Acta tropicaPub Date : 2025-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107549
Eric L Domingos , Dalton A Souza , Fernando M S Alves , Daniela Gorski , Fernanda S Tonin , Luana M Ferreira , Roberto Pontarolo
{"title":"Accuracy of diagnostic tests for feline sporotrichosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Eric L Domingos , Dalton A Souza , Fernando M S Alves , Daniela Gorski , Fernanda S Tonin , Luana M Ferreira , Roberto Pontarolo","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Feline sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous infection caused by fungi of the <em>Sporothrix</em> genus, particularly concerning in endemic regions of South America, where cats are important vectors. Traditional diagnosis through fungal culture is time-consuming, which can delay the start of treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Our goal was to synthesize the evidence on the accuracy of alternative diagnostic methods for feline sporotrichosis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic review was conducted following the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations and the PRISMA-DTA checklist (CRD42023456520). Searches for observational studies were performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Using a random-effects model, bivariate meta-analysis was employed to estimate combined sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95 % confidence intervals. The results were presented in forest plots and Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (SROC) curves; heterogeneity was assessed using Tau² and I² statistics (R-software).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eight studies, totaling 1,920 cats, evaluated five diagnostic methods. PCR tests had the highest accuracy (90 % sensitivity, 94 % specificity, area under the curve 0.950), while cytological methods demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy (89 %, 22 % and 0.879, respectively). The findings highlight the need for faster, more accurate, and cost-effective diagnostic alternatives, especially in resource-limited regions, and underscore the importance of advancing techniques to improve early detection and treatment of sporotrichosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107549"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143387070","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":"Metabolomic analysis of larval stages of Onchocerca japonica (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), raised in black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) vectors, by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry","authors":"Masako Fukuda , Yasushi Otsuka , Kumiko Sakai , Shigehiko Uni , Kerstin Junker , Atiporn Saeung , Wichai Srisuka , Hiroyuki Takaoka","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107541","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107541","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To monitor and prevent the spread of zoonotic onchocerciasis, identification of the natural vectors (blood-sucking insects) of its causative agents, <em>Onchocerca</em> species, is crucial. To date, vector identification depends on the detection of infective third-stage larvae in insects by traditional dissection. We aimed to develop a novel, more efficient method for the discrimination of the four larval stages, i.e. microfilariae (Mf), first-stage larvae (L1), second-stage larvae (L2), and third-stage larvae (L3), of <em>O. japonica</em> by metabolomic analysis. Microfilariae of <em>O. japonica</em>, the causative agent of zoonotic onchocerciasis in Japan, were obtained from skin snips of wild boars and injected into newly-emerged black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) to enable further larval development. Metabolites obtained from Mf, L1, L2, and L3 were analyzed using a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer. Multivariate analysis of the data of metabolites showed the complete separation of the four larval stages. The highest level of acetoacetic acid and hydroxylamine was found in Mf and L3, respectively. Consequently, we propose that hydroxylamine is a potential marker to detect infective larvae of <em>O. japonica</em> in natural infections and could be a valuable tool in vector surveys, transmission studies and epidemiological surveys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107541"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143397751","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":"Insights into spatio-temporal dynamics of Anopheles vectors while approaching malaria elimination along the Thailand-Cambodia border","authors":"Manop Saeung , Natapong Jupatanakul , Aneta Afelt , Kittitat Suksirisawat , Suthat Lhaosudto , Alex Ahebwa , Jeffrey Hii , Sylvie Manguin , Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The international borders of Thailand are well recognized as areas with high malaria transmission risk. Although Sisaket Province, bordering Cambodia, is recognized as a malaria-prone area, major progress towards malaria elimination has been made. In fact, this province was ranked as having high malaria incidence in Thailand decades ago, increasing its potential for malaria re-establishment. To devise a re-establishment strategy, this work investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of <em>Anopheles</em> and examined the malariogenic potential of villages in Sisaket Province. Human landing catches (HLCs) were recorded to collect adult mosquitoes from village and rubber-forest ecotypes between 18.00 and 06.00 h. The collection was conducted for two years based on four consecutive nights per season in the rainy, cool-dry, and hot-dry seasons during July 2022–March 2024, for a total of 24 nights. Based on the results, <em>Anopheles dirus</em> s.s. was the primary malaria vector and predominant in the rubber-forest areas, where positive larval habitats were found. Its biting peaks were observed between 21.00 and 22.00 h across seasons and years. The abundance of <em>An. dirus</em> was correlated positively with the amount of rainfall at two months (<em>R</em> = 0.89) and three months (<em>R</em> = 0.95) after the rainfall. Therefore, public health interventions to prevent outdoor biting should target rubber tappers and forest-goers two–three months after the rainy season. In addition, risk assessment of malaria re-establishment suggested a high potential based on the malariogenic potential scores. Thus, ongoing action is important to control any re-establishment to achieve sustainable malaria elimination in Sisaket Province.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107545"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143397750","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}
Acta tropicaPub Date : 2025-02-08DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107550
Sara de Souza Pereira , Cássia Nazaré de Sousa Moraes , Vinicius Pacheco , Érika Dayane Leal Rodrigues , Victor Gabriel Bastos Chaves , Marcella Katheryne Marques Bernal , Roberta Nicole de Oliveira Mota , Ranna Taynara dos Reis Sousa , Adriana Maciel de Castro Cardoso Jaques , Jorge Rodrigues de Sousa , Livia Medeiros Neves Casseb
{"title":"Histopathology and immunohistochemistry findings in kidney and urinary bladder of rabies virus-infected mice","authors":"Sara de Souza Pereira , Cássia Nazaré de Sousa Moraes , Vinicius Pacheco , Érika Dayane Leal Rodrigues , Victor Gabriel Bastos Chaves , Marcella Katheryne Marques Bernal , Roberta Nicole de Oliveira Mota , Ranna Taynara dos Reis Sousa , Adriana Maciel de Castro Cardoso Jaques , Jorge Rodrigues de Sousa , Livia Medeiros Neves Casseb","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107550","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107550","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rabies virus (RABV) is a lethal and neglected zoonosis responsible for over 60,000 deaths annually caused by the neurotropic virus <em>Lyssavirus rabies</em>. Although rabies is well-known for its severe nervous system impairment, little is known regarding the specific alterations caused in extraneural organs. Studies suggest an essential involvement of RABV in the kidneys. However, the extent of the pathological damage caused by RABV in this organ remains to be understood. This study describes the histopathological alterations and RABV antigen expression in the kidneys and urinary bladder. Viral immunostaining was observed, suggesting that RABV can successfully infect these tissues. In addition, the main alterations found in the kidneys were edema in the convoluted tubules and in the glomerulus, interstitial inflammation, atrophy of the glomerular tuft, a decrease in Bowman's capsule and Bowman's space, and the accumulation of glycogen in the tubules, which may indicate the effects of inflammation caused by RABV. Therefore, our results showed the importance of understanding the effects of histopathological alterations induced by RABV and the need for more studies concerning the inflammatory action of the virus during the infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107550"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143389851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Big Six: Vertebrate host interactions as significant transmission drivers of bovine trypanosomosis in Nigeria – A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Paul Olalekan Odeniran , Kehinde Foluke Paul-Odeniran , Aanuoluwapo Olalekan Odeyemi , Isaiah Oluwafemi Ademola","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107547","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine trypanosomosis remains a significant challenge in Nigeria due to the widespread presence of tsetse and biting flies. Despite numerous control interventions, livestock owners continue to face the burden of high treatment costs year-round. Holistic management has been elusive, largely due to the interconnected roles of the \"Big-Six\" animal hosts in sustaining transmission dynamics. This study conducted a systematic review of publications from Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and AJOL Online databases, following PRISMA guidelines between 2000 and 2024. Eligible studies reported trypanosomosis prevalence in cattle, small ruminants, dogs, pigs, camels, and wildlife. Subgroup analyses by breed, sex, and diagnostic techniques were performed, with point estimates evaluated at a 95 % confidence interval (CI). A total of 80 studies involving 25,171 animals were included, revealing average prevalence of 38.2 % (95 % CI: 31.4–45.3) in wildlife, pooled prevalence of 12.0 % (95 % CI: 3.0–25.1) in cattle, with 11.7 % specifically observed in trypanotolerant cattle breeds, 4.6 % (2.3–7.6) in small ruminants, 9.6 % (95 % CI: 1.9–21.5) in dogs, 10.4 % (95 % CI: 5.6–16.3) in pigs, and 28.0 % (95 % CI: 18.5–38.6) in camels. Wildlife exhibited distinct ecological patterns, while ovine and caprine data clustered closely. These findings explain the critical role of vertebrate hosts, along with bovine herd management practices, in perpetuating disease transmission within susceptible cattle populations. Effective control requires treating vertebrate hosts harbouring trypanosomes within or surrounding bovine herds and the use of insecticide-impregnated nets, alongside fencing cattle herds from forest edges. This integrated approach is essential to achieving the elimination of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) in Nigeria and across Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107547"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143381435","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}
Acta tropicaPub Date : 2025-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107548
Yasmine Saadene, Amina Salhi
{"title":"Spatio-temporal modeling of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis under climate change scenarios in the Maghreb region (2021–2100)","authors":"Yasmine Saadene, Amina Salhi","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107548","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107548","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Climate change presents a significant challenge to global public health, especially regarding vector-borne diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis. This study aims to investigate the impact of climate change on the distribution of CL in North Africa, with a focus on Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed historical epidemiological and climatic data from 2000 to 2020 and employed a Generalized Additive Model to assess the influence of climatic variables including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and precipitation on CL incidence. Additionally, climate projection data from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) under the RCP 2.6 scenario were utilized to predict future CL incidence from 2021 to 2100.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings indicate an increase in CL cases in Mediterranean coastal areas, particularly in eastern Tunisia, Algeria, and parts of Morocco, due to rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns. The analysis revealed varying temporal peaks in CL incidence across the three countries: short-term for Algeria (2025), mid-term for Morocco (2065), and long-term for Tunisia (2085).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study underscores the need for region-specific surveillance and response systems and emphasizes the importance of integrating climate forecasts into public health strategies to mitigate the risks of CL spread under changing climatic conditions in North Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107548"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143381436","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}
Acta tropicaPub Date : 2025-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107542
Ester dos Santos Motta , Arthur Daniel Rocha Alves , Luciane Almeida Amado Leon , José Rodrigo Santos Silva , Marcelo Cerilo-Filho , Margarete do Socorro Mendonça Gomes , Rubens Alex de Oliveira Menezes , Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado , Rita de Cássia Nasser Cubel Garcia
{"title":"Human parvovirus B19 infection in a Plasmodium vivax endemic area on the Brazil-French Guiana border","authors":"Ester dos Santos Motta , Arthur Daniel Rocha Alves , Luciane Almeida Amado Leon , José Rodrigo Santos Silva , Marcelo Cerilo-Filho , Margarete do Socorro Mendonça Gomes , Rubens Alex de Oliveira Menezes , Ricardo Luiz Dantas Machado , Rita de Cássia Nasser Cubel Garcia","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>While human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is widespread in Brazil, over 99 % of reported malaria cases occur in the Amazon region, mainly by <em>Plasmodium vivax</em>. As B19V infection may contribute to anemia in children living in <em>P. falciparum</em> endemic areas, this study aimed to investigate the impact of B19V/<em>P. vivax</em> coinfection in residents of the municipality of Oiapoque, Amapá, Brazil. A total of 300 serum samples collected in 2014–2015, from individuals infected by <em>P. vivax</em> (<em>n</em> = 148) and non-infected (<em>n</em> = 152), were tested for B19V by serologic and molecular methods. Hemoglobin dosage and cytokine levels were evaluated by automatic method and flow cytometry/ELISA, respectively. Acute B19V infection was diagnosed in 56.8 % (84/148) of infected with <em>P. vivax</em> and 38.2 % (58/152) of non-infected individuals (<em>p</em> < 0.01), and <em>P. vivax</em> was considered a risk factor for B19V infection (OR=2.19; 95 % CI; <em>p</em> = 0.001). Participants were grouped into: B19V/<em>P. vivax</em> coinfected (CO), <em>P. vivax</em> monoinfected (M), B19V monoinfected (B19V), and endemic control (EC) who were negative for both agents. A significant association was found between the CO group and lower hemoglobin levels (RRR= 0.66; 95 % CI; <em>p</em> = 0.0019), but no link was found between anemia and coinfection. It was found that higher gametocyte counts (OR=1.002; 95 % CI; <em>p</em> = 0.0164), IL-5 (RRR=1.74, 95 % CI; <em>p</em> = 0.025) and IL-10 (RRR=1.45; 95 % CI; <em>p</em> = 0.004) levels were strongly associated with the CO group. No difference in viral load was observed between the CO and B19V groups. Our study highlights the importance of monitoring the circulation of B19V in <em>P. vivax</em> endemic areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107542"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143254503","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}
Acta tropicaPub Date : 2025-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107544
Bowen Jiang, Wenping Zhang, Ning Deng, Gang Li, Chao Ren, Fang Sun, Xiaojun Wang, Shaohu Xi, Shijie Wei
{"title":"A systematic review of reported symptomatic Elizabethkingia infection cases in children and adults","authors":"Bowen Jiang, Wenping Zhang, Ning Deng, Gang Li, Chao Ren, Fang Sun, Xiaojun Wang, Shaohu Xi, Shijie Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Elizabethkingia infections are caused by the species Elizabethkingia, which recently has become important as a cause of serious infection among neonates and immunocompromised adults. The systematic review summarized clinical data on symptomatic infections caused by Elizabethkingia, including species identification, patient outcomes, and therapeutic approaches.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting the systematic review. A literature search was made across major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria emphasized case reports and case series on symptomatic human infection caused by Elizabethkingia species. The studies would involve pediatric and adult subjects. Data extraction was to be performed independently by two reviewers, and because the data were heterogeneous, a narrative synthesis was done.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 45 studies were included, covering cases from 2011. Elizabethkingia anophelis had the highest mortality rate (39.1 %), followed by E. meningoseptica (11.8 %) and E. miricola (33.3 %). Pediatric cases, particularly neonates, showed favorable recovery rates, with a 100 % recovery in neonates and 85.72 % in infants. In contrast, adults had a higher mortality rate (33.33 %), particularly those with comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Species identification was crucial for determining appropriate antimicrobial treatment, with E. anophelis demonstrating significant antibiotic resistance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Clinical outcomes from Elizabethkingia infection are quite variable, depending on species and age group. Neonates and children generally tend to have better outcomes with appropriate and timely treatment, but adults, especially those with comorbidities, have higher mortality rates. Precise species identification and targeted treatment strategies play an important role in optimizing patient outcomes. Future research should be directed at fine-tuning diagnostic techniques, exploring the evolving taxonomy, and developing age-specific therapeutic regimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107544"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143254502","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}
Acta tropicaPub Date : 2025-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107538
Abderrahmane Zahri , Kassim Abdullahi Jimale , Marcos Antônio Bezerra-Santos , Renata Fagundes-Moreira , Felix Gregor Sauer , Salma El Allali , Abdelwahed Allouch , Filipe Dantas-Torres , Maria Bourquia , Domenico Otranto
{"title":"Vector-borne pathogens in dogs and in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto ticks in Morocco","authors":"Abderrahmane Zahri , Kassim Abdullahi Jimale , Marcos Antônio Bezerra-Santos , Renata Fagundes-Moreira , Felix Gregor Sauer , Salma El Allali , Abdelwahed Allouch , Filipe Dantas-Torres , Maria Bourquia , Domenico Otranto","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are of major concern in veterinary medicine worldwide. Amongst the arthropods transmitting CVBD-causing pathogens, the brown dog tick (<em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> sensu lato) is an important vector of agents, such as <em>Babesia vogeli, Cercopithifilaria</em> spp., <em>Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis</em>, and <em>Anaplasma platys</em>. While data on CVBDs transmitted by <em>Rh. sanguineus</em> s.l. are limited in Morocco, <em>Leishmania</em> spp., transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, are known to be endemic in several regions of the country. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) (i.e., <em>Anaplasma</em> spp., <em>Babesia</em> spp., <em>Ehrlichia</em> spp., <em>Hepatozoon</em> spp., <em>Rickettsia</em> spp.), <em>Leishmania</em> spp. and filarioids in shelter dogs and their ticks in central Morocco. Blood samples were collected from 144 dogs, and 5,363 ticks were removed from 314 dogs of the same population. DNA samples extracted from blood and from 276 ticks (divided into 55 pools) were screened for selected pathogens by PCR and DNA sequencing. Ticks were morphologically identified as <em>Rh. sanguineus</em> s.l., and molecular analysis of 10 representative specimens confirmed them as <em>Rh. sanguineus</em> s.s. Out of 144 dogs tested, 78 (54.1 %) scored positive for at least one pathogen, with 15 (10.4 %) being co-infected. <em>H. canis</em> was the most prevalent pathogen (38.2 %, 55/144), followed by <em>L. infantum</em> (15.3 %; 22/144), <em>A. platys</em> (5.6 %; 8/144), <em>B. vogeli</em> and <em>E. canis</em> (2.8 %; 4/144). Tick DNA pools scored positive for <em>H. canis</em> (36.4 %; <em>n</em> = 20/55). All dogs tested negative for filarioids and <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. Data herein reported demonstrate a high overall prevalence of CVBD-causing pathogens in dogs from central Morocco, with the unprecedented report of <em>H. canis</em> in dogs and ticks in this country.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 107538"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta tropicaPub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107531
Francesco Vladimiro Segala , Giacomo Guido , Giacomo Stroffolini , Lorenzo Masini , Paolo Cattaneo , Lucia Moro , Leonardo Motta , Federico Gobbi , Emanuele Nicastri , Serena Vita , Roberta Iatta , Domenico Otranto , Pietro Locantore , Edoardo Occa , Giovanni Putoto , Annalisa Saracino , Francesco Di Gennaro
{"title":"Insights into the ecological and climate crisis: Emerging infections threatening human health","authors":"Francesco Vladimiro Segala , Giacomo Guido , Giacomo Stroffolini , Lorenzo Masini , Paolo Cattaneo , Lucia Moro , Leonardo Motta , Federico Gobbi , Emanuele Nicastri , Serena Vita , Roberta Iatta , Domenico Otranto , Pietro Locantore , Edoardo Occa , Giovanni Putoto , Annalisa Saracino , Francesco Di Gennaro","doi":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107531","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107531","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Anthropocene era is marked by unprecedented human-induced alterations to the environment, resulting in a climate emergency and widespread ecological deterioration. A staggering number of up to one million species of plants and animals are in danger of becoming extinct, which includes over 10 % of insect species and 40 % of plant species. Unrestrained release of greenhouse gases, widespread deforestation, intense agricultural practices, excessive fishing, and alterations in land use have exceeded the ecological boundaries that were once responsible for humanity's wellbeing. As per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), existing policies are expected to result in a minimum rise in global temperature of +2 °C, with more recent assessments indicating a potential increase of up to +2.9 °C. The effects of climate change and ecological degradation on the formation of diseases are complex and have multiple aspects. Deforestation diminishes biodiversity and compels wildlife to come into greater proximity with humans, hence promoting the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Climate change intensifies these impacts by modifying the habitats of disease carrying organisms, resulting in the expansion of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus into previously unaffected areas. Furthermore, climate change amplifies the occurrence and severity of extreme weather phenomena, which undermines water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices. This creates an environment conducive to the transmission of waterborne diseases such as cholera in densely populated resettlement camps. Climate-induced disasters contribute to the complexity of epidemiological landscapes, exacerbating antimicrobial resistance and posing a threat to modern medical advancements. This narrative review investigates the complex connections between the ecological-climatic crises and emerging illnesses, offering an overview on how environmental changes contribute to outbreaks that pose a substantial threat to public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7240,"journal":{"name":"Acta tropica","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 107531"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142998389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}