Trends in parasitologyPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-18DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.010
Wesley Huang, Maura C Ruyechan, Katherine S Ralston
{"title":"Work with me here: variations in genome content and emerging genetic tools in Entamoeba histolytica.","authors":"Wesley Huang, Maura C Ruyechan, Katherine S Ralston","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebiasis, a significant source of morbidity and mortality in developing nations. Despite this, E. histolytica is understudied, leading to few treatment options and a poor understanding of pathogenesis. Genetic tools have historically been limited. By applying modern approaches, it was recently revealed that the genome is aneuploid. Interestingly, gene expression levels do not correlate with ploidy, potentially highlighting the importance of RNAi in gene regulation. Characterization of the RNAi pathway has led to potent tools for targeted gene knockdown, and the advent of RNAi-based forward genetics. CRISPR/Cas tools for editing the endogenous genome are an exciting possibility on the horizon. We celebrate the gains that have made E. histolytica tractable and anticipate continued advances.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":"41 5","pages":"401-415"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144041428","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-03-28DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.003
Neil J Morley
{"title":"Perceptions and misconceptions in visualizing parasite life cycles.","authors":"Neil J Morley","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parasite life cycles can be visualized in different ways according to the context of the presentation. Such variability is not always recognized, increasing the risk of misreading visual information. The different approaches to visualizing cycles are conceptualized and potential weaknesses highlighted. Guidelines for the visualization of life cycles are suggested.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"344-347"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143744071","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-21DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.014
Christopher J Howe, R Ellen R Nisbet
{"title":"Phasing out photosynthesis - and weaponising chlorophyll?","authors":"Christopher J Howe, R Ellen R Nisbet","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Photosynthesis has been lost independently many times in eukaryote evolutionary history. Surprisingly, the ability to synthesise chlorophyll has sometimes been retained after loss of photosynthesis. Jacko-Reynolds et al. show this phenomenon in a group of Apicomplexa parasitising corals. Possible explanations include a role in organelle-to-nucleus signalling, molecular trickery, and defence against predators.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":"41 5","pages":"339-340"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144050314","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-03-27DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.005
Adnan Hodžić, Georg Gerhard Duscher, Amer Alić, Relja Beck, David Berry
{"title":"Peritrophic matrix: an important determinant of vector competence in hematophagous arthropods.","authors":"Adnan Hodžić, Georg Gerhard Duscher, Amer Alić, Relja Beck, David Berry","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The peritrophic matrix (PM) is a non-cellular, glycan-rich structure that lines the gut epithelium of most invertebrates, including arthropod vectors that transmit diseases of public health and veterinary concern. This semipermeable barrier, functionally analogous to the vertebrate mucosal layer, separates the gut lumen from epithelial cells and provides protection against invading pathogens and their toxins. Beyond its mechanical protective role in the gut, the PM plays a crucial part in arthropod innate immunity. Here, we summarize the most recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of vector-pathogen interactions in blood-feeding arthropods and discuss the significance of the PM in modulating vector competence. This knowledge could contribute to the development of novel strategies to control vector-borne infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"374-386"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731664","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-21DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.04.005
Kaihuai Li, Daowen Wang, Fengquan Liu, Zheng Qing Fu
{"title":"Plant effectostimulins and nematode SUbventral-Gland Regulator promote parasitism.","authors":"Kaihuai Li, Daowen Wang, Fengquan Liu, Zheng Qing Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.04.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plant parasitic nematodes secrete effectors to promote disease progression. However, the mechanisms by which plant hosts and nematodes trigger the expression of these effector genes remain elusive. Recently, Pellegrin et al. discovered that plant-derived stimulants and the nematode SUbventral-Gland Regulator aid in the activation of effector genes in cyst nematodes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":"41 5","pages":"341-343"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144048249","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-22DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.04.003
Patrick E Duffy, Moriya Tsuji
{"title":"Liver-stage malaria transcriptomes: what you don't know can kill you.","authors":"Patrick E Duffy, Moriya Tsuji","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Plasmodium liver-stage (LS) represents a promising target for malaria vaccine and drug development, as LS elimination prevents progression to symptomatic blood-stage (BS) infection and subsequent parasite transmission. Comprehensive LS gene expression profiles remain unexplored. Zanghi et al. report successful transcriptomic analysis of human malaria LS throughout intrahepatocytic development.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":"41 5","pages":"335-336"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144048377","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-03DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.008
Júlio Souza Dos-Santos, Herbert Leonel de Matos Guedes
{"title":"γδ T cells in leishmaniasis: intrinsic factors and outcomes.","authors":"Júlio Souza Dos-Santos, Herbert Leonel de Matos Guedes","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>γδ T cells influence immunity in leishmaniasis, responding to Leishmania components, sand flies, and their microbiota. IL-17-producing γδ T cells drive pathogenesis via neutrophil recruitment, while IFN-γ-producing γδ T cells promote resolution by inducing a strong Th1 response. Understanding their activation may improve immune responses and leishmaniasis control.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"348-350"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796483","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-21DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.012
Bing Guo, Emma Rowley, Timothy D O'Connor, Shannon Takala-Harrison
{"title":"Potential and pitfalls of using identity-by-descent for malaria genomic surveillance.","authors":"Bing Guo, Emma Rowley, Timothy D O'Connor, Shannon Takala-Harrison","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ability to genotype malaria parasites on an epidemiological scale is crucial for genomic surveillance as it aids in understanding malaria transmission dynamics and parasite demography changes in response to antimalarial interventions. Identity-by-descent (IBD)-based methods have demonstrated potential in various aspects of malaria genomic surveillance. However, there is a need for validation of existing approaches and development of new techniques to address challenges posed by the parasites' unique evolutionary dynamics and complex biological characteristics, which differ markedly from organisms like humans. This review examines current IBD use cases, identifies limitations of IBD-based methods, and explores promising future directions to enhance malaria genomic surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":"41 5","pages":"387-400"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12070291/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144014218","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-02DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.007
Jacquelyn C LaReau, Andrea Gloria-Soria
{"title":"Aedes aegypti (Yellow fever mosquito).","authors":"Jacquelyn C LaReau, Andrea Gloria-Soria","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"418-419"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143781216","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 : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-03-27DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.001
Benjamin Sanogo, Dongjuan Yuan, Xin Zeng, Yanhua Zhang, Zhongdao Wu
{"title":"Retraction notice to 'Diversity and compatibility of human schistosomes and their intermediate snail hosts' [Trends in Parasitology 34, (2018), 493-510].","authors":"Benjamin Sanogo, Dongjuan Yuan, Xin Zeng, Yanhua Zhang, Zhongdao Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23327,"journal":{"name":"Trends in parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"420"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143744073","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}