Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Epidemiological insights into bovine babesiosis in South African cattle.","authors":"Thandikhaya Bambeni, Charles Byaruhanga, Wilhelm Hein Stoltsz, Leonhard Schnittger, Raksha Vasantrai Bhoora","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08690-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08690-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina, is a major cattle disease in South Africa. This study combined prospective (2022-2023) and archived (2016-2022) DNA samples to assess molecular prevalence and serological exposure to Babesia spp. across thirteen dip tanks in the Mnisi area (Mpumalanga), plus five additional high-risk areas: Manaleni and Boekenhouthoek (Mpumalanga), Phuthaditjaba and Harrismith (Free State), Bergville (KZN). TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR) and indirect fluorescent antibody testing (IFAT) were used to assess current parasitaemia and prior exposure. In Mnisi, 81/216 cattle tested positive for at least one Babesia spp. (38%, 95% CI: 0.31-0.44), comprising 41 single B. bovis infections (19%, 95% CI: 0.14-0.25), 12 single B. bigemina infections (6%, 95% CI: 0.03-0.09), and 28 mixed infections (13%, 95% CI: 0.09-0.18), while 135 animals were negative (63%, 95% CI: 0.56-0.69). In the remaining areas, 113/187 cattle were positive (60%, 95% CI: 0.53-0.67). The overall prevalence of B. bigemina was highest in the Free State (51%), while B. bovis was predominant in KZN (62%), with Mpumalanga showing a higher relative occurrence of B. bovis (32%) than B. bigemina (22%). Agreement analysis from Mnisi subset (n = 101, 2022) with paired IFAT and qPCR results revealed slight agreement for B. bovis (K = 0.12, 95% CI: -0.05-0.29), with McNemar's exact test confirming systematic rather than random discordance (χ2 = 12.26, p = 0.00046). This supports the complementary application of both assays, as qPCR and IFAT reflect active parasitaemia and historical exposure, respectively, informing enzootic stability monitoring and control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841493","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":"Anisakid nematodes in thread herrings from the Gulf of California: food safety considerations and spatial patterns in parasite assemblages.","authors":"Dania López-Moreno, José A Cruz-Barraza, Emigdio Marín-Enríquez, Rebeca Sánchez-Cárdenas, Marlenne Manzano-Sarabia, Felipe Amezcua, Juan R F Vallarta-Zarate, Francisco N Morales-Serna","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08686-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08686-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thread herrings (Opisthonema spp.) are ecologically and economically important small pelagic fishes in the Gulf of California, yet their parasitic fauna remains poorly documented. Given their role in regional fisheries and marine food webs, clarifying the identity of anisakid nematodes infecting these fishes is relevant for food safety surveillance. In this study, we examined 306 individuals of Opisthonema libertate, 25 of O. medirastre, and 89 of O. bulleri collected from multiple fishing grounds between 2022 and 2023. A total of 140 third-stage anisakid larvae were recovered from O. libertate, whereas infections were rare in the other two host species. Molecular analyses of the ITS rDNA region confirmed the presence of Contracaecum bioccai and revealed an additional Contracaecum species that could not be assigned to species level. Although infection intensities were low, the occurrence of anisakid nematodes belonging to a genus that includes species associated with anisakidosis highlights the importance of continued monitoring of small pelagic fishes in the region. In addition to anisakids, the parasite assemblage of O. libertate was dominated by digeneans, and multivariate analyses revealed significant spatial variation in infracommunity structure across fishing grounds. Similar spatial patterns reported previously were also detected in the present survey, indicating reproducible interannual differences within the Gulf of California. These findings provide the first molecular confirmation of anisakid species infecting O. libertate in the region and underscore the complementary value of parasitological research for food safety and fisheries science.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841473","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":"Morphological and molecular identification of amphistomes occurring in cattle in Zimbabwe.","authors":"Ignore Nyagura, Mokgadi P Malatji, Madeline S Sibula, Philile I Ngcamphalala, Samson Mukaratirwa","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08682-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08682-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study characterized and identified amphistomes collected from cattle slaughtered at selected abattoirs in Zimbabwe, using both morphological and molecular techniques. Amphistomes were collected from 158 cattle originating from 14 localities, slaughtered in abattoirs in Harare and Bulawayo. One-hundred and twenty-one amphistome specimens were selected and sectioned into two portions, one piece for morphological characterization based on histological sectioning using haematoxylin and eosin staining, and the other piece for molecular identification based on the ITS-2 gene. Morphological characters classified the amphistomes into ten species as follows; Calicophoron (C.) calicophorum, C. microbothrium, C. clavula, C. raja, C. phillerouxi, C. sukari, Paramphistomum (P.) gracile, P. hibarniae, Carmyerius (Ca.) multivitellarius, Cotylophoron (Co.) cotylophorum, and unidentified Paramphistomum sp. Calicophoron was the most common genus, and C. microbothrium was the most common and widely distributed species recorded across the 14 localities. The ITS-2 gene was able to confirm the identification of C. microbothrium, C. clavula, C. raja, C. calicophorum and C. phillerouxi. There were no comparative ITS-2 sequences for C. sukari, P. gracile and P. hibarniae on the GenBank. Hence, specimens identified morphologically as C. sukari showed a 100% homology to multiple Calicophoron species, but grouped with C. raja. Furthermore, Ca. multivitellarius specimens confirmed the genus identity by forming sister clade with other Carmyerius spp. There were no species-level resolution for Paramphistomum sp., P. gracile and P. hibarniae, as these isolates formed a clade with Paramphistomum sp. (OQ459353.1). The study resulted in new geographical records for P. gracile, P. hibarniae and Ca. multivitellarius in Zimbabwe, hence adding new knowledge to the geographical distribution of these species within Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841518","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":"Massive cysticercosis and hydatidosis in a moose (Alces alces) from Poland.","authors":"Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch, Jacek Karamon, Małgorzata Samorek-Pieróg, Zbigniew Wróblewski, Krzysztof Anusz, Anna M Pyziel","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08671-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08671-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Taenia hydatigena and Echinococcus canadensis G8 are taeniid cestodes maintained in transmission cycles involving carnivores and ungulates. This study reports a rare massive co-infection of both species in a free-ranging moose from northeastern Poland. A dissection of a four-year-old male moose, found in severe malnutrition in the area of Biebrza valley, northeastern Poland, revealed massive infection with Taeniidae larvae. Parasites were isolated and subjected to molecular identification. DNA was extracted, and fragments of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) were amplified by PCR, sequenced, and compared with reference sequences in the GenBank database. Molecular examination allowed identification of T. hydatigena and E. canadensis G8 metacestodes. Numerous T. hydatigena cysticerci were located in the omentum, mesentery, liver, and pleura, and hydatid cysts of E. canadensis G8 were found in the lungs and liver. Phylogenetic analysis showed identity with isolates from wild and domestic animals in Europe, Asia, and North America. The extensive parasite burden likely contributed to the animal's poor condition and death. This study reveals a potential role of moose in the epidemiology of Taeniidae in Poland, indicating the environmental contamination by taeniid eggs and the need for assessing the transmission risk at the wildlife-domestic animal interface.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147841498","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":"Avian haemosporidian parasites in the African houbara: species diversity and impact on blood parameters.","authors":"Henrique Pacheco, Hiba Abi Hussein, Thierry Hoareau, José-Francisco Lima-Barbero, Antía Sández, Chloé Warret Rodrigues, Ana Pérez de Vargas, Mar Carrasco Muñoz, Ursula Höfle Hansen","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08667-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08667-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Avian haemosporidia are vector-borne protozoan parasites with effects ranging from asymptomatic infections to acute disease and are often influenced by host‒parasite dynamics and environmental factors. These parasites can disrupt haematological parameters, affecting host fitness and survival. The African houbara (Chlamydotis undulata), a vulnerable species supported by a conservation breeding program in Morocco, faces combined threats from habitat loss, unregulated hunting, and poaching. This study investigated the diversity, prevalence and potential factors of haemosporidian infections in captive African houbara and assessed the association between infection and changes in blood parameters. To assess haemosporidian prevalence across sex and age groups, we analysed tissue samples (liver and spleen) collected during necropsy from 264 individuals from two breeding centres and two release facilities. Additionally, we used thin blood smears and cell pellets from 64 apparently healthy adults to evaluate haematological changes. Molecular (PCR-based detection and sequencing) and blood smear screening identified infections by Haemoproteus (85.9%) and Plasmodium (14.1%), revealing five previously undetected lineages. Coinfections were documented, highlighting challenges in diagnostic accuracy and parasite interactions. Age, location and sampling year significantly influenced infection prevalence, but no impact of infection on blood parameters was detected, consistent with a subclinical state. The high prevalence observed, along with the detection of previously undescribed lineages, underscores the importance of continued research on haemosporidian species and their potential impact on avian species, particularly in the context of conservation programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147819467","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":"Epidemiology and transmission dynamics of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among Iranian women: A framework for targeted public health interventions.","authors":"Behrooz Ahmadi, Meysam Olfatifar, Milad Badri, Mahdi Fakhar, Zaher Khazaei, Maryam Yousefi, Zahra Yazdi, Seyedeh Sakineh Latifi Rostami, Roghaye Ahangari","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08684-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08684-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147778309","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":"Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization of Coenurus cerebralis infection in sheep with evaluation of cerebrospinal cytokine responses.","authors":"Marwa M Attia, Hend Ibrahim Mohamed, Abuelhassan Elshazly Younis, Abdelrahman M Magdy, Sara S Barsoum, Sohila M El-Gameel","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08673-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08673-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coenurosis is a significant zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of the cestode Taenia multiceps. The parasite invades the central nervous system (CNS) of intermediate hosts, particularly sheep and goats, leading to neurological disorders, severe economic losses, and death in advanced cases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of C. cerebralis infection in sheep in Egyp between March 2024 and August 2024 and to characterize its histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features, with a focus on cytokine gene expression in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A total of 200 sheep presenting with neurological signs were examined, of which 10% were confirmed to be infected. Post-mortem examination, parasitological identification, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry targeting cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were performed. Molecular confirmation was achieved by PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cox1 gene. Additionally, quantitative PCR was used to assess the expression of cytokine genes (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12) in CSF samples compared with healthy controls. Cystic lesions containing multiple scolices were mainly detected in the cerebrum and cerebellum. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous encephalitis and perivascular cuffing. Immunohistochemical analysis showed strong CD3⁺ T-cell infiltration and TNF-α expression surrounding cyst margins. Molecular sequencing demonstrated 100% identity with reference C. cerebralis strains (GenBank: LC271726, LC271732, LC271737). Notably, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 were significantly upregulated (p < 0.001) in infected sheep, indicating a mixed pro-inflammatory and regulatory immune response. These findings provide valuable insights into host-parasite interactions in ovine coenurosis and support the use of integrated molecular and immunological approaches for improved diagnosis and disease management.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"125 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13132971/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147819502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The liver fluke Campula oblonga from harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena stranded on the Danish North Sea Coast: updated morphometric and molecular characteristics.","authors":"Kurt Buchmann, Tim K Jensen, Michelle L Quaade, Per W Kania","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08688-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08688-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One female specimen of the cetacean harbour porpoise Phocoena Phocoena (Linnaeus, 1758) was found dead on the North Sea coast of Denmark (Jutland) in May 2025. During necropsy severe pathological changes of the liver were observed (hepatic fibrosis, enlarged and thickened biliary duct walls) and when dissecting the biliary ducts six intact trematodes (total length 6.9-7.9 mm, width 1.9-2.0 mm) were recovered. Following conservation in formalin four parasites were haematoxylin stained, one specimen kept unstained but all five mounted for morphological analysis. The sixth specimen conserved in 70% ethanol was subjected to DNA purification and subsequent PCR and sequencing. All the parasites were identified as fully adult Campula oblonga (Cobbold, Trans Linnean Soc Lond 22(3):155-172, 1858). Morphometric, morphological and molecular data (NADH dehydrogenase, subunit 3 (ND3), mtDNA) are presented and indicate close relation with previous isolates from the North and Baltic Seas but a lower similarity to Pacific conspecifics.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147778284","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":"Cystoisospora belli infection in an immunocompetent patient.","authors":"Qiuchen Cheng, Lin Yu, Wenhua Zhang, LiuYang Hu, Xiuri Wang, Yule Wei, Xiaoqing Li, Lei Zhou, Yuehui Liang, Dan Huang, Yunxiao Liang","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08687-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08687-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cystoisospora belli, also known as Isospora belli, is an opportunistic pathogen which predominantly affects individuals with compromised immunity, including transplant recipients and patients with AIDS, HTLV-1 infections, or hematologic malignancies. The primary symptom of C. belli infection is diarrhea, but the rarity of C. belli infection makes C. belli an uncommon etiology in patients with diarrhea. Only sporadic cases of C. belli infection have been documented in the past century. Diagnosis of C. belli infection in non-endemic regions poses a challenge and delays can escalate mortality risks. This report detailed a unique case of C. belli infection from Guangxi, China involving a male with an intact immune system and no underlying tumor who presented with prolonged diarrhea and bile duct dilatation. C. belli was identified in bile based on acid-fast staining, a rare diagnosis in mainland China and globally. The patient was treated with sulfamethoxazole tablets following diagnosis and responded favorably with significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the importance of considering C. belli in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained diarrhea and hepatic ductal dilatation, even though the patient had normal immune function. This finding highlights the need for increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance in both endemic and non-endemic regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147778340","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 unified digital twin framework for predicting therapeutic response to central nervous system infections by pathogenic free-living amoebae.","authors":"Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Sutherland K Maciver, David Lloyd, Naveed Ahmed Khan","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08674-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08674-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147778296","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}