Advances in Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Helminth extracellular vesicles: Roles in and beyond host-parasite communication.","authors":"Alba Cortés, Christian M Sánchez-López, Aránzazu Gónzalez-Arce, Dolores Bernal, Antonio Marcilla","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parasitic worms (helminths) release extracellular vesicles (EVs) -membrane-surrounded, nanosized structures loaded with a repertoire of active biomolecules- as part of their excretory/secretory products. These particles play key roles in intercellular communication, not only within multicellular organisms but also between organisms that establish stable biological associations, as it occurs during parasitism. Since their \"rediscovery\" in 2012, the field of helminth EVs has expanded significantly, with a wealth of research conducted both in model organisms and parasites of human and veterinary importance. These investigations have revealed that helminth EVs play active roles in host-parasite interactions. In this article, we review milestone literature on helminth EVs and point out remaining knowledge gaps regarding several aspects of their biogenesis, composition, and interaction with the host. Furthermore, we outline current perspectives on the potential application of these bio-nanoparticles to the theragnostic of helminth infections, highlighting the main challenges hindering the translation of experimental evidence into actual EV-based tools for the control of human and livestock helminthiases.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"128 ","pages":"1-34"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145066340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systematic review to evaluate the potential association of maternal and/or child intestinal parasitic protozoal infection with birth outcomes and linear growth faltering.","authors":"Isobel L Gabain, Benjamin Momo Kadia, Mifa Nurfadilah, Htet Min Kyaw, Umi Fahmida, Stephen Allen, Julia B Halder, James W Rudge, Joanne P Webster","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intestinal protozoan infections remain highly prevalent among children and women of reproductive age, particularly across low- and middle-income countries. However, their impact on maternal-child outcomes-including birth weight, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and/or childhood stunting remains largely undetermined. Here, we conducted a systematic literature search across six databases for studies published between 1976 and 2024 that examined potential associations between gastrointestinal (GI) protozoan infections, and childbirth and growth outcomes. A total of 99 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were included. Cross-sectional studies reporting odds ratios (ORs) or adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for stunting, unadjusted and adjusted mean differences (MD) in height-for-age z-score (HAZ), and those reporting regression coefficients for HAZ differences were included in meta-analysis. Meta-analyses of cross-sectional data revealed significant associations between child protozoan infections and stunting, with the strongest evidence for Cryptosporidium spp. (AOR = 2.38, 95 % CI: 1.55 to 3.64). Giardia spp. infections were also associated with higher odds of stunting (AOR = 1.70, 95 % CI: 1.12 to 2.58) and reduced HAZ (MD: -0.42, 95 % CI: -0.53 to -0.30). Narrative synthesis of longitudinal studies supported these associations, providing robust evidence that asymptomatic infections are significantly associated with reduced growth. Five studies examined maternal protozoan infections and birth/stunting outcomes, revealing mixed evidence. Findings underscore the need for improved detection, treatment strategies, and targeted public health interventions, including better access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), to address both symptomatic and asymptomatic protozoan infections. Further research is needed in particular to disentangle the relationship between maternal GI protozoan infections and child health outcomes, and to encompass a broader range of protozoan species to elucidate their impact on childhood stunting.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"129 ","pages":"145-185"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The roundworm Ascaris: Recent advances on the road to elimination.","authors":"Martha Betson, Francisco M D Evangelista, Ben P Jones, Lauren Woolfe","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The giant roundworm Ascaris is an important nematode parasite of humans and pigs worldwide. Ascariasis, the disease associated with Ascaris infection, is classified as a neglected tropical disease and has been targeted for elimination as a public health problem by 2030. Despite increased efforts to control Ascaris in humans, it remains highly prevalent. A major challenge is the long-term viability of Ascaris eggs in the environment, resulting in a significant reservoir. Here, we review present understanding of Ascaris environmental contamination, and existing and emerging approaches for surveillance and control. Another potential challenge is represented by the emergence of resistance to the drugs (benzimidazoles) used for Ascaris control and treatment. We describe the current evidence for resistance in Ascaris and related ascarid parasites and recent work to understand mechanisms of resistance, which may be different to those described for other nematodes. There has been much recent progress in the availability and use of 'omic resources for Ascaris. We review how 'omic data is being employed to provide insights into Ascaris population structure, drug pressure and transmission dynamics at different scales. We also describe how 'omic data is being exploited through reverse vaccinology to identify new vaccine targets for Ascaris, offering a possible alternative avenue for control. We conclude by highlighting some emerging research areas which could be applied to Ascaris and reflecting on how recent advances can impact on progress towards achievement of the WHO 2030 target.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"129 ","pages":"1-73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resistance of companion animal parasites to antiparasitic drugs.","authors":"Friederike Krämer, Gad Baneth, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Sarah Hamer, Michael R Lappin, Domenico Otranto, Xavier Roura, Heinz Sager, Bettina Schunack, Valeria Scorza, Rebecca Traub, Timothy G Geary","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Resistance to chemotherapy continues to limit the ability to cure infectious diseases and cancer. Resistance to antiparasitic drugs is affecting control of many pathogens in human and veterinary medicine. In veterinary medicine, particular attention has been focused on resistance to parasites of livestock, including helminths, ectoparasites and protozoa, as an effect of intensive treatment regimens that promote economic sustainability of production systems. Less attention has been given to drug resistance in parasites of companion animals. We provide a comprehensive review of current knowledge of drug resistance in ectoparasites, helminths and protozoa of importance in dogs and cats to establish a baseline assessment of the field and provide recommendations for research priorities and therapeutic alternatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"128 ","pages":"35-157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145066365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epithelial cytokines in soil-transmitted helminth infections.","authors":"Henry J McSorley, Suzanne H Hodge","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epithelial barriers are critical in our interaction with the outside world. They mediate gas exchange in the lung, nutrient absorption in the gut and provide a barrier against pathogen entry throughout the body. Until relatively recently, these mechanical barrier functions were thought to represent the primary mechanism by which the epithelium protects against infection; however, current research is unveiling a broad range of interactions between epithelial barrier cells and the immune response. This Chapter reviews current evidence that the epithelium is central to the immune response to soil-transmitted helminths, with a focus on the cytokines and other mediators that epithelial cells produce. We compare and contrast the cellular sources and initiating factors that lead to epithelial cytokine production, the role of the epithelium in ejecting and killing parasitic worms, and the techniques by which these parasites counteract the activities of the epithelium.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"129 ","pages":"115-143"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances, challenges, and applications of laboratory culture of digenean trematode parasites.","authors":"Simão Correia, Sergio Fernández-Boo, Manuel Vera, Robert Poulin, Luísa Magalhães","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2025.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of parasite cultures has long been pivotal in advancing parasitology, with broad applications in medicine, veterinary science, and biology. Laboratory cultures are invaluable tools for studying parasite biology, host-parasite interactions, and the development of treatments and vaccines. However, cultures of digenean trematodes under laboratory conditions remain a challenging yet critical endeavour in parasitology. These parasites hold significant importance to both human health and ecological systems. Nevertheless, trematodes exhibit a complex life cycle involving multiple hosts, which demands innovative culture methods. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of laboratory culture techniques for digenean trematodes, covering in vitro, in vivo, and in ovo approaches. These techniques are discussed in order across the different parasitic life stages of trematodes, from sporocyst/redia to adults, as well as the handling of trematode eggs, with a focus on optimising media composition, host-cell integration, and environmental parameters. In vitro approaches, particularly those using host-cell-based media or host-derived sera, have shown promise for certain zoonotic species. However, cultures of marine trematodes often face limitations due to suboptimal media protocols. On the other hand, in vivo and in ovo methods, while generally achieving higher success rates, raise ethical and logistical concerns. Despite notable progress, the standardisation of protocols and the adaptation of techniques for a broader range of species remain significant challenges in digenean trematode cultures. Future research should prioritise the development of host-cell-based media, innovative culture technologies, and integrative molecular and proteomic tools to address these limitations and further our understanding of trematode biology.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"127 ","pages":"119-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changing distribution, diversity, and health impact of Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe and North America: Comparison, connections, and opportunities.","authors":"Emily Jenkins, Taylor Volappi, Cody J Malone, Nina Germitsch, Jussa-Pekka Virtanen, Antti Oksanen, Emily Bessell, Britta Lundström-Stadelmann, Caroline F Frey","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis is a rare but serious animal and human disease in the northern hemisphere. We review published data and reports of E. multilocularis in animals and humans in Europe and North America since 2015. New findings in Europe include the first detection of AE in a wild canid (golden jackal, Canis aureus) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus); evidence for and against the role of domestic and wild felids as definitive hosts of E. multilocularis; new reports in wildlife in 2 countries and human AE in 8 countries; slow range expansion in France, Italy, and Sweden; and increased prevalence in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in endemic regions of Austria, Italy, and Germany. New findings in North America include rapid range expansion to the west, south, and east (from 5 to 9 of the 13 provinces/territories in Canada, and from 13 to 24 of 50 states in the USA); an unprecedented number of canine and human cases of AE associated with European haplotypes, especially in Alberta, Canada; the first detection of the parasite in a new rodent intermediate host (eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus); and the first detections in dogs as definitive hosts. Surveillance in wild canids (red fox in Europe, as well as coyotes, Canis latrans, in North America) is key to determining local risk in endemic areas, and to maintain country freedom status in Europe; in addition, recent findings suggest that large-scale screening of livers of horses and pigs may also be useful. From a One Health perspective, control of AE would benefit from voluntary case registries, regulation to prevent introduction of novel strains or hosts into new areas, increased clinical suspicion and access to early diagnoses, broad application of standardized disease staging approaches, standardized molecular classification schemes to enable source attribution and tracing between animals and humans, and increased access to established and novel chemotherapeutic options.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"128 ","pages":"159-253"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145066313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acarofauna of Neotropical reptiles: Integrative morphology and vector competence of zoonotic pathogens.","authors":"Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Marcos Antônio Bezerra-Santos, Darci Moraes Barros Battesti, Domenico Otranto","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.04.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2025.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Neotropical region stands out as a megadiverse area in terms of herpetofauna, hosting more than 4457 species, 2233 of which are distributed across South America. Reptiles are recognized as amplifiers and reservoirs of several pathogens, yet their role in disease cycles and the vectorial potential of their mites and ticks remain poorly understood. These hosts are infested by over 500 species of mites and ticks, classified into 61 genera across 13 families within the orders Trombidiformes (Acariformes), Mesostigmata, and Ixodida (Parasitiformes). Some of these arthropods may serve as vectors of reptile vector-borne diseases (RVBDs), that include bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens of zoonotic concern. In this article, we explore the main groups of mites and ticks that infest reptiles in the Neotropical region, with a particular focus on vector-borne zoonotic pathogens of reptiles. In addition, we discuss the intricate relationships between these animals, arthropod vectors, and the zoonotic pathogens they may transmit.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"127 ","pages":"27-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetically modified helminths as pharmaceutical biofactories.","authors":"Deonne Walther, Michael Smout, Paul Giacomin, Paul J Brindley, Makedonka Mitreva, Matthew Moyle, Alex Loukas","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.08.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2025.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A myriad of diseases can be treated by efficacious and potent drugs, yet the delivery efficiency is often hindered due to absorption issues, loss during first-pass metabolism, non-specific delivery, degradation before action and failure to comply to treatment. This has motivated researchers to develop novel methods for drug delivery, including live biotherapeutic products, notably transgenic bacteria delivering foreign therapeutic molecules. Recent advancements demonstrate that controlled experimental human helminth infections are tolerated and safe and may have natural protective attributes for other maladies. Helminths continuously release a cocktail of excretory/secretory proteins (ESP) during infection to aid migration and feeding, and to modulate the host's immune system. Genetic modification, and most specifically Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated nucleases, has transformed the study and manipulation of the eukaryotic genome. Using these approaches to target regions of the helminth genome, it is now possible to genetically modify parasitic helminths to constitutively release therapeutic biologics. This approach could be applied to targeting diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Coeliac Disease and arthritis, all of which represent a severe burden on both patients and the community. Here, we review the current evidence that wild type and genetically engineered helminths could serve as novel drug-delivery platforms. We specifically focus on species of human hookworms and schistosomes, following published controlled human infections and clinical trials in healthy and diseased human subjects.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"129 ","pages":"75-114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cystoisospora suis - the non-model model coccidium.","authors":"Anja Joachim, Anna Feix, Bärbel Ruttkowski, Teresa Cruz-Bustos","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.03.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apar.2025.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cystoisospora suis, the cause of suckling piglet coccidiosis, is an intestinal protozoan pathogen of worldwide distribution and major economic and animal health significance in swine industry. It is closely related to cyst-forming, facultatively heteroxenic Coccidia like Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, but its biology resembles more that of the non-cyst-forming, homoxenic genus Eimeria. Lately, a unique in vitro cultivation system for C. suis was developed by which sporozoites infect monolayer cell cultures to produce merozoites which can in turn be propagated in a host-cell free system and develop into sexually differentiated gamonts, gametes and finally oocysts. This system has been used to produce and analyse developmental stages throughout the life cycle of C. suis. Transcriptomic, proteomic and secretomic data are now available, providing information for fundamental and applied research not only on this coccidian species but extrapolation to related parasites. In addition, antiparasitic compounds can be tested in this in vitro model, and further upscaling will provide a higher-throughput system for (pre-clinical) compound screening and in vitro efficacy testing for anticoccidial drugs, supporting the early detection of anticoccidial resistance in C. suis field strains. With these developments, C. suis can be considered a \"non-model model\" for the Coccidia, bridging the gap between the cyst-forming Sarcocystidae and the non-cyst-forming Eimeriidae, and between parasites of One Health relevance, such as T. gondii, and those members of the Coccidia that are of relevance in veterinary medicine and animal health.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"127 ","pages":"1-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}