Acta tropica最新文献

{"title":"Molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from wild animals in six provinces of South Africa","authors":"Eva Bártová ,&nbsp;Ali Halajian ,&nbsp;Marie Budíková ,&nbsp;Alena Žákovská ,&nbsp;Heloise Heyne","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks carry and transmit various pathogens, which may be of veterinary and medical importance. There is limited information on the presence of tick-borne zoonotic pathogens in wild animals in southern Africa. The aim of our study was to detect five bacteria (<em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi</em> s.l., <em>Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis</em> and <em>Rickettsia</em> species) in ticks collected from wild animals in six provinces of South Africa. A total of 2268 ticks (911 <em>Amblyomma</em>, 683 <em>Haemaphysalis</em>, 655 <em>Rhipicephalus</em>, eight <em>Hyalomma</em>, six <em>Ixodes</em> and five <em>Ornithodoros</em>) were used for DNA isolation. In total 870 samples of ticks pooled (adults individually, five nymphs per sample, and ten larvae per sample), with respect to tick genera, sex, developmental stage, year, season, and locality of sampling, were subjected to PCR. Bacterial infection was detected in 453 (52 %) samples, with single infection in 290 (33 %) and co-infection in 163 (18.7 %) samples. <em>Amblyomma,</em> and <em>Rhipicephalus</em> ticks were infected with diverse pathogens, whereas <em>Ixodes</em> and <em>Ornithodoros</em> ticks were generally infected with a single bacterium (<em>Anaplasma</em> or <em>Rickettsia</em>); whereas <em>Hyalomma</em> were negative. The highest prevalence was detected for <em>A. phagocytophilum</em> (32 %), followed by <em>E. chaffeensis</em> (21 %), <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. (17 %), <em>C. burnetii</em> (3 %), and <em>B. burgdorferi</em> s.l. (0.5 %). The results statistically differed in tick genus, sex and developmental stage, year of sampling, and provinces. The results of this study present new knowledge about five bacterial infections in ticks collected in six provinces of South Africa which may provide the basis for more extensive epidemiological research in this area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107976"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145948348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Susceptibility to the larvicide pyriproxyfen and genotyping of kdr mutations in two Aedes aegypti populations from Maranhão State, Brazil","authors":"Valéria Cristina Soares Pinheiro ,&nbsp;Juliete Lima Viana ,&nbsp;Joelma Soares da Silva ,&nbsp;Márcia Verônica Pereira Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Aylane Tamara dos Santos Andrade ,&nbsp;Luiz Paulo Brito ,&nbsp;Ademir Jesus Martins","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107946","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107946","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Aedes aegypti</em> is the main vector of arboviruses in the Americas, including dengue, Zika and chikungunya. In Brazil, initial control strategies relied on insecticides, but their continuous use has promoted resistance, mainly through metabolic changes and knockdown resistance (<em>kdr</em>) mutations, which are key molecular markers of pyrethroid resistance. This study evaluated the susceptibility of <em>Ae. aegypti</em> populations from Caxias and São Mateus (Maranhão State) to the larvicide pyriproxyfen and investigated the frequency of the <em>kdr</em> SNPs V410L, V1016I and F1534C. Eggs collected in the field were reared to the F1 generation, and L3 larvae were subjected to quantitative bioassays to determine emergence inhibition (EI) indexes. DNA extracted from adults was analyzed by qPCR to assess <em>kdr</em> allele frequencies. Bioassays showed 98 % mortality in Caxias and 100 % in São Mateus when exposed to 0.8 μg/mL of pyriproxyfen. EI₅₀ values were 0.094 mg/L and 0.083 mg/L, while EI₉₀ values reached 1.596 mg/L and 0.558 mg/L, respectively. Resistance ratios, relative to the Rockefeller strain, were 1.175 and 1.038, indicating susceptibility. Regarding <em>kdr</em> markers, we observed a predominance of the <em>kdr</em> R1 allele (VVC, mutated at site 1534) in Caxias (50 %) and of the <em>kdr</em> R2 allele (LIC, mutated at sites 410, 1016 and 1534) in São Mateus (53 %). The wild-type S allele (VVF, without mutations) showed frequencies of 47 % and 8 % in Caxias and São Mateus, respectively. Despite the presence of pyrethroid-resistant alleles, no phenotypic resistance to the IGR pyriproxyfen was observed. These results confirm the effectiveness of pyriproxyfen against <em>Ae. aegypti</em> in Maranhão, while the presence of <em>kdr</em> mutations underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and integrated management to prevent resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107946"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145761872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ticks and tick-borne pathogens with zoonotic importance in animals in Southeast Asia: A decade of evidence from systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Babi Kyi Soe ,&nbsp;Ana Huertas-Lopez ,&nbsp;Hiroshi Sato ,&nbsp;Poom Adisakwattana","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107974","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107974","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne zoonotic pathogens pose a growing threat across Southeast Asia, driven by high biodiversity, environmental change, and close human-animal contact. Yet, no systematic review has consolidated evidence on tick species and their host-pathogen associations across the region over the past decade. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between 2015 and 2025 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Literature findings from PubMed and Web of Science retrieved 198 articles of which 122 articles were met with inclusion criteria. Included studies reported from nine countries with Thailand (37.7%) contributing the most, followed by Malaysia (36.1%). Research involvement of countries peaked in 2020 and 2025, with uneven geographic coverage. Universities were the leading contributors often through intra- and inter-regional collaborations. Samples were mainly derived from ectoparasites (50%), followed by animal blood (34.4%), and a combination of both sources (15.6%). Eight tick genera: 6 hard and 2 soft ticks were identified, with <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> being the most reported, underscoring its strong association with domestic hosts. Broader tick diversity was documented through sylvatic and environmental sampling. Of the 122 included studies, 57 studies detected tick-borne pathogens from 14 vertebrate animal hosts with notable detection of zoonotic involving the genera <em>Anaplasma, Coxiella</em>, and <em>Borrelia</em>. Dogs, cats, cattle, and rodents harbored the widest pathogen spectrum, with zoonotic significance. Meta analyses revealed a strong research bias toward domestic animals, with limited wildlife and transboundary settings occurred. Expanded cross-border collaborations and integrated One-Health approaches are needed to strengthen tick-borne pathogen detection and risk assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107974"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145964916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of routine clinical profiles of patients with imported P. falciparum malaria and co-infection with Plasmodium ovale wallikeri or Plasmodium ovale curtisi","authors":"Javier Balsa-Vázquez ,&nbsp;José Miguel Rubio-Muñoz ,&nbsp;Alexandre Duvignaud ,&nbsp;Sami Alcedo ,&nbsp;Ana Pérez de Ayala ,&nbsp;Joaquín Salas-Coronas ,&nbsp;Matilde Elía-López ,&nbsp;Paolo Cattaneo ,&nbsp;Coral Arévalo-Cañas ,&nbsp;Silvia García-Bujalance ,&nbsp;José Manuel Ruiz-Giardín ,&nbsp;Francesca F Norman ,&nbsp;Gerardo Rojo-Marcos","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107982","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107982","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Current molecular diagnostic methods have revealed a high prevalence of mixed <em>Plasmodium</em> infections in endemic areas. There is currently very little information on mixed infections with <em>Plasmodium ovale</em> spp. and <em>P. falciparum</em>. A retrospective multicentre cohort study analysed 28 imported mixed <em>Plasmodium ovale wallikeri/Plasmodium falciparum</em> cases and 11 <em>Plasmodium ovale curtisi/Plasmodium falciparum</em> infections compared to 117 matched <em>P. falciparum</em> mono-infections diagnosed by PCR. Results revealed no significant differences in clinical presentation, severity, or hospitalization rates. However, in <em>P. ovale wallikeri</em> co-infections, total leukocyte counts were higher (median 6.25 vs 4.85 × 10⁹/L; p = 0.010) and the parasitemia index was lower (median 0.6 % vs 1.0 %; p = 0.025) with similar absolute parasitemia (2462 vs 3046/µL; p = 0.384). In <em>P. ovale curtisi</em> co-infections, ALT levels were lower (18.0 vs 27.3 IU/L; p = 0.022) and thrombocytopenia was more frequent (100 % vs 51 % &lt;150 × 10⁹/L; p = 0.003) with lower platelet counts (105 vs 148 × 10⁹/L; p = 0.036). The diagnostic, clinical, or prognostic significance of these findings remains uncertain or limited at this time. The predominance of <em>P. ovale wallikeri</em> over <em>P. ovale curtisi</em> in mixed cases suggests a negative interaction between <em>P. falciparum</em> and <em>P. ovale curtisi</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107982"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green synthesis of ZnOCuO nanocomposites for dengue vector control and antibacterial applications","authors":"Nandhini Vasu ,&nbsp;Thangamathi Perumal ,&nbsp;Vasthi Gnana Rani S ,&nbsp;Suvaithenamudhan Suvaiyarasan ,&nbsp;Kalaiselvi G ,&nbsp;Prabu Kumar Seetharaman ,&nbsp;Karthik Raja Ramalingam ,&nbsp;Ananth Sivapunniyam","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue fever, pose a significant global health challenge, with <em>Aedes aegypti</em> serving as a primary vector. Conventional chemical insecticides have led to the emergence of resistance in mosquito populations, necessitating the development of sustainable and effective alternative control measures. In this study, biogenic zinc oxide (ZnO) – copper oxide (CuO) nanocomposite was synthesized using <em>Aegle marmelos</em> aqueous leaf extract (Am-NCs) and evaluated for its dual-action: larvicidal efficacy and resistance management potential against <em>Ae. aegypti</em>. The novelty of this research lies in the synergistic combination of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles, which exhibit enhanced toxicity through oxidative stress induction and enzymatic pathway interference. Characterization of the Am-NCs was carried out with advanced technical instrumentations, which confirmed the structural integrity, crystalline nature and nanoscale morphology of nanocomposites (NCs). The synthesized Am-NCs demonstrated significant larvicidal activity, achieving an LC₅₀ value of 5.429 µg/mL in IV-instar larvae and 5.695 µg/mL against pupae. The biochemical assays revealed substantial inhibition of key detoxification enzymes, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-carboxylesterase, and β-carboxylesterase, exhibiting its potential for mitigating insecticide resistance. Histopathological analysis further confirmed severe neurotoxicity and midgut disruption in treated larvae, revealing the mode of action of Am-NCs. Additionally, Am-NCs exhibited effective antibacterial activity against <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>Escherichia coli</em>, demonstrating their broad-spectrum efficacy. The present study showed inhibitory effects of Am-NCs on mosquito resistance-associated enzymes, offering a promising biopesticide alternative for integrated vector management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107981"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145987724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Do we have a match? Calculating the potential for integrating neglected tropical disease control programmes for sustainable public health policy","authors":"Jo Widdicombe ,&nbsp;Mahbod Entezami ,&nbsp;Victor Del Rio Vilas ,&nbsp;Frederick TA. Freeth ,&nbsp;Natalia Martinez Muñoz ,&nbsp;Daniel Horton ,&nbsp;Olaa Mohamed-Ahmed ,&nbsp;Katherine Pond ,&nbsp;Sean Shadomy ,&nbsp;Rachel Tidman ,&nbsp;Nisha Tucker ,&nbsp;Ryan Wallace ,&nbsp;Martha Betson ,&nbsp;Joaquín M. Prada","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107965","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107965","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) disproportionately affect the poorest populations. To meet the 2030 World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap targets, integrated and cross-cutting approaches are recommended to streamline programmatic operations across NTDs. Integration is not a new concept. But given recent policy shifts, disruptions to programmes and funding constraints, it is increasingly important. We consider integration as opportunities for coordination or collaboration across NTDs. Research is needed to identify the criteria and requirements necessary for successful programme integration, assess barriers, and determine the relative importance of each criterion to identify potential disease pairings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We applied Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodologies to gather expert and stakeholder insights on integrated control programmes for NTDs. During a facilitated workshop, participants discussed their interpretations of the terms ‘programmatic integration’ and ‘cross-cutting’ in relation to integrating NTDs programmes. 11 criteria for integration were identified and weighed by participants. Using WHO Roadmap baseline values, pairwise disease combinations were assessed by multiplying criterion weightings with disease scores, generating a priority matrix.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Workshop participants weighted community engagement and common vectors and transmission routes as the most important of the criteria. Three disease combinations with the highest potential for integration were identified, Dengue and Chikungunya, Taeniasis &amp; Cysticercosis and Echinococcosis, and Trachoma and Lymphatic Filariasis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The workshop outcomes provide valuable insights into key factors for integrating NTD control programmes and highlight potential disease pairings for further exploration. While some disease matches were expected, others were less obvious. The highest-scoring combinations should now be further evaluated for integration potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107965"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145891727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of artesunate and artemether against Opisthorchis felineus in rodent model","authors":"Maria Lvova ,&nbsp;Irina Orlovskaya ,&nbsp;Elena Goiman ,&nbsp;Denis Ponomarev ,&nbsp;Mikhail Tsyganov ,&nbsp;Galina Minkova ,&nbsp;Alexander Dushkin ,&nbsp;Damira Avgustinovich","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107966","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107966","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A comparative <em>in vivo</em> assessment of the artemisinin derivatives artesunate and artemether (150 and 300 mg/kg) and praziquantel (400 mg/kg) was conducted in a hamster model of opisthorchiasis caused by <em>Opisthorchis felineus</em>. Physiological, biochemical, and hematological parameters, including complete blood counts and peripheral blood cell composition, were evaluated in all experimental groups. The animals were infected with 100 metacercariae of <em>O. felineus</em> and 1.5 months post-infection received a single oral dose of the tested compounds. Food consumption was monitored before the experiment ended, after which worm burdens were quantified. The mean infestation intensity in hamsters was 41.9 ± 1.75 worms per animal. Artesunate and artemether produced mean worm burden reductions of 60% and 58% at 150 mg/kg and 84.5% and 82% at 300 mg/kg, respectively (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Artesunate showed statistically significant efficacy, and artemether demonstrated a trend-level effect, both exceeding that of praziquantel (65%). Unlike praziquantel, these compounds normalized alanine aminotransferase activity, which may suggest an absence of hepatotoxicity. Administration of artesunate and artemether at both doses normalized platelet, eosinophil, and basophil counts in infected animals. The results indicate that artemisinin derivatives may serve as promising alternatives for the treatment of <em>O. felineus</em> opisthorchiasis and warrant further preclinical and clinical evaluation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107966"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145896038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A decade apart: stability in wing morphology of brazilian mosquitoes","authors":"Emili Bortolon dos Santos ,&nbsp;Mario Arthur Favretto ,&nbsp;Mario Antônio Navarro-Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107962","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107962","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phenotypic variation is a key factor in how organisms adapt to their environments, with important consequences for disease vector dynamics. In mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), such variation can influence vectorial capacity, potentially altering the spread of pathogens. This study investigated whether wing size and shape of two potential vector species, <em>Anopheles cruzii</em> and <em>Psorophora ferox</em>, exhibited temporal variation over a decade in a preserved Atlantic Forest area in southern Brazil. Using geometric morphometrics on 80 female specimens per species (40 from 2005 to 40 from 2014 to 2015), we found no significant differences in wing shape or size between the two sampling periods. However, we did observe high intra-annual variability within each year, suggesting seasonal phenotypic plasticity rather than long-term shifts. These findings highlight the remarkable stability of mosquito populations in conserved environments over long timescales, even while seasonal changes continue to drive short-term phenotypic fluctuations. Understanding these dynamics is essential for refining vector surveillance and control strategies in diverse habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107962"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145861704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emerging role of Candida species virulence factors and antifungal resistance in ureteral stent colonization and encrustation","authors":"Nargis Khan ,&nbsp;Rani Faryal","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107979","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107979","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ureteral stents are susceptible to colonization by <em>Candida</em> species, leading to stent-associated infections that are often difficult to treat. This study aimed to identify the <em>Candida</em> species colonizing ureteral stents and to assess the potential impact of their virulence factors on ureteral stent encrustation.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div><em>Candida</em> species and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> were isolated and identified from urine and ureteral stent samples. Phenotypic and genotypic detection of virulence factors and antifungal resistance was performed. In addition, the anticandidal activity of <em>Pseudomonas</em> species was evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 25/95 patients, 32 <em>Candida</em> isolates were identified, of which 17 (53.1 %) were from ureteral stents and 15(46.8 %) were from urine samples. <em>Candida albicans</em> and non-<em>albicans</em> were significantly associated with stent colonization (<em>p</em> = 0.00001 and <em>p</em> = 0.000092). A significant association was observed between <em>Candida</em>-positive ureteral stents and concurrent urine culture positivity (<em>p</em> = 0.0153). <em>P. aeruginosa</em> was isolated in 29.5 % of patients, and all exhibited anticandidal activity. A significant inverse association (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) was observed between the presence of <em>P. aeruginosa</em> and <em>Candida</em> colonization. Biofilm formation was detected in 51.8 % of stent-derived isolates. Urease activity was higher in ureteral stent isolates (94.1 %) (<em>p</em> = 0.04). Fluconazole and voriconazole resistance was 70 % and 53 % in ureteral stent isolates, and 47 % and 53 % in urine. The <em>ALS1</em> and <em>Hwp1</em> genes were detected in 78 % and 93 % of isolates, while the <em>Erg11</em> gene was detected in 47 % isolates. <em>C. albicans</em> predominated in stent colonization, exhibiting enhanced virulence traits and antifungal resistance<em>.</em> These findings suggest that <em>Candida</em> species associated with ureteral stents contribute to encrustation, potentially complicating treatment and highlighting the need for targeted therapeutic strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107979"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii matrix antigen MAG1 for toxoplasmosis screening in HIV/AIDS patients","authors":"Ruenruetai Udonsom ,&nbsp;Charoonluk Jirapattharasate ,&nbsp;Supaluk Popruk ,&nbsp;Sumonmal Uttayamakul ,&nbsp;Intira Tantawiwattananon ,&nbsp;Manas Kotepui ,&nbsp;Sukhontha Siri ,&nbsp;Hirotake Mori ,&nbsp;Yoshifumi Nishikawa ,&nbsp;Aongart Mahittikorn","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107983","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.107983","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Timely serodiagnosis of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is critical for HIV/AIDS patients, in whom latent infection can reactivate into life-threatening toxoplasmic encephalitis. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a novel recombinant <em>T. gondii</em> matrix antigen 1 (TgMAG1)-based indirect ELISA and a commercial latex agglutination test (LAT) for detecting anti-<em>T. gondii</em> IgG in HIV/AIDS patients, using the Sabin-Feldman dye test (DT) as the reference standard. A secondary objective was to determine the current prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in this population in Thailand. We conducted a comparative serological evaluation using 348 residual clinical specimens collected from 2016 to 2019 from HIV/AIDS patients. All samples were tested using the in-house TgMAG1 ELISA, a commercial LAT, and the DT. The sensitivity, specificity, and agreement (kappa statistic) of each index test were calculated against the DT. The DT identified a <em>T. gondii</em> seroprevalence of 12.36% (43/348; 95% CI: 8.94–16.64). Compared to the DT, the TgMAG1-ELISA demonstrated a sensitivity of 72.09% and a specificity of 93.11%, with moderate agreement (κ = 0.598). The LAT showed a similar sensitivity of 69.76% but a higher specificity of 97.04%, achieving substantial agreement with the DT (κ = 0.696). In conclusion, both the TgMAG1-based ELISA and LAT demonstrated high specificity but moderate sensitivity compared to the reference standard. Consequently, while these assays are valuable screening tools in settings lacking the DT, their results require careful interpretation and potential confirmation in high-risk populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"274 ","pages":"Article 107983"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145994070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}