Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"First molecular confirmation of the presence of Hippobosca longipennis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) and infestation of sheltered dogs in Morocco.","authors":"Maria Bourquia, Abderrahmane Zahri, Mehdi Ahlamine, Thomas Balenghien, Paula Meyer, Felix Gregor Sauer, Renke Lühken","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06830-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06830-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hippobosca longipennis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that infests a wide range of vertebrate hosts across Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is a potential vector of Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) and serves as a phoretic host for Cheyletiella yasguri (Acari: Cheyletiellidae), a known causative agent of dermatitis in both dogs and humans. Due to the lack of data on hippoboscids in Morocco, this study aimed to investigate the louse fly fauna of sheltered dogs in the country as well as the filarial nematodes they may harbor.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between April and November 2022, 230 sheltered dogs from four cities in Central Morocco were randomly examined as part of an entomological and epidemiological study on arthropod vectors and canine vector-borne pathogens. All visible louse flies on the domestic dogs were randomly collected and then morphologically and molecularly identified. DNA was subsequently extracted for screening of filarial nematodes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 30 dogs (13.1%) were infested with 35 H. longipennis louse flies, consisting of 33 adults (10 males, 19 non-gravid females, and four gravid females) and two larvae. Two representative specimens were confirmed through DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. All fly pools (gravid females, non-gravid females, males, and larvae) tested negative for filarial nematodes in the 12S rRNA PCR.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study represents the first morphological and molecular characterization of H. longipennis flies in Morocco. Further national-scale investigations are needed to address gaps in the knowledge of unrecorded hippoboscid species and the pathogens of medical and veterinary importance that they may carry.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"193"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144161014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geographic distribution of Orientia tsutsugamushi strains on chigger mites in the Republic of Korea (2021-2023).","authors":"Hyeon Seung Lee, Byung-Eon Noh, Hyunwoo Kim, Heeil Lee","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06839-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06839-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Scrub typhus is caused by the larvae of chigger mites infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi, and many cases are reported globally. The virulence and prevalence of O. tsutsugamushi varies depending on the strain and region. Understanding the geographic distribution of O. tsutsugamushi strains is necessary for the prevention, control, surveillance, and future research on scrub typhus.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Chigger mites were collected from wild rodents at 16 sites across the Republic of Korea (ROK) between 2021 and 2023. Molecular diagnosis of O. tsutsugamushi was performed on half of the collected chigger mites. After confirmation, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed. To confirm the geographic distribution of O. tsutsugamushi strains in chigger mites, the ROK was divided into three regions on the basis of latitude and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 135,204 chigger mites were collected from 1589 wild rodents. Half of the chigger mites were divided into 2928 pools for diagnosis of O. tsutsugamushi infection, of which, 152 pools were positive, resulting in a minimum infection rate of 0.22%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed six types of O. tsutsugamushi strains, including Karp-related (35.5%), Kato-related (17.8%), Boryong (15.8%), Saitama-related (15.1%), Gilliam-related (6.6%), and Simokoshi (1.3%). Additionally, strains exhibit distinct geographical distribution. The Karp-related strains were predominant and mainly distributed in the central region. Gilliam-related and Boryong strains were found in the northern, central, and southern regions, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results demonstrate that the predominant O. tsutsugamushi strains in the ROK are Karp-related, with each strain being geographically separate. Changes in the geographic distribution, transmission routes, and other aspects of mite-borne diseases due to globalization and climate change will require continued surveillance and further research for prevention and control.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"192"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144161016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of latent infection of Toxoplasma gondii strains with different genotypes on mouse behavior and brain transcripts.","authors":"Bei-Bei Zhou, Hong-Jie Dong, Hang Sun, Xiao-Man Xie, Huan-Huan Xie, Wen-Ju Zhu, Ya-Nan Li, Chao Xu, Jian-Ping Cao, Gui-Hua Zhao, Kun Yin","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06819-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06819-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe damage to immunodeficient hosts, and also compromise brain structure and function in immunocompetent hosts during latent infection. In China, the two different isolates, Chinese I (ToxoDB#9) and Chinese III are dominant epidemic strains widely spreading in humans and domestic animals and can lead to latent infection in host brain tissues, but the comparison of their manipulation patterns and mechanisms remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Tachyzoites of the TgWh6 (Wh6) strain and the TgCtLHG (LHG) strain were used for establishing in vitro infection models within mouse microglia BV2 cells, and the differences in their invasion and proliferation patterns were observed. C57BL/6 J mice were used to establish in vivo latent infection models. After behavioral tests, the differential expressed transcripts (DETs) of the infected and control animals' cerebral cortex were sequenced by Nanopore RNA-seq. Functional differences of DETs were analyzed by Gene Ontology enrichment analysis (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) and cluster analysis. Expression of the key candidates were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our infection models, we found that Wh6 had more vigorous invasion and proliferation abilities in vitro, while LHG had a greater ability to form cysts in vivo. In the latent infection phase, behavioral changes, including spatial working memory, cognitive and motor abilities, and anxiety, were observed in both Wh6 and LHG infected mice; however, the LHG group showed more serious anxiety. Among DETs, genes related to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules were significantly upregulated in the infected mice, while genes related to synaptic transmission and neurodegenerative diseases were downregulated in the infected groups. The downregulated DETs of Sept4, Kcng4, Unc13c, and Prkcg in the WH6 group, which are related to synaptic transmission, and Ndrg2 and Arc in the LHG group, which are related to neurodegenerative diseases, were selected to be the key candidates in the latent infection phase.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Compared with WH6, although LHG has a milder invasion ability, it can cause increased behavioral disorders in hosts. Genes related to synaptic transmission and neurodegenerative diseases may be the main causes of host mental and behavioral disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"190"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mosquito vector competence for Japanese encephalitis virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis update.","authors":"Stephen Edache, Andrea L Dixon, Ana R S Oliveira, Lee W Cohnstaedt, Dana Mitzel, Chad E Mire, Natalia Cernicchiaro","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06843-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06843-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Japanese encephalitis is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), transmitted primarily by mosquitoes of the Culex species. Amid the recent geographical expansion of JEV into Mainland Australia and the dramatic increase in research output, here we provide an update to our 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis, by appraising the scientific literature published from 2016 through 2023 and quantitatively summarizing the data from this update and the 2018 systematic review meta-analysis on vector competence for JEV.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review of the literature on JEV vector and host competence, published from 2016 through 2023, was performed. Bibliographic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Armed Forces Pest Management Board website were searched for relevant literature. Records were screened for relevance for vector competence, specifically: infection rate, dissemination rate, and transmission rate. To estimate the overall and subgroup effect sizes for each mosquito species, random-effects meta-analysis models were utilized. Meta-regression models were fit to evaluate the association between a priori variables-such as mosquito subfamily/tribe, routes of JEV administration for mosquito infection, incubation length, incubation temperatures, and diagnostic methods for JEV detection-and the outcomes of interest.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study update includes 74 new reports, identifying 9-12 additional mosquito species as competent for JEV, depending on the specific outcome assessed. The overall JEV infection, dissemination, and transmission rates across all species and studies were 45.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 35.9-55.2%), 41.2% (95% CI 29.7-53.7%), and 22.7% (95% CI 14.6-33.4%), respectively. Among the subfamilies/tribes, Culicini had the highest infection (51.9%; 95% CI 39.2-64.4%) and transmission (27.8%; 95% CI 16.5-43.1%) rates. Meta-regressions showed mosquito subfamily/tribe was consistently associated with all the outcomes of interest, although the heterogeneity (I²) between studies remained consistently high (I² > 83.47).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The information presented in this study provides a quantitative summary update on vector competence for JEV. Vector competence data are necessary for risk assessment models, the development of mosquito and virus surveillance programs, and effective prevention and control strategies in regions currently affected by JEV and those at risk of incursion.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"191"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144151456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Host associations and genetic diversity of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) in bats from Thailand.","authors":"Dimas Novianto, Siwaporn Tuangpermsub, Thongchai Ngamprasertwong, Morakot Kaewthamasorn","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06814-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06814-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bat flies belong to the order Diptera and superfamily Hippoboscoidea. They can be divided into two families, Streblidae and Nycteribiidae, which collectively encompass 239 and 280 species worldwide, respectively. In Thailand, 43 species of Nycteribiidae and 16 species of Streblidae have been documented. Despite their diversity, the molecular characteristics and host-parasite interactions of these ectoparasites remain poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>During a bat survey conducted between 2019 and 2022, bat flies were collected across eight sites in three provinces of Thailand. Morphological identification was performed using identification keys and a bat fly checklist endemic to Thailand. DNA barcoding targeted to the mitochondrial Cox1 and nuclear 28S rRNA genes was utilized. Infestation patterns were analyzed in relation to host sex, sampling site, and physiological status. Species identification was confirmed via BLASTN searches, and species delimitation was conducted using the ASAP algorithm under three substitution models. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Maximum Likelihood methods, while genetic variation was assessed through TCS haplotype network analysis. Tripartite network analysis was employed to examine site-host-parasite associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1,042 bats, representing 28 species, were captured during the study, of which 298 individuals (28.59%) were infested with bat flies. In total, 773 bat flies were collected, comprising 737 from the family Streblidae and 36 from Nycteribiidae. Morphological and molecular analyses identified three genera-Raymondia, Brachytarsina, and Nycteribia-along with seven hypothetical species. Phylogenetic reconstruction using mitochondrial (Cox1) and nuclear (28S rRNA) gene markers revealed distinct clades within each genus, underscoring substantial genetic diversity. Haplotype analyses identified 18 haplotypes in Raymondia, six in Brachytarsina, and two in Nycteribia, with evidence of site-specific host-parasite associations. Infestation rates varied by host species, sex, and location, with larger bat populations demonstrating higher infestation intensities. Raymondia sp. 1 is the most frequently encountred species an predominantly infested Hipposideros gentilis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first molecular characterization of bat fly diversity in Thailand, revealing their genetic complexity, taxonomy, host specificity, and ecological interactions. The findings establish a crucial foundation for further research concerning the biodiversity, host-parasite dynamics, and zoonotic risks associated with bat flies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"188"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12103041/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144143251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sublethal insecticide exposure of larvae affects the blood-feeding behaviour of adult mosquitoes.","authors":"Tiago G Zeferino, Gwendoline Acerbi, Jacob C Koella","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06815-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06815-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Due to their widespread use for controlling disease vectors and agricultural pests, insecticides have become ubiquitous in the environment, including in water bodies harbouring mosquito larvae. As a result, these larvae are continuously exposed to sublethal doses. Since this has long-lasting effects on the mosquitoes' physiology and life-history, we expected that it may also affect behaviours that underlie the mosquitoes' population dynamics and disease epidemiology, such as egg-laying preference, blood-feeding motivation and host-seeking behaviour.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using an insecticide-sensitive and a resistant strain of Anopheles gambiae, an important malaria vector, we evaluated the effects of sublethal exposure to permethrin throughout larval development on the resistance to the insecticide in adults, on host-seeking behaviour, on the motivation to blood-feed and on egg-laying behaviour.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Exposure to sublethal doses of insecticide did not affect knock-down or mortality rates. However, it decreased the avoidance of permethrin-treated nets, and it increased the motivation of females to seek blood meals through permethrin-treated nets, regardless of their sensitivity to the insecticide. It also increased the blood-meal size in particular of the sensitive mosquitoes. Finally, exposed females were more likely than unexposed ones to lay their eggs into several sites.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sublethal insecticide exposure during larval development changes several aspects of the behaviour of mosquitoes in ways that could enhance disease transmission and may thus have significant epidemiological implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"189"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12103745/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144143252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MicroRNA-34-5p regulates the expression of ecdysteroid receptor (ECR) in the process of salivary gland degeneration of ticks.","authors":"Shanming Hu, Yanan Wang, Yongzhi Zhou, Jie Cao, Houshuang Zhang, Jinlin Zhou","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06842-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06842-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The salivary glands of female ticks rapidly degenerate after feeding via programmed cell death mediated by an ecdysteroid receptor (ECR). The degeneration includes both apoptosis and autophagy. The process of degeneration can also be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), but the underlying mechanism of miRNA involvement in salivary gland degeneration remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that microRNA34-5p (miR-34-5p) regulates the process of salivary gland degeneration in Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides by modulating the target gene RhECR.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Dual luciferase reporter assays and phenotypic rescue experiments identified RhECR as a direct target of miR-34-5p. The overexpression and inhibition of miR-34-5p were quantified by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that miR-34-5p inhibited the expression of RhECR to retard apoptosis in salivary gland acini. The study identified the roles of miR-34-5p and RhECR and their interactions in tick salivary gland degeneration.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings will aid in the application of ECR genes for tick control.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"187"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12100847/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144132695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Establishing a predictive model for liver fluke infection on the basis of early changes in laboratory indicators: a retrospective study.","authors":"Yiting Wang, Tie Wang, Xin Wen, Chongchong Feng","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06833-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06833-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatic clonorchiasis is one of the most prevalent foodborne parasitic diseases in China and is often overlooked because the initial symptoms are not obvious. In this study, a multivariate model for the early prediction of disease onset using laboratory test data from liver-fluke-infected patients was developed and validated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Laboratory data from 147 liver-fluke-infected patients and 151 healthy control subjects were collected. Univariate logistic regression, Spearman correlation analysis, and collinearity diagnosis were used to screen for independent factors. A multivariate model was then constructed using the backward likelihood ratio method. For external validation, an independent patient cohort from another hospital was analyzed. The discriminative performance of the combined model was compared with that of previously identified biomarkers (eosinophil count and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A 12-indicator prediction model for liver fluke infection was developed using traditional logistic regression (82.31% sensitivity and 88.08% specificity). The receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses revealed that the model exhibited excellent discriminative ability (area under the curve [AUC]: training = 0.928, validation = 0.808), goodness of fit, and clinical practicability. The combined model showed superior discrimination compared with individual biomarkers, including eosinophil count (AUC = 0.577) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (AUC = 0.620).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study developed an early risk prediction model for liver fluke infection using routine laboratory test data. Compared with previously reported biomarkers, the model demonstrated superior diagnostic performance and showed potential as a clinical tool for identifying early stage liver fluke infection in patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"186"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096801/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144127665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The \"Gredouno\" Cross Target: a new tool adapted to control Glossina palpalis gambiensis in the mangrove forests of Guinea.","authors":"Kagbadouno Moïse, Camara Abdoulaye Dansy, Bart Jean-Mathieu, Solano Philippe, Bucheton Bruno, Camara Mamadou, Grébaut Pascal","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06783-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06783-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the mangroves of Guinea, where the most active foci of human African trypanosomiasis in West Africa are located, vector control against tsetse flies using insecticide-impregnated Tiny Targets was first introduced in 2012. While annual deployments of Tiny Targets have resulted in an overall 90% reduction in tsetse fly densities in control areas, managing tsetse densities in specific biotopes such as mangrove channels, which are susceptible to significant climatic disturbances, presents greater challenges. Thus, a new three-dimensional model called the Cross Target was designed to address this situation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In the first phase, we evaluated the attractiveness of the Cross Target along with three other devices (the Tiny Target, the biconical trap, and the pyramidal trap) in a Latin square design. In a second phase, we assessed the efficacy of the Tiny Target and the Cross Target to control tsetse densities in a pilot field study led in two adjacent mangrove channels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the Latin square study, the Cross Target was significantly more attractive than the other devices, with a catch index of 2.23 (P = 0.03), 1.63 (P = 0.004), and 2.39 (P = 0.003) as compared with the biconical trap, the Tiny Target, and the pyramidal trap, respectively. In the pilot experimental field evaluation the Cross Target also showed its superiority, with tsetse density reduction reaching 90% 15 months after the initial deployment, whereas densities remained high in the channel where Tiny Targets were deployed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the superiority of the new three-dimensional Cross Target in terms of attractiveness to tsetse flies and its resilience to climatic disturbances as compared with the conventional Tiny Target. The Cross Target presents a promising solution to enhance vector control effectiveness in challenging environments, such as mangroves or other hard-to-access areas, where target maintenance is particularly difficult.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"185"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096635/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144127786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact factors and genetic characteristics of head lice infestation in schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study from 2018 to 2023 in central China.","authors":"Yi-Tian Fu, Yuan-Ping Deng, Yue Xie, Hui-Mei Wang, Yan-Yan Peng, Guo-Hua Liu, Xiang Wu","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06825-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06825-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation is a worldwide public health concern, especially in school-aged children. However, its main impact factors and genetic characteristics remain poorly understood in China. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore the precise association between multiple impact factors and head lice infestation, characterize the genetic variation of the head lice, and develop a sensitive and specific mitochondrial (mt) DNA duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for accurately distinguishing clades A and B.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hunan Province, central China from January 2018 to July 2023. A total of 9254 schoolchildren from 48 primary schools in each administrative region were examined for head lice. Impact factors for infestation were analyzed using the data collected by a questionnaire. The mt cytb gene sequences of head lice collected in the current study were used for sequence analysis, then were added to the global pool to conduct the phylogenetic analyses. Primers designed on the basis of this gene sequence were used in duplex PCR to diagnose head lice clades A and B by amplicon size.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Head lice infestation was found in 93.8% (45/48) of the primary schools included in the study. Overall, 6.8% (630/9254) of the examined schoolchildren harbored head lice, with 94.6% (596/630) being girls. A total of 2132 adult head lice were collected from 630 infested cases. The impact factors for head lice infestation included gender, school location, family situation, per capita income, study mode, and hair washing per week (p < 0.01). However, season and age were not considered as impact factors for head lice prevalence (p > 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis based on mt cytb gene sequences showed that head lice are classified into two clades (A and B), with clade B being more dominant in Hunan Province, central China. The newly developed duplex PCR was able to differentiate clades A from B in China with 100% sensitivity and specificity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings revealed that head lice infestation is mostly associated with poverty and poor hygiene in Hunan Province, central China. It is crucial to consider the simultaneous surveillance of head lice infestation in schoolchildren in regions with low level of socioeconomic status; however, datasets from other provinces are warranted to confirm the findings. It further showed that clades A and B are common in central China and that the latter has emerged and become the dominant one.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"184"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096793/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144119509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}