Veterinary parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Characterization of cyclophilin 23 as a novel factor for development and pathogenicity of Cryptosporidium parvum","authors":"Mengfei Xu,&nbsp;Xichen Zhang,&nbsp;Qile Yu,&nbsp;Qi Zhao,&nbsp;Jianhua Li,&nbsp;Pengtao Gong,&nbsp;Xiaocen Wang,&nbsp;Xin Li,&nbsp;Xu Zhang,&nbsp;Nan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110539","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110539","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em> (<em>C. parvum</em>) is a common zoonotic protozoan pathogen that can cause severe diarrhea in both humans and animals. However, the factors involved in its pathogenicity remain incompletely understood. The <em>C. parvum</em> genome contains nine genes that encode peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases). Previous bioinformatics analyses have indicated that proteins within this family may be associated with the pathogenicity of <em>C. parvum</em>. Here, we explored the role of cyclophilin 23 (CpCyP23), a member of the PPIase family, in the development and pathogenicity of <em>C. parvum</em>. In this study, the <em>CpCyP23</em> gene was tagged and deleted using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in <em>C. parvum</em>. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that CpCyP23 is expressed in all key developmental stages of <em>C. parvum.</em> The impact of <em>CpCyP23</em> deficiency on parasite development and pathogenicity were assessed in HCT-8 cells and interferon-γ knockout mice, and the results revealed that the lack of <em>CpCyP23</em> delayed the development of <em>C. parvum</em> in vitro. Moreover, compared with mice inoculated with the tagged strain, those infected with the knockout strain exhibited a reduction in parasite burden and small intestinal damage. These findings demonstrate that CpCyP23 plays a role in the development of <em>C. parvum</em>, and the deletion of the <em>CpCyP23</em> gene reduces the pathogenicity of the <em>C. parvum</em>. Overall, these results advance our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of <em>C. parvum</em> and suggest CpCyP23 is a promising target for intervention in cryptosporidiosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110539"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604935","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":"Evaluation of established and new methods for the detection of Toxocara spp. in cats and dogs without a gold standard – A Bayesian latent class analysis","authors":"Deliah Tamsyn Winterfeld ,&nbsp;Birgit Schauer ,&nbsp;Majda Globokar ,&nbsp;Nikola Pantchev ,&nbsp;Susan Mouchantat ,&nbsp;Franz Josef Conraths ,&nbsp;Helge Kampen ,&nbsp;Gereon Schares ,&nbsp;Pavlo Maksimov ,&nbsp;Jana Schulz","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The commonly used detection method for <em>Toxocara canis</em> and <em>Toxocara cati</em> eggs in faecal samples is the sedimentation-flotation technique (SF). Based on this method, a sequential sieving protocol (SF-SSV) was developed to achieve a higher sensitivity in detecting <em>Toxocara</em> spp. eggs. In addition, two automated DNA extraction methods for faecal samples were applied. Faecal samples of cats (n = 125) and dogs (n = 175) were tested to detect <em>Toxocara</em> spp. with all four methods. Two populations were investigated; one was considered positive based on previous examinations (n = 120), and the other one represented a field population-based sample (n = 180). In general, the parasitological methods (SF, SF-SSV) had in all cases higher estimated sensitivities than the DNA detection methods. For both, cats and dogs, the SF-SSV had significantly higher sensitivities than the DNA detection methods. The estimates for specificity were above 90 % in each analysis, but lowest for the SF-SSV. By DNA detection, <em>T. cati</em>-specific methods tended to have higher diagnostic sensitivities than <em>T. canis</em>-specific methods, but not statistically significant. Traditional methods of evaluating diagnostic tests require a gold standard and a pool of appropriate reference samples. Since there is no gold standard for detecting <em>Toxocara</em> spp. in cats and dogs, Bayesian Latent Class Analysis (BLCA), a probabilistic approach estimating test performance, is a useful tool to estimate sensitivity and specificity based on the available data. This study highlights the challenge of obtaining suitable samples for model estimation, especially in field settings where <em>Toxocara</em> spp. prevalence is typically very low.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110544"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144587684","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":"Process mining to identify average time patterns of changes in FAMACHA© scores in ewes and guide monitoring intervals","authors":"Matheus Borges de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Diógenes Adriano Duarte Santana ,&nbsp;Laize Guedes Carmo ,&nbsp;Saulo Henrique Weber ,&nbsp;Eric R. Morgan ,&nbsp;Deborah Ribeiro Carvalho ,&nbsp;Cristina Santos Sotomaior","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110543","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110543","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Frequent blanket treatment with anthelmintics (AH) leads to selection of resistant parasites. Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) methodologies were developed to support more discriminating decisions on AH treatment of individual animals. Criteria like FAMACHA© scores (F-scores, a measure of anemia) detect changes in animal health to trigger treatment, but require effort and so the appropriate frequency of monitoring must be considered. Process mining can be used to define optimal intervals for TST application by analyzing flows between states over time. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the average time taken for changes in the F-scores of adult ewes using process mining. The study was performed by analyzing a database containing F-score evaluations from 2006 to 2022, using UpFlux© software. From 2017–2022 ewes were categorized based on their physiological state. Ewes in late gestation and lactation were classified as likely to be more susceptible to parasites, while non-pregnant and early pregnant ewes were considered as less susceptible. When considering data for the entire flock from 2017 to 2022, an average of 97 ewes were evaluated weekly, and they spent a mean of 78.5 days at F-score 1 (F1) and 25.0 days at F2. Based on F-score fluctuations, ewes progressed from F1 to F2 in an average of 59.1 days and from F2 to F3 in an average of 26.3 days. Ewes in the more susceptible physiological states maintained F1 and F2 scores for an average of 34.1 and 20.0 days, respectively. Their transition from score F2 (non-anemic) to F3 (anemic) occurred in an average of 19.7 days. Ewes in less susceptible physiological states maintained F1 for 68.2 days and F2 for 24.5 days, while F2 changed to F3 after an average of 29.6 days. Based on the results, evaluations for TST should be conducted more frequently (every 15 days) in ewes during late pregnancy and lactation, while a 30-day interval is sufficient for other physiological states. This method could be used to evaluate optimal intervals for F-scoring in other settings, to guide efficient animal health monitoring and intervention strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110543"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144631497","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":"Eco-epidemiological factors associated with the incidence of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), vector of American Visceral Leishmaniasis, in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil","authors":"Bruna Queiroz da Silva ,&nbsp;Margarete Martins dos Santos Afonso ,&nbsp;Lucas José Macêdo Freire ,&nbsp;Alessandre Pereira-Colavite ,&nbsp;Antônio Luís Ferreira de Santana ,&nbsp;Daniela de Pita-Pereira ,&nbsp;Thais de Araujo Pereira ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Ferreira Rangel","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110540","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110540","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The first recorded human and canine cases of American Visceral Leishmaniasis (AVL) in the municipality of João Pessoa date back to the 1970s, coinciding with the identification of its vector, <em>Lutzomyia longipalpis</em>. This study aimed to investigate the socio-environmental factors associated with the occurrence of <em>Lu. longipalpis</em> and AVL cases in humans and dogs in João Pessoa. Additionally, it sought to detect <em>Leishmania</em> spp. DNA and identify the blood-feeding sources in female sand fly specimens. Light traps were placed of urban residences in João Pessoa per 21 months, and socio-environmental data on human and canine AVL cases were collected with the assistance of the Health Secretariat of the Municipality of João Pessoa. The multiplex PCR was used to detect <em>Leishmania</em> DNA in female Phlebotominae, and the study of the blood-feeding sources was conducted by sequencing <em>cytochrome b</em> gene. Human and canine AVL cases were mapped using Geographic Coordinate Reference System. A total of 1136 sand fly specimens were captured, belonging to five species: <em>Brumptomyia brumpti</em>, <em>Lutzomyia longipalpis</em>, <em>Evandromyia</em> (<em>Aldamyia</em>) <em>evandroi</em>, <em>Psathyromyia</em> (<em>Forattiniella</em>) <em>brasiliensis</em> and <em>Sciopemyia sordellii</em>, with <em>Lu. longipalpis</em> comprising 86.2 % of the specimens. Our study found that higher <em>Lu. longipalpis</em> abundance was associated with increased rainfall, the presence of poultry farming in households, and the absence of public pavimentation. The tests for detection of DNA of <em>Leishmania infantum</em> were positive <em>for Lu. longipalpis</em>, and the sequencing of the <em>cytochrome b</em> detected gene blood meals from <em>Homo sapiens</em> and <em>Gallus gallus</em> in <em>Ev. evandroi</em>. Moreover, the adaptation of the AVL vector to the urban environment of João Pessoa was evident through the distribution of human and canine cases across the municipality. Understanding the socio-environmental factors associated with the spread of AVL in urban areas is crucial for effective surveillance and control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110540"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656579","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":"Evaluation of the immunodiagnostic potential of recombinant Spm2 antigen using indirect ELISA for detecting Theileria annulata infection in cattle","authors":"Aquil Mohmad ,&nbsp;B.C. Saravanan ,&nbsp;K.R. Baghel ,&nbsp;A. Annajarvis ,&nbsp;R. Saravanan ,&nbsp;Vinodh Kumar Obli Rajendran ,&nbsp;Ajay Kumar ,&nbsp;M. Sankar ,&nbsp;A.K. Tewari ,&nbsp;S. Ghosh","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine tropical theileriosis, caused by <em>Theileria annulata</em>, is an economically important disease that reduces livestock productivity through decreased milk yield, high morbidity, and mortality, particularly in exotic and cross-bred cattle. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for effectively managing susceptible animals. This study aimed to develop a robust serological diagnostic tool targeting the sporozoite and macroschizont 2 antigen (Spm2), a protein expressed across multiple parasite stages including sporozoites, macroschizonts, and piroplasms. The recombinant Spm2 (rSpm2) protein was cloned, expressed in a prokaryotic system, and purified via Ni-NTA chromatography, with its immunoreactivity confirmed through Western blot (WB) analysis using known <em>T. annulata</em>-positive serum samples. An indirect rSpm2-ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was developed and standardized using 23 known positive and 30 known negative sera samples. Its diagnostic potential was evaluated by analyzing 360 field serum samples and comparing the results with a previously validated rTaSP-ELISA. The rSpm2-ELISA detected <em>T. annulata</em> infection in 78.9 % of cattle sera, compared to 83.9 % with rTaSP-ELISA. Notably, rSpm2 exhibited no cross-reactivity with reference-positive sera from cattle infected with <em>Babesia bigemina</em> and <em>Anaplasma marginale</em> in WB and ELISA assays. The sensitivity and specificity of the rSpm2-ELISA were determined to be 93.7 % and 98.3 %, respectively, highlighting its strong diagnostic potential. This study is the first comparative serological evaluation of tropical theileriosis using rSpm2-ELISA and rTaSP-ELISA. The high accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of rSpm2-ELISA make it a promising tool for serological surveillance of tropical theileriosis, particularly in regions where <em>T. parva</em> is absent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110542"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144595807","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":"Use of commercial serological tests to detect schistosomiasis in sheep","authors":"Manon Blin ,&nbsp;Félix Bornier ,&nbsp;Nathalie Lazzarin ,&nbsp;Justine Alonzi ,&nbsp;Bruno Polack ,&nbsp;Isabelle Vallée ,&nbsp;Anne Rognon ,&nbsp;Eglantine Mathieu-Bégné ,&nbsp;Myriam Thomas ,&nbsp;Denis Limonne ,&nbsp;Jérôme Boissier","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human schistosomiasis is a zoonotic disease, meaning that wild animals or livestock can serve as reservoirs for the disease. This sustains active parasite transmission in regions where extensive treatment initiatives are underway, potentially undermining efforts to combat schistosomiasis. In multi-host and multi-parasite systems, achieving disease elimination necessitates the incorporation of all reservoir hosts. For this reason, animal diagnosis is crucial to enable accurate targeting of treatment. However, methods for diagnosing animals remain underdeveloped. We have evaluated two commercially available serological diagnostics, the <em>Schistosoma</em> IgG ELISA produced by Bordier Affinity Products, and the Schisto II Western Blot IgG kit produced by LDBIO Diagnostics which are commonly employed for human diagnosis. The diagnostics were carried out on a collection of 175 sheep serum samples from 35 sheep experimentally infected with <em>S. haematobium</em>, <em>S. bovis</em> and various strains resulting from mate crossing between these two species. The diagnosis of these samples was possible using the two methods tested, with an adaptation of the protocol of both methods by replacing the conjugate. The kappa coefficient highlights substantial agreement between each newly tested method and the adult worm recovery during animal necropsy, suggesting robust consistency in the results obtained with the two serological diagnostics. In both instances, further studies are required for validation and standardization to facilitate field application and to specify the specificity of the Western-Blot.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110538"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579231","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":"Exosomal tpi-miR-10a-5p from T. pisiformis cysticerci regulates the expression of inflammatory factors in rabbits by targeting MAP3K7","authors":"Guiting Pu ,&nbsp;Liqun Wang ,&nbsp;Tingli Liu ,&nbsp;Dexian Wang ,&nbsp;Hong Li ,&nbsp;Tharheer Oluwashola Amuda ,&nbsp;Hong Yin ,&nbsp;Hongbin Yan ,&nbsp;Xueyong Zhang ,&nbsp;Xuenong Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110537","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110537","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Taenia pisiformis</em> (<em>T. pisiformis</em>) cysticerci<em>,</em> belonging to Taeniidae, attaches to the wall of the mesentery and omentum of rabbits, causing cysticercosis pisiformis that can seriously affect the healthy development of the rabbit breeding industry. Helminths can produce exosomes containing proteins and RNAs. In our previous study, tpi-miR-10a-5p was found to be highly enriched in the exosomes from <em>T. pisiformis</em> cysticerci. In this study, we report that tpi-miR-10a-5p is significantly up-regulated in the blood and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLCs) of <em>T. pisiformis-</em>infected rabbits. Furthermore, tpi-miR-10a-5p targets mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7), the key gene involved in the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. Knockdown of MAP3K7 inhibited the JNK signaling pathway, suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNFα, whereas overexpression of MAP3K7 activated the JNK signaling pathway in PBLCs. The same trend was observed with knockdown of MAP3K7 when PBLCs were treated with exosomes from <em>T. pisiformis</em> cysticerci. <em>In vivo</em> experiment further demonstrated that the expression of MAP3K7, JNK, p-JNK, IFN-γ, and TNFα was significantly decreased in PBLCs during <em>T. pisiformis</em> infection. Therefore, tpi-miR-10a-5p can suppress the JNK signaling pathway and inflammatory response by targeting MAP3K7 in host PBLCs. These findings may imply a mechanism used by the parasites releasing exosomes to sense and adapt to the host environment by regulating the immune reaction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110537"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144570955","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":"Multiple anthelmintic drug resistance in the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum: AAVP position paper and research needs","authors":"Timothy G. Geary ,&nbsp;Jason Drake ,&nbsp;John S. Gilleard ,&nbsp;Jeba R.J.Jesudoss Chelladurai ,&nbsp;Pablo D. Jimenez Castro ,&nbsp;Ray M. Kaplan ,&nbsp;Antoinette E. Marsh ,&nbsp;Craig R. Reinemeyer ,&nbsp;Guilherme G. Verocai","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110536","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110536","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cases of infection with the canine hookworm <em>Ancylostoma caninum</em> that are resistant to all anthelmintic classes registered in the United States of America (USA) for control of this parasite in dogs were first reported in 2019. Termed Multiple Anthelmintic Drug Resistance (MADR), cases have subsequently been reported in pet dogs across the USA. Recent studies using molecular tests that detect mutations known to cause resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics have revealed an alarming frequency of this trait in pet dogs throughout the USA, with some reports also from Canada. Since the initial reports in the USA that dog hookworms resistant to benzimidazoles were also resistant to pyrantel and macrocyclic lactones, this genetic evidence suggests that MADR worms are now widely present in the USA. The trait originally evolved on greyhound farms and kennels. However, the problem is no longer limited to greyhounds; recent studies have demonstrated that essentially any breed, age, size and sex of dogs throughout the USA can get infected with drug-resistant and possibly MADR isolates of <em>A. caninum</em>. In this perspective, we review current knowledge of the origin of MADR canine hookworms, tests available to diagnose MADR hookworms, and therapeutic options for treating dogs with such cases. Additionally, we propose research priorities for developing a deeper understanding of the biology of MADR worms, as well as for developing new therapeutic options to address the problem. Adding to the urgency of the situation, <em>A. caninum</em> is a zoonotic parasite, capable of causing disease in humans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110536"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144514271","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":"Predicting tick distributions in a changing climate: An ensemble approach for South Africa","authors":"R.F. Motloung ,&nbsp;M.E. Chaisi ,&nbsp;M.S. Sibiya ,&nbsp;N. Nyangiwe ,&nbsp;T.C. Shivambu","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110528","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110528","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Predicting the potential distribution of disease vectors is crucial for vector management and disease transmission surveillance. This study aims to assess changes in the geographic projection of the ecological niche of ticks of veterinary, public health, and economic importance in South Africa, and to predict areas suitable for their establishment under current and future climate scenarios. We used a suite of six algorithms within the ensemble modelling framework of the biomod2 package in R version 4.4.2 to produce species distribution models for current (2021–2040) and future (2041–2060) climate scenarios. Six bioclimatic variables, representing a range of biophysical and anthropogenic factors, were used in combination with tick presence-only occurrence data submitted to SANBI’s Integrated Publishing Toolkit by tick species experts. The model outputs indicate that all 10 tick species will likely experience range shifts over time (2021–2060). All species are projected to gain significant portions of suitable ranges in the future. Notably, <em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em> is predicted to gain the most, with a 14 % increase in its suitable range in South Africa. This predicted range expansion could potentially disrupt ecological balances in the ecosystems it is likely to occupy. Native species such as <em>Amblyomma hebraeum</em> and <em>Hyalomma rufipes</em> are predicted to expand their ranges by 10 and 9 %, respectively, while others may gain less than 6 % of their potential ranges The overall predicted range expansion could also introduce new disease dynamics, potentially leading to increased pathogen transmission, host switching and higher incidences of diseases in humans and animals in currently unaffected areas. The study provides baseline information to support ongoing monitoring and adaptive management strategies to mitigate the negative impacts associated with ticks on ecosystems, public health, and agriculture. The results will help inform tick control programs in South Africa and other similar environments. South Africa must adopt a comprehensive One Health approach to tick management to address the challenges posed by invasive species like <em>R. microplus</em>, which threaten livestock health and have significant veterinary and economic impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110528"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522732","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":"Mechanism of diclazuril acting on actin depolymerizing factor against Eimeria tenella","authors":"Erjie Tian,&nbsp;Shengjie Weng,&nbsp;Junjie Li,&nbsp;Guoyong Wang,&nbsp;Hongwei Wang,&nbsp;Bianhua Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110535","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110535","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Eimeria tenella</em> (<em>E. tenella</em>), an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite, invades chicken cecal epithelial cells, causing severe chicken coccidiosis. During the host invasion process, actin provides the driving force for <em>E. tenella</em>. Actin depolymerization factor (ADF), an actin binding protein, can regulate actin filaments turnover and cytoskeleton reconstruction, playing a critical role in parasite gliding invasion of host cells. Diclazuril, a benzeneacetonitrile anticoccidial agent, exhibits potent activity against <em>E. tenella</em>. However, mechanism of diclazuril action on ADF against <em>E. tenella</em> remains unclear. In this study, a chicken model infected with <em>E. tenella</em> was established, and the second-generation merozoites were subsequently harvested from both infected and diclazuril-treated groups. <em>Et</em>ADF subcellular localization was assessed by immunofluorescence, while total and phosphorylated <em>Et</em>ADF (p-<em>Et</em>ADF) expression levels were quantified via western blotting. Subsequently, the in vitro depolymerization and polymerization kinetics of actin were monitored using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Actin co-sedimentation assay and SDS-PAGE were employed to assess the biological activity of <em>Et</em>ADF, while the F-actin morphology was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results demonstrated that <em>Et</em>ADF was localized in cytoplasm of <em>E. tenella</em> second-generation merozoites, and diclazuril reduced total <em>Et</em>ADF expression while increasing p-<em>Et</em>ADF levels. Actin dynamics assays, co-sedimentation analysis, and TEM revealed that <em>Et</em>ADF exhibits F-actin binding, bundling and depolymerization activities, as well as G-actin sequestering and polymerization inhibition. Diclazuril effectively inhibited these activities of <em>Et</em>ADF. Collectively, these findings provide important insights into molecular mechanism underlying the anticoccidial effect of diclazuril, and highlight <em>Et</em>ADF as a potential novel drug target.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110535"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144536182","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}