Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Know your enemy: understanding mosquito biology to advance malaria elimination in Africa.","authors":"Kennedy Zembere, Patrick Ken Kalonde, Fanuel Meckson Bickton","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08534-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08534-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over a century has passed since the discovery that the female anopheline mosquito is a vector of malaria, prompting extensive efforts to combat the disease. Vector control remains the primary malaria prevention strategy, accounting for a remarkable 65% reduction in malaria cases between 2000 and 2015. A thorough understanding of the fundamental biology of malaria vectors is essential for national malaria control programmes, governments, and local communities to implement sustainable and effective vector control measures. This article explores the key aspects of mosquito biology, such as adult and juvenile life stages, the intrinsic incubation period, and blood-seeking behaviour, within the context of the mosquito life cycle. By emphasizing the importance of this knowledge, we illustrate how it can inform community-level control initiatives and guide national programmes in designing more effective interventions for vector-borne disease management. Furthermore, the article underscores how researchers can harness these biological insights to develop and deploy innovative tools that have the potential to revolutionize malaria control efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 8","pages":"93"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361305/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144874523","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 therapeutic effects of vonoprazan against giardiasis in rats: parasitological, pathological, and immunological aspects.","authors":"Alaa F Sallam, Kholoud A El-Nouby, Hend S Abo Safia, Dina I Elgendy","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08526-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08526-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Giardiasis is a serious public health issue caused by Giardia lamblia. The medications used in its treatment induce unfavorable adverse effects. Furthermore, treatment failure and drug resistance are other challenges in its management. Vonoprazan is a safe, recently approved potassium-competitive acid blocker. The current study aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effects of vonoprazan, alone or in combination with metronidazole, on giardiasis. The efficiency of the treatment was evaluated by parasitological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, scanning electron microscopic, and biochemical studies. According to the results, the combination treatment significantly reduced the number of cysts in the stool and trophozoites in the small intestinal wash and ameliorated the intestinal pathological alterations. The expression of TNF-α and caspase-3 in the intestinal tissues was reduced. Also, there were reductions in the levels of IL-6, iNO, and MAD and an elevation in TAC levels in the serum. The combination therapy exhibited better efficacy than metronidazole alone. To sum up, this study underlines the suitability of using vonoprazan as an adjuvant to metronidazole in treating giardiasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 8","pages":"91"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12354580/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855968","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":"Outcome of parasitological examinations in cats in Germany: a retrospective survey.","authors":"Jacqueline Csokai, Michaela Gentil, Anton Heusinger, Elisabeth Müller","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08542-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08542-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This retrospective study examined the occurrence of endoparasites in feline faecal samples in a German diagnostic laboratory between January 2019 and December 2019. Different methods for endoparasite detection were performed: 6,425 samples by flotation method as well as sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin concentration (SAFC) technique, 721 samples by Baermann-Wetzel migration technique, 3,233 samples by a Giardia coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 346 samples by a Cryptosporidium coproantigen ELISA, 1,007 samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Giardia duodenalis, and 672 samples by PCR testing for Cryptosporidium spp. A total of 8.5% of the samples were positive for parasites in the microscopic examination using the flotation method and SAFC technique in combination: Toxocara cati (3.8%), Cystoisospora spp. (2.3%), Giardia duodenalis (1.9%), Ancylostomatidae (0.3%), lungworm larvae (0.3%), Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia hammondi (0.2%), Taeniidae (0.2%), Capillaria spp. (0.2%), Toxascaris leonina (0.08%), Sarcocystis spp. (0.06%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.02%). The detection rate of lungworm larvae by the Baermann-Wetzel migration technique was 4.7%. Giardia duodenalis was detected by ELISA in 8.1% of the samples and by PCR in 7.9%. Detection rates for Cryptosporidium spp. were 1.7% by ELISA and 2.5% by PCR. Cats in the first year of life were more frequently infected with parasites than older animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 8","pages":"90"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12334491/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799903","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":"One Health implications and first evidence of environmental contamination of helminths in soil from goat farms in Ratchaburi, Thailand.","authors":"Abigail Hui En Chan, Wallop Pakdee, Chanisara Kaenkaew, Sivapong Sungpradit, Vachirapong Charoennitiwat, Teera Kusolsuk, Urusa Thaenkham","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08541-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08541-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zoonotic helminths are responsible for the majority of helminthic infections occurring in humans globally. Environmental systems serve as a reservoir for zoonotic helminths, facilitating their transmission to humans and animals. Livestock farms may serve as hotspots for zoonotic transmission, increasing infection risk. Focusing on goat farms in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand, we aim to detect and identify zoonotic helminths present in the soil environment through morphological and molecular techniques. Soil samples (n = 270) were collected from 30 goat farms in Ratchaburi Province, and helminths were morphologically identified using a modified sedimentation and flotation method. Helminths were then molecularly identified using the nuclear 18S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer 2 region. The helminths identified include human, livestock-parasitic nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, plant-parasitic nematodes, insect-parasitic nematodes, and free-living nematodes. Morphological and molecular detection show that 80% and 86% of the farms were positive for helminths, respectively. From 30 farms, 60% were positive for livestock- or human-parasitic helminths, with eight species detected. Moreover, 50% of farms were positive for either Haemonchus contortus or Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Utilizing soil as a non-invasive method for the detection and identification of helminths contaminated in the soil, this study demonstrated the presence of human- and animal-parasitic helminths with the soil matrix serving as a shared environment and reservoir for zoonotic transmission of helminthic infection, further emphasizing the importance of the One Health approach towards mitigating parasitic disease transmission. The findings showed significant implications for the incorporation of soil-based methods into sustainable helminth infection control programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 8","pages":"89"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12331789/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144795051","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":"Detection of zoonotic nematodes in brown trout, Salmo trutta, an introduced popular edible freshwater fish in Australia.","authors":"Shokoofeh Shamsi, Luke Pearce","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08533-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08533-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Introduced freshwater fish species in Australia, such as brown trout (Salmo trutta), are commonly consumed and play a significant role in recreational fisheries. However, little is known about their potential to act as carriers of zoonotic parasites. This study investigated the presence of zoonotic nematodes in brown trout collected from above and below Winburndale Dam in New South Wales, Australia. Large nematodes were observed in the musculature during visual inspection. Additional nematodes were recovered following overnight incubation of the fish tissue and the gastrointestinal tract. Morphological and molecular analyses identified the large larvae in the muscle tissue as Eustrongylides excisus. In contrast, the gastrointestinal nematodes were identified as Contracaecum bancrofti, Contracaecum rudolphii D and one Contracaecum larva that may represent a previously undescribed species. Based on our findings, we recommend analysing the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions separately when conducting BLAST analyses for species-level identification of Contracaecum larvae, as many early GenBank submissions contain only partial sequences. Of parasites found, Eustrongylides larvae were recovered from muscle and body cavity tissues, posing a direct food safety risk, while Contracaecum larvae were confined to the gastrointestinal tract and emerged only during post-mortem incubation, highlighting the value of supplementary observational techniques in detecting parasites that may otherwise be overlooked during routine dissection. The differences in parasite occurrence between upstream and downstream populations may be attributed to variations in diet, and water flow dynamics, particularly in relation to Eustrongylides infection. Contracaecum rudolphii D larvae, which had previously only been reported from marine fish, were found in a freshwater system for the first time in Australia. This study provides the first molecular confirmation of co-infection with multiple potentially zoonotic nematodes in brown trout in Australia, underscoring the need for parasite monitoring and proper food safety practices in freshwater fish species consumed by humans and their pets, such as cats and dogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 8","pages":"88"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12328536/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144789677","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":"Seasonality, control, and risk factors for Gasterophilus intestinalis egg intensity in horses from Romania under field conditions.","authors":"Ș O Rabei, D Pivariu, A I Cocian, D Vaccaro, P Costache-Bobescu, A D Mihalca","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08540-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08540-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pyrethroid-based insecticides against Gasterophilus spp. egg-laying activity and to establish the seasonality patterns in the specific climatic area of Transylvania, Romania. To fulfil the aims of the study, a total of 40 horses were treated every 4 weeks and inspected every 2 weeks between 11 May and 6 November (Pilo et al. Parasitol Res 114:1693-1702, 2024). Through this period, eggs were found between 24 June and 2 November. The eggs were found on 34 out of 40 horses (prevalence = 85%, CI 95% = 73.43-96.56%). Overall, a total of 50,029 Gasterophilus spp. eggs were counted during this study, and all were morphologically identified as G. intestinalis. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in prevalence and intensity between treated and control horses (p > 0.05). The number of laid eggs varied significantly across body regions (p < 0.05). The risk factors associated with increased egg-laying activity were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with dark-color coats, outside husbandry regime, and the month of exposure. No significant differences in egg numbers and prevalence were found across gender or age groups (p > 0.05). The applied statistical tests were as follows: the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test, the Friedman test, Wilcoxon test corrected by the Bonferroni method, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. These results highlight gasterophilosis as an important parasite in horses. In conclusion, we recommend that, in order maintain a low prevalence of Gasterophilus spp., treatment should include the use of larvicidal drugs and the mechanical removal of the eggs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 8","pages":"87"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12328499/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144789678","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":"Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes on communally reared sheep farms of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, South Africa.","authors":"Songezo Mavundela, William Diymba Dzemo, Oriel Thekisoe","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08532-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08532-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anthelmintic drugs are readily accessible to farmers and have been widely used to control gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in communally reared sheep in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP), South Africa. Indiscriminate and prolonged use of these drugs has inevitably contributed to the selection of resistant GIN populations. This study aimed to assess the anthelmintic resistance status of GINs in communally reared sheep farms in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, ECP. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on farm characteristics and helminth control practices. Faecal egg count reduction tests were performed on 259 lambs selected from eight communal farms. Lambs with egg per gram count > 150 were treated with anthelmintics (co-formulation of albendazole + closantel, and levamisole) currently used on the farms as well as an alternative anthelmintic from a different drug class (ivermectin, and a co-formulation of levamisole + praziquantel). Several suboptimal helminth control practices were identified that may have compromised the accurate administration of anthelmintics and effective management of deworming. These include the advanced age (> 65 years) of farmers: failure to weigh sheep prior to drug administration, use of syringes (5 ml/10 ml) instead of drench guns, and absence of a drenching and shifting approach. Helminths eggs from the genera Moniezia, Strongyloides, Trichuris, and Haemonchus were identified in both pre-and post-treatment faecal samples. Coprological culture of post-treatment samples, followed by morphological and molecular identification of larvae, confirmed the presence of Haemonchus contortus. This GIN species exhibited resistance to all the anthelmintic formulations assessed in this study. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved management strategies to mitigate resistance and promote sustainable worm control in communal sheep farming areas of ECP.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 8","pages":"86"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12325497/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144784990","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":"Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) on a wild Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and a zoo-kept Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Tyrol, Austria.","authors":"Jutta Pikalo, Oldrich Sychra, Miguel Peña-Espinoza, Maryna Galat, Maria Sophia Unterköfler, Mike Heddergott, Walter Glawischnig, Hans-Peter Fuehrer","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08531-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08531-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) are obligate and permanent ectoparasites commonly found on birds. The life cycle of these insects is completed on the body of the host and therefore many are host specific. This is the first report of chewing lice on a wild Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and a zoo-kept Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Tyrol, Austria. Three different species of chewing lice were identified: Craspedorrhynchus aquilinus was found on Aquila chrysaetos and Colpocephalum turbinatum and Falcolipeurus quadripustulatus were found on Gyps fulvus. The lice were identified morphologically and by barcoding. Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) of eagles, vultures, and other Accipitriformes are understudied, and further research is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 7","pages":"85"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277224/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675439","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":"Discovery of new chromosomal markers through repeatome analysis of Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Caryophyllidea).","authors":"Anna Marková, Martina Orosová","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08530-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08530-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genomic repetitive elements are essential structural and functional components of most eukaryotes and have attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. Despite the well-documented features of the karyotype of the tapeworm species Caryophyllaeus laticeps, knowledge about the content and distribution of repetitive elements on its chromosomes is limited. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the composition of the repetitive DNA, we used a combination of bioinformatic, cytogenetic and molecular techniques to characterise the repetitive DNA content of this species. RepeatExplorer2 analysis revealed that transposable elements are predominantly present in the C. laticeps genome. The most suitable repeat families were selected for fluorescence mapping on the chromosomes, and most of them showed a scattered hybridisation pattern. In this study, we identified three new chromosomal markers: small nuclear U1 DNA (snDNA), the 5S ribosomal DNA (5S rDNA) and a satellite DNA named ClatSat14-167, each of which hybridises to a single locus at different chromosomal locations, allowing accurate identification of three pairs of chromosomes. These markers could be very valuable tools for future evolutionary studies and greatly enrich the limited cytogenetic data for tapeworms. In addition, an increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations was detected, reaffirming previous findings on the possible adverse effects of environmental pollution on the chromosomes of the species studied.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 7","pages":"84"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12274263/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144659830","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":"Trypanosoma cruzi: A new system for primary culture and isolation of the parasite.","authors":"María Alejandra Vanegas, Laura Vanessa Téllez, Orlando Alfredo Torres, Paula Ximena Pavía","doi":"10.1007/s00436-025-08511-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-025-08511-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Various methods, including blood culture, are employed to isolate Trypanosoma cruzi. However, there is currently no standardized protocol for parasite culture, and the effectiveness of available techniques varies. In this study, we developed a standardized closed blood culture system (CBCS) designed to support the survival of trypomastigotes and their differentiation into epimastigotes, from sample collection through to primary laboratory isolation. Blood samples were artificially infected with varying concentrations of T. cruzi trypomastigotes to assess the performance of the CBCS. The CBCS enabled successful isolation and exponential growth of the parasite, demonstrating performance comparable to that of conventional culture methods. All assays included a reference control culture, which served as a benchmark for comparison. No contamination events were observed, and it was possible to isolate and expand the parasite population from an initial sample containing as few as ten trypomastigotes. The standardized CBCS protocol demonstrated good precision, as confirmed by repeatability and reproducibility tests, which showed acceptable variability among replicates.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"124 7","pages":"83"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12267307/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144643159","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}