Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"A morphological and molecular study of phlebotomine sand flies of Taiwan reveals the record of six species.","authors":"Han-Hsuan Chung, Cheng-Hui Tsai, Hwa-Jen Teng, Shiu-Ling Chen","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07017-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07017-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phlebotomine sand flies, the key vectors in the transmission of Leishmania parasites, pose a global health challenge. Although leishmaniasis has been reported in the indigenous Taiwanese population, the last sand fly survey, based on morphological features, was conducted over two decades ago. Thus, updated information on the phlebotomine sand fly fauna and disease transmission risk in Taiwan is required. In this study, a nationwide survey was conducted using molecular methods to ascertain the current sand fly status and disease transmission risk in Taiwan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1292 sand flies were collected in a nationwide survey conducted in 2017-2018. Species were identified based on their 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA), cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), and cytochrome b (Cytb) using the phylogenetic tree and intra- and interspecific divergence analysis. The relative abundance, richness, diversity, and evenness of sand fly species were also calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Phylogenetic analysis showed six independent clades, including Phlebotomus kiangsuensis (0.1%), Sergentomyia iyengari (93.7%), Sergentomyia barraudi (3.8%), Sergentomyia squamipleuris (1.6%), and two species described for the first time (0.9%). Species divergence analysis supported the phylogenetic results. The richness and abundance of sand flies were higher in eastern Taiwan than in western regions. Blood-source analysis showed an interaction between Se. iyengari and humans. In addition, no Leishmania spp. DNA was detected in any specimen, which suggests a low transmission risk for Leishmania spp. in Taiwan.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings provide valuable knowledge on the current fauna of phlebotomine sand flies, which is beneficial for assessing disease risk and managing vector control in Taiwan.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"403"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258826","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":"Hidden in plain sight: discovery of sand flies in Singapore and description of four species new to science.","authors":"Huicong Ding, Majhalia Torno, Khamsing Vongphayloth, Germaine Ng, Denise Tan, Wendy Sng, Kelvin Ho, Fano José Randrianambinintsoa, Jérôme Depaquit, Cheong Huat Tan","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07021-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07021-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are tiny, blood-sucking insects that are of significant public and veterinary health importance for their role in the transmission of Leishmania parasites, bacteria, and arboviruses. Although sand flies have been documented in most Southeast Asian countries, there are no published records confirming their presence in Singapore. Here, we present this fauna with descriptions of new species.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sand fly species identification was confirmed using an integrative taxonomic approach that combines morphological analysis with DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified eight sand fly species, including four newly described species: Phlebotomus seowpohi n. sp., Sergentomyia leechingae n. sp., Sergentomyia gubleri n. sp., and Sergentomyia retrocalcarae n. sp. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the new Phlebotomus species, belonging to subgenus Euphlebotomus, is closely related to Phlebotomus argentipes, an important vector of Leishmania donovani from the South Asian region.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The potential risk of leishmaniasis in Singapore is compounded by the recent detection of antibodies to Leishmania infantum in local free-roaming dogs. Therefore, continuous monitoring is essential to assess and manage the risk of disease agent transmission, support the development of an early warning system, and enable timely and targeted public health interventions. The findings of this study contribute to the global knowledge on sand flies and enhance our understanding of local fauna diversity and distribution.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"402"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258845","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":"Chrysosplenetin acts as a homeostasis stabilizer with dual-function in shattering Plasmodium berghei K173 resistance to artemisinin driven by both ABC transporters and heme-ROS/GSH axis.","authors":"Hongyan Ji, Yutao Huang, Jingxuan Tian, Ruonan Bo, Xin Heng, Junyi Yang, Yifan Huang, Xiangyu Wang, Qingfeng Tan, Hua Gao, Linwei Chen, Jing Chen","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07018-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07018-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chrysosplenetin (CHR), a polymethoxy flavonol co-occurring with artemisinin (ART) in Artemisia annua L., reverses ART resistance in Plasmodium berghei K173 potentially by downregulating intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded by Mdr1a) expression. In the present study, we further elaborated on the mechanism by comparing differences in antimalarial activity and resistance-associated molecular expression profiles between ART alone and combination therapy in blood and tissues of Mdr1a wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice infected with either sensitive or resistant malarial parasites.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the effects of monotherapy and combination therapy in WT and KO mice infected with sensitive and resistant P. berghei K173 strains. The mRNA expressions of multi-resistance proteins (Mrp1, 2, 4, 5) and breast cancer resistance proteins (Bcrp) were detected. Hemoglobin levels, mRNA expressions of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (IFN-α), interferon-α (IFN-α), and interleukin (IL-1β) in blood and tissues, and redox balance (ROS/GSH levels), as well as gene or protein expression of signaling pathway (PI3K/AKT-mTOR and MAPK) were investigated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In drug-resistant mice, combination therapy maintained the highest survival (100%) and inhibition (30%) rates and the lowest parasitaemia percentage (approximately 20.0%), irrespective of Mdr1a gene status. Furthermore, combination reshaped the spatial and ART resistance-phenotypic disparities in Mrps and Bcrp mRNA expressions (with a fold change ranging from 1.35 to 38.03), ROS/GSH balance (ranging from 1.02-fold to 10.18-fold), hemoglobin levels (ranging from 1.04-fold to 1.20-fold), and cytokine profiles (ranging from 1.14-fold to 37.79-fold) induced by ART alone, which were partially dysregulated by Mdr1a deficiency. Monotherapy and combination exert oppositely regulatory effects on the PI3K/AKT-mTOR pathway in a tissue-, Mdr1a genotype-, and parasite sensitivity/resistance-dependent manner (ranging from 1.52-fold to 84.00-fold). Specifically, CHR reversed ART-induced changes via PI3K/AKT protein inhibition (ranging from 1.20-fold to 63.00-fold), which was contingent on P-gp functionality. Finally, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was involved in the antagonistic regulation between ART alone and combination therapy in a P-gp-independent manner (ranging from 1.39-fold to 16.69-fold).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The efflux pump function of P-gp is probably not a critical factor in the mechanism by which CHR reverses ART resistance. Instead, CHR acts as a homeostasis stabilizer with dual functions: it disrupts Plasmodium berghei K173 resistance to ART driven by both ABC transporters and the heme-ROS/GSH axis, in which the non-transport function of P-gp on ART is involved.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"404"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258810","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":"Acaricidal bioactivity and molecular target analysis of Origanum onites and Ocimum gratissimum essential oils against Haemaphysalis doenitzi ticks.","authors":"Songbo Zhang, Zhihua Gao, Han Wang, Jingyao Gao, Feidi Guo, Runying Wang, Weijia Xing, Jianing Liu, Xinyu Zhang, Xiaolong Yang","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07031-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07031-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Haemaphysalis doenitzi is a parasite mainly found on the body surface of birds that is capable of transmitting rickettsiae and borrelia, which can cause serious zoonotic diseases. Chemical acaricides are controversial because they pollute the environment and predispose ticks to resistance. In contrast, plant essential oils (EOs) are favored for their effective acaricide properties and environmental friendliness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The constituents of Origanum onites and Ocimum gratissimum EOs were profiled using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Acaricidal activities were evaluated by immersing unfed nymphs and adults of H. doenitzi in serial solutions for 5 min and monitoring mortality after 24 h. Enzyme activities (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, GST, CarE, AChE) and transcript levels of HDABCE1, HDCYP450a and HD-GSTa were quantified in homogenates of treated survivors. Homology models of the three target proteins were generated and docked with carvacrol and eugenol to predict binding sites and affinities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>GC-MS analysis showed 93.3% of carvacrol in O. onites EO and 66.68% of eugenol in O. gratissimum EO. Immersion test showed that O. onites EO had significant acaricidal activity against nymphs and adults, with median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of 14.694 mg/ml and 24.357 mg/ml, respectively. Ocimum gratissimum EO showed significant acaricidal activity against nymphs and adults, with LC₅₀ values of 9.379 mg/ml and 18.299 mg/ml, respectively. Carvacrol also showed significant acaricidal activity against unfed nymphs and adults. Repellency tests showed that O. onites EO had more significant repellent activity against nymphs than DEET, with median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of 2.162 mg/ml and 7.039 mg/ml, respectively. To explore the molecular mechanisms of O. onites EO and carvacrol on ticks, we investigated the enzyme activity and gene expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter, cytochrome P450, and glutathione S-transferase. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify the enzyme effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of this study provide important insight into the toxicity mechanisms of ticks, and indicate that carvacrol and O. onites EO can be used as alternatives to chemically synthesized acaricides.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"401"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145252201","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":"Aedes aegypti strain selected with Bacillus thuringiensis svar. israelensis larvicide for 50 generations remains susceptible and exhibited increased fitness.","authors":"Heverly Suzany Gouveia Menezes, Louise Helena Guimarães Oliveira, Ana Paula Araújo, Karine Silva Carvalho, Maria Helena Neves Lobo Silva-Filha","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07037-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-07037-x","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis (Bti) was the first bacterial larvicide developed for dipteran control. Its insecticidal crystal, composed of protoxins such as Cry11Aa, Cry4Ba, Cry4Aa, and Cyt1Aa, exhibits a selective and complex mode of action and a low potential for resistance development. Most resistance studies have focused on populations from regions where larvicide applications are seasonal, while Aedes aegypti populations in tropical endemic areas may face continuous selection pressure, raising concerns about potential selection of resistance. This study evaluated an Ae. aegypti strain (RecBti), Subjected to strong Bti selection for 50 generations under laboratory conditions, as part of a longitudinal study for assessing in vivo susceptibility to Bti and also biological traits that could be potentially influenced by this chronic larvicide exposure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;The RecBti strain, continuously selected using a commercial Bti larvicide for 50 generations, was compared with reference strains. Bioassays with Bti, Cry11Aa, and Cry4Ba were performed to assess the susceptibility of larvae (F&lt;sub&gt;40&lt;/sub&gt; and F&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;) to these compounds. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays were carried out to investigate the expression of midgut-bound proteins reported as Cry toxin receptors in F&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; larvae. Energy reserves (lipids and reducing sugars) were quantified in larval pools and adult females from F&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;. Additionally, biological parameters of egg viability after varying quiescence periods and adult longevity, were also evaluated in F&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;RecBti larvae remained susceptible to the Bti crystal and its individual Cry11Aa and Cry4Ba toxins after 50 generations of chronic exposure, compared with the reference susceptible strain. The transcriptional analysis revealed that three genes encoding Cry midgut receptors-aminopeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, and cadherin-were expressed at significantly higher levels in RecBti larvae compared with the reference strain. RecBti larvae and adults exhibited significantly higher lipid reserves, although no significant difference in reducing sugar levels was observed compared with the reference individuals. Egg viability of RecBti females was higher, and adults showed increased longevity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;This study provides evidence for the low risk of resistance development of Ae. aegypti to Bti, on the basis of a prolonged and intensive selection process. The levels of expression of Cry toxin receptors found in RecBti larvae, compared with reference larvae, are consistent with the status of in vivo susceptibility. However, long-term Bti exposure was associated with physiological and biological changes that may have implications for mosquito fitness and vectorial competence. These findings show that Bti is the larvicide that has a low pot","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"400"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12506322/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145244665","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":"Evaluation of the efficacy of 20% IR3535^® with a sustained-release formulation and 25% DEET insect repellents against mosquitoes in a field setting in Ghana.","authors":"Mufeez Abudu, Andy Asafu-Adjaye, Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei, Kwadwo Kyereme Frempong, Osei Kwaku Akuoko, Sellase Pi-Bansa, Mavis Ofei, Helena Anokyewaa Boakye, Jane Ansah-Owusu, Sandra-Candys Adwirba Arkorful, Michelle Ayuritolya Asigbaase, Christopher Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah, Beatrice Greco, Delalih Manteau, Thalita Jesus, Daniel Oppong, Andy Mahler, Daniel Adjei Boakye, Samuel Kweku Dadzie","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06946-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06946-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Personal protection with topical skin repellents has been advocated for use against vector-borne diseases. This study compared the efficacies of a 20% IR3535^® lotion with Staytec technology formulation and 25% DEET lotion in repelling mosquitoes in two rural communities in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mosquito biting densities were established at baseline and during the intervention using human landing collections (HLC). These were carried out overnight from 21:00-06:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Prior to the HLC, the exposed legs were treated with either a lotion of the 20% IR3535^® or 25% DEET (as test) at a rate of 1 g/600 cm², and 70% ethanol (as control). The sampling (HLC) was performed using the Latin square design. Mosquito species were identified morphologically using some keys and molecularly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Evaluations were carried out to determine the knock down resistant (kdr) allele frequencies. The presence of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins was identified using immunological method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The major malaria vector observed in the study area was An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) with high frequencies of kdr-west mutation in the population. The 20% IR3535^® and 25% DEET treatments reduced mosquito bites by 98% and 95%, respectively, compared with the control (P < 0.01). The collectors were protected by the 20% IR3535^® and 25% DEET for about 92% and 89% of the time, respectively. There was also a sustained protection of the two repellents for 9 h. This protection prevented infectious bites in the treatment group compared with the control.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The 20% IR3535^® with Staytec technology can provide significant protection against Anopheles and other mosquito bites and will be useful for complementing other vector control interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"398"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505549/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145244660","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":"Insulin-like peptides activate egg formation in the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi.","authors":"Benjamin L Phipps, Mark R Brown, Michael R Strand","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07036-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-07036-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The mosquito family Culicidae diverged into the subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae approximately 179 million years ago. Most female mosquitoes are anautogenous and must blood-feed on a vertebrate to produce eggs. Regulation of egg-producing gonotrophic cycles is best understood in the culicine Aedes aegypti. Anopheline mosquitoes encode all of the hormones that regulate gonotrophic cycles in Ae. aegypti, but the processes regulating egg formation may not be fully similar. In this study, we conducted experiments that compared egg formation in Anopheles stephensi to prior findings reported for Ae. aegypti.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Assays for yolk deposition into oocytes, ovary ecdysteroidogenesis, vitellogenin expression, nutrient storage and oviposition were used to characterize gonotrophic cycles in An. stephensi females that were mated or unmated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Yolk deposition into oocytes depended on the release of hormones produced in the head. Two insulin-like peptides, An. stephensi insulin-like peptide hormone 3 (AsILP3) and AsILP4, stimulated the vitellogenic phase in An. stephensi, as measured by several different assays, whereas ovary ecdysteroidogenic hormone (OEH) showed no stimulatory activity. Nutrient stores were lower in An. stephensi than Ae. aegypti, which was associated with females also being unresponsive to AsILP3 stimulation in the absence of a blood meal. Anopheles stephensi males transferred ecdysteroids (ECDs) to females, which was associated with mated females producing and laying more eggs than unmated females. However, mated and unmated females did not show differences in ECD production by the ovaries or vitellogenin expression at the messenger RNA level by the fat body. Most females that mated before consuming a first blood meal oviposited while most unmated females did not. Mating after consuming a first blood meal did not rescue oviposition. However, females that reabsorbed eggs and consumed a second blood meal did oviposit.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Regulation of gonotrophic cycles in An. stephensi shares some features with Ae. aegypti but also exhibits differences.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"399"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12506429/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145244724","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":"Toxoplasma gondii-induced adverse pregnancy outcomes: insight into the inhibitory role of Trem2 on TLR4/TRAF6/JNK signaling pathway.","authors":"Yining Cao, Feifei Fu, Fei Ju, Chenyu Wu, Tiankun Yao, Mei Yang, Baolan Sun, Jinling Chen","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07000-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-07000-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Decidual macrophages (dMφs) are not only essential for maintaining normal pregnancy but also serve as crucial immune defenders against infections, including Toxoplasma gondii. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), as a critical immunoregulatory receptor on dMφs, can counteract inflammation and defend against pathogen infection. However, the mechanisms underlying the Trem2 downstream pathways during T. gondii infection-particularly their impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs)-remain elusive.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The interaction between Trem2 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was initially predicted through molecular docking models and subsequently confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation, using both animal models and cellular systems to examine the impact of Trem2 knockout, overexpression, and TLR4-blocking antibody treatment on downstream signaling molecules as well as cytokine production.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The interaction between Trem2 and TLR4 was validated. Trem2 downregulation during T. gondii infection coincided with increased TLR4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, while Trem2 knockout further enhanced TLR4/TRAF6/JNK signaling in mice and macrophages. Conversely, Trem2 overexpression suppressed this signaling cascade and reversed T. gondii-induced activation. Treatment with a TLR4-blocking antibody inhibited TRAF6 and P-JNK activation in macrophages but did not affect Trem2 expression. Additionally, Trem2-deficient bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) exhibited elevated transcription of TNF-α and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) upon T. gondii antigen stimulation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Trem2 deficiency in pregnant mice promotes the TLR4/TRAF6/JNK signaling cascade following T. gondii infection. This study demonstrates that Trem2 acts as a pregnancy-specific inhibitor of TLR4/TRAF6/JNK signaling, providing novel mechanistic insights into T. gondii-induced APOs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"396"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12502315/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145239147","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":"Efficacy of Vector Guard®, a mosaic alpha-cypermethrin and piperonyl butoxide-treated net, for the control of pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors: a non-inferiority experimental hut evaluation in Benin.","authors":"Judicael Nounagnon, Martial Gbegbo, Abel Agbevo, Estelle Vigninou, Boris N'dombidjé, Corine Ngufor","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07038-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-07038-w","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) incorporating pyrethroids with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) have demonstrated enhanced effectiveness against malaria transmitted by pyrethroid-resistant vectors compared with standard pyrethroid-only ITNs. To sustain progress in malaria prevention, a broader portfolio of effective pyrethroid-PBO nets is required to promote market diversity and strengthen supply resilience. In this study, we evaluated the entomological efficacy and wash durability of Vector Guard®, a novel mosaic alpha-cypermethrin-PBO ITN, against pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (An. gambiae s.l.) in southern Benin.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;An experimental hut trial was conducted in Covè, Benin, against wild, free-flying An. gambiae s.l. The effectiveness of the Vector Guard® ITN was tested unwashed and after 20 standardized washes, and also compared to two WHO-prequalified ITNs: Olyset® Plus (a permethrin-PBO net) and Royal Sentry® 2.0 (an alpha-cypermethrin-only net). Primary outcomes were mosquito mortality and blood-feeding protection. Susceptibility bioassays were conducted to assess local vector resistance to insecticides. Laboratory cone and tunnel tests were also performed to help explain the finding in the experimental huts. Chemical content analyses were performed to investigate active ingredient wash retention. Vector Guard® was assessed for its non-inferiority to Olyset® Plus following WHO guidance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The wild An. gambiae s.l. population at Covè exhibited high frequencies of pyrethroid resistance, with PBO pre-exposure restoring partial susceptibility to alpha-cypermethrin (34% vs 4% mortality) but not to permethrin (2.0% vs 2.1% mortality). A total of 6799 females were collected in the experimental huts. Vector Guard® outperformed both Royal Sentry® 2.0 and Olyset® Plus across all entomological endpoints. Mortality with Vector Guard® was significantly higher than with Olyset® Plus both when unwashed (36.4% vs 17.5%, p &lt; 0.001) and after 20 washes (17.2% vs 8.7%, p &lt; 0.001). Non-inferiority analysis with pooled data for unwashed and washed nets confirmed that Vector Guard® was non-inferior to Olyset® Plus in terms of both mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.26-3.24, non-inferiority margin [NIM] 0.423) and blood-feeding protection (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.45-0.62, NIM: 1.359). These findings were supported by the results from the cone and tunnel tests. Chemical analysis showed higher wash retention of active ingredients in Vector Guard® (83% for PBO and &gt; 94% for alpha-cypermethrin) compared to Olyset® Plus (40.2% for PBO and 69.6% for permethrin).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Vector Guard® demonstrated superior entomological efficacy and wash durability compared to Royal Sentry® 2.0 and Olyset® Plus, and fulfilled WHO non-inferiority criteria for mosquito mortality and blood-feeding inhibition. These findings support its addit","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"397"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12502171/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145239181","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":"Correction: Investigation of bacterial microbiota variability in two allopatric populations of Nyssomyia umbratilis, susceptible and nonsusceptible to Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis infection in the Amazon region.","authors":"Eric Fabrício Marialva, Keillen Monick Martins-Campos, Victor Ramos de Almeida, Claudia María Ríos-Velasquez, Antônio Jorge Tempone, Felipe Arley Costa Pessoa, Yara Maria Traub-Cseko","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07034-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-07034-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"394"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12482886/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145192353","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}