Journal of Parasitic Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Unravelling therapeutic potentials of <i>Solanum anomalum</i> fruits: antiplasmodial, hepatoprotective, and anti-oxidative stress activities, semi-purification, GC-MS, and in silico profiling.","authors":"Martin Osita Anagboso, Edet Effiong Asanga, Chinedum Martins Ekeleme, Jude Efiom Okokon, Samuel James Offor, Imaobong Etima Udoh, Aniekeme Ndisa Inyang","doi":"10.1007/s12639-024-01767-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-024-01767-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The high prevalence rate of malaria due to the proliferation of drug-resistant strains of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> could mitigate the realization of sustainable development goals in Nigeria, necessitating research on the discovery of novel chemotherapies against resistant strains of the parasite. However, <i>Solanum anomalum</i> with ethnopharmacological claims could foster this breakthrough, prompting an investigation on the antiplasmodial and hepatoprotective activities of the plant's fruit, semi-purification and characterization of its constituents, as well as in silico studies on its compounds.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Standard protocols were employed for the semi-purification and characterization; evaluation of antiplasmodial and hepatoprotective assays; retrieval of target proteins from PDB, ADMET, and docking studies. Column and thin layer chromatography and GC-MS aided the semi-purification and characterization of compounds; PKCSM and ADMET Lab 2 enhanced the evaluation of pharmacokinetic properties; AutoDock Vina and PyRx for docking analysis; and Biovia Discovery Studio and PyMol software for the visualization of interactions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The n-hexane extract (20 g) (with the best antiplasmodial therapeutic index) undergone chromatographic analyses and yielded bulked column fractions (A-H); fraction A (1459 mg) was further semi-purified to column sub-fractions A3 (18 mg), A4 (27 mg), and A9 (14 mg); their GC-MS analyses revealed 5-cyano-3-methyoxymethylene cholestane; morphinan-6,10-diol; phthalic acid; protocatechic acid, etc. In silico studies revealed the above lead compounds with better binding affinities to chloroquine, non-inhibition of mono-oxygenases, ease of excretion, non-carcinogenicity, as well as non-violation of Lipinski's criteria. Moreover, the mice's treatment caused increases in SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH but decreased in MDA, ALT, AST, and ALP, total and conjugated bilirubin levels, with little pathological changes in the liver's histological section that contrasted the evidence in the negative control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The lead compounds were responsible for <i>Solanum anomalum</i> fruit's antiplasmodial, antioxidative stress, and hepatoprotective activities through the inhibition of DHFR, PfEMP-1, and plasmepsin X activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"617-637"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399468/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992672","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 anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i> effects of lipid nanoparticles carrying tea tree oil on <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> tachyzoites in Vero cells.","authors":"Fatemeh Alipour Khonakdari, Hamed Mirjalali, Farzaneh Hosseini, Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi, Hossein Pazoki, Zahra Hesari, Sara Nemati","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01786-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01786-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a protozoan parasite that infects more than a third of the world's population. The drugs used today to treat toxoplasmosis cause severe side effects in many people and have poor success in treating chronic infections. In the current study, oil extracted from tea leaf was loaded into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and its anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i> properties were analyzed. The double emulsification technique was employed to provide SLNs and their physical characteristics were assessed using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Cell toxicity and anti-intracellular <i>Toxoplasma</i> activity were investigated using a MTT assay. The anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i> activity of Tea tree oil (TTO)-SLNs was evaluated through trypan-blue staining. The TTO-SLNs were round with a mean particle size of 85.23 nm and clear and stable margins. An association was observed between the cell toxicity of TTO-SLNs with the concentration of the component (<i>P</i>-value = 0.009). The cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) against <i>Toxoplasma</i> was > 10 mg/mL, while it was concentration-dependent (<i>P</i>-value < 0.0001). the viability of <i>T. gondii</i>- infected Vero cells were higher in lower concentrations of TTO-SLNs (<i>P</i>-value = 0.0174), while at least 80% of <i>T. gondii-</i> infected Vero cells remaining alive at concentrations greater than >1 mg/mL. Overall, our findings demonstrated high anti-<i>T. gondii</i> properties of TTO-SLNs, suggesting a promising role of SLNs in carrying TTO. In addition, our findings showed prolonged release of the TTO from SLNs capsulation of the can lead to, suggesting the potential of TTO-SLNs for applications in the chronic phase (cyst stages), which should be further investigated in animal models.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"691-700"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399466/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992717","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":"Exploring the anthelmintic potential of some fabaceous plants: a comprehensive review.","authors":"Sowmyalakshmi Venkataraman, Kanakambigai Marimuthu, Janani Palani, Basithrehman Sathick Batcha, Abdul Rahman Badusha Amanulla, Jayanth Arul, Rajesh Kumar Ravichandran, Sameerkhan Sithik Rahuman","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01797-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01797-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parasites have long been a source of concern in medicine, with helminths thought to be responsible for a wide range of disorders in humans and animals. In traditional systems of medicine, a great range of medicinal plants are reported to have anthelmintic properties and are used by ethnic groups all over the world. Even with the availability of several synthetic medications in the market, a revival of herbal and natural drug usage is clearly considered in this day. Nearly 80% of the world's population, mostly in urban areas, use traditional medicine. As a result, the necessity to explore plants for therapy has grown in importance. Various peer-reviewed publications and reputable search engines were thoroughly reviewed in order to collect information about phytochemical constituents, anthelmintic activity and other activities of some plants in the fabaceae family. Most of the plants in the Fabaceae family possess anthelmintic activity and this review provides a comprehensive list of a few medicinal plants from this family. Among the phytoconstituents present in these plants, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, phenolic compounds etc. have been attributed to have anthelmintic activities. The present review consolidates the anthelmintic activities shown by different plants from the fabaceae family. This work will be of great importance to the researchers who work on isolation of various phytochemicals from the herbs such that the same can be utilized as a formulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"513-522"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399467/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992730","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":"Gastric equine myiasis: prevalence, pathogenesis, molecular and serological implications.","authors":"Marwa M Attia, Hussein M Omar","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01782-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01782-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to collect data on the most common parasites of the family equidae which is <i>Gasterophilus</i> spp. During this study we focused on the prevalence rate in the world; the distribution of the six known species: life cycle and the pathogenesis of the larvae inside the hosts were investigated around the world. Molecular as well as serological diagnoses were analyzed. Possible treatment strategies which were fully studied; are also, included. <i>Gasterophilus intestinalis</i> (<i>G. intestinalis</i>) and <i>G. nasalis</i> larvae are the main present larvae in equine; other species, such as <i>G. haemorrhoidalis</i>, <i>G. inermis</i>, and <i>G. pecorum</i> may be present. Although the female flies' egg-laying behavior can annoy horses and cause them to behave abnormally to escape the flies, clinical indications in equine are obtained from the presence and lesions generated by the larvae in the host's digestive tract. Oral, gingival, or lingual irritation, inflammation, or necrosis that can cause feeding difficulties, dysphagia, and, as a result, weight loss and impaired physical condition (particularly in young animals), as well as digestive disorders brought on by L2 and L3 larvae attached to the stomach or intestinal wall (inflammation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, ulcers, gastric rupture, intramural gastric suppuration, gastroduodenal perforation and gastroeophageal reflux, peritonitis, and death).</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"489-497"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399486/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992755","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":"Overview of the host immune response to <i>P. falciparum</i> malaria.","authors":"Samuel Antwi-Baffour, Benjamin Tetteh Mensah, Lawrence Annison","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01802-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01802-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The host immune response to malaria is a complex interplay between the parasite, Plasmodium, and the human immune system. Upon infection, various components of the immune system, including innate and adaptive responses, are mobilized to combat the parasite. Innate immunity provides the initial defense, with cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells recognizing and responding to the parasite. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines are released to coordinate the immune response. The adaptive immune response, primarily involving T and B lymphocytes, plays a crucial role in controlling and eliminating the parasite. T cells recognize and destroy infected cells, while B cells produce antibodies that target specific antigens on the parasite's surface. These antibodies can neutralize the parasite, block its invasion of host cells, and facilitate its clearance by phagocytes. However, the development of protective immunity against malaria is complex and influenced by various factors, including parasite diversity, host genetics, and prior exposure to the parasite. While some individuals develop partial immunity over time, others remain susceptible to severe disease. Understanding the intricacies of the host immune response to malaria is essential for the development of effective vaccines and therapies to combat this global health burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"548-564"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399490/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992800","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":"Ciliate parasite <i>Ichthyophthirius multifiliis</i> causing acute mortality in tiger barb (<i>Puntigrus tetrazona</i>, Bleeker, 1855) and widow tetra (<i>Gymnocorymbus ternetzi</i>, Boulenger, 1895).","authors":"Husne Banu, Himanshu S Swain, R Bharathi Rathinam, Pradeep Kumar Singh, Makamguang Kamei","doi":"10.1007/s12639-024-01776-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-024-01776-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A mixed group of tiger barb (<i>Puntigrus tetrazona</i>) and different colored glo widow tetra (<i>Gymnocorymbus ternetzi</i>) were procured from Galiff street market of Kolkata, India and stocked in a glass aquarium with 250L water capacity for ornamental fish decorative purpose. After a few days of stocking, fishes were (mean weight of 1.8 ± 0.5 g and mean length 5.0 ± 0.3 cm) found severely infected with white spot disease. Initially, the manifestation was clearly observed in Tiger barb followed by widow tetra with clinical signs of white spot, loss of fin, complete loss of gill filaments, and anorexia. The causative agent was identified as protozoan ciliate parasite <i>Ichthyophthirius multifiliis</i>, by wet mount preparation. The histopathological observation of infected fish skin tissue depicts that epidermis were severely damaged and presence of trophozoite parasite in dermis near the blood vessels. Molecular characterization of the parasitic pathogen was carried out by partial18s rDNA sequencing and the obtained sequences were showing 100% similarity with previously reported Indian <i>I. multifiliis</i> sequence.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"686-690"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992727","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":"Antiplasmodial and immunomodulatory activities of dichloromethane extract of <i>Stachytarpheta jamaicensis</i> in <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> infected mice.","authors":"E C Amaechi, O A Owolodun, K O Lambe","doi":"10.1007/s12639-024-01778-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-024-01778-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increased resistance of malaria parasite to first line antimalarial drugs has led to the search for alternatives in the management of malaria. This study evaluated the anti-plasmodial and immunomodulatory effect of dichloromethane plant extract of <i>Stachytarpheta jamaicensis</i> in <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> infected mice. Chloroquine-resistant <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> infected mice were separated into five treatment groups (200 mg/Kg, 400 mg/Kg, and 600 mg/Kg) with a negative control (given distilled water only) and a positive control (treated with Piperaquine-Dihydro-artemisinin), a standard drug. The plant extracts and the standard drugs were administered orally. Parasitological examinations and survival rates of the animals were monitored for 30 days, post infection. Phytochemical screening of the plant extract was performed using the standard method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to ascertain the immunomodulatory potential of the plant extract. Leaf extract of <i>S. jamaicensis</i> revealed the presence of alkaloids only. The extract showed significant (<i>P</i> < 0.05) antiplasmodial effect on Day 11 post-infection and at 200 mg/kg dose mediated parasite clearance and improved survival throughout the study. The intense and sustained TGF-β level stimulated by <i>S. jamaicensis</i> at 200 mg/kg dose may have translated into the prolonged survival observed in the mice. <i>S. jamaicensis</i> modulated both pro and anti-inflammatory responses in early and late infections, thus preventing pathological outcomes associated with excessive expression of the pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β) cytokines. <i>S. jamaicensis</i> may therefore be explored as alternatives for development of novel antimalarial and immunomodulatory candidates.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"591-602"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399477/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992734","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":"Anti-onchocerca activity, toxicity and induced biochemical changes of <i>Allanblackia</i> <i>floribunda</i> and <i>Symphonia</i> <i>globulifera</i> stem bark methanolic extracts in mice.","authors":"Fotabong Emmanuel Fotso, Anastasie Ewola Tih, Woquan Sama, Moses Njutain Ngemenya","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01780-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01780-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human onchocerciasis has devastating pathological effects and the control relies on community directed treatment with ivermectin. However, ivermectin is only microfilaricidal and threatened by potential resistance in the parasite among other limitations. <i>Allanblackia floribunda</i> and <i>Symphonia globulifera</i>, with reported antiparasitic activity, were tested for anti-onchocerca activity and toxicity. The activity of methanol extracts of the stem barks were determined on <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> adult male worms and microfilariae by motility reduction and adult female worms using MTT/Formazan assay. Cytotoxicity of extracts was assessed on monkey kidney epithelial cells, LLCMK2. Acute toxicity was investigated in mice and biochemical changes in the liver and kidney were assessed. High and moderate activities were recorded for <i>S. globulifera</i> and <i>A. floribunda</i> extracts with IC₅₀ values of 4.37 and 37.4 µg/mL respectively. Both extracts were not cytotoxic (CC₅₀ > 130 µg/mL), and no significant changes (<i>p</i> > 0.05), were recorded for the liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and the kidney function parameters (creatinine and urea). This study has revealed that <i>S. globulifera</i> and <i>A. floribunda</i> possess high and moderate anti-onchocerca activities respectively with a low risk of toxicity, hence could be exploited in traditional medicine as an alternative treatment for onchocerciasis. Both plants are potential sources of efficacious anti-onchocerca natural products which should be isolated and also studied.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"645-651"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992686","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":"Circulation aspects of phlebotomines (Diptera: <i>Psychodidae</i>) and their potential implications in the transmission of American cutaneous leishmaniasis within Nova Vida settlement in the municipality of Ulianópolis, Pará State, Brazil.","authors":"Alessandro Cardoso Rodrigues, Edna Aoba Yassui Ishikawa, Thiago Vasconcelos Dos Santos","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01779-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01779-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study aimed to identify phlebotomine species associated with American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) transmission in Ulianópolis, Brazil, examining their relationship with deforested areas. Using CDC light traps, 1,676 phlebotomine were collected, with a composition of 43% males and 57% females, identifying thirteen species, with <i>Evandromyia evandroi</i> and <i>Nyssomyia whitmani</i> as the most prevalent. Despite the limited clinical relevance of <i>Ev. evandroi</i>, its substantial prevalence raised concerns regarding potential transmission of <i>Leishmania</i> spp. The abundance of <i>Ny. whitmani</i> was attributed to favourable climatic conditions in Ulianópolis. Phlebotomine distribution varied across collection points and environments, with Point C exhibiting the highest species diversity. Notably, species including the <i>Bi. flaviscutellata</i>, <i>Ps. complexus</i>, and <i>Ps. davisi</i> were predominantly found in forested areas, necessitating further investigation into their role in ACL transmission dynamics. The absence of <i>Leishmania</i> spp. DNA and mammalian blood meals in phlebotomine suggested potential factors affecting parasite survival, including gut enzymes and interactions within the microbiota. This study associated the heightened incidence of ACL in Ulianópolis to extensive deforestation, which has resulted in phlebotomine migration to residential areas a consequence of habitat degradation. This environmental degradation, associated with agribusiness expansion and housing development, underscores the urgency for continuous monitoring and expanded research on phlebotomine behaviour, infection mechanisms, and conservation efforts to mitigate ACL incidence in the region.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-025-01779-2.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 3","pages":"603-616"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12399465/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144992684","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":"Seroprevalence of <i>Toxocara</i> spp. infection among pregnant women in Jahrom city in Fars province, southern Iran.","authors":"Yasaman Karimi, Abazar Roustazadeh, Hamed Mir, Kavous Solhjoo, Manoochehr Shabani, Enayatollah Shadmand, Ali Taghipour, Amir Abdoli, Bahareh Bahadori Mazidi","doi":"10.1007/s12639-024-01755-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-024-01755-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Toxocara</i> spp. infection can cause systemic and ocular disease in infants and pregnant women. In this study, the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of <i>Toxocara</i> spp. infection were investigated in pregnant women from Jahrom county, Fars province, southern Iran. A total of 220 serum samples from pregnant women were assessed for the presence of <i>Toxocara</i> spp. IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The associated risk factors were obtained using questionnaires. The seroprevalence was 16.36% (36/220) among pregnant women. As such, a statistically significant association was found between age (39 ≤ years old with <i>P-</i>value: 0.009), consuming raw vegetables (<i>P-</i>value: 0.001), and eating raw or undercooked meat (<i>P-</i>value: 0.04). We recommend an appropriate health education program for pregnant women and serological screening for toxocariasis before pregnancy. Moreover, we believed a need for more epidemiological studies for better understand the status of <i>Toxocara</i> spp. in pregnant women.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"49 2","pages":"281-286"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12126420/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144208721","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}