Acta Parasitologica最新文献

{"title":"Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. Isolates from Bats in Colombia","authors":"Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos,&nbsp;Juliana Noriega,&nbsp;Rafael F. Fajardo,&nbsp;Sandra M. Chala-Quintero,&nbsp;Adriana Del Pilar Pulido-Villamarín,&nbsp;Jairo Pérez-Torres,&nbsp;Rubiela Castañeda-Salazar,&nbsp;Claudia Cuervo","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00697-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00697-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp., frequently found in several animal species, including bats. Several <i>Cryptosporidium</i> genotypes have been described in bats worldwide, suggesting that bats are infected by host-specific <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. To date, there are no published reports about <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in bats from Colombia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the presence and molecular diversity of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Colombian bats.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 63 gut samples from three bat species served for molecular detection of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. 18S rDNA gene by qPCR. The sequenced amplicons were used in subsequent phylogenetic analyses to identify them as species or genotypes.</p><h3>Results</h3><p><i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. qPCR detection occurred in 9.5% (6/63) of bat intestines, and four sequences represented two new genotypes, called <i>Cryptosporidium</i> bat genotypes XIX and XX, were identified.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This study describes the detection of two novel <i>Cryptosporidium</i> bat genotypes, in two species of bats from a region of Colombia, requiring further studies to determine the relationhip between <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and bats in Colombia.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"676 - 682"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11686-023-00697-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10115156","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":"Multiple Stool Sampling and Specific Parasitological Technique are Crucial to Diagnose Strongyloidiasis in Alcoholic Patients","authors":"Alana A. S. Gonçalves,&nbsp;Camila A. Lopes,&nbsp;Marcelo A. Levenhagen,&nbsp;Henrique T. Gonzaga,&nbsp;Luiz Carlos M. Oliveira,&nbsp;Julia Maria Costa-Cruz","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00700-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00700-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>Chronic alcoholism is a well-known risk factor for strongyloidiasis, in these patients the disease is potentially more severe, probably due to the breakdown of local protective barriers and immunosuppression caused by alcohol, which can lead to autoinfection and dissemination. The aim of this study was to evaluate multiple stool sampling and a specific parasitological assay agar plate culture (APC) for the diagnosis of <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> in alcoholics.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>APC was compared to sedimentation technique (HPJ; Hoffman, Pons and Janer), as parasitological methods to detect <i>S. stercoralis</i> infection in alcoholic individuals. Three stool samples from 60 alcoholic and 60 non-alcoholic individuals were analyzed.</p><h3>Results</h3><p><i>S. stercoralis</i> larvae were observed in 11 (18.3%) alcoholic individuals and 1 (1.7%) nonalcoholic individual (<i>P</i> = 0.0042). In view of the combined results, sensitivity for the APC method was 63.6% (CI 31.6–87.6%) with the first sample reaching 100% (CI 67.8–100%) after analyzing three fecal samples. The HPJ sensitivity was 36.4% (CI 12.4–68.4) in the first sample, reaching 72.7% (CI 39.3–92.7) after three samples analyzed.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The present results suggest that in alcoholic patients, it is important to repeat stool sampling with specific techniques, especially using the APC method, to avoid misdiagnosis in cases that could evolve to disseminated strongyloidiasis.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"718 - 722"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10102462","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":"Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Different Populations of Dogs from Aguascalientes, Mexico","authors":"Carlos Cruz-Vázquez,&nbsp;Liliana Maldonado-López,&nbsp;Irene Vitela-Mendoza,&nbsp;Leticia Medina-Esparza,&nbsp;Liliana Aguilar-Marcelino,&nbsp;Isabel de Velasco-Reyes","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00703-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00703-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context and Purpose</h3><p>This work aimed to study the seroprevalence of natural infection by <i>T. gondii</i> in different population segments of dogs from Aguascalientes, Mexico as well as its possible association with some risk factors.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The study included 210 clinically healthy dogs from three population segments: rural, stray and pet. A blood serum sample was collected on a single occasion and processed by indirect immunofluorescence considering a dilution of 1:16 as a positive reaction; the association between the presence of antibodies and the potential risk factors was estimated with logistic regression.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The overall prevalence of anti-<i>T. gondii</i> antibodies in the studied population was 59% (123/210; CI 95% 51–65) being different between population segments, in rural dogs 74% (59/80; CI 95% 62–82), in stray dogs 60% (48/80; CI 95% 48–70) and in pet dogs 32% (16/50; CI 95% 19–46), the titers of the positive sera were in a range of 1:16–1:128. In rural dogs the seroprevalence according to the municipality was in a range of 55% to 100% finding positive dogs in all the studied municipalities. The zootechnical function of guarding the property in rural dogs was identified as a risk factor (OR 2.4), while in pet dogs it was living with cats (OR 7) as well as sharing the drinking water container (OR 4); in stray dogs it was not possible to identify any risk factor.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This study documents the wide presence of anti-<i>T. gondii</i> antibodies in the population groups examined, this being more important in rural dogs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"683 - 689"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10104402","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":"Tick-Borne Pathogens Screening Using a Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Method","authors":"Sergio Andres Cardenas-Cadena,&nbsp;Maria Eugenia Castañeda-Lopez,&nbsp;Fabiana Esther Mollinedo-Montaño,&nbsp;Sodel Vazquez-Reyes,&nbsp;Jorge Lara-Arias,&nbsp;Ivan Alberto Marino-Martinez,&nbsp;Iram Pablo Rodriguez-Sanchez,&nbsp;Idalia Garza-Veloz,&nbsp;Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00702-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00702-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>This study aims to develop and evaluate a cost-effective, user-friendly multiplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method for detecting multiple tick-borne pathogens associated with human and veterinary diseases.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>In silico PCR was performed to design and evaluate primer sequences reported for amplifying <i>Rickettsia spp</i>., <i>Borrelia spp.</i>, and <i>Ehrlichia spp.</i> Single and multiplex qPCR assays were then standardized to detect individual pathogens and multiple pathogens in a single reaction. Positive controls were generated to determine the dynamic range of the methods. In the validation phase, a total of 800 samples were screened for the presence of tick-borne pathogens.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Identification in a single qPCR reaction (multiplex) of <i>Ehrlichia spp</i><i>.</i>, and <i>Borrelia spp.</i> with a limit of detection of 10 copies and <i>Rickettsia spp</i>. with 100 copies, a PCR efficiency (E) of 90–100% and a coefficient of correlation (<i>R</i>²) of 0.998–0.996 for all pathogens.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The ability to detect three significant pathogens <i>(Ehrlichia spp</i>., <i>Rickettsia spp</i>., and <i>Borrelia spp</i>.) in a single qPCR reaction offers a significant advantage in the field of molecular diagnostics for tick-borne diseases. This advancement has a profound impact on public health as it facilitates the selection of appropriate treatment protocols, thereby reducing complications associated with disease progression. The streamlined approach provided by this method simplifies the diagnostic process and enables timely intervention, ultimately improving patient outcomes and mitigating the potential risks associated with untreated or misdiagnosed tick-borne infections.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"705 - 710"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11686-023-00702-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10115150","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":"Fatal Disseminated Strongyloidiasis in an Immunosuppressed Patient During COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Eissa Soleymani,&nbsp;Lotfollah Davoodi,&nbsp;Shadi Shayesteh Azar,&nbsp;Seyed Reza Mirbadiei,&nbsp;Fatemeh Parandin,&nbsp;Afshin Azimi,&nbsp;Azadeh Mizani,&nbsp;Zohreh Khorshidvand,&nbsp;Mahdi Fakhar","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00705-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00705-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>This report presents a fatal case of disseminated strongyloidiasis in a patient with myasthenia gravis and diabetes mellitus who had received corticosteroid therapy.</p><h3>Case Report</h3><p>The patient was a 67-year-old woman living in a rural area endemic for <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> in northern Iran. Disseminated strongyloidiasis was diagnosed in the advanced stage of the disease, with enormous numbers of larvae demonstrated in direct smears prepared from stool samples and stomach biopsy. Despite treatment with ivermectin and antibiotics, the patient succumbed to the severity of the infection.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Clinicians working in endemic areas should be mindful of the possibility of gastric involvement in strongyloidiasis, even if symptoms are nonspecific. We recommend that high-risk individuals be screened for <i>S. stercoralis</i> prior to immunosuppressive therapy in endemic regions to raise awareness and prevent similar cases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"711 - 717"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10156425","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":"Antimalarial Activities of a Therapeutic Combination of Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica and Morinda lucida Leaves: A Molecular View of its Activity on Plasmodium falciparum Proteins","authors":"Suliat Iyabode Abdulai,&nbsp;Ahmed Adebayo Ishola,&nbsp;Clement Olatunbosun Bewaji","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00698-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00698-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The search for new antimalarial drugs remains elusive prompting research into antimalarial combinations from medicinal plants due to their cheapness, efficacy and availability. <i>Azadirachta indica</i> (AI), <i>Morinda lucida</i> (ML) and <i>Mangifera indica</i> (MI) have all been reported as potent antimalarial plants.\u0000</p><h3>Purpose</h3><p>This study evaluated the efficacy of an antimalarial combination therapeutics prepared from leaves of AI, ML and MI using <i>in vitro</i>, <i>in vivo</i> and molecular methods.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Refined extracts of the plants combination was made by partitioning the aqueous extract of plants combinations (AI + MI, AI + ML, MI + ML, AI + MI + ML) using methanol and ethyl acetate consecutively. The resulting ethyl acetate partitioned fraction was evaluated for its antimalarial activity. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were employed to determine the possible mechanism of action of the constituent of the most active combination against four important <i>P. falciparum</i> proteins.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The result revealed that the refined extract from combinations AI + ML and MI + ML at 16 mg/kg bodyweight have the highest chemo-suppressive effect of 90.7% and 91.0% respectively compared to chloroquine's 100% at 10 mg/kg. Also, refined extract from MI + ML combination improved PCV levels significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) compared to controls. Molecular docking revealed oleanolic acid and ursolic acid as multiple inhibitors of plasmepsin II, hiso-aspartic protease, falcipain-2 and <i>P. falciparum</i> Eonyl acyl-carrier protein reductase with relative stability during 100 ns of simulation.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The study unveiled the potentials of ML and MI as good candidates for antimalarial combination therapy and further established their use together as revealed in folklore medicine.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"659 - 675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10155913","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":"Phasmarhabditis eagyptiaca n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) Isolated from Egyptian Terrestrial Snails and Its Role as Control Bio-agent to Gastropods","authors":"Karima Mahmoud Azzam","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00694-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00694-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>To date nineteen nematode species in the genus <i>Phasmarhabditis</i> Andrássy, 1976 recorded and described. This paper describes <i>Phasmarhabditis eagyptiaca</i> n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), morphologically and phylogenatically and investigate its role as bio control agent for gastropods.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Snails infected with nematode collected from Great Cairo Egypt. Sequences of the 18S ribosomal (18S rRNA) gene performed and used for phylogenetic studies. Morphological parameter measured and the nematode photographed and illustrated. Bioassay conducted on some snails and slugs species.</p><h3>Results:</h3><p><i>Phasmarhabditis eagyptiaca</i> n. sp. is the second new species of the genus <i>Phasmarhabditis</i> recorded and described in Egypt after <i>Phasmarhabditis tawfiki</i> Azzam2003, the fourth species from Africa and the 20th from the world. Morphological and molecular parameter showed that the new isolate is close to other species of <i>Phasmarhabditis,</i> especially <i>Phasmarhabditis neopapillosa</i> Andrássy, 1983, <i>Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita</i> (Schneider, 1859) and <i>P. tawfiki</i> Azzam with high bootstrap supported values (99.25%, 98.85%, and 98.64%, respectively)<i>.</i> This nematode could infect and killed all snails and slugs exposed to infection in laboratory. <i>Phasmarhabditis eagyptiaca</i> n. sp. differs from all previously recorded species by shorter tail of female spikey tail of male and the arrangement of genital papillae formula which different from all previous species.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>It could be confirmed that this nematode is a new species of <i>Phasmarhabditis</i>. This nematode could be considering a biological control agent for snails and slugs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"637 - 650"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10098823","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":"Albendazole Monotherapy for Pediatric Cystic Echinococcosis: A Case Series","authors":"Moshe Shmueli,&nbsp;Siham Elamour,&nbsp;Orli Sagi,&nbsp;Daniel Grupel,&nbsp;Zaki Assi,&nbsp;Shalom Ben-Shimol","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00699-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00699-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Data regarding albendazole monotherapy for cystic echinococcosis (CE) are scarce, especially in children. We report our experience treating CE in children with albendazole monotherapy.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A retrospective case series, 2005–2021, assessing factors leading to albendazole monotherapy, demographic, clinical, duration of treatment and follow-up, and outcome (changes in cyst size and side effects) characteristics.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Overall, we identified 18 patients with 31 cysts; liver: 68% (n = 21), lungs: 29% (n = 9), and kidney: 3% (n = 1). Mean cyst size was 4.5 ± 2.6 cm. Reasons for administrating albendazole monotherapy were small (&lt; 4 cm) cyst size (56%), difficulty to operate (33%) and comorbidity (22%). Duration of treatment (range 1–32 months) was 1, 2–3, 4–6 and &gt; 6 months in 28% (n = 5), 39% (n = 7), 17% (n = 3) and 17% (n = 3) of children, respectively. Duration of follow up (range 1–87 months) was 1, 2–3, 4–6 and &gt; 6 months in 11% (n = 2), 11% (n = 2), 17% (n = 3) and 61% (n = 11) of children, respectively. Overall, 83% (n = 15) of patients experienced lack of cyst growth, and 72% (n = 13) experienced reduction in cyst size, while 44% (n = 8) experienced reduction larger than 50%. Full resolution was noted in 22% (n = 4) of patients. In three cases (17%) treatment failure was recorded: one (6%) recurrence, and two cases (11%) of cyst growth. Neutropenia was recorded in two patients (11%), and liver enzymes elevation was recorded in six patients (33%).</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Albendazole monotherapy may be an adequate treatment for selected cases of CE disease in children, especially in CE with small, hepatic cysts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"651 - 658"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10155903","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":"Endoparasite Communities of Fish at Different Trophic Levels in the Western Brazilian Amazon: Human, Environmental and Seasonal Influence","authors":"Lucena Rocha Virgilio,&nbsp;Fabricia da Silva Lima,&nbsp;Erlei Cassiano keppeler,&nbsp;Ricardo Massato Takemoto,&nbsp;Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo,&nbsp;Dionatas Ulises de Oliveira Meneguetti","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00685-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00685-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>The composition of the fish parasite community depends on several factors related to the environment, the host and its biology. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of environmental factors in anthropized and conserved areas on the endoparasite community structure in fish at different trophic levels, in addition to verifying that some species of Digenea are indicators of conserved environments.\u0000</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The study was carried out in the Upper Juruá River region, Western Amazon, Brazil. Six sampling sites were selected in this region and grouped in conserved and degraded environments. Fish were caught from periods of drought and flood, using passive and active sampling methods. Fish collected were measured, weighed, necropsied and the parasites found were counted, fixed, and subjected to morphological analysis. Physical and chemical variables and environmental characteristics were measured in all sites.\u0000</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The present study demonstrated that environmental variables in a floodplain system can influence the richness, diversity, composition and abundance of endoparasites in hosts at different trophic levels. In addition, anthropized environments may favor the abundance of some generalist parasites and present a more homogeneous biota between seasonal periods compared to conserved environments.\u0000</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Study contributed with information supporting the importance of conservation of aquatic environments, and demonstrated that fish parasites can be excellent indicators of environments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"612 - 636"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10474406","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":"Congenital Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis: Current Approaches and New Insights","authors":"Alfredo Márquez-Mauricio,&nbsp;Heriberto Caballero-Ortega,&nbsp;Fernando Gómez-Chávez","doi":"10.1007/s11686-023-00693-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-023-00693-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>The aim of this study is to describe and discuss current disadvantages in congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) diagnosis, and what can be improved or changed through new perspectives and technological advances.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>We used Pubmed, Cochrane, and EBSCO databases to research publications from 10 years to date describing current diagnostic methods for CT. The keywords used for this Mini-Review were <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, <i>congenital toxoplasmosis</i>, <i>diagnosis</i>, <i>and prospects</i> using Boolean operators such as AND, OR, identifying scientific publications highlighting the importance of implementing new diagnostic methods.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Current diagnosis methods have several disadvantages, i.e., time-consuming, low sensitivity or specificity, and non-cost effective, that bring up the necessity of improving or developing new approaches. Recombinant proteins can help improve specificity by generating tests that use circulating strains in a specific geographical region, SAG1 and BAG1, as they are expressed during a particular stage of the disease (acute or chronic, respectively), for its use in serological diagnoses, such as capture ELISA and immunochromatography. Point of Care (POC) tests are methods performed at the patient care site, which leads to rapid patient treatment; despite the advantages, several improvements and perspectives are necessary to be implemented globally.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Although already established diagnosis methods for CT may be sufficient in some regions, there is still a persistent demand to develop tests with higher throughput, cost, and time reduction in developing countries, where prevalence is high. New approaches in CT diagnosis, such as recombinant proteins, capture ELISA, immunochromatography, and POC tests methods, can increase performance in terms of specificity and sensitivity simplifying diagnostic tests’ requirements.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"68 3","pages":"473 - 480"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10474374","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}