Advances in Parasitology最新文献

{"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":"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":"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":"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":"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":"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":"The nematode family Cloacinidae (Strongyloidea), parasites of Australasian kangaroos, wallabies and wombats: from morphology and ecology to molecules.","authors":"Tanapan Sukee, Ian Beveridge, Anson V Koehler, Robin B Gasser, Abdul Jabbar","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2025.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The nematode parasites of Australasian macropodoid and vombatoid marsupials (kangaroos, wallabies and wombats) comprise a variety of endemic species, dominated by members of the superfamily Strongyloidea. Thus far, more than 300 species of strongyloid nematodes have been described from the gastrointestinal tracts of macropodoid (kangaroos, wallabies, rat-kangaroos and potoroos) and vombatoid (wombats) marsupials. These nematodes belong to the family Cloacinidae which is subdivided into two subfamilies, the Cloacininae and Phascolostrongylinae. This chapter reviews the historical and current understanding of their morphology, biology, ecology and recent advances in molecular phylogeny. Knowledge gaps in the systematics, phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary origins of the cloacinid nematodes and possible avenues for future research are also discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"127 ","pages":"65-117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144530951","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":"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}

{"title":"An update and review of arthropod vector sensory systems: Potential targets for behavioural manipulation by parasites and other disease agents.","authors":"Jean-François Doherty, Tahnee Ames, Leisl Imani Brewster, Jonathan Chiang, Elsa Cyr, Cameron R Kelsey, Jeehan Phillip Lee, Bingzong Liu, Ivan Hok Yin Lo, Gurleen K Nirwal, Yunusa Garba Mohammed, Orna Phelan, Parsa Seyfourian, Danica Marie Shannon, Nicholas Kristoff Tochor, Benjamin John Matthews","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2024.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2024.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For over a century, vector ecology has been a mainstay of vector-borne disease control. Much of this research has focused on the sensory ecology of blood-feeding arthropods (black flies, mosquitoes, ticks, etc.) with terrestrial vertebrate hosts. Of particular interest are the cues and sensory systems that drive host seeking and host feeding behaviours as they are critical for a vector to locate and feed from a host. An important yet overlooked component of arthropod vector ecology are the phenotypic changes observed in infected vectors that increase disease transmission. While our fundamental understanding of sensory mechanisms in disease vectors has drastically increased due to recent advances in genome engineering, for example, the advent of CRISPR-Cas9, and high-throughput \"big data\" approaches (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, etc.), we still do not know if and how parasites manipulate vector behaviour. Here, we review the latest research on arthropod vector sensory systems and propose key mechanisms that disease agents may alter to increase transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"124 ","pages":"57-89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140960538","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":"Getting around the roundworms: Identifying knowledge gaps and research priorities for the ascarids.","authors":"Adrian J Wolstenholme, Erik C Andersen, Shivani Choudhary, Friederike Ebner, Susanne Hartmann, Lindy Holden-Dye, Sudhanva S Kashyap, Jürgen Krücken, Richard J Martin, Ankur Midha, Peter Nejsum, Cedric Neveu, Alan P Robertson, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Robert Walker, Jianbin Wang, Bradley J Whitehead, Paul D E Williams","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2023.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2023.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ascarids are a large group of parasitic nematodes that infect a wide range of animal species. In humans, they cause neglected diseases of poverty; many animal parasites also cause zoonotic infections in people. Control measures include hygiene and anthelmintic treatments, but they are not always appropriate or effective and this creates a continuing need to search for better ways to reduce the human, welfare and economic costs of these infections. To this end, Le Studium Institute of Advanced Studies organized a two-day conference to identify major gaps in our understanding of ascarid parasites with a view to setting research priorities that would allow for improved control. The participants identified several key areas for future focus, comprising of advances in genomic analysis and the use of model organisms, especially Caenorhabditis elegans, a more thorough appreciation of the complexity of host-parasite (and parasite-parasite) communications, a search for novel anthelmintic drugs and the development of effective vaccines. The participants agreed to try and maintain informal links in the future that could form the basis for collaborative projects, and to co-operate to organize future meetings and workshops to promote ascarid research.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"123 ","pages":"51-123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11143470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140050955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Astacin metalloproteases in human-parasitic nematodes.","authors":"Matthew S Moser, Elissa A Hallem","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2024.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2024.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parasitic nematodes infect over 2 billion individuals worldwide, primarily in low-resource areas, and are responsible for several chronic and potentially deadly diseases. Throughout their life cycle, these parasites are thought to use astacin metalloproteases, a subfamily of zinc-containing metalloendopeptidases, for processes such as skin penetration, molting, and tissue migration. Here, we review the known functions of astacins in human-infective, soil-transmitted parasitic nematodes - including the hookworms Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale, the threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis, the giant roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, and the whipworm Trichuris trichiura - as well as the human-infective, vector-borne filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti, Onchocerca volvulus, and Brugia malayi. We also review astacin function in parasitic nematodes that infect other mammalian hosts and discuss the potential of astacins as anthelmintic drug targets. Finally, we highlight the molecular and genetic tools that are now available for further exploration of astacin function and discuss how a better understanding of astacin function in human-parasitic nematodes could lead to new avenues for nematode control and drug therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"126 ","pages":"177-204"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12460076/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances in protease inhibition-based chemotherapy: A decade of insights from Malaria research.","authors":"Daniel Sojka, Pavla Šnebergerová","doi":"10.1016/bs.apar.2024.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/bs.apar.2024.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the last decade, research on the most studied parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has disclosed significant findings in protease research. Detailed descriptions of the individual roles of protease isoenzymes from various protease classes encoded by the parasite genome have been elucidated, along with their functional and biochemical characterizations. These insights have enabled the development of innovative chemotherapy using low molecular weight inhibitors targeting specific molecular sites. Progress has been made in understanding the proteolytic cascade associated with the apical complex, particularly the roles of aspartyl proteases plasmepsins IX and X as master regulators. Additionally, advancements in direct and alternative methods of proteasome inhibition and expression regulation have been achieved. Research on digestive/food vacuole-associated proteases, with a focus on essential metalloproteases, has also seen significant developments. The rise of extensive genomic datasets and functional genomic tools for other parasitic organisms now allows these approaches to be applied to the study and treatment of other, less known parasitic diseases, aiming to uncover specific biological mechanisms and develop innovative, less toxic chemotherapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":50854,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Parasitology","volume":"126 ","pages":"205-227"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512446","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}