Parasitology International最新文献

{"title":"Dual transcriptome analyses of a non-healing chronic Leishmania donovani infection in mice","authors":"Yasuyuki Goto ,&nbsp;Junya Yamagishi","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103189","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus <em>Leishmania</em> and is characterized by clinical manifestations including fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and anemia. We previously developed a non-healing chronic model of experimental VL, using BALB/c mice infected with <em>Leishmania donovani</em>, which manifest hepatosplenomegaly, leukopenia, and anemia. In mice, it is widely accepted that immune responses in the spleen and liver do not necessarily occur in parallel during experimental VL. This implies that <em>Leishmania</em> parasites may also exhibit different gene expression patterns in these distinct tissues. In this study, we performed dual transcriptome analyses of the spleen and liver from <em>L. donovani</em>-infected BALB/c mice to characterize tissue-specific responses of both the host and the parasite. Two independent transcriptome analyses with high reproducibility revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of host genes during <em>L. donovani</em> infection. For example, <em>Pdilt</em> was upregulated in the spleen but downregulated in the liver, whereas <em>Marco</em> displayed the opposite pattern. By contrast, gene expression patterns of <em>L. donovani</em> amastigotes were relatively conserved between the spleen and liver. These results suggest that tissue-specific host immune responses play a critical role in driving tissue-specific pathology, whereas they have limited influence on parasite gene expressions in this non-healing model of experimental VL.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103189"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring a low-compatibility population of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) as a model for studying host-parasite interactions with Schistosoma mansoni (Trematoda: Digenea)","authors":"Cristhiane Oliveira da Fonseca ,&nbsp;Marina Moraes Mourão ,&nbsp;Vitor do Espirito Santo Pimentel ,&nbsp;Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho ,&nbsp;Delza de Moura Soares Reis ,&nbsp;Kleiton Esteves Costa ,&nbsp;Dílcia Maria Repetição ,&nbsp;Ludmila Gomes Muniz Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Omar dos Santos Carvalho ,&nbsp;Lângia Colli Montresor ,&nbsp;Roberta Lima Caldeira","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Most populations of <em>Biomphalaria glabrata</em> are highly compatible with <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> strains, making it challenging to identify low-compatibility models to host-parasite interaction research. This study evaluated a <em>B. glabrata</em> population with low compatibility with the LE strain (SmLE) as a model. First, pigmented low susceptibility (LS) and albino susceptible (S) snails were paired to produce three progeny groups: Crossings (CR) between LS × S, LS (LS × LS), and S (S × S). F1 snails were individually challenged with SmLE, and compatibility and reproductive parameters were analyzed. Second, mass crossbreeding (150LS + 150S) produced F1 snails, later challenged with SmLE. Unchallenged F1 snails were then used for new mass crossbreeding, either without (CR1) or with (CR2) the introduction of LS snails (1:1 ratio). The F2 snails were challenged, and compatibility was assessed. In the pairings, the CR snails were predominantly pigmented (CRp). At 8 miracidia/snail challenge, F1 snails compatibility followed the pattern S &gt; CRp &gt; LS, consistent in both pairings and mass crossbreeding. In F2, CR1 resembled S, while CR2 showed intermediate compatibility (S=CR1 &gt; CR2 &gt; LS). Although crossings led to a reduction in the compatibility of F1 snails compared to the S group, the results suggest that resistance transfer between LS and S <em>B. glabrata</em> populations is less effective than previously demonstrated for susceptible/compatible and resistant/incompatible populations of <em>Biomphalaria tenagophila</em>. Thus, only traditional snail control measures (e.g., environmental modifications) are advisable in transmission foci maintained by <em>B. glabrata</em>. This study demonstrates that the population tested is not suitable for snail control strategies, although it may serve as a valuable experimental model for investigating host-parasite interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103176"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A family concept for the genus Stomachicola Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Hemiuroidea) and new hemiuroid species from marine fishes of Vietnam","authors":"Yana I. Ivashko ,&nbsp;Dmitry M. Atopkin ,&nbsp;Nguyen Van Ha ,&nbsp;Hoang Van Hien ,&nbsp;Vladimir V. Besprozvannykh","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>New morphological and molecular data generated for hemiuroid trematodes from fishes of coastal waters of Cat Ba Island, Northern Vietnam. The trematode <em>Stomachicola muraenesocis</em> was detected in the intestines of eels <em>Pisodonophis boro</em>. Vietnamese specimens of <em>S. muraenesocis</em> were identical to trematodes from Iran by morphology and molecular data and have some differences with specimens from South Korea by <em>28S rRNA</em> gene sequence data. Results of p-distance estimation and phylogenetic analysis of Hemiuroidea specimens of <em>Stomachicola</em> differ from other representatives of the superfamily at the level of different families. Based on these data, a new family for <em>Stomachicola</em> was created. A new species of the genus <em>Lecithaster</em>, <em>L. pseudosayori</em> n. sp., from belonid fish species was validated. These trematodes are close to L. <em>sayori</em> and <em>L. confusus</em> by morphological and molecular data, respectively. Two specimens of <em>Lecithocladium</em> sp. detected in belonid fishes were similar to <em>L. excisum</em> by both morphological and molecular data. Phylogenetic tree topologies show agreements about Lecithasteridae species differentiation and definitive host specificity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145102822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Description of novel myxozoan and microsporidian parasites from cultured red seabream Pagrus major exhibiting mild scoliosis, with additional detection of the myxosporean in yellowback seabream Evynnis tumifrons","authors":"Karina Midori Kawano ,&nbsp;Masato Nitta ,&nbsp;Tetsuya Yanagida","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103196","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103196","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Red seabream <em>Pagrus major</em> (Temminck &amp; Schlegel, 1843) (Teleostei: Sparidae) farmed in Japan exhibited mild scoliosis, and myxosporean and microsporidian parasites were isolated from the brain and medulla oblongata of the diseased fish, respectively. Based on the morphological and molecular analyses, the myxosporean specimens were described as a new species, <em>Myxobolus tai</em> n. sp. (Bivalvulida: Myxobolidae). The spore is oblong to oval in valvular view, with two pyriform polar capsules of slightly unequal size. Polar capsules are asymmetrically positioned relative to the major axis of the spore. Myxospores morphologically similar to those of <em>M. tai</em> were also identified in the kidney of the yellowback seabream <em>Evynnis tumifrons</em> (Temminck &amp; Schlegel, 1843) (Sparidae) caught in North Pacific off Minami-Ise Town, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Whereas white and round plasmodia were observed in the brain of <em>P. major</em>, only free spores were confirmed in the kidney of <em>E. tumifrons</em>. Nucleotide sequences of the partial small subunit ribosomal RNA gene were identical between those myxosporeans collected from <em>P. major</em> and <em>E. tumifrons</em>, indicating they are conspecific. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed <em>M. tai</em> n. sp. is sister to <em>Myxobolus iwagiensis</em> Kawano, Sakurai, &amp; Yanagida, 2025, which was described from the nervous tissues of wild southern medaka <em>Oryzias latipes</em> (Temminck &amp; Schlegel, 1846) (Beloniformes: Adrianichthyidae) collected from brackish water in Japan. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the microsporidian in the medulla oblongata of <em>P. major</em> as an undescribed species belonging to the family Spragueidae.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103196"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145557489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Frequency of Entamoeba gingivalis and trichomonas tenax with hematological and immunological changes among human","authors":"Manal Adil Murad","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Background: <em>Entamoeba gingivalis</em> and <em>Trichomonas tenax</em> are mouth parasites cause periodontitis and gingivitis. They are common in people having poor oral hygiene. The aim of this study is to assess the rate of <em>E.gingivalis</em> and <em>T.tenax</em>, associated risk factors, and examine their effects on blood indices, interleukin 2 (IL-2), and interleukin 4 (IL-4) among participants. Material and Methods: A total of 600 subjects were recruited, including 325 males and 275 females. Oral swabs and blood samples were collected, the swabs were cultured to diagnose the parasites, while blood samples used to measure the blood parameters, IL-2, and, IL-4 among individuals. Results: The overall prevalence of <em>E. gingivalis</em> and <em>T. tenax</em> 31.6 % and 16.7 %, respectively. The maximum infection was recorded among males, rural residents, those aged 35–54 years, and of primary education, 58.6 %, 51.0 %, 44.8 %, and 37.9 %. Significant decrease was noted in red blood cells count, hemoglobin concentrations, and platelets count. While a significant increase was observed in white blood cells, neutrophils, and the levels of IL-2 and IL-4 in patients compared to the control group. Conclusion: The patients should be screened for blood analysis to get early therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm these outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103192"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145471688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insecticidal effects of essential oils from traditional repellent plants on Aedes mosquitoes, vectors of arboviral diseases in Gabon","authors":"Cédric Sima Obiang ,&nbsp;Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe ,&nbsp;Bob Eudes Mewani Mya Moua ,&nbsp;Morel Essono Mintsa ,&nbsp;Joefred Mbogho Abogho ,&nbsp;Herman Begouabe ,&nbsp;Noé Essono Kollo ,&nbsp;Juliette Ornely Orango Bourdette ,&nbsp;Hervé Martial Ekomy ,&nbsp;Joseph Privat Ondo ,&nbsp;Louis Clément Obame Engonga","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The overuse of synthetic insecticides has led to widespread resistance among insect populations. Consequently, the use of plant-derived essential oils with insecticidal properties presents a viable alternative. This study aims to evaluate the larvicidal and adulticidal potential of essential oils against Aedes mosquitoes, as well as to analyze their chemical composition.</div><div><em>Aedes aegypti</em> (L.) and <em>Aedes albopictus</em> (Skuse) mosquitoes, reared from collected eggs, were used in the experiments. Plant leaves and resin were harvested in south-eastern Gabon, in the Franceville region. Larvicidal activity was assessed following standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, and the chemical profiles of the essential oils were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). For adulticidal testing, mosquitoes were exposed for three minutes to netting treated with essential oils, following the WHO cone bioassay method.</div><div>The essential oils exhibited larvicidal activity against both mosquito species, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 2.09 ± 0.30 to 72.44 ± 3.00 ppm. When nets were treated at a dose of 165 μg/cm², knockdown times (KDT₅₀) ranged from 1.07 ± 0.20 to 416.87 ± 18.50 s, and the highest observed mortality rate was 40 %. In <em>Cymbopogon citratus</em> essential oil, the predominant compounds were α-Citral (78.70 %) and β-Myrcene (12.71 %), while <em>Aucoumea klaineana</em> essential oil was mainly composed of α-Phellandrene (33.15 %), α-Pinene (29.30 %), and β-Cymene (10.65 %).</div><div>This research highlights the potential of essential oils as sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides, offering new prospects for vector control and the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, with a direct impact on public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103183"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunoprophylactic potential of parasite-derived antigens for controlling Lernaea cyprinacea infection in Ctenopharyngodon idella","authors":"Amana Shafiq,&nbsp;Farzana Abbas,&nbsp;Muhammad Hafeez-ur-Rehman,&nbsp;Muhammad Imran Rashid","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103193","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103193","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Lernaea cyprinacea,</em> an invasive ectoparasitic copepod, poses a significant threat to freshwater aquaculture due to its high pathogenicity and association with severe epizootics leading to mass fish mortalities. The present study evaluated the immunogenic potential of parasite-derived antigens in <em>Ctenopharyngodon idella</em> (grass carp) as a immunoprophylactic strategy against <em>L. cyprinacea</em> infection. Crude antigens isolated from <em>L. cyprinacea</em> were administered intraperitoneally to the experimental group, whereas the control group received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and a naturally infected group received no treatment. Immunological and physiological responses were assessed through hematological profiling, quantification of protein and assessment of non-specific immune parameters, including protease and lysozyme activities, at defined post-immunization intervals. After 28 days of immunization, fish were experimentally challenged with live <em>L. cyprinacea</em> to evaluate protective efficacy. Immunized fish demonstrated significant improvements in hematological indices, with serum protein concentrations comparable to uninfected controls but markedly higher than those of infected fish, reflecting enhanced immune competence. Lysozyme activity exhibited a consistent and significant elevation, surpassing both control groups and indicating potentiation of innate immune defenses. Similarly, enhanced protease activity at post-immunization suggested acute immune activation. Challenge trials confirmed a notable reduction in parasite load among immunized fish, underscoring the protective efficacy of antigen-based immunization. These findings highlight <em>L. cyprinacea-</em>derived antigens as a promising immunoprophylactic strategy for sustainable lernaeosis control in freshwater aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103193"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145476886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diversity, ecological status and species associations of myxozoans (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) parasites of Labeo senegalensis Valenciennes, 1842 (Cyprinidae) from lake Maga in Cameroon","authors":"Arnaud Deli ,&nbsp;Guy Benoit Lekeufack-Folefack ,&nbsp;Bienvenu Feudjio-Dongmo ,&nbsp;Nelly Ornelle Onana-Ateba ,&nbsp;Amandine Estelle Tchoutezo-Tiwa ,&nbsp;Abraham Fomena","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Classical parasitological methods, including fish autopsy and search of myxozoan species, were applied to examine 229 specimens of <em>Labeo senegalensis</em> collected monthly from Lake Maga, Cameroon, between October 2018 and August 2019. The myxosporean fauna of <em>L. senegalensis</em> was diverse and abundant, with 16 species recorded. Among these, <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.2, <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.6, <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.10, <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.2, and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.3 were common. Intermediate occurrence was observed for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.1<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.3<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.4<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.5<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.7<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.8<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.11<em>, Thelohanellus</em> sp.1 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.4, whereas <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.9 and <em>Myxidium</em> sp. were scarce. The mean cyst load was high for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.2<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.5 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.1; low for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.3<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.4<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.6<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.8<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp. 11, <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.2 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.3; and very low for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.1<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.7<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.9 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.4. Multiple infections were common: parasitism by five species occurred most frequently (26.8 %), followed by parasitism by six species (18.7 %). Monospecific infections were rare, with only four cases (1.8 %) recorded. Dice's coefficient combined with Forbes' index revealed eight strong associations between pairs of parasite species, significantly deviating from random expectations; six of these involved common parasite species. Conversely, five associations were less frequent than expected and involved species that typically colonized distinct host organs. Analysis of cyst load correlations indicated 15 positive and 8 negative Kendall's rank correlations among species. These findings suggest that polyspecific infections and positive interspecific interactions may contribute substantially to the pathogenic potential of myxozoan parasites in L. <em>senegalensis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103174"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron Superoxide Dismutase (Fe-SODe) as a sensitive antigenic marker for serodiagnosis of Leishmania spp. in urban schoolchildren of Central Mexico","authors":"María Elena Villagrán-Herrera ,&nbsp;Javier Ávila Morales ,&nbsp;Carmen Aburto-Fernández ,&nbsp;Daiyé Molinet-Solorzano ,&nbsp;Cesar Antonio Campos Ramírez ,&nbsp;Norma Hernández-Camacho ,&nbsp;Nelly Jovana Pasten-Castrejón ,&nbsp;José Alejandro Martínez-Ibarra ,&nbsp;Salvador Zamora Ledesma","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leishmaniasis remains a neglected tropical disease with significant diagnostic challenges due to serological cross-reactivity with other trypanosomatids. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of Iron Superoxide Dismutase (Fe-SODe), an excreted enzyme from <em>Leishmania</em> spp., as a specific antigen in detecting anti-<em>Leishmania</em> antibodies in school-aged children from urban areas of Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. A total of 131 blood samples were analyzed using ELISA and Western blot assays with Fe-SODe from L. <em>mexicana, L. braziliensis</em>, and L. <em>infantum</em>. ELISA-FeSODe revealed seroprevalences of 22.1 % (<em>L. mexicana</em>), 14.5 % (<em>L. braziliensis</em>), and 9.9 % <em>(L. infantum</em>), while Western blot confirmed slightly higher rates. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA-FeSODe ranged from 82.4 % to 98.5 % and 95.6 % to 100 %, respectively. The Fe-SODe ELISA and IEF immunoblot demonstrated high specificity without detectable cross-reactivity with other kinetoplastids, supporting Fe-SODe as a robust species-specific antigen for serodiagnosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103191"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145452554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diversity of Bartonella spp. in bat-associated Streblidae flies from Brazil","authors":"Gabrielly de Oliveira Lopes ,&nbsp;Eder Barbier ,&nbsp;Allyson dos Santos da Silva ,&nbsp;Lorena Freitas das Neves ,&nbsp;Lizeth Fernanda Banguero Micolta ,&nbsp;Eliz Oliveira Franco ,&nbsp;Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior ,&nbsp;Luiz Augustinho Menezes da Silva ,&nbsp;Rosangela Zacarias Machado ,&nbsp;Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti ,&nbsp;Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Marcos Rogério André","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Streblide flies are obligatory ectoparasites with a worldwide distribution, specialized in exclusively parasitizing bats, which serve as important reservoirs of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. These flies are considered potential vectors of emerging <em>Bartonella</em> species. Despite the high diversity of both bats and streblid flies in Brazil, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in these hosts, particularly in cave environments. This study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in streblid flies associated with bats from humid forest remnants in Pernambuco state (558 flies from 12 species collected from 299 bats) and from caves in Pará state (677 flies from 11 species collected from 174 bats). Fly DNA samples positive for the endogenous <em>cox-1</em> gene were screened by qPCR targeting the intergenic region 16S-23S rRNA of <em>Bartonella</em> spp., followed by molecular characterization using five genetic markers (<em>gltA, rpoB, ribC, pap-31,</em> and <em>ftsZ</em>). The overall positivity rates for <em>Bartonella</em> spp. were 37.5 % in Pernambuco and 25.4 % in Pará. Although molecular detection was achieved in both regions, successful genetic characterization was only possible for flies collected from cave-dwelling bats in the Brazilian Amazon. These analyses revealed a high genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp., with the identification of 11 <em>gltA</em> genotypes, six <em>ftsZ</em> genotypes, and four <em>rpoB</em> genotypes. Phylogenetic inferences based on these three markers demonstrated close relationships between the sequences detected in this study and genotypes previously reported in bats and bat flies from Brazil and other countries. This study provides the first molecular evidence of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in streblid flies parasitizing cave-dwelling bats in Brazil, highlighting new perspectives for interspecific interaction studies (<em>Bartonella</em>–fly–bat) in these understudied ecosystems. Furthermore, this work reports, for the first time in Pará state, <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in <em>Nycterophilia parnelli, Trichobius galei, Mastoptera minuta,</em> and <em>Trichobius johnsonae.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}