Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases最新文献

{"title":"Worms and reproductive failure: First evidence of transplacental Halicephalobus transmission leading to repeated equine abortion","authors":"Andrea Springer ,&nbsp;Christin Krüger ,&nbsp;Christina Strube ,&nbsp;Dirk Steinhauer","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100309","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100309","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Infections with facultatively parasitic <em>Halicephalobus</em> spp. nematodes are usually fatal in animals and humans. Here, transplacental transmission of a species of <em>Halicephalobus</em> is described for the first time, causing reproductive failure of a mare during two consecutive gestations. In both cases, histology showed adult and larval nematodes in the placenta and various foetal organs, without signs of generalized halicephalobosis in the mare. An identical 18S rRNA-ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 sequence generated from both placentas showed considerable divergence from a previously sequenced equine isolate, suggesting cryptic diversity among <em>Halicephalobus</em> isolates in vertebrates. This ubiquitous nematode may be a cause of equine abortion associated with considerable economic loss. Future research should aim at exploring effective treatment options and clarifying the true taxonomic diversity within the genus <em>Halicephalobus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100309"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144923056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas and blood piroplasmids in domestic and wild ruminants in Slovakia, Central Europe","authors":"Dana Zubriková ,&nbsp;Lucia Vargová ,&nbsp;Júlia Halapy ,&nbsp;Branislav Lukáč ,&nbsp;Veronika Blažeková ,&nbsp;Klaudia Mária Švirlochová ,&nbsp;Eva Čisovská Bazsalovicsová ,&nbsp;Ján Čurlík ,&nbsp;Ivana Heglasová ,&nbsp;Bronislava Víchová","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Some piroplasmids and haemotropic mycoplasmas are important pathogens affecting domestic and wild animals, leading to various clinical symptoms and economic losses. This study aimed to determine, for the first time, the prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas and <em>Babesia</em>/<em>Theileria</em> species in domestic and wild ruminants in Slovakia, Central Europe. Blood samples from cattle, goats, and sheep (<em>n</em> = 549) and liver samples from red deer (<em>n</em> = 43) were collected across Slovakia between 2008 and 2024. DNA was extracted and screened by PCR and sequencing for haemotropic mycoplasmas and piroplasmids. The overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas was highest in cattle at 53.3% (124/232) and in sheep at 60% (90/150), whereas the prevalence in goats was substantially lower (4.2%; 7/167). Specifically, <em>Mycoplasma wenyonii</em> and “<em>Candidatus</em> Mycoplasma haematobovis” were detected in cattle, while <em>Mycoplasma ovis</em>-like microorganisms were identified in sheep and goats. For <em>Babesia</em>/<em>Theileria</em> species, a prevalence of 1.8% was recorded in goats, with no detections in sheep, and a prevalence of 65.1% was confirmed in red deer, where sequencing confirmed the presence of <em>Theileria capreoli</em>. This study presents the first report on the prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas in ruminants in Slovakia, highlighting the need for further research into transmission dynamics and potential zoonotic risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100270"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144480458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gene regulation in Cryptosporidium: New insights and unanswered questions","authors":"Samantha Gunasekera ,&nbsp;Jessica C. Kissinger","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parasites of the genus <em>Cryptosporidium</em> have evolved to have a highly compact genome of ∼9.1 Mb. The mechanisms that regulate gene expression in <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. remain incompletely understood at all levels, including chromatin accessibility, transcription factor activation and repression and RNA processing. This review discusses possible mechanisms of gene regulation in <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp., including histone modifications, <em>cis</em> regulatory elements, transcription factors and non-coding RNAs. <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. are among the most basal branching apicomplexans and existing evidence suggests that they diverge from other members of their phylum <em>via</em> retention of the E2F/DP1 transcription factor family, and the recent discovery that <em>C. parvum</em> produces polycistronic transcripts. Most of what we know about gene regulation in the genus <em>Cryptosporidium</em> is based on sequence conservation and homology with other members of the phylum Apicomplexa, and in some cases, more distant eukaryotes. Very few putative gene regulatory components identified in <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. are supported by experimental confirmation. This review summarizes what we know about gene regulation in <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and identifies gaps in our current understanding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144480459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Survey of tick-borne pathogens in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks from livestock in the Northern Punjab Province, Pakistan","authors":"Mariachiara Ciarma ,&nbsp;Sophie Melis ,&nbsp;Beatrice Bisaglia ,&nbsp;Gherard Batisti Biffignandi ,&nbsp;Gull Sanober Sunny ,&nbsp;Michela Vumbaca ,&nbsp;Sara Epis ,&nbsp;Muhammad Arshad ,&nbsp;Haroon Ahmed ,&nbsp;Davide Sassera ,&nbsp;Michele Castelli","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are worldwide distributed hematophagous ectoparasites that can act as vectors of numerous zoonotic pathogens of concern for human and veterinary health. In this study, we investigated the presence and abundance of bacterial and protozoan tick-borne pathogens in livestock-associated ticks from Northern Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 374 ticks were collected by convenience sampling in 40 villages and were morphologically and molecularly characterized, with all of them being identified as <em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em>. Out of 121 adult female ticks that were tested by PCR, 57 (47.1%) were positive for <em>Ehrlichia canis</em>, 16 (13.2%) for <em>Anaplasma marginale</em>, 13 (10.7%) for <em>Theileria orientalis</em>, 3 (2.5%) for <em>Ehrlichia muris</em>, and none for <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. Phylogenetic analyses indicated a high proximity of the newly characterized pathogens with conspecifics from other countries, thus suggesting possible recent long-distance spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Moreover, the investigated pathogens showed seasonal variations in ticks, being more abundant during summer. The higher temperature and lower humidity of this season may represent favourable conditions for tick and pathogen survival and spread. The present findings provide an updated report of the distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens associated with livestock in Punjab. This highlights the need for further research to monitor the presence and dissemination of these pathogens, and to develop local and general epidemiological control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100275"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144222726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology and surveillance of West Nile virus in the Mediterranean Basin during 2010–2023: A systematic review","authors":"Ibrahim Abbas ,&nbsp;Fahad Ahmed ,&nbsp;Hira Muqaddas ,&nbsp;Alberto Alberti ,&nbsp;Antonio Varcasia ,&nbsp;Luigi Sedda","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100277","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100277","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change can cause spatio-temporal shifts in the epidemiology of various vector borne pathogens, especially in vulnerable areas such as the Mediterranean Basin (MB). Among these pathogens, the West Nile virus (WNV) became endemic in the region. This systematic review and meta-analysis study summarizes WNV epidemiology, molecular characteristics, and surveillance in various MB countries, relying on data and scientific articles on WNV published during 2010–2023. The number of published articles varied across the three MB subregions: Southern Europe (<em>n</em> = 153), North Africa (<em>n</em> = 33), and Western Asia (<em>n</em> = 14). During this period, 5765 WNV cases in humans were documented across 19 MB countries with peaks during 2018–2022, mostly in Italy and Greece. The latter had neurological disease in 70.3% of 1868 cases, and a high case fatality rate (13.7%). Fewer WNV cases were reported in North Africa despite having the highest pooled human seroprevalence (15.4%), suggesting potential underdiagnosis and cryptic transmission. Overall, 6.5% out of 160,775 individuals had WNV-IgG antibodies in their sera, and WNV-neutralizing antibodies (NA) were detected in ∼50% of 731 IgG-seropositive individuals, indicating co-circulation of other flaviviruses in the MB. In horses, 698 confirmed cases were reported across 14 MB countries. Compared to humans, horses had a higher pooled IgG (26.0%) and NA (71.8%) prevalence, but a lower case fatality rate (6.1%). Wild birds, the key amplifying hosts, displayed a pooled IgG seroprevalence of 11.9%. WNV-RNA was detected in 4.5% of 3040 dead or neurologically diseased wild birds. Entomological surveillance revealed WNV-RNA in 2.5% of 52,159 mosquito pools tested, mostly <em>Culex pipiens</em>. WNV lineages 1 and 2 co-circulate, with Lineage 2 being dominant in Southern Europe. Surveillance capabilities vary across subregions, with robust integrated strategies in Southern Europe and limited efforts in North Africa and Western Asia. Since no vaccines are available for humans, integrated One Health approaches are crucial for effective surveillance and early warning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100277"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144271400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium isolates from young children and livestock in eastern Ethiopia","authors":"Degu Abate ,&nbsp;Rea Tschopp ,&nbsp;Berhanu Seyoum ,&nbsp;Yadeta Dessie ,&nbsp;Mahlet Osman Hassen ,&nbsp;Gizachew Gemechu ,&nbsp;Gebeyehu Assefa ,&nbsp;Øystein Haarklau Johansen ,&nbsp;Pamela C. Köster ,&nbsp;Alejandro Dashti ,&nbsp;Sergio Sánchez ,&nbsp;Kurt Hanevik ,&nbsp;Lucy J. Robertson ,&nbsp;David Carmena ,&nbsp;Alemseged Abdissa","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100278","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100278","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoea during early childhood in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Human <em>Cryptosporidium</em> infections can be anthroponotically or zoonotically transmitted. This study assesses the diversity and frequency of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species and genotypes circulating in children and young livestock in eastern Ethiopia, with the aim of tracing the sources of infection. <em>Cryptosporidium</em> isolates from young children (<em>n</em> = 152), calves (<em>n</em> = 8), lambs (<em>n</em> = 4), goat kids (<em>n</em> = 4), and camels (<em>n</em> = 11) were subjected to PCR targeting the SSU rRNA and <em>gp60</em> loci. Species and subtypes were determined by Sanger sequencing. Two <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species were found in children: <em>C. hominis</em> (75.3%, 67/89) and <em>C. parvum</em> (24.7%, 22/89). Three <em>gp60</em> subtype families, Ia (30.0%, 9/30), Ib (10.0%, 3/30), and Id (60.0%, 18/30), were identified within <em>C. hominis</em> whereas <em>gp60</em> subtype families IIe (55.6%, 10/18) and IIc (44.4%, 8/18) were identified within <em>C. parvum</em>. The predominant subtypes were <em>C. hominis</em> IdA15 and <em>C. parvum</em> IIeA10G1. Among livestock, <em>C</em><em>. ubiquitum</em> was found in two camels and a goat kid, <em>C. xiaoi</em> in a lamb and goat kid, and <em>C. ryanae</em> in a calf. We did not identify any <em>C. parvum</em> among the animal samples. The goat isolate of <em>C. xiaoi</em> was characterised as subtype XXIIIg. Human cryptosporidiosis cases in eastern Ethiopia are primarily caused by anthroponotically transmitted <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species and subtypes, whereas zoonotic transmission events seem infrequent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100278"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144338437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occurrence and prevalence of host-seeking Ixodes ricinus nymphs infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) genospecies in Europe (1999–2022)","authors":"Patrick H. Kelly ,&nbsp;Julie Davis ,&nbsp;Ye Tan ,&nbsp;Harrison M. Marick ,&nbsp;Alexander Davidson ,&nbsp;Agustín Estrada-Peña ,&nbsp;Jennifer C. Moïsi ,&nbsp;James H. Stark","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks of the <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> complex are the primary vectors of <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> (<em>sensu lato</em>), the complex of genospecies that cause Lyme borreliosis, in Europe and North America. We summarized the tick surveillance data of host-seeking <em>I. ricinus</em> nymphs in Europe between 1999 and 2022 to quantify and map the occurrence and <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) genospecies infection prevalence (NIP) across the continent in high resolution. Geocoordinates or reported subnational administrative units were extracted where tick surveillance data were collected and validated with previous systematic literature reviews to ensure comprehensiveness. Data were grouped according to country, year, and individual <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) genospecies and quantified <em>via</em> random effects. In total, 278,189 host-seeking nymphs from 152 studies across 27 European countries were extracted. Overall NIP was 11.1% across Europe, with the highest NIP in eastern European countries (&gt; 27%) and the lowest NIP within the United Kingdom (&lt; 4.2%). <em>Borrelia afzelii</em> had the broadest distribution and highest NIP among the genospecies (4.7%). Importantly, this work provides a publicly available and highly precise geographically comprehensive database of the relative abundance and prevalence of <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) infection in host-seeking <em>I. ricinus</em> nymphs in Europe. These data can be utilized by researchers for further use and analyses of Lyme borreliosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100297"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144680210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pseudocapillaria tomentosa (Nematoda: Capillariidae) in fish and its significance in comprehending host-parasite relationships: A review","authors":"Amin Marandi ,&nbsp;Anne Majgaard Jensen ,&nbsp;Louise von Gersdorff Jørgensen","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100265","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100265","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Helminth parasites, including capillariids, pose a significant health risk to animals, including fishes, birds, and mammals. <em>Pseudocapillaria tomentosa</em> is a widespread, but poorly studied parasite primarily infecting freshwater cyprinid fishes in the northern hemisphere. However, despite controlled laboratory procedures, the parasite is also prevalent in many zebrafish (<em>Danio rerio</em>) research facilities due to inadequate measures to ensure biological security and the ability of the nematode to endure chlorine treatment. <em>Pseudocapillaria tomentosa</em> typically causes chronic disease in fish, leading to morbidity, mortality, and economic challenges. Clinical signs include emaciation, ulcers, anemia, and hemorrhage, as well as reduced growth and reproductive ability, and prominent humpback lesions in severe infections. Diagnosing <em>P. tomentosa</em> infections involve observation of eggs in wet mount preparations or worms in histological sections of the intestine. However, definitive species identification requires detailed morphological examination and molecular analyses. <em>Pseudocapillaria tomentosa</em> can be effectively managed through anthelmintic treatments such as emamectin, fenbendazole, albendazole, and mebendazole as well as preventive measures including maintaining optimal water quality, reducing fish density, and implementing strict quarantine protocols. This review discusses the use of the zebrafish to study host-parasite interactions, particularly with the parasitic nematode <em>P. tomentosa</em>. The zebrafish is a suitable model for studying infectious diseases, including parasites, due to its well-characterized immune system, reporter lines and cell lineages. This model organism exhibits immune responses to helminth antigens, including eosinophilia and the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines like Tnf-α and Ifn-γ. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in susceptibility to parasitic infections in zebrafish and an imbalanced or dysbiotic gut microbiome can predispose fish to parasitic infections, while a healthy, balanced microbiome can enhance resistance. Furthermore, probiotic-based interventions are being explored as a way to boost mucosal immunity and modify the gut microbiome to prevent parasitic infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100265"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143922470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An inclusive assessment of apoptosis mechanisms in Leishmania species: A narrative literature review","authors":"Soheil Sadr ,&nbsp;Iraj Sharifi ,&nbsp;Solmaz Morovati ,&nbsp;Helia Sepahvand ,&nbsp;Shakiba Nazemian ,&nbsp;Mehdi Bamorovat ,&nbsp;Zahra Rezaeian ,&nbsp;Baharak Akhtardanesh","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leishmaniasis, the most neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus <em>Leishmania</em>, poses a substantial global health concern. The present review provides an in-depth overview of current findings on apoptosis and cell death mechanisms in leishmaniasis, integrating current advancements and key components. It explores the intricate interaction between <em>Leishmania</em> spp. and host cell apoptosis, a crucial basis of disease outcome. <em>Leishmania</em> spp. and host cell death pathways interplay is highly complex and multi-layered, and the current review discusses how <em>Leishmania</em> parasites manipulate host cell apoptotic signal transduction to establish and sustain infection. This includes the subversion of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signaling, the modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, and managing host cell death machinery for their survival and pathogenesis. Moreover, the present review explores the emerging evidence of apoptosis in <em>Leishmania</em> parasites. This fascinating phenomenon, while less widely studied, recommends immense therapeutic potential in targeting parasite-persistent mechanisms. Finally, we critically analyze the challenges and future directions in this field, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the merits and mediator molecular mechanisms underlying <em>Leishmania</em>-induced apoptosis and its implications for novel therapeutic strategies against this debilitating disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100260"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143854822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in cattle: A meta-analysis","authors":"Rachel Buchanan ,&nbsp;Przemyslaw Wieckowski ,&nbsp;Eleni Matechou ,&nbsp;Frank Katzer ,&nbsp;Anastasios D. Tsaousis ,&nbsp;Marta Farré","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The apicomplexan parasites <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. are the causative agents of a severe diarrhoeal disease called cryptosporidiosis. <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species are capable of infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans and livestock. In cattle, cryptosporidiosis is now one of the most important causes of neonatal scour globally, either as a sole agent or co-infecting with other pathogens. Cryptosporidiosis is considered globally endemic, with a prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> in stool samples from 13% to 93% in European cattle. This disease has a significant economic burden, with costs associated with veterinary diagnosis and medication, animal rearing, and supplemental nutrition. It is also associated with a reduced long-term growth rate in calves, causing huge economic losses in the livestock industry. Moreover, cattle act as a zoonotic reservoir for <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em>, a species that is capable of infecting humans as well. As such, monitoring the prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. in cattle is important due to the public health risk and financial burden the clinical disease causes. Publications reporting on the prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. in cattle were collected from PubMed and Google Scholar. Information regarding the age of the animals, the species of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> in positive samples, the genotype of <em>C. parvum</em> found in samples, and the diarrhoeic status of the cattle was collected where available. A total of 248 publications were collected for this meta-analysis from six continents and 63 countries to provide an estimation for global bovine <em>Cryptosporidium</em> prevalence. The global prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> infection ranged between 27.0% and 37.5% in calves and pre-weaned cattle, respectively, with <em>C. parvum</em> being the most frequently identified species, particularly the IIa subfamily. Diarrhoea was reported in 7080 pre-weaned cattle samples, of which 38.1% tested positive for <em>Cryptosporidium</em>. Regarding symptoms, we found that in countries reporting over 50% of diarrhoeic positive cattle, <em>C. parvum</em> was the most common species. Continued monitoring and reporting of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. in cattle are crucial for both public health and economic reasons. Consequently, efforts should focus on underreported regions and the development of control measures to reduce prevalence and limit zoonotic transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143942772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}