Frontiers in parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Editorial: Biomolecular approaches to trichomoniasis: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.","authors":"Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano, Tiana Tasca, Valentina Margarita","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1691804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fpara.2025.1691804","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1691804"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12528088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145330993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of essential oils from <i>Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus grandis</i>, and <i>Mentha arvensis</i> on <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> and role of its symbionts <i>Mycoplasma hominis</i> and <i>Ca.</i> Mycoplasma girerdii.","authors":"Valentina Margarita, Thi Ha Trinh Nguyen, Giacomo Luigi Petretto, Antonella Congiargiu, Antonietta Ligas, Nicia Diaz, Phuong Anh Ton Nu, Giorgio Pintore, Paola Rappelli","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1610965","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1610965","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease, is caused by the protozoon <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>. <i>T. vaginalis</i> can establish a symbiosis with two bacteria, <i>Mycoplasma hominis</i> and <i>Candidatus</i> Mycoplasma girerdii, whose intracellular presence may modulate several characteristics of the protozoan, including its sensitivity to 5-nitroimidazoles, the only class of drugs currently effective in treating trichomoniasis. The rising prevalence of <i>T.vaginalis</i> strains resistant to metronidazole, the most commonly used antitrichomonal drug, underscores the need for therapeutic alternatives active against the protozoon.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted from three plants cultivated in Vietnam - <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>, <i>Citrus grandis</i>, and <i>Mentha arvensis</i> - against thirty <i>T. vaginalis</i> strains isolated from symptomatic women in Italy and Vietnam. We also assess the influence of <i>M. hominis</i> and <i>Ca</i>. M. girerdii on <i>T. vaginalis</i> susceptibility to essential oils and metronidazole, through dedicated susceptibility assays. Additionally, given the importance of lactobacilli in maintaining vaginal health, we investigate the effects of the essential oils on <i>Lactobacillus gasseri</i> and <i>Lactobacillus crispatus</i>. The cytotoxic activity of the oils against HeLa cells was also tested <i>in vitro</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All three essential oils showed effective antitrichomonal activity without inhibiting lactobacilli growth. Among them, <i>C. citratus</i> oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on <i>T. vaginalis</i>, including strains harboring bacterial symbionts. Moreover, the oils demonstrated no cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells at the concentrations effective against the protozoan.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The results support the potential of <i>C. citratus</i> essential oil as a natural antitrichomonal agent. Its effectiveness against both free and symbiont-infected <i>T. vaginalis</i> strains positions it as a promising candidate for developing alternative therapies against drug-resistant trichomoniasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1610965"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12392280/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144981079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular diagnosis of Chagas disease in patients with megaesophagus exhibiting negative or inconclusive serological results.","authors":"Angelica Martins Batista, Tycha Bianca Sabaini Pavan, Eros Antonio de Almeida, Daniel Maximo Corrêa de Alcantara, Paula Durante Andrade, Luiz Cláudio Martins, Jamiro da Silva Wanderley, Sandra Cecília Botelho Costa, Gláucia Elisete Barbosa Marcon","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1622149","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1622149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chagasic megaesophagus is a relatively uncommon clinical manifestation in individuals with chronic Chagas disease (CD), and it has not been extensively documented in literature. However, individuals may exhibit negative or inconclusive serology for CD. This study aimed to assess the performance of molecular diagnostics for CD in participants with these conditions. This was a prospective cohort study that included 26 participants with negative or inconclusive conventional CD serology (Group I), 33 participants with positive CD serology and megaesophagus (Group II), and 10 participants with negative serology and no CD epidemiological history (Group III). Blood samples were collected for serological tests (ELISA and IFAT), blood cultures, and molecular tests like nested PCR (nPCR) targeting Sat-DNA and kDNA, as well as quantitative PCR (qPCR) of <i>T. cruzi</i>. Statistical analyses applying the Composite Reference Standard (CRS), showed that diagnosis by Sat-DNA nPCR had a sensitivity of 95% (95% CI: 82%-99%), a specificity of 81% (95% CI: 64%-93%), an accuracy of 88%. When considering a positive result from at least one molecular test, 20 out of 26 participants with megaesophagus and negative or inconclusive conventional serology were identified (76.9%). This study reinforce the greater detection capacity of Sat-DNA nPCR compared to the diagnostic methods tested. This emphasizes the importance of employing molecular diagnosis to clarify the etiology in megaesophagus cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1622149"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12380845/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144981145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiological, environmental, and life-history drivers of haemosporidian infections in non-passerine birds from a rehabilitation center.","authors":"Lis Marques de Carvalho E Vieira, Victor Aguiar de Souza Penha, Kevin J McGraw, Amanda Vitória Dornelas da Silva, Erika Martins Braga","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1568852","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1568852","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pathogens and parasites play a crucial role in shaping ecological and evolutionary processes, influencing the behavior, physiology, and survival of their hosts across diverse ecosystems. Despite their taxonomic and functional diversity, non-passerine birds remain underrepresented in pathogen/parasite ecological research, providing an opportunity to explore how their unique life histories influence host-parasite dynamics. Investigating the susceptibility of non-passerines to infections, particularly in relation to physiological stress indicators such as heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratios and microhematocrit levels, offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between health state, environmental conditions, and disease dynamics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the occurrence of haemosporidian parasite (avian malaria) infections (Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp.) in individuals from six non-passerine bird species - Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata), Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus), Yellow-headed Caracara (<i>Daptrius chimachima</i>), Dusky-legged Guan (Penelope obscura), Gray-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides cajaneus), and Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba) - that were admitted to the Wildlife Screening Center in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We assessed whether blood-parasite infection occurrence was associated with hematological parameters (e.g. microhematocrit, H/L ratio), major injuries, age, body condition, season, co-occurrence of Trichomonas spp. infections, and presence of ectoparasites.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 75 individuals analyzed, 37% were infected with haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp. combined). Age was a significant predictor of haemosporidian infection, with adults exhibiting higher overall haemosporidian parasite occurrence (both Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp. together), likely due to age-related chronic infection accumulation or higher mortality among infected juveniles. Also, individuals infected with Haemoproteus spp. only showed elevated H/L ratios, suggesting a physiological response to infection, and were more frequently infected during the rainy season, likely reflecting optimal vector conditions. No significant associations were observed between blood-parasite infection occurrence and other factors such as physical condition, major injuries, co-occurring Trichomonas spp., or the presence of ectoparasites.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings highlight the importance of considering physiological, environmental, and life-history factors when investigating malaria infections in non-passerine birds. By advancing our understanding of host-parasite interactions in these underrepresented species, this study contributes valuable knowledge to inform conservation, rehabilitation, and wildlife-management strategies for these less-studied birds.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1568852"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12358355/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144884415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Guanine derivatives as promising candidates for the development of purine-based antimalarial drugs.","authors":"Worlanyo Tashie, Harry P de Koning, Nancy O Duah-Quashie, Neils B Quashie","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1634209","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1634209","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The increasing resistance of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> to existing antimalarial drugs drives the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. The purine salvage pathway in <i>P. falciparum</i> is essential for the parasite's survival due to its complete reliance on host-derived purines for nucleic acid synthesis and other essential processes. Although the purine salvage system has been intensively researched, no purine-based antimalarial drugs have been taken into preclinical development. The current study evaluated the chemotherapeutic potential of some purine nucleobase analogues against <i>P. falciparum</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong><i>In vitro</i> sensitivity assays were conducted using the 72-hour SYBR Green drug assay on laboratory-adapted <i>P. falciparum</i> strains 3D7 and Dd2. The most potent nucleobase analogues were docked into PfENT1 using the PyRx software suite.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analogues 8-azaguanine, 7-deazaguanine, and 6-thioguanine exhibited average EC₅₀ values of 1.71 µM, 14.9 µM and 15.7 µM, respectively, for 3D7 and 5.2 µM, 16.3 µM and 18.6 µM, respectively, for the Dd2 strain, and subsequently tested against field isolates of <i>P. falciparum</i>. These <i>ex vivo</i> tests showed EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.5 - 4.5 µM for 8-azaguanine, 3.8 - 12.3 µM for 7-deazaguanine, and 4.1 - 15.0 µM for 6-thioguanine. To understand their cellular targeting, molecular docking of the same analogues was performed using the structure of <i>P. falciparum</i> Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1 (<i>Pf</i>ENT1). This demonstrated that guanine, 8-azaguanine and 7-deazaguanine formed five hydrogen bonds each with the same amino acid residues of <i>Pf</i>ENT1, whereas 6-thioguanine's orientation allowed only two hydrogen bonds with <i>Pf</i>ENT1. The binding pose of inosine was different from these nucleobases.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings highlight the potential of guanine-based scaffolds, particularly 8-azaguanine and 7-deazaguanine, as promising leads for purine-based antimalarial drug development and the versatility of the <i>Pf</i>ENT1 transporter in the uptake of purine antimetabolites.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1634209"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12343510/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144849922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Commentary: Evaluation of the AiDx Assist device for automated detection of <i>Schistosoma</i> eggs in stool and urine samples in Nigeria.","authors":"Nathkapach Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon, Schawanya Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1633767","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1633767","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1633767"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12321754/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144790875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular genetic characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and <i>Cystoisospora</i> protozoan infections in cats from large cities of Kazakhstan.","authors":"Lyudmila Lider, Rabiga Uakhit, Nurassyl Manapov, Valentina Yerzhanova, Alexandr Andreyev, Ainura Smagulova, Carlos Hermosilla, Vladimir Kiyan","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1608542","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1608542","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Cystoisospora</i> spp. are significant unicellular parasites that cause gastrointestinal infections in both humans and animals globally. Among these, <i>Cryptosporidium felis</i> and <i>Cystoisospora felis</i> are particularly important for feline health and pose potential zoonotic risks, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems. Kazakhstan, characterized by its diverse climate zones and an increasing population of pets, provides an excellent context for studying the epidemiology and genetic diversity of these parasites. In Kazakhstan, the mandatory registration of pets offers a valuable opportunity to explore the distribution and molecular characteristics of these parasites. This study focuses on the prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and <i>Cystoisospora</i> from companion and shelter cats across five major cities in Kazakhstan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Overall, from five cities, 1301 fecal samples were collected and studied. Samples were study by direct modified Sheather's flotation technique was applied using a sugar solution. Samples were screened using the 18S rRNA gene for Cryptosporidium and the ITS-1 gene for Cystoisospora. Nucleotide sequences were aligned with the MUSCLE multiple sequence alignment program. Phylograms were constructed with the MEGA11 software using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>In total, we examined 1,301 fecal samples and found that 31 (2.4%) contained <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp., including 10 identified as <i>Cryptosporidium felis</i>. Additionally, 121 samples (9.3%) tested positive for <i>Cystoisospora felis</i>. The studied <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> isolates obtained in this study belong to subtype IIdA15G1, which is dominant and clusters well with previously reported sequences from different countries on the gp60 gene. Shelter cats are more susceptible to these parasites, with a prevalence of 3.1% for <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and a notably higher rate of 19.0% for <i>Cystoisospora</i>. In contrast, companion cats showed lower rates, at 1.6% for <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and 5.1% for <i>Cystoisospora</i>. Our findings identified the species <i>Cystoisospora felis</i>, <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i>, and <i>Cryptosporidium felis</i>, with a determined subtype of XIXa.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1608542"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12301373/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Down-regulation of colon mucin production induced by <i>Eimeria pragensis</i> infection in mice.","authors":"Yulia Dwi Setia, Mio Kokubo-Tanaka, Ryusei Tanaka, Akemi Yoshida, Eiji Nagayasu, Parnian Ahmadi, Ayako Yoshida, Haruhiko Maruyama","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1621486","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1621486","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Eimeria pragensis</i>, an intestinal protozoa infecting mice, induces colitis and reduces goblet cell numbers in the large intestine. In the present study, we investigated the pathogenesis and the mechanisms underlying goblet cell down-regulation in the early phase of infection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Male C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with 300 oocysts. Fecal oocyst shedding and body weight were monitored daily. Colon tissues were collected at 3, 8, and 13 days post-infection (dpi) to assess pathological changes. Parasite burden was assessed by histological analysis (H&E staining) and qPCR targeting 5S rRNA. Goblet cells were visualized using PAS-Alcian Blue staining and Muc2 immunohistochemistry. To elucidate mechanisms of goblet cell dysfunction, we performed RNA sequencing of large intestine tissue to examine host as well as parasite transcriptomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fecal oocyst excretion peaked at 8-9 dpi. Body weight decreased from 6 to 11 dpi, with recovery after 12 dpi. Maximal parasite accumulation in the proximal colon was observed at 8 dpi in histological examination as well as qPCR. Colon length was significantly shortened at 3 dpi. Goblet cell area significantly reduced at 8 dpi (p < 0.05). RNA sequencing of infected large intestines revealed that <i>E. pragensis</i> produced enzymes that were known to degrade mucin and tight junctions, and proteins that could activate the Notch-Hes1 signaling pathway. As for host responses, genes associated with Th1-type inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, and immune regulation were up-regulated as early as 3 dpi.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our findings suggested that <i>E. pragensis</i> infection induces a mucosal barrier dysfunction in the early phase of the infection, which possibly causes the tissue invasion of bacteria in the large intestine. Th1-type inflammatory response, thus induced, reduces goblet cell numbers and mucin production. This model provides valuable insight into the mechanisms of mucosal barrier disruption during protozoan infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1621486"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12234464/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the prevalence of three medically important pathogens in <i>Ixodes pacificus</i> from southern Oregon.","authors":"Andrew T Partin, Emilio E DeBess, Phillip Q Spinks, Michael J Yabsley, Kayla B Garrett, James R Clover, Geoffrey R Taylor","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1599377","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1599377","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In the far western United States of America, <i>Ixodes pacificus</i> is the primary vector of several pathogens of public health and veterinary importance including the Lyme disease spirochete <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> sensu lato (s.l.), as well as <i>Borrelia miyamotoi</i> and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Ixodes pacificus</i> is common in southern Oregon yet there are few published studies on the distribution of tick-borne pathogens in this region.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using real-time quantitative PCR, we assessed the prevalence of <i>B. burgdorferi</i> s.l., <i>B. miyamotoi</i>, and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> among 2,463 unfed <i>I. pacificus</i> adults and nymphs combined into 260 pools (131 nymph, 129 adult) with nearly equal numbers of each life stage from 12 locations in Jackson County, Oregon.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our study, 27.9% (36/129) and 29.8% (39/131) of adult and nymph pools, respectively, tested positive for at least a single pathogen. Nymph pools had a higher pool positivity rate (PPR) for <i>B. burgdorferi</i> s.l. with 15.3% (20/131) testing positive compared to 3.1% (4/129) of adult pools. Nymph pools also had a higher minimum infection rate (MIR) and maximum-likelihood estimate of pooled prevalence (EPP) for <i>B. burgdorferi</i> s.l. than adults. Interestingly, the prevalence of <i>B. burgdorferi</i> s.l. varied greatly in nymph pools across collection sites (0-70%). PPR of <i>B. miyamotoi</i> was 21.7% (28/129) for adults and 12.2% (16/131) for nymphs, making it the most frequently detected pathogen in adult pools and the most detected pathogen overall. <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> was the least frequently detected pathogen overall with a PPR of 3.1% (4/129) and 2.3% (3/131) for adults and nymphs, respectively.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings underscore the importance of continued surveillance, pathogen testing, and public education regarding ticks in areas such as southern Oregon where <i>I. pacificus</i> is common but little research has been done.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1599377"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12226487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144577135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"RDT performance through high-throughput bead-based antigen detection during malaria school survey in Senegal.","authors":"Mamadou Alpha Diallo, Ibrahima M Ndiaye, Djiby Sow, Mame Cheikh Seck, Khadim Diongue, Mariama Touré, Katerine E Battle, Bassirou Ngom, Mouhamad Sy, Amy Gaye, Yaye Dié Ndiaye, Mamane Nassirou Garba, Aida Sadikh Badiane, Aita Sene, Medoune Ndiop, Jules François Gomis, Sarah K Volkman, Doudou Sene, Bronwyn L MacInnis, Ibrahima Diallo, Mouhamadou Ndiaye, Dyann F Wirth, Daouda Ndiaye","doi":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1598280","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpara.2025.1598280","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) remain the frontline tool for malaria diagnosis, but their performance in detecting low-density infections is variable and poorly characterized at the population level.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of HRP2-based RDTs by integrating high-throughput bead-based HRP2 quantification into school-based malaria surveys.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Senegalese districts (Diourbel, Tambacounda, and Kédougou), enrolling 3,748 school-aged children. All participants were tested using RDTs, and dried blood spots were analyzed with a multiplex bead-based HRP2 assay. A Gaussian mixture model was used to classify HRP2 positivity, and logistic regression assessed the relationship between HRP2 concentration and RDT outcome.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall RDT positivity rate was 7.2%, with marked heterogeneity across districts (Diourbel: 3.0%, Kédougou: 15.9%, Tambacounda: 7.6%). HRP2 concentration was the strongest predictor of RDT positivity (aOR: 14.55 per log₁₀ increase, 95% CI: 11.14-19.00). RDT limits of detection (LOD₉₅) varied significantly: 3.9 ng/mL in Tambacounda, 121.2 ng/mL in Kédougou, and 204.3 ng/mL in Diourbel.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>RDTs remain a useful surveillance tool, particularly in moderate- to high-transmission settings. However, reduced sensitivity at lower antigen concentrations in hypo-endemic areas highlights the value of complementary high-sensitivity assays for elimination-focused strategies. Future research should explore the application of these integrated diagnostic approaches in regions without seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":73098,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in parasitology","volume":"4 ","pages":"1598280"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12159022/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144287368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}