Acta Parasitologica最新文献

{"title":"Correction: The Effect of Curcumin on Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection in the Testes of BALB/c Mice","authors":"Mehdi Tavalla, Mohamad Sabaghan, Mojtaba Haghi Karamollah, Marzieh Pashmforosh, Ali Veisi, Fatemeh Mohtaseb, Shahrzad Soltani, Seyed Ahmad Hosseini, Ghodratollah Shakerinejad, Ashraf Alemi, Mojtaba Kalantar","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01400-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01400-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148981823","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":"The Evaluation of Surface Charges of Ascaris Lumbricoides, Giardia Duodenalis, and Taenia spp., in Preserved Fecal Samples Processed in Natura","authors":"Quéren Hapuque de Castro Novelli,&nbsp;Felipe Augusto Soares,&nbsp;Vinícius Salles Margatho,&nbsp;Enrico Piovesana Fernandes,&nbsp;Celso Tetsuo Nagase Suzuki,&nbsp;Edvaldo Sabadini,&nbsp;Bianca Martins dos Santos,&nbsp;Leyva Cecília Vieira de Melo,&nbsp;Amanda de Oliveira Baccin,&nbsp;Alexandre Xavier Falcão,&nbsp;Jancarlo Ferreira Gomes","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01367-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01367-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Parasite structures eliminated in feces have chemical characteristics resulting from their interactions with the environment in which they are found. These poorly documented physicochemical conditions may interfere with separation techniques used to detect helminth eggs and larvae, as well as protozoan cysts, oocysts, and spores. This interference negatively affects diagnostic protocols for these pathogens, which are generally low to moderate in sensitivity. As such, we sought to evaluate the surface charge by zeta potential (ZP) of the species <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i>, <i>Giardia duodenalis</i>, and <i>Taenia</i> spp.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>We screened fecal samples that tested positive for these parasites at high intensity. These positive samples were then filtered through tubes containing 400 µm and 200 µm meshes, after which a 500 µL aliquot was diluted with 9 mL of deionized water and centrifuged (490 g / 5 min). This dilution and centrifugation procedure was performed 5 times to obtain a concentrated parasite sediment, which was then transferred to Petri dishes containing 7.5% formalin in deionized water. Eggs and cysts were visualized with stereomicroscopy equipment, captured with a 10 µL micropipette, and stored in Eppendorf tubes (2 mL).</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Zeta potential values were analyzed with a Zetasizer nano device, and the average data obtained from in triplicate were − 28 mV, − 21.9 mV, and − 18.4 mV for <i>G. duodenalis</i>, <i>A. lumbricoides</i>, and <i>Taenia</i> spp., respectively.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>We conclude that the negative charges presented on the surfaces of these parasite structures in natural fecal samples can negatively affect laboratory diagnostic techniques.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11686-026-01367-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927664","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":"Head Lice: A Revised View of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Transmission and Prevalence","authors":"Ian F. Burgess","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01373-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01373-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Head louse transmission is a regular occurrence among children when coming into close contact with others during social activities. During the Covid-19 pandemic most countries instituted lockdown periods resulting in isolation of children away from regular contacts, potentially restricting opportunities for louse transmission. Subsequently there were reports of reduced infestations in children at schools, compared with before the pandemic, with a parallel fall in sales of pediculicidal treatments in several countries beyond the longer-term decline in product sales observed over several years before the pandemic.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>For this narrative review all literature linking Covid-19 and head lice were revisited and re-evaluated.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Despite the increased opportunity for elimination of infestations, some households with no outside contacts reported persistent incidence of head louse infestation and a review of the various studies suggests that most reported changes in head louse prevalence were relatively short lived or even illusory and in countries with low or middle incomes there was little or no difference in prevalence as a result of lockdowns.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Some aspects of the social distancing imposed in several countries during the pandemic appear to have continued to have some effect on social interactions of children, particularly in Western countries, with a commensurate slower recovery of head louse prevalence in some communities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927513","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":"First Molecular Detection and Genotypic Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis in Farmed Chukar Partridges (Alectoris chukar) in Southern China","authors":"Yongli Jian,&nbsp;Houqiang Luo,&nbsp;Qingsong Han,&nbsp;Meng Wang,&nbsp;Xingyang Cui,&nbsp;Peide Li,&nbsp;Keyong Xia,&nbsp;Yongan Gao,&nbsp;Haiyang Song,&nbsp;Lin Hu,&nbsp;Suzhen Liu,&nbsp;Yiqiang Tu,&nbsp;Wei Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01394-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01394-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p><i>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</i> and <i>Blastocystis</i> are enteric unicellular microorganisms with a broad host range and global distribution. Both pathogens are associated with gastrointestinal disorders in their hosts and represent notable public health risks. However, molecular epidemiological data on <i>E. bieneusi</i> and <i>Blastocystis</i> in chukar partridges (<i>Alectoris chukar</i>) remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of the two pathogens in farmed chukar partridges and evaluate their zoonotic potential.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 411 fecal samples were collected from farmed chukar partridges. The prevalence of <i>E. bieneusi</i> and <i>Blastocystis</i> was determined, and their genotypes/subtypes were characterized by PCR amplification of species-specific target genes.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The overall prevalence of <i>E. bieneusi</i> and <i>Blastocystis</i> in farmed chukar partridges was 1.22% (5/411) and 1.70% (7/411), respectively. Age-stratified analysis showed the highest <i>E. bieneusi</i> prevalence occurred in yearling partridges (1.72%, 2/116), while young partridges had the highest <i>Blastocystis</i> infection rate (2.35%, 2/85). Sequence analysis identified three <i>E. bieneusi</i> genotypes, comprising two known genotypes (CM7 and BEB6) and one novel genotype WZP-1. Meanwhile, two <i>Blastocystis</i> subtypes (ST6 and ST7) were identified.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>All identified genotypes and subtypes have documented zoonotic potential, suggesting that farmed chukar partridges may act as potential reservoir hosts for human infections with these pathogens. Our findings provide baseline molecular epidemiological data on <i>E. bieneusi</i> and <i>Blastocystis</i> in partridges and have important public health implications. Basic hygiene practices and appropriate manure management should be adopted on chukar partridge farms to reduce potential environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission risk.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927663","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":"Subcutaneous Myiasis After Travel: Dynamic Doppler Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Clue","authors":"Isabella Andrea Bolaños Bermúdez,&nbsp;Laura Nataly Panqueva Giraldo,&nbsp;John Leonardo Torres Castiblanco,&nbsp;Gustavo Adolfo Triana Rodríguez","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01386-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01386-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>To describe dynamic ultrasonographic findings in travel-associated subcutaneous myiasis.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A 54-year-old man with persistent nodular lesions after rural travel underwent gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasonography using a 13-MHz high-frequency linear transducer.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Imaging demonstrated an echogenic subcutaneous structure with posterior acoustic shadowing, surrounding hyperemia, and real-time rhythmic internal movement, supporting larval infestation.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Recognition of internal larval motion on ultrasonography may help distinguish myiasis from abscess, foreign body or vascularized soft-tissue masses and guide definitive mechanical extraction.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904746","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":"Neuroimaging Features of an Experimental Model of Extraparenchymal Neurocysticercosis","authors":"Sophia Rossi de Barros Almeida,&nbsp;Tatiane de Camargo Martins,&nbsp;Fátima Maria Caetano Caldeira,&nbsp;Vania Maria de Vasconcelos Machado,&nbsp;Marco Antônio Zanini,&nbsp;Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01393-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01393-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>To retrospectively evaluate magnetic resonance images acquired from rats subjected to a murine model of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The model consisted of injecting 50 <i>Taenia crassiceps</i> cysticerci into the cisterna magna of Wistar rats. To validate disease induction, magnetic resonance imaging was performed, focusing on the assessment of hydrocephalus and cysts distribution throughout the cerebrospinal fluid compartments. Ventricular dilation was quantified using the frontal horn ratio (FHR), calculated by dividing the maximal width of the frontal horns by the inner-table internal diameter.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Intracranial abnormalities were found 63.0% of the animals, predominantly ventricular dilation (&gt; 90%), mainly involving the lateral ventricles. The most affected compartments were the cisterna magna (85.2%) and supratentorial basal cisterns (78.8%). Cysts were identified in the cerebral convexity in 10.6% of cases and in the subcutaneous tissue in 39.2% of infected animals. The mean FHR was 0.62 ± 0.13. Higher FHR values were associated with the presence of cysts in the CSF, but not in the subcutaneous tissue (<i>p</i> = 0.743).</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The translational relevance of this extraparenchymal NCC model is underscored by neuroimaging findings that closely resemble the human condition, providing a valuable platform for future mechanistic studies on pathogenesis and treatment development.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550084/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904718","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":"Redescription and First Molecular Characterization of Lernanthropus caudatus Wilson, 1922 (Copepoda: Lernanthropidae): A Comparative Integrative Analysis","authors":"Juan F. Espínola-Novelo,&nbsp;Betzi F. Pérez-Ortega,&nbsp;Raúl Castro-Romero,&nbsp;Gerardo Pérez-Ponce de León","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01383-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01383-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>The aim of this study was to redescribe and provide the first molecular characterization of the copepod <i>Lernanthropus caudatus</i> Wilson, 1922 (Copepoda: Lernanthropidae) collected from three sparids (<i>Archosargus probatocephalus</i>,<i> A. rhomboidalis</i>, and <i>Lagodon rhomboides</i>) from the Yucatán Peninsula.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p> Fish were collected from two coastal lagoons and offshore of the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Copepods were morphologically studied using light microscopy. Sequences of the <i>cox</i>1 mtDNA gene were generated for <i>L. caudatus</i> collected from the three sparid species. These sequences were compared to those available in the GenBank dataset for 18 species of Lernanthropidae, and a phylogenetic tree was built.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The generated <i>cox</i>1 mtDNA sequences of four isolates of <i>L. caudatus</i> clustered together in a well-supported monophyletic clade. The intraspecific genetic divergence among isolates was, on average, 1%. The phylogenetic analysis yielded <i>L. tylosuri</i> as a sister group of <i>L. caudatus</i>, albeit with very low nodal support and with a genetic divergence of 21% between them; moreover, the <i>cox</i>1 interspecific divergence between <i>L. caudatus</i> and all the other species of <i>Lernanthropus</i> varied between 20 and 24%.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The specimens of <i>L. caudatus</i> correspond morphologically with the diagnosis of the species originally published in 1922 as well with a redescription published in 2003; however, some morphometric traits are added in our study, and molecular data of the copepod is provided for the first time, including sequences from the type host, <i>A. probatocephalus</i>.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550102/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904763","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":"Immunoinformatics Approach for the Designing of a Novel mRNA Vaccine Candidate Against Trypanosoma brucei","authors":"Monira Swapna Nil,&nbsp;Shupriti Khandker,&nbsp;Samia Sadaf,&nbsp;Nadia Ahmed,&nbsp;Salman Reja,&nbsp;Md. Sayfullah,&nbsp;Jannatul Ferdous,&nbsp;Suknna Saha,&nbsp;Abdulaziz Alamri,&nbsp;Mohd Shahnawaz Khan,&nbsp;Shakil Ahmed,&nbsp;Shah Wajed,&nbsp;Ahmad Abdullah Mahdeen,&nbsp;Noimul Hasan Siddiquee","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01388-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01388-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p><i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> causes Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), which has a devastating impact on an individual’s health. Currently, there is no FDA-approved vaccine for HAT prevention. Therefore, reverse vaccinology approaches were utilized to design an mRNA vaccine candidate.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Variant surface glycoprotein, heat shock protein 70, and vacuolar transporter chaperone complex of <i>T. brucei</i> were targeted to predict immunogenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic peptides. The vaccine candidate was evaluated for population coverage, biophysical attributes, structural stability, and refinement. Molecular docking, MD simulation, and MM-GBSA analyses evaluate receptor binding and complex stability. Codon optimization and <i>in-silico</i> cloning were conducted in <i>Escherichia coli</i> (strain K12) using pET-28a( +). Immune simulations predicted humoral and cellular responses, while mRNA integrity was evaluated through MFE analysis.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The vaccine candidate achieved 100% global population coverage. Biophysical attributes indicated aliphaticity 71.23, and GRAVY score −0.719. Predicted tertiary structure (TM-score 0.65 ± 0.13, and C-score −0.50) was refined with stable validation metrics (Ramachandran score 86.8%, and Z-score −5.26). Docking predicted significant binding with TLR-2 and TLR-4 (energy scores −1013.5 and −1002.8 kJ/mol), validated through MD simulation, PCA, DCCM, MM-GBSA analyses. Codon optimization (CAI 0.9688; GC 44.70%) indicated high expression potential, and immune simulation exhibits robust antibody and cell-mediated responses, including elevated B lymphocyte, T lymphocyte levels, and IgM, IgG titers. Finally, the structural integrity of mRNA was predicted by MFE values.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This <i>in-silico</i> designed vaccine demonstrated strong structural stability, receptor interactions, and immunogenic potential against <i>T. brucei</i>. Experimental validation and <i>in-vivo</i> studies are required to verify safety and efficacy of vaccine candidate.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904591","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":"Integrated Experimental and Computational Investigation of Azobenzenoid Derivatives Against Trypanosomatid: RNA Editing Ligase 1 as a Potential Molecular Target","authors":"Asif Khan,&nbsp;Rodolfo Bento Balbinot,&nbsp;Danielle Lazarin-Bidóia,&nbsp;Maira Gabriela Paetzold,&nbsp;Íris Nunes Seixas,&nbsp;Gustavo Nunes Ramos Silva,&nbsp;Maria Aparecida Fernandez,&nbsp;Celso Vataru Nakamura,&nbsp;Flavio Augusto Vicente Seixas","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01391-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01391-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Neglected tropical diseases caused by pathogenic protozoa, including Chagas Disease (etiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi) and leishmaniasis (etiological agent Leishmania spp.), are public health problems in many developing countries.</p><h3>Aims and Methodolgy</h3><p>Due to the lack of safe and effective therapies, the current study was designed to screen synthetic azobenzenoid derivatives using integrated in silico and in vitro assays.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Among the tested compounds, CaCS2 potentially inhibited promastigotes and amastigotes of <i>Leishmania amazonensis</i> and epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of <i>Trypanosoma</i> cruzi, while showing no cytotoxicity towards human J774A.1 and LLC-MK₂ cell lines. Reverse docking identified the parasite-specific RNA-editing ligase 1 (REL1), completely absent in humans, as a high-confidence target (p-value = 1.76 × 10^-12; MaxTC = 0.31). Similarly, docking simulations revealed high binding probabilities for CaCS2 in two main cavities of REL1, named the orthosteric and alternative sites, in both parasites. Molecular dynamic simulations confirmed stable CaCS2 binding at the orthosteric site, while interactions at the alternative site were transient.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Interestingly, CaCS2 was a specific ligand to REL1 and non cytotoxic to human cell lines, making it a promising scaffold for anti-trypanosomatid development.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904541","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":"sja-miR-2a-3p is Associated with Apoptosis-Related Responses in Schistosoma japonicum","authors":"Yuanzhao Sun,&nbsp;Haoran Zhong,&nbsp;Bowen Dong,&nbsp;Hao Li,&nbsp;Lu Ke,&nbsp;Zhiqiang Fu,&nbsp;Shaopeng Gu,&nbsp;Yamei Jin","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01380-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01380-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p><i>Schistosoma japonicum</i> develops efficiently in BALB/c mice but poorly in less-permissive Wistar rats. Previous studies showed that parasites from Wistar rats display higher apoptotic activity, while sja-miR-2a-3p is more highly expressed in Wistar rat-derived schistosomula. This study examined whether sja-miR-2a-3p is associated with apoptosis-related responses in <i>S. japonicum</i>.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Published small RNA-seq datasets were reanalyzed to assess sja-miR-2a-3p expression during worm development and in schistosomula from BALB/c mice and Wistar rats. Regional expression of sja-miR-2a-3p was examined in dissected male and female worms. Predicted targets were subjected to enrichment analysis. Adult paired worms were cultured in vitro and treated with sja-miR-2a-3p mimics, inhibitor, or corresponding negative controls. miRNA expression, egg output, apoptosis-related gene expression and TUNEL signals were evaluated.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>sja-miR-2a-3p was expressed from 14 to 28 days post infection and was higher in Wistar rat-derived schistosomula than in BALB/c mouse-derived schistosomula. In adult worms, sja-miR-2a-3p was enriched in the male testis/posterior region and female vitellaria. Target enrichment suggested involvement in stimulus response, growth, biological regulation, homeostasis and signaling pathways. Mimic treatment increased sja-miR-2a-3p levels and upregulated multiple apoptosis-associated genes, including <i>sjaAIF</i>, <i>sjaAPAF</i>, <i>sjaBAX</i>, <i>sjaCASP3</i>, <i>sjaCASP9</i>, <i>sjaCYC</i> and <i>sjaTNFR</i>. TUNEL staining further showed increased apoptotic signals after sja-miR-2a-3p overexpression.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>sja-miR-2a-3p is a tissue-biased miRNA linked to apoptosis-related responses in <i>S. japonicum</i>. These findings suggest that elevated sja-miR-2a-3p may contribute to the increased apoptotic state of parasites developing in less-permissive hosts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148904758","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}