>Entamoeba coli</i> (18.2%). Other protists including <i>Entamoeba hartmanni</i>, <i>Entamoeba dispar</i>, <i>Chilomastix mesnili</i>, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp., and <i>Dientamoeba fragilis</i> were identified at percentage lower than 5%. Among helminths, <i>Trichuris trichiura</i> was more prevalently found (14.8%) than <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> (2.3%). Molecular analyses revealed the presence of subtypes ST1 (60.9%), ST2 and ST3 (17.4% each), and ST7 (4.3%) within <i>Blastocystis</i>, and assemblages B (60.0%) and A (40.0%) within <i>G. duodenalis</i>. The burden of these intestinal parasitic infections underscores the need for sustainable public health interventions and targeted investment, measures that can make a significant impact on the health status and wellbeing of the affected communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"629-649"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525990/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865416","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":"Unusual subcutaneous tumor caused by <i>Dracunculus</i> sp. in Vietnam: integrated clinical, parasitological, imaging, and molecular evidence.","authors":"Thi Hai Nguyen, Thi Hong Anh Vu, Thi Thu Trang Nguyen, Ngoc Anh Do","doi":"10.1007/s12639-026-01906-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-026-01906-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Unusual manifestations of <i>Dracunculus</i> infection pose diagnostic challenges, particularly in non-endemic regions. This study reports a descriptive clinical and parasitological investigation of an atypical tumor-like presentation of human dracunculiasis in Vietnam. Clinical, imaging, and parasitological examinations were performed on a patient with an ivory-white cyst initially suspected to be a soft-tissue tumor. The parasite was extracted and identified based on its morphological and molecular features. The active movement of the worm was documented using video recordings. A live nematode was detected within a cyst lesion and identified as <i>Dracunculus</i> sp. based on 18 S rDNA sequence data. To our knowledge, this represents the first documented tumor-like presentation of human dracunculiasis in Vietnam, supported by live visual documentation. This study highlights an atypical manifestation of dracunculiasis that can mimic a soft tissue tumor. Recognition of such atypical presentations is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective management, particularly in regions where Dracunculus infection is rare and may be asymptomatic.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-026-01906-7.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"741-745"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525975/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865419","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":"Seasonal dynamics and prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in sheep of Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, India.","authors":"Aisha Shabir, Md Niamat Ali, Hidayatullah Tak, Abid Hussain Bhat","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01892-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01892-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastrointestinal (GI) helminths are a major constraint on sheep productivity in Jammu and Kashmir, India. This study assessed the prevalence and seasonal dynamics of GI helminths in sheep from the Poonch district between April 2021 and March 2022. A total of 224 gastrointestinal tracts were examined, and helminths were identified using standard parasitological techniques. Overall, 64.3% of sheep were infected, with nematodes being the most dominant group. <i>Haemonchus contortus</i> showed the highest prevalence (48.2%), followed by <i>Trichuris ovis</i> (35.7%) and the cestode <i>Moniezia expansa</i> (28.5%). Trematodes such as <i>Paramphistomum cervi</i> (15.9%) and <i>Dicrocoelium dendriticum</i> (12.3%) were also recorded, along with the nematode <i>Bunostomum trigonocephalum</i> (9.4%). Mixed infections were frequent (83.3%), most commonly involving <i>H. contortus</i>, <i>M. expansa</i>, and <i>T. ovis</i>. Prevalence was significantly higher in summer (87.5%) and lowest in winter (44.6%), reflecting the influence of climatic factors on transmission dynamics. No significant difference was observed between males and females. These findings demonstrate a substantial burden of GI helminths in sheep of Poonch district, with clear seasonal patterns that can inform targeted control strategies. Such interventions are essential for improving small ruminant health, productivity, and rural livelihoods in the region.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01892-2.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"673-683"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13526004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865442","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":"A novel therapeutic potential of the anti-hiv ritonavir against <i>Blastocystis hominis</i>: a dual approach in vitro and in vivo.","authors":"Doaa A Balaha, Sirria M Elmarhoumy, Nabila A Yassen, Dina M Abou Rayia, Hend S Abo Safia, Mona M Tolba","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01876-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01876-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Blastocystis hominis</i> (<i>B. hominis</i>) is one of the most prevalent enteric protists. Treatment is challenging because the standard drug, metronidazole, has reported treatment failures and drug resistance in some instances. This highlights the need for new, active, safe, and more efficient alternatives. The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of ritonavir (an anti-HIV protease inhibitor) compared to metronidazole against <i>B. hominis</i>. Concerning the in vitro study<b>,</b> three cultures were used as follows: inoculated un-treated, metronidazole-treated, and ritonavir-treated. Parasite count and scanning electron microscopy were assessed. The in vivo study was done on 40 laboratory- bred albino mice, which were divided into four groups (each of ten) as follows: non-infected un-treated, infected un-treated group, metronidazole-treated, and ritonavir-treated. The effects of treatment were assessed by parasitological study, histopathological examination of the intestine, and immunohistochemical evaluation of immunoglobulin A (IgA) expression. Moreover, ELISA measurement of the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α was done. For the in vitro findings, ritonavir revealed a high efficacy in comparison with metronidazole in decreasing the parasite count and showed effective surface changes. For the in vivo findings, there was a highly significant decrease in the parasite count in stool and intestinal contents with marked improvement of the histopathological changes as compared to the infected un-treated group with increasing the expression of IgA. Moreover, there was a highly significant reduction in the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α. In conclusion, ritonavir was found to be effective against <i>B. hominis</i> with anti-inflammatory and immune stimulatory effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 3","pages":"614-628"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525991/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865134","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}