Parasite Epidemiology and Control最新文献

{"title":"Blastocystis and Giardia duodenalis infection in a male prison in Spain","authors":"Carla Muñoz-Antoli ,&nbsp;Jacklyn Comas ,&nbsp;María José Irisarri-Gutiérrez ,&nbsp;Lucrecia Acosta ,&nbsp;José Guillermo Esteban ,&nbsp;Rafael Toledo","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>General conditions in a prison may facilitate water- or food-borne infections.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Detection of intestinal parasites was achieved in 471 male prison inmates by standard microscopic procedures on their stool samples. Positive samples were processed by PCR amplification of a 600-bp fragment of the <em>Blastocystis</em> SSU rRNA gene and partial sequences of the <em>Giardia duodenalis bg</em> genes. Identification of subtypes/genotypes was based on Sanger sequencing methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>Blastocystis</em> was found in 7.9 % (37/471) and <em>G. duodenalis</em> was found in 2.1 % (10/471). Out of the 37 <em>Blastocystis</em> positive samples, 54 % (20/37) were successfully subtyped, allowing the identification of the subtypes ST3 (50 %), ST1 (25 %), ST2 (15 %), ST4 (5 %) and ST6 (5 %). Out of 10 <em>G. duodenalis</em> positive samples, 50 % (5/10) were successfully genotyped, allowing the identification of genotypes A (80 %) and B (20 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The predominance of ST3 within the prison inmates, together with its low intra-ST genetic variability, reflected inter-human transmission with spatial stability. The <em>G. duodenalis</em> distribution is not wide enough to consider the possibility of a generalized transmission via contaminated water or food. Personal hygiene practices among male prison inmates may be an important measure to prevent the transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11780165/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular diagnosis and epidemiological aspects of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Aleppo: Current status","authors":"Lana Kourieh ,&nbsp;Mohammad Y. Abajy ,&nbsp;Mahasen Alkebajy ,&nbsp;Silva Ishkhanian ,&nbsp;Ream Nayal","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For many decades, Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been endemic in Aleppo, Syria. The situation has worsened due to the ongoing war. Currently, CL diagnosis in Syria relies mainly on conventional methods, such as clinical symptoms and microscopic examination. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in diagnosing suspected CL cases. Two PCR protocols were applied: kDNA PCR for CL diagnosis and ITS2 PCR to identify the <em>Leishmania</em> parasite species. The results were compared with conventional methods, and correlations between CL prevalence and demographic factors were explored.</div><div>Between January 2021 and October 2022, 105 suspected CL patients were screened at the Leishmania Center in Aleppo. kDNA PCR showed a sensitivity of 100 %, detecting positive results in 92 samples. Microscopic examination had a sensitivity of 76.1 %, identifying Leishmania amastigotes in 70 out of 92 samples. ITS2 PCR revealed that <em>L. tropica</em> was the dominant species (96.0 %) in Aleppo. Prevalence of CL was higher among men (54.3 %), the 13–25 years age group (39.1 %), and those with poor to moderate living conditions (87.0 %). Patients typically had an average of 3 lesions, with the upper extremities (55.4 %) and face (35.9 %) being the most affected areas. The study recommends using kDNA PCR for CL diagnosis due to its high sensitivity. Furthermore, the reported demographic and epidemiological data can inform public health authorities in their efforts to treat and prevent leishmaniasis in the country.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00412"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Magnitude of urban malaria and its associated risk factors in Damboya town, Kambata zone, Central Ethiopia","authors":"Biruk Mulachew ,&nbsp;Temesgen Bezuayehu ,&nbsp;Solomon Asnake","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00398","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>As Sub-Saharan African country urban malaria is potential catastrophe in Ethiopia, particularly in relation to rapidly growing small towns, which requires updating the epidemiology of malaria. There was lack of information regarding the study area, hence this study was designed to determine the prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors in Damboya town.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A Community-based cross-sectional study was carried from March 7 to May 29, 2023 among 422 randomly selected participants. Prevalence of malaria was determined using microscopic examination of thick and thin smear and rapid diagnostic test using kits to standard of the manufacturer. Pretested structured questionnaire was employed to collect socio-demographic data and associated risk factors. Data were entered in Epi data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Factors associated with malaria was analyzed using bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression. The strength of the association was determined by computing Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) at Malaria is one of the most vital leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries particularly in Sub Saharan Africa (Bugssa and Tedla, 2020). About 95 % of all malaria cases and 96 % of all malaria deaths in 2021 occurred in Africa (Bugssa and Tedla, 2020). Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 60 % of global cases and 90 % of global fatalities (WHO, 2022). Over the two peak years of the pandemic (2020–2021), COVID-related setbacks increased malaria cases by around 13 million and fatalities by 63,000 (WHO, 2022). Malaria is thought to directly cost Africa $12 billion annually and reduce GDP growth by 3 %. In addition, it is thought to cause cognitive disorders and school absences, which are barriers to the development of human capital (Monroe et al., 2022). 95 % confidence interval (CI) and <em>p</em>-value of &lt;<!--> <!-->0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>The prevalence of malaria was 5 % (20, 95 % CI: 3–7), <em>Plasmodium vivix</em> account for 14 (61.9 %) of the infection. Presence of stagnant water (AOR = 3.630, 95 % CI: 1–13, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.049), unavailability of Insecticide-treated bed net (AOR = 3.89, 95 % CI: 1.08–14.01, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.038), living in a house with eaves (AOR = 5.06, 95 %CI: 1.25–20.58, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.023), travel history (AOR = 3.58, 95 %CI: 1–12.79, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.049), low-income (AOR = 5.3, 95 %CI: 1.09–25.2, P &lt; 0.038), were significantly associated with malaria occurrence.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Malaria is still a public health concern in Damboya town. Thus, implementing intervention strategies properly and evaluate the access and utilization status of the suburb community and improve accordingly was required to interrupt the transmission in the community of this town.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00398"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11729009/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142985034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Malaria survey data and geospatial suitability mapping for understanding spatial and temporal variations of risk across Kenya","authors":"Caroline Kioko,&nbsp;Justine Blanford","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00399","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Malaria remains a public health concern in Kenya where children and pregnant women are vulnerable groups. The common interventions in place to fight malaria include using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), knowledge and awareness about malaria, and intake of malaria anti-malaria drugs. Despite the availability of these interventions, Kenya still records more than 10,000 clinical cases annually. In this study, we examined how malaria and interventions varied across Kenya for 2015 and 2020. We analyzed the Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey (<em>N</em> = 10,072) for 2015 and, (<em>N</em> = 11,549) for 2020, and climate data with Fuzzy overlay method to examine how malaria and its interventions relate to environmental conditions required for malaria. The study found that 79 % of malaria cases were distributed in lake endemic, 11 % in coastal endemic, 7 % in highland epidemic, and 3 % in seasonal zone. Use of Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) was 77 % in lake endemic, 13 % in coastal endemic, 9 % in highland epidemic, and 1 % in seasonal zone. Knowledge about malaria was 82 % in lake endemic, 9 % in highland epidemic, 6 % in coastal endemic, and 3 % in seasonal zone. Additionally, based on climate data, lake endemic zone was 94 % suitable for malaria transmission compared to other zones. Despite the use of ITNs and awareness about malaria, malaria transmission continues to be a threat especially in counties in the lake endemic zone. Furthermore, place of residence, climate factors, ownership of ITNs may be associated with malaria in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00399"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11727841/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142985075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parasitic infection prevalence in tuberculosis patients and their household contacts in the Littoral Region of Cameroon","authors":"Lucy Cho Nchang ,&nbsp;Chefor Magha ,&nbsp;Patience Agwa Fonong ,&nbsp;Narcisse Victor Tchamatchoua Gandjui ,&nbsp;Nancielle Mbiatong Tchatat ,&nbsp;Desmond Akumtoh Nkimbeng ,&nbsp;Frank Noel Nietcho ,&nbsp;Juluis Visnel Foyet ,&nbsp;Fanny Fri Fombad ,&nbsp;Tatiana Djikeussi Katcho ,&nbsp;Jerome Fru Cho ,&nbsp;Achim Hoerauf ,&nbsp;Manuel Ritter ,&nbsp;Samuel Wanji","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Parasitic infections are known to suppress the cell mediated immunity that protects against tuberculosis. The status of parasitic infections among bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis patients and their household contacts in Cameroon is not well established. This study aimed at reporting the status of parasitic infections in TB patients and their household contacts with keen interest in associated risk factors to disease exposure.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>This was a hospital based cross-sectional descriptive study carried out with newly diagnosed active tuberculosis (TB) patients and their household contacts in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. Socio-demographic data and associated factors were collected using structured questionnaires. Blood, stool, urine and skin snip samples were collected following standard guidelines for investigation of parasitic infections. Descriptive analysis was performed, bivariate analysis was computed and a multivariable analysis was done to provide adjusted odds ratios (AOR).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 712 TB patients and 472 household contacts were recruited. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections in TB patients was 25.84 % (184/712) and household contacts was 31.36 % (148/472). Blood protozoan (<em>Plasmodium falciparum)</em> infection among active TB patients (20.22 %) and their household contacts (26.27 %) was the most frequently detected parasitic infection. <em>Loa loa</em> was the predominant helminth species seen among active TB patients while <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> was the predominant helminth infection detected in household contacts. TB patients and household contacts living in urban areas had lower odds of being associated with helminth infections (AOR 0.2, 95 % CI: 0.10–0.40; p ˂ 0.0001 and AOR 0.11, 95 % CI: 0.04–0.27; p ˂ 0.0001 respectively) as compared to those residing in rural areas.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We observed that 31 % of the TB patients and household contacts are infected with parasites including P. falciparum, Loa loa and Since helminths can downregulate immune responses against bacterial infections and thus affect treatment efficacy, we recommend that diagnosis of parasitic infections should be included during TB diagnosis and treatment programmes, especially in rural areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00409"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7617333/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143047534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emerging malaria in Indonesia: An overview of Plasmodium knowlesi infections","authors":"Nisa Fauziah ,&nbsp;Karomahul Malaya Jati ,&nbsp;Fedri Ruluwedrata Rinawan ,&nbsp;Naufal Fakhri Nugraha ,&nbsp;Bachti Alisjahbana ,&nbsp;Jontari Hutagalung","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Plasmodium knowlesi</em>, the fifth malaria-causing parasite species, is currently changing the landscape of the most dominant malaria-causing species in the Southeast Asia by becoming the emerging significant cause of malaria in the region, including in Indonesia. This study aimed to provide an overview of malaria caused by <em>P. knowlesi</em> in Indonesia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study utilized secondary data from the Indonesian National Referral Malaria Laboratory from 2011 to 2020 for the analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Analysis on 212 samples collected over ten years identified 66 (31.1 %) cases of <em>P. knowlesi</em> infection, with one (0.5 %) mixed infection of <em>P. knowlesi</em> and <em>P. vivax</em>. These cases were reported in seven provinces in Kalimantan and Sumatra islands. Males were 2.23 times more likely to be at risk for malaria compared to females, and this result was statistically significant (<em>p</em>-value = 0.037, 95 % CI: 0.84–5.91). There was no significant association between the risk of malaria and the age groups classified as non-productive and productive (<em>p</em>-value = 0.535, OR = 0.42, 95 % CI: 0.12–1.53). Individuals working outdoors were not significantly more protected compared to those working indoors (p-value of 0.116, OR = 0.15, 95 % CI: 0.02–1.49). The origin of the sample was found to be the most significant factor (p-value &lt;0.001), with individuals from Kalimantan having the highest risk for malaria caused by <em>P. knowlesi</em> (OR = 3.97, 95 % CI: 2.10–7.49).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Two major Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, which reported malaria cases during the period studied, exhibit a potential risk for <em>P. knowlesi</em> infections that is influenced by factors beyond natural hosts and vectors, such as sex, age, and occupation. Routine PCR examinations for suspected <em>P. knowlesi</em> infections are crucial for developing effective strategies to identify and control this simian malaria parasite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Residual transmission of schistosomiasis in Ndikinimeki Health District (Centre Region, Cameroon) despite implementation of complementary control strategies: Prospects for elimination","authors":"Hervé Kengne Fogang ,&nbsp;Hugues C. Nana Djeunga ,&nbsp;Alvine C. Kengne-Fokam ,&nbsp;Murielle C. Tchami Mbagnia ,&nbsp;Flobert Njiokou ,&nbsp;Dickson S. Nsagha ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Yenshu ,&nbsp;Joseph Kamgno","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Schistosomiasis control currently relies on school-based preventive chemotherapy (PC) with praziquantel, which has been proven, unfortunately, insufficient to interrupt disease transmission in areas with persistent transmission. In the Ndikinimeki Health District (Centre Region, Cameroon), complementary strategies (community-based preventive chemotherapy, water sanitation, hygiene, and health education) have also been implemented to accelerate the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in this focus. The assessment of the impact of this package of interventions revealed that only a few individuals were still infected with <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em>. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate whether schistosomiasis transmission has been interrupted in the Ndikinimeki Health District by assessing the infection among the population of snails, intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis. A cross-sectional malacological survey was conducted in four health areas of the Ndikinimeki Health District using a standardized technique. Collected snails were transported to the laboratory, where they were identified and exposed to sunlight for cercarial shedding. Overall, 350 snails intermediate hosts of schistosomes were collected in 32 sampling sites. A total of 330 (94.3 %) were identified as <em>Biomphalaria pfeifferi</em> and <em>Biomphalaria camerunensis</em>, and 20 (5.7 %) as <em>Bulinus forskalii.</em> Of the 154 snails that survived during 30 days of follow-up, 16 (10.4 %; 95 % CI: 6.5–16.2) shed cercariae, the infection rate being quite heterogeneous between snails' species and communities. This study revealed a residual transmission of schistosomiasis in the snail populations, emphasizing the need for snail control to complement current interventions and accelerate schistosomiasis transmission interruption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00410"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of molecular approach in combination with providing treatment and control measures for combating Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infections in small scale livestock farms in Thailand","authors":"Nutsuda Klinkaew ,&nbsp;Pairpailin Jhaiaun ,&nbsp;Giang Thi Nguyen ,&nbsp;Ruttayaporn Ngasaman ,&nbsp;Domechai Keawnoi ,&nbsp;Niorn Rattanapob ,&nbsp;Pipat Arunvipas ,&nbsp;Meyanee Kanjanaphan ,&nbsp;Nuttapon Manojai ,&nbsp;Suwitcha Panchakhan ,&nbsp;Julaluk Jaiboon ,&nbsp;Piyavadee Numnual ,&nbsp;Prattana Tong-in ,&nbsp;Thongphanchang Khanthong ,&nbsp;Paween Srirarai ,&nbsp;Chutima Chantarakot ,&nbsp;Pattarakitti Noenchat ,&nbsp;Jaroonwit Napornram ,&nbsp;Somtat Yangsuk ,&nbsp;Tanakrit Cham-iam ,&nbsp;Ketsarin Kamyingkird","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00403","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that is caused by apicomplexan protozoan parasite in the genus of &lt;em&gt;Babesia. Babesia&lt;/em&gt; infections affect cattle health, reduce milk and meat production and lead to economic losses in tropical and subtropical countries. &lt;em&gt;Babesia&lt;/em&gt; parasites are difficult to diagnose in the early stage of infections during low parasitemia and asymptomatic conditions led to the lack of treatment and control at the early stage of infection. This study aimed to integrate a molecular tool for the detection and genetic characterization of &lt;em&gt;Babesia (B.) bovis and B. bigemina&lt;/em&gt; in small-scale livestock farming in Thailand, and to study the risk factors association with &lt;em&gt;Babesia&lt;/em&gt; infections in small scale livestock farms in Thailand. This study was conducted in four regions of Thailand between June 2023 and January 2024. Dairy and beef cattle blood samples were collected, genomic DNA were extracted and nested PCRs were performed. Data associated with &lt;em&gt;Babesia&lt;/em&gt; infections were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and interview. Nested PCR targeting &lt;em&gt;B. bovis&lt;/em&gt; spherical binding protein 4 (&lt;em&gt;SBP4&lt;/em&gt;) and &lt;em&gt;B. bigemina&lt;/em&gt; rhoptries associating protein 1a (&lt;em&gt;Rap1a&lt;/em&gt;) genes were performed and direct sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted. Risk factors association with &lt;em&gt;Babesia&lt;/em&gt; infections were analyzed. PCR results, chemotherapeutic treatment options, and vector control suggestions were also reported to local veterinarians and farmers within 14 days. A total of 964 livestock blood samples were collected from 126 small scale farms in four regions of Thailand. &lt;em&gt;B. bovis&lt;/em&gt; infection was predominant in buffalo (31.25 %), followed by dairy cattle (11.44 %) and beef cattle (7.47 %). &lt;em&gt;B. bigemina&lt;/em&gt; infection was predominant in goats (53.33 %), followed by beef cattle (25.33 %) and dairy cattle (8.88 %). Mixed infection was also detected in beef and dairy cattle at 2.09 % and 1.58 %, respectively. Molecular characterization of &lt;em&gt;B. bovis SBP4&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;B. bigemina RAP1a&lt;/em&gt; sequences showed that &lt;em&gt;B. bigemina&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;B. bovis&lt;/em&gt; Thai isolates were closely related among geographical areas and shared genetic similarity among different hosts but were genetically distinct from &lt;em&gt;B. bigemina&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;B. bovis&lt;/em&gt; from other countries. Risk factor analysis identified five factors associated with &lt;em&gt;B. bovis&lt;/em&gt; infection and one factor associated with &lt;em&gt;B. bigemina&lt;/em&gt; infection in small-scale livestock farming in Thailand. All the farmers were very satisfied with the integrative approach. This study implemented sensitive and specific nested PCR methods for the detection of &lt;em&gt;Babesia&lt;/em&gt; in livestock. Applying an integrative approach by providing a sensitive diagnostic tool for identification of the infected animals and providing proper treatment and control measures to local farmers help combating babesiosis in small s","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11750565/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143025185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of CβS and ODC antimony resistance markers in anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis field isolates by gene expression profiling","authors":"Farzaneh Zarrinkar ,&nbsp;Iraj Sharifi ,&nbsp;Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee ,&nbsp;Ali Afgar ,&nbsp;Elaheh Molaakbari ,&nbsp;Mehdi Bamorovat ,&nbsp;Zahra Babaei ,&nbsp;Ebrahim Eskandari ,&nbsp;Ehsan Salarkia ,&nbsp;Marzieh Asadi","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00413","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00413","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antiparasitic resistance represents a serious global public health concern with tremendous economic and safety implications. This study intended to investigate the expression of the two major resistant markers: cystathionine β synthase (CβS) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in antimony unresponsive <em>Leishmania tropica</em> isolates compared to responsive ones. Twenty-six patients were randomly selected from widely known foci of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeastern Iran. Written informed consent of the patients was obtained. Two smears were prepared from the edge of each active lesion; one for microscopic direct smear preparation and the other for inoculation into monophasic NNN media, then for mass production of promastigotes into RPMI-1640 monophasic culture for performing nested PCR and gene expression quantification by real-time PCR. Twenty-six patients consisting of 13 unresponsive and 13 responsive equally distributed among female and male groups. All cases were identified to be <em>L. tropica.</em> Both resistant gene markers were significantly up-regulated in unresponsive and responsive isolates. The findings showed that CβS and ODC are directly linked with the resistance to L. <em>tropica.</em> Alternative drugs or combination therapy and monitoring drug resistance to prevent the spread of resistant isolates are proper strategies to control the disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00413"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A ten-year evaluation of central nervous system cystic echinococcosis in a highly endemic area of Iran: Molecular epidemiology and clinicopathological characteristics","authors":"Mohsen Najjari ,&nbsp;Ali Dehesht Manesh ,&nbsp;Shahab Rezaeian ,&nbsp;Bibi Razieh Hosseini Farrash ,&nbsp;Mohammad Ali Mohammadi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Ebrahimipour","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cystic echinococcosis can involve various organs in humans with the brain and spine being particularly vulnerable. This research aimed to study clinicopathological features and molecular analysis of the central nervous system (CNS) echinococcosis cases in a central hospital for hydatid cyst surgery in northeastern Iran. CNS echinococcosis cases from surgically managed human CE cases at Ghaem hospital in northeastern Iran were analyzed from 2012 to 2022. Demographic and clinicopathological data were collected for CNS echinococcosis cases and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks were used for molecular analysis. The total prevalence of CNS echinococcosis cases was 1. 8 %. Most of the CE cases were reported in women (64. 7 %) and from rural areas (58. 8 %). The highest number of cases (41. 2 %) were aged ≤18 years, with majority being ranchers (47. 1 %). Thirteen cases (76.5 %) were found to have cysts in their brain, particularly in the supratentorial site. Headache was the most commonly reported sign in cases (9/13, 69.2 %). Infiltration of eosinophils, polymorphic inflammatory cells, and giant cells, gliosis, and foreign body granulomatous reaction, along with mild infiltration of mononuclear cells showing degeneration and necrotic foci in the brain infections. Spine infections included bone cartilage, ligaments, and hydatid cyst wall fragments. PCR analysis conducted on 17 samples revealed the presence of 13 isolates of <em>E. granulosus sensu lato.</em> Among these, 11 were classified within the <em>E. granulosus sensu stricto</em> (G1 and/or G3) complex, while 2 isolates were identified as belonging to the <em>E. canadensis</em> G6/G7. Cerebrospinal infection is a significant aspect of CE cases in northcentral Iran, with a higher prevalence among women and in rural areas. Children were the most affected age group, with the <em>E. granulosus s.s.</em> genotypes being the most common.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e00414"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}