Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"Investigations on the occurrence of West Nile virus, Usutu virus and Sindbis virus RNA in avian louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) collected in Germany (2016-2022).","authors":"Markus Freick, Isabelle Vogt, Stephanie Schröter, Robert Kohl, Denise Heidl, Ruben Schreiter, Hein Sprong, Matthias Jentzsch","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06841-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06841-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As living vectors, arthropods play a crucial role in the transmission of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Previous research on virus transmission has focussed mainly on the roles of mosquitoes and ticks, while the potential importance of other blood-sucking arthropods such as louse flies (Hippoboscidae) has been somewhat neglected. The aim of this study was to detect viruses in avian louse flies from Germany to assess whether they could be used as sentinel organisms for monitoring arboviruses with zoonotic potential.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We collected 1000 louse flies of the species Crataerina hirundinis, C. pallida, Ornithomya avicularia, O. biloba, O. fringillina, O. chloropus, Ornithophila metallica and Pseudolynchia canariensis in Germany and screened the samples via RT-PCR for West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV) and Sindbis virus (SINV), which are arboviruses with avian hosts as reservoirs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>While WNV was not detected, we found one louse fly positive for USUV and one for SINV RNA, both of which belonged to the species O. avicularia (n = 279). Therefore, the detection rates for both USUV and SINV were 0.1% (95% CI 0.0-0.3%) in the total sample and 0.36% (95% CI 0.00-1.09%) in O. avicularia. For the sample that tested positive for SINV, the PCR results were confirmed by sequencing a 288-bp segment that encoded part of the virus's structural polyprotein.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This is the first time that USUV RNA and SINV RNA have been detected in louse flies. In addition, it is the first detection of human pathogenic viruses in the louse fly species O. avicularia. The results of this study indicate that louse flies should not be neglected as possible sentinels of viral pathogens with zoonotic potential in the sense of the One Health concept.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"200"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12128526/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144199806","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":"miRNA let-7-5p present in the extracellular vesicles of Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae inhibits the function of M1-type RAW264.7 macrophages by targeting C/EBPδ.","authors":"Yi Liu, Yu Chun Cai, Jia Xu Chen, Shao Hong Chen, Ying Fang Yu","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06802-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06802-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Trichinella spiralis, in its newborn larva (NBL) stage, invades the host bloodstream and disseminates throughout the body. Concurrently, M1 macrophages undergo transformation into M2 macrophages. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that extracellular vesicles secreted by NBL (NBL-EVs) significantly express the microRNA (miRNA) cel-let-7-5p. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of action of EVs derived from T. spiralis NBL and the influence of their key miRNA, cel-let-7-5p, on M1 macrophages.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study investigates the impact of T. spiralis NBL-EVs and cel-let-7-5p on RAW264.7 macrophages through in vitro co-culture, followed by a dual luciferase assay to confirm C/EBPδ as the target of cel-let-7-5p. M1-polarized RAW264.7 cells were subsequently transfected with various agents, including NBL-EVs, cel-let-7-5p mimic, C/EBPδ small interfering RNA (siRNA), and so forth. The cell functions, surface molecule expression, transcription, and cytokine release were analyzed using flow cytometry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of NBL-EVs and cel-let-7-5p on macrophage polarization.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results show that cel-let-7-5p transported by T. spiralis NBL-EVs inhibited the functional activity of M1 RAW264.7 macrophages by targeting C/EBPδ. This inhibition was validated by reduced CD86 and increased CD206 expression, along with decreased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and downregulation of the M1 marker genes interleukin-12 (IL-12) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In contrast, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of IL-10 and arginase-1 (Arg1), which are M2 characteristic genes, were significantly enhanced. However, the release of M1 pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-1β, was decreased proportionally. Notably, introducing a cel-let-7-5p inhibitor effectively reversed the suppressive effect of NBL-EVs on M1 macrophage function and partially mitigated their transition to the M2 phenotype, notably impacting Arg1 gene expression. However, no significant changes were observed in CD206 protein expression or IL-10 mRNA levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings of this study reveal that cel-let-7-5p in T. spiralis NBL-EVs can inhibit the function of M1-type RAW264.7 macrophages by targeting C/EBPδ.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"199"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12126876/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144199807","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":"Dynamics of vector competence for dengue virus type 2 in rural and urban populations of Aedes albopictus: implications for infectious disease control.","authors":"Jehangir Khan, Muhammad Adil, Zhang Junyan, Dongjing Zhang, Yidong Deng, Zhiyue Lv, Tao Chen","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06826-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06826-8","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Understanding the intrinsic factors that influence mosquito vector competence (VC) to pathogens is crucial for assessing the risk of disease transmission in both rural and urban environments. We assessed the VC of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes from urban (dengue-endemic) and rural (dengue-free) areas in Guangzhou, China, for dengue virus-2 (DENV-2), while also examining intrinsic factors such as Wolbachia and immune-related gene expression influencing VC.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Adult females of rural, urban, and laboratory (control) populations of Ae. albopictus were orally exposed to a freshly prepared suspension of the DENV-2 New Guinea C strain (GenBank: AF038403.1), with a final titer of 1 × 10&lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt; plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml, for a period of 60 min. Three different bioassays (B1-B3) were conducted on 60 mosquitoes per population: B1 at 7 days post-exposure (dpe) to assess viral infection in the mosquito midgut, and B2 and B3 at 14 dpe to evaluate viral dissemination in the carcass and transmission via saliva. The mosquito samples were processed for total RNA and DNA extraction. RNA was subsequently analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to quantify viral load and measure the expression of immune-related genes, while DNA was assessed via quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine Wolbachia density (wAlbA and wAlbB) and the rps6 gene.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;At 7 dpe, virus proliferation in rural mosquitoes was similar to that in urban mosquitoes (P = 0.10). By 14 dpe, rural mosquitoes showed a significantly lower status of virus dissemination (P &lt; 0.04) and transmission (P &lt; 0.012). Wolbachia (-0.12 &lt; r &lt; -0.92) and immune effectors (-0.025 &lt; r &lt; -0.568) were negatively correlated with DENV in all mosquitoes, with more negative values indicating a stronger inverse relationship. The wAlbA and wAlbB strains exhibited similar densities across all the mosquito populations, with wAlbB revealing a slightly greater abundance in rural mosquitoes, although the difference was not significant. Elevated Relish 2 (Rel2), defensin A (DefA), and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) levels indicate activation of the Toll and JAK-STAT pathways, contributing to resistance against DENV replication and reduced VC in rural mosquitoes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;This study indicates that rural Ae. albopictus mosquitoes may possess intrinsic barriers limiting their VC for DENV-2, offering valuable preliminary insights into VC across geographically distinct populations. However, further research across a broader range of urban and rural locations is needed to validate these findings and better understand the local factors influencing VC. Such insights are vital for public health, as they can help prioritize locations for dengue surveillance and effective vector control. Future studies should investigate the roles of intestinal microflora a","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"201"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12128243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144199805","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":"Sexual epigenetics: genome-wide analysis revealed differential DNA methylation in the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.","authors":"Han Wang, Ziyan Bing, Lu Li, Ziwen Gao, Chuks Fidelis Nwanade, Na Dong, Ke Li, Leyan Du, Zhijun Yu","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06810-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06810-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Haemaphysalis longicornis is an important vector that transmits a variety of pathogens to humans and animals. This tick species is unique for having two separate reproductive populations: bisexual and parthenogenetic populations. In bisexual populations, morphological differences exist between the males and females, with the females often larger than the males. DNA methylation, as a key epigenetic modification, plays a crucial role in biological processes such as the maintenance of normal cellular function, the regulation of gene expression, and embryonic development. However, the epigenetic mechanism underlying sex differentiation in the bisexual population of H. longicornis has been overlooked.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In the present study, the global DNA methylation profiles of the female and male H. longicornis ticks from the bisexual population were explored using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of DMR-related genes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results revealed that DNA methylation levels in H. longicornis varied by sex and sequence context (CG, CHG, and CHH). The 3' untranslated region (UTR) had the highest methylation in the CG context, followed by exons, introns, and CGI_shore regions. Female ticks generally exhibited higher methylation levels than males, particularly in gene body regions. A total of 10,460 DMRs were identified, with 5282 hypermethylated and 5178 hypomethylated. Further, GO and KEGG pathway analyses showed that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were highly enriched in binding and metabolic pathways.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results broaden our understanding of DNA methylation changes associated with the female and male of H. longicornis and provide an important theoretical basis for subsequent studies of epigenetic mechanisms of sex differences in ticks.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"202"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12128260/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144199808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel calreticulin of Psoroptes ovis regulated keratinocyte function resulting in host skin barrier dysfunction: implications for involvement in the pathogenesis of psoroptic mange.","authors":"Yane Li, Guiying Hao, Je Fan, Fangyan Wu, Xiangyue Yao, Youping Liang, Jing Xu, Ran He, Hui Wang, Yue Xie, Xiaobin Gu","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06800-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06800-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Psoroptes ovis, the causative agent of psoroptic mange, affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals, causing substantial economic losses and threatening wildlife survival. However, the underlying pathogenesis of this ectoparasitic disease remains poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we comprehensively characterized the sequence conservation and excretory-secretory properties of P. ovis calreticulin (PsoCRT) using sequence alignment, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence assays. To investigate the functional impact of recombinant PsoCRT (rPsoCRT), we conducted in vitro studies assessing its effects on keratinocyte proliferation, migration, differentiation, and the expression of immune regulatory factors. In addition, we employed rabbit ear intradermal injections of rPsoCRT to histologically observe tissue changes and confirm alterations in the expression profiles of immune regulatory factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PsoCRT was expressed across all developmental stages of P. ovis, with peak expression observed in adult males. Notably, PsoCRT was excreted and secreted into the host epidermis, primarily localizing within the stratum granulosum and spinosum. Intriguingly, sera from rabbits infested with P. ovis did not recognize PsoCRT. In vitro studies revealed that rPsoCRT significantly inhibited keratinocyte proliferation and migration, promoted differentiation, and upregulated the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-36, C-C motif chemokine ligand 27 (CCL27), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitro, without altering the levels of interferon (IFN)-γ or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In vivo, rabbit ear intradermal injections of rPsoCRT induced epidermal cell differentiation, immune cell infiltration, and an upregulation of IL-6, CCL27, and VEGF expression.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PsoCRT disrupted the physical and immune barriers of keratinocytes, leading to skin dysfunction and facilitating a microenvironment conducive to P. ovis parasitization, thereby highlighting its important role in the pathogenesis of psoroptic mange.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"198"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125919/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of molecular and serological testing for imported urogenital schistosomiasis screening in a referral tropical medicine centre in Barcelona, Spain.","authors":"Patricia Martínez-Vallejo, Alejandro Mediavilla, Aroa Silgado, Francesc Zarzuela, Lidia Goterris, Carles Rubio Maturana, Nuria Serre-Delcor, Inés Oliveira-Souto, Fernando Salvador, Joan Joseph-Munne, María Luisa Aznar, Diana Pou, Begoña Treviño, Israel Molina, Javier Sotillo, Elena Sulleiro","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06832-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06832-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Schistosomiasis, a major neglected tropical disease, is caused by Schistosoma spp. It is estimated that more than 200 million people are affected worldwide, mostly in Africa. The gold standard diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) is the microscopic visualisation of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in concentrated urine; however, its sensitivity is low. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of molecular and serological testing for imported UGS screening in asymptomatic sub-Saharan migrants in a non-endemic setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional study between November 2021 and December 2022 was conducted by collecting demographic, clinical and laboratory data from the medical records of migrants from endemic areas screened for UGS at the International Health Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Barcelona, Spain. Urine samples were analysed by real-time PCR for S. haematobium DNA and by microscopy for egg detection. Serum samples were tested using a serological assay based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). UGS was confirmed by a positive result in real-time PCR and/or microscopy, while possible UGS was defined as a case with only a positive serological result.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 604 patients were included in this study; 32 out of 604 (5.3%) urine samples were positive for S. haematobium by real-time PCR and/or microscopy examination (confirmed UGS cases). Schistosoma haematobium DNA was detected in 28/604 (4.6%) urine samples, while eggs were visualised in 24/604 (3.9%), with 12 discordant cases between both techniques. Real-time PCR demonstrated a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 98.6%, and a kappa value of 0.76. Serology was performed in 529/604 cases and exhibited lower specificity, 70.87% (kappa value 0.26). Other laboratory parameters such as leukocyturia, microhaematuria, eosinophilia and elevated IgE were significantly associated with UGS diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Real-time PCR proved to be more sensitive than microscopy for diagnosing imported UGS in non-endemic settings, with minimal discordance between methods. The serological test exhibited very low specificity and high sensitivity rates, suggesting its usefulness as a screening test among high-risk populations in non-endemic settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"196"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12123717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187541","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":"Molecular detection and identification of Trichobilharzia: development of a LAMP, qPCR, and multiplex PCR toolkit.","authors":"Jan Procházka, Zikmund Bartoníček, Roman Leontovyč, Petr Horák, Tomáš Macháček","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06822-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06822-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cercarial dermatitis (CD), or swimmer's itch, is a water-borne allergic skin reaction caused by the penetration of the larval stages of bird schistosomes (cercariae) into the skin. Members of the genus Trichobilharzia are the primary causative agents of CD worldwide. Due to the increasing number of cases, CD is regarded as a (re)emerging disease. Outbreaks in recreational waters can significantly impact public health and local economies. Environmental monitoring of Trichobilharzia is crucial for outbreak prediction and public health management. However, conventional methods, such as cercarial shedding and snail dissections, are labour-intensive and lack sensitivity. To overcome these limitations, we present a molecular toolkit that combines loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and multiplex PCR for rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection and identification of Trichobilharzia spp. from various biological samples.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Tricho-LAMP and Tricho-qPCR were designed and optimised for Trichobilharzia DNA detection. A multiplex PCR assay was also developed and optimised to identify the three main species causing CD in Europe (Trichobilharzia franki, T. szidati, and T. regenti).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Tricho-LAMP specifically detected T. regenti and T. franki at 10^-3 ng, and T. szidati at 10^-2 ng per reaction with genomic DNA. Using gBlocks synthetic DNA, Tricho-LAMP achieved 100% amplification at 10,000 copies and 85% amplification at 1000 copies, with decreasing success at lower concentrations. Tricho-qPCR showed the highest sensitivity, detecting all species down to 10^-4 ng per reaction and showing a limit of detection at 10 copies of synthetic DNA in the reaction. Multiplex PCR allowed reliable species differentiation via gel electrophoresis of the PCR products, but the assay had the lowest sensitivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We provide a molecular toolkit consisting of LAMP, qPCR, and multiplex PCR. By exhibiting high sensitivity, Tricho-LAMP and Tricho-qPCR assays are potentially suitable for environmental DNA (eDNA)-based environmental monitoring of bird schistosomes, by both researchers and public health authorities. Multiplex PCR can be used for species determination without the need for further sequencing.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"195"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12124058/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187543","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 detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Belgium, May 2024.","authors":"Camille Philippe, Celine De Sterck, Anna Parys, Sarah Denayer, Nick De Regge, Gabrielle Trozzi, Tinne Lernout, Marcella Mori, Bert Devriendt, Eric Cox, Sanne Terryn, Steven Van Gucht, Hein Sprong, François E Dufrasne","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06829-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06829-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most frequent tick-borne viral disease transmitted by ticks in Europe and Asia. In Belgium, autochthonous cases of TBE have been reported, but even though some tick collection was carried out in the past, no TBEV-positive ticks have been found thus far. In this study, questing ticks were collected by flagging at the precise location where a patient was reported to have been bitten by a tick before developing TBE in Belgium in 2020. In total, 350 ticks were pooled by life stage (nymphs, adult females, adult males) and collection date, lysed, and RNA extracted. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Ixodes 18S rRNA, followed by Oxford nanopore amplicon sequencing. TBEV was detected in all three types of pools. Out of 69 nymph pools, 2 were positive, in adult female pools, 2 out of 16 were positive, and 1 of the 14 adult male pools was positive. A complete sequence was retrieved through sequencing. This sequence shares greater similarity with a strain found in Finland than the neighboring Salland strain (the Netherlands) and the Neudoerfl reference strain. These findings confirm that TBE can be acquired from tick bites within the country. It is therefore necessary to increase awareness of the disease among healthcare professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"197"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187542","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":"DNA barcoding of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and detection of Leishmania and other trypanosomatids in southern Thailand.","authors":"Piyapat Tepboonrueng, Thanapat Pataradool, Rungfar Boonserm, Luke W Rimmer, Kanok Preativatanyou, Sakone Sunantaraporn, Padet Siriyasatien","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06812-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06812-0","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Biting midges of the genus Culicoides play an important role in the transmission of pathogenic arboviruses and parasites. Thailand has documented more than 100 species of Culicoides; however, several cryptic species complexes remain to be clarified. Recent studies in areas with leishmaniasis indicate that several species of Culicoides might be potential vectors of Leishmania in the subgenus Mundinia, but evidence supporting the hypothesis is still lacking. Therefore, the diversity of Culicoides biting midges and their potential role as vectors of leishmaniasis in southern Thailand remains uncertain.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Female Culicoides biting midges were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ultraviolet (UV) light traps from four locations within leishmaniasis-affected areas in three provinces of southern Thailand, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, and Surat Thani. Culicoides species were identified based on the morphology of wing spot patterns and subsequently confirmed by cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) Sanger sequencing. A potential cryptic species was classified using an integrative taxonomic approach associated with DNA barcoding identification by Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) searches. Furthermore, three different methods of species delimitation, namely ASAP [Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning], TCS [Templeton, Crandall, and Sing], and PTP [Poisson Tree Processes], were employed to verify the sequences into the molecular operational taxonomic unit (MOTU). Detection of Leishmania and other trypanosomatid parasites was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the ITS1 region and small subunit SSU ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, followed by Sanger sequencing and haplotype diversity analysis. The identification of host blood sources was carried out using host-specific multiplex PCR.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 716 unfed midges and 159 blood-fed specimens were morphologically identified into 25 species belonging to five subgenera (Avaritia, Hoffmania, Meijerehelea, Remmia, and Trithecoides) and four species groups (Clavipalpis, Ornatus, Shermani, and Shortti). Two unidentified specimens were classified into two subgenera (Trithecoides and Avaritia). The DNA barcoding identification exhibited an 82.20% success rate. Species delimitation analyses demonstrated the presence of cryptic species complexes, categorized into six species: Culicoides actoni, C. orientalis, C. huffi, C. palpifer, C. clavipalpis, and C. jacobsoni. Furthermore, 6.42% of the Culicoides biting midges tested positive for Leishmania DNA in three sampling sites in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces (with no positive results in Krabi province). Furthermore, the sympatric infection of Leishmania martiniquensis and Leishmania orientalis was identified in several Culicoides species in Ron Phibun and Phunphin district","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"194"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12121006/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144180104","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 confirmation of the presence of Hippobosca longipennis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) and infestation of sheltered dogs in Morocco.","authors":"Maria Bourquia, Abderrahmane Zahri, Mehdi Ahlamine, Thomas Balenghien, Paula Meyer, Felix Gregor Sauer, Renke Lühken","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06830-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06830-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hippobosca longipennis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that infests a wide range of vertebrate hosts across Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is a potential vector of Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) and serves as a phoretic host for Cheyletiella yasguri (Acari: Cheyletiellidae), a known causative agent of dermatitis in both dogs and humans. Due to the lack of data on hippoboscids in Morocco, this study aimed to investigate the louse fly fauna of sheltered dogs in the country as well as the filarial nematodes they may harbor.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between April and November 2022, 230 sheltered dogs from four cities in Central Morocco were randomly examined as part of an entomological and epidemiological study on arthropod vectors and canine vector-borne pathogens. All visible louse flies on the domestic dogs were randomly collected and then morphologically and molecularly identified. DNA was subsequently extracted for screening of filarial nematodes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 30 dogs (13.1%) were infested with 35 H. longipennis louse flies, consisting of 33 adults (10 males, 19 non-gravid females, and four gravid females) and two larvae. Two representative specimens were confirmed through DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. All fly pools (gravid females, non-gravid females, males, and larvae) tested negative for filarial nematodes in the 12S rRNA PCR.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study represents the first morphological and molecular characterization of H. longipennis flies in Morocco. Further national-scale investigations are needed to address gaps in the knowledge of unrecorded hippoboscid species and the pathogens of medical and veterinary importance that they may carry.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"193"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12107861/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144161014","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}