Parasite最新文献

{"title":"Processing and mounting phlebotomine sand flies: a consensus guideline.","authors":"Fano José Randrianambinintsoa, Laure Augendre, Jorian Prudhomme, Jean-Philippe Martinet, Mathieu Loyer, Nalia Mekarnia, Hocine Kerkoub, Farzana Khan Perveen, Antoine Huguenin, Emilie Kariya, Mohammad Akhoundi, Andrey José De Andrade, Eduardo Berriatua, Gioia Bongiorno, Sébastien Boyer, Vasiliki Christodoulou, Magda Clara Vieira Da Costa-Ribeiro, Lucas Alexandre Farias De Souza, Huicong Ding, Blaise Dondji, Vít Dvořák, Ozge Erisoz Kasap, Eunice Aparecida Bianchi Galati, Montserrat Gállego, Cristina Ballart, Stavroula Gouzelou, Nabil Haddad, Rezki Sabrina Masse, Asrat Hailu Mekuria, Vladimir Ivovic, Szymon Kaczmarek, Mohd Khadri Shahar, Oscar D Kirstein, Edwin Kniha, Iva Kolářová, Lincoln Timinao, Cristian Lucanas, Ognyan Mikov, Kimsear Nov, Yusuf Özbel, Bernard Pesson, Laura Cristina Posada Lopez, Didot Budi Prasetyo, Nil Rahola, Eduardo A Rebollar-Tellez, Bruno Leite Rodrigues, Lalita Roy, Prasanta Saini, Chizu Sanjoba, Paloma Helena Fernandes Shimabukuro, Padet Siriyasatien, Agnieszka Soszyńska, Tatiana Suleşco, Massamba Sylla, Majhalia Torno, Petr Volf, Khamsing Vongphayloth, Sinh Nam Vu, April Wardhana, Eric Yessinou, Sonia Zapata, Jean-Charles Gantier, Jérôme Depaquit","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026009","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article provides a comprehensive guide for the processing and mounting of phlebotomine sand fly specimens, which is crucial for species identification and pathogen detection and isolation. It discusses a range of techniques suitable for both field and laboratory settings. The guide includes detailed instructions on sand fly collection, handling, covering, and euthanasia (recommending dry freezing or CO₂ over chemicals) as well as conservation strategies, such as cold storage and preservation in ethanol. The quality of preparation of certain anatomical structures (genital organs, head and wings) is essential for their proper microscopic observation and is described in this work. The article also presents detailed sample processing, including the clearing process with agents such as potassium hydroxide then Marc-André solution. The mounting process compares different media, emphasizing their optical properties and preservation potential. Hoyer fluid (also known as chloral gum) is recommended for quick observation, particularly for spermathecae, due to its clarity, although it is not suitable for long-term storage. Other media discussed include polyvinyl alcohol, Euparal^® (for limited water tolerance), and Canada balsam (a hydrocarbon-soluble medium), with the latter two offering long-term preservation capabilities. Innovative molecular biology approaches such as DNA sequencing and MALDI-ToF, which require particular attention to sample processing, are also addressed. Furthermore, short video clips illustrating various mounting techniques as well as translations in many different languages are provided, allowing the guideline to reach the diverse needs and expectations of the global scientific community.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13047900/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147609606","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":"Prevalence and risk factors of human trichostrongylosis in Satun, southern Thailand.","authors":"Teera Kusolsuk, Thongroo Kophachon, Surapol Sa-Nguankiat, Nirundorn Homsuwan, Wichuda Lappuechudom, Supatta Srithongtae, Oranard Wattanawong, Yukifumi Nawa, Sivapong Sungpradit","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026027","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trichostrongylus spp., zoonotic soil-transmitted nematodes, affect both livestock and humans globally. In Thailand, human trichostrongylosis has been reported, but no systematic study examining livestock and humans in the same locality has been conducted. This study aimed to address this gap in Satun Province, southern Thailand by characterizing the disease's epidemiologic status among livestock, farmers, and the environment using both microscopic and molecular techniques. Human risk factors were assessed via questionnaires. Stool samples were collected from livestock farmers, their families, and herbivores in Nongkhai, Ratchaburi, and Satun Provinces. Vegetable samples were also obtained from households and local markets. Human and livestock feces were examined using the modified Kato-Katz method and a Mini Parasep^® solvent-free fecal parasite concentrator. Total DNA was then extracted from fecal and vegetable sediments, and a 211 bp fragment of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) gene was amplified using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were digested with HinfI and analyzed via electrophoresis to identify Trichostrongylus species. In Satun, Trichostrongylus colubriformis monoinfection was found in 12 of 221 (5.4%) residents, while co-infection with T. colubriformis and T. axei occurred in 3 (1.4%). Herbivore feces and vegetable sediments from Satun also tested positive. No human cases were found in Nongkhai or Ratchaburi. Risk factors included education level, occupation, and outdoor toilet use. Most infected individuals in Satun were asymptomatic. Despite this, public health interventions should be implemented, targeting the human-livestock-environment interface to control the disease effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"29"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13200820/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148016865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of host cell line and microsporidian species in the in vitro infection efficiency of Encephalitozoon spp.","authors":"Leslie Vercruysse, Valentine Daugey, Aurore Dubuffet, Céline Lambert, Mathilde Bonnet, Virginie Bonnin, Philippe Poirier, Céline Nourrisson","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026026","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotes infecting a wide range of hosts and cell types. The development of in vitro culture models is essential for studying host-parasite interactions and the pathogenesis of microsporidian infections. In this study, we compared the infection efficiency of three human pathogenic species of the genus Encephalitozoon (Encephalitozoon intestinalis, E. hellem, and E. cuniculi) across six cell lines: TC7, HT-29, HCT 116, T84, Vero, and MRC-5. Infection rates and the surface area of parasitic foci were determined after labeling microsporidia by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Both parameters varied significantly according to the cell line and Encephalitozoon species. TC7 cells consistently supported the highest infection rates, whereas HCT 116 cells were the least permissive. The surface areas of foci were primarily species-dependent, with larger foci observed for E. cuniculi and smaller ones for E. intestinalis. In conclusion, these results revealed marked differences in invasive and proliferative dynamics depending on the Encephalitozoon species and cell line and highlight the crucial impact of cell line selection on in vitro experimental outcomes. This work provides a foundation for improving and standardizing experimental models for future experiments on Encephalitozoon spp.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13107947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147777982","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":"Colonisation history of a vector species of veterinary interest: phylogeography of Culicoides imicola (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the Indian Ocean revealing low genetic structure.","authors":"Lorn Ribon-Chaudat, Karine Huber, David Bru, Hemant Bhoobun, Brice Derepas, Marlène Dupraz, Khouaildi Bin Elahee, Diana P Iyaloo, Romain Girod, Karien Labuschagne, Luciano Tantely, Thierry Baldet, Claire Garros","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026044","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Culicoides imicola (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is the main historical vector of livestock viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV), Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease virus (EHDV) and African Horse Sickness virus (AHSV), in the Afrotropical region. Despite its wide distribution across Africa, the Mediterranean basin and parts of Asia, the genetic structure and colonisation history of this species in the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO) territories remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate how passive wind-driven dispersal and recent animal movements associated with human colonisation may have shaped the genetic structure of this vector. We used two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase 1 and cytochrome oxidase 2) and characterized genetic structure of populations from 4 territories. In addition, phylogenetic analyses were conducted with COI sequences from 11 territories bordering the Indian Ocean retrieved from GenBank database. Phylogenetic analyses on COI sequences suggest no clear lineage or genetic grouping among the 11 territories. In the SWIO, concatenated COI and COII gene analyses show significant genetic differentiation between the four territories, especially between Mauritius and Reunion where populations exhibit signs of demographic expansion. The haplotype network suggests multiple events or potential colonisation pathways, supporting the hypothesis that animal trade is the primary means of introduction from the continent or Madagascar to Mauritius and Reunion. This work serves as a basis for understanding the risk of introduction of viruses transmitted by Culicoides into the island territories of the SWIO and highlights the need to strengthen practices in animal trade in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13574315/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148970654","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":"An integrative assessment of Dactylosoma cf. ranarum (Apicomplexa: Dactylosomatidae) from Pelophylax water frogs.","authors":"Andrea Valigurová, Stanislav Hodeček, Veronika Michalková, Petr Papežík, Viktória Čabanová, Tatiana Kúdelová, Edward Charles Netherlands, Peter Mikulíček, Michal Benovics","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026031","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While various haemoparasites have been reported from anuran hosts, this study provides the first published record of dactylosomatid parasites (Dactylosomatidae Jakowska & Nigrelli, 1955 emend. Levine, 1971) in frogs from Slovakia. Of the 239 anurans screened for apicomplexans, 67 individuals belonging to three species of water frogs, Pelophylax esculentus (Linnaeus, 1758), P. ridibundus (Pallas, 1771), and P. lessonae (Camerano, 1882) were found to be infected with haemogregarines of the genus Dactylosoma Labbé, 1894. Our results demonstrate that the haemogregarine found in all three species of water frogs, collected from three different localities in western Slovakia, represents a single taxon that morphologically resembles the type species, Dactylosoma ranarum (Kruse, 1890). Based on comprehensive morphometric, morphological, and molecular data from newly collected isolates from Pelophylax frogs, including the type host, we provide an integrative assessment of Dactylosoma cf. ranarum. We also conducted molecular screening of dipterans collected from the study sites, which could serve as potential vectors of the parasite, but no representatives of Dactylosoma were detected in any of the examined specimens.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"35"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13249255/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148205568","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 human infection with Onchocerca takaokai (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) presenting as creeping eruption in Japan.","authors":"Eri Ikenaga, Eiji Nagayasu, Hideo Hasegawa, Hiroyuki Murota, Yutaka Kuwatsuka","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026023","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zoonotic onchocerciasis is a rare human infection caused by Onchocerca species that normally parasitize non-human mammals. In Japan, all previously reported human cases have been attributed to Onchocerca japonica and have presented as localized, non-migratory subcutaneous nodules. Here, we report the first human infection caused by Onchocerca takaokai Uni et al., 2015. A 24-year-old male presented with linear migratory erythema on the forearm, clinically consistent with creeping eruption. Histopathological examination revealed an adult female filarial nematode with polymyarian-coelomyarian musculature, without internal cuticular ridges in the lateral cords, and lacking transverse ridges on the cuticle. Molecular analyses of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) genes confirmed that the parasite was O. takaokai, a parasite of wild boars in Japan. This case demonstrates a clinical presentation distinct from that of O. japonica and suggests that O. takaokai should be considered in the differential diagnosis of creeping eruption in endemic areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13088804/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147699383","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 characterization of Echinococcus species causing human cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: predominance of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto.","authors":"Rania Sihem Boussa, Perrine Duquet, Coralie Barrera, Elise Roy, Manel Amri, Imene Soufli, Houda Belguendouz, Nassim Sid-Idris, Chafia Touil-Boukoffa, Laurence Millon, Karima Achour, Jenny Knapp","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026058","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genotyping of cystic echinococcosis (CE) specimens enables the identification of predominant species and genotypes, yielding critical insights into disease epidemiology. Species identification is essential for the development of effective prevention and control strategies. In this context, we assessed the molecular diversity of E. granulosus sensu lato among surgically confirmed human CE cases recruited from Algerian referral hospitals. Hydatid cysts were collected from 31 patients undergoing surgery for pulmonary and/or hepatic CE in Algeria between 2022 and 2024. Hydatid fluid, cyst wall, and laminated-layer preparations were used for DNA extraction. End-point PCR coupled with Sanger sequencing, targeting the mitochondrial 12S-rrnS, nad5, and nad2 markers, was performed for species identification and genotyping, with real-time PCR (qPCR) performed in parallel. End-point PCR was successful in 29 cases (93.5%), while qPCR detected DNA of Echinococcus spp. in 30 cases (96.8%). The additional qPCR-positive sample showed late amplification but could not be assigned to a genotype because no sequence was obtained. Among the 29 molecularly characterized samples, E. granulosus sensu stricto genotype G1 was predominant and was identified in 27 samples (93.1%). One isolate was identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto genotype G3, and one as E. canadensis G6/G7. Genotype G1 and G3 cases were distributed in northern and central Algeria, while the G6/G7 isolate was detected in a patient from Tindouf, southern Algeria. These results demonstrate the predominance of E. granulosus sensu stricto genotype G1 among the molecularly characterized human cystic echinococcosis cases in this series.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"59"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13647994/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149137852","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":"Host genetic background influences the severity of disease in Schistosoma haematobium infections.","authors":"Boris Sègnito A E Savassi, Samoussou-Dine K Mahaman, Djèlili Biaou, Nélia Luviano Aparicio, Moudachirou Ibikounlé, Eve Toulza, David Courtin, Geoffroy Hounkanrin, Achille Massougbodji, Jérôme Boissier","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026013","DOIUrl":"10.1051/parasite/2026013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Host genetic factors influence the severity of infectious diseases, including schistosomiasis, which are major public-health burdens in Africa. While the role of host genetic background in Schistosoma mansoni infection has been clearly established, this link remains poorly explored for S. haematobium infections (Sh). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between genetic background and morbidity associated with urogenital schistosomiasis using a candidate gene approach. We analyzed urine samples from 334 Beninese men, measuring urinary eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) by ELISA as a marker for bladder inflammation. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography was performed in a subgroup of 146 participants (69 Sh-positive and 77 Sh-negative) to assess morbidities associated with Schistosoma infection. Blood samples were analyzed for TNF-α levels by ELISA and for TNF-α promoter polymorphisms by sequencing to assess associations between genetic variation and morbidity. Results showed that 25.4% of Sh+ had significantly higher mean TNF-α (U = 5888; p = 0.0098) and ECP (U = 912.5; p < 0.0001) levels than Sh-. Positive correlations were observed between egg count and both ECP (Tau = 0.4016; p < 0.0001) and TNF-α levels (Tau = 0.2238; p = 0.014). Morbidity mainly included bladder irregularities (6%), thickening (29%), and kidney dilation (6%). The G mutant allele on the rs3093660 marker was significantly associated with morbidity (χ² = 4.47; p = 0.034; OR = 5.09 [95% CI: 1.04-24.9]). Our results suggest, for the first time, that carriers of the G mutant allele at rs3093660 marker have a five-fold increased risk of developing severe urogenital schistosomiasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13011822/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147504603","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":"Lamellodiscus louiseuzeti n. sp. (Monopisthocotyla: Diplectanidae: Lamellodiscinae): a parasite of Chaetodon hoefleri (Teleostei, Chaetodontidae) with distinct attachment organ morphology.","authors":"Arfang Diamanka, Armando J Cruz-Laufer, Sikhou Drame, Abdou Toure, Maarten P M Vanhove, Antoine Pariselle, Ngor Faye","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2026053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During a study on representatives of Diplectanidae (Monopisthocotyla) infecting Chaetodon hoefleri, a marine teleost from Senegal, we collected individuals belonging to a species of Lamellodiscinae, which showed a unique arrangement of the haptoral lamellodiscs, so far unreported in the literature, with the first lamella of the ventral lamellodisc open anteriorly, unlike the dorsal lamellodisc, which is closed. Due to this arrangement, we describe the species Lamellodiscus louiseuzeti n. sp.. Apart from the morphology of the lamellodiscs, the new species differs from its congeners by having a two-part male copulatory organ; one part featuring a well-developed distal hook and one, morphologically very variable, exhibiting a distal tongue-shaped part. Phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated alignment of partial 18S rDNA, ITS1, and COI sequences (1,315 bp), and a separate 28S rDNA alignment (882 bp) of this new species and other species of Lamellodiscinae with available DNA sequence data resulted in phylogenetic trees with congruent topologies that indicated three main lineages. These clades correspond to the morphological groups of Lamellodiscus suggested in previous studies. Based on phylogenetic analyses, L. louiseuzeti n. sp. forms a well-supported group with other species of Lamellodiscus. However, its internal phylogenetic position within the genus remains unresolved. We opted to consider L. louiseuzeti n. sp. a member of Lamellodiscus. We also emended the generic diagnosis to incorporate the new species and propose a new morphological group: Heterolamellae.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13632505/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149113261","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":"Epidemiological and molecular insights into human lice (Anoplura: Pediculidae) in France: genetic diversity and DNA barcoding.","authors":"Anthony Marteau, Sophie Brun, Arezki Izri, Mohammad Akhoundi","doi":"10.1051/parasite/2026060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2026060","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human lice are hematophagous ectoparasites of worldwide distribution and public health concern. Despite their medical importance, the genetic diversity of these ectoparasites remains poorly documented, with only one prior study conducted in France. In this study, we investigated the distribution and genetic diversity of human louse populations collected from patients referred to Avicenne Hospital, northern Paris, between 2019 and 2023. A total of 209 specimens, one per patient, were examined: 186 head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), 11 body lice (Pediculus h. corporis), and 12 pubic lice (Pthirus pubis). Head lice predominated in women (82.3%), whereas body and pubic lice were more frequent in men (81.8% and 83.3%, respectively). Among head lice patients, 75.8% were children under 18 years, while all body lice patients and 83.3% of pubic lice patients were adults. Two infants with pubic lice were diagnosed, presumably infected by their parents, highlighting transmission risk among family members. Four pubic lice cases involved men who have sex with men. Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences using the maximum likelihood method and comparison to GenBank sequences from multiple regions revealed genetic heterogeneity, with sequences clustering into three monophyletic clades (A, B and C). Clade C is reported for the first time in France. Body louse sequences clustered exclusively within clade A. Together with our previous work, this study represents the first epidemiological investigation of human lice infestation in a general French population, contrasting with earlier reports restricted to schoolchildren. Our findings also improve our understanding of human louse genetic diversity with implications for control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19796,"journal":{"name":"Parasite","volume":"33 ","pages":"60"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13661125/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149183705","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}