International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife最新文献

{"title":"Louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) of Romania: New records and novel host–parasite and hyperparasites associations","authors":"Laura Mlynárová ,&nbsp;Peter Manko ,&nbsp;Alexandru-Mihai Pintilioaie ,&nbsp;Laura-Elena Topală ,&nbsp;Martin Hromada ,&nbsp;Jozef Oboňa","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents records of ectoparasitic flies from the family Hippoboscidae collected in Romania between 2022 and 2024. A total of seven species were recorded, with <em>Pseudolynchia canariensis</em> (Macquart in Webb and Berthelot, 1839) representing a new record for the fauna of Romania. To the best of the authors' knowledge, many of the parasite-host associations are new and are previously unpublished. In addition, a graphical network illustrating these associations is provided. This network highlights the frequency and diversity of host-parasite interactions across the study sites. The recorded phoresis of <em>Guimaraesiella</em> (Mallophaga) on <em>Ornithomya avicularia</em> (Linnaeus, 1758) and the hyperparasites <em>Hemimyialges macdonaldi</em> (Evans et al., 1963) and <em>Myialges anchora</em> Sergent and Trouessart, 1907 (both Acariformes: Epidermoptidae) on <em>Ornithoica turdi</em> (Olivier in Latreille, 1811) are newly documented in Romania.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101100"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144253930","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":"A parasite through time: Revisiting Trypanosoma rajae Laveran and Mesnil, 1902 with new molecular and morphological insights from the blood of Rajidae in the western Mediterranean","authors":"Sabrina Kefil ,&nbsp;Linda Duval ,&nbsp;Amandine Labat ,&nbsp;Chahinez Bouguerche ,&nbsp;Nadia Kechemir-Issad","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trypanosomes are blood parasitic protozoa infecting Chordates, including the elasmobranch skates (Rajidae). Amongst, <em>Trypanosoma rajae</em> Laveran and Mesnil, 1902 is a century old parasite, first briefly described from the Mediterranean starry ray <em>Raja asterias</em> and the undulate ray <em>R. undulata</em> off Roscoff, France, Northeast Atlantic, for which illustrations and molecular data are still lacking. Herein, we investigate blood trypanosomes of <em>R. asterias</em>, type-host of <em>T. rajae</em> and of those from the blood of the brown ray <em>R. miraletus</em>, collected off the Algerian coast, Western Mediterranean. We describe these trypanosomes using an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological characters and partial 18S rRNA gene sequencing, and we provide several morphological, morphometrical, anatomical and biological characteristics (division stages). Specific characteristics of <em>Trypanosoma</em> ex <em>R. asterias</em> such as granulations of the nucleus and cytoplasm; shape of the kinetoplast, nucleus and body; tip of the body; the undulating membrane, as well as the morphometric measurements were within the ranges given in the previous records of <em>T. rajae</em>, and we ascribe thus the newly collected trypanosomes from <em>R. asterias</em> to <em>T. rajae</em>. Algeria and the Western Mediterranean are new locality records for <em>T. rajae</em>. Trypanosomes ex <em>R. miraletus</em> differed from <em>T. rajae</em> ex <em>R. asterias</em> by some morphometrical data: posterior end to kinetoplast (PK), free flagellum length (FF), the kinetoplast index (KI), slenderness (Sle), flagellar index (FI), mid-nucleus to anterior end (NA) and parasite maximum body width at nucleus (BWN). Partial 18S rRNA gene sequences of <em>T. rajae</em> ex <em>R. asterias</em> and <em>Trypanosoma</em> sp. ex <em>R. miraletus</em> showed ∼99.76 % similarity. We take a conservative position and refer to trypanosomes from <em>R. miraletus</em> as <em>T</em>. cf. <em>rajae</em>. Phylogenetic analysis using 18S rRNA gene sequences of other aquatic trypanosomes allowed positioning of <em>T. rajae</em> relative to the other trypanosome species, previously described, infecting marine and freshwater hosts worldwide. Some divisional stages were also observed on MGG-stained thin smears allowing a brief description of the division of this trypanosome in the blood of its host. This effort is the first study of <em>T. rajae</em> using integrative taxonomy combining morphology and DNA and we provide for the first time observations of dividing stages of this species in the host blood.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101097"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144314089","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":"Efficiency of anthelmintic treatment and its effect on microparasite dynamics in wild Mastomys natalensis","authors":"Marre van de Ven ,&nbsp;Bram Vanden Broecke ,&nbsp;Alexis Ribas ,&nbsp;Herwig Leirs ,&nbsp;Christopher Sabuni ,&nbsp;Joachim Mariën","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Co-infections between helminths and microparasites can modulate the host immune response and alter disease dynamics, with potential implications for public health. However, identifying causal relationships in natural populations is challenging due to the complexity of ecological interactions. Perturbation experiments, where a specific parasite is selectively reduced, offers a powerful framework to directly test such interactions under natural conditions. In this study, we investigated potential helminth-microparasite interactions in the multimammate mouse (<em>Mastomys natalensis</em>) in Tanzania by experimentally reducing helminth infections in both captive and wild populations. We first confirmed that two anthelmintic treatments, ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate, effectively reduced gastrointestinal nematode burdens in wild-caught individuals. We then assessed whether helminth reduction influenced the prevalence of viral and bacterial infections in free-living populations. Our results revealed no significant short-term effect of anthelmintic treatment on microparasitic infections. These findings suggest that helminth-microparasite interactions in <em>M. natalensis</em> may be subtle, context-dependent, or require longer timescales to become apparent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101098"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144291183","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":"Chasing intermediate hosts of Echinococcus multilocularis at the southern edge of its European distribution using red fox stomach content analysis","authors":"Cafiero Salvatore Andrea ,&nbsp;Cenni Lucia ,&nbsp;Rossi Chiara ,&nbsp;Pascoe Emily Louise ,&nbsp;Obber Federica ,&nbsp;Da Rold Graziana ,&nbsp;Citterio Carlo Vittorio ,&nbsp;Casulli Adriano ,&nbsp;Hauffe Heidi Christine ,&nbsp;Massolo Alessandro","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Echinococcus multilocularis</em> (<em>Em</em>) is a Taeniidae cestode circulating among canids (definitive hosts) and among voles (intermediate hosts). Humans can develop alveolar echinococcosis (AE) following egg ingestion. In Italy, <em>Em</em> is present in red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>) from the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol Region, with reports in canids from Liguria (wolf, <em>Canis lupus</em>, and domestic dog, <em>Canis lupus familiaris</em>) and Tuscany (wolf and red fox) Regions. The first autochthonous case of human AE was recently confirmed in the Province of Bolzano. Despite its relevance, the intermediate hosts maintaining the <em>Em</em> life cycle in this area have never been identified.</div><div>This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by collecting ingested rodents from the stomachs of 148 legally culled or found dead foxes across the Province of Bolzano. For 142 prey items, species was ascertained from tissue DNA using a PCR of a 350 bp fragment of <em>cytb</em> mitochondrial gene. Positivity to <em>Em</em> was investigated by RT-PCR and conventional PCR on organ tissues from 97 rodents targeting a 69 bp fragment of <em>cob</em> and a 126 bp fragment of <em>nad2</em> mitochondrial genes, respectively.</div><div><em>Microtus arvalis</em> was the most common prey rodent in terms of both frequency in foxes (20.8 %; 30/144) and total rodent prey items (81.7 %; 116/142). Other prey species included nine <em>Arvicola amphibius</em>, five <em>Microtus lavernedii</em>, two <em>M</em>. <em>subterraneus</em>, one <em>M</em>. <em>liechtensteini</em>, six <em>Clethrionomys glareolus</em>, one <em>Apodemus flavicollis</em> and two <em>Ap</em>. <em>sylvaticus</em>. Only 3/97 rodents were <em>Em</em>-positive (<em>M. arvalis</em>; 3/85) in two <em>Em</em>-positive red foxes. Prevalence in <em>M. arvalis</em> was estimated at 0.035 (95 % CI: 0.008–0.103). Further research is required to explain why <em>Em</em> distribution is limited to this area in the eastern Italian Alps despite the spatial contiguity to hyperendemic foci.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101095"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144291185","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":"Different age, different blood parasites - Acrocephalus species and their haemosporidian parasites during autumn migration in Central Europe","authors":"Nóra Ágh ,&nbsp;Szilvia Pásztory-Kovács ,&nbsp;Viola Prohászka ,&nbsp;Tibor Csörgő ,&nbsp;Eszter Szöllősi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101085","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In migratory passerines, the timing of the different phases of the migratory journey is of great importance for the survival prospect of the individuals. Haemosporidian infections could weaken the immune system, decelerate the ability of fat accumulation and potentially influence the migratory behaviour. As a large number of blood parasites is host-generalist there is a potential for cross-species and cross-population transmission with different parasite species during the migratory route of the passerines. In addition, resident birds also interact with different parasite fauna when migratory birds arrive back from their migratory route, therefore, it is important to study what kind of blood parasites migratory birds carry.</div><div>We screened three long-distant migratory <em>Acrocephalus</em> species during autumn migration in two years. We found that in reed and sedge warblers the overall prevalence of blood parasites was significantly higher in adults than in juveniles, and the prevalence of <em>Haemoproteus</em> infections was higher than that of the <em>Plasmodium</em> in adults. In contrast, <em>Plasmodium</em> infections dominated in juveniles in all the three species. The odds of catching infected juvenile individuals increased during the autumn migration, but infections had no significant effect on the actual body mass of the birds. These results could imply age-related differences in the probability of getting infected with different blood parasite genera. Sampling during migration and exploring the potential differences in parasite species composition and their effects on the migratory behaviour in different age groups can provide valuable insight in answering these questions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101085"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205459","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":"First report of flesh-fly (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) myiasis in little-devil poison frog (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from Ecuador","authors":"Michelle Vélez ,&nbsp;Mark-Oliver Rödel ,&nbsp;Vladimir Carvajal ,&nbsp;David A. Donoso ,&nbsp;Mónica A. Guerra","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report a case of myiasis in the poison frog <em>Oophaga sylvatica</em> from the Canandé Reserve located in the Chocó region of northwestern Ecuador. We identified the causal agents as larvae of flesh flies, Sarcophagidae, by means of DNA barcoding and morphological features. This represents the first record of myiasis in an anuran in Ecuador and the second record for Dendrobatidae in the Neotropics. This observation may constitute a case of facultative parasitism where larvae are deposited in the frog's wounds, but further research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms underlying this interaction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101093"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144222767","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":"Parasite diversity in grey wolves (Canis lupus) from Tuscany, central Italy: a copromicroscopical investigation","authors":"Salvatore Andrea Cafiero ,&nbsp;Luca Petroni ,&nbsp;Luca Natucci ,&nbsp;Luigi Casale ,&nbsp;Marta Raffaelli ,&nbsp;Debora Baldacci ,&nbsp;Alessia Di Rosso ,&nbsp;Chiara Rossi ,&nbsp;Adriano Casulli ,&nbsp;Alessandro Massolo ,&nbsp;Heidi Christine Hauffe ,&nbsp;Stefania Perrucci","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parasite monitoring is considered an important issue for wildlife conservation as well as for veterinary and public health. In Italy, data on endoparasites of the grey wolf (<em>Canis lupus</em>) are still limited. A copro-microscopical study was performed to investigate endoparasites of grey wolf communities in three Apennine natural reserves and a hilly area in northern Tuscany, central Italy. A total of 66 fresh faecal samples were collected and examined using the Mini-FLOTAC technique with a high-density flotation solution. Apparent prevalence and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for each parasite taxon, while true parasite prevalence rates were assessed for individual wolves identified after molecular analyses in one of the three natural areas (Apuan Alps Regional Park, AARP). Overall, a high prevalence of endoparasites was estimated (92.4 %, 95 % CI 83.2–97.5), and most samples were found positive for respiratory capillariids (81.8 %), i.e., <em>Eucoleus boehmi</em> (66.7 %) and <em>Eucoleus aerophilus</em> (31.8 %), <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. (36.4 %) and hookworms (21.2 %). <em>Physaloptera</em> spp. (7.6 %), <em>Toxocara canis</em> (1.5 %), <em>Spirocerca lupi</em> (1.5 %) <em>Crenosoma vulpis</em> (1.5 %), <em>Angiostrongylus vasorum</em> (1.5 %), <em>Opistorchis felineus</em> (3 %), <em>Alaria alata</em> (1.5 %), Taeniids (12.1 %), and <em>Cystoisospora</em> spp. (6.1 %) were also identified. <em>Dicrocoelium dendriticum</em> eggs and <em>Demodex</em> spp. mites were detected in few samples. No significant differences emerged between faecal and population prevalence for any of the parasite species identified in AARP. Findings from this study add new information on grey wolf endoparasite infections in Italy and confirm the high prevalence of respiratory capillariids circulating among wild canids in Europe. Our results highlight the important role grey wolves may play in the transmission of these capillariid species between wild and domestic canids as well as of potentially zoonotic parasites in examined areas. Moreover, some endoparasites identified in this study may negatively affect the health of infected wolves.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101092"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144297947","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":"Leishmania infantum and other zoonotic pathogens associated with captive lemurs (Lemur catta) in southern Italy","authors":"Renata Fagundes-Moreira ,&nbsp;Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan ,&nbsp;Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos ,&nbsp;Pietro Laricchiuta ,&nbsp;Matteo Legrottaglie ,&nbsp;Lucas Cafferati Beltrame ,&nbsp;Nikola Pantchev ,&nbsp;Julia Walochnik ,&nbsp;Domenico Otranto","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Safari-style zoological collections, particularly walk-in enclosures, offer visitors the unique experience of a close interaction with wildlife. However, these interactions can increase the risk of exposure to zoonotic infectious agents. In this study, we assessed the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in ring-tailed lemurs (<em>Lemur catta</em>), as well as the presence of <em>Leishmania</em> spp. in phlebotomine sand flies collected in the same zoological park (Fasano, southern Italy). Blood (<em>n</em> = 30), feces (<em>n</em> = 29), and sand flies were collected and analyzed using molecular and serological techniques. In addition, copro-parasitological analysis was performed on fecal samples. Two lemurs tested seropositive for <em>L. infantum</em> using SNAP<em>®</em> Leish 4Dx® (<em>n</em> = 2/30 [6.67 %; 95 % CI: 1.85–21.34]), with one also confirmed positive by qPCR. Sand flies were morphologically identified as <em>Phlebotomus perniciosus</em> (<em>n =</em> 71) and <em>Sergentomyia minuta</em> (<em>n =</em> 1), with one <em>P. perniciosus</em> female positive for <em>L. infantum</em> by qPCR. Fecal samples scored positive at molecular analysis for <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> (assemblage B, sub-assemblage BIV) (<em>n</em> = 13/29 [44.83 %; 95 % CI: 27.63–63.09]; <em>n</em> = 2/29 [6.90 %; 95 % CI: 1.91–22.57]), respectively), <em>Blastocystis</em> sp. (subtype 8) (<em>n</em> = 2/29 [6.90 %; 95 % CI: 1.91–22.57]), and <em>Entamoeba coli</em> (<em>n</em> = 8/29 [27.59 %; 95 % CI: 14.59–45.96]). The detection of <em>L. infantum</em> in lemurs and <em>P. perniciosus</em> suggests that in areas where <em>L. infantum</em> is endemic this animal species may be infected, also demonstrating that SNAP<em>®</em> Leish 4Dx® is effective for screening <em>L. infantum</em> in zoological settings. The identification of <em>G. duodenalis</em> (assemblage BIV), and <em>Blastocystis</em> sp. (ST8) raises concerns about contamination in enclosures, water, and food sources, overall highlighting the importance of sanitary protocols to avoid the risk of infection among animals, zookeepers and visitors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101094"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205458","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":"Nemabiome sequencing reveals seasonal and age associated patterns of strongyle infection and high prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris in Alberta feral horses","authors":"Grace Onyeche Ochigbo ,&nbsp;Sangwook Ahn ,&nbsp;Kobe Albert Belhumeur ,&nbsp;Jocelyn Poissant ,&nbsp;Brielle Vastola Rosa","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101091","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101091","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Unmanaged feral horses, naïve to dewormers, offer a unique opportunity to study natural communities of equine parasites. These communities may include parasites that are rare in managed populations, and these may be transmitted to domestic horses in areas where there is contact between feral and domestic equine populations. There have been only a few studies of gastrointestinal parasite populations in horses, and very few from North American equine populations. This study aimed to gain insights into parasite biology through identification of the strongyle parasite species infecting feral horses in Alberta, Canada, and to test for species-specific infection patterns across season and horse age. Fecal samples (N = 149) were collected from unique individuals in the Sundre Equine Management Zone (EMZ), Alberta, across two years: 2021 (N = 62) and 2022 (N = 87). In 2021, samples were collected in summer (N = 31; 8 foals, 5 subadults, 18 adults) and fall (N = 31; 5 foals, 1 subadult, 25 adults). In 2022, samples were collected in spring (N = 36; 4 subadults, 32 adults), summer (N = 41; 4 foals, 8 subadults, 29 adults), and fall (N = 20; 1 foal, 2 subadults, 17 adults). Fecal egg counts showed that these horses shed high numbers of strongyle eggs relative to domestic horse populations (mean = 1337.01 ± 961.81 epg), and nemabiome analyses identified a total of 34 strongyle species. Species richness and aggregate strongyle FECs were highest in subadults and during the summer, while lowest in foals and during the fall. There was a high prevalence of large strongyle species, especially <em>Strongylus vulgaris</em> (85.91 %), with strongyle species-specific prevalence and FECs strongly associated with age and season. Understanding the factors driving species-specific parasite infection provides important information on strongyle parasite ecology and may aid the development of targeted parasite control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101091"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144194948","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":"Molecular detection of Leishmania and other vector-borne agents in free-ranging and captive herpetofauna from Costa Rica","authors":"Mario H. Alves ,&nbsp;Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan ,&nbsp;Paula Alfaro-Segura ,&nbsp;Mariaelisa Carbonara ,&nbsp;Aarón Gómez ,&nbsp;Natalia Montero Leitón ,&nbsp;Jazmín Arias Ortega ,&nbsp;Alberto Solano-Barquero ,&nbsp;Alicia Rojas ,&nbsp;Domenico Otranto","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vector-borne pathogens in amphibians and reptiles represent an emerging concern in wildlife, with implications for ecosystem dynamics and potential zoonotic risks. In this study, we screened 108 animals from Costa Rica, including 46 captive snakes, 24 free-ranging reptiles, and 38 free-ranging amphibians, for the presence of Trypanosomatidae, Anaplasmataceae, <em>Borrelia</em>, <em>Rickettsia</em>, and <em>Hepatozoon</em> spp. Blood smear analysis revealed protozoa gametocytes in 3.7 % of the animals sampled, and 11.1 % of amphibians and reptiles were molecular positive for at least one pathogen. Specifically, 7.4 % of the samples tested positive for <em>Leishmania</em> spp., 1.85 % for <em>Trypanosoma</em> spp., 0.9 % for <em>Anaplasma</em> spp., and 1.85 % for <em>Hepatozoon</em> spp. Notably, this study reports the first molecular detection of <em>Leishmania</em> in an amphibian species (<em>Rhinella horribilis</em>) and confirms the presence of mammalian pathogenic <em>Leishmania infantum</em> in captive snakes in Central America. The presence of potential zoonotic agents in both captive and free-ranging herpetofauna underscores the importance of screening wildlife species, including understudied host groups such as amphibians, to better understand their role in disease ecology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101090"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144189945","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}