Veterinary parasitologyPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-07DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110568
John W McCall, Laura Kramer, Claudio Genchi, Jorge Guerrero, Michael T Dzimianski, Abdelmoneim Mansour, Scott McCall, Ben Carson, Christopher C Evans
{"title":"Effects of doxycycline on prepatent and patent infections of Brugia pahangi in dogs and observations on the growth and survival of L<sub>3</sub> in jirds and dogs.","authors":"John W McCall, Laura Kramer, Claudio Genchi, Jorge Guerrero, Michael T Dzimianski, Abdelmoneim Mansour, Scott McCall, Ben Carson, Christopher C Evans","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110568","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110568","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effects of doxycycyline administered orally at 10 mg/kg twice daily for 30-day periods in 20 Beagles with SC-induced infections of Brugia pahangi and the effects of treatment on in vivo development of L3 fed on blood from these dogs was studied. Doxycycline was administered on Days 0-29, 40-69 or 65-94, with an untreated control. No worms were recovered from dogs treated on Days 0-29, while all dogs treated on Days 40-69 and 65-94 had some live, stunted worms at necropsy on 218-22 days PI. All control dogs had normal worms. Mosquitoes were fed blood from dogs to assess the ability of L3 to develop in jirds and dogs. L3 from treated and untreated groups were injected IP into jirds. Worm recovery for the treated group at Day 35 PI was somewhat lower than for controls, while recovery for the treated group at Day 60 PI was significantly lower. When L3 from treated and control groups were injected SC into dogs, none of the dogs in the treated group had Mf or live adult worms at necropsy on Day 88 PI, while all control dogs were microfilaremic and had live worms. In conclusion, doxycycline treatment of dogs infected with B. pahangi killed all developing larvae, most immature adults, and some mature adults and disrupted embryogenesis. L<sub>3</sub> from mosquitoes fed on dogs treated with doxycycline were unable to complete development when injected into dogs, and IP inoculation into jirds revealed short-term growth, stunting and gradual reduction in survival of the worms.</p>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"339 ","pages":"110568"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Veterinary parasitologyPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-06DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110572
Sehrish Gulzar, Thomas Terrill, Aftab Siddique, Joan Burke, David Shapiro-Ilan
{"title":"Relative virulence, host finding ability, and reproductive capacity of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of the goat biting louse Bovicola caprae (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae).","authors":"Sehrish Gulzar, Thomas Terrill, Aftab Siddique, Joan Burke, David Shapiro-Ilan","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110572","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110572","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bovicola caprae, the goat biting louse, is a permanent, obligate ectoparasite of goats. It causes dermatitis, irritation, hypersensitivity and lower productivity in goats. Problems associated with chemical insecticide use such as insecticide resistance and environmental concerns indicate that alternative methods (e.g., biological control) are needed. The objective of this study was to investigate the relative potential of different entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species to control B. caprae. Five EPN species, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, S. riobrave, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and H. indica were tested in the laboratory. We measured relative EPN host attraction, virulence and reproductive capacity. A series of application rates were used to measure EPN virulence. Infective juvenile (IJ) reproduction was assessed in lice cadavers. Results indicated that all the EPNs tested were attracted, infected and killed adult lice; however, louse survival was dependent on EPN species, rate and exposure time. After 48 h, the lowest B. caprae survival was observed in S. riobrave and S. carpocapsae at 200 IJs/insect, with H. bacteriophora and H. indica exhibiting intermediate levels of virulence. In the reproduction assay, greater numbers of IJs were produced in the S. riobrave treatment followed by S. carpocapsae, H. bacteriophora and H. indica. No IJs were found in S. feltiae treated lice. In conclusion, EPNs can invade and kill B. caprae, with S. riobrave and S. carpocapsae exhibiting the most promise for biocontrol efficacy. Future studies will explore the use of EPNs against B. caprae in live animal applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"339 ","pages":"110572"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiashu Lang , Huikai Qin , Jinfeng Zhao , Kaihui Zhang , Zi Yan , Ziyang Qin , Junqiang Li , Yayun Wu , Yixuan Niu , Yifan Zhang , Longxian Zhang
{"title":"Morphological and molecular identification of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in dairy cattle, Bos taurus from intensive dairy cattle farms in some areas of China","authors":"Jiashu Lang , Huikai Qin , Jinfeng Zhao , Kaihui Zhang , Zi Yan , Ziyang Qin , Junqiang Li , Yayun Wu , Yixuan Niu , Yifan Zhang , Longxian Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coccidiosis is among the most prevalent diseases affecting dairy cattle globally, imposing significant economic losses on the dairy industry annually. To better understand the epidemiology and species distribution of <em>Eimeria</em> spp. in key dairy-producing regions of China, as well as to improve species-level identification, we developed an integrated approach combining morphological characterization with single-oocyst selection technology and multi-locus-nested PCR amplification. This method enables comprehensive genetic profiling of individual oocysts through multi-locus genotyping. A total of 900 fecal samples were collected from the rectums of dairy cattle, the overall prevalence of <em>Eimeria</em> spp. infection was 34.78 % (313/900). Thirteen <em>Eimeria</em> spp. were identified with the following distribution: <em>Eimeria alabamensis</em> (12.46 %, 39/313), <em>E. auburnensis</em> (28.43 %, 89/313), <em>E. bovis</em> (42.81 %, 134/313), <em>E. bukidnonensis</em> (5.75 %,18/313), <em>E. canadensis</em> (27.80 %,87/313), <em>E. cylindrica</em> (30.67 %,96/313), <em>E. ellipsoidalis</em> (37.06 %,116/313), <em>E. pellita</em> (0.30 %,1/313), <em>E. subspherical</em> (28.12 %,88/313), <em>E. zuernii</em> (50.48 %,158/313), <em>E. illinoisensis</em> (25.56 %,80/313), <em>E. wyomingensis</em> (3.83 %,12/313), <em>E. ildefonsoi</em> (1.28 %,4/313). Among these, <em>E. bovis</em> and <em>E. zuernii</em> were the predominant species. Our study contributes new data of <em>Eimeria</em> spp. infection in dairy cattle from key dairy-producing regions of China. We provide updated morphological characterizations for several <em>Eimeria</em> species, for the first time in China, the presence of <em>E. ildefonsoi</em>. Additionally, we performed comparative sequence analysis of the <em>SSU</em> rRNA and COI loci. The results revealed sequence homology ranges of 93.00 %–100.00 % (<em>SSU</em> rRNA) and 83.30 %–98.80 % (COI) among the 13 <em>Eimeria</em> species examined. Phylogenetic analysis based on these two loci effectively differentiated all 13 <em>Eimeria</em> species. This study represents the first report of single-oocyst-derived sequences for <em>Eimeria</em> spp. in dairy cattle at the <em>SSU</em> rRNA and COI loci, establishing a robust method for precise species identification and expanding the genetic database for bovine <em>Eimeria</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110621"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. von Son-de Fernex , R. Estrada-Robledo , R. Ojeda-Flores
{"title":"Dung beetles, biological control agents against gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock: In vitro test","authors":"E. von Son-de Fernex , R. Estrada-Robledo , R. Ojeda-Flores","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) remains a major challenge in grazing cattle, due to the widespread of anthelmintic resistance and limited treatment alternatives. This study aimed to assess whether dung beetles could serve as biological control agents against GIN infective larvae (GIN-L<sub>3</sub>). Four dung beetle species (<em>Digitonthophagus gazella</em>, <em>Onthophagus australis</em>, <em>Euoniticellus intermedius,</em> and <em>Copris incertus</em>) were collected from cattle paddocks. For each species, their effect on the vertical distribution of GIN-L<sub>3</sub> in soil was assessed using vertical terrariums containing sterilized soil and marked at 5 cm intervals from 0 to 25 cm. GIN-infected calf stool (635.3 ± 77.62 epg) was placed on top, and five couples of dung beetles were introduced. Three replicates were run for each treatment and control. Soil layers were individually recovered after 10-days, GIN-L<sub>3</sub> were retrieved, quantified, and identified. In the absence of dung beetles, and similar to <em>O</em>. <em>australis</em>, 84.9 ± 3.8 % of GIN-L<sub>3</sub> remained in the feces; while <em>C. incertus</em> and <em>D. gazella</em> concentrated 58 % and 49 % of GIN-L<sub>3</sub> between 10 and 25 cm depth, respectively (P < 0.05). The GIN-L<sub>3</sub> density increased by 14.12 % for each brood mass present at ≥ 15 cm depth. <em>Cooperia punctata</em> L<sub>3</sub> artificial burial assay showed a 28 % decrease in its upward migration capacity (R<sup>2</sup>=0.92) per centimeter of depth; meaning deep tunnelers reproductive behavior hinders GIN-L<sub>3</sub> from reaching the surface and continuing its life cycle. These findings provide new insights into the role of dung beetles in modulating the vertical distribution of GIN-L<sub>3</sub> in soil, and thus, their potential to reduce pasture infectivity, supporting their inclusion in integrated strategies for GIN control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110619"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145213694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sophie Jouffroy , Clara Girard , Elisa Giraud , Camille Beaumelle , Gilles Bourgoin , Léa Bordes , Christelle Grisez , Anne Lespine , Damien Achard , Glenn Yannic , Philippe Jacquiet
{"title":"Transhumance and eprinomectin resistance of Haemonchus contortus in dairy sheep flocks of the French Pyrenees","authors":"Sophie Jouffroy , Clara Girard , Elisa Giraud , Camille Beaumelle , Gilles Bourgoin , Léa Bordes , Christelle Grisez , Anne Lespine , Damien Achard , Glenn Yannic , Philippe Jacquiet","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The macrocyclic lactone eprinomectin has a null milk withdrawal period, and plays a key role in limiting infection by gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) in dairy sheep. Starting in 2019, a cluster of suspicions of lack of effectiveness of eprinomectin (EPN) was observed in the western area of the French Pyrenees. First, we conducted fecal egg count reduction tests in 47 dairy sheep farms of this area. They revealed that 29/47 (62 %) farms were facing resistance to eprinomectin. Post-treatment GIN species identification conducted in 21 of the 29 resistance cases showed <em>Haemonchus contortus</em> was the only resistant parasite to EPN treatment. A descriptive analyses of information on GIN and farm management was conducted, with regard to the spread of eprinomection resistance in these farms. We found that transhumance could be linked to the presence of eprinomectin resistance in GIN of the dairy sheep farms. Second, GIN monitoring was conducted during one year within 2 flocks grazing together during the summer transhumance. Ewes got infected with moderate levels of <em>H. contortus</em> in less than 2 months on pastures at 1400–1800 m of altitude. In addition, transfer of parasites between flocks seems to occur during summer grazing. It might contribute to change the type of helminthiosis farmers are used to face in their flocks, and to the transfer of resistant strains of parasites between flocks. Our study highlights that pre-transhumance anthelmintic treatment no longer guaranties low GIN levels during summer grazing, and that GIN infections have to be anticipated in the spring by means of integrated parasite management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110618"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145213719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adam D. Hayward , Andrew W. Greer , David Frew , Margaret Oliver , Alison A. Morrison , Yvonne Bartley , Yolanda Corripio-Miyar , David J. Bartley , Fiona Kenyon , Mara Rocchi , Alasdair J. Nisbet , Tom N. McNeilly
{"title":"Late pregnancy is associated with an increase in regulatory cytokines and a decline in nematode-specific antibody levels in sheep infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta","authors":"Adam D. Hayward , Andrew W. Greer , David Frew , Margaret Oliver , Alison A. Morrison , Yvonne Bartley , Yolanda Corripio-Miyar , David J. Bartley , Fiona Kenyon , Mara Rocchi , Alasdair J. Nisbet , Tom N. McNeilly","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The gastrointestinal nematode <em>Teladorsagia circumcincta</em> is a prevalent and economically important parasite of sheep. Sheep develop acquired immunity to <em>T. circumcincta</em>, characterised by nematode-specific antibody production and a type 2 T-helper (Th) cell response. During late pregnancy and early lactation, ewes experience increased nematode faecal egg count (FEC) known as the peri-parturient rise (PPR). The PPR is associated with a decline in nematode-specific antibodies, but research on the role of Th cell-mediated immunity in the PPR is limited. Here, we characterised the cellular and humoral immune responses of <em>T. circumcincta</em>-infected ewes fed at two dietary levels during the peri-parturient period. Diet had a limited effect on any trait, likely due to the high body condition of the ewes entering the study, but all ewes experienced a pronounced PPR. The PPR was associated with a decline in nematode-specific IgG, and antigen-dependent declines of IgA and IgE around parturition. Levels of the Th1-associated cytokine IFN-γ and the Th2-associated cytokine IL-4 showed antigen-dependent declines during the peri-parturient period. In contrast, the regulatory cytokine IL-10 increased around parturition in response to a generic mitogen, nematode antigens and Heptavac® vaccine, suggesting a generalised regulatory immune phenotype. Our results provide a comprehensive view of the immunological changes during the PPR and suggest a possible role for regulatory T cell responses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110617"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luciano dos Reis Silva Santos , Juliana Pimenta Cruz , Geziella Aurea Aparecida Damasceno Souza , Marta Cristina Pereira da Silva , Fernando Veloso Caldeira Barcellos , Andréia Luiza Oliveira Costa , André Luiz Sena Guimarães , Eduardo Robson Duarte , Viviane de Oliveira Vasconcelos
{"title":"In vitro efficacy of essential oils against for the control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus: Ultrastructural analysis of larval alterations using scanning electron microscopy","authors":"Luciano dos Reis Silva Santos , Juliana Pimenta Cruz , Geziella Aurea Aparecida Damasceno Souza , Marta Cristina Pereira da Silva , Fernando Veloso Caldeira Barcellos , Andréia Luiza Oliveira Costa , André Luiz Sena Guimarães , Eduardo Robson Duarte , Viviane de Oliveira Vasconcelos","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus</em> is an ectoparasite of significant economic impact in livestock, exacerbated by resistance to synthetic acaricides. This study evaluated the acaricidal activity of eight essential oils (EOs) on larval and engorged female stages of <em>R. (B.) microplus</em> and, analyzed the morphological alterations in larvae using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The stability of the EOs was also tested at different temperatures using the Preliminary Accelerated Stability Test (PAST). EOs from <em>Cinnamomum zeylanicum</em>, <em>Ocimum basilicum</em>, <em>Eucalyptus globulus</em> and <em>Citrus reticulata</em> exhibited efficacy greater than 80 % against larvae at concentrations ≥ 2,5 %. The EO of <em>C. zeylanicum</em> was particularly notable, inhibiting 100 % of oviposition in engorged females at concentrations of 5 % and 2,5 %. The chemical composition of the EOs was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying -limonene, eucalyptol, camphor, linalool, eugenol, and germacrene-D as major compounds. SEM revealed, in larvae exposed to the EOs of <em>C. reticulata</em>, <em>O. basilicum</em>, <em>E. caryophyllus</em>, and <em>E. globulus</em>, cuticular lesions, loss of integrity, oral deformities, and damage to locomotor appendages. The EO of <em>E. globulus</em> maintained its sensory properties even when subjected to different temperatures over 30 days, demonstrating efficacy of 97,4 % and 71 % against <em>R. microplus</em> larvae when stored at −20°C and 4°C, respectively. The data demonstrated acaricidal property of EO of <em>E. globulus</em> against the larvae and adults of <em>R. microplus.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110616"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MP Garcia-Lazaro , E. Chavarry , D. Zarate-Rendón , P. Herrera-Velit , JR Espinoza
{"title":"Evaluation of Fas2-ELISA in milk and serum for the detection of Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle","authors":"MP Garcia-Lazaro , E. Chavarry , D. Zarate-Rendón , P. Herrera-Velit , JR Espinoza","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Fasciola hepatica</em> causes a significant loss in milk and meat production in cattle farming worldwide. The treatment and control of <em>F. hepatica</em> infection in cattle raised in regions with a high prevalence of the infection requires sensitive, specific, and affordable diagnostic tests. This study aims to evaluate two tests, Fas2-ELISA and ES-ELISA, for the diagnosis of fascioliasis in beef and dairy cattle from two livestock basins in Peru. Serum and fecal samples were collected from beef cattle slaughtered at an abattoir in Lima; serum, milk, and fecal samples were collected from <em>F. hepatica</em> naturally infected dairy cows in the San Lorenzo district, located in the Mantaro Andean Valley, and dairy cows raised in university stables in La Molina district in Lima. ES-ELISA detects IgG antibodies against <em>F. hepatica</em> excretory-secretory products (ES) from adult flukes, and Fas2-ELISA detects the Fas2 antigen, a cysteine proteinase purified from <em>F. hepatica</em> adult flukes. The diagnostic parameters for beef cattle were determined using inspection for <em>F. hepatica</em> flukes in the liver as a reference test. ES-ELISA for the detection of <em>F. hepatica</em> infection in beef cattle showed a sensitivity (Se) of 93.2 % (95 % CI, 83.5–98.1 %) and specificity (Sp) of 88 % (95 % CI, 80.4–93.5 %). Fas2-ELISA showed a Se and Sp of 98.3 % (95 % CI, 91–99 %) and 93.6 % (95 % CI, 87–97 %), respectively. The diagnostic parameters for detecting <em>F. hepatica</em> infection in milk samples by ES-ELISA showed a Se of 100 % (95 % CI, 92–100 %) and Sp of 83 % (95 % CI, 65–94 %), Fas2-ELISA showed a Se of 98 % (95 % CI, 89–100 %) and Sp of 93 % (95 % CI, 78–99 %) using coproscopy as a reference test. These results suggest that Fas2-ELISA could be a useful test for detecting <em>F. hepatica</em> infection in milk samples from dairy cattle and may be further developed as a bulk-tank milk (BTM) test to estimate the prevalence of <em>F. hepatica</em> infection in dairy herds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110615"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul M. Bartley , Clare M. Hamilton , Jackie Thomson , Ross Bacchetti , Mairi C. Mitchell , Tom N. McNeilly , Renata Pimentel Bandeira de Melo , Adam D. Hayward , Frank Katzer , Beth Wells
{"title":"Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis DNA in wild deer in Scotland","authors":"Paul M. Bartley , Clare M. Hamilton , Jackie Thomson , Ross Bacchetti , Mairi C. Mitchell , Tom N. McNeilly , Renata Pimentel Bandeira de Melo , Adam D. Hayward , Frank Katzer , Beth Wells","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> are zoonotic pathogens that cause enteric disease in humans and animals. This study aimed to identify the species/assemblages of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> in Scottish wild deer populations. Faecal samples (n = 990) were collected from across mainland Scotland from red deer, roe deer, sika deer and fallow deer. The oocysts/cysts were concentrated, DNA was extracted and then analysed by PCR (<em>Cryptosporidium</em> SSU-rRNA and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> β-giardin<em>,</em> glutamate dehydrogenase <em>(gdh)</em>, triosephosphate isomerase (<em>tpi</em>) DNA). All positive PCR amplicons were sequenced to determine <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species and <em>Giardia</em> assemblage. Overall, 12.3 % (122/990) of samples were positive for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> and identified <em>C. ryanae</em> (77/122), <em>C. parvum</em> (22/122) and <em>C. ubiquitum</em> (13/122). Rates of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> infection varied significantly (P = 0.009) between the deer species. <em>Cryptosporidium</em> was also significantly (P = 0.001) more likely to be detected in male deer compared to females and in seasons with high rainfall (P = 0.002). <em>Giardia</em> was detected in 7.9 % (76/962) samples, and sequencing identified assemblage A (62/76), assemblage B (4/76), assemblage D (2/76) and assemblage E (5/76). The assemblages of 3/76 positive samples were unidentifiable. Detection of <em>Giardia</em> was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in roe deer than the other deer species. During this study we also demonstrate that deer calves had significantly higher rates of infection for both <em>Cryptosporidium</em> (P = 0.001) and <em>Giardia</em> (P < 0.001), than other age groups. Co-infection with both pathogens was rare (14/962 samples). These findings confirm that wild Scottish deer harbour both <em>Cryptosporidium</em> and <em>Giardia</em>; however, their role in transmission to humans or livestock remains unclear.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110614"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145118975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development of an optimized culture medium using meso-inositol and mannitol to maximize chlamydospore production of Duddingtonia flagrans","authors":"Manuela Southwell , Milagros Junco , Silvina Fernández , Gisele Bernat , Sara Zegbi , Inés Guerrero , Federica Sagües","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biological control using nematophagous fungi such as <em>Duddingtonia flagrans</em> offers a sustainable strategy to reduce gastrointestinal nematode populations in grazing animals. However, large-scale application requires efficient chlamydospore production without compromising fungal viability and efficacy. This study aimed to optimize a solid culture medium enriched with meso-inositol and mannitol to enhance chlamydospore production and assess its impact on nematode predatory capacity for their subsequent use as biological control agent. Different formulations were tested by supplementing Glucose Sabouraud Agar with various concentrations of meso-inositol (1.1–2 %) and mannitol (2–5 %). Cultures were incubated for up to 35 days, and chlamydospores were extracted and quantified under optical microscope at 3, 4, and 5 weeks of culturing. The highest yield – 6.95 × 10⁷ chlamydospores/plate - was obtained using 2 % meso-inositol and 5 % mannitol after 35 days of incubation at 27 ± 0.5 °C and 70 ± 5 % RH. <em>In vitro</em> fungal predatory activity against gastrointestinal nematode larvae from naturally parasitized sheep was maintained across all formulation treatments, with parasite larval reduction exceeding 70 % (p < 0.0001), indicating that the optimized medium did not impair nematophagous efficacy. These findings contribute to the development of scale-up fungal culture strategies for producing commercially-based <em>D. flagrans</em> suitable for its incorporation into integrated control programs of livestock parasites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"340 ","pages":"Article 110613"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145096577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}