Parasitology Research最新文献

{"title":"Assessing the taxonomic status of an opecoelid trematode from the evileye blaasop, Amblyrhynchote honckenii (Bloch), in South Africa.","authors":"Linda de Klerk, Russell Q-Y Yong, Bjoern C Schaeffner, Kerry A Hadfield, Nico J Smit","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08665-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08665-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The taxonomic status of Pseudoheterolebes cotylophorus (Ozaki 1935) Yamaguti 1959 (Opecoelidae: subfamily Opistholebetinae) has been a subject of taxonomic confusion since its initial description by Ozaki in 1935 as Opistholebes cotylophorus Ozaki 1935 from diodontid fish in Japan. The species' current recognised classification dates back to Yamaguti's reclassification of O. cotylophorus as Pseudoheterolebes cotylophorus; however, doubts persist regarding this classification and the validity of this species. The species was reported by Bray in 1986 from off the coast of South Africa, based on a single specimen infecting the evileye blaasop, Amblyrhynchote honckenii (Bloch) (Tetraodontidae). However, recently, this report from the South African coastline was considered doubtful. Parasitological assessments of South African marine fishes provided the opportunity to recollect this taxon from the same host species reported by Bray, allowing a reassessment of its taxonomic status. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, incorporating ITS2 and 28S rDNA, as well as cox1 and nad1 mtDNA sequence data, support the identification of the South African material as Opistholebes cf. amplicoelus; demonstrating both the value of molecular approaches in the identification and classification of marine parasites and the need for additional life-cycle data to fully resolve species boundaries.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13388654/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148016819","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":"Co-endemicity of Opisthorchis viverrini and Strongyloides stercoralis infections: evidence from stool examination and serology screening in Champasak Province, Southern Lao People's Democratic Republic.","authors":"Rutchanee Rodpai, Patcharaporn Boonroumkaew, Lakkhana Sadaow, Sakhone Laymanivong, Oranuch Sanpool, Chairat Tantrawatpan, Weerachai Saijuntha, Tongjit Thanchomnang, Vilasack Banouvong, Pewpan M Intapan, Wanchai Maleewong","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08698-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08698-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Helminth infections remain a major public health problem in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), particularly in rural communities where foodborne trematodes and soil-transmitted helminths are co-endemic. Opisthorchis viverrini is a well-established risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma, while Strongyloides stercoralis can cause severe and potentially fatal disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of helminth infections in southern Lao PDR using combined parasitological and serological diagnostic approaches. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 242 adults residing in three rural villages in Champasak Province, southern Lao PDR. Stool samples were examined using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT), and point-of-care immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) were applied to detect IgG antibodies against O. viverrini and S. stercoralis. Overall, 69.0% of participants were infected with at least one helminth species. O. viverrini was the most prevalent parasite, detected in 51.7% by FECT and 65.3% by ICT. Other common infections included minute intestinal flukes (20.2%), hookworms (14.9%), S. stercoralis (9.9% by FECT; 14.5% by ICT), Trichostrongylus spp. (9.1%), and Taenia spp. (6.2%). Polyparasitism was frequent, with 9.1% harboring three or more helminth species. The estimated true prevalences, based on combined results from stool examination and serological testing, were 66.6% for opisthorchiasis and 13.5% for strongyloidiasis. ICT identified substantially more infections than stool examination alone for both O. viverrini and S. stercoralis. Serological ICT screening offers a sensitive, practical complement to parasitological methods. Integrated diagnostics are essential for improved surveillance and targeted interventions in resource-limited endemic areas. Clinical trial number: not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13388756/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148016788","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":"Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Echinococcus vogeli Rausch & Bernstein, 1972 from Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766 consumed in extractive reserves in Acre, Brazil.","authors":"F Bittencourt-Oliveira, T P Dias-Correia, L B Neves, P E F Teixeira, J C Moreira, T C Pereira, F B Almeida, R Rodrigues-Silva, J R Machado-Silva","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08699-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08699-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hunting wild animals for consumption is a common practice in the Brazilian Amazon and contributes to the transmission of zoonotic diseases, including neotropical echinococcosis (NE), caused by Echinococcus vogeli and Echinococcus oligarthra. Despite the endemicity of E. vogeli in this region, molecular data on its genetic diversity remain limited. This study characterized E. vogeli isolates obtained from lowland pacas (Cuniculus paca) in extractive reserves located in Xapuri and Sena Madureira, Acre, Brazil, using mitochondrial (cox1) and nuclear (p29) markers. All 16 isolates were confirmed as E. vogeli. Analysis of cox1 sequences revealed high similarity with reference sequences from the Brazilian Amazon, low nucleotide divergence (0-0.55%), and the presence of four haplotypes, including shared haplotypes between the two study areas. In contrast, no intraspecific variation was observed in the p29 sequences. These findings indicate low genetic diversity and suggest a relatively homogeneous pattern among the analyzed isolates, which may reflect gene flow or retention of ancestral polymorphisms. This study expands the limited molecular dataset available for E. vogeli, including additional p29 sequence data for this species, a molecular marker that remains poorly represented for E. vogeli, and provides relevant insights into its transmission dynamics in Amazonian environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13375818/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148006230","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":"Correction to: Isolation and characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from human congenital toxoplasmosis cases reveal a new virulent genotype in São Paulo, Brazil.","authors":"Luciana Meireles, Elizama Carneiro Machado Bezerra, Joelma Queiroz Andrade, Larissa Aparecida Cassiano, Hilda Fátima Jesus Pena, Bruna Farias Alves, Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco, Heitor Franco de Andrade","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08672-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08672-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"125 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13190727/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147982703","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":"Antigenic profiling of Leishmania amazonensis microsomal fraction to support vaccine development.","authors":"Juan Matheus Pereira Fernandes, Edlainne Pinheiro Ferreira Sena, Marcos Gustavo Araujo Schwarz, Meydson Benjamim Carvalho Corrêa, Daiana de Jesus Hardoim, Katia Carneiro, Luiz Ney d' Escoffier, Celesta da Silva Freitas de Souza, Tânia Zaverucha do Valle, Kátia da Silva Calabrese","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08696-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08696-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vaccination remains the most promising long-term strategy for controlling leishmaniasis, as individuals who recover from primary infection generally develop protective immunity. However, no vaccine is currently available for human use. In this study, we identified two immunogenic proteins that may account for the protective effect previously observed with the Leishmania amazonensis microsomal fraction (MicF), which confers protection in murine models. Both proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and used to immunize mice, eliciting specific humoral responses and promoting elevated production of Th1-associated cytokines. Considering the well-documented difficulty in inducing effective immunity against L. amazonensis, a species associated with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis and marked host anergy, the identification of these proteins as strong immunogens is noteworthy. Collectively, our findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the Leishmania homolog of receptors for activated C kinase (LACK) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) as potential vaccine candidates against L. amazonensis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13364803/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147974579","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":"A ten-year change in blood parasite infection in a sympatric wall-lizard community (genus Podarcis) from the Atlantic coast of Portugal.","authors":"J Filipe Faria, João P Maia, D James Harris","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08693-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08693-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding how host-parasite relationships respond to environmental factors across long periods of time is vital to understanding the dynamics of parasitic infections. We studied blood parasite infections in two sympatric species of Podarcis lizards in Northern Portugal between 2011 and 2013 and in 2021, analysing parasite data together with host traits and microclimatic conditions to understand how this relationship was maintained through time. Relationships between host traits and parasite infection remained consistent across years, suggesting changes to infection parameters are more dependent on environmental factors than host adaptation. Warmer and drier conditions were significantly related with higher parasite infection prevalence and drier conditions with intensity, although the magnitude of the latter was dependant on host sex. The climatic trend observed during sampled years was of cooling conditions, congruent with the decrease in parasite infection parameters observed, although the lack of intermediate time points means it is unclear if this is a trend or just an isolated drop in prevalence. We also provide insights into a framework for using data obtained through different methodologies in linear model analyses, by homogenising the varying certainty of observations from different methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13346367/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147964474","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":"Differential activation of hepatic stellate cells by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces.","authors":"Emad Shamsan, Liu Chuanchuan, Fan Haining","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08681-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08681-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) and Echinococcus granulosus (Eg), induces distinct patterns of liver fibrosis. Understanding how protoscoleces (PSCs) from these species interact with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is crucial to elucidating the mechanisms of fibrogenesis. In this study, HSC-LX2 cells were co-cultured with Em and Eg PSCs. ELISA was used to quantify collagen-I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), osteopontin (OPN), and TNF-α levels, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examined ultrastructural changes. Both E. multilocularis- and E. granulosus-derived PSCs significantly increased extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, but EmPSCs induced earlier and stronger responses, accompanied by more pronounced structural alterations in HSCs. These findings demonstrate species-specific HSC activation and provide insight into the differential fibrogenic potential of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13478028/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147964500","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":"Correction to: 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","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08695-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08695-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":"125 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13179197/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147949093","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":"Parasitic isopods in fish aquaculture: A review of current knowledge and future perspectives.","authors":"Kerry A Hadfield","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08685-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08685-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aquaculture has become a dominant contributor to global seafood production, providing essential protein and supporting livelihoods while alleviating pressure on wild fish stocks. However, cultured fish face numerous health challenges, including infestations by parasitic isopods, notably cymothoid and gnathiid species, which cause significant economic losses through reduced growth, compromised health, and mortality. Infestations are usually influenced by host factors, environmental conditions, parasite traits, and aquaculture management practices, including cage design, stocking density, water quality, and interactions with wild fish populations. Pathological effects range from tissue damage and anaemia to impaired growth, secondary infections, and mortality, particularly in juvenile fish. Effective management relies on integrated strategies combining preventive husbandry, environmental manipulation, biological control, selective breeding, and targeted chemical interventions, with an emphasis on reducing reinfection and limiting resistance development. Emerging approaches, including immunotherapy, gene editing, natural compounds, nanotechnology, and biosensors, show promise for sustainable control but remain largely experimental and require further validation. Future research should focus on life-cycle dynamics, host-parasite interactions, and eco-friendly interventions to improve prevention and management in intensive aquaculture systems. This review synthesises current knowledge on parasitic isopods in aquaculture, highlighting the need for integrated, ecologically informed strategies to safeguard fish health, ensure production sustainability, and mitigate economic losses.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13364884/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147942047","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":"Three decades of analyzing Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts in arthropods: Trends and gaps.","authors":"Matsapume Detcharoen, Wolfgang Arthofer, Florian M Steiner, Birgit C Schlick-Steiner","doi":"10.1007/s00436-026-08694-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00436-026-08694-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wolbachia are the most pervasive bacterial endosymbionts yet described, infecting half of all arthropod species. These bacteria trigger outstanding phenotypes in their hosts including cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), which has also been used as a mechanism to control pest species. Here, we analyzed peer-reviewed articles published in the 30 years from 1995 to 2024. Our results show that most studies continue to use traditional methods such as PCR and Sanger sequencing, approaches that remain sufficient and appropriate in many cases, particularly when working with well-characterized strains or applied systems. Only a smaller proportion of studies have employed newer genome-based techniques, which are increasingly important for exploring Wolbachia diversity and uncovering novel mechanisms. Research has focused mainly on a small number of insect groups and a limited set of Wolbachia strains. In addition, most work focuses on CI, especially since the discovery of cif genes related to this trait. Although the use of Wolbachia in pest and disease control is expanding, other possible effects and interactions with different microbes remain less explored. Our analysis shows how the field has advanced through some key discoveries, while many studies continue to use established approaches and concentrate on a limited set of hosts and strains. To make further progress, we suggest using a wider range of methods and sampling a broader set of hosts, alongside integrating genetic tools with studies of natural populations. This work outlines clear areas where more research is needed and points to ways the field can develop a fuller understanding of Wolbachia and its roles in nature.</p>","PeriodicalId":19968,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13341823/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147942208","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}