Acta Parasitologica最新文献

{"title":"Decoding Leukocyte Dynamics: Functional Biomarkers and Precision Diagnostics in Parasitic Infections","authors":"Jingrong Li,&nbsp;Hamed Soleimani Samarkhazan","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01364-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01364-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Parasitic infections affect over 1.5 billion people globally, with leukocytes serving as critical mediators of both protective immunity and immunopathology. Traditional diagnostic approaches relying on static cell counts lack specificity and fail to capture the functional complexity of host-parasite interactions.</p><h3>Objective</h3><p>This review synthesizes cutting-edge evidence on how leukocyte functional dynamics, encompassing transcriptional, metabolic, and spatial profiles, revolutionize diagnostic precision, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic development in parasitic diseases.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>We systematically evaluated recent advances in single-cell multi-omics, spatial transcriptomics, AI-driven flow cytometry, and CRISPR-based functional genomics applied to parasitic infections including malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and Chagas disease.</p><h3>Key Findings</h3><p>Granulocyte NETosis exacerbates endothelial damage in malaria; monocyte transcriptional signatures predict leishmaniasis relapse; eosinophil activation markers distinguish active helminthiasis from allergic inflammation. Single-cell technologies reveal infection-specific immune subsets (TREM2^highmacrophages promoting Leishmania persistence), while AI-enabled platforms identify prognostic signatures (CD19+/CD21^lowB cells predicting severe malaria). Leukocyte ratios (NLR &gt;7.5) stratify mortality risk, guiding immunomodulatory therapies including JAK inhibitors for schistosomiasis fibrosis and CAR-engineered macrophages for Trypanosoma cruzi clearance.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The integration of functional leukocyte profiling with pathogen detection enables a \"precision parasitology\" framework, moving beyond pathogen-centric approaches to tailor interventions based on individual immune trajectories, overcoming drug resistance, and advancing elimination goals for neglected tropical diseases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700590","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":"Isospora atticorae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the white-thighed swallow Atticora tibialis (Cassin, 1853) (Passeriformes: Passeri: Hirundinidae) in Brazil","authors":"Leandro Dorna-Santos,&nbsp;Carlos Nei Ortúzar-Ferreira,&nbsp;Mariana de Souza Oliveira,&nbsp;Alan Fecchio,&nbsp;Viviane Moreira de Lima,&nbsp;Bruno Pereira Berto","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01371-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01371-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The diversity of coccidians in Neotropical wild avifauna remains significantly underestimated, particularly within the family Hirundinidae. While cosmopolitan and widely distributed hosts like <i>Hirundo rustica</i> Linnaeus, 1758 dominate the literature with three described <i>Isospora</i> spp., ecological traits of other swallows may drive different parasitic dynamics. This study provides the first integrative characterization of a coccidian parasite from <i>Atticora tibialis</i> (Cassin, 1853), a resident swallow strictly associated with complex and preserved Neotropical forest biomes.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Fecal samples were collected from three White-Thighed Swallows, <i>A. tibialis</i>, captured using mist nets in the Itatiaia National Park, Southeastern Brazil, during field expeditions in 2023 and 2024. Oocysts were processed through standard flotation and morphological analyses. Molecular characterization was performed by extracting genomic DNA from isolated oocysts and sequencing of a locus of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>One bird was positive for coccidia (33.3% prevalence), and a new species is formally proposed herein: <i>Isospora atticorae</i> Dorna-Santos et Berto n. sp. The sporulated oocysts are pyriform, measuring on average 24 × 21 μm. A unique, distinguishing feature among congeners parasitizing the same host family is the presence of a distinct micropyle. A single, robust polar granule is present, and an oocyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal to lemon-shaped, with a mean size of 16 × 10 μm. Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies are present. A sporocyst residuum occurs among the vermiform sporozoites, which exhibit refractile bodies and a barely discernible nucleus. The obtained cox1 gene sequences were identical and shared 97–99% similarity with <i>Isospora</i> spp. from oscine birds (Passeri). In the phylogenetic tree, <i>I. atticorae</i> n. sp. clustered within a well-supported monophyletic clade of oscine-associated <i>Isospora</i> spp., closely grouped with <i>Isospora</i> spp. from <i>Serinus canaria</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) and <i>Turdus migratorius</i> Linnaeus, 1766.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The characterization of <i>I. atticorae</i> n. sp. highlights how the restricted distribution and forest dependence of <i>A. tibialis</i> favor localized parasite diversification and narrow host specificity within Neotropical biomes, contrasting with the dynamics of widely distributed migratory swallows. Globally, <i>I. atticorae</i> n. sp. is established as the first representative from the family Hirundinidae to be characterized from an integrative perspective through the sequencing of a mitochondrial locus, as well as the fifth nominally described species in this avian family, and the first in the Neotropical region.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11686-026-01371-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700605","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":"Genetic Profiling of Leishmania Species Causing Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Algeria","authors":"Houria Zait,&nbsp;Tahar Kernif,&nbsp;Fayez Ahmed Khardine,&nbsp;Asmaa Sekkai,&nbsp;Amina Boutellis,&nbsp;Aïssam Hachid,&nbsp;Boussaad Hamrioui,&nbsp;Sihem Benaissa,&nbsp;Naouel Eddaikra","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01355-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01355-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) in Algeria is primarily caused by <i>Leishmania infantum</i>. This study aimed to genetically identify the <i>Leishmania</i> species responsible for HVL in Algerian patients.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>This descriptive molecular case series included 13 patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2022. DNA from blood, bone marrow, and skin lesion smears was analyzed using ITS1-PCR, RFLP analysis and Sanger sequencing. The resulting sequences were compared with GenBank references, and phylogenetic analyses were performed.</p><h3>Results</h3><p><i>L. infantum</i> was identified in 11 of 13 cases (84.6%). Most visceral leishmaniasis cases occurred in patients younger than 16 years, whereas adult cases were primarily immunocompromised patients, particularly those living with HIV/AIDS. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a high degree of similarity between Algerian <i>L. infantum</i> isolates and Mediterranean strains.</p><p>In addition to <i>L. infantum</i>,<i> L. tropica</i> DNA and, surprisingly, <i>L. major</i> DNA was also identified. <i>L. major</i> DNA was detected in one immunocompetent child, while <i>L. tropica</i> DNA was detected in a skin lesion of an immunocompromised adult who presented with a concomitant relapse of HVL. These atypical molecular findings require cautious interpretation and further investigation.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p><i>L. infantum</i> remains the principal causative agent of HVL in Algeria. The atypical molecular findings should be interpreted cautiously and highlight the need for continued molecular surveillance, larger studies incorporating additional genetic markers, and investigations of vector dynamics and animal reservoirs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683037","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":"In Vivo Acaricidal Effect of Linoleic Acid and Olive Oil Against Psoroptes cuniculi Mites in Experimentally Infested Rabbits","authors":"Montañez-Palma Lilia Francisca,&nbsp;Hallal-Calleros Claudia,&nbsp;Aguilar-Marcelino Liliana,&nbsp;Castañeda-Ramírez Gloria Sarahí,&nbsp;Flores-Pérez Fernando Iván","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01348-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01348-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p><i>Psoroptes cuniculi</i> is the most prevalent mite affecting rabbits worldwide. It is the primary cause of otitis in this species and significantly compromises animal welfare, leading to considerable economic losses. In search of alternative control strategies, several plant-derived oils such as olive, cinnamon, oregano, neem, and lemon oils have been evaluated in vitro for their acaricidal potential. In this study, the in vivo efficacy of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and linoleic acid (LA) was assessed as alternative treatments against <i>P. cuniculi</i>.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Twenty-four rabbits were experimentally infested with 150 mites placed in each auricle. After 139 days, animals were randomly allocated into four treatment groups (n = 6): 60% EVOO (with 0.1% DMSO in distilled water), 150 mg/mL LA, 4 mg/mL ivermectin (IV), and 0.1% DMSO in distilled water. Treatments were applied topically on day 0, and a second dose was administered on day 7. The infested area was quantified in vivo using a transparent grid on days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 after the first treatment application.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>A marked reduction in infestation area was observed in the LA, EVOO, and IV treated groups, whereas lesion area increased in the negative control group. By day 14, infestation areas were nearly eliminated in rabbits treated with LA, EVOO, and IV. Final infestation areas were significantly lower than those observed in the negative control group (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.0001). <i>Post-mortem</i> evaluation on day 15 revealed no statistically significant differences compared with the in vivo measurements, indicating agreement between both assessment methods. No visible signs of irritation, erythema, or inflammation were observed during treatment.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>These findings demonstrate that EVOO and LA exhibit substantial acaricidal activity against <i>P. cuniculi</i> under controlled experimental conditions and support their potential as alternative treatments for further investigation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683081","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":"Species composition, relative abundance and seasonal variation of medically important mosquitoes in district Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan","authors":"Halimullah,&nbsp;Waleeja Tur Rabbia,&nbsp;Naveeda Akhtar Qureshi,&nbsp;Waheed Ali Panhwar,&nbsp;Sajid Malik,&nbsp;Muhammad Ilyas","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01356-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01356-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health concern. This study investigated mosquito species richness, relative abundance, and seasonal dynamics in District Bajaur, Pakistan. To assess the seasonal diversity and abundance of mosquitoes in District Bajaur and their potential role in malaria and dengue fever transmission. Adult and larval mosquitoes were sampled through standard collection methods, from multiple locations including cattle sheds, human dwellings, bathrooms, and animal bait. sampling was carried out from October 2023 to September 2024 according to WHO protocol. A total of 33,173 adult and 6303 larval mosquitoes, comprising five genera and 16 species were collected. <i>Culex</i> was the most dominant genus (63%), primarily <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i> (37%) and <i>Cx. pipiens</i> (25%). <i>Aedes</i> accounted for 20%, led by <i>Ae. albopictus</i> (13%) and <i>Ae. aegypti</i> (6%), while <i>Anopheles</i> comprised 16%, dominated by <i>An. culicifacies</i> (12%). Armigeres and Mansonia were rare. Indoor collections (26,580 mosquitoes) revealed higher abundance in cattle sheds, followed by human dwellings and bathrooms. Seasonal variation was evident, with peaks in July to August and minimal activity in winter. <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i>, <i>Cx. pipiens</i>, <i>Ae. albopictus</i>, and <i>An. culicifacies</i> were the most persistent species, present year-round and demonstrating ecological adaptability. Larval assessment confirmed strong seasonality, with peak abundance in August and no larvae detected in January. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in the distributions across most species, though not in immature stages. Enhanced entomological surveillance during and after monsoon seasons is crucial for effectively controlling dengue, malaria, and similar mosquito-borne diseases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148676594","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":"Methodological Challenges of Detecting Haemoproteus (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) Co-infections in Wild Avian Hosts","authors":"Alžbeta Šujanová,&nbsp;Josef Harl,&nbsp;Mélanie Duc,&nbsp;Tanja Himmel,&nbsp;Gediminas Valkiūnas","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01366-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01366-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>Accurate detection and characterization of avian haemosporidian infections remain challenging due to frequent co-infections of morphologically similar and genetically diverse parasite lineages. This study aimed to assess the concordance of different diagnostic approaches in detecting <i>Haemoproteus</i> co-infections.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>We investigated <i>Haemoproteus</i> infections in the Eurasian blackcap (<i>Sylvia atricapilla</i>) using microscopy, PCR from blood and tissue samples, and histological methods including haematoxylin and eosin staining and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH).</p><h3>Results</h3><p>All 45 examined birds were microscopically positive for <i>Haemoproteus</i>. The most prevalent parasites belonged to <i>Haemoproteus parabelopolskyi</i>, <i>H. pallidulus</i>, and <i>H. homogeneae</i>, while PCR additionally detected <i>H. majoris</i> (hWW2) and <i>H. attenuatus</i> (hROBIN1). Blood- and tissue-derived PCR results were congruent in only 17 individuals (37.8%), indicating that single-method screening substantially underestimates infection diversity. Tissue stages were histologically confirmed in 14 birds, and parasite DNA was detected by CISH in 12 individuals. Although all tissue samples were PCR-positive, only 37 blood samples yielded positive PCR results. The <i>H. parabelopolskyi</i> group showed high genetic diversity, comprising ten closely related cytochrome b lineages. Kidneys were the most frequently affected organ.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Combining microscopic, molecular, and histological approaches is essential for comprehensive detection of <i>Haemoproteus</i> co-infections and improves our understanding of parasite diversity and host–parasite relationships.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148676579","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 Identification of Digramma interrupta (Diphyllobothriidae: Ligula) in a Captive Red-Crowned Crane and a Crucian Carp Reveals a New Case for Co-Occurrence","authors":"Maolin Lu,&nbsp;Yuling Yang,&nbsp;Mengchao Zhou,&nbsp;Yaxian Lu,&nbsp;Honyan Yu,&nbsp;Ruisi Zhang,&nbsp;Tianlu Liu,&nbsp;Mengru Zhao,&nbsp;Lei Han,&nbsp;Zhijun Hou","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01368-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01368-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>This study aims to identify tapeworms found in a captive red-crowned crane (<i>Grus japonensis</i>) and local crucian carp (<i>Carassius carassius</i>) and to investigate their genetic relationships, with a focus on <i>Digramma interrupta</i>.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Molecular analyses, including ITS and <i>cox1</i> gene sequencing, were conducted to identify the parasite species. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the ITS2 and <i>cox1</i> sequences from tapeworms in both hosts.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The ITS and <i>cox1</i> sequences from the tapeworms in the red-crowned crane presented greater than 99.5% similarity to those from the crucian carp. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that tapeworm specimens recovered from both hosts likely correspond to the same species, <i>D. interrupta</i>. Our phylogenetic results also provide tentative support for the placement of the genus <i>Digramma</i> within <i>Ligula</i>.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study is the first to report a zoo-captive red-crowned crane likely infected with <i>D. interrupta</i> through the consumption of crucian carp. The overlapping habitats and dietary habits of the crane support the infection of <i>D. interrupta</i> via infected fish. These findings constitute a new documented case of <i>D. interrupta</i> infecting cranes via fish-eating bird infection pathways, supplying fresh evidence to understand its infection and spread, offering valuable insights for the monitoring, diagnosis, and prevention of avian tapeworm diseases and contributing to the effective management and protection of captive bird populations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148652789","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":"Beyond Coverage: A Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis of Delivery, Compliance, Equity and Impact in Mass Deworming for Soil-Transmitted Helminths","authors":"Harley M. Rodriguez,&nbsp;Angelica Marie B. Rostata,&nbsp;Jan Joseph Rainer Christorey Maria V. Salgado,&nbsp;Timothy Liam D. Rivera,&nbsp;Jose Ma. M. Angeles","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01370-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01370-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections affect approximately 1.5 billion people globally. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) aims for 75% mass drug administration (MDA) coverage by 2030, the long-term population benefit remains debated. This review aims to describe the characteristics of recent mass deworming studies, synthesize parasitologic and coverage outcomes, and identify programmatic themes.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and EBSCO CINAHL, restricted to studies reporting both parasitologic efficacy outcomes and MDA coverage. Following a risk of bias assessment in Review Manager 5.4, qualitative data were processed in Taguette 1.5.1 through a hierarchical thematic analysis to generate basic, organizing, and global themes and supplemented by VOSviewer 1.6.20 overlay visualization.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Thirteen eligible studies primarily featured African countries and cross-sectional study designs. While overall risk of bias was low, lack of blinding revealed high performance bias. Thematic analysis, supported by bibliographic visualization, identified four global themes on delivery, compliance, equity and impact. Findings indicate that annual dosing is often insufficient and requires bi-annual schedules and WASH integration. Compliance is hindered by temporal inaccessibility and unreliable decentralized monitoring while equity gaps persist for out-of-school children and pregnant women. Although drug efficacy is confirmed, risks of resistance and diagnostic underreporting via the Kato-Katz method remain critical concerns.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This review identifies four interrelated pillars of delivery, compliance, equity, and impact that shape the effectiveness of mass deworming programs and have direct implications for achieving WHO 2030 targets.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148652720","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":"Changes in Paraoxonase-1 and Sialic Acid Levels due to Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Response in Sheep Naturally Infected with Anaplasma spp.","authors":"Lale Başer,&nbsp;Nilgün Aydin","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01374-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01374-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>This study aimed to investigate the molecular detection of Anaplasma spp. in sheep from the Northeastern Anatolia region of Türkiye and to evaluate the effects of infection on oxidative stress, antioxidant protection, and inflammation.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 45 sheep blood samples (30 infected and 15 non-infected) were analyzed by molecular methods for Anaplasma spp. detection. Total sialic acid (TSA), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), whole blood reduced glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were determined using biochemical assays and ELISA methods.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Molecular analysis revealed a 345 bp gene fragment specific for Anaplasma spp. in infected sheep, whereas no amplification was observed in negative controls. Infected animals had significantly lower TSA levels (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) and higher MDA (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001), TNF-α (<i>P</i> = 0.0225), and IL-6 levels (<i>P</i> = 0.0004), while PON-1 activity and GSH levels were significantly lower than controls (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001).</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>As Anaplasma spp. infection is followed by significant changes in redox and inflammatory response, clinical implementation of the tested markers could contribute to disease progression/resolution monitoring.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148652750","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":"Ref: Submission ID 0e636778-60d8-4db7-8504-1b5c099437d9 Preliminary In Vitro Evaluation of Dodecyl Trimethylammonium Bromide (DDTAB) as a Selective Inhibitor of Theileria annulata-Infected Lymphocyte Proliferation","authors":"Ekta Jangra,&nbsp;Mamta Tirdia,&nbsp;Pankaj Rohilla,&nbsp;Rajender Kumar,&nbsp;Aakash Deep,&nbsp;Nitin Bansal,&nbsp;Sanjay Kumar","doi":"10.1007/s11686-026-01361-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11686-026-01361-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>Tropical theileriosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Theileria annulata, is an economically significant constraint to cattle production, with disease control increasingly compromised by emerging resistance to the primary chemotherapeutic agent, buparvaquone. This study aimed to screen candidate compounds for in vitro anti-theilerial activity and host cell safety.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>Four compounds — hesperidin methyl chalcone (HMC), p-coumaric acid, dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DDTAB), and diclofop-methyl — were evaluated for anti-theilerial activity using a resazurin-based viability assay on a T. annulata-infected bovine lymphocyte cell line. Host cell safety was assessed via cytotoxicity assays on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and haemolytic assays on bovine erythrocytes.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>DDTAB, a cationic surfactant, showed the strongest concentration-dependent inhibition among the four (IC₅₀ = 1125.4 μM), while the remaining compounds were substantially weaker (IC₅₀ 3048.2 – 5771.7 μM). All compounds, including DDTAB, showed low host cell toxicity (&lt;19 % cytotoxicity and &lt;6 % haemolysis at 1000 μM), yielding selectivity indices of 13.45 (cytotoxicity) and 4.92 (haemolysis) for DDTAB. These IC₅₀ values are in the micromolar range, and are in a higher range than buparvaquone (low nanomolar) and also higher than DDTAB's previously reported activity against Theileria equi (469.51 nM) from our laboratory.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>DDTAB is not therapeutically potent in absolute terms but represents a preliminary hit compound necessitating mechanistic investigation. The findings alsohighlight the utility of the T. annulata-infected lymphocyte assay for future in vitro drug screening.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6932,"journal":{"name":"Acta Parasitologica","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148652753","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}