Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"Optimization of the irradiation dose for Anopheles coluzzii for implementation of the sterile insect technique.","authors":"Bouraïma Vincent Séré, Simon Péguédwindé Sawadogo, Ablawa Prudenciène Agboho, Bèwadéyir Serge Poda, Dekonone Jean Jacques Tioyé, Zegué Souleïmane Ouattara, Judicael Ouedraogo, Tarwendpanga Francois-Xavier Ouédraogo, Nanwintoum Séverin Bimbilé Somda, Abdoulaye Diabaté, Olivier Gnankiné, Roch Kounbobr Dabiré","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07396-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07396-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a population suppression strategy that involves releasing sterile male insects, which mate with wild females, thereby inducing sterility in the target population. Although SIT represents a promising complementary approach for malaria vector control, its success depends on identifying an irradiation dose that ensures high sterility while preserving the biological performance of males. This study aimed to determine the optimal irradiation dose for sterilizing Anopheles coluzzii, a major malaria vector in West Africa, under laboratory conditions in Burkina Faso.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Experiments were conducted using the 13th generation (G13) of a laboratory strain of Anopheles coluzzii. Pupae were irradiated with doses ranging from 40 to 120 Gy. Key biological parameters, including adult emergence rate, insemination rate, fertility (egg hatching rate), and survival, were evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Irradiation did not affect adult emergence at any of the tested doses. Though insemination rates declined at higher doses, they were not significantly impacted by doses between 40 and 70 Gy. All irradiation doses negatively affected mosquito survival, with more pronounced effects observed at higher doses. Egg hatching rates remained unaffected at 40 and 50 Gy, were significantly reduced at 60 Gy, and were completely suppressed at 70 Gy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>An irradiation dose of 70 Gy appears optimal for Anopheles coluzzii, because it induces complete sterility (0% hatching) while maintaining insemination and emergence rates similar to those of the control group, despite a dose-dependent reduction in survival. Further studies are needed to evaluate the mating competitiveness of males irradiated at this dose under semi-field and field conditions to support the implementation of the sterile insect technique (SIT) in Burkina Faso.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841316","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":"Centrosomal protein 72 deficiency exacerbates liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection.","authors":"Qian Fang, Guangbo Mei, Xuejun Zhao, Weijia Xu, Shanshan Li, Yinan Wang, Zhe Mao, Jiaxi Zhang, Kejun Liu, Jiayi Feng, Wenjuan Yang, Xuebing Qiu, Na Kuang, Hong Jiang, Xiaoqing Li, Rui Zhou, Huifen Dong, Zhenping Ming","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07372-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07372-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatic fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) infection is a major global public health concern. Centrosomal protein 72 (CEP72), a key regulator involved in maintaining cellular architecture and integrity, is significantly upregulated during the progression of hepatic fibrosis; however, its specific biological function in this pathological process remains largely elusive. This study was designed to elucidate the novel biological role of CEP72 in liver fibrosis, with a particular focus on the pathogenesis of S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Publicly available transcriptomic datasets of human hepatic fibrosis were analyzed, and the key findings were validated in two murine models of liver fibrosis (S. japonicum infection and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) injection). To investigate the functional role of CEP72 in hepatic fibrogenesis, Cep72 knockout (Cep72^-/-) mice were employed. Histological staining was performed to evaluate liver pathological changes, fibrotic area, and granuloma size. Transcriptomic profiling, quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and western blot analyses were performed to assess the fibrogenic and inflammatory responses in liver tissues.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CEP72 expression was significantly elevated in both human fibrotic liver samples and murine models of hepatic fibrosis. Notably, CEP72 deficiency markedly exacerbated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by significantly increased granuloma size and enhanced collagen deposition in both S. japonicum-infected and CCl₄-treated mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a global upregulation of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes in the livers of Cep72^-/- mice compared with wild-type controls. These findings were further confirmed by qRT-PCR, IHC, and western blot analyses, which showed increased expression of fibrogenic markers, including α-smooth muscle actin and Collagen I. Mechanistically, loss of CEP72 promoted hepatic fibrogenesis by enhancing the expression of the transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1), which in turn upregulated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) transcription.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Collectively, our findings demonstrate that CEP72 functions as a key negative regulator of inflammation-driven hepatic fibrosis. CEP72 deficiency accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis through the EGR1-TNF-α signaling pathway. This study identifies a previously unrecognized protective role of CEP72 in hepatic fibrosis and highlights its potential as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of S. japonicum-induced and other types of inflammation-associated liver fibrosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841277","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":"Unlocking new frontiers in vector control strategies using Aedes aegypti microbiota.","authors":"Houeffa Dokpomiwa, Etienne Bilgo, Anna-Bella Failloux","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07304-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07304-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Controlling Aedes aegypti, the key vector involved in the transmission of numerous arboviruses, is a major concern, particularly in Africa, where transmission is increasing overall punctuated by annual fluctuations. Traditionally focused on reducing their populations or eliminating their suitable habitats, innovative strategies such as those exploiting microbiota to reinforce existing tools are needed. The microbiota of Ae. aegypti, which is composed of diverse symbiotic microorganisms, is involved in their physiology, reproduction, and ability to transmit pathogens, indicating considerable potential for vector control.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Here, we seek to review the current knowledge on the microbiota of Ae. aegypti and its relevance in vector control, with a particular focus on African populations of Ae. aegypti.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>First, we provide an overview of two major Aedes vectors and Aedes-borne virus distribution in Africa, their microbiota structure, and some factors likely to influence it, showing that ambient environment is one of the determining factors. Second, we have outlined studies that have explored microbial components involved in the enhancement and attenuation of the vectorial competence of Ae. aegypti worldwide, followed by an overview on African Aedes mosquito populations. We then examined the impact of global changes on the vector‒microbiota complex, and by extension, on the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases in Africa. Finally, we analyzed the added value of strategies exploiting the mosquito microbiota and the obstacles limiting their large-scale implementation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, this review highlights the promising use of microbiota for the control of Ae. aegypti while identifying future research directions for its large-scale deployment in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841355","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":"Efficacy and safety of a sustained-release formulation of ivermectin (FILAPREV®) in preventing heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs in two endemic areas of Italy.","authors":"Marco Genchi, Luigi Venco, Marta Fozzer, Alessia Crippa, Claudio N Rossi, Laura Kramer, Alice Vismarra","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07419-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07419-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Macrocyclic lactones are the only drug class currently licensed for heartworm disease prophylaxis. Macrocyclic lactones kill third- and fourth-stage larvae of the parasitic nematode Dirofilaria immitis, thus preventing the development of adult worms in dogs, which are responsible for heartworm disease, a potentially life-threatening condition. The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a subcutaneous implant formulation containing ivermectin (FILAPREV®; Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France) compared to extended-release moxidectin (Guardian™ SR; Elanco, Indianapolis, IN, USA) to protect dogs against D. immitis infection during the entire transmission-risk season in Italy, starting in April and ending in November.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 114 healthy client-owned dogs were enrolled at two investigation sites located in two different regions of Italy known to be endemic for D. immitis (Lombardy and Veneto). In the spring of 2017, approximately half of the dogs from each site randomly received a single dose of FILAPREV® (ivermectin, 0.13 mg/kg as minimum standard dose); the remaining dogs were treated with a single dose of Guardian™ SR (moxidectin, 0.17 mg/kg). Antigen and Knott's tests were performed before treatment, and subsequently at 1 week and 6, 8 and 12 months post-treatment. Clinical examination, thoracic radiography and echocardiography were conducted at the same time points.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 114 dogs enrolled in the study, 112 completed the entire study period. No adverse reactions were observed, and all dogs enrolled in the study remained heartworm-negative throughout the entire study period.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A single subcutaneous administration of FILAPREV®, an implant containing ivermectin at the recommended dosage, prevents heartworm disease caused by D. immitis in dogs for at least 8 months, covering the full seasonal period of heartworm transmission in hyperendemic regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841258","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":"West Nile virus detected in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) collected from rehabilitated raptors in South Carolina.","authors":"Katherine M Brown, Martha Weber, Kia Zellars, Lidia Gual-Gonzalez, Madeleine M Meyer-Torelli, Michael J Skvarla, Wayne Knee, Will K Reeves, Melissa S Nolan","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07428-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07428-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), commonly known as keds or flat flies, are a family of insects that are obligate ectoparasites of birds and mammals, with 216 species documented worldwide. Approximately 75% of the species in the Hippoboscidae family infest birds, while the remaining 25% infest various mammals. Despite the diversity within this family, understanding of their prevalence, vector competencies, and geographic distribution is still quite limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From August 2023 to December 2024, louse flies were collected from wild raptors brought for rehabilitation to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, USA, as part of a surveillance study. Ectoparasites were removed and stored in 75% ethanol (initially) and DNA/RNA Shield (later), and comprehensive health reports were obtained for all admitted birds of prey. Zoo staff collected saliva samples from a subset of raptors with attached flies, and all samples were tested for West Nile virus (WNV) via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Over the 16-month study, approximately 75 louse flies were collected from 21 birds representing six avian species. The most louse flies collected were Icosta americana (Leach, 1817), while only two samples contained Icosta rufiventris, a species previously unreported in South Carolina. Louse flies were pooled for RT-PCR testing, yielding 36 fly pools with an overall 42% WNV positivity rate. Twelve raptor saliva samples were also available for WNV testing; of these, four (33%) tested positive.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This represents the first WNV analysis in avian louse flies collected in South Carolina and, to our knowledge, includes the first report of Icosta rufiventris in the region. Discordant results between raptor WNV infection and the presence of attached ectoparasite WNV underscore a major knowledge gap within the scientific community regarding the role of avian louse flies in the WNV transmission cycle. Further research is needed to determine whether louse flies represent a potential WNV vector for birds.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841426","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 efficacy of six monthly doses of Simparica Trio^® (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) versus NexGard^® Plus (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) against a macrocyclic lactone-resistant Dirofilaria immitis isolate in dogs.","authors":"Jessica Rodriguez, Shelby Jones, Sean Mahabir, Utami DiCosty, Abdelmoneim Mansour, Crystal Fricks, John W McCall, Thomas Geurden","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07402-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07402-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The emergence of macrocyclic lactone (ML)-resistant Dirofilaria immitis highlights the need for informed and considered use of currently available heartworm preventives. Moxidectin provides robust protection against multiple ML-resistant D. immitis isolates, with efficacy dependent upon both the dosage and the number of monthly treatments administered. In this study the efficacy of six monthly treatments of Simparica Trio^® (24 µg/kg moxidectin, 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, and 5 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate) was compared with NexGard^® Plus (12 µg/kg moxidectin, 2.5 mg/kg afoxolaner, and 5 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate), both administered at the recommended label dose.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 24 dogs were randomly allocated to negative control, NexGard Plus, or Simparica Trio groups. Each dog was inoculated with 50 ML-resistant D. immitis L3 larvae (ZoeLA isolate) on day -30. All dogs were dosed orally on days 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150. Upon study completion (day 237), all adult worms were recovered and counted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean moxidectin dosages administered to each group were 17.6 ± 1.6 µg/kg for NexGard Plus and 37.9 ± 8.4 µg/kg for Simparica Trio. Geometric mean (GM) adult worm counts in both NexGard Plus (0.7) and Simparica Trio (0.2) groups were significantly lower than negative control (P < 0.0001), with NexGard Plus and Simparica Trio providing 98.1% and 99.5% efficacy, respectively. However, D. immitis adult worms were recovered in 6/8 (75%) NexGard Plus-treated dogs compared with 2/8 (25%) Simparica-Trio-treated dogs, and the GM worm counts were significantly lower (P = 0.0316) in Simparica-Trio-treated dogs. Additionally, four (50%) dogs treated with NexGard Plus were positive for D. immitis antigen, and one of these four was microfilaremic. In contrast, in the Simparica-Trio-treated group, a single dog was positive for D. immitis antigen, and all eight dogs were amicrofilaremic.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Six consecutive administrations of the higher label dosage of moxidectin delivered by Simparica Trio (24-48 µg/kg) protected more dogs from infection with the ML-resistant D. immitis isolate ZoeLA than the lower label dosage of moxidectin provided by NexGard Plus (12 - 24 µg/kg).</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841287","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":"Molecular screening of mosquitoes for filarioid helminths in Slovenia.","authors":"Urška Glinšek Biškup, Nataša Knap, Miša Korva, Tatjana Avšič Županc, Katja Adam, Tea Knapič, Samo Zakotnik, Barbara Šoba","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07295-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07295-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dirofilaria repens infections have already been reported in both dogs and humans in Slovenia. Xenomonitoring of mosquitoes for filarioid helminths has been used in many studies across Europe to analyze the autochthonous occurrence of filarioids. The aim of this study was to identify potential mosquito vectors of D. repens and other filarioid helminths in Slovenia, to shed light on the significance and extent of possible autochthonous transmission of filarioids in the country.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was a part of the Slovenian nationwide screening program of mosquitoes for filarioid helminths and viruses. Adult mosquitoes were collected from numerous sites throughout Slovenia in 2021 and 2022, and were screened for filarioid helminths using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a 94-base pair (bp) fragment of the 12S rRNA gene from the mitochondrial genome. Positive samples, which were confirmed by conventional PCR targeting 667 bp of the COI gene, were sequenced and compared with GenBank sequences for species identification.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Almost 56,000 adult mosquitoes were screened for filarioid helminths, which were grouped into 5446 pools. The number of mosquitoes in each pool ranged from 1 to 60. Of all the screened pools, 29 were positive for filarioid helminths, giving a total minimum infection rate (MIR) of 0.52 per 1000 mosquitoes. Alongside D. repens, which was detected in six pools, the following were also identified: Setaria tundra in 15 pools; S. labiatopapillosa in two pools; and an unknown filarioid species in six mosquito pools. In the study, we found eight mosquito species in Slovenia that may transmit filarioid worms, including Aedes vexans, Ae. albopictus, Ae. cinereus, Ae. sticticus, Anopheles maculipennis s.l., An. claviger, Coquillettidia richiardii, and Culex pipiens s.l., indicating that multiple species could contribute to the local transmission of these parasites.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The detection of filarioid helminths in Slovenian mosquitoes is consistent with the previous findings of potential mosquito species that can carry D. repens, S. tundra, and S. labiatopapillosa in Europe, indicating the potential for local transmission. Consequently, dirofilarioid infections in dogs and humans, and setarial infections in roe deer, should be considered. Further research is required to better understand the epidemiology of these infections in Europe.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841280","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":"Surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from Swiss residents.","authors":"Ehsan Ghasemian, Bastian Marquis, Florian Tagini, Sébastien Aeby, Werner Tischhauser, Reto Lienhard, Christian Beuret, Virginie Martin, Silvan Hälg, Pie Müller, Antony Croxatto, Onya Opota, Gilbert Greub","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07363-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07363-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) represent an increasing public health threat globally. Climate change has facilitated tick range expansion and extended active seasons, contributing to rising TBD incidence rates. In Switzerland, TBDs represent a major health concern. This study aims to characterise patterns in spatio-temporal distribution of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in ticks removed from humans across Switzerland, examine associations between tick developmental stages and TBP infection prevalence, and analyse co-infection patterns amongst different TBPs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We employed the \"Tick Prevention\" citizen science app to collect spatial and temporal data on tick bite incidents and to obtain tick specimens for pathogen screening throughout Switzerland during 2018-2020. Specimens underwent DNA extraction for TBP detection. Quantitative PCR targeted different TBPs at genus and species levels. Data analysis examined TBP infection prevalence in submitted ticks across geographic regions, seasons, and tick developmental stages, including co-infection patterns in ticks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 1056 tick specimens, 352 (33.3%) tested positive for at least one TBP, with Borrelia spp. (16.3%) and Rickettsia spp. (12.69%) showing higher infection prevalence than other TBPs, including Neoehrlichia mikurensis (5%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.8%), Chlamydiales (1.8%), and Babesia spp. (1.7%). Co-infections occurred in 59 specimens (5.6%), predominantly dual infections (5.2%), with Borrelia spp. and N. mikurensis representing the most common co-infection pattern. Among 58 larvae, 898 nymphs, and 96 adult ticks examined, tick infection prevalence increased with developmental stage, rising from larvae (18.9%) to nymphs (32.6%) to adults (48.9%), consistent with pathogen acquisition through successive blood meals during tick development. Spatially, TBPs were detected across 70 of 76 Swiss administrative regions, with most TBPs displaying uniform distribution. Temporally, tick-human encounters peaked during May-June (59.7% of announced events), with TBP detection rates remaining steady (28-37%) across the tick-active months from April to September. One-third of examined ticks harboured at least one TBP, with weighted models indicating infection prevalence in submitted ticks could reach 45% in certain Swiss Plateau regions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings emphasise the importance of continued tick and TBP surveillance programmes to inform public health interventions and prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841421","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":"Molecular characterization and immunoprotective potential of microneme protein 3 from Eimeria necatrix.","authors":"Qianqian Feng, Danli Yan, Nianyu Xue, Dandan Liu, Weimin Cai, Yuxin Zhou, Zhaofeng Hou, Jinjun Xu, Jianping Tao","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07418-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07418-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Eimeria necatrix, a member of the Apicomplexa phylum, is one of the most pathogenic parasites, causing high mortality in chickens. Microneme proteins (MICs) play essential roles in host cell recognition and invasion by apicomplexan parasites and are also attractive candidates for vaccine development. However, comprehensive studies on E. necatrix MICs remain limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eimeria necatrix MIC3 gene (EnMIC3) was amplified and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein (rEnMIC3) was characterized via SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The antigenicity of rEnMIC3 and its localization in sporozoites (SZ) and second-generation merozoites (MZ-2) of E. necatrix were determined by Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence analyses (IFAs). The dynamic expression of EnMIC3 across different developmental stages and its impact on sporozoite invasion of host cells were analyzed. The immune protection provided by rEnMIC3 was evaluated in chickens using weight gain, lesion scores, oocyst production, anticoccidial index (ACI), and antibody levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The open reading frame of EnMIC3 was 798 bp, encoding a 265-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 28.50 kDa. EnMIC3 contained a signal peptide and a single epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain. The rEnMIC3 with an approximate molecular weight of 36 kDa could be specifically recognized by convalescent sera from chickens infected with E. necatrix. The molecular mass of the native protein was approximately 35 kDa, and it localizes to the apical region in SZ but exhibits a cytoplasmic distribution in MZ-2. EnMIC3 mRNA was expressed at significantly higher levels in SZ than in MZ-2, whereas protein expression displayed an inverse pattern. Anti-rEnMIC3 polyclonal antibodies inhibited sporozoite invasion of DF-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Vaccination with rEnMIC3 conferred effective protection against E. necatrix challenge, with the high-dose group (200 µg) achieving the highest ACI value (171.32) and markedly elevated serum antibody levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings not only offer a foundation for understanding the role of EnMIC3 protein in the host invasion of E. necatrix but also present a potential protective antigen of E. necatrix for the development of a subunit vaccine against avian coccidiosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147819272","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":"The gut metabolite arachidonic acid alleviates intestinal injury induced by a Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated from a wild rodent.","authors":"Hao Yuan, Yining Song, Linchong Nie, Zipeng Yang, Liulu Yang, Kunmei Yang, Yurong Yang, Wenhao Li, Xianghe Wang, Xiu-Xiang Zhang, Yan Hua, Zi-Guo Yuan","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07389-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07389-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Wild isolates of Toxoplasma gondii may exhibit different virulence characteristics and host adaptability compared with those of laboratory strains. In this study, we isolated a novel rodent-derived T. gondii strain, denoted TgRodGz1, and evaluated its pathogenic features.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>TgRodGz1 was isolated from T. gondii-positive wild rodents in Guangdong Province and compared with the RH and Me49 strains in C57BL/6 mice. Virulence and intestinal injury were evaluated by survival analysis, brain cyst quantification, histopathology, tight junction assessment and qPCR. Gut microbiota and metabolic alterations were analyzed by metagenomic sequencing and LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with theT. gondii laboratory strains RH and Me49, TgRodGz1 was associated with more pronounced intestinal injury, including villus atrophy, barrier disruption and downregulation of tight junction proteins and increased gut permeability and inflammation. Metagenomic analysis revealed significant intestinal flora dysbiosis, with a marked reduction in beneficial bacteria and expansion of pathogenic bacteria. Metabolomic analysis revealed suppression of arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism during TgRodGz1 infection. Supplementation with ARA did not directly inhibit parasite growth but significantly alleviated intestinal lesions, reduced brain cyst burden and attenuated inflammatory responses, including microglial activation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that TgRodGz1 represents a distinct T. gondii genotype associated with pronounced intestinal pathology and suggest that ARA supplementation may alleviate intestinal and neuroinflammatory changes associated with T. gondii infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147819318","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}