Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"Dietary variations drive divergent phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metatranscriptomic profiles in Biomphalaria glabrata, a schistosomiasis vector snail.","authors":"Damilare O Famakinde, Ciaran Lonergan, Duncan Wells, Geoffrey N Gobert, Paul McVeigh","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07403-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07403-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata is an important natural vector for the human parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni, which causes schistosomiasis. In the laboratory, B. glabrata are routinely maintained on simple lettuce diets. We aimed to explore and compare the impact of alternative diets on snail performance, global gene expression, and microbiome.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Snails were raised in groups on fresh lettuce (FL), fish food (FF), and artificial snail gel (SG) diets for 8 weeks, while measuring dietary impacts on growth, survival, and fecundity. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed to correlate dietary phenotypes with changes in the snail transcriptome and associated microbial metatranscriptome.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fish food (FF) and SG diets markedly enhanced snail growth, survival, and fecundity, with FF generating the highest fecundity rate. RNA-Seq identified 21,887 expressed genes in the snail's transcriptome. Of these, diet significantly modulated 6501 genes (padj < 0.01), representing 13.0% of the predicted genes in the B. glabrata genome. Fish food (FF) and SG diets drove upregulation of genes associated with antimicrobial immunity, growth, and reproduction, while elevated expression of genes linked to xenobiotic metabolism and oxidative stress was observed in FL-fed snails. Metatranscriptomic analysis identified 104 microbial classes, with a total of 23 classes significantly enriched in FF and SG snails, including short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing and nutrient-cycling bacteria. A significant correlation (r = 0.63, P = 0.001) linked differentially expressed genes to enriched microbial transcripts, highlighting the impact of diet on key snail health and performance metrics.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This work is the first nutritranscriptomic analysis of laboratory-bred B. glabrata. We describe key insights into the diet-phenotype-transcriptome-microbiome axis, which will inform dietary precision and optimisation for laboratory culture of B. glabrata. These data also highlight fundamental aspects of snail biology that could be exploited for molecular snail control approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147819302","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":"Human occupation, not forest structure, determines sand fly abundance in the Amazon.","authors":"Andreia Fernandes Brilhante, Fredy Galvis-Ovallos, Felipe Trovalim Jordão, Leandro José Ramos, Roberto Cardoso Ilacqua, Wandercleyson Uchôa Abreu, Melissa Suzanne Nolan, Fernanda Portela Madeira, Glauco Martins Silva, Thais Costa Santos, Paula Ribeiro Prist, Denis Valle, Marcia Aparecida Sperança, Gabriel Zorello Laporta","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07409-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07409-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Across Amazonian deforestation frontiers, phlebotomine sand flies transmit Leishmania spp., the causative agents of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Landscape modification can alter vector ecology and transmission risk, yet the relative roles of forest cover, landscape configuration, and deforestation timeline remain poorly understood. We evaluated how landscape composition and configuration, assessed across multiple spatial scales, and deforestation timeline influence sand fly abundance and Leishmania infection in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sand flies were collected at 20 study sites during two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2022 and 2024. Landscape metrics, including forest cover and edge density, were quantified within circular buffers of 3, 5, and 7 km² around each site. Deforestation timeline, defined as time since initial forest loss, was used as a proxy for the duration of human occupation. Associations with sand fly abundance and Leishmania infection were assessed using Bayesian regression models, applying negative binomial models for abundance and binomial models for infection probability. Infection was detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forest cover and edge density, across all spatial scales, were not associated with sand fly abundance or Leishmania infection. In contrast, longer deforestation timelines were consistently associated with higher sand fly abundance, driven largely by increased captures of the sand fly species Nyssomyia antunesi. No landscape variable showed a clear association with infection occurrence.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sand fly abundance in this Amazonian frontier was associated with the duration of human occupation rather than with current forest structure. These findings suggest that vector populations can persist in human-modified landscapes and highlight the importance of incorporating deforestation timeline into ACL surveillance and risk assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147819305","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":"Blockade of the CCL2-CCR2 axis attenuates fibrosis and parasite load in vesicular echinococcosis by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway that regulates angiogenesis and hepatic stellate cell apoptosis.","authors":"Bin Fan, Yuyu Ma, Menggen Meng, Jiahui Chen, Xinwei Qi, Yuqin Sun, Xuan Zhou, Haonan Wang, Xiumin Ma, Liang Wang","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07306-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07306-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)-C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) signaling axis is critically involved in angiogenesis and cellular invasion; however, the therapeutic potential of its targeted blockade on alveolar echinococcosis (AE) remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to determine whether RS504393, a selective CCR2 antagonist, can inhibit the progression of AE by blocking the CCL2-CCR2 axis and modulating its downstream pathogenic mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, bioinformatics analysis of the GSE124362 dataset was combined with molecular docking simulations. Liver tissues from patients with AE and from Echinococcus multilocularis-infected mice were examined through histopathological and immunohistochemical staining methods. Pathological alterations and parasitic load were assessed by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). An in vitro co-culture model involving Echinococcus multilocularis protoscolex-stimulated endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), JS1 hepatic stellate cells (JS1) and RAW264.7 macrophages was established to evaluate angiogenesis, fibrogenic activity and macrophage polarization.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Integrated bioinformatics and molecular docking analyses revealed CCL2-CCR2 overexpression and high-affinity binding during AE progression. Treatment with RS504393 significantly attenuated hepatic fibrosis, suppressed phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) pathway activation and reduced M2 macrophage polarization in central lesion tissue of E. multilocularis-infected mice . In vitro, RS504393 inhibited angiogenesis driven by EPCs, induced apoptosis in JS1 cells, and redirected macrophage polarization from the M2 towards a more anti-parasitic phenotype.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CCR2 blockade with RS504393 attenuates AE progression by inhibiting PI3K-AKT signaling, suppressing angiogenesis and inducing stellate cell apoptosis, collectively reducing hepatic fibrosis and parasitic burden. Our findings provide a mechanistic rationale for repurposing CCR2 antagonists as a novel host-directed therapeutic strategy for echinococcosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147778005","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 of Credelio Quattro™ chewable tablets containing lotilaner, moxidectin, pyrantel, and praziquantel against Ctenocephalides felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestations on dogs.","authors":"Lisa Young, Xinshuo Wang, Scott Wiseman, William R Everett, Riaan Maree, Utami R DiCosty, Carin Rautenbach, Molly D Savadelis","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07405-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07405-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fleas and ticks can be found globally and are of both veterinary and human health concern due to their ability to transmit various vector-borne diseases. Heavy flea and tick infestations can result in significant blood loss, while flea infestations can result in intense pruritus. The use of safe and effective ectoparasiticides in veterinary medicine is a crucial part of protecting both pets and humans from infestations and transmission of vector-borne diseases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The efficacy of a novel endectocide, Credelio Quattro, containing lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel, was evaluated in four masked studies: one against Ctenocephalides felis and three against the dose-limiting tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Dogs were orally administered placebo, Credelio Quattro™, lotilaner only (Credelio™, Study 2), or pyrantel only (Study 2) in a fed state on Day 0. Experimental infestations with C. felis were conducted on Days -1, 6, 13, 20, 29, and 35 with 100 adult fleas. Fleas were removed and categorized as either live or dead 24 h post-treatment and 24 h post-infestation thereafter. Experimental infestations with R. sanguineus were conducted on Days -2, 5, 12, 19, and 30 with 50 adult ticks. Ticks were removed and categorized as attached or unattached and then live or dead 48 h post-treatment and 48 h post-infestation thereafter.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Credelio Quattro demonstrated 100% (P < 0.0001) efficacy against C. felis, with no live fleas recovered at time points evaluated through 36 days post-treatment. Additionally, Credelio Quattro demonstrated 97.1-100% (P < 0.0001) efficacy through Day 30 against the established dose-limiting tick species, R. sanguineus. In Study 2, pyrantel demonstrated ≤ 46.6% (P ≥ 0.0601) efficacy while lotilaner provided ≥ 99.6% (P ≤ 0.0007) efficacy, confirming lotilaner as the acaricidal active ingredient in Credelio Quattro. Adverse events were reported in both treatment groups, including dermatitis, alopecia, lameness, and a chest wound. One dog in a Credelio Quattro treatment group experienced vomiting and bloody diarrhea that was considered possibly treatment-related.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These studies confirm the safety and effectiveness of a single dose of Credelio Quattro for the treatment and control of C. felis and R. sanguineus infestations on dogs for 1 month.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147777994","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":"Polymorphic marker regions support divergence of Mansonella sp. \"DEUX\" and M. perstans.","authors":"Mara Fischer, Miriam Rodi, Prithivi Jung Thapa, Capucine Marie Sicard, Juliana Inoue, Lilith Berner, Pierre Blaise Matsiegui, Carsten Köhler, Andrea Kreidenweiss, Michael Ramharter, Selidji Todagbe Agnandji, Stephan Ossowski, Jana Held","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07416-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07416-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Though being prevalent worldwide, Mansonella parasites are among the most neglected filarial nematodes. The true prevalence and genetic diversity of this genus have yet to be fully understood. Mansonella sp. \"DEUX\" is a recently described filarial nematode infecting humans and other primates in Gabon and Cameroon, although its status as distinct species has been controversial. We investigated four different polymorphic regions to further explore the genetic differences between Mansonella species and to support their status as distinct species.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We screened whole blood samples collected in EDTA tubes from individuals from rural areas in Gabon for mono-infections with only one Mansonella species, either Mansonella sp. \"DEUX\" or Mansonella perstans, as determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the ITS1 region. We also included nine blood samples from Togo that had been collected as dried blood spots on 903™ protein saver cards and identified as M. perstans mono-infection. We further amplified, sequenced, and analyzed three molecular marker regions cox1, 12S rDNA, and 28S rDNA for their potential to discriminate between the two Mansonella species.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 93 mono-infected blood samples were identified. Distinct single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) patterns for the two investigated Mansonella species were consistently detected in all four loci. The observed nucleotide divergences were comparable to other Onchocercidae family members. Species identification based on the ITS1 marker region was fully concordant with the SNP patterns in all samples. A complete genetic dimorphism could be observed in each of the four marker regions investigated.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The four polymorphic markers, ITS1, cox1, 12S rDNA, and 28S rDNA, consistently demonstrated clear dimorphism between the two Mansonella species. Our results support the classification of Mansonella sp. \"DEUX\" as a distinct, nonrecombining Mansonella species within the Onchocercidae family.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13112848/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147777987","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":"Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of cancer-suppressive Mesocestoides corti larvae.","authors":"Vojtěch Vajs, Libor Mikeš, Roman Leontovyč, Madina Tulpová, Lucie Korená, Ondřej Tolde, Tomáš Macháček, Jan Brábek, Daniel Rösel, Petr Horák","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07391-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07391-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The larvae of Mesocestoides corti have been previously shown to abrogate the growth and metastasis of the highly aggressive B16F10 melanoma in mice. In order to investigate the potential ways in which this effect is mediated, we present, to the best of our knowledge, the most comprehensive analyses of M. corti larval molecular data so far, while listing and exploring various potentially immunomodulatory molecules found therein. We show expression and protein abundance in larvae under in vivo and in vitro conditions. A promising ortholog, M. corti Kunitz-type chymotrypsin-specific inhibitor 1 (McKI-C1) of a known cancer-suppressive Kunitz protein from Echinococcus granulosus is also tested, both in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In order to explore the potential effector mechanisms and molecules behind its cancer-suppressive capabilities, we analyzed the M. corti larval transcriptome in the C57BL/6J and ICR mouse strains, as well as in vitro. The proteomic profiles of whole homogenate and excretory-secretory products of tetrathyridia were analyzed by nano-shotgun liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and thoroughly annotated. A Kunitz protein candidate (McKI-C1) was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, biochemically characterized, and functionally tested for its anti-cancer effect with mouse melanoma B16F10 cells and mouse ovarian carcinoma ID8 cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We present, to the best of our knowledge, the most extensive list of experimentally verified M. corti protein products. Many proteins potentially responsible for this tapeworm's immune-related cancer-suppressive abilities and immunomodulation were found within its proteome and transcriptome. These include numerous members of the superfamily of cysteine-rich secretory proteins, such as glioma pathogenesis-related-like proteins, and Kunitz-domain proteins. Functional tests of recombinant McKI-C1 performed both in vitro and in vivo did not confirm its expected tumor-suppressing properties. Therefore, the exact effectors of this tapeworm's likely immune-mediated anti-tumor capabilities need to be examined in further studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of M. corti larvae carried out in the present study produced an extensive list of promising immunomodulatory or cancer-suppressive molecules. While the molecule chosen for analysis in the present study, McKI-C1, did not show any effect in vitro or in vivo, the immunomodulatory or cancer-suppressive potential of the other experimentally verified molecules remains of interest.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147777959","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":"Knockdown effects of pyrethroid- and neonicotinoid-treated netting against the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae).","authors":"Victor I Agbajelola, Walter D Roachell, Joshua D Bast, Mauricio E Solis, Anthony J Ramutkowski, Tobin E Rowland, Gillian S Lane, Ram K Raghavan","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07412-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07412-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phlebotomine sand flies are important vectors of leishmaniasis and pose persistent risks to human and animal health in endemic and operational environments, including military settings. Barrier-based vector control strategies, such as insecticide-treated netting, provide a practical means of reducing sand fly contact. However, comparative data on the performance of different insecticide classes applied to barrier materials remain limited. This study evaluated the knockdown efficacy of two commercially available insecticides, the pyrethroid esfenvalerate and the neonicotinoid dinotefuran, applied to high-blockage (80%) barrier netting against laboratory-reared Phlebotomus papatasi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult sand flies were exposed to treated and untreated netting for contact durations of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 min. Knockdown responses were quantified using standardized laboratory bioassays. The effects of insecticide treatment and exposure time and their interaction were assessed using two-way analysis of variance, with model assumptions verified through residual diagnostics and pairwise comparisons. Probit analyses were conducted to estimate exposure-response relationships and median knockdown times.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Knockdown increased significantly with exposure time for both insecticide treatments, whereas no knockdown was observed in untreated controls. Significant effects of treatment (P < 0.001) and exposure time (P < 0.001) and their interaction (P < 0.001) were detected, indicating treatment-dependent temporal differences in knockdown response. Both insecticides produced significantly greater knockdown than controls, with no significant difference in overall mean knockdown between esfenvalerate and dinotefuran (P = 0.89). Although temporal differences in knockdown patterns were observed, probit modeling did not detect a statistically significant difference in fitted slopes between treatments.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both insecticide-treated barrier nets induced rapid, exposure-dependent knockdown in P. papatasi. These findings support the use of pyrethroid- and neonicotinoid-treated barrier netting as effective chemical barriers within integrated sand fly control strategies to reduce leishmaniasis risk in military and endemic environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147777963","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":"Contrasting shifts in potential climatic suitability of two Thelazia callipaeda vectors (Phortica okadai and Phortica variegata) across China and Europe under climate change.","authors":"Yang Luo, Da Sun, Yajing Xu, Senqi Jia, Zhenfu Chen, Rong Yan, Juan Zhou, Bo Luo, Donghua Long, Rengze Yue, Domenico Otranto, Hui Liu, Lingjun Wang","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07417-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07417-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phortica okadai and Phortica variegata are the primary vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda, which infects humans and various mammals. Climate change and intensified human activities have altered the potential suitable habitats of these vectors, posing a risk of expanded T. callipaeda transmission. This study aims to predict the current potential suitable habitats and future distribution patterns of the two species, providing a scientific basis for vector-borne disease prevention and control.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Species occurrence records were compiled from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF; https://www.gbif.org/) and systematic literature reviews. The MaxEnt model was utilized to identify key environmental determinants influencing vector distribution. Climate data from WorldClim, future climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5), elevation data, and Human Footprint Index (HFP) were integrated to predict potential suitable habitats and future distributions (2041-2060) across China and Europe.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The key environmental drivers for P. okadai are warmest quarter precipitation, HFP, and temperature seasonality, and for P. variegata they are HFP, coldest quarter precipitation, and temperature annual range. Currently, the suitable habitats of P. okadai are concentrated in central, eastern, and northeastern coastal China, with only sporadic low-suitability patches recorded in Europe. P. variegata exhibits a wide distribution across the UK, France, Belgium, and Italy, with nearly the entire Mediterranean coastal belt and its associated offshore islands falling within its suitable range. Under future climate scenarios, the suitable area of P. okadai is projected to expand significantly in Central/Western Europe (Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and western Russia). In contrast, the suitable habitats of P. variegata will shift significantly: The central-southern-eastern European transitional belt will lose almost all suitable habitat across scenarios, while the Mediterranean littoral and its offshore islands remain climatically suitable.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The suitable area for P. okadai is projected to increase significantly, whereas that for P. variegata is expected to decline. Temperature and precipitation emerge as primary drivers of these contrasting distribution shifts. These findings underscore the need for enhanced vector surveillance and control strategies for T. callipaeda, particularly regarding the expanding P. okadai populations in Europe.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147777968","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":"Culex territans mosquitoes as a vector of Giant Anuran Trypanosomes.","authors":"Joanna Reinhold, Isabella Roeske, Iris E Schmeder, Ella Halbert, David S Mcleod, Chloé Lahondère","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07399-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07399-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, in part due to diseases caused by viruses, fungi, andparasites. Giant Anuran Trypanosomes (GATs) are parasites that affect frogs worldwide and require a vector to betransmitted. Culex territans is an amphibian-feeding mosquito suspected to be a vector of trypanosomes, but this hasnot previously been confirmed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we tested blood-fed Cx. territans and blood from their primary anuran hosts, Rana clamitans and R. catesbeiana, in southwest Virginia. Additionally, we tested potential routes of transmission from the mosquito tothe frog.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found trypanosomes present in both mosquitoes and anurans and found trypanosomes present in thefeces 2 days after being blood fed on infected frogs, as well as in the body and saliva 14 days post-feeding.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, this study contributes to our knowledge of the GAT epidemiology and the role Cx. territans mightplay in their transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147777984","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":"Catching up with old friends: a 2-year survey of phlebotomine sand fly-borne phleboviruses presence in southern Portugal.","authors":"Carla Maia, Ricardo Parreira, Elif Kurum, Federico Lucchese, João Cruz, Rafael Marmé, Yasmina Martinez-Barciela, Alejandro Polina, Rémi Charrel, Nazli Ayhan","doi":"10.1186/s13071-026-07394-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07394-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of several pathogens of medical and veterinary relevance worldwide, including three human viruses of the genus Phlebovirus in Europe: sand fly fever Sicilian virus (Phlebovirus siciliaense, SFSV), Toscana virus (Phlebovirus toscanaense, TOSV), and sand fly fever Naples virus (Phlebovirus napoliense, SFNV). Most human infections are asymptomatic or cause influenza-like illness; however, TOSV can cause severe neurological disease. Within the framework of the European Climate Monitoring and Decision Support Framework for Sand Fly-borne Diseases (CLIMOS) project, this study reports the molecular detection of sand fly-borne phleboviruses over 2 years of entomological surveillance in southern Portugal, aiming to characterize their genetic diversity and geographic distribution.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Phlebotomine sand flies were collected using Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) miniature light traps between April and November of 2023 and 2024 in different regions of southern Portugal, including the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and the Algarve region. Additional collections were carried out in the Portalegre district between June and October 2024. After morphological identification, specimens were pooled according to species, sex, collection date, and location. Engorged females were analyzed individually. Molecular screening included a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for pan-Phlebovirus detection and a real-time reverse transcription quantitative (RT-q)PCR for the specific detection of TOSV and SFSV.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 7719 sand flies were collected-4131 in 2023 (620 pools and 305 engorged females) and 3588 in 2024 (1062 pools and 393 engorged females). Phlebotomus perniciosus was the dominant species in both years and across all regions. Other identified species included Phlebotomus ariasi, Phlebotomus sergenti, Phlebotomus papatasi, and Sergentomyia minuta. Four Phlebovirus-positive pools were identified, all from P. perniciosus collected in the Algarve region-two in 2023 and two in 2024, including TOSV (n = 1), Alcube virus (n = 1), Phlebovirus strain PoSFPhlebV/21/2007 related to Massilia virus (n = 1), and Arrabida virus (n = 1) accordingly partial L segment sequence analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the diversity and ongoing co-circulation of sand fly-borne phleboviruses in southern Portugal, emphasizing the need for surveillance and diagnostic efforts to encompass a broader range of Phlebovirus species. The consistent association of P. perniciosus with multiple viral species and locations reinforces its role as a key vector, warranting targeted vector-management strategies and inclusion in risk-prediction models.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147723306","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}