Journal of Parasitic Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Ticks infestation on household dogs and their zoonotic implications: a comparative study from two states in Nigeria.","authors":"Victor Ibukun Agbajelola, Dolapo Eunice Adigun, Olufarati Oludunsin Falohun, Blessing Seun Ayanyemi","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01850-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01850-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of significant veterinary and public health importance, transmitting a wide array of zoonotic pathogens to both animals and humans. Understanding tick infestation patterns in different regions is crucial for effective control and prevention strategies. This study aimed to assess and compare tick infestations in household dogs across two regions in Nigeria, Minna (Niger State) and Ibadan (Oyo State), to evaluate regional variations in tick intensity and their zoonotic implications. A total of 392 dogs were sampled, yielding 1,385 ticks, with <i>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</i> being the most prevalent species (91.4%), followed by <i>Boophilus</i> sp. (5.4%) and <i>Haemaphysalis</i> sp. (3.2%). Younger dogs (< 1 year) harbored most ticks, with infestation patterns significantly associated with the dog's age (χ² = 32.512, p < 0.001), sex and household roles, and management practices. Dogs in Ibadan exhibited a higher mean tick intensity (7.98) compared to Minna (1.55), as confirmed by the Mann-Whitney U test (U = 0.0, p < 0.001). Infestation rates also varied by household roles and management practices; caged dogs in Ibadan were predominantly infested with <i>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis</i> sp., while free-range dogs in Minna were more commonly infested with <i>Boophilus</i> sp. The zoonotic risks associated with tick-borne pathogens, including <i>Rickettsia</i> sp<i>.</i> and <i>Babesia</i> sp<i>.</i>, highlight the urgent need for integrated tick control strategies. These should include regular acaricide application, improved dog management practices, and public health campaigns to raise awareness of zoonotic risks. This study provides critical insights into the regional dynamics of tick infestation and offers recommendations for mitigating the public health burden of tick-borne diseases in Nigeria.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"284-290"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143674","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 characterization of <b><i>Rhadinorhynchus</i></b> sp. from the Nile perch <b><i>Lates niloticus</i></b> (Linnaeus), with a special reference to hyperparasitism.","authors":"Amna M El-Siefy, Mohammed H Ibraheem, Shafik D Ibrahim, Shams G Abd El-Kareem","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01859-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01859-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous studies revealed a systematic misunderstanding on the nomenclature of <i>Rhadinorhynchus niloticus</i>, where two different species shared the same scientific name: <i>R. niloticus</i> Meyer, 1932 and <i>R</i>. <i>niloticus</i> Mohamadain, 1989. <i>Rhadinorhynchus</i> sp. of the present study were collected from the intestine of <i>Lates niloticus</i> (Linnaeus) in Egypt, and examined using scanning electron microscopy and ITS Ribosomal RNA analysis. The results revealed specific characteristics concerning the number and arrangement of proboscis hooks, body spination in the adult and, for the first time, in the juvenile. The findings of the present parasite were compared with the previously described related species including <i>Tenuisentis niloticus</i> (Meyer 1932) (previously identified as <i>R. niloticus</i> Meyer, 1932). The presence of trunk spines, specific proboscis hooks number, double-walled proboscis receptacle, leminci shorter than receptacle, tubular cement glands and egg shape definitively exclude our specimen from being <i>T. niloticus</i>, as this genus has different characters. Moreover, the results obtained from the molecular analysis confirmed the genetic difference. Further studies are needed to verify if the present specimen is a new species. A single worm has been found hyperparasitized by clusters of rod-shaped bacteria attaching to the tegument; this may be considered as the first record of bacterial hyperparasitism and their associated pathology on Acanthocephala. Granulomatous lesions and some necrosis associated with tegumental disintegration have been encountered. Future collaborative research is suggested that leads to the potential use of bacteria as a means of biological control to Acanthocephalan infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"348-361"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222142/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143671","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":"Application of machine learning models in predicting malaria prevalence in Nigeria: an analysis of the 2015-2020 demographic and health surveys.","authors":"Thecla Okeahunwa Ayoka, Charles Okeke Nnadi","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01880-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01880-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria is a major public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries, where majority of malaria cases and deaths occur. This study developed a machine learning (ML) model to accurately diagnose malaria in rural communities in Nigeria, based on patients' symptoms and other clinical information, using low-cost and readily available diagnostic tools. The model was trained on a 2020 Nigerian Demographic and Health Surveys Program Geospatial Covariate datasets containing clinical information of patients in Nigeria. ML approaches were preferred over traditional statistical methods due to their ability to handle high-dimensional, non-linear relationships and interactions among a diverse set of variables. Regression based-algorithms were used to identify and predict patterns as a continuous outcome allowing finer-grained spatial and demographic insights than binary classification would predict. The models underwent rigorous validation using cross validation and holdout testing to assess generalizability and minimize overfitting. The closeness of the predicted malaria incidence scores and the experimental scores indicates the robustness of the ML model. The coefficient determination scores of random forest regressor (RFR), multiple linear regression, and ridge models were 0.9937, 0.9916, and 0.9924 respectively for the test set. This demonstrates the competence of the models' prediction abilities. The RFR model's learning curve results showed a recurring pattern. The model's performance on the test dataset consistently improved as the volume of data increased. By shifting from reactive diagnostics to proactive risk prediction, health authorities can more effectively allocate resources, improve intervention timing, and reach underserved rural communities with precision.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-025-01880-6.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"431-443"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222145/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143672","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":"Redescription of <i>Alboglossiphonia pahariensis</i> Nasemann and Sharma, 2007 with the first record of <i>Alboglossiphonia bhamoensis</i> Bolotov et al., 2022 from India (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae).","authors":"Sorokhaibam Samita, Samandram Sushilkumar Singh, Sorokhaibam Mexico Singh, N Mohilal","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01853-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01853-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Study on the diversity of freshwater leeches especially those associated with molluscs have been of great interest. During such a course of study several snails were collected from various regions of Manipur and examined for the presence of leeches. Two known species of aquatic leech of the genus <i>Alboglossiphonia</i> of the family Glossiphonidae were recovered. <i>Alboglossiphonia pahariensis,</i> having longitudinal stripes, gonopore location at 28-29 annuli, last crop caeca with 4 secondary branches and bigger size of paramedian and paralateral papillae have been redescribed. <i>Alboglossiphonia bhamoensis</i>, had been reported as first record from India. The characters included presence of small lanceolate body, dorsum with 18 transverse black stripes, dorsal median line and posterior sucker diameter equivalent to the maximum body width. New sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) had been generated for <i>A. pahariensis.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"309-318"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222138/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143739","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":"Geographic Patterns and Drivers of Paediatric Malaria in Nigeria: Walking in the shadow of Poverty.","authors":"Tolulope Osayomi, Oluwatomi Adeyinka Adedun","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01864-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01864-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Paediatric malaria is a major cause of child mortality in Nigeria. Despite the numerous antimalaria interventions, paediatric malaria remains a major public health concern in the country. An understanding of the geographic pattern of paediatric malaria in the country would therefore assist policymakers and the government in making informed decisions on malaria elimination. This study aimed to examine the geographic pattern of paediatric malaria in Nigeria, and identify their climatic, demographic, environmental, and socio-economic drivers. Data used in this study were from published sources. Spatial analytical techniques including Global Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* were used to determine the degree of spatial clustering of paediatric malaria and identify hotspot regions for paediatric malaria in each year. We found that paediatric malaria in Nigeria significantly clustered in space. Hotspots were identified in different areas across the study periods while coldspots were generally found in the southwest corner of Nigeria. Stepwise linear regression analysis identified poverty (R² = 0.43.5) as the dominant predictor of paediatric malaria in Nigeria. The study concludes that free anti-malaria treatment for children and poverty reduction <i>inter alia</i> may be required to reduce the malaria burden in Nigeria.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"467-480"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222146/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143185","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":"Environmental and human drivers of cercarial emergence in freshwater snails of the Maha Oya River, Sri Lanka.","authors":"Lakshmi Sakunthala, Rupika S Rajakaruna, Gajaba Ellepola, Nuwandi U K Pathirana","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01884-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01884-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Snail-borne trematodiases remain an underrecognized public health concern in Sri Lanka. From May to December 2024, this study assessed the diversity and prevalence of cercarial emergence in freshwater snails from the Maha Oya River and examined environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing infection patterns. A total of four snail species were collected monthly across six sites, with <i>Pseudoplotia scabra</i> being the most abundant (73.9%) followed by <i>Melanoides tuberculata</i> (19.7%). Cercarial emergence was observed only in <i>P. scabra</i> and <i>M. tuberculata</i>, with three morphotypes identified: pleurolophocercous, furcocercous, and gymnocephalous. Identifications of both snails and cercariae were based solely on morphology; no molecular confirmation was performed. The overall prevalence was 7.1%, highest in <i>M. tuberculata</i>, while no cercariae were detected in <i>Gyraulus rotula</i> or <i>Radix luteola</i>. Water quality measurements (e.g., dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids) and human activity records (e.g., solid waste dumping, washing clothes, fishing) were analyzed using redundancy analysis (RDA), showing that degraded water conditions and elevated anthropogenic activities were significantly associated with higher cercarial prevalence, and overall snail abundance was positively correlated with these factors. Although seasonal variation was limited, furcocercous cercariae (morphologically consistent with schistosomes) were present at sites with frequent human-water contact, highlighting potential transmission risks. These findings emphasize the links between environmental degradation, human behavior, and parasitic risk, underscoring the need for integrated strategies to manage snail-borne diseases and safeguard freshwater health in tropical ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"481-492"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222158/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143208","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":"Gross and histopathological observations and genetic diversity of <i>Eimeria</i> species isolated from the liver and bile duct of experimentally infected rabbits in Iraq.","authors":"Maulood M Shather, Dalia Ahmed Kalef, Omar Hussein Khalaf, Maab Salah Jameel","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01866-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01866-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coccidiosis is a serious disease in rabbits, can affect both the liver and intestines. Hepatic coccidiosis is caused by <i>Eimeria stiedae</i>, which inhabits the liver and bile ducts. In this study, 294 fecal samples were collected from local rabbits in Baghdad. Although, oocysts with distinctive morphology were found in the liver and bile ducts, they resembled those of intestinal species. To investigate this, experimental infections were conducted along with molecular identification techniques. Experimentally infected rabbits showed dilated bile ducts with developmental stages of <i>Eimeria</i> embedded in hyperplastic epithelium. PCR analysis of the <i>ITS1</i> region revealed that some isolates (Iq1-Iq3) had limited similarity with the known <i>E. stiedae</i>, while one (Iq4) was genetically closer to <i>E. irresidua.</i> These findings highlight the morphological overlap between hepatic and intestinal <i>Eimeria</i> species. The observed difference across isolates, may represent local species adaptability, host-parasite interactions, or even new species variety underline the need for molecular diagnosis to ensure accurate identification.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"384-392"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222372/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143195","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":"Correction: Natural compound malabaricone conjugated with silver nanoparticle as an antiamoebic agent against primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>.","authors":"Kavitha Rajendran, Devandran Apparasamy, Niwasini Krishna Kumar, Usman Ahmed, Haema Thevanayagam, Muhamad Aqmal Othman, Ayaz Anwar","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01902-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12639-025-01902-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s12639-025-01886-0.].</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"508"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222369/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143222","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 brief review on herbal extracts and essential oils for the control of <i>Demodex</i> spp. mites.","authors":"Azar Simin, Farzad Jahangiri, Zahraa Neamah Abbas, Hananeh Sarkhani, Mohamad Aghil Ghaffarifar, Najla Hamidianfar, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01855-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01855-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Demodex</i> mites, particularly <i>Demodex folliculorum</i> and <i>Demodex brevis</i>, are common ectoparasites residing in human pilosebaceous units, often implicated in dermatological and ocular conditions such as rosacea, blepharitis, and demodicosis. Conventional treatments include topical acaricides such as ivermectin, permethrin, and metronidazole; however, these agents may be associated with limited efficacy, resistance, and adverse effects. Consequently, there has been growing scientific interest in exploring alternative therapies derived from natural sources, particularly essential oils and herbal extracts with known acaricidal, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The goal of this review was to investigate the effects of herbal extracts and essential oils on <i>Demodex</i> spp. Mites in skin and hair, as well as how these parasites operate and what impact they have on people's health. <i>Demodex</i> parasites are small arthropods that reside on the outer surface of the skin and often have no specific clinical symptoms. The main cause of disease in humans is two types of <i>Demodex</i> mites, <i>Demodex folliculorum</i> and <i>brevis</i>. Currently, chemical drugs that target <i>Demodex</i> usually have side effects and low efficacy. However, research has shown that plant extracts and essential oils such as tea tree oil have acceptable effects on the treatment of <i>Demodex</i> parasites and have fewer side effects. Therefore, applying these techniques may be a more suitable choice for treating demodicosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"253-257"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222370/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143700","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 cutaneous leishmaniasis in Algeria, 2010-2019.","authors":"Razika Boukert, Asma Amina Foughali, Dahia Saidj, Sana Kalthoum, Sérine Achour, Naima Sahraoui","doi":"10.1007/s12639-025-01847-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01847-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to estimate both the number and annual incidences of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Algeria over a ten-year period (2010-2019). A retrospective study was conducted using data from all clinically officially notified cases reported between 2010 and 2019. These cases were obtained from the annual reports of the National Institute of Public Health, Algeria. The study showed that 93,838 cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis were recorded in Algeria. M'Sila reported the highest number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases during this period (28,836), followed by Biskra (20,549). In contrast, the lowest numbers of cases were registered in Mostaganem (2). Cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were recorded in all 48 provinces of Algeria. The highest number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was recorded in 2010, totaling 21,052. However, the lowest number of cases was reported in 2012, with only 57 cases. The peak annual incidence rate, 59.77 per 100,000 humans was recorded in 2010. In the same year, Biskra had the highest annual incidence rate of human cutaneous leishmaniasis (817.17). Conversely, the lowest annual incidence rate was recorded in 2012, at 0.16 per 100,000 humans. In 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, Biskra registered the highest annual incidence rates, with 817.17, 540.99, 289.65, and 141.39 per 100,000 humans, respectively. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in many provinces of Algeria. To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study of cutaneous leishmaniasis covering all 48 provinces of Algeria during the period 2010-2019.</p>","PeriodicalId":16664,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","volume":"50 2","pages":"319-331"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13222374/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143149","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}