Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"Vector-borne pathogens in cats and associated fleas in southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Marika Grillini, Hana Tadesse, Alessandra Mondin, Maria Luisa Menandro, Giovanni Franzo, Giorgia Dotto, Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono, Bersissa Kumsa, Rudi Cassini, Giulia Simonato","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06855-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06855-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The worldwide increment of cat populations has increased the risk of ectoparasite infestation and feline vector-borne pathogen (VBP) transmission. In low-income countries, such as Ethiopia, favorable climatic conditions and the absence of preventive measures against ectoparasites contribute to broadening VBP circulation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of protozoal (i.e., Hepatozoon, Babesia, and Cytauxzoon species) and bacterial (i.e., Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Bartonella species) infections in owned cats and in their ectoparasites in southern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted in four districts of the Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia. Cats were sampled, and information about the animals was recorded. Blood samples were collected on Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards, while ectoparasites were collected by combing and stored in 70% ethanol. Fleas were morphologically identified, and DNA was extracted from both blood samples and ectoparasites, then submitted to molecular analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and end-point PCR were used to detect pathogens. Positive samples were sequenced, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed on the obtained Hepatozoon spp. and Rickettsia spp. sequences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 109 cats were sampled, and 115 fleas (i.e., 28 Ctenocephalides felis and 87 Echidnophaga gallinacea) and three ticks (Haemaphysalis laechi) were collected. Molecular analysis of feline blood samples revealed Hepatozoon spp. as the most common pathogen (36.7%; CI:28.3-46.1%), followed by Rickettsia spp. (5.5%; CI: 2.5-11.5%), Bartonella spp. (2.8%; CI:0.9-7.8%), and Babesia spp. (0.9%; CI:0.2-5.0%); whereas fleas harbored mostly Rickettsia spp. (52.2%; CI:43.1-61.1%), followed by Bartonella spp. (6.1%; CI: 3.0-12.0%), and Hepatozoon spp. (0.9%; CI: 0.2-4.8%). According to phylogenetic clustering, specimens of the Hepatozoon genus were classified as H. felis, H. luiperdjie,, and H. canis. Concerning the genus Rickettsia, it was not possible to reach a clear identification for the majority of the sequences, apart from some specimens ascribable to R. felis and R. asembonensis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Vector-borne pathogens posing significant threats to animal and human health were detected in this study. Molecular analysis suggested the circulation of different and genetically variable species in the feline host. The molecular approach allowed the identification of VBPs in the cat population and their fleas, providing new data on their occurrence and prevalence in Ethiopia and, more generally, in sub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"228"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12177963/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144333714","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: Significance of vertical transmission of arboviruses in mosquito-borne disease epidemiology.","authors":"Oliver Chinonso Mbaoma, Stephanie Margarete Thomas, Carl Beierkuhnlein","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06864-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06864-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"226"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12175438/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326506","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":"A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay.","authors":"Rodrigo Alvez, María L Félix, Adriana Santodomingo, Pablo Parodi, Richard Thomas, Sebastián Muñoz-Leal, Luis Carvalho, José M Venzal","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ixodes fuscipes is a tick species found in the Southern Cone of America and the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex present in Uruguay. Members of this complex are particularly recognized as vectors of diseases affecting human health, such as babesiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida). However, even though potential hosts of I. fuscipes in Uruguay (rodents, birds, and artiodactyls) are known carriers of Babesia species, the potential role of I. fuscipes as a vector of piroplasmids has not been studied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, questing I. fuscipes ticks were collected from five locations in Uruguay, and the presence of piroplasmid DNA was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 953 ticks (larvae, nymphs, and adults) were collected; 14 samples (two larval pools and 12 nymphs) tested positive. Genetic analyses using 18S rDNA and COI sequences revealed the presence of undescribed Babesia lineages, belonging to the Babesia odocoilei clade and others to the Babesia microti sensu stricto clade.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This work represents the first association of Babesia spp. with I. fuscipes and highlights the importance of this type of study to detect and mitigate the emergence of diseases associated with these arthropods.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"225"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12175381/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326505","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":"Influence of forest structural complexity on small mammal body condition and its impact on tick burden and pathogen prevalence.","authors":"Tosca Vanroy, Lander Baeten, An Martel, Bram Catfolis, Manoj Fonville, Luc Lens, Frank Pasmans, Hein Sprong, Diederik Strubbe, Elin Verbrugghe, Kris Verheyen","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06874-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06874-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>More and more forest management focuses on increasing structural complexity to improve environmental conditions for biodiversity and forest functioning. However, it remains uncertain whether animal populations also benefit from increased forest structure. Small mammals are key reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, so understanding how forest structure changes their condition and how this, in turn, affects infection dynamics is critical for animal and human health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study examined relationships between forest structural complexity, individual body condition (scaled mass index (SMI) and telomere length), pathogen prevalence, and tick load in bank voles and wood mice across 19 forest plots in northern Belgium, representing a gradient of structural complexity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that higher forest complexity, especially with more dead wood and a well-developed herb layer, increased small mammal abundance. Density varied by tree species, with highest abundances in oak and lowest in poplar forests. In addition, body condition improved with structural complexity; SMI increased with woody layer complexity in wood mice and with dead wood availability in bank voles. No clear relationship between telomere length and forest complexity was observed. The relationship between body condition and pathogen prevalence was species- and pathogen-specific. Small mammals in better body condition were more likely to host Borrelia burgdorferi (causing Lyme disease), particularly in complex forests, indicating a higher infection risk with increasing structural complexity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Forest management practices that aim to enhance forest structure and biodiversity may thus inadvertently increase zoonotic disease risk and should take these findings in consideration to minimize the risk for human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"227"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12177995/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326507","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 effectiveness of Aquatain, Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, and Temephos on Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles stephensi larvae in the laboratory and field settings.","authors":"Sisay Dugassa, Tilahun Kebede, Bedri Abdulatif, Gudissa Assefa, Hiwot Solomon, Dejene Getachew, Kidane Lelisa, Araya Gebresilassie","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06765-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06765-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The main tools to control malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa are long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying. However, their sustainability is threatened by the emergence of insecticide resistances, behavioral avoidance and presence of outdoor biting mosquito populations. Thus, complementary interventions such as larval source management, which includes larviciding, are required to achieve better results in malaria vector control. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three larvicides (Aquatain AMF^®, Temephos and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) against larvae of Anopheles arabiensisi and Anopheles stephensi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The tests on insectary colony and field-collected immature stages of the mosquitoes were conducted in the laboratory. For this, the third and fourth larval instars of An. arabiensis and An. stephensi were placed in trays measuring 50 cm × 40 cm, and larvicides were applied to the treatments while the control trays were left untreated. In addition, the larvicides were applied to selected natural habitats, and their effects on the reduction of the immature stages' density were estimated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the laboratory, susceptible An. arabiensis showed mortality rates of 95% with Aquatain, 100% with Bti and 100% with Temephos, while An. stephensi showed 60% with Aquatain, 84% with Bti and 100% with Temephos. The percentage of larval mortalities among wild An. arabiensis collected from the field and exposed to Aquatain, Bti and Temephos were 97%, 100% and 100%, respectively, whereas those of An. stephensi were 74%, 99% and 100%, respectively. During the natural field study, the reductions in immature stages were as follows: 77%, 96% and 95% in Adama; 89%, 95% and 94% in Metahara; and 92%, 84% and 96% in Awash for Aquatain, Bti and Temephos, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The three larvicides, Aquatain, Temephos and Bti, provided high levels of larviciding efficacies in both laboratory and field evaluations. Despite its effectiveness, Temephos caused the water to turn whitish and emitted a strong odor that made the community wary regarding the treated habitats. Therefore, we recommend using Aquatain in mosquito control programs as a complementary malaria vector control tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"223"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12172309/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144317581","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":"Should I dive or should I float? Behavioural plasticity of Aedes mariae pupae under predation threat.","authors":"Giulia Cordeschi, Valentina Mastrantonio, Roberta Bisconti, Nicole Giardiello, Daniele Canestrelli, Daniele Porretta","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06875-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06875-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The pupal stage in holometabolous insects is a critical transition between larval and adult forms, during which feeding ceases and survival depends on stored energy reserves. Mosquito pupae exhibit active diving behaviour in response to threats, which is energetically costly due to their positive buoyancy. Whether pupae are able to adjust diving behaviour according to environmental conditions, balancing predator avoidance and energy expenditure, remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how water salinity affects the diving behaviour of Aedes mariae pupae, a species inhabiting Mediterranean rock pools characterised by highly variable salinity conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Pupae were maintained and tested in two salinity conditions: low (50%) and high (150%). Diving behaviour was recorded following an automated mechanical stimulus, and we measured: (i) time spent underwater, (ii) pupal activity (i.e. the number of abdominal movements during the immersion and the ratio of movements to time spent underwater) and (iii) the proportion of time spent by a pupa at different depths along the height of the water column (space use).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that pupae in high-salinity conditions spent 20.6% less time underwater than those in low salinity. They also performed fewer abdominal movements during dives but showed no significant differences in movements per unit time. Analysis of space use showed that pupae in high salinity spent more time in the upper part of the water column and less time in the middle and lower parts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Ae. mariae pupae modify their diving behaviour in response to different salinity conditions, adopting energy-efficient responses to external stimuli that promote survival in variable habitats. These findings highlight the importance of pupal behavioural flexibility for overall fitness and underscore the need to investigate pupal behavioural plasticity, which remains largely unexplored.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"224"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12175317/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144317582","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":"Canine leishmaniosis and peripheral neuropathy: a lesson from the neurologist.","authors":"Floriana Gernone, Domenico Otranto, Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Annamaria Uva, Kaspar Matiasek, Andrea Zatelli","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06773-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06773-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Canine leishmaniosis (CanL), a sand fly-borne zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, is potentially lethal in dogs. A similar or slightly higher quantity of antigens over antibodies promotes the formation of soluble circulating immune complexes (sCIC), which are deposited in the capillary wall, causing the inflammatory cascade responsible for clinical manifestations. Nervous system involvement during CanL is rarely reported in both humans and dogs, and the exact underlying process involving the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is still debated in both species.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two male mixed-breed dogs were presented for exercise intolerance, non-ambulatory flaccid tetraparesis and decreased/absent flexor reflexes in all four limbs. Both dogs were seropositive for L. infantum and presented clinicopathological abnormalities suggestive of active CanL. One dog had received N-methyl-glucamine antimoniate two months before presentation without neurological improvement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Generalized PNS involvement was confirmed in both dogs. Biopsies of muscle and nerve tissues showed mononuclear cell inflammatory infiltration, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for Leishmania spp. In addition, Leishmania spp. antigen was detected in the nerve from one dog by immunohistochemistry. Both dogs were started on N-methyl-glucamine antimoniate and allopurinol in association with immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy, recovering in few weeks.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Peripheral neuropathies during active CanL can be a consequence of sCIC deposition on endoneurial vascular endothelium comprising the blood-nerve barrier and its consequent breakdown. However, an abnormal host immune response triggered by L. infantum causing demyelination and/or axonal disruption is also possible. The positive response to the immunosuppressive therapy further supports an immune-mediated origin of the PNS condition. Therefore, CanL should be included in the differential diagnosis of PNS disease in dogs, especially in areas endemic for L. infantum.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"222"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12153087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144275557","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":"Publisher Correction: Assessing current and future areas of ecological suitability for Lutzomyia shannoni in North America.","authors":"Sydney DeWinter, Grace K Nichol, Christopher Fernandez-Prada, Amy L Greer, J Scott Weese, Katie M Clow","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06848-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06848-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"219"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12153126/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144266969","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":"Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) of the world.","authors":"Eunice Aparecida Bianchi Galati, Andrey José de Andrade, Farzana Perveen, Mathieu Loyer, Khamsing Vongphayloth, Fano José Randrianambinintsoa, Jorian Prudhomme, Nil Rahola, Mohammad Akhoundi, Paloma Helena Fernandes Shimabukuro, Jérôme Depaquit","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06748-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06748-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Checklists of zoological groups are useful to document species names in a specific area or even worldwide. They serve for various purposes, including ecological studies, conservation reports, policy and decision-making, and species identification. Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) are the vectors of pathogens such as Leishmania, Bartonella and some arboviruses (Toscana, Naples, Sicily), and checklists for sand flies have primarily been published mainly for a state, department, or country. A checklist for American sand flies was published in 2017, but, until then, no effort has been made to compile a comprehensive list of species worldwide. The present study aims to fill this gap of knowledge.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present checklist is provided based on a literature overview and biological collections records and includes unpublished data from the authors. The species are presented according to the classification, then alphabetically by Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Distribution by country and type locality of each species are provided. Discussions on the taxonomic status or occurrence of each species are provided when needed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 23 genera in the Western Hemisphere, formerly the New World (Bichromomyia, Brumptomyia, Deanemyia, Dampfomyia, Edentomyia, Evandromyia, Expapillata, Hertigia, Lutzomyia, Martinsmyia, Micropygomyia, Migonemyia, Nyssomyia, Oligodontomyia, Pintomyia, Pressatia, Psathyromyia, Psychodopygus, Sciopemyia, Trichophoromyia, Trichopygomyia, Viannamyia, and Warileya) and 17 genera in the Eastern Hemisphere, formerly the Old World (Australophlebotomus, Chinius, Demeillonius, Grassomyia, Idiophlebotomus, Libanophlebotomus, Libanophlebotomites, Mesophlebotomites, Paleomyia, Parvidens, Phlebotoiella, Phlebotomiella, Phlebotomites, Phlebotomus, Sergentomyia, Spelaeomyia, Spelaeophlebotomus), including the fossil species, are listed herein. The updated list, excluding nomina dubia/species inquirenda includes 1063 sand fly species, with 549 and 514 species for New World and Old World, respectively. Only New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (excluding New Caledonia) do not record the presence of sand flies. The dataset for this study is publicly available in the SiBBr and GBIF.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This is the first detailed list of valid names of phlebotomine sand flies worldwide, including records from each country where they have been documented.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"220"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12153111/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144266968","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":"Systematic proteomic and small RNA profiling of extracellular vesicles from cattle infected with a naturally occurring buparvaquone-resistant strain of Theileria annulata and from uninfected controls.","authors":"Yijun Chai, Jin Che, Jinming Wang, Guiquan Guan, Hong Yin","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06834-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06834-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in host-parasite interactions, particularly in facilitating parasite pathogenesis and immune modulation, and are crucial mediators of intercellular communication. Theileria annulata, an apicomplexan parasite, induces severe alterations in host cells, promoting uncontrolled proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and immune evasion. Although EVs contribute to these processes, the proteins and small RNA cargo involved in T. annulata infection remain incompletely characterized. In particular, little is known about EV profiles in infections caused by drug-resistant field strains.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we conducted systematic proteomic and small RNA profiling of EVs derived from naturally occurring buparvaquone-resistant T. annulata (Xinjiang Kashi strain) infected and uninfected bovine sera to investigate infection-induced alterations. Additionally, EVs were isolated from T. annulata-infected bovine immune cells to determine the protein and microRNA (miRNA) compositions of EVs secreted by specific immune cell types. Label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry proteomics and small RNA sequencing were employed to identify EV-associated proteins and miRNAs, followed by functional enrichment analysis to explore key host-parasite regulatory pathways.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our analysis identified 2580 proteins and 6635 miRNAs in EVs derived from T. annulata-infected bovine serum and immune cell types, many of which are implicated in parasite development, host invasion, and immune modulation. Significant alterations were observed in the EV cargo from infected sera, including enrichment of vesicular proteins and miRNAs associated with immune regulation, metabolic reprogramming, and host-pathogen interactions. Furthermore, functional enrichment analyses highlighted key pathways such as ECM-receptor interactions, oxidative phosphorylation, and proton transport, underscoring the role of EVs in host immune modulation. Supplementary analysis of EVs from infected immune cells provided further insights into the cell type-specific contributions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study comprehensively characterized the infection-induced changes in serum-derived EVs associated with a naturally occurring buparvaquone-resistant T. annulata infection. It offers novel insights into how T. annulata exploits EVs to manipulate host responses. The identification of unique EV-associated proteins and miRNAs highlights their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for Theileria infections. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of host-parasite interactions and lay the foundation for future investigations into EV-mediated pathogenesis and immune evasion.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"221"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12153157/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144266970","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}