Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"The ecoepidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Galana Mamo Ayana, Derese Bekele Daba, Bedilu Alamirie Ejigu, Debisa Eshatu Wendimu, Merga Belina, Eshetu Molla, Elifaged Hailemeskel, Adisu Asefa, Girma Shumie, Tedros Nigusse, Mourad Barhoumi, Souheila Guerbouj, Salma Feki Ben-Salah, Temesgen Tafesse, Henock Bekele Keto, Mulugeta Woldemeskel, Teklu Cherkose, Sagni Chali Jira, Jihenne Ben Aissa-Haj, Elisa Sicuri, Ikram Guizani, Endalamaw Gadisa","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07376-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07376-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical skin disease. In Ethiopia, CL is a public health concern; about 29 million people are at risk, with an estimated incidence of up to 50,000 new cases annually. In endemic communities, access to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention is crucial but often limited. Understanding the prevalence and access to care, as well as exploring its relationship to agroecological factors, is crucial to inform control strategies.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this work is to estimate the pooled prevalence, access to care service facilities, and spatial distribution and relationship to agroecological factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework. The metafor and metadata packages from R Studio were used to obtain pooled prevalence and odds ratio using a random-effects model with a double arcsine transformation. The CL endemicity at the woreda level was overlaid with the locations of CL treatment centers and agroecological zones using ArcGIS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pooled prevalence of CL was 6.75% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.37-11.17). Sociodemographic factors (male gender, rural living) and environmental factors (muddy walls, outdoor sleeping, proximity to rocky habitats, and hyrax populations) were significantly associated with CL. CL cases were reported from 85 woredas with a broad spatial distribution; a higher proportion of them were from the Weyna Dega, Dega, and Upper Kola agroecological zones. Access to care is generally poor, with service centers for CL often centralized at the zone level.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The estimated pooled prevalence likely underrepresents the true burden of CL. The identified risk factors are more related to rural livelihoods and living conditions, and most of the endemic woredas are in the most productive agrarian agroecological zones, which underlines the health and socioeconomic significance of CL in Ethiopia. Thus, decentralizing healthcare services and improving surveillance for CL are crucial steps in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856706","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":"Comparative performance of the novel, point-of-care Pluslife Mini Dock Dirofilaria immitis/Dirofilaria repens detection test with the modified Knott's test in dogs.","authors":"Tiana L Sanders, Alexa Starnes, Maureen A Kelly, Pabasara Weerarathne, Guilherme G Verocai","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07401-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07401-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The current American Heartworm Society guidelines recommend the concomitant use of an antigen detection test and a microfilariae detection test (MFDT) for diagnosing heartworm infection in dogs. The modified Knott's (MK) test is the preferred MFDT for determining the morphological characteristics of Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae, but it requires extensive microscopy training and can be time-consuming in a clinical setting. The Pluslife Mini Dock is a point-of-care diagnostic platform that uses RNase HII-assisted amplification (RHAM) to eliminate the need for DNA extraction, with results available within 30 min. This study aimed to assess the performance of the Pluslife Mini Dock duplex Dirofilaria immitis/Dirofilaria repens assay in dog blood compared with the MK.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Archival, frozen whole-blood samples collected from 250 dogs at shelters in central Texas, USA, were used. Samples were subjected to the MK on the day of collection and stored at 2°C until further processing. The samples were then thawed and subjected to the Pluslife Mini Dock D. immitis/D. repens duplex assay. The results were analyzed using Cohen's kappa coefficient and McNemar's Chi-squared test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 93.6% of results matched between the two tests; however, the Pluslife assay detected a higher proportion of D. immitis-positive samples (32.4%; 81/250) than the MK (30.0%; 75/250). There was no statistical significance between tests (p = 0.2113). Cohen's kappa statistic indicated almost perfect agreement between the two tests (0.85). Additionally, Acanthocheilonema reconditum was detected in 11 samples in the MK test, without generating false-positive results with the Pluslife assay, indicating its specificity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our data suggest that the Pluslife Mini Dock D. immitis/D. repens duplex assay provides a novel diagnostic platform and is a suitable option for point-of-care MFDT.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856952","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":"Dietary effects on the development and population dynamics of the Thelazia callipaeda vector Phortica okadai revealed by age-stage, two-sex life table analysis.","authors":"Zhenfu Chen, Rong Yan, Lingjun Wang, Juan Zhou, Bo Luo, Donghua Long, Rengze Yue, Hui Liu, Yujuan Shen","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07408-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07408-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phortica okadai (Diptera: Steganinae) is the primary vector of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda (Nematoda: Spirurida). However, standardized laboratory rearing protocols for this vector are still lacking, which limits research on its biology and vector competence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the effects of five diets (fermented apple, pear, banana, and two artificial diets) on life history traits of P. okadai using age stage, two sex life table analysis under controlled conditions (28 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5% RH, 14:10 h L:D). Life table parameters and population dynamics were analyzed with TWOSEX-MSChart and TIMING-MSChart (100,000 bootstrap replicates).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All tested diets supported complete development. Fermented pear yielded the shortest pre adult duration (17.34 days), the highest fecundity (116.6 eggs per female), and the greatest intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.0902/day). Population projection showed that 10 initial eggs on fermented pear produced more than 1,200 adults within 90 days, which was approximately 10 fold higher than on other diets.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Fermented pear is the most suitable substrate for establishing laboratory colonies of P. okadai. These findings facilitate vector competence studies and indicate that pear orchards are potential high risk habitats for T. callipaeda transmission, supporting targeted One Health surveillance and control.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856424","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":"Entomological survey of Dirofilaria spp. in Sardinia (Italy): molecular detection and mosquito species distribution.","authors":"Lia Cavallo, Eleonora Perugini, Francesca Nonnis, Cinzia Pasini, Gabriele Tosciri, Pamela Zeinoun, Serena Cavallero, Claudia Tamponi, Antonio Scala, Antonio Varcasia, Simona Gabrielli, Marco Pombi","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07425-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07425-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dirofilariosis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, is expanding across Europe because of climate change, raising veterinary and zoonotic concerns. Among over 70 mosquito species considered to be implicated in their transmission, Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus are recognized as major vectors. In Sardinia, where canine dirofilariosis is endemic, entomological information on Dirofilaria circulation was previously lacking. This study investigated mosquito species composition and assessed the presence of D. immitis and D. repens across five sites on the island.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mosquitoes were collected monthly from August 2022 to October 2023 using BG-Sentinel and CDC light traps. Specimens were morphologically and molecularly identified and screened for Dirofilaria DNA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1219 mosquitoes were collected, including 945 females belonging to 13 species. The most abundant were Aedes caspius (31.4%), Aedes detritus (28.7%), Culex pipiens (19.5%), and Aedes albopictus (16.6%). Notably, among minor species, the presence of Culex perexiguus in Italy was confirmed for the first time by molecular analysis. Dirofilaria repens and D. immitis DNA were detected in 1.8% and 1.0% of mosquitoes, respectively, with C. pipiens and Ae. albopictus as the main vectors. Other species, including Ae. caspius, Ae. detritus, C. tarsalis, and C. perexiguus, also tested positive, suggesting a potential role in transmission.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first entomological report of Dirofilaria circulation in Sardinia, revealing a complex vector community and underscoring the need for continuous surveillance of dirofilariosis risk in the Mediterranean region.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856553","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":"Whole transcriptome analysis reveals differential gene expression associated with Anaplasma phagocytophilum invading HL-60 cells.","authors":"Ke Shi, Lulu Sun, Shuxing Qiu, Yankai Chang, Zi Yan, Yaqun Yan, Fuchun Jian, Junqiang Li, Rongjun Wang, Longxian Zhang, Changshen Ning","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07381-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07381-6","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular, tick-borne bacterial pathogen capable of causing disease and even mortality in various mammals, including humans. Non-coding RNAs play important regulatory roles in multicellular organisms, including innate and adaptive immune pathways, which control bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections. However, the global transcriptomic landscape encompassing both ncRNAs and mRNAs in HL-60 cells invaded by A. phagocytophilum remains unexplored.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry at multiple time points after HL-60 cell infection with A. phagocytophilum. Total RNA was extracted and analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to delineate expression alterations of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) at 24 h post-infection (hpi). Bioinformatics methods were employed for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses to elucidate the potential functions of these differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, an integrated bioinformatics approach was applied to systematically construct a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network involving lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A. phagocytophilum infection accelerated HL-60 cell apoptosis at multiple time points, with the most significant effect observed at 24 hpi. Transcriptome profiling at 24 hpi identified substantial differential expression, including 487 lncRNAs, 550 mRNAs, and 22 miRNAs with statistically significant changes in expression. Then, expression patterns of eight lncRNAs, eight mRNAs, and seven miRNAs were experimentally validated through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), demonstrating strong correlation with RNA-seq results. Bioinformatics analyses revealed significant enrichment of differentially expressed mRNAs in three key pathways: the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, the actin cytoskeleton regulation pathway and the p53 signaling pathway. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were largely related to the phospholipase D signaling pathway and pathways related to cortisol and aldosterone synthesis/secretion. The altered miRNAs showed predominant enrichment in Rap1 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Notably, computational reconstruction of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network identified hsa-miR-4518 and hsa-miR-3609 as central regulatory nodes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;This comprehensive transcriptome study elucidates complex gene regulatory networks activated in HL-60 cells after A. phagocytophilum invasion, with particular emphasis on pathogen-modulated miRNA signatures that coordinate critical pathways governing host immune responses and microbial survival strategies. These findings elucidate previously uncharacterized molecular mechanisms underlying A. phagocytophilum pathogenesis and may provide actionable targets for nove","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856652","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":"What are the vectors in European livestock farms? Case studies in Hungary and Spain.","authors":"Clarisse Girault, Richard E L Paul, Quentin Narpon, Cristina Del Alamo, Roland Sipos, Suthat Lhaosudto, Bruno Passet, Eva Krupa, Gérard Duvallet, José Luis Perez Diaz, Sarah I Bonnet, Sylvie Manguin","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07392-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07392-3","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Ongoing global changes are strongly impacting the distribution and incidence of vector-borne diseases (VBD) affecting both humans and animals. Livestock production is a cornerstone of the economy and food security of many countries, notably in Europe, and VBD represent a major constraint on its development. Furthermore, domestic animals can serve as reservoirs for zoonotic agents, highlighting the need for a One Health approach to anticipate and control VBD. However, research on livestock-associated vectors in Europe, particularly mosquitoes and stable flies at farm level, remains limited. Although ticks are recognized as the most important vectors in Europe, comparative studies between countries and host animal species are still scarce. On the basis of vector presence, this study assesses the entomological risk for livestock on seven farms located in two European countries, Spain and Hungary, characterized by contrasting climates and husbandry practices.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;During spring 2023 and 2024, as well as autumn 2023, three groups of arthropods, mosquitoes, ticks, and stable flies were collected from seven cattle, sheep, and pig farms in Spain and Hungary. Environmental, climatic, and meteorological data, together with information on management practices and animal characteristics, were collected on-site and obtained from local databases.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 1432 mosquitoes, 345 ticks, and 1266 stable flies were collected and identified to species level, representing 37 species in total: 30 mosquito species, 6 tick species, and 1 stable fly species. Among these, 16 species are recognized vectors of pathogens. Hungary consistently exhibited higher arthropod abundance across all groups. Mosquito diversity was also greater in Hungary, with 21 species dominated by Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens pipiens, whereas in Spain, 13 species were recorded, mainly Culex theileri and Anopheles atroparvus. Four tick species were identified in Hungary (Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna, Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus) while two species were collected in Spain (Hyalomma lusitanicum and Rhipicephalus bursa). The stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans was the only species present in Europe and accounted for all specimens collected, 99% of which were found in Hungary. Seasonal patterns showed spring peaks for mosquitoes and stable flies, and summer/autumn peaks for ticks in Hungary.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;The originality of this study lies in its multi-vector description of three arthropod communities associated with three livestock species (cattle, sheep, pigs) on farms located in two European countries with contrasting environments and climates. The study demonstrated the coexistence of 16 arthropod species of veterinary and public health relevance in the surveyed farms. Their diversity and abundance were influenced by geographical contrasts between Mediterranean","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147856611","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 expressing a maleness gene in Anopheles gambiae cells using baculovirus as a gene delivery tool.","authors":"José Héctor Gibrán Fritz García, Agata Izabela Kalita, Annika Maria Fox, Rachel Mullner, Falk Butter, M Felicia Basilicata, Claudia Isabelle Keller Valsecchi","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07411-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07411-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rising global temperatures are expected to increase the spread of infectious diseases as warming allows disease-carrying mosquitoes such as Anopheles to survive and reproduce in new regions. To interrogate mosquito gene function rapidly and at scale, we here establish baculovirus as a gene delivery tool in Anopheles cells. We then use this system to express and study the dominant male sex-determining factor Yob, whose molecular function is unknown.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We engineered plasmids with mosquito promoters spanning different strengths, driving genes-of-interest and selection markers, and used them to generate baculoviruses. An. gambiae Ag55 cells were infected over a range of virus doses and exposure durations. Infection efficiency, cell viability, and proliferation were characterized by flow cytometry. We profiled host and viral transcriptional responses by RNA-seq; assessed Yob chromatin association and localization by CUT&Tag and microscopy; and mapped protein-level changes and interactors by proteomics and immunoprecipitation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that baculovirus infection blocks cell cycle progression and induces pronounced transcriptome changes, while Yob expression adds an additional male-biased signature. Yob localized to the nucleus but did not directly associate with chromatin by CUT&Tag, suggesting that it does not act as a transcription factor. Yob expression increased the abundance of nuclear RNA-metabolism factors, including DDX5-like helicases and CCR4-NOT-complex subunits, and Yob-HA co-immunoprecipitated with RNA-metabolism proteins.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Together, these results demonstrate that the baculovirus system provides a versatile platform for studying mosquito gene biology in vitro. Our results imply that Yob's mode of action is not classical DNA binding; rather, Yob is a small nuclear factor that modulates RNA-metabolism machinery, inducing a male transcriptional state.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841305","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":"Genetic diversity and population structure of the Dermacentor nuttalli in Northern China inferred from microsatellite markers.","authors":"Chunfu Li, Mengyun Liu, Saira Afzal, Muhammad Uzair Mukhtar, Nazrullozoda Sulaimon, Eman E El Shanawany, Bolor Bold, Chimedtseren Bayasgalan, Rui Ma, Shurong Wang, Jinghui Zhao, Zhebin Hu, Benguang Zhang, Zhaoan Sheng, Lijuan Liu, Zengyun Hu, Zihan Zhao, Jian Li, Fang Luo, Wei Hu, Xinyu Feng","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07426-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07426-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dermacentor nuttalli is a dominant tick species in northern China and adjacent regions, where it poses significant threats to public health and the livestock industry through the transmission of diverse zoonotic pathogens. Understanding its population genetic structure is crucial for elucidating dispersal patterns and informing control strategies. However, the lack of high-resolution molecular markers has hindered such investigations. This study aimed to develop microsatellite markers and use them to assess the genetic diversity and structure of D. nuttalli populations across northern China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Genome-wide microsatellite mining was conducted using the D. nuttalli reference genome. A total of 192 adult ticks were collected from five geographic locations in northern China. Genotyping was performed using 15 novel, highly polymorphic markers selected through a multi-step filtering process. Genetic diversity, population structure, molecular variance, gene flow and isolation by distance were investigated in population genetic analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 15 selected markers exhibited high polymorphism, with a mean polymorphic information content of 0.66. Genetic diversity varied among populations, with the Hulunbuir population showing the highest diversity levels. Population structure analyses consistently revealed two primary genetic clusters: one comprising populations from Yan'an, Bayannur, Ulanqab and Hulunbuir, and another consisting solely of the Hohhot population. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that 36.9% of the total genetic variation occurred among populations, reflecting substantial genetic differentiation (F_ST [fixation index] = 0.37). While gene flow was evident among some populations, it was limited between the two identified clusters. Notably, no significant isolation-by-distance pattern was detected (P > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first set of microsatellite markers for D. nuttalli and reveals a complex population structure in northern China. Host movement and anthropogenic factors appear to shape this structure more strongly than geographic distance. Notably, the isolated Hohhot population parasitizing wild hedgehogs suggests host-associated genetic differentiation and relatively localized transmission dynamics. These findings highlight the need for differentiated control strategies, including wildlife-focused surveillance in peri-urban areas and targeted livestock management in pastoral systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841341","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":"Seroprevalence and associated factors of Leishmania infantum in small ruminants in Portugal.","authors":"Hélder Quintas, María Eugenia Lebrero, João Jacob-Ferreira, Pablo Quilez, David Guallar, Ana Cláudia Coelho, Delia Lacasta, Diana Marteles-Aragüés, Héctor Ruíz, Marta Ruiz de Arcaute, Luís Cardoso, Sergio Villanueva-Saz","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07424-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07424-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania parasites transmitted by infected phlebotomine sand flies. In the epidemiological study reported here, we investigated exposure to Leishmania infantum in sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) in mainland Portugal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted in three geographical regions of Portugal (Trás-os-Montes, Centre and South), with sampling in 19 municipalities and 87 localities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2124 small ruminants were tested (1820 sheep and 304 goats). Overall seroprevalence was 21.3% (453/2124; 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.6-23.1), with higher seropositivity in sheep than goats (22.4% vs 15.1%). Univariable analysis showed that ruminant species and reported contact between goats and sheep were statistically associated with seropositivity, but these associations were not detected in the subset of 1851 animals used for multivariable modelling. Rather, multivariable logistic regression analysis (n = 1851) showed that several management and biosecurity factors were linked to an increased risk of infection. Increased odds of infection were observed in non-autochthonous breeds (odds ratio [OR] 2.163), holdings without goat-sheep contact (OR 1.920), high aeration/ventilation (OR 1.964), suboptimal drinking fountain hygiene (OR up to 6.221), biannual versus annual disinfection (OR 2.459) and not using equipment from other farms (OR 2.189). Permanent confinement was protective (OR 0.415).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results indicate widespread exposure of Portuguese flocks to L. infantum, highlighting the relevance of husbandry practices. Further research is needed to determine whether sheep and goats develop clinical disease and to clarify the implications for animal and public health.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841268","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":"Selection of the optimal long-acting injectable formulation of ivermectin for use in humans to target malaria vectors in Western Africa: evaluation of pharmacokinetics and mosquitocidal efficacy in cattle under laboratory conditions.","authors":"Lamidi Zela, Sié Hermann Pooda, Angélique Porciani, Samuel Beneteau, André Barembaye Sagna, Sophie Le Lamer-Déchamps, Nicolas Moiroux, Cheick Oumar Wendpagnandé Ouédraogo, Anyirékun Fabrice Somé, Cédric Pennetier, Christophe Roberge, Adrien Marie Gaston Belem, Koumbobr Roch Dabiré, Guiguigbaza-Kossigan Dayo, Karine Mouline","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07263-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07263-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ivermectin, a semisynthetic endectocide, is widely used against parasitic nematodes in humans and animals. Its lethality to Anopheles mosquitoes that have fed on treated hosts represents a promising malaria control strategy, particularly against outdoor transmission. However, standard oral formulations for use in humans produce short-lived mosquitocidal blood concentrations, limiting epidemiological impact. To meet WHO Preferred Product Characteristics (PPC) for endectocides against malaria vectors (hazard ratio [HR] > 4 for at least 1 month), we developed three long-acting injectable ivermectin formulations (LAIFs) based on BEPO® depot technology (MedinCell, Jacou, France) and compared these in cattle to identify the most suitable candidate for future use in humans.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cattle-Anopheles model was used under laboratory conditions in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Three LAIF candidates (mdc-STM-001, mdc-STM-002, mdc-STM-003) were injected into calves (n = 5 per formulation) at 0.6 mg/kg body weight, with untreated calves as controls (n = 5). Plasma ivermectin concentrations were measured over 130 days post-injection and analyzed using non-compartmental pharmacokinetics. Direct skin feeding assays were conducted at 15 time points (days 2-126 post-injection) using insecticide-susceptible Anopheles gambiae Kisumu (KIS) and wild-derived resistant (VK5) Anopheles colonies. Efficacy was assessed based on 10-day cumulative mortalities, HRs, 50% lethal concentrations (LC50) and duration of exposure above the 10-day LC50, also accounting for the extrinsic incubation period of Plasmodium falciparum.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All formulations were well tolerated. The mdc-STM-001 formulation showed the most favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, with a controlled peak concentration (Cmax) of 34.5 ± 12.7 ng/ml and the lowest inter-individual variability (12%). Ten-day HRs exceeded 4 and cumulative mortalities were > 50% for at least 60 days in both strains. Median mosquito lifespan remained below 10 days for at least 90 days post-injection. The 10-day LC50 for resistant mosquitoes (3.66, 95% confidence interval 2.69-4.97 ng/ml) was maintained for ≥ 126 days.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The mdc-STM-001 formulation was identified as the optimal candidate for future use in humans. A single injection induced sustained mosquitocidal efficacy for at least 2 months, achieving HR > 4 against both susceptible and resistant Anopheles populations and meeting WHO PPC for malaria endectocides. Although extrapolation from cattle to humans requires caution, the favorable PK profile and robust entomological outcomes support progression to phase 1 clinical trials. Ivermectin's established safety record further strengthens the rationale for clinical development.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841347","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}