Food and Waterborne Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Bioassay of the infectivity of heat-treated Toxoplasma gondii cysts in susceptible C57BL/6J mice","authors":"Zhao Li ,&nbsp;Tao Li ,&nbsp;Lian-Tao Yang ,&nbsp;Cai-Qin Deng ,&nbsp;Qi-Xin Liu ,&nbsp;Qin-Zhang ,&nbsp;Ling Wu ,&nbsp;Yue Sun ,&nbsp;Feng-Cai Zou ,&nbsp;Xue Zhou ,&nbsp;Qi-Shuai Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00315","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is a significant foodborne parasite. However, the precise thermal conditions required to inactivate its tissue cysts in meat remain poorly defined. This study systematically determined the effects of temperature (45–70 °C) and time (10–30 min) on cyst viability. Cysts treated under each condition were orally administered to susceptible C57BL/6J mice, and infectivity was comprehensively assessed through survival, clinical signs, serology (IgG), qPCR, and histopathology. Results demonstrated that treatment at 60 °C for 10 min or under more stringent conditions completely abolished infectivity, as evidenced by 100% survival, the absence of specific antibodies, and the non-detection of parasite DNA or lesions in tissues. Thus, 60 °C for 10 min is established as a critical inactivation threshold, providing a definitive reference for developing science-based thermal processing guidelines to enhance meat safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00315"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038123","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":"Validation of an optimized in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for enhanced detection of Trichinella spp. exposure in swine","authors":"Vladislav A. Lobanov,&nbsp;Kelly A. Konecsni,&nbsp;W. Brad Scandrett","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The International Commission on Trichinellosis (ICT) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) recommend the use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that utilizes excretory-secretory (E-S) antigens (ESA) of <em>Trichinella spiralis</em> for surveillance and epidemiological studies in pigs and wild boars. Our efforts to optimize and standardize ESA production and ELISA protocols resulted in improved diagnostic performance of an in-house E<em>-</em>S ELISA. To validate the optimized assay, we compared its performance with that of a commercial E-S ELISA kit using sera from a representative set of commercial Canadian pigs (presumably <em>Trichinella</em>-free) and pigs experimentally infected with <em>Trichinella</em> spp. Both assays correctly identified the positive and negative sera, yielding 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. However, in-house E-S ELISA exhibited a higher resolving power, as evidenced by the markedly better separation of normalized absorbance values of positive sera from those of samples from the negative pig population. Furthermore, significantly higher serial dilutions of sera from pigs experimentally infected with <em>T. spiralis</em>, <em>T. pseudospiralis</em>, <em>T. britovi</em> and <em>T. nativa</em> tested positive by the in-house E-S ELISA, demonstrating a higher analytical sensitivity of this assay. We continued testing sera from Canadian commercial pigs using the in-house assay to obtain a more accurate estimate of its diagnostic specificity. A total of 6345 animals have been tested, with only 11 samples showing test values above the cut-off. Ten of these sera tested negative by confirmatory western blot (WB). Therefore, the diagnostic specificity of in-house E-S ELISA alone and in combination with WB testing was 99.84% and 99.98%, respectively. WB detected seroconversion earlier than the optimized E-S ELISA in five of 15 pigs experimentally infected with various low doses of <em>T. spiralis</em>. The results of this study support the use of the optimized E-S ELISA and confirmatory WB for epidemiological surveys to monitor exposure to <em>Trichinella</em> spp. in swine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00322"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147397308","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":"Multiple Blastocystis subtypes in Mediterranean marine turtles and cetaceans by amplicon-based NGS","authors":"Marialetizia Palomba ,&nbsp;Veronica Rodriguez-Fernandez ,&nbsp;Renato Aco-Alburqueque ,&nbsp;Meryam Carrus ,&nbsp;Federica Marcer ,&nbsp;Erica Marchiori ,&nbsp;Mario Santoro ,&nbsp;Tiziana Castrignanò ,&nbsp;Daniele Canestrelli ,&nbsp;Simonetta Mattiucci","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Blastocystis</em> is a genetically diverse enteric protist commonly found in humans and a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Although its prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution have been extensively studied in terrestrial ecosystems, its occurrence in marine organisms remains less known. In this study, we performed amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) to investigate, for the first time, the presence of <em>Blastocystis</em> in loggerhead sea turtles (<em>Caretta caretta</em>) and to expand existing data on ST diversity in cetaceans, stranded along the Italian Mediterranean coast. A total of 97 faecal samples were collected from 69 individuals of loggerhead sea turtles and 28 cetaceans. <em>Blastocystis</em> was detected in 44 % of the samples by real-time PCR—specifically in 39 loggerhead sea turtles and 4 fin whales (<em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>)—and further characterized by NGS. Ten STs were identified in loggerhead sea turtles and six in fin whales, with mixed infections frequently observed, particularly in turtles. Among the 18 STs detected, several represented new host records for marine organisms. ST4 was the most prevalent, especially in loggerhead sea turtles from the Tyrrhenian coast, and it exhibited a high degree of intra-subtype genetic variation. Comparison of ST4 sequences from this study with those of terrestrial origin revealed a certain level of substructuring; however, the most common haplotypes were shared between marine and terrestrial sources, supporting the hypothesis of a terrestrial origin for the marine STs. These findings highlight the potential use of <em>Blastocystis</em> STs occurring in marine megafauna as ecological indicators of faecal pollution from terrestrial origin in coastal marine environment. Moreover, they underscore the importance of applying a One Health framework, supported by NGS technologies, to elucidate the transmission dynamics of <em>Blastocystis</em> STs among humans, terrestrial, and marine hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00307"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747645","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":"Giardia and Campylobacter: Fifteen years (2010–2024) of waterborne outbreaks in Europe","authors":"Antonino Pace ,&nbsp;Paola Pepe ,&nbsp;Massimiliano Fabbricino ,&nbsp;Vincenzo Mignano ,&nbsp;Lavinia Ciuca ,&nbsp;Laura Rinaldi ,&nbsp;Ludovico Dipineto","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00299","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00299","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Waterborne diseases affect millions of people annually, challenging public health worldwide. Despite the advancements in water management, high-income countries remain at risk, mainly because of faulty or ageing water infrastructure. <em>Giardia</em> and <em>Campylobacter</em> are two key waterborne pathogens and leading agents of gastrointestinal illnesses. Both can be transmitted through contaminated water under similar environmental and sanitary conditions, with co-infections worsening symptoms and complicating diagnosis and treatment efficacy. This review examines waterborne outbreaks in Europe, over the last 15 years (2010–2024), focusing on <em>Giardia</em> while adding an additional perspective on <em>Campylobacter</em>. Over 30 outbreaks were reported during the study period, primarily in Ireland and Nordic countries. Recreational and drinking water sources were the most commonly implicated, with contamination events often associated with specific incidents or treatment failures, and heavy rainfall suggested as contributing factor to pathogen entry. In addition, climate change is discussed as a major driver exacerbating waterborne disease risks through extreme weather events. The review highlights persistent vulnerabilities in water safety across Europe, and emphasizes the importance of mitigation strategies, which include risk assessment, early detection and continuous surveillance, improved water treatment and climate-resilient infrastructures, along with interdisciplinary collaboration with different stakeholders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00299"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466320","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":"Dose-dependent tissue tropism and efficacy of early BKI-1748 treatment in chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep","authors":"Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez ,&nbsp;Rafael Calero-Bernal ,&nbsp;Natalia Velasco-Jiménez ,&nbsp;Irene Gallego-Moreno ,&nbsp;Carmen Pérez-Díaz ,&nbsp;Rocío Bustamante ,&nbsp;Ryan Choi ,&nbsp;Matthew A. Hulverson ,&nbsp;Andrew Hemphill ,&nbsp;Wesley C. Van Voorhis ,&nbsp;Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of microscopic cysts of the zoonotic apicomplexan parasite <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> in mutton is relatively common. <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is frequently transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat and infected people may suffer from neurological, ocular and pregnancy disorders. Experimental infections in sheep have provided clues on the <em>T. gondii</em> tissue tropism during the chronic stage of infection. However, data regarding infections involving low challenge doses is lacking. Following challenge of sheep with 1000 sporulated oocysts of the Type II TgShSp1 strain, parasite DNA was detected in all sheep at 62 days post-challenge, with detection rates of 87 %, 79 %, 66 % and 66 % in the brain, heart, tongue and <em>biceps femoris</em> muscle, respectively. By contrast, after challenge of sheep with a dose of 10 oocysts, parasite DNA was detected in tissues of only 5 out of 8 animals (62.5 %). The <em>biceps femoris</em> muscle was the most frequently infected tissue (parasite DNA detection rate of 50 %), resembling the pattern observed in naturally infected sheep. In addition, the administration of multiple doses of the compound BKI-1748, which reached therapeutic concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, to infected sheep at 2 and 7 days post-challenge prevented the establishment of the chronic <em>T. gondii</em> infection in the treated animals. Therefore, BKI-1748 could be a promising tool for improving safety in mutton intended for human consumption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00297"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145417585","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 epidemiology and cross-species transmission risk of Enterocytozoon bieneusi between humans and livestock: Evidence from Lishui, China","authors":"Xialiang Ye ,&nbsp;Ziran Mo ,&nbsp;Qinghan Meng ,&nbsp;Jingwei Quan ,&nbsp;Bin Xu ,&nbsp;Wei Ruan ,&nbsp;Jianhua Zhao ,&nbsp;Junxian Liu ,&nbsp;Cuimei Li ,&nbsp;Yang Yu ,&nbsp;Yuwei Shan ,&nbsp;Wenbin Yang ,&nbsp;Lei Xiu ,&nbsp;Wei Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00292","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00292","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</em> is a zoonotic parasite with a broad host range and public health significance. In China, livestock production is predominantly small-scale, with cattle and sheep commonly maintained under extensive or semi-intensive husbandry systems that lack adequate biosecurity measures. Lishui, Zhejiang Province, typifies this model, where intensive and non-intensive farming systems coexist, and where abundant rainfall and dense water networks facilitate pathogen transmission. A total of 588 fecal samples were collected from cattle (<em>n</em> = 175), sheep (<em>n</em> = 228), and humans (<em>n</em> = 185) across nine counties in Lishui. Nested PCR targeting the <em>ITS</em> region was used for detection and genotyping, followed by phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses. The overall infection rates were 32.9 % in sheep, 4.5 % in cattle, and 1.6 % in humans, with all human cases occurring in occupationally exposed farm workers. Significantly higher infection rates were observed in intensively managed herds and in young animals under one year of age (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Five genotypes were identified in sheep, among which BEB6 was predominant (80.0 %), while cattle harbored genotypes BEB8 and J. Human isolates comprised genotypes BEB6, J, and I. Phylogenetic analyses placed all identified genotypes within Group 2, and haplotype network reconstruction revealed 10 haplotypes, some of which were shared between human and livestock samples from the same farms. These findings highlight cross-species transmission risks under current farming practices and underscore the necessity for One Health-based surveillance and control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00292"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145120580","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":"Preliminary observations on muscle distribution of Anisakis sp. L3 in European hake off Southwest Ireland","authors":"F. Atroch ,&nbsp;L.F. Rangel ,&nbsp;P. Ramos ,&nbsp;C. Ayra-Pardo ,&nbsp;M.J. Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00303","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00303","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined the distribution of <em>Anisakis</em> sp. L3 within the edible muscle tissue of 15 European hake (<em>Merluccius merluccius</em>) specimens captured off the Southwest Irish coast during the spring of 2023. European hake is a commercially valuable species, but it is frequently and heavily infected with species of the genus <em>Anisakis</em>, which pose significant zoonotic risks. All examined hakes were infected, with a mean intensity of 743.3 ± 215 larvae per fish and a mean density of 17.7 ± 6.7 larvae per gram of muscle. While the distribution of parasites was symmetrical between the left and right sides of the fish, significant differences were observed among the four muscle sections. The anterior ventral region (belly flap) was identified as the area most severely affected by infection. The removal of belly flaps has been demonstrated to achieve an 83 % reduction in <em>Anisakis</em> sp. presence, signifying a straightforward yet efficacious measure to mitigate the risk of human infection and enhance seafood safety. No significant correlation was found between the host features measured, including total length and eviscerated weight, and the parasitic load. These findings underscore the significance of targeted processing techniques in enhancing the safety of European hake for consumption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00303"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578785","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":"Anisakid larvae in the organs of Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus (L.): Host or parasite superiority?","authors":"Bahram Sayyaf Dezfuli ,&nbsp;Giovanni Bernacchia ,&nbsp;Morena De Bastiani ,&nbsp;Martina Pinca ,&nbsp;Emanuela Franchella ,&nbsp;Luca Bellini ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Castaldelli ,&nbsp;Luisa Giari","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Members of the Anisakidae family, in particular the genus <em>Anisakis</em> are among the most common seafood-borne parasites which may lead to anisakidosis, a zoonotic disease. <em>Anisakis simplex</em> (<em>s.s.</em>) (Rudolphi, 1809) can infect humans by means of the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish harbouring the third-stage larvae of this nematode. Histopathological and ultrastructural investigations were performed on the visceral organs and flesh of Atlantic mackerel <em>Scomber scombrus</em> (L.) from the Bay of Biscay. Results showed the presence of a high infection level of third-larval stages of an anisakid species in the visceral organs and rarely in the flesh of the host. A subsample of 15 live nematode larvae from 5 fish were genetically identified by mtDNA <em>Cox2</em> gene sequencing and found to belong to the species <em>Anisakis simplex</em> (<em>s.s.</em>). Of 41 Atlantic mackerel examined, 36 individuals (88 %) harbored <em>A. simplex</em> (<em>s.s.</em>) L3 larvae, with an intensity of infection ranging from 5 to 650 larvae per fish (86.97 ± 17.26, mean ± standard error). A total of 3131 larvae were counted and the number of calcified larvae was significantly higher than that of live ones (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). The most parasitized sites were the serosa covering the intestine and the pyloric caeca as well as the mesenteries which encircled the gonads. In most infected organs, a granuloma surrounded the calcified and live larvae with a more intense response around the former. Within the granuloma epithelioid cells, fibroblasts and collagen fibres were recognized, outside the granuloma, mast cells (MCs), melano-macrophage aggregates (MAs) and macrophages were frequent and to a lesser degree rodlet cells (RCs). This is the first study that has investigated the cellular immune responses in the visceral organs and flesh of Atlantic mackerel against <em>A. simplex</em> (<em>s.s.</em>) larvae.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00300"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145525889","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 avian schistosome Trichobilharzia franki in mice: Migration, pathogenicity, and the host immune response","authors":"Tomáš Macháček ,&nbsp;Roman Leontovyč ,&nbsp;Jan Procházka ,&nbsp;Alena Revalová ,&nbsp;Martin Majer ,&nbsp;Barbora Šmídová ,&nbsp;Petr Horák","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cercarial dermatitis (CD; swimmer's itch) is a re-emerging skin disease caused by avian schistosomes, including <em>Trichobilharzia franki</em>. Here, we present morphological, genetic, and experimental evidence confirming the involvement of <em>T. franki</em> in recent CD outbreaks across Czechia. Ocellate furcocercariae were collected from <em>Radix auricularia</em> at four sites and identified as <em>T. franki</em> through ITS1 sequencing. Despite minor morphological differences from previously reported specimens, all isolates belonged to the genetically uniform <em>T. franki “auricularia”</em> clade. Experimental infection of mice with <em>T. franki</em> resulted in a ∼ 60 % penetration rate, accompanied by early-onset scratching and transient weight loss. Gross pathology demonstrated hemorrhages on lung surfaces and splenic atrophy at 2 days post-infection (dpi), along with a prominent enlargement of parotid lymph nodes at both 2 and 7 dpi. Histological examination of the skin revealed viable schistosomula, moderate leukocyte infiltration, epidermal hyperplasia, and the formation of hyperkeratotic crusts at 2 dpi. By 7 dpi, parasites were no longer detectable, but epidermal pathology persisted. In the lungs, eosinophil-rich foci and multifocal hemorrhages were observed at 2 dpi, transitioning to neutrophil-dominated lesions at 7 dpi, despite the absence of detectable schistosomula. Splenocytes from infected mice responded to homologous and heterologous cercarial antigens by producing IFN gamma, IL-4, and IL-10, indicating a mixed Th1/Th2/Treg profile and notable species cross-reactivity. However, parasite-specific IgG remained undetectable at 7 dpi. These findings confirm <em>T. franki</em> as the causative agent of CD outbreaks and underscore its capacity to induce localized and systemic pathology and immune response, cross-reacting with other schistosomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00289"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109205","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":"Environmental contamination with taeniid cestode eggs: A systematic literature review","authors":"Justine Daudi Maganira","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00294","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00294","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Taeniid cestodes, including <em>Taenia solium</em>, the pork tapeworm, are neglected zoonotic parasites of significant public and veterinary health concern, particularly in low-income countries where sanitation infrastructure is inadequate and pigs and other animals are commonly reared under free-range systems. This review synthesizes published evidence on the occurrence of taeniid eggs or DNA in environmental matrices namely soil, water, vegetables, and sludge, and assesses their role in perpetuating the parasites' transmission cycle. A systematic review of peer-reviewed and indexed literature published between 1989 and 2024 was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed in multiple databases, including PubMed, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar, using keywords related to <em>Taenia</em> spp. eggs or DNA in environmental matrices. Articles were included if they reported original research on the detection of taeniid eggs or DNA. Non-English publications, reviews, and studies lacking original data were excluded. Titles and abstracts were screened for relevance, and full texts of eligible articles were reviewed. Data extraction focused on study characteristics, environmental matrices examined, detection methods, and reported prevalence. Contamination levels varied widely by matrix and geography, with higher rates reported in certain parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Vegetables and soil were the most frequently investigated matrices. While contamination in water and sludge remains under-explored; available data suggest they may also play a role in transmission. The findings underscore the critical need for molecular diagnostics to improve species-level identification and inform targeted control strategies. Overall, environmental contamination with taeniid cestode eggs is widespread; however, species-specific evidence for <em>T. solium</em> and other <em>Taenia</em> spp. remains limited due to the scarce use of molecular diagnostics. These findings highlight the urgent need for molecular studies to accurately identify <em>Taenia</em> spp. in environmental matrices. Integrated One Health interventions, including improved sanitation, pig management, public education, and enhanced diagnostic capacity, are essential to reduce taeniid cestodes contamination and mitigate associated zoonotic risks in endemic areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00294"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364028","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}