Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-10DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.005
Mary-Louise Wilde, Sarah N Farrell, Christopher D Goodman, Geoffrey I McFadden
{"title":"Novel techniques for disrupting malaria transmission.","authors":"Mary-Louise Wilde, Sarah N Farrell, Christopher D Goodman, Geoffrey I McFadden","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite significant progress in malaria control over the past two decades, the disease remains a major challenge. This review explores novel mosquito-targeting and transmission-blocking solutions to combat the growing concerns of antimalarial and insecticide resistance. The emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium spp. parasites and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, coupled with changes in vector behaviour and the spread of invasive species, necessitates the development of new control strategies. We examine a range of approaches ranging from low-tech repurposing of existing technologies to high-tech genetic engineering solutions. These interventions aim to exploit the parasite population bottleneck in mosquitoes to potentially reduce selective pressure and the risk of resistance development. Although each approach has its advantages and limitations, an integrated strategy that combines current tools with novel technologies may be crucial for malaria eradication.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"657-669"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144620665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-06-28DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.003
Fangyuan Ye, Sibao Wang, Hao Zheng
{"title":"Engineering insect-microbe symbiosis: synthetic microbial communities for sustainable insect management.","authors":"Fangyuan Ye, Sibao Wang, Hao Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insect-microbe symbiosis enables innovative modulation of insect biology via gut microbiota engineering. Synthetic microbial communities enhance pathogen resistance, nutrient provisioning, and host fitness. Engineering components of insect microbiomes enables precise manipulation of insect-microbe dynamics, advancing ecofriendly pest control and beneficial insect conservation while addressing biosafety and stability challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"613-616"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144529640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-17DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.010
Holly L Nichols, Kerri L Coon
{"title":"Leveraging microbial ecology for mosquito-borne disease control.","authors":"Holly L Nichols, Kerri L Coon","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mosquitoes transmit pathogens causing 700 000 deaths annually. Microbe-based vector control, which reduces vector populations or blocks pathogen development within vectors, offers an innovative way to lower global morbidity and mortality due to vector-borne disease. This review addresses challenges hindering the widespread adoption of microbe-based vector control in mosquitoes. We consider understudied transmission routes of mosquito-associated microbiota, factors affecting colonization and persistence of candidate microbial control agents in mosquito hosts, and the need for robust tools and methodologies to validate that observations in laboratory populations can be reliably extended to field populations. We highlight how understanding the microbial ecology underlying interactions between mosquitoes and their native microbiota can guide successful vector control efforts in these and other arthropod disease vectors.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"670-684"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12320179/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144668602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-15DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.07.002
Zhongshou Wu, Shaojie Han
{"title":"Hijacking plant immunity: nematode effectors target NRC4 pathway.","authors":"Zhongshou Wu, Shaojie Han","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plant-parasitic nematodes secrete effectors to suppress host immunity, yet how these effectors disrupt plant defense remains poorly understood. Recently, Qin et al. report that the nematode effector MiV86 stabilizes host E3 ligase NbRNF217, which leads to the degradation of the helper NRC4 receptor and immune suppression.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"610-612"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-15DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.011
Laura J Akkerman, Taco W A Kooij, Laura E de Vries
{"title":"The apicoplast transportome of the malaria parasite.","authors":"Laura J Akkerman, Taco W A Kooij, Laura E de Vries","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The apicoplast, a peculiar organelle of red algal origin surrounded by four membranes, is important for several metabolic processes in the malaria parasite, including isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis. Transporters are required to provide substrates and export products for these metabolic pathways and are therefore excellent novel drug targets. On the basis of known apicoplast pathways, we discuss which functions are expected to be fulfilled by the Plasmodium apicoplast transportome, which comprises 11 confirmed and 17 putative apicoplast transporters identified to date. Facilitated by the development of new tools, we anticipate the discovery of key players of the apicoplast transportome, such as the IPP and CoA exporters, and the exploitation of these proteins as drug targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"641-656"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-16DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.013
Noelia Lander
{"title":"Outlining the structure of cAMP compartments in Trypanosoma cruzi.","authors":"Noelia Lander","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trypanosomatids are protozoan parasites that cause deadly infectious diseases. Despite the unique characteristics of their cAMP signaling pathways, little is known about the mechanisms driving signal specificity in these early divergent eukaryotes. From the activation of adenylate cyclases in response to environmental cues to the downstream regulation of gene expression, the signaling mechanisms triggering developmental transformations in trypanosomes are poorly understood. In this review we integrate previous and new evidence supporting the existence of membrane microdomains that assemble cAMP signaling proteins in different subcellular compartments of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. We also discuss the main cellular processes regulated by cAMP compartments in this parasite. Advances in this field are crucial to identifying new targets for antiparasitic interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"628-640"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144660375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.07.005
Abraham Y Kpirikai, Nicholas M Bretz, Nathan T Mortimer
{"title":"Rethinking parasitoid venoms: beyond immune suppression.","authors":"Abraham Y Kpirikai, Nicholas M Bretz, Nathan T Mortimer","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parasitoid wasp venoms are widely studied for their immunosuppressive properties. Work by Dong et al. expands the venom repertoire to include manipulation of host metabolites with the discovery of the Leptopilina-specific venom lipase (LVL). LVL is an active lipase that converts host lipids to support parasitoid embryogenesis following infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"607-609"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12342344/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144668603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-10DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.008
Vishvanath Nene
{"title":"East Coast fever mRNA vaccines - sweetening the promise.","authors":"Vishvanath Nene","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The mRNA vaccine platform should help research on East Coast fever subunit vaccines, but it remains unexplored. A theoretical strength of this platform, namely its capacity to prime cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, is appealing as these, rather than antibodies, are the major mediators of immunity induced by a live parasite-based vaccine. Here, I highlight knowledge on functionally relevant bovine adaptive cellular and antibody immune responses to Theileria parva and antigens targeted by them that could help to assess this vaccine platform, and in the design of a broad-spectrum subunit vaccine. The view that N-glycosylated parasite antigens may exist is unlikely as the pathogen does not encode genomic capacity to catalyze this post-translational modification.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"620-627"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144620664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-15DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.004
Paola Pepe, Elena Ciccone, Nunzio Antonio Cacciola, Chiara Bazzocchi, Laura Rinaldi
{"title":"Unlocking the potential of miRNAs in cystic echinococcosis.","authors":"Paola Pepe, Elena Ciccone, Nunzio Antonio Cacciola, Chiara Bazzocchi, Laura Rinaldi","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review explores the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic and therapeutic targets to enhance control programs for cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic parasitic disease posing significant threats to global human and animal health. Scientific evidence has demonstrated that Echinococcus-derived miRNAs are present in the biofluids of infected hosts, underscoring their potential for CE diagnosis. Additionally, specific miRNAs from Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato have been shown to influence host-parasite interactions, making them promising therapeutic targets for CE. In conclusion, further investigation into the role of miRNAs in CE could lead to significant breakthroughs in the fight against this neglected disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"685-698"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-04DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.006
Alec L Hochstrasser, Eva Veronesi, Niels O Verhulst
{"title":"Culicoides obsoletus (biting midge).","authors":"Alec L Hochstrasser, Eva Veronesi, Niels O Verhulst","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.006","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"701-702"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144567873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}