Acta Parasitologica最新文献

{"title":"Role of Arachidonic Acid Metabolic Dysregulation in Sheep Brain Injury Caused by Coenurus cerebralis Infection","authors":"Nijun zou,&nbsp;Yulin Jin,&nbsp;Jiachen Wang,&nbsp;Cheng Zhao,&nbsp;Chunlin Cai,&nbsp;Yang Zhou,&nbsp;Wen Teng,&nbsp;Laizhen Liu,&nbsp;Yueqi Yang,&nbsp;Shaohua Zhai","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01437-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01437-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Coenurus cerebralis (C. cerebralis) infection is a common parasitic disease in sheep that causes severe neurological damage. However, the underlying metabolic changes triggered by this pathogen in host sheep remain poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effects of C. cerebralis infection on in vivo metabolic functions in sheep.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Broad-targeted blood metabolomics was used to screen differential serum metabolites between C. cerebralis-infected sheep (BE-P group) and healthy sheep (BE-N group). Combined with KEGG enrichment analysis and ELISA assays, we further validated key metabolic molecules and related pathways.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>A total of 25 significantly differential metabolites were identified, including 19 upregulated and 6 downregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment indicated that the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolic pathway was the most significantly dysregulated pathway. ELISA results showed that serum phospholipids (PLs), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), AA, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2 (CysLT2R), and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) were markedly increased, whereas epoxy-eicosatrienoic acids (EETs) were decreased in the BE-P group. C. cerebralis infection disturbed the AA metabolic pathway, with abnormal activation of its downstream cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) branches. These changes were accompanied by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and microcirculation disturbance, which ultimately disrupted cerebral metabolism. Notably, serum CysLT2R level in the BE-P group was 2.13-fold higher than that in the BE-N group, representing the most prominent difference. CysLT2R may mediate neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier disruption and neuronal injury through the Gαq signaling pathway.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>C. cerebralis infection disturbs the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and activates its downstream metabolic cascades. CysLT2R is a key altered molecule, which may participate in the brain injury induced by C. cerebralis infection.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11686-026-01437-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149338615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut Microbiota Variation in Relation to Trichuris trichiura Infection Among School-Aged Children in a Helminth-Endemic Area of Indonesia","authors":"Endang Puji Astuti,&nbsp;Indah Kartika Murni,&nbsp;Pandji Wibawa Dhewantara,&nbsp;Rio Jati Kusuma,&nbsp;Sugiyono Saputra,&nbsp;Herjuno Ari Nugroho,&nbsp;Nova Dilla Yanthi,&nbsp;Joni Hendri,&nbsp;Yuneu Yuliasih,&nbsp;Rina Marina,&nbsp;Tri Isnani,&nbsp;Nita Rahayu","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01438-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01438-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Soil-transmitted helminth infections remain a public health concern in endemic regions and may be associated with changes in gut microbial communities. However, evidence regarding gut microbiota variation in relation to <i>Trichuris trichiura</i> infection remains inconsistent, particularly among children in endemic settings. This study aimed to investigate differences in gut bacterial composition and diversity between <i>T. trichiura</i>-infected and helminth-uninfected school-aged children in rural Indonesia.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A cross-sectional microbiome study was conducted among 24 school-aged children in West Java, Indonesia, comprising 15 with <i>T. trichiura</i> monoinfection and nine without detectable intestinal helminth infections. Infection status was determined using duplicate Kato–Katz examinations. Gut bacterial communities were characterized using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore platform. Taxonomic composition, alpha and beta diversity, and differential abundance were compared between groups.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Bacillota predominated in both groups, accounting for 86.20% and 79.82% of bacterial relative abundance in infected and uninfected children, respectively. Lachnospiraceae accounted for 57.20% and 44.59%, respectively. At the family level, Shannon diversity was significantly lower in infected children (1.720 ± 0.201 vs. 1.962 ± 0.280; <i>p</i> = 0.041), whereas Simpson diversity did not differ significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.073). PERMANOVA identified an association between infection status and bacterial community composition (R² = 0.126, <i>p</i> = 0.0077). No individual bacterial taxa remained statistically significant after false discovery rate correction.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p><i>Trichuris trichiura</i> infection status was associated with differences in gut bacterial diversity and overall community composition, although no robust taxon-specific associations were identified. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these exploratory findings.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149316970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Redescription of Orcinocyamus orcini (Amphipoda: Cyamidae) from Orcinus orca Stranded at East Java Island, Indonesia","authors":"Marina Hassan,&nbsp;Aditya Yudhana,&nbsp;Mohammad Faizal Ulkhaq,&nbsp;Suhairi Mazelan,&nbsp;Ahmad Najmi Ishak,&nbsp;Nor Asma Husna Yusoff,&nbsp;Farizan Abdullah,&nbsp;Norita Abdul Shukor,&nbsp;Che Wan Salma Che Wan Zalati,&nbsp;Tan Li Peng","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01436-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01436-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p><i>Orcinocyamus orcini</i> (Leung, 1970) is a cyamid amphipod specific to the killer whale (<i>Orcinus orca</i>). This study redescribes <i>O. orcini</i> from Indonesia using morphological and molecular approaches and provides the first DNA sequences for the species.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Specimens collected from skin lesions of an <i>O. orca</i> in East Java, Indonesia, were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular characterization was based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence and phylogenetic analysis.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Morphological examination confirmed the specimens as <i>O. orcini</i> and revealed diagnostic features including anterodorsal epaulette-like processes, ventral abdominal spines, and paired double, sausage-shaped, non-fasciculate gills on segments 3 and 4. The first COI sequences of <i>O. orcini</i> (GenBank accession numbers PX513872 and PX513873) differed by 17.8–21.3% from those of 10 other sequenced cyamid species and formed a distinct lineage in the phylogenetic analysis.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The study provides an updated morphological characterization and the first molecular reference data for <i>O. orcini</i>, facilitating its future identification and expanding its documented geographic distribution to the tropical Indo-Pacific.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149293803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced Antiparasitic Efficacy and Humoral Immune Modulation by Nitazoxanide-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Against Experimental Cryptosporidiosis","authors":"Amel Youssef Shehab,&nbsp;Amal Farahat Allam,&nbsp;Esraa Abdelhamid Moneer,&nbsp;Ibrahim Rabi Bayoumi Ali,&nbsp;Aziza Ibrahim Salem,&nbsp;Ereen Wagdy Mina,&nbsp;Heba Said Ibrahim","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01423-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01423-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and is particularly severe in immunocompromised individuals. Nitazoxanide (NTZ), the only FDA-approved therapy, shows limited effectiveness in this population. Chitosan nanoparticle (CS NP)-based delivery systems may enhance its therapeutic performance. This study evaluated NTZ, blank CS NPs, and NTZ-loaded CS NPs in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice experimentally infected with <i>Cryptosporidium</i> oocysts, by assessing mortality rate, fecal and intestinal oocyst counts, and ELISA-based serum IgM and IgG levels.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>One hundred male Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups (<i>n</i> = 20 each), each subdivided into immunocompetent and immunosuppressed subgroups (<i>n</i> = 10). Group A served as uninfected, untreated controls; Group B comprised infected untreated mice; Groups C, D, and E received NTZ alone, blank CS NPs, and NTZ-loaded CS NPs.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Mortality rate was lowest in the NTZ-loaded CS NP group (10% in immunocompetent; 30% in immunosuppressed mice). NTZ-loaded CS NPs achieved the greatest oocyst reductions: 73.5% and 67.1% in stool (day 20 PI), and 52.8% and 40.4% in intestinal contents (day 21 PI), in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Serum IgM and IgG were most substantially reduced in this group, a pattern consistent with reduced antigenic stimulation following treatment and offering correlative support for parasite clearance beyond oocyst counts alone.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Encapsulating NTZ in CS NPs significantly reduced fecal and intestinal oocyst burden and serum IgG relative to free NTZ, with a non-significant improvement in mortality. NTZ-loaded CS NPs represent a promising preclinical nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy for cryptosporidiosis warranting optimization and evaluation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149293806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Characterization of Pseudobenedenia lauriei Szidat, 1965 (Monopisthocotyla: Capsalidae) from Notothenia neglecta Nybelin, 1951, off Antarctica","authors":"Nataliya Rubtsova,&nbsp;Anshu Chaudhary,&nbsp;Oleksandr Salganskiy,&nbsp;Tetiana A. Kuzmina","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01434-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01434-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>The genus <i>Pseudobenedenia</i> Johnston, 1931, includes capsalid monogeneans parasitizing Antarctic nototheniid fishes and has long been subject to taxonomic instability. One of the most affected taxa is <i>Pseudobenedenia lauriei</i> Szidat, 1965 (often treated as a synonym of <i>P. nototheniae</i>). We aimed to reassess the taxonomic status of <i>P. lauriei</i> using an integrative approach combining comparative morphology, morphometrics, and molecular analyses.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Our analysis was based on newly collected material from <i>Notothenia neglecta</i> off West Antarctica, together with a comparative examination of museum specimens.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Morphological comparisons a consistent set of diagnostic features distinguishing <i>P. lauriei</i> from its congeners. Multivariate analyses (PCA and Gower distance) clearly separated <i>P. lauriei</i> from all other congeners. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial 18S and 28S rDNA sequences supported the distinct position of <i>P. lauriei</i> within the Antarctic clade of <i>Pseudobenedenia</i>. Reassessment of historical material suggested that many records previously assigned to <i>P. nototheniae</i> may represent distinct host-associated species.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Our results support the recognition of <i>P. lauriei</i> as a valid species and highlight the importance of host identity, particularly its association with <i>N. neglecta</i>, in resolving species boundaries within the genus. This study also emphasizes the continued value of museum collections for resolving the taxonomy of Antarctic parasites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149293767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of Non-target Snail Species on the Biological Characteristics of Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Biomphalaria alexandrina: Implications for Parasite Transmission and a Possible Role for Host-associated Kairomones","authors":"Amina M. Ibrahim","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01432-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01432-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>This study assessed the impact of snail conditioned water (SCW) from <i>Biomphalaria alexandrina</i>, <i>Bulinus truncatus</i>, <i>Helisoma duryi</i>, and <i>Eobania</i> <i>vermiculata</i> on the biological traits of<i> S. mansoni </i>infection in <i>B. alexandrina</i>.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Infected snails were subjected to SCW from <i>B. alexandrina</i>, <i>B. truncatus</i>, <i>H. duryi</i>, and <i>E. vermiculata</i> then study their effects on the biological parameters in these snails. </p><h3>Results</h3><p>The present results indicate that the prepatent period was extended for groups exposed to <i>H. duryi</i> and <i>E. vermiculata</i> SCW, while it remained 30 days for those exposed to <i>B</i>. <i>alexandrina</i>, <i>B. truncatus</i> SCW, and control groups. Cercarial shedding lasted 22 days in groups exposed to <i>B. alexandrina</i>, <i>B. truncatus</i>, and <i>E. vermiculata</i> SCW; 26 days for <i>H</i>. <i>duryi</i>; and 37 days for controls. Lifespan of infected snails was shorter in mixed-species treatments, and cercarial production was significantly lower across these groups. Infection rates were highest in <i>B. alexandrina</i> and <i>B. truncatus</i> SCW. The study revealed that SCW significantly affects the survival of <i>S. mansoni</i> larvae, varying by snail species.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>These findings suggest SCW, particularly from <i>H. duryi</i>, has potential for developing natural antiparasitic agents, with significant variations in larvicidal efficacy among the snail species tested. Ecologically, these insights could inform environmentally sustainable strategies for schistosomiasis control programs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149293755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Human Neuroangiostrongyliasis Caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Northern Vietnam: a Clinical–Epidemiological Case Series of Eosinophilic Response and Disease Manifestations","authors":"Tra Thu Doan,&nbsp;Linh Khanh Thi Nguyen,&nbsp;Vuong Minh Nong,&nbsp;Nhung Phuong Thi Ngo,&nbsp;Thanh Van Do,&nbsp;Co Xuan Dao,&nbsp;Cuong Duy Do,&nbsp;Giap Van Vu","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01439-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01439-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149284404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cryptosporidium spp. in Synanthropic Rodents: A Molecular Characterisation Study","authors":"Andrea Dellarupe,&nbsp;Kevin D. Steffen,&nbsp;Lorena De Felice,&nbsp;Bruno Fitte,&nbsp;María del Rosario Robles,&nbsp;María Eugenia Sella,&nbsp;Juan M. Unzaga","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01430-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01430-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease with a global distribution, caused by protozoa of the genus <i>Cryptosporidium</i>, and represents a significant public health concern worldwide. Synanthropic rodents are recognized as reservoirs of these pathogens, playing an important role in the dissemination and transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and molecular diversity of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in synanthropic rodents and their potential role as reservoirs of zoonotic species.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 85 intestinal samples from <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> (<i>n</i> = 25), <i>Rattus rattus</i> (<i>n</i> = 16), and <i>Mus musculus</i> (<i>n</i> = 44) captured in urban and peri-urban areas of La Plata and surrounding localities in Argentina were analysed. Molecular screening was performed using nested PCR targeting the <i>18 S rRNA</i> gene and, in some selected cases, by analysing the <i>gp60</i> gene.</p><h3>Results</h3><p><i>Cryptosporidium</i> DNA was detected in 11.8% (10/85; 95% CI: 5.8–20.5%) of the samples. The highest positivity rate was observed in <i>R. norvegicus</i> (16%, 4/25), followed by <i>R. rattus</i> (12.5%, 2/16) and <i>M. musculus</i> (9.1%, 4/44). Sequence analysis identified three isolates of <i>C. muris</i>, one <i>C. ratti</i>, one <i>C. occultus</i>, four <i>C. tyzzeri</i>, and one <i>Cryptosporidium</i> sp. rat genotype IV.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The detection of multiple <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species highlights the genetic diversity of this parasite in synanthropic rodents. Rodent-adapted <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. were detected in this study, some of which are potentially zoonotic, such as <i>C. tyzzeri</i>, <i>C. muris</i> and <i>C. occultus</i>. These findings emphasize the importance of integrated surveillance and control to understand transmission and reduce public health risks from <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149260444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New Record of Raillietiella furcocerca (Pentastomida: Raillietiellidae) in Bothrops atrox from the Brazilian Amazon: Morphological Characterization and Infection Sites","authors":"Anna Célia Oliveira Sarmento,&nbsp;Darlison Chagas-de-Souza,&nbsp;Ricardo Bassini-Silva,&nbsp;Tássio Alves-Coêlho,&nbsp;Síria Ribeiro,&nbsp;Lincoln Lima Corrêa,&nbsp;Alfredo P. Santos-Jr","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01435-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01435-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This study aims to document the occurrence of <i>Raillietiella furcocerca</i> infecting <i>Bothrops atrox</i> in the Lower Amazon region, State of Pará, Brazil, providing morphometric characterization, infection descriptors, and new insights into extrapulmonary infection sites.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 48 <i>B. atrox</i> specimens were examined between 2009 and 2011 (Tapajós National Forest) and 2023–2024 (Santarém and Belterra). Pentastomes were recovered during necropsy, counted, measured, and morphologically identified. Parasitological descriptors (prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity) were calculated alongside a literature review of pentastome-snake interactions in the Neotropics.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Nine host specimens were infected (<span>(:9/48)</span>), yielding an overall prevalence of 18.8%, a mean abundance of 0.48, and a mean intensity of 2.56. Pentastomes were recovered from both the lungs and the coelomic cavity, actively attached to visceral serosa and associated with focal tissue lesions.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study provides the first quantitative parasitological baseline for <i>R. furcocerca</i> in <i>B. atrox</i> from the Amazonian biome and confirms the coelomic cavity as a viable antemortem extrapulmonary infection site and provide update literature review and distribution mapping on pentastomids infection in Neotropical snakes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13710676/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149260382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phylogenetic Profiling and Molecular Detection of Babesia and Theileria spp. in Ticks Infesting Livestock Across Kashmir Valley, India","authors":"Altaf Hussain Khan,&nbsp;Indrani Jadhav,&nbsp;Bashir Ahmad Fomda,&nbsp;Uksim Qadri,&nbsp;Idrees Mehraj Allaie,&nbsp;Qounsar Nisar,&nbsp;Tahseen Bilal Rather,&nbsp;Yaawar Mir","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01427-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01427-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Ticks are major vectors of protozoan hemoparasites, particularly <i>Babesia</i> and <i>Theileria</i>, causing substantial morbidity and economic losses in livestock. Data on molecular prevalence and circulating species in the high-altitude Kashmir Valley are limited. This study investigated the prevalence, distribution, and phylogenetic relationships of piroplasm infections in ticks infesting domestic ruminants.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A cross-sectional survey was conducted across eight districts of the Kashmir Valley. A total of 4,965 livestock animals were examined, of which 1,800 were found tick-infested, yielding an overall infestation rate of 36.27%. Collected ticks were morphologically identified and screened for <i>Babesia</i> and <i>Theileria</i> DNA using genus-specific 18 S rRNA PCR. Positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Of the 1,800 ticks examined, <i>Haemaphysalis</i> constituted 1,529 (84.0%), followed by <i>Rhipicephalus</i> 171 (9.5%) and <i>Ornithodoros</i> 100 (5.5%). Overall PCR positivity was 19/1,800 (1.06%) for <i>Babesia</i> spp. and 10/1,800 (0.56%) for <i>Theileria</i> spp. <i>Babesia</i> DNA was detected in ticks from cattle (3/720; 0.42%), sheep (14/720; 1.94%), and goats (2/360; 0.56%), whereas <i>Theileria</i> DNA was detected in ticks from cattle (5/720; 0.69%) and goats (5/360; 1.39%). Female ticks showed significantly higher <i>Babesia</i> positivity than males (13/648; 2.01% vs. 3/792; 0.38%; <i>P</i> = 0.004). Tick infestation peaked during summer months. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Kashmir <i>Babesia</i> sequences clustered with <i>B. bovis</i> reference sequences, while the <i>Theileria</i> sequences clustered with <i>T. cf. luwenshuni</i>-related sequences.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This molecular and phylogenetic study provides evidence of <i>B. bovis</i> and <i>T. luwenshuni</i>-like sequences in ticks collected from livestock in the Kashmir Valley. <i>Haemaphysalis</i> was the predominant tick genus associated with the detected piroplasmid infections. Although overall PCR positivity was low, the findings provide baseline data for piroplasm surveillance and support further characterization using higher-resolution molecular markers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149260414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}