Food and Waterborne Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Advancing schistosomiasis monitoring through optimised environmental DNA detection","authors":"Cecilia Wangari Wambui ,&nbsp;Mila Viaene ,&nbsp;Hannah Njiriku Mwangi ,&nbsp;Benjamin André ,&nbsp;David Were Oguttu ,&nbsp;Casim Umba Tolo ,&nbsp;Bart Hellemans ,&nbsp;Tine Huyse ,&nbsp;Hugo F. Gante","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Schistosomiasis, caused by parasites of the genus <em>Schistosoma</em>, remains a major public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly where access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is limited. Effective control requires large-scale surveillance, but traditional methods such as malacological surveys, and stool or urine microscopy often lack sensitivity and scalability. This study evaluated environmental DNA-based detection of <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> in water samples from Lake Albert and Lake Victoria, Uganda. Three filtration techniques (open membrane, Waterra eDNA capsule, and Sylphium eDNA Dual filter capsule), were compared for eDNA yield and detection sensitivity. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial gene was used to quantify <em>S. mansoni</em> eDNA, following in silico and in vitro primer optimisation. Conventional malacological surveys were conducted in parallel for validation. Statistical analyses further examined associations between eDNA yield, detectability, and environmental factors. The qPCR assay had a practical limit of detection (LOD) of 100 DNA copies per reaction and a theoretical LOD/limit of quantification of 83 copies. <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> eDNA was detected in 26 % (15/58) of samples from Lake Albert and 24 % (27/113) from Lake Victoria. Waterra filters yielded the most eDNA, and Sylphium purification produced significantly greater yields than column-based extraction kits. Both filter type and eDNA yield significantly influenced <em>S. mansoni</em> detection: Waterra and Sylphium-single filters had the highest amplification probabilities (∼40 %), while open membrane filters performed poorly (∼3 %). eDNA yield was a strong predictor of detection, with the odds of positivity increasing by ∼0.8 % per additional nanogram of eDNA. Among positive samples, Waterra filters produced the lowest mean Ct values, indicating greater recovery of amplifiable parasite DNA. Conversely, open membrane filters were the most affect by field contamination. Our findings highlight eDNA as a sensitive and scalable tool for surveillance of schistosomiasis and other water-borne parasitic diseases. While higher-capacity filters and two-phase extraction methods maximised eDNA yield, lower-yield methods still enabled detection in high-transmission settings. A comparative analysis of sampling effort, costs and contamination and infection risks is presented. Overall, our results support the adaptability of eDNA approaches across resource contexts and underscore the need for protocol standardisation, ecological validation, and field-deployable diagnostics such as LAMP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00313"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First report of viable Toxoplasma gondii isolation from African lions (Panthera leo): Evidence for their status as intermediate hosts","authors":"Bingyan Guo ,&nbsp;Chaowu Fu ,&nbsp;Shujuan Qin ,&nbsp;Sihao Li ,&nbsp;Mingge Mu ,&nbsp;Yurong Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00317","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00317","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> can cause lifelong infection in most definitive and intermediate hosts. Serological evidence of <em>T. gondii</em> infection has been documented in both captive and free-ranging lions. We collected samples from 40 captive African lions (<em>Panthera leo</em>) in China from 2017 to 2025 and investigated <em>T. gondii</em> in these animals via serological, bioassay, and molecular methods. The overall prevalence of <em>T. gondii</em> in the 40 lions was 45.0% (95% CI: 30.70–60.18%). Sex, age, phenotype, and sampling date were not risk factors for susceptibility to <em>T. gondii</em> infection. A viable <em>T. gondii</em> isolate (designated as TgLionCHn1) was obtained from the tissues of one lion via mouse bioassay and amplified by in vitro cultivation. Parasite DNA was extracted from the cell culture, and the genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using 10 genetic markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22–8, c29–2, L358, PK1, and Apico) and two virulence genes (ROP18/ROP5). The genotype of the <em>T. gondii</em> isolate TgLionCHn1 (designated as ToxoDB #348) exhibited a previously unreported ROP18/ROP5 allelic combination (2/1). Mice infected with ≥1 tachyzoite died from acute toxoplasmosis at 9.2 ± 0.6 days post infection, indicating that TgLionCHn1 is virulent in mice. Our assessment of this viable isolate from the tissues of a dead lion provides the first direct evidence that a lion can serve as an intermediate host for <em>T. gondii</em>. Seropositive lions may shed <em>T. gondii</em> oocysts, highlighting zoonotic risks in zoo environments and the need for improved biosecurity measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00317"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146167076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial Board Page","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S2405-6766(26)00012-0","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S2405-6766(26)00012-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00326"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147396801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular characteristics of Sarcocystis spp. in sheep from slaughterhouse in Xinjiang, China","authors":"Yafei Zhao ,&nbsp;Qiong Zhang ,&nbsp;Wenxuan Ma ,&nbsp;Yongqiang He ,&nbsp;Aiyun Zhao ,&nbsp;Meng Qi ,&nbsp;Hui Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00318","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00318","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Sarcocystis</em> is an important zoonotic protozoan parasites. This study collected 354 tissue samples (22 skeletal muscle samples, 74 diaphragm samples, 171 heart samples, and 87 esophagus samples) from 354 sheep across seven slaughterhouses in seven cities of Xinjiang. Screening for <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. was performed using PCR targeting the <em><em>18S rRNA</em></em> gene, with confirmation PCR targeting the <em><em>COX 1</em></em> gene. The infection rate was determined to be 30.2% (107/354). All seven cities tested positive for <em>Sarcocystis</em>, with the highest infection rate in Tacheng (95.5%, 21/22) and the lowest infection rate in Kuqa (9.2%, 9/98). The infection rates by tissue were as follows: 95.5% (21/22) in skeletal muscles, 40.5% (30/74) in diaphragm, 24.0% (41/171) in heart, and 17.2% (15/87) in esophageal, respectively. Two <em>Sarcocystis</em> species were identified from the 107 positive samples: <em>S. tenella</em> (<em>n</em> = 106) and <em>S. arieticanis</em> (n = 1). Five genotypes of <em>S. tenella</em> and one genotype of <em>S. arieticanis</em> were identified, all of which clustered closely with previously discovered isolates. These results enhance our understanding of the epidemiological status of <em>Sarcocystis</em> in sheep in Xinjiang.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00318"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146167262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular detection and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in cats and dogs from metropolitan areas of Bangladesh","authors":"Ainun Nahar ,&nbsp;Md. Farhan Hasan ,&nbsp;Anas Bin Harun ,&nbsp;Abdullah Al Bayazid ,&nbsp;Tania Sultana ,&nbsp;Jinnat Rehena ,&nbsp;Joynti Saha ,&nbsp;S.H.M. Faruk Siddiki ,&nbsp;Md. Mizanur Rahman ,&nbsp;Md. Ataur Rahman ,&nbsp;Md Robiul Karim","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00314","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00314","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> are intestinal protozoan parasites of zoonotic concern that cause gastrointestinal diseases in humans and various animals, including cats and dogs. This study investigates the prevalence, risk factors, and genetic diversity of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>G. duodenalis</em> in domestic cats and dogs in Bangladesh to assess their zoonotic potential. Fecal samples were collected from 197 cats and 120 dogs in Dhaka and Gazipur metropolitan areas. We performed nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (<em>SSU rRNA</em>) gene for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> and the β-giardin (<em>bg</em>), glutamate dehydrogenase (<em>gdh</em>), and triosephosphate isomerase (<em>tpi</em>) genes for <em>G. duodenalis</em>, followed by nucleotide sequencing and analysis. The overall prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> was 8.1 % in cats and 4.2 % in dogs, whereas <em>G. duodenalis</em> was more common, detected in 29.9 % of cats and 25 % of dogs. Among examined variables, only sex and food types were significantly associated with <em>G. duodenalis</em> infection in dogs and cats, respectively. Molecular analysis identified three <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. in cats, including <em>C. felis</em> (81.3 %), <em>C. baileyi</em> (12.5 %), and <em>C. canis</em> (6.3 %), whereas 100 % of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> isolates from dogs were identified as <em>C. canis</em>. Multilocus genotyping of <em>G. duodenalis</em> revealed both host-adapted and zoonotic assemblages. Assemblage A predominated in both cats and dogs, followed by F and C in cats and C and D in dogs, with mixed infections observed in both hosts. The detection of zoonotic species and assemblages underscores the potential role of cats and dogs as reservoirs for human infection. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring intestinal protozoa in companion animals and promoting appropriate hygiene practices within a One Health framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00314"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145885124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New insights into trematode infections in cattle and their snail intermediate hosts in a Mediterranean area of Italy","authors":"Lavinia Ciuca ,&nbsp;Maria Paola Maurelli ,&nbsp;Antonio Bosco ,&nbsp;Ines Hammami ,&nbsp;Paola Vitiello ,&nbsp;Mita Eva Sengupta ,&nbsp;Anna-Sofie Stensgaard ,&nbsp;Laura Rinaldi","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated snails collected from eleven cattle farms in a Mediterranean area of southern Italy, where <em>Fasciola hepatica</em> (liver fluke) and <em>Calicophoron daubneyi</em> (rumen fluke) are known to occur. A total of 319 snails were collected from various aquatic habitats across the selected farms and identified using morphological and molecular analysis. BLAST analysis revealed two snail species: <em>Galba truncatula</em> (56.7 %) and <em>Physella acuta</em> (43.3 %). Statistical analyses revealed that shell and aperture lengths differed significantly between the two snail species. A subset of 130 snails was tested for the presence of <em>F. hepatica</em> and <em>C. daubneyi</em> DNA. Snails were initially tested in pools of ten individuals per species and single snails from positive pools were subsequently examined individually. <em>Fasciola hepatica</em> DNA was detected exclusively in <em>G. truncatula</em>, whereas <em>C. daubneyi</em> DNA was found in both <em>G. truncatula</em> and <em>P. acuta</em>. In addition, a total of 84 adult liver flukes were collected from cattle on seven of the eleven farms, morphometrically characterized, and molecularly confirmed as <em>F. hepatica</em>. The concurrent detection of fluke eggs in cattle faeces, adult flukes in livers and fluke DNA in snails suggests that active transmission is ongoing on these farms. <em>Galba truncatula</em>, already established as the main intermediate host for both <em>F. hepatica</em> and <em>C. daubneyi</em> in Europe, was confirmed in this study as naturally infected with both flukes under Italian field conditions. Broader seasonal surveys are warranted to better define infection dynamics. In contrast, the detection of <em>C. daubneyi</em> DNA in <em>P. acuta</em> requires experimental confirmation of cercarial shedding and infectivity to the definitive host to determine its actual role in fluke transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00312"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clonorchis sinensis promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via a potential PTTG1-β-catenin-c-MYC axis","authors":"Tai-Xin Yang ,&nbsp;Jie Zhang ,&nbsp;Min-Jun Li ,&nbsp;Jin-Du Li ,&nbsp;Shuang Shen ,&nbsp;Ting Lu ,&nbsp;Guo-Dong Yang ,&nbsp;Qiu-Yan Wang ,&nbsp;Yu Wang ,&nbsp;Tai Luo ,&nbsp;Yang-Song Lin ,&nbsp;Yue Deng ,&nbsp;Ming-Jian Huang ,&nbsp;Jun-Liang Nong ,&nbsp;Bang-De Xiang ,&nbsp;Wen-Feng Gong","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Clonorchis sinensis</em> (<em>C. sinensis</em>) infection is a recognized risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is linked to poor overall survival. To explore the underlying mechanisms, RNA sequencing was conducted on HCC tissues from <em>C. sinensis</em>-positive and <em>C. sinensis</em>-negative patients, revealing significant upregulation of pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicated activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Functional assays demonstrated that PTTG1 overexpression promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and sphere formation, while PTTG1 knockdown suppressed these processes. Excretory-secretory products (ESP) from <em>C. sinensis</em> enhanced PTTG1 expression and partially restored malignant phenotypes in PTTG1-deficient cells. In vivo, PTTG1 overexpression accelerated tumor growth in subcutaneous models, and ESP treatment elevated the protein levels of PTTG1, β-catenin, c-MYC, and CD44. Immunohistochemistry confirmed higher expression of these markers in both human <em>C. sinensis</em>-positive HCC tissues and a rat model of <em>C. sinensis</em>-associated HCC. These findings suggest that <em>C. sinensis</em> infection promotes HCC malignancy and stemness via ESP-induced PTTG1 expression, potentially through Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its downstream targets, including c-MYC and CD44, particularly in the context of the specific carcinogen-driven models used in this study. Further exploration of the PTTG1 pathway may offer insights into potential therapeutic strategies for <em>C. sinensis</em>-associated HCC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00320"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147327571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fish-borne trematode metacercarial infections as bioindicators for heavy-metal contamination in cyprinoid fish from Northeastern Thailand","authors":"Lakhanawan Charoensuk ,&nbsp;Chadon Nakmai ,&nbsp;Picha Suwannahitatorn ,&nbsp;Krissada Namboonrueng ,&nbsp;Somchai Pinlaor ,&nbsp;Suksanti Prakobwong","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00321","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00321","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Southeast Asia, consumption of raw or undercooked cyprinoid fish poses dual health concerns: transmission of zoonotic fish-borne trematodes (FBTs) and exposure to heavy metals that have bioaccumulated in fish. We investigated the association between heavy-metal contamination and FBT metacercarial infections in cyprinoid fish from canals connected to the Huay Luang River, Udon Thani Province, Thailand, during the 2024 rainy season. In total, 1377 fish were examined for metacercariae using the pepsin digestion method. Concentrations of five heavy-metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb) were quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in infected fish, uninfected fish, water, sediment, and <em>Bithynia</em> snails. The overall prevalence of infection was 8.5%, with mean intensities of 1.6–3.6 metacercariae/infected fish. Infected fish contained significantly higher Cd (1.63 ppm), Cu (11.06 ppm), and Zn (68.51 ppm) than uninfected fish (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.001). Pearson correlation revealed positive associations between metacercarial prevalence and all metal concentrations, except Pb (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Multivariable regression identified Cd as the strongest predictor of infection intensity, with each 1-ppm increase associated with 5.36 additional metacercariae/infected fish (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Bioaccumulation factors were higher in infected fish for Cd (ratio 1.3), Zn (ratio 1.6), and Cu (ratio 1.4) compare to uninfected fish, while Pb was lower. Spatial analysis identified three sites where elevated Cd overlapped with high parasite intensity. These findings establish FBT metacercariae as site-specific bioindicators of heavy-metal accumulation, highlighting the public-health risk from co-exposure and their potential use in food safety and ecosystem monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00321"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147349533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative taxonomy uncovers Clinostomum chaacci and an unidentified congeneric metacercaria infecting Hoplosternum littorale (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) in the Peruvian Amazon Basin","authors":"J.D. Chero ,&nbsp;L.A. Ñacari ,&nbsp;G.A. Murrieta Morey ,&nbsp;C.L. Cruces ,&nbsp;E. Cacique ,&nbsp;N. Huaman ,&nbsp;D. Lopez ,&nbsp;A. Mondragón-Martínez ,&nbsp;R. Martínez-Rojas ,&nbsp;J. Yunis-Aguinaga","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00306","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00306","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Clinostomum</em> Leidy, 1856 is a cosmopolitan genus of digenean trematodes whose metacercariae commonly infect freshwater fishes and amphibians as second intermediate hosts. In South America, the diversity and taxonomy of <em>Clinostomum</em> metacercariae remain poorly understood, due in part to the morphological similarity of larval stages and the scarcity of molecular data. This study provides the first integrative evidence of two phylogenetically distinct <em>Clinostomum</em> lineages infecting the callichthyid catfish <em>Hoplosternum littorale</em> (Hancock, 1828) (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae), a benthic catfish of commercial and subsistence importance in the Peruvian Amazon. Morphological analyses (light and scanning electron microscopy) combined with molecular data from mitochondrial (cox1) and nuclear (28S rDNA) market revealed two lineages with clear genetic differentiation. Specimens from Loreto were conspecific with <em>Clinostomum chaacci</em> Sereno-Uribe, López-Jiménez, González-García, Ortega-Olivares &amp; García-Varela, 2025, previously reported from several fish hosts across Central and South America, whereas those from Ucayali formed a distinct and highly divergent lineage (11.9–12.7 % cox1 divergence) closely related to <em>Clinostomum</em> L1, representing a potentially undescribed species. The detection of <em>C</em>. <em>chaacci</em> in <em>H. littorale</em> constitutes a new host record and expands the known distribution of this species to the western Amazon Basin. The detection of <em>Clinostomum</em> metacercariae in fish muscle tissue raises potential zoonotic concerns, especially in regions where raw or undercooked fish is consumed. These findings underscore the need for integrative taxonomic approaches to unravel hidden diversity in <em>Clinostomum</em> and emphasize the need for broader parasitological surveys and public health awareness in Amazonian communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00306"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145842010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in Iberian pork and its association with pig seropositivity","authors":"Daniel Berdejo ,&nbsp;Paula Nieto ,&nbsp;Mª. Jesús Gracia ,&nbsp;Ignacio de Blas ,&nbsp;Sara Remón ,&nbsp;Regina Lázaro ,&nbsp;Susana Bayarri","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00308","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00308","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pork is recognized as a major source of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> infection in humans. Although the potential association between seropositivity in white pigs and the presence of <em>T. gondii</em> in their meat has been investigated, corresponding information on the Iberian pig breed is still limited. In this study, we investigated the presence of <em>T. gondii</em> in Iberian pork and assessed its correlation with individual serological profiles to evaluate whether antibody titres can serve as indicators of meat contamination. We tested the sera of 238 Iberian pigs from three southwestern Spanish provinces (Badajoz, Cáceres, and Córdoba) using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and analyzed matched diaphragm samples by quantitative PCR (qPCR) for <em>T. gondii</em> DNA detection. Serological analysis revealed an overall seropositivity rate of 46.22 %, with significant regional differences (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.050). Córdoba exhibited the highest seropositivity (57.89 %), followed by Cáceres (48.38 %) and Badajoz (35.71 %). Concurrently, <em>T. gondii</em> DNA was present in 14.29 % of the diaphragm samples, with parasite loads ranging from 78.56 to 219.09 parasites/g. A statistically significant correlation (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001) was observed between grouped IFA titres (&lt;1:20, 1:20–1:40, ≥1:80) and qPCR positivity in the corresponding diaphragm samples. Notably, the proportion of animals with titres ≥1:80 closely matched the rate of qPCR-positive meat samples. We concluded that this serological threshold can serve as an effective screening tool to discriminate animals that are at a higher risk of harboring the parasite, thereby improving food safety within the HACCP-based safety system at the slaughterhouse and in the meat industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00308"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145760731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}