Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Multi-marker analysis of <i>Fasciola gigantica</i> from cattle and buffalo across Pakistan reveals high levels of genetic diversity and novel haplotypes.","authors":"Maria Komal, Kiran Afshan, Sabika Firasat, Jane E Hodgkinson, Krystyna Cwiklinski","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100693","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100693","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Molecular analyses of geographically dispersed <i>Fasciola</i> spp. isolates based on ribosomal, mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers have revealed high levels of genetic diversity within liver fluke populations. To investigate the <i>Fasciola</i> population substructure across Pakistan 4 molecular markers were compared (fatty acid binding protein, <i>fabp;</i> phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, <i>pepck</i>; random amplified polymorphic DNA, RAPD; mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase, <i>mt-nd1</i>). Adult parasites (<i>n</i> = 595) were collected from buffalo and cattle across 4 provinces in Pakistan (Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab). Species classification of all 595 parasites was confirmed by the 3 gel-based markers (<i>pepck, fabp</i> and RAPD) as <i>F. gigantica</i>, except for the <i>fabp</i> marker which unexpectedly could not be amplified in 274 parasites (46%). Analysis of a subset of samples indicates the potential for mis-priming due to multiple genomic loci that match the <i>fabp</i> primer sequences resulting in negative PCR products in some cases. Sequence analysis of the <i>mt-nd1</i> PCR products identified 29 haplotypes within the samples from Pakistan, the majority of which are unique to this study. None of the 29 haplotype sequences were identified in samples from Africa, highlighting the genetic diversity between geographically disparate liver fluke populations. Inconsistencies between <i>Fasciola</i> spp. molecular markers in this study highlights the need for multiple markers, validated on large numbers of geographically disparate parasites, to generate robust analyses of liver fluke genetic diversity. This study echoes other <i>Fasciola</i> spp. population studies and highlights the genetic diversity of <i>F. gigantica</i> populations in Pakistan that is comparable to observations of diversity throughout Asia.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel organoids and <i>ex vivo</i> models for advancing poultry coccidiosis research.","authors":"Phoebe Yuen Ka Chan, Bernat Marti-Garcia, Virginia Marugan-Hernandez","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100668","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100668","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Eimeria</i> species, the causative agents of avian coccidiosis, are major pathogens in poultry, resulting in substantial economic losses and welfare concerns worldwide. Understanding their complex life cycle, including different developmental stages and host interactions, is essential for advancing control strategies. Traditional cultivation systems, such as primary cell cultures and immortalised cell lines, have provided valuable insights, but they present limitations in supporting complete parasite development, host-pathogen interactions and immune response evaluation. Recent advances in intestinal organoids offer a promising alternative for <i>Eimeria</i> research. Initially developed in human models, intestinal organoids have been successfully adapted to avian systems, replicating the architecture, cellular diversity and physiological functions of the chicken gut epithelium. These 3D models provide now a physiologically relevant platform for studying parasite development, host-pathogen interactions, immune responses and drug screening <i>in vitro</i>. Complementary tools, such as intestinal explants, could further enhance the experimental repertory available for investigating <i>Eimeria</i> species. Additionally, insights from studies on related apicomplexan parasites support the translational value of these systems. These innovative systems could support significant advances in <i>Eimeria</i> cultivation, enabling more robust and ethical research while reducing the use of experimental animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A new species of <i>Rhipidocotyle</i> Diesing, 1858 (Trematoda: Bucephalidae) infecting leerfish, <i>Lichia amia</i> (L.) (Teleostei: Carangidae), and the first complete life-cycle for a marine trematode from Southern Africa.","authors":"Clarisse Louvard, Russell Qi-Yung Yong, Anja Vermaak, Linda de Klerk, Adri Joubert, Nico J Smit","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100681","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100681","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present the first elucidated marine trematode life-cycle for southern Africa, involving intermediate and definitive hosts from the southwestern Indian Ocean, through southern South Africa and to the southeastern Atlantic Ocean in Namibia. Adults of <i>Rhipidocotyle meridionalis</i> n. sp. were found infecting leerfish, <i>Lichia amia</i> (L.) (Carangiformes: Carangidae), in the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park, South Africa. Bucephalid sporocysts and cercariae isolated from a brown mussel, <i>Perna perna</i> (L.) (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), were subsequently recovered from the same area and are a perfect genetic match with adults of <i>R. meridionalis</i> n. sp. based on the partial 28S rDNA region. Metacercariae encysted in multiple organs of the following fishes were found to genetically match this taxon: <i>Chelon richardsonii</i> (Smith) (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae), <i>Dichistius capensis</i> (Cuvier) (Centrarchiformes: Dichistiidae) and <i>Diplodus capensis</i> (Smith) (Eupercaria <i>i. s.</i>: Sparidae) from the coast between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Namibia; <i>Chelon dumerili</i> (Steindachner) (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae), <i>Chrysoblephus laticeps</i> (Valenciennes), <i>Dip. capensis, Sarpa salpa</i> (L.) and <i>Sparodon durbanensis</i> (Castelnau) (Eupercaria <i>i. s.</i>: Sparidae) from Tsitsikamma; <i>Amblyrhynchote honckenii</i> (Bloch) (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae) and <i>Rhabdosargus holubi</i> (Steindachner) (Eupercaria <i>i. s.</i>: Sparidae) from Witsand; <i>A. honckenii</i> from Chintsa, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Uvongo; and <i>Dip. capensis</i> from Mossel Bay. The southern coast of South Africa, where the type-locality of <i>R. meridionalis</i> n. sp. is located, is influenced by both cold Atlantic and warm Indian Ocean currents and is thus subjected to complex hydrological patterns. This life-cycle, linking hosts present in both oceans, informs both the picture of host- and trematode connectivity in southern Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From clinical research to public health action: addressing chronic female genital schistosomiasis in non-endemic countries.","authors":"Silvia Roure, Lorena Serrano, Xavier Vallès, Raquel Cera, Cristina Serra, Mercedes Vicente, Josep Maria Llibre, Olga Pérez-Quílez, Israel López-Muñoz, Carme Miralles, Carmen Conde, Laura Hernández-León, Ainhoa Borràs","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100607","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100607","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We analysed the early results of a screening and management protocol of imported female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) among migrant women from endemic countries. In total we screened 136 women, from which 39 had suspicion of FGS (serology-positive test and clinical signs and symptoms compatible). Median age was of 42.7 years [interquartile range (IQR 35-45)], median time living in the Europe (EU) was of 14 years (IQR 10-19) and all of them were coming from a West African country, mainly Senegal (17 out of 39; 43.6%). All of them had 1 or more clinical genitourinary findings [median 5 (IQR 2-6)], being the most prevalent pelvic pain, vaginal discharge and menstrual disorders. According to the protocol, colposcopy and cytology examination was performed in 11 participants, from whom 7 had findings compatible with FGS and 5 had low-grade cervical dysplasia with human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative results. After specific treatment with praziquantel (PZQ), we observed a high rate of resolution of clinical signs and symptoms, serology clearance at the 12th month of follow-up. Colposcopy lesions of 3 women assessed at the end of follow-up were fully resolved. Our findings and previous research support the implementation of management protocols of FGS in non-endemic countries, in spite of the knowledge gaps that still remain. Clinical trials need further assessment to determine the efficacy of PZQ, new diagnostic tools and the interaction between FGS, HPV and cervical cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144789675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microscopic detection and genetic characterization of schistosome eggs within cervicovaginal lavage sediments from cases of female genital schistosomiasis.","authors":"J Russell Stothard, Bright Mainga, Dingase Kumwenda, Alice Chisale, Tereza Nchembe, Christine Rice, Lilly Atkins, Guillery Deles, Sam Jones, Lucas J Cunningham, Peter Makaula, Sekeleghe A Kayuni, Janelisa Musaya","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100656","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100656","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144789676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human, canine and feline strongyloidiasis: beyond <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i>.","authors":"Huan Zhao, Constantin Constantinoiu, Richard Bradbury","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100644","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100644","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> has historically dominated research and control efforts for strongyloidiasis in both medical and veterinary fields. This has obscured the significance of other <i>Strongyloides</i> species infecting humans and their closest companions, dogs (<i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>) and cats (<i>Felis catus</i>). This review synthesized clinical and epidemiologic evidence on these neglected agents of human and companion animal strongyloidiasis and outlined priorities for future research. Our aim is to raise awareness of these understudied species and promote research to clarify their medical and veterinary public health significance. Targeted species-specific surveillance using molecular-genomic and advanced morphological tools is essential to uncover the true burden of these infections and inform strategies for their control and eventual elimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144754023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A phylogeographic study of two acanthocephalan species from aquatic birds distributed in the Nearctic and neotropical region of Mexico and the USA.","authors":"Ana Lucia Sereno-Uribe, Marcelo Tonatiuh González-García, Alejandra López-Jiménez, Yeraldin Aldama-Prieto, Mirza Patricia Ortega-Olivares, Martín García-Varela","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100565","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100565","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acanthocephalans, which are in the family Polymorphidae, are a globally distributed group of endoparasites whose adults reside in the intestines of fish-eating birds, waterfowl and marine mammals. Adults of <i>Polymorphus brevis</i> and <i>Pseudocorynosoma constrictum</i> are endoparasites of fish-eating birds (Ardeids) and waterfowl (Anatidae), respectively, and are considered one of the most abundant and widely distributed species of polymorphids in freshwater systems from the Nearctic and Neotropical regions of Mexico and the USA. In the present study, sequences of cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase subunit 1 (<i>cox1</i>) from mitochondrial DNA were generated from 67 specimens of <i>P. brevis</i> and 32 of <i>Ps. constrictum</i> from 12 localities on 6 biogeographic provinces in Mexico (the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Pacific Lowlands, Veracruzan, Californian, Sierra Madre Occidental, and Sonoran), plus the Temperate Prairies biogeographical province in the USA. The phylogeographic analyses indicated that the populations of both species lacked phylogeographic structure and exhibited high haplotype diversity, low nucleotide diversity and low Fst values among the biogeographic provinces; in combination with negative values in the neutrality test, these findings suggest that the populations of both species of acanthocephalan are undergoing expansion. The current evidence indicates that the biology of the definitive hosts, in combination with their migration patterns, could play a key role in shaping the distribution of haplotypes and the population genetic structure of the studied 2 acanthocephalan species.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144754022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cultivating the endogenous life cycle of <i>Eimeria tenella</i> in chicken intestinal organoids.","authors":"Po-Yun Teng, Monzur Chowdhury, Tobias Clark, Troy Fuller","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100619","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100619","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coccidiosis, caused by <i>Eimeria</i> spp., leads to substantial economic losses in the poultry industry globally. These protozoan parasites invade the intestinal epithelium of birds, impairing nutrient absorption, causing diarrhoea and potentially leading to mortality. The complex endogenous life cycle of <i>Eimeria</i> spp., particularly the gametogony phase, presents significant challenges for <i>in vitro</i> cultivation. This study aimed to develop mature chicken intestinal organoids as an <i>in vitro</i> model capable of supporting the complete endogenous life cycle of <i>Eimeria tenella</i>. Two commercially available culture media, 3dGRO L-WRN conditioned medium (L-WRN) and IntestiCult™ Organoid Growth Medium (OGM), were evaluated for their ability to support chicken intestinal organoid development. The results demonstrated that basolateral-out organoids embedded in Matrigel and cultured in the L-WRN medium expanded more rapidly. In contrast, those apical-out organoids in the OGM developed more microvilli structures on enterocytes. Apical-out organoids, initially cultured in L-WRN medium and subsequently matured in OGM, were selected as the optimal host for the <i>Eimeria</i> infection model. Sporozoites of <i>E. tenella</i> successfully invaded the organoids and progressed through both the schizogony and gametogony phases. Moreover, the parasites produced a new generation of oocysts in this study. The presence of schizonts, gametocytes, and sporulated oocysts confirmed that the model can support the full endogenous life cycle of the parasite <i>in vitro</i>. This organoid-based infection model serves as a promising platform for studying host-pathogen interactions and developing novel interventions to control avian coccidiosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144744121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Organoids in parasitology: a game-changer for studying host-nematode interactions.","authors":"Matias Gaston Perez, Diana Coman, Joana Neves, Collette Britton","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100620","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100620","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections represent a significant health burden globally, affecting both humans and livestock. Traditional <i>in vitro</i> models to study host-parasite interactions, such as immortalized cell lines, have limitations that hinder the full understanding of these complex relationships. Organoid technology has emerged as a promising alternative, offering a physiologically relevant platform to study host-nematode interactions <i>in vitro</i>. Organoids are three-dimensional structures comprising differentiated cell types that recapitulate features of the corresponding organ. Technological advances for growing, maintaining and manipulating organoids have increased their applications to model infections, inflammation and cancer. This review discusses recent work using GI organoids to advance understanding of nematode-host interactions and modulation of GI epithelial cells. Additionally, we review studies that co-cultured GI organoids with innate lymphoid cells to study epithelial-immune cell cross-talk in the context of nematode infection. By bridging the gap between reductionist cell culture systems and whole-organism studies, organoids offer a powerful platform for investigating complex host-nematode interactions, and for developing and screening novel therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144682907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Taxonomy and systematics of 2 new species of myxozoans (Cnidaria: Myxobolidae) parasitizing the gills of <i>Iheringichthys labrosus</i> (Teleostei: Pimelodidae) from southeastern Brazil.","authors":"Diego Henrique Mirandola Dias Vieira, Maria João Santos, Sónia Rocha, Luis Filipe Rangel, Rodrigo Bravin Narciso, Reinaldo José da Silva","doi":"10.1017/S0031182025100589","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182025100589","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144682908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}