Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"Assessment of the transmission of live-attenuated chikungunya virus vaccine VLA1553 by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.","authors":"Andrea Fritzer, Andreas Suhrbier, Leon E Hugo, Bing Tang, Greg Devine, Sandra Jost, Andreas L Meinke","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06789-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06789-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted, arthritogenic alphavirus that causes sporadic outbreaks of often debilitating rheumatic disease. The recently approved CHIKV vaccine, IXCHIQ, is based on a live-attenuated CHIKV strain (VLA1553), with viraemic vaccine recipients theoretically able to transmit VLA1553 to mosquitoes with ensuing onward transmission. We thus evaluated VLA1553 transmission from artificial blood meals to Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, and onward transmission to mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Female A. albopictus mosquitoes were fed on defibrinated sheep blood containing wild-type CHIKV (viral titre: 7.50 log₁₀CCID₅₀/mL) or VLA1553 (viral titres: 7.85, 5.72, 4.58, and 3.79 log₁₀CCID₅₀/mL). Viral titres in mosquito bodies and saliva were determined using CCID₅₀ assays 7-8 days after the blood meal. After providing CHIKV or VLA1553 (viral titres ~ 7-8 log₁₀CCID₅₀/mL) in blood meals to mosquitoes, infected mosquitoes were fed on highly susceptible Irf3/7^-/- mice (n = 3 per group). Data were re-analysed using the same reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) as for an earlier VLA1553 phase 1 clinical trial, to allow correlations between blood meal titres and viraemia in vaccine recipients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mosquito body viral titres were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for CHIKV versus VLA1553-fed mosquitoes at blood meal viral titres of ~ 7-8 log₁₀CCID₅₀/mL. Mosquito body VLA1553 titres decreased with reducing blood meal titres, but there was no dose-dependent effect on saliva viral titres. No dissemination to salivary glands was seen at blood meal titres ≤ 3.875 log₁₀CCID₅₀/mL. CHIKV-fed mosquitoes were able to transmit virus, and induce viraemia in, 3/3 Irf3/7^-/- mice via mosquito bites. In contrast, 0/3 Irf3/7^-/- mice became infected after bites from VLA1553-fed mosquitoes. RT-qPCR comparisons with phase 1 clinical data for VLA1553-vaccinated individuals indicated that VLA1553 viraemia was at or below the aforementioned threshold for transmission.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The evidence presented herein argue that the low viraemia in VLA1553-vaccinated individuals would mitigate against transmission. In addition, replication of VLA1553 in mosquito bodies was also significantly attenuated. Overall, mosquito-borne transmission of VLA1553 from vaccinated individuals to others appears improbable.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"171"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143986720","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":"External quality assessment for molecular detection of sand fly-borne phleboviruses circulating in the Mediterranean Basin.","authors":"Nazli Ayhan, Cecile Baronti, Laurence Thrion, Gioia Bongiorno, Carla Maia, Remi N Charrel","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06785-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06785-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sand fly-borne phleboviruses (SbPV) are globally distributed and pose potential public health risks. Despite increased detection in recent decades, detailed knowledge of their ecology, characteristics and clinical relevance remains limited. Many cases of SbPV infection likely go unreported or misdiagnosed due to limited awareness and the lack of standardized screening. The External Quality Assessment (EQA) reported herein was organized within the framework of the European Union CLIMOS (EU Climate Monitoring and Decision Support Framework for Sand Fly-borne Diseases Detection and Mitigation) project. The aim of this EQA was to standardize the detection of phleboviruses in order to provide comparable data to feed mathematical models for the surveillance of the impact of climate changes and environmental parameters on the kinetics and diversity of sand fly species and on sand fly-borne microorganisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nine laboratories from seven countries participated in the EQA. Each laboratory was provided with eight vials, each containing an anonymous sample; two vials of lyophilized primers and probes to be used for the detection of Toscana virus (TOSV) and several Sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) species with a reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay; and one vial of lyophilized primers for the detection of generic phleboviruses with a RT-PCR assay along with the standard operating procedure. The laboratories were instructed to submit their results together with details on the techniques employed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All nine laboratories successfully detected the two TOSV- and the one SFSV-positive samples. Only one laboratory, using a generic phlebovirus assay, detected all of the targeted phleboviruses.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>All participating laboratories successfully identified the two TOSV and one SFSV using the proposed RT-qPCR assays, albeit with some variations in cycle threshold values across laboratories. The detection rate of SbPV was lower with the generic Phlebovirus assay than with the specific real-time RT-qPCR assays. This EQA aimed to assess the SbPV detection capabilities of molecular tools and strengthen their use, thereby supporting the involvement of laboratories in virus discovery and surveillance beyond their core expertise.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"173"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144064347","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":"Functional and sequence-based comparison of Ctenocephalides felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato isolates from different geographic regions.","authors":"Carolin Schneider, Heike Williams, Hartmut Zoller, Margaret Werr, Claudia Plehn, Eva Zschiesche, Lea Heinau","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06806-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06806-y","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Current regulatory requirements for European marketing authorization of canine and feline ectoparasiticides include dose confirmation studies conducted with European isolates of each ectoparasite species indicated in the proposed labeling, in addition to any studies conducted against non-European ectoparasite isolates. This regulatory requirement may be deemed unnecessary if no significant differences exist among laboratory ectoparasite isolates obtained from various countries. Between-country interchangeability was examined through various comparative studies by using Ctenocephalides felis fleas and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks sourced from multiple countries. To detect potential alterations that may influence fluralaner binding efficacy, comparative complementary DNA (cDNA) and genomic DNA sequence analyses were performed. These analyses focused on the regions coding for the amino acid residues involved in fluralaner binding in the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAR, subunits encoded by Rdl) and the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) of the mentioned parasite isolates. Additionally, their in vitro fluralaner sensitivities were compared.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Laboratory in vivo-reared C. felis and R. sanguineus isolates were sourced from Australia (fleas only), Europe, and USA (both fleas and ticks). Genomic DNA and cDNA sequences coding for GABAR and GluCl were analyzed for variations that could result in alterations of fluralaner and dieldrin binding. For in vitro testing, three replicates of 20 fleas per isolate were exposed to fluralaner-impregnated filter paper at increasing concentrations. In total, three replicates of ten ticks per concentration were immersed for approximately 5 min in fluralaner dilutions. Untreated control replicates were included for all comparisons. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the overall similarity of tick/flea mortality and inhibition rates between different isolates.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;No mutation or alteration that could affect the GABAR or GluCl isoxazoline binding efficacy was found in any of three C. felis or two R. sanguineus isolates. The predicted lethal and effective concentrations of all tested isolates fell within a narrow range. High intraclass correlation coefficients confirmed an overall similarity between tick (Europe and USA) and flea isolates (Europe, USA, Australia) in the in vitro fluralaner sensitivity assay, aligning with the expected susceptibility based on the DNA sequence analysis of each isolate.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;There was no evidence of target-related or functional differences in fluralaner sensitivity between either C. felis or R. sanguineus laboratory isolates from different countries. These findings indicate the between-country interchangeability of results of in vivo dose confirmation studies and justify reducing the number of in vivo studies required for Europ","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"170"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144037549","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":"Treatment of giardiasis in dogs: field clinical study to confirm the efficacy, safety, and acceptance of a metronidazole-based flavored oral suspension.","authors":"Sloane Jones, Philippe Briantais, Cristiano Von Simson, Eleonore De Meyrignac, Laure Poincelot, Delphine Rigaut","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06797-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06797-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Giardia duodenalis is a prevalent gastrointestinal parasite in dogs, causing diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Metronidazole is a common treatment for this infection. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and acceptance of a flavored liquid metronidazole oral suspension in treating G. duodenalis in naturally infected dogs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A double-masked, vehicle-controlled, randomized, multi-center clinical field trial was conducted. Client-owned dogs with confirmed G. duodenalis infections were enrolled and randomized into AYRADIA-treated and control groups. The AYRADIA group received the metronidazole suspension at 0.2 ml/kg twice daily for 5 days, while the control group received a flavored vehicle suspension without metronidazole. Fecal samples were collected before and after treatment to assess G. duodenalis cyst counts. Clinical examinations and owner assessments were also performed to evaluate safety and treatment acceptance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study enrolled 180 dogs, with 129 included in the efficacy analysis. AYRADIA treatment resulted in a 99.92% reduction in G. duodenalis cyst counts, significantly higher than the reduction in the control group. Adverse events were similar between both groups (10%), mainly consisting of diarrhea and vomiting. The treatment was readily accepted by 99% of dogs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>AYRADIA, administered at 0.2 ml/kg twice daily for 5 days, is highly effective in treating G. duodenalis infections in dogs. The treatment demonstrated a positive safety profile and excellent acceptance. This flavored oral suspension offers a valuable and convenient option for veterinarians managing giardiasis in dogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"169"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144023058","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":"Contact between soft tick vectors of African swine fever virus and invasive wild pigs in the southeastern USA.","authors":"Samantha M Wisely, Carson Torhorst, Sebastian Botero-Cañola, Nicholas Canino, Angela M James, Kathleen C O'Hara","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06811-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06811-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>African swine fever virus is a transboundary pathogen of high economic impact to the global pork industry. Florida has multiple factors that contribute to the high risk of introduction of African swine fever virus (ASFV) including high levels of commerce and human migration between Florida and Caribbean nations with ASFV, established backyard swine production, abundant populations of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa), and the presence of a soft tick species (Ornithodoros turicata americanus) that has been found to be a competent vector of ASFV in laboratory experiments. To better assess the hazard of ASFV vector-borne transmission in Florida, we documented contact between invasive wild pigs and O. t. americanus throughout Florida.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We surveyed gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows throughout Florida and collected O. t. americanus from infested burrows. To identify definitive contact between invasive wild pigs and soft ticks, we used established real time polymerase chain reaction primers and a probe to detect the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of invasive wild pigs in the bloodmeals of O. t. americanus.. To detect potential wild pig-soft tick contact, we surveyed for evidence of pig activity within 5 m of an infested burrow entrance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across 61 sites, we found that 203 of 591 burrows (34%) were infested with the soft tick, O. t. americanus. Ten burrows across 57 sites (18%) had soft ticks with wild pig DNA in their abdomens. In total, 6 of 591 burrows (1%) had evidence of invasive wild pigs near the entrance. Three infested burrows had evidence of wild pigs near the entrance, one of these burrows also had soft ticks that were positive for wild pig DNA. Including both definitive and potential wild pig-soft tick contact, 12 of 61 sites (20%) had evidence of wild pig-soft tick association.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In Florida, contact between invasive wild pigs, a potential reservoir for ASFV, and O. t. americanus, a competent vector, was measurable and occurred throughout the distribution of the vector. Florida is at risk not only for ASFV emergence but establishment of this pathogen in a sylvatic cycle. In addition to managing invasive wild pigs, future ASFV response planning needs to include plans for surveying and managing vector populations should an outbreak occur.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"172"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144023052","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":"Climate-responsive vector control strategies for Aedes albopictus.","authors":"Jesús Bellver-Arnau, Laura Blanco-Sierra, Santi Escartin, Simone Mariani, Frederic Bartumeus","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06791-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06791-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The rise in mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, exacerbated by the ever-expanding habitats of Aedes albopictus, poses a significant public health risk. Even marginal improvements in vector control efficacy can be crucial in mitigating these risks.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we employed a metapopulation model to simulate Ae. albopictus population dynamics and dispersal, optimizing the timing and spatial allocation of larvicidal treatments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Simulations revealed that larvicide treatments are most effective when applied preventively, early in the mosquito season, particularly under conditions of lower-than-average cumulative rainfall and, to a minor extent, colder-than-average temperatures, as these conditions limit larvae proliferation. We found that breeding site characteristics, particularly surface area and maximum water holding capacity, are critical in determining optimal treatment allocation in scarce-resource scenarios. However, a cost-effectiveness trade-off exists, as larger breeding sites offer more substantial reductions in mosquito populations but also demand higher larvicide dosages. Spatial factors such as breeding site distribution had minimal impact on treatment efficacy, possibly due to the high mobility range of adult mosquitoes compared with the size of the study area.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results highlight the superior efficiency of the optimized approach in comparison with routine vector control strategies, especially when resources are limited, offering a more effective use of larvicide in controlling mosquito populations. This study demonstrates that vector control strategies for Ae. albopictus can be significantly enhanced by considering climatic variables and breeding site characteristics in treatment planning. This research provides a framework for developing cost-effective and flexible mosquito control programs that can adapt to environmental conditions, potentially improving public health outcomes by reducing the transmission risk of mosquito-borne diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"168"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067949/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144037297","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":"Using non-insecticidal traps indoors can complement insecticide-treated nets to target insecticide-resistant malaria vectors.","authors":"Romaric Akoton, Pierre Marie Sovegnon, Oswald Y Djihinto, Adandé A Medjigbodo, Romuald Agonhossou, Ayola Akim Adegnika, Gabriella Gibson, Rousseau Djouaka, Frances M Hawkes, Luc S Djogbénou","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06759-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06759-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) provide protection against malaria vectors through their insecticidal action and as a physical barrier. However, insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has diminished their efficacy, threatening future malaria control. To reinforce ITNs' effectiveness, evaluating non-insecticide-based tools in an integrated control approach is worthwhile. In the present study, a mosquito collection technique, the Host Decoy Trap (HDT), was coupled with standard ITNs as a complementary intervention, and its effectiveness against insecticide-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. was assessed in experimental huts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An HDT combined with either permethrin or deltamethrin-treated nets was tested against field-collected An. gambiae mosquitoes from Za-Kpota (Benin Republic) in experimental hut trials following WHO Phase II guidelines. Effectiveness was assessed in terms of mosquito mortality, blood feeding and exophily rates. Prior to hut trials, an insecticide susceptibility test was performed on field-collected An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes to screen for pyrethroid resistance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significantly higher mortality rate was observed against both susceptible and field-collected An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes when ITNs were used with HDT (ranging from 80.18 to 99.78%) compared to alone (2.44-100%). The combined use of treated nets with HDT resulted in a lower rate (ranging from 0 to 10.83%) of blood feeding compared to the treated nets alone (ranging from 0 to 16.93%). When treated nets were hung next to the HDT, they significantly limited the number of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes that exited experimental huts compared to the nets alone.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The use of HDT alongside ITNs has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the likelihood of vector-host contact by insecticide-resistant An. gambiae. A combination of HDT and treated nets reduced the number of live An. gambiae mosquitoes as well as the blood-feeding rate. Furthermore, it reduced the number of mosquitoes likely to leave the huts and enter the natural environment. Altogether, our findings highlight the potential of integrated approaches combining non-insecticidal trapping devices with ITNs when designing future integrated vector control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"166"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12063245/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144009734","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 ecological niche and population history shape mosquito population genetics on a group of three Caribbean islands.","authors":"Pepijn Helleman, Maarten Schrama, Krijn B Trimbos, Marieta A H Braks, Francis Schaffner, Arjan Stroo, Roel M Wouters, Jordy G van der Beek","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06801-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06801-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>While studies on mosquito population genetics have primarily focused on medically relevant species, fewer have examined the genetic population structure of mosquitoes from a diverse range of species within a single geographical area. The limited comparison between native and non-native species, as well as ecologically divergent species from the same region, hampers our ability to generalise previously described patterns in mosquito population genetics. This study uses the mosquito fauna of the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire as a case study to explore population genetic variation among both native and non-native mosquito species, as well as among native species occupying different ecological niches. We examine how genetic patterns relate to their population history and species-specific ecologies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mitochondrial COII sequences were obtained from 258 mosquito specimens belonging to six species, occurring on all three islands. Sequences were used in haplotype network analysis to assess the genetic variation between mosquito populations of each of the six ecologically diverse species, which vary in both their population history and ecological niche.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both the genetic diversity and population genetic structure were found to differ strongly between sets of species, leading to a subdivision into three species groups: (1) non-native species with low genetic diversity across all three investigated islands, (2) locally native species with high genetic diversity and closely related haplotypes occurring on different islands and (3) locally native species with high genetic diversity and locally restricted haplotypes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results show that the population genetics of non-native and native species strongly differ, likely as a result of population history. Furthermore, the results suggest that mosquito species sharing the same area may display distinct population genetic structure, likely related to differences in their ecology and dispersal capacity. We suggest that addressing a broader range of species within a single area will benefit future research on mosquito population genetics to place observed patterns into a broader historical, ecological and evolutionary context.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"167"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12065371/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144030718","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":"Habitat characterization and breeding preferences of mosquito larvae in northwestern Spain: abundance, diversity, and species composition.","authors":"Yasmina Martínez-Barciela, Alejandro Polina, Josefina Garrido","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06803-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06803-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Understanding how environmental variables determine the presence, abundance, and diversity of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in their larval habitats is crucial to establish appropriate preventive and control measures against these disease vectors. Although the autonomous community of Galicia (northwestern Spain) is an optimal area for the development of mosquitoes, little is known about their larval ecology.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was performed in 333 sampling points evenly distributed throughout Galicia. Different habitat characteristics (climatic zone, hydroregime, water body type, substrate, surface, depth, degree of insolation, environment type, and land use) and physicochemical parameters of the water (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, salinity, and total dissolved solids) were recorded in each water body. Mosquitoes were collected using the standardized dipping technique between May and October in 2021 and 2022. The relationship between environmental variables with diversity, abundance, and species composition was assessed throughout the Kruskal-Wallis test (K-W), redundancy analysis (RDA), and generalized linear models (GLM). The affinity index between species that shared breeding sites was also analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 14 mosquito species belonging to the genus Culex (88.1%), Anopheles (7.5%), and Culiseta (4.4%) were identified, with Culex pipiens s.l. being the most abundant in the region (48.1%). The frequency, abundance, and diversity of mosquitoes varied significantly among climatic zones, hydroregime, water body types, substrates, and seasons according to the K-W results (P < 0.05). RDA indicated that water body type, temperature, pH, and the conductivity of the water accounted for the main part of the variation in species composition. GLM revealed that water conductivity, hydroregime, land use, and degree of insolation affect Cx. pipiens s.l. larval abundance. Many species shared breeding sites, but Cx. pipiens s.l. and Cx. torrentium had the highest affinity index (2.58). Both species are competent vectors of West Nile virus (WNV), so their wide presence in Galicia is of interest to public health.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Several environmental variables determine the diversity, abundance, and species composition of mosquitoes at breeding sites. The information presented in this study provides valuable insights into mosquito larval ecology, especially useful for the identification of epidemiological risk areas and the design of vector surveillance and control programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"165"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12057168/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999673","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":"Advances in the study of extracellular vesicles of Naegleria fowleri and their role in contact-independent pathogenic mechanisms.","authors":"Ismael Castelan-Ramírez, Catalina Flores-Maldonado, Dolores Hernández-Martínez, Lizbeth Salazar-Villatoro, Alberto Daniel Saucedo-Campos, David Segura-Cobos, Adolfo René Méndez-Cruz, Maritza Omaña-Molina","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06786-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06786-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are spherical membrane particles released by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. EVs produced by pathogenic organisms are known to play a role in host-pathogen interactions; however, despite some reports on Naegleria fowleri EVs, their potential role in inducing cytopathic effects remains poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the role of N. fowleri EVs in contact-independent pathogenic mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Extracellular vesicles were characterized via transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, Western blotting, and zymography. EVs internalization by trophozoites and MDCK epithelial cells was also determined. Finally, mammalian cells were coincubated with EVs to evaluate haemolytic activity, epithelial paracellular ionic permeability alterations, and necrosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Naegleria fowleri extracellular vesicles, ranging from 82.5 to 576.5 nm in size, were isolated, with a mean of 216.8 nm and a mode of 165.3 nm. Proteomic analysis identified 1006 proteins in the EVs, including leishmanolysin, a protein associated with pathogenic mechanisms such as adhesion and enzymatic processes. The proteolytic activity of EVs was found to be primarily due to serine protease. Furthermore, EVs were internalized by both trophozoites and MDCK cells. Additionally, EVs exhibited haemolytic activity in erythrocytes as well as increased ionic permeability and necrosis in MDCK cells 24 h postinteraction.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Naegleria fowleri EVs exhibit proteolytic and haemolytic activity and are internalized by trophozoites and MDCK epithelial cell monolayers, increasing the ionic permeability of the monolayer and inducing necrosis. Furthermore, these vesicles contain molecules associated with pathogenic processes such as leishmanolysin. Our results suggest that EVs facilitate paracellular invasion, migration, and damage caused by trophozoites and play a significant role in pathogenic processes as part of a contact-independent mechanism, which, in conjunction with a contact-dependent mechanism, enhances our understanding of the pathogenicity exhibited by this amphizoic amoeba during its invasion of target tissues.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"164"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12046931/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144008617","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}