Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"Establishing a laboratory colony of the human flea, Pulex irritans: methods for collecting, rearing, and feeding.","authors":"Adelaide Miarinjara, Annick Onimalala Raveloson, Mandimby Rajaonarimanana, Diego Ayala, Romain Girod, Thomas Robert Gillespie","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07001-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07001-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Colonizing fleas under laboratory conditions is a crucial step to studying their biology, conducting bioassays, and evaluating their ability to transmit pathogens. Starting a colony implies collecting and maintaining wild-caught specimens to obtain the next generations. Here we describe methods to collect, safely transport, and maintain adult and immature stages, and for the first time, to produce viable next generations of Pulex irritans, the human flea in the insectary.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult fleas were collected using human landing catches, while immature stages were obtained using the Berlese-Tullgren method. Blood feeding was performed using an artificial feeding device and the survival of adult fleas maintained on human or sheep blood was assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>More than 200 F0 adults survived and produced eggs for approximately 6 weeks, with an average lifespan of 6 days for males and 10 days for females. Pupation occurred around 10 days after arrival in the laboratory, yielding more than 900 cocoons within 8 weeks, with an emergence rate of approximately 80%. Challenges included high mortality among F1 adults, with both sexes surviving an average of 7 days. Although blood source assay was inconclusive, fleas were maintained on human blood. Factors that may have contributed to the low survival of F1 are discussed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides a foundational framework for laboratory-based research on P. irritans and its role in vector-borne disease transmission. While further studies are needed to establish a sustainable laboratory colony, we demonstrate that a substantial F1 population can be obtained within 3 weeks of laboratory rearing, enabling experimental studies on this species.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"363"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12392626/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964222","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":"Impact of temperature on survival, development and longevity of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.","authors":"Bros Doeurk, Sokkeang Leng, Zanory Long, Pierre-Olivier Maquart, Sébastien Boyer","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06892-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06892-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are primary vectors of dengue virus in Cambodia, distributed throughout the country. Climate change is predicted to affect the relative density of these two species, but there is a lack of studies evaluating the impact of temperature on populations of these two species in this region. This study investigates the impact of temperature on the survival, development and longevity of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus from populations collected in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus populations were collected in Phnom Penh. The experiment was conducted in a climatic chamber with temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 40 °C, with a 5 °C increment between each treatment. Bionomic parameters from the F2 egg hatching rate to the number of F3 eggs produced at each temperature treatment were measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Temperature significantly influenced all life history traits of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The highest egg hatching rates were observed at 25 °C for Ae. aegypti (97.97%) and 20 °C for Ae. albopictus (90.63%). Larvae of both species could not survive beyond the first stage at 40 °C. During immature stages, development time decreased at higher temperature (35 °C), but mortality was increased. Female longevity peaked at 25 °C for Ae. aegypti (66.7 days) and at 20 °C for Ae. albopictus (22.6 days), with males having significantly shorter lifespans. In addition, the optimal temperature for female survival is predicted higher in Ae. aegypti than in Ae. albopictus, at 27.1 °C and 24.5 °C, respectively. Wing length increased at lower temperatures, with Ae. aegypti consistently longer than Ae. albopictus at 15 °C and 35 °C. Blood-feeding rates were highest at 30 °C for Ae. aegypti (61.0%) and at 25 °C for Ae. albopictus (52.5%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Aedes albopictus appears better adapted to lower temperatures, whereas Ae. aegypti is better adapted to higher temperatures. Warmer temperatures accelerate mosquito development but also increased mortality and reduced adult longevity, which could influence their ability to transmit pathogens. These findings highlight the critical role of temperature in mosquito biology and emphasize the potential impact of climate change on dengue transmission dynamics in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"362"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12382174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964027","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":"Structural features of outdoor latrines influence the abundance of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus in a village in Kisumu County, western Kenya.","authors":"Noriko Tamari, Heidi E Brown, Luigi Sedda, Michael A Riehle, Katherine D Ellingson, Kathleen R Walker, Gary L Christopherson, Harrysone Atieli, Stephen Munga, Kacey C Ernst","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07011-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07011-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains a leading cause of mortality in Kenya, despite concerted efforts in malaria vector control. Reducing outdoor transmission is a key factor in addressing residual malaria. Outdoor latrines are characterized as semi-sheltered structures with humid environments, which may provide an ideal resting site for Anopheles species to feed on human blood and subsequently rest. This study aimed to quantify the abundance of adult mosquitoes in houses and outdoor latrines, as well as explore the environmental factors associated with mosquito abundance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Monthly mosquito sampling was conducted in 50 houses and their corresponding outdoor latrines using Prokopack aspirators from July 2023 to April 2024. Household interviews were conducted concurrently to collect data on the number of individuals sleeping in the houses and the quantity of bednets used within the households. In addition, blood meal sources were identified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of blood-fed mosquitoes collected from December 2023 to April 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among anopheline species, the An. funestus group was the most common, followed by An. gambiae s.l. in both houses and latrines. In anophelines, the human blood index was 50.0% (n = 15) in houses and 33.3% (n = 4) in latrines, while bovine blood was 60.0% (n = 18) and 66.7% (n = 8), respectively. Ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines were associated with a 61% decrease in An. gambiae s.l. abundance (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.16-0.96) and a 62% decrease in Culex quinquefasciatus abundance (aIRR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.24-0.60), compared with pit latrines. The presence of a bathing space in latrines was associated with a 23% increase in Cx. quinquefasciatus abundance (aIRR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.23-2.89) compared with latrines without a bathing space. There was an inverse association between the number of individuals using the latrines and Cx. quinquefasciatus abundance (aIRR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.89-0.97).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>VIP latrines were associated with a lower abundance of An. gambiae s.l. and Cx. quinquefasciatus compared with pit latrines, whereas the presence of a bathing space in latrines was associated with a higher abundance of Cx. quinquefasciatus compared with latrines without bathing spaces. Integrative public health programs that promote the construction of VIP latrines as a low-cost intervention may provide co-benefits for both sanitation and vector control.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"364"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12392610/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964181","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":"Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae in outdoor cats and report of infection in feline-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells.","authors":"Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Mariaelisa Carbonara, Viviane Noll Louzada-Flores, Mario H Alves, Nicola Pugliese, Nicola Decaro, Annamaria Uva, Floriana Gernone, Maria Alfonsa Cavalera, Andrea Zatelli, Domenico Otranto","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06983-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06983-w","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) is mainly caused by Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean Basin. In Italy, in the same epidemiological context where canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is hyperendemic, a nonpathogenic species, Leishmania tarentolae, may also occur in sympatry, infecting reptiles, dogs, and humans. Thus, this study aimed to assess L. tarentolae infection in outdoor cats along with its co-occurrence with L. infantum and to evaluate risk factors. In addition, the persistence of L. tarentolae in feline-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was herein evaluated in vitro.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Outdoor colony or stray cats were screened for Leishmania spp. by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) using promastigotes of both L. infantum and L. tarentolae. Whole blood and buffy coat were tested by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and duplex real-time PCR (dqPCR), and positive samples sequenced following an ITS1 conventional PCR (cPCR). Feline-derived PMBCs were subsequently infected with promastigotes of L. tarentolae to assess the persistence of amastigotes. Viral infections caused by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were molecularly addressed in all enrolled cats. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the possible association between Leishmania spp. infection and FIV/FeLV infection by using a multivariate logistic regression model following an initial LASSO-penalized logistic regression.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Overall, 42 out of 194 cats (21.6%) were serologically or molecularly positive for Leishmania spp. In particular, 26 (13.4%) cats were seropositive for L. infantum and/or L. tarentolae by IFAT, with 16 (8.2%) animals positive for both species. Molecularly, 14 out of 194 cats (7.2%) were positive for L. infantum by qPCR, whereas five (2.6%) were positive for L. tarentolae by dqPCR. Cat PBMCs were successfully infected with L. tarentolae, and the infection persisted for at least 72 h. Overall, 38 out of the 194 screened cats (19.6%) were infected by FIV and/or FeLV, of which 12 were serologically or molecularly positive for Leishmania spp., with one cat positive for L. tarentolae DNA, and five for L. infantum DNA. Multivariate screening identified municipality (OR 2.206; P = 0.031; 95% CI 1.077-4.516) as a risk factor for Leishmania spp. infection, while the association between Leishmania spp. and FIV infection was not significant (OR 2.359; P = 0.08, 95% CI 0.901-6.179).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Colony or stray cats were herein found for the first time infected by L. tarentolae, in areas where L. infantum is endemic. Cross-reactivity using IFAT test may pose a diagnostic hindrance also in FeL. The infection with this saurian-associated Leishmania in cats was further confirmed through the persistence of this Leishmania in cat PBMCs. Further studies are needed to fully unravel the complex interactions between bo","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"361"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12382112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963954","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":"Leptin enhances the efficacy of glucantime to modulate macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype in Leishmania tropica-infected macrophages.","authors":"Alireza Keyhani, Abdollah Jafarzadeh, Iraj Sharifi, Ehsan Salarkia","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07004-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-07004-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Macrophages are essential immune cells during Leishmania infection, as their polarization toward M1/M2 phenotypes determines disease outcome. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of leptin, alone and in combination with glucantime, on macrophage polarization in Leishmania tropica infection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Human THP-1-derived macrophages infected with L. tropica were treated with leptin (5 or 10 ng/ml), glucantime (100 or 200 μg/ml), or their combinations. The cytotoxic effects, parasite survival, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) generation, and expression of M1/M2 acrophage-related parameters were evaluated using standard methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both leptin doses significantly increased the expression of M1-associated markers (CD86, iNOS, SOCS3, miR-155) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ) while decreasing M2-associated markers (CD206, ARG1, SOCS1, miR-146a) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β). The leptin-glucantime combinations showed synergistic effects, shifting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype more than either treatment alone. In particular, the combination of 10 ng/ml leptin with 100 μg/ml glucantime completely eliminated intracellular amastigotes and showed a superior selectivity index (17.66) compared to mono-treatment (leptin: 7.88; glucantime: 6.87).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings indicate that leptin enhances the efficacy of glucantime against L. tropica by promoting M1 macrophage polarization. This presents a potential therapeutic approach that may lower conventional drug doses and associated toxicity while preserving or even improving treatment outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"360"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379411/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964128","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":"First molecular evidence of Leishmania parasites in sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) from Slovenia.","authors":"Gioia Bongiorno, Katja Adam, Ilaria Bernardini, Claudia Mangiapelo, Eleonora Fiorentino, Trentina Di Muccio, Vladimir Ivović","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-07006-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-07006-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are vectors of Leishmania spp., protozoan parasites that cause leishmaniasis, a zoonosis endemic in the Mediterranean region. Although Slovenia is not considered endemic, its proximity to affected areas and the presence of competent vectors underscore the importance of entomological surveillance. As part of the CLIMOS project, we investigated sand fly species composition, seasonal abundance, and the presence of Leishmania parasites at two sites in southwestern Slovenia: Cetore and Velike Žablje.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From May to October 2023, adult sand flies were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) miniature light traps. Specimens were morphologically identified and screened for Leishmania spp. DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeted kinetoplast DNA, followed by species confirmation with ITS-1 nested PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 274 sand flies were collected, predominantly Phlebotomus neglectus, P. perniciosus, and P. mascittii. Abundance peaked in July in Cetore and August in Velike Žablje, likely reflecting local climatic differences. Among 25 pools of female sand flies analyzed, Leishmania DNA was detected in three pools (12.0%), specifically in P. neglectus and P. mascittii. The cycle threshold values (Ct 35-37) indicated low parasite DNA loads. ITS-1 amplification was unsuccessful, likely due to low DNA concentration.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first molecular evidence of Leishmania DNA in sand flies from Slovenia. The detection of Leishmania in P.  mascittii, a species with uncertain vector competence, is particularly noteworthy and warrants further investigation. Although species identification of the parasite was not possible, the findings suggest potential for autochthonous transmission and highlight the need for continued surveillance and research in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"359"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12374328/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of a novel chewable tablet (Credelio Quattro^™) containing lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel against Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina infections in dogs.","authors":"Samuel Charles, Scott Wiseman, Xinshuo Wang, Molly D Savadelis, Craig R Reinemeyer, Imad Bouzaidi Cheikhi, Carin Rautenbach, Lisa Young","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06968-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06968-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Roundworms such as Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis are routinely diagnosed in dogs globally, especially in dogs 6 months of age or younger. Toxocara canis is zoonotic, can cause significant disease in dogs, and is the causative agent of toxocariasis in humans. To protect both animal and human health, it is imperative that Toxocara canis infections are effectively treated and controlled to minimize the risk of transmission. The following studies were performed to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of a novel, combination chewable tablet (Credelio Quattro^™) containing the minimum effective dosages of lotilaner (20.0 mg/kg), moxidectin (0.02 mg/kg), praziquantel (5.0 mg/kg), and pyrantel (5.0 mg/kg) for the treatment and control of T. canis and T. leonina infections in dogs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six well-controlled studies were performed. Two studies each evaluated Credelio Quattro against immature adult T. canis, adult T. canis, and adult T. leonina infections. Post-treatment efficacy was calculated from necropsy worm counts, and fecal egg count reduction was determined 10 days post-treatment in studies evaluating experimentally induced or naturally acquired adult infections.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Credelio Quattro was safe and ≥ 97.9% effective against immature adult stages and ≥ 97.0% effective against adult stages of induced and natural T. canis infections in dogs. After treatment with Credelio Quattro, fecal egg counts were reduced by ≥ 98.8% in T. canis-infected dogs. In both experimentally induced and naturally acquired adult T. leonina infections in dogs, Credelio Quattro was safe and 100% effective in eliminating adult worms and provided 100% reduction in fecal egg counts post-treatment. The most common adverse events reported included digestive tract disorders such as diarrhea, mucus and/or blood in feces, vomiting, and expelled ascarid worms, which occurred in both control- and treated-groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These laboratory studies confirm the effectiveness and safety of a single dose of Credelio Quattro, administered at the minimum dosages of 20 mg/kg lotilaner, 0.02 mg/kg moxidectin, 5 mg/kg praziquantel, and 5 mg/kg pyrantel, for the treatment and control of immature adult and adult T. canis and adult T. leonina in dogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"356"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964158","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":"Growth and development of two predator species fed a diet of genetically engineered mosquitoes.","authors":"Claire M Egan, Lisa Chamberland, Robert E Ditter, Melina Campos, Fatima Batchelor, Aleena Bosky, Christine H Coleman, Andrew J Goffinet, Ariana Hosseini, Morgan Kammersgard, Brian Leetakubuulidde, Danspaid P Mabuka, Ivan Mulongo Mugeni, Gregory C Lanzaro","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06987-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06987-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Genetically engineered mosquitoes (GEMs) with gene drives have been developed for malaria control but remain untested in natural environments. Upon release, GEMs are expected to modify or replace wild-type counterparts, potentially uniquely interacting with nontarget organisms (NTOs). Concerns exist over possible negative effects on NTOs and broader ecological harm. Predators consuming GEMs represent a group that interacts closely with these modified mosquitoes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Here, we examine the effect of GEM and wild-type Anopheles coluzzii diets on the growth of two predator species: the aquatic mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and the terrestrial bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax). Gambusia affinis was fed lyophilized gravid mosquitoes, and growth was measured using length and mass. Phidippus audax was fed live semi-gravid mosquitoes, with growth tracked via eye size, body size, and mass.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No adverse effects were found in either predator species fed GEM diets. Gambusia affinis showed no significant growth differences between diet groups. However, P. audax that were fed GEMs consumed more mosquitoes, grew larger, and matured faster.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Differences in predator growth rate suggest that GEMs' nutritional content is similar to that of wild-type mosquitoes, but that they may be more vulnerable to predation. Further research is needed to explore whether GEM visual or behavioral traits increase their susceptibility to predators.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"357"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12369262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964032","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":"Genetic surveillance of Plasmodium-Anopheles compatibility markers during Anopheles stephensi associated malaria outbreak.","authors":"Elizabeth Waymire, Dejene Getachew, Isuru Gunarathna, Joseph Spear, Grace Lloyd, Madison Follis, Avery A Kaye, Said Ali, Solomon Yared, Tamar E Carter","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06981-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06981-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite a previous decline in malaria in Ethiopia, an outbreak in Dire Dawa in 2022 implicated the invasive vector Anopheles stephensi as responsible. The efficient transmission of Plasmodium by invasive An. stephensi raises questions about the molecular basis of compatibility between parasite and vector, and the origin of the Plasmodium being transmitted. The Plasmodium P47 gene is involved in parasite-vector interactions in the mosquito, and along with the corresponding mosquito P47 receptor (P47Rec), can be critical in the establishment of Plasmodium infections in anophelines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Herein, we analyzed P47 and P47Rec sequences to determine the origin of Plasmodium detected in An. stephensi during the outbreak and evaluate markers of compatibility. This was completed using polymerase chain reactions and Sanger sequencing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 160 mosquitoes screened, 6.21% of the mosquitoes screened were positive for P. falciparum DNA and 4.37% were positive for P. vivax DNA. Analysis of geographically informative SNPs at positions 707 and 725 in Pfs47 revealed that these P. falciparum strains only exhibit the African haplotype. Minimum spanning network (MSN) analysis revealed connectivity between Pfs47 in Dire Dawa and Pfs47 sequences in Africa, further supporting that these Plasmodium strains are of African origin. We also evaluated the connectivity between Pv47 in this study and African and Asian Pv47 using MSN analysis. Pv47 in both continents displayed shared haplotypes, suggesting little differentiation between the African and Asian strains in P. vivax. Lastly, we identified a single amino acid change in the P47Rec within An. stephensi, which could act as a marker for the propensity of An. stephensi populations to outbreak.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, these results provide evidence of African P. falciparum in invasive An. stephensi and identify P47Rec as a potential marker, which could be applied as a molecular diagnostic for propensity for an outbreak. The relatively high frequencies of Plasmodium parasites observed in An. stephensi may suggest that this mosquito species contributed to the malaria outbreak. Our findings lay the groundwork for further research into the interactions between the invasive mosquito species An. stephensi and African Plasmodium strains, with the goal of predicting future outbreaks.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"358"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12369046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964045","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":"The mite Machrocheles robustulus (Mesostigmata, Macrochelidae) a new promising natural enemy of Haemonchus contortus (Strongylida, Trichostrongylidae).","authors":"Adrien Bamière, Julie Petermann, Damien Morel, Philippe Jacquiet, Christelle Grisez","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06990-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06990-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antiparasitic resistance in sheep necessitates non-chemical strategies for gastrointestinal strongylosis control. We have evaluated the potential of three predatory mite species-Macrocheles robustulus, Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Rhabdocarpais consanguineus-to reduce transmission of the nematode Haemonchus contortus by preying on infective larvae.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Under laboratory conditions, mites were exposed to mixed prey environments containing housefly Musca domestica eggs and H. contortus third-stage (L3) larvae. Predation was first monitored over 8 h. This was followed by a more detailed assessment of M. robustulus predatory capacity in sheep feces containing eggs of H. contortus and then the oviposition capacity of females was studied when fed exclusively with L3 larvae.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Macrocheles robustulus demonstrated a significant preference for nematode larvae, leading to further evaluation of its predatory capacity in sheep feces containing 2250 eggs per gram of H. contortus. After 14 days at 25 ± 2 °C, the presence of M. robustulus resulted in a significant reduction of L3 larvae compared to controls (519 vs. 1067 L3 larvae; p < 0.05). Additionally, M. robustulus females oviposited when fed exclusively on nematode larvae.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that M. robustulus could be a viable biological control agent against H. contortus in pasture settings, warranting further field studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"351"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12363101/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144883408","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}