Food and Waterborne Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Molecular identification and genotyping of Blastocystis in farmed Cattle, Goats, and Pigs from Zhejiang Province, China","authors":"Wei Zhao ,&nbsp;Lijie Sun ,&nbsp;Yanbin Sun ,&nbsp;Xinyi Fu ,&nbsp;Shiyang Ma ,&nbsp;Jiayin Zhang ,&nbsp;Baolong Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Blastocystis</em> is a genus of parasitic protozoa that parasitize/colonize humans and animals gastrointestinal tract. The current study performed a molecular survey of <em>Blastocystis</em> in farm cattle (<em>Bos tarurs</em>), goats (<em>Capra hircus</em>), and pigs (<em>Susscrofa domestica</em>) raised in different cities in Zhejiang Province of China to better understand the epidemiology of <em>Blastocystis</em> in the animals of this region. A total of 859 fresh fecal samples were collected from 265 cattle, 386 goats, and 208 pigs. All these samples were screened for the detection of <em>Blastocystis</em> by amplifying the small subunit ribosomal RNA (<em>SSU rRNA</em>) gene <em>via</em> PCR and Sanger sequencing. Of the 859 samples tested, 12.1 % (104) were positive for <em>Blastocystis</em>, with cattle showing a prevalence of 19.6 % (52/265), goats with 11.4 % (44/386), and pigs with 3.8 % (8/208). Eight different subtypes of <em>Blastocystis</em> were found: ST10 (<em>n</em> = 51), ST5 (<em>n</em> = 11), ST12 (<em>n</em> = 9), ST14 (<em>n</em> = 8), ST21 (<em>n</em> = 8), ST23 (<em>n</em> = 7), ST26 (<em>n</em> = 6), and ST4 (<em>n</em> = 4). Cattle carried seven (ST5, ST10, ST12, ST14, ST21, ST23, and ST26), whereas goats harbored eight (ST4, ST5, ST10, ST12, ST14, ST21, ST23, and ST26) subtypes. All pig-derived <em>Blastocystis</em> isolates belonged only to ST5. These results are significant as they indicate that cattle, goats, and pigs in Zhejiang Province, China, harbor various subtypes of <em>Blastocystis</em>, which enhances our understanding of the distribution of <em>Blastocystis</em> among these hosts in China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00280"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780378","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":"Isolation, genotyping and phenotyping Toxoplasma gondii in Europe – A critical perspective","authors":"Aleksandra Uzelac,&nbsp;Olgica Djurković-Djaković","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00279","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00279","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is a zoonotic parasite of worldwide distribution which can be transmitted from host to host, by consumption of raw or undercooked meat and vertically, or via the environment to the host. The genus <em>Toxoplasma</em> of the phylum Apicomplexa is represented by just the one species, <em>T. gondii</em>, which encompasses a multitude of genotypes of different virulence phenotypes. Understanding and importantly, the aim to predict the manifestations and outcome of infection in the human host, fueled the effort to isolate and genetically characterize the parasite over several decades. Early genotyping was heavily focused on humans and food animals. Over time and with the implementation of the One Health approach, the entire chain of transmission, which encompasses wildlife and the environment, has been included. Since the 1990s there has been a tremendous increase in knowledge of the parasite's genetic diversity–both at a low and high level of resolution–worldwide. The data has provided a new epidemiological perspective on <em>T. gondii</em> and fostered the development of molecular detection tools with source attribution capabilities, as well as strategies for environmental surveillance and transmission prevention. The genotyping effort in Europe delivered much of the data available today and sophisticated high resolution genotyping methods based on microsatellite (MS) analysis and rapid whole genome sequencing (WGS) were developed. After over two decades of genotyping <em>T. gondii</em> in Europe, we here present an overview of what has been learned and where do we go from here.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00279"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144721327","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":"Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in humans and dogs from Fujian Province, Southeast China","authors":"Si-Ang Li ,&nbsp;Yu-Ling Lin ,&nbsp;Yun-Peng Bai ,&nbsp;Fuli Wen ,&nbsp;Li-Yuan Huang ,&nbsp;Wen-Yuan Miao ,&nbsp;Dong-Hui Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00278","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00278","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> are two well-known protist pathogens which can result in diarrhea in humans and animals. The two parasites have been detected in humans and dogs worldwide with diverse species and genotypes of various levels and zoonotic potential and public health concern. This investigation aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>G. duodenalis</em> in humans and dogs in Fujian province, China. A total of 1149 fecal samples (643 from humans and 506 from dogs) were collected from nine districts in Fujian Province. Detection of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> was performed using nested PCR targeting the <em>SSU rRNA</em> gene, while <em>G. duodenalis</em> was detected by amplification three genes including the beta-giardin, glutamate dehydrogenase, and triosephosphate isomerase. No <em>Cryptosporidium</em> or <em>G. duodenalis</em> were detected in any of the human samples tested. In contrast, the prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> in dog samples was found to be 1.2 % (6/506), while the infection rate of <em>G. duodenalis</em> was detected in 0.4 % (2/506) of the dog samples. According to the age analysis, all samples infected with <em>Cryptosporidium</em> 2.2 % (6/268) and <em>G. duodenalis</em> 0.8 % (2/268) were from dogs ≤1 year. Sex-based analysis indicated that the infection rate of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> was slightly higher in male dogs (1.2 %, 3/248) compared to female dogs (1.2 %, 3/258). Additionally, <em>G. duodenalis</em> was detected in 0.8 % (2/248) of male dogs, while no positive samples were observed in female dogs. Phylogenetic analyses further identified <em>C. canis</em>, a zoonotic species of <em>Cryptosporidium</em>, as well as two zoonotic assemblages (C and D) of <em>G. duodenalis</em>. These results provide preliminary reference data for monitoring <em>Cryptosporidium</em> and <em>G. duodenalis</em> infections in both humans and dogs, and also offer essential support for future prospective studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00278"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144713280","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":"Survival and infectivity of Paragonimus westermani Metacercariae in soy sauce–marinated crayfish","authors":"Eun-Min Kim ,&nbsp;Yan Jin ,&nbsp;Sung-Tae Hong","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00277","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00277","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Paragonimus westermani</em>, a zoonotic lung fluke, causes respiratory symptoms resembling tuberculosis. In Asia, human infections typically occur through the consumption of raw or marinated freshwater crabs or crayfish containing <em>P. westermani</em> metacercariae. With increasing global food trade and occasional exposure during international travel, cases have been reported in non-endemic regions, raising significant food safety concerns. In this study, naturally infected freshwater crayfish (<em>Cambaroides similis</em>) were collected from Haenam, South Korea. Crayfish were marinated in soy sauce containing either 10 % or 20 % sodium chloride (NaCl) and stored at 4 °C for 1–60 days. <em>P. westermani</em> metacercariae were recovered at each time point and morphologically classified as viable, borderline (uncertain viability), or dead. To assess infectivity, 100 <em>P. westermani</em> metacercariae from each group were orally inoculated into beagle dogs (<em>n</em> = 3 per group), and worm recovery was assessed after 12 weeks. After 14 days of marination, the survival rates of <em>P. westermani</em> metacercariae were 83.3 % in 10 % NaCl and 2.0 % in 20 % NaCl soy sauce. Complete inactivation occurred after 60 days in 10 % NaCl and 30 days in 20 % NaCl. Infectivity tests showed worm recovery rates of 82.5 % (viable), 33.7 % (borderline), and 0 % (dead). These findings indicate that even high-salt, cold-storage marination does not guarantee parasite inactivation. Viable <em>P. westermani</em> metacercariae can persist in marinated crayfish under commonly used culinary conditions. These results underscore the risk of foodborne lung fluke infections and emphasize the need for clearer public health guidance regarding the consumption of undercooked or inadequately processed freshwater crustaceans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00277"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780377","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":"The life cycle of the potentially zoonotic trematode Metagonimus romanicus (Digenea: Heterophyidae): New insights from published and original data","authors":"Mikuláš Oros ,&nbsp;Miroslava Soldánová ,&nbsp;Daniel Barčák ,&nbsp;Petra Kundid ,&nbsp;Caroline Jepkorir Kibet ,&nbsp;Roman Kuchta ,&nbsp;Martina Orosová ,&nbsp;Tomáš Scholz","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00276","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00276","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fish-borne zoonoses are emerging worldwide, and although most human cases remain confined to tropical regions, particularly Southeast and East Asia, a few cases have been reported in Europe. This review summarizes published and new data on the life cycle of <em>Metagonimus romanicus</em> (misidentified as <em>M. yokogawai</em>, a human pathogen common in East Asia), a heterophyid trematode and one of the potentially fish-borne parasites in Europe. <em>Metagonimus romanicus</em> is distributed from the middle Danube in Central Europe (Slovakia) to eastern Ukraine (including the rivers of the Black Sea basin). Its distribution area coincides with that of its first intermediate hosts, the melanopsid snails <em>Microcolpia daudebartii acicularis</em> and <em>Esperiana esperi</em>. While <em>M. romanicus</em> most likely has a strict specificity for its first snail hosts, metacercariae are generalists and have been detected in over 50 freshwater fish species from 18 families, especially leuciscids. Despite its wide distribution and frequent occurrence in freshwater fish, the zoonotic potential of <em>M. romanicus</em> appears to be low. This is probably due to the exclusive localization of the metacercariae in the fish scales rather than musculature, as well as the rare consumption of raw or undercooked fish in Europe. However, some risk remains and a small number of undiagnosed human infections due to accidental ingestion of scales during the preparation and cleaning of fish cannot be ruled out.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00276"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144632142","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 of Dientamoeba fragilis in children in southern Xinjiang, China","authors":"Yafei Zhao ,&nbsp;Wenxuan Ma ,&nbsp;Duoduo Su ,&nbsp;Zhenjie Zhang ,&nbsp;Aiyun Zhao ,&nbsp;Fuchang Yu ,&nbsp;Meng Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Dientamoeba fragilis</em> is a common intestinal parasite in human and animals worldwide. In this study, 609 fecal samples were collected from preschool children in 11 counties in Southern Xinjiang, China. All samples were screened for <em>D. fragilis</em> using PCR targeting <em>SSU</em> rRNA gene, revealing an infection rate of 4.4 % (27/609). Seven of the 11 counties were <em>D. fragilis</em>-positive. The highest infection rate was 15.9 % (10/63) in Yopurga, and the lowest infection rate was 0.9 % (1/109) in Lop. Infection rates in boys and girls were 4.4 % (13/299) and 4.5 % (14/310), respectively. Genetic analysis identified all 27 positive samples as genotype 1. These results confirmed the presence of <em>D. fragilis</em> in children in southern Xinjiang, China. The high degree of sequence homology in the <em>SSU</em> rRNA gene indicates a clonal distribution pattern for <em>D. fragilis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00275"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556872","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":"The transformation of a Cryptosporidium reference microbiology service to tackle the One Health challenge","authors":"Rachel Chalmers ,&nbsp;Guy Robinson ,&nbsp;Harriet Risby ,&nbsp;Kristin Elwin ,&nbsp;Rebecca Howarth ,&nbsp;Felicity Simkin ,&nbsp;Andrew Nelson","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> has a wide range of hosts and routes of transmission, so public health investigations require <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species identification and discriminatory typing to enhance the microbiological evidence provided by routine diagnostic tests. A pioneering seven-locus genotyping scheme, based on multilocus variable number of tandem repeats analysis, has been validated and implemented for <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em> by the national Cryptosporidium Reference Unit for England and Wales. In this paper, the journey to implementation as a service to support disease surveillance, epidemiology and outbreak investigations, and the resultant benefits to public health activities are described.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00274"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556871","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":"Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Italian water buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis): An exploratory haplotype analysis within Bovidae family in the European context","authors":"Isabel Guadano-Procesi ,&nbsp;Antonio Bosco ,&nbsp;Lavinia Ciuca ,&nbsp;Paola Pepe ,&nbsp;Camilla Sangiovanni ,&nbsp;David Di Cave ,&nbsp;Laura Rinaldi ,&nbsp;Federica Berrilli","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microsporidia are an important group of emerging opportunistic parasites in human and non-human animals, with possible zoonotic potential; however, no data are currently available on their presence in commonly farmed species in Italy, particularly regarding <em>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</em> in water buffalo (<em>Bubalus bubalis</em>). This preliminary study investigated the prevalence and genetic variability of <em>E. bieneusi</em> in water buffalo calves in southern Italy. Additionally, given its spread among other members of the Bovidae family, a haplotype-level network analysis was performed using <em>E. bieneusi</em> sequences available in GenBank from two of the most commonly farmed Bovidae species in Europe: cattle (<em>Bos taurus</em>) and water buffalo (<em>B. bubalis</em>). The survey was conducted on four farms between September and December 2023 for a total of 37 buffaloes sampled. DNA extracted from collected faeces was subjected to molecular analysis amplifying ITS region. For the molecular characterization, a phylogenetic analysis was performed by Maximum Likelihood method. For the comparison between our sequences and those available from water buffaloes and cattle from Europe, a haplotype analysis was conducted to obtain a network calculation. Five samples from Italian <em>B. bubalis</em> tested positive for <em>E. bieneusi</em> with an overall prevalence value of 13.5 %. Phylogenetic analysis assigned isolates to three genotypes (YNDCEB-90; A; I) which were shared among different hosts, including humans and clustering in the phylogenetic Group 1 and Group 2. The network analysis identified Hp9 as the most frequently detected haplotype, distributed across multiple countries, including Italy. The second most common haplotype, Hp12, was exclusively found in Italy and Turkey from <em>B. bubalis</em>. The differences in haplotype patterns observed between <em>B. taurus</em> and <em>B. bubalis</em> could shed light on the species-specific interactions of <em>E. bieneusi</em>. The prevalence observed, along with the detection of zoonotic genotypes in water buffaloes, could pose a potential public health concern. The associated risk extends beyond the direct contact with infected animals or their faeces, encompassing possible contamination of the food chain and the environment, including ground and surface water sources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144670874","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":"Cryptosporidium spp. in reptiles: Detection challenges, molecular characterization and zoonotic risk","authors":"Mariana Louro ,&nbsp;Laura Hernandez ,&nbsp;João Antunes ,&nbsp;Luís Madeira de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Isabel Pereira da Fonseca ,&nbsp;Jacinto Gomes","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> genus includes protozoan parasites that pose significant health risks to a wide range of hosts, including reptiles. Understanding their prevalence and molecular characteristics is crucial for addressing the diagnostic challenges and potential zoonotic transmission associated with these organisms. This research focuses on the prevalence and molecular characterization of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. in reptiles, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and potential risks for zoonotic transmission. A total of 43 reptile fecal samples from 14 different species were examined using three diagnostic techniques: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining (MZN), and direct immunofluorescence antibody test (DFA). The findings revealed a positivity rate of 41.9 % (18/43) for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp., with PCR showing the highest sensitivity at 94.4 %, followed by MZN at 61.1 %, and DFA at 33.3 %. Sequence analysis identified six distinct species of <em>Cryptosporidium</em>, including zoonotic species like <em>C. muris</em>, <em>C. tyzzeri</em>, and <em>C. ditrichi</em>, which raises significant public health concerns as reptiles become increasingly popular as pets. The study points out the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods and the need for improved diagnostic approaches, which should include <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species identification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00272"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144255207","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":"Design and immunological evaluation of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Toxoplasma gondii incorporating MIC13, GRA1, and SAG1 antigens in BALB/c mice","authors":"Zahra Hosseininejad ,&nbsp;Ahmad Daryani ,&nbsp;Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi ,&nbsp;Hossein Asgarian-Omran ,&nbsp;Tooran Nayeri ,&nbsp;Samira Dodangeh ,&nbsp;Afsaneh Amouei ,&nbsp;Javad Javidnia ,&nbsp;Sabah Mayahi ,&nbsp;Shahabeddin Sarvi ,&nbsp;Sargis A. Aghayan","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Toxoplasmosis, caused by the apicomplexan parasite <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>, is a globally significant yet neglected disease that can cause serious clinical consequences in humans and extensive losses in the livestock industry. However, no effective vaccine has been provided for this parasite, so this study was designed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a chimeric multi-epitope antigen as a potential toxoplasmosis vaccine candidate in a murine model. The multi-epitope vaccine candidate, designed with bioinformatics tools, MGS: a chimera of <em>T. gondii</em> MIC13, GRA1, and SAG1 antigens, was expressed in <em>Escherichia coli</em> BL21 and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography using a His Ni-NTA column. Mice were immunized with MGS protein alone or adjuvanted with Freund's adjuvant, calcium phosphate (CaPNs), or chitosan (CNs) nano-adjuvants on days 0, 21, and 35. Humoral and cellular immune responses to MGS (alone or adjuvanted with Freund's, CNs, or CaPNs) were compared to control groups (PBS, Freund's alone, CNs alone, CaPNs alone) through ELISA assays. The MGS protein, either alone or formulated with adjuvants, significantly increased specific antibody titers, particularly the IgG2a subtype and the cytokine IFN-γ. The highest levels of total antibodies, IFN-γ, and IL-4 were observed in the MGS-Freund group. It also enhanced the proliferation rate of splenic lymphocytes and improved the survival rate of BALB/c mice following challenge with the RH strain of <em>Toxoplasma</em>. The findings demonstrate that the MGS protein significantly enhances both Th1 and Th2 immune responses in experimental groups. These results support the efficacy of multi-epitope vaccines as a promising strategy for the development of effective vaccines against toxoplasmosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00269"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144222208","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}