Rachel Chalmers , Guy Robinson , Harriet Risby , Kristin Elwin , Rebecca Howarth , Felicity Simkin , Andrew Nelson
{"title":"The transformation of a Cryptosporidium reference microbiology service to tackle the One Health challenge","authors":"Rachel Chalmers , Guy Robinson , Harriet Risby , Kristin Elwin , Rebecca Howarth , Felicity Simkin , 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":"2025-09-01","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":"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 , Ahmad Daryani , Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi , Hossein Asgarian-Omran , Tooran Nayeri , Samira Dodangeh , Afsaneh Amouei , Javad Javidnia , Sabah Mayahi , Shahabeddin Sarvi , 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":"2025-09-01","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}
{"title":"Assessing diagnostic, vaccine and therapeutic potential of selected Trichinella proteins","authors":"Anna Stachyra , Justyna Bień-Kalinowska","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00283","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00283","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trichinellosis is an important zoonotic parasitosis caused by nematodes of the genus <em>Trichinella</em>. In humans, <em>Trichinella</em> infection occurs through the ingestion of raw or semi-cooked meat of animals infected with <em>Trichinella spp.</em> larvae, as the causative agent. Over the past decade, technological developments have enabled great achievements in the study of the genome, secretome and proteome of <em>Trichinella</em>. These achievements provide knowledge to screen, identify, and compare the proteins and antigens involved in the host-parasite communication and interactions with the host's immune system and thus constituting diagnostic, vaccine, or therapeutic targets. Much attention has been focused on identifying and characterizing proteins from different <em>Trichinella</em> stages to find molecules useful for serodiagnosis and vaccine development. This review presents a number of recombinant proteins examined as candidates for diagnosis of <em>Trichinella</em> infection. However, antigens suitable for improved early diagnosis or detection are not yet available. Identification of potential vaccine candidates against trichinellosis remains a significant challenge. Various recombinant protein vaccines have been reviewed to improve the protective effect against <em>Trichinella</em> infection in mice, rat or swine models. A considerable amount of research has investigated the immunomodulatory potential of <em>Trichinella</em> proteins. The application of total ES products as well as individual components in recombinant form, showed that they exert strong immunomodulatory effects and can act prophylactically or therapeutically in animal models of autoimmune diseases. This paper provides an overview and summary of recent achievements in the field of <em>Trichinella</em> recombinant proteins, emphasizing their potential application to diagnosis, vaccination, and modulation of allergy and oncogenesis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00283"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145010607","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}
Si-Ang Li , Yu-Ling Lin , Yun-Peng Bai , Fuli Wen , Li-Yuan Huang , Wen-Yuan Miao , Dong-Hui Zhou
{"title":"Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in humans and dogs from Fujian Province, Southeast China","authors":"Si-Ang Li , Yu-Ling Lin , Yun-Peng Bai , Fuli Wen , Li-Yuan Huang , Wen-Yuan Miao , 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":"2025-09-01","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":"Distribution of Clinostomum complanatum in two commercially important freshwater fish, perch and rudd, in France","authors":"Maureen Duflot , Françoise Pozet , Sophie Le Bouquin , Céline Richomme , Odile Bourgau , Isabel Blasco-Costa , Mélanie Gay","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Over the last two decades, the popularization of new eating habits and the increase in fish products demand led to a raising risk for consumers due to food-borne parasitic zoonoses. Species of <em>Clinostomum</em> Leidy, 1856 are cosmopolitan zoonotic digenetic trematodes. They are present, at the juvenile stage, in numerous freshwater fish. Among them, <em>Clinostomum complanatum</em> may induce pharyngitis or laryngitis in humans following consumption of raw fish infected by the metacercariae. In France, the first mention of <em>Clinostomum</em> spp. metacercariae on freshwater fish was made in the Durance River in 2008, with almost no data and very obscure conclusions. However, recently, the infection of a batch of wild perch in the Jura in December 2019 was described. The present study provides the first evidence of the extent of the distribution of <em>C. complanatum</em> across continental France based on sampling of freshwater fish (European perch and rudd) from different departments. A survey of infection levels was realized on 14 batches of fish collected in eight departments. Fish were sampled by recreational anglers or pond fish farmers. They were dissected for the presence of <em>C. complanatum</em> metacercariae. All metacercariae were identified based on molecular analyses on mtDNA <em>cox1</em> gene fragment and rDNA <em>28S</em> gene fragment. Encysted metacercariae were found in five departments and in 113 out of 526 sampled fish. Intensity of infection ranged from 4 to 25 parasites per fish. All metacercariae were identified as <em>C. complanatum.</em> Phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses reported low genetic diversity in French <em>C. complanatum</em> individuals on mtDNA <em>cox1</em> marker indicating the absence of distinct populations in the French territory. French specimens shared common mtDNA haplotypes with <em>C. complanatum</em> specimens from Italy. This study confirmed the presence of this zoonotic trematode species in freshwater consumed fish, and expanded the known geographical distribution area in France. Moreover, the high intensity and prevalence recorded suggested it could represent a hazard both to human and animal health. We discuss how future research should address the zoonotic risk of this parasite and ensure the health safety of fish-based products and new consumer habits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"40 ","pages":"Article e00281"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144840718","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}
Yafei Zhao , Wenxuan Ma , Duoduo Su , Zhenjie Zhang , Aiyun Zhao , Fuchang Yu , Meng Qi
{"title":"Molecular detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in children in southern Xinjiang, China","authors":"Yafei Zhao , Wenxuan Ma , Duoduo Su , Zhenjie Zhang , Aiyun Zhao , Fuchang Yu , 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":"2025-09-01","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}
Mariana Louro , Laura Hernandez , João Antunes , Luís Madeira de Carvalho , Isabel Pereira da Fonseca , Jacinto Gomes
{"title":"Cryptosporidium spp. in reptiles: Detection challenges, molecular characterization and zoonotic risk","authors":"Mariana Louro , Laura Hernandez , João Antunes , Luís Madeira de Carvalho , Isabel Pereira da Fonseca , 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":"2025-09-01","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}
Agnė Baranauskaitė , Petras Prakas , Modestas Petrauskas , Selene Rubiola , Elena Servienė , Živilė Strazdaitė-Žielienė
{"title":"Detection of Sarcocystis parasites in environmental samples from Lithuanian farms","authors":"Agnė Baranauskaitė , Petras Prakas , Modestas Petrauskas , Selene Rubiola , Elena Servienė , Živilė Strazdaitė-Žielienė","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00267","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Most studies on apicomplexan <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. in domestic animals have primarily focused on examining animal carcasses using both morphological and molecular methods. However, to accurately assess the risk of <em>Sarcocystis</em> infections in livestock and to develop effective prevention strategies, it is essential to investigate the environmental reservoirs of these parasites. The aim of this study was to identify <em>Sarcocystis</em> species with domestic animals as intermediate hosts by analysing environmental samples (water, hay, and soil) collected from Lithuanian farms and to compare their occurrence across different sample types. In total, 90 environmental samples were collected over 3 years and analysed for the presence of <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. using nested polymerase chain reactions targeting the <em>cox1</em> gene. The results indicated that livestock are most likely to acquire infections via the ingestion of contaminated water or feed, while soil posed a lower risk of transmission. An assessment of species distribution across sampled farms revealed that the type of livestock raised did not influence the diversity of <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. Notably, at least six of seven target species (<em>S. arieticanis</em>, <em>S. bertrami</em>, <em>S. bovifelis</em>, <em>S. capracanis</em>, <em>S. cruzi</em>, <em>S. miescheriana</em>, <em>S. tenella</em>) were detected at least once on eight of 10 farms. Additionally, two zoonotic <em>Sarcocystis</em> species, <em>S. hominis</em> and <em>S. suihominis</em>, were identified in environmental samples. This study emphasises the potential risk of livestock infection through contaminated environmental and feed sources and highlights the critical role of environmental monitoring in preventing the transmission of <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. to farm animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article e00267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143932043","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":"Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in chickens in southern Syria","authors":"Dhifaf Mahmood, Samar Al Nahhas","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is a foodborne protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide. Poultry become infected with <em>T. gondii</em> oocysts by ground feeding, and humans contract toxoplasmosis by the consumption of raw or undercooked infected meat. In Syria, no research has been documented regarding <em>T. gondii</em> infection in chickens; therefore, this study was carried out to determine the infection rate in chickens using serological and molecular assays. A total of 59 birds (50 females and 9 males) including free range (FR) and caged chickens were purchased from the southern governorates of Syria. Blood and tissues (brain, heart, liver and pectoral muscle) were collected and analyzed for the presence of anti-<em>T. gondii</em> antibodies and parasite DNA by indirect hemagglutination test and semi-nested PCR, respectively. Overall, sero-positivity for <em>T. gondii</em> antibody was 72.9% (81.4% FR and 18.6% caged). Female chickens had higher prevalence than males (83.7% vs 16.3%). Furthermore, chickens older than six months showed higher infection rates compared to younger ones. Evidence of <em>T. gondii</em> DNA was detected in tissue homogenates from both groups of chickens (83.1%). Our study demonstrates, a high prevalence of <em>T. gondii</em> in chickens indicating that this parasite poses a threat to food safety and public health in our study area. This finding supports the recommendations that poultry meat should be cooked well before consumption and appropriate hygiene measures should be followed when handling meat. Further studies should be conducted to determine the prevalence of <em>T. gondii</em> and its genotypes in poultry in other regions of Syria and to identify the associated risk factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article e00255"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143578013","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}