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

{"title":"Clinical canine Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) infections are associated with highly elevated total IgG ELISA titers and convalescent Th2 immune responses","authors":"K. Emil Hovius ,&nbsp;Tess van den Bergen ,&nbsp;Osama Almalik ,&nbsp;Ellen Versmissen ,&nbsp;Victor P. Rutten ,&nbsp;Hein Sprong ,&nbsp;Joppe W. Hovius","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lyme disease is caused by <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> (<em>sensu lato</em>), which is transmitted through species belonging to the <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> complex. Canine Lyme Disease (CLD) is an established clinical entity in the USA. In Europe, an unambiguous diagnosis is rarely made, although it has been shown that dogs can be naturally infected and develop antibodies against <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>). The relation of <em>Borrelia</em> total IgG, IgG2, and IgG1 specific antibodies and the incidence of symptoms was studied in a prospective cohort study. In a tick-dense area in the Netherlands, 84 dogs in 4 age cohorts were followed up during 7 consecutive half-years. In addition, 31 Bernese Mountain dogs (BMD), known to have robust anti-<em>Borrelia</em> antibody responses, were clinically monitored and serologically examined. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis on repeated half-year measurements of clinical and serological results showed a strong association between the clinical signs fever combined with lameness in time, which in turn was associated with transiently high total IgG titers and elevated IgG1 titers against <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>sensu stricto</em>). In BMD, we observed seroconversions and persistence of specific high total IgG and IgG1 titers. Although the latter also developed a persistent reaction against the <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) C6 peptide, their tissues tested negative for <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) DNA. This study strongly suggests that dogs - not vaccinated against <em>Borrelia</em> spp. infections - that encounter yearly tick infestations are recurrently infected. Some breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers and BMD, in the course of multiple tick-infestation seasons, develop transient symptoms compatible with CLD. Symptoms were strongly associated with temporarily raised total IgG and concomitant or convalescent high IgG1 antibody responses against <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>sensu stricto</em>). Our findings provide insights into the resistance of dogs against <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) infections and show that transient symptoms of CLD only occur in a subset of infected dogs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100258"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143917353","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":"New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi","authors":"Witchuta Junsiri ,&nbsp;Piyanan Taweethavonsawat","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Wolbachia</em> spp. are intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria that infect a wide range of arthropods. These bacteria influence reproductive traits in their hosts and are used in mosquito-borne virus control programmes. This study investigates the <em>Wolbachia</em> surface protein (WSP), a potential trigger of innate immune responses. The <em>wsp</em> gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that <em>wsp</em> sequences from <em>Wolbachia</em> endosymbionts of <em>Brugia pahangi</em> and <em>B. malayi</em> formed two clades within the supergroup D. The <em>wsp</em> sequences were highly conserved, with 99–100% sequence identity across global isolates. Haplotype analysis revealed 13 distinct <em>wsp</em> haplotypes. The average antigenic score of the WSP protein was 1.029 for <em>B. malayi</em> and 1.026 for <em>B. pahangi</em>. MHC-NP analysis predicted eight antigen ligands for <em>B. malayi</em> and six for <em>B. pahangi</em>. Notably, a shared antigen ligand (VIADQKHGF) was identified for both species, associated with dog leukocyte antigens (DLA-8850101, DLA-8803401, and DLA-8850801). Additionally, a conserved ligand region (ALVMLLSLSNSAFSD) was identified in the WSP of <em>B. malayi</em>, corresponding to human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DR alleles HLA-DRB1∗04:04 and HLA-DRB1∗04:01). These findings provide new insights into the phylogenetic classification, sequence conservation, and immunogenic potential of the WSP protein in <em>Wolbachia</em> endosymbionts of <em>Brugia</em> spp.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100272"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144138938","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 and risk factors of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from Mexico, including serum pre-heat treatment for the dissociation of immune complexes","authors":"Samantha Hay-Parker ,&nbsp;Roger I. Rodriguez-Vivas ,&nbsp;Emilia Tobias ,&nbsp;Frederic Beugnet ,&nbsp;Nancy Montes ,&nbsp;Erick García ,&nbsp;Diego Bazaldua","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Dirofilaria immitis</em> is a nematode found worldwide and capable of infecting several animal species, including dogs. In Mexico, <em>D. immitis</em> infection in dogs has been detected in 22 of the 32 states, with a wide range of prevalence. Blood samples of 535 dogs from four ecological zones and 11 localities in Mexico were processed with ELISA (IDEXX SNAP 4Dx® Plus) with non-treated blood samples (NTB) and pre-heat-treated sera for immune complex dissociation (pre-ICD). Thick drop tests were also performed. The prevalence of <em>D. immitis</em> in each locality was estimated. The positive results were analyzed using <em>χ</em>²-test to identify the associated factors, and the variables with <em>P</em> &lt; 0.2 were analyzed using a logistic regression. The overall prevalence found using the ELISA test with NTB was 15.5%, while it was significantly higher (22.6%) using the same test with pre-ICD. With the thick drop test, a lower prevalence (7.2%) was observed. The detection of positive cases of <em>D. immitis</em> infection was significantly different (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) between the three tests. Of the studied dogs, 15.5% (83/535) were positive to both ELISA using NTB and pre-ICD; however, 7.1% (38/535) were only positive after pre-ICD. The higher prevalence was found in Ciudad del Carmen (48.3%), Tampico (48.3%), and Puerto Morelos (64.0%). The risk factors associated with <em>D. immitis</em> infection were the ecological zone (warm subhumid with summer rains: <em>Aw1</em>, OR 2.8, <em>P</em> = 0.003 and <em>Aw0</em>, OR 20.4, <em>P</em> = 0.003); and age of the animals (dogs ≥ 6 years, OR 2.8, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). In Mexico, dogs from four ecological zones were found highly infected with <em>D. immitis</em>, the associated risk factors were the ecological zone and age of the animals. Pre-ICD revealed that 7.1% of ELISA antigen-tested samples were false negatives with NTB.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100289"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144587414","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":"Updating the distribution of sand flies in Hungary with implications on their biology and ecology","authors":"Katharina Platzgummer ,&nbsp;Edwin Kniha ,&nbsp;Vít Dvorak ,&nbsp;Petr Halada ,&nbsp;Julia Walochnik ,&nbsp;Barbora Vomackova Kykalova ,&nbsp;Ida Hanusniakova ,&nbsp;Robert Farkas ,&nbsp;Petr Volf ,&nbsp;Attila J. Trájer","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Europe, sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are characteristic Mediterranean fauna, though some species expand their range further north. However, the sand fly fauna of Central Europe remains underreported, particularly in Hungary where recent data is lacking due to limited and outdated entomological surveys. To address this gap, a series of sand fly surveys were conducted in Hungary, with significant findings from two trapping efforts in 2017 and 2024. In 2017, only a single female <em>Phlebotomus papatasi</em> was trapped in northern Hungary, which marks one of the northernmost records of the species. In 2024, a more extensive and geographically wider survey recorded 264 sand flies at 34 sites, including three species: <em>Ph. mascittii</em>, <em>Ph. neglectus</em>, and <em>Ph. papatasi</em>. Sand flies were found across diverse environmental settings, including urban, agricultural, and natural habitats. Particularly, the previously rare presence of <em>Ph. mascittii</em> at rural sites (natural rock formations) was reported. Analysis of historical and current data revealed the presence of four sand fly species in Central and South Transdanubia, with evidence suggesting potential range expansion. Blood meal analysis of engorged females identified a variety of domestic and wild host species, but no <em>Leishmania</em> or <em>Phlebovirus</em> infections were detected. Habitat modelling and linear discriminant analysis indicated substantial climate suitability across Southeast Europe, with most positive sand fly observations observed in discontinuous urban fabric CORINE Land Cover classes. This study offers important insights into the ecology, distribution, and climatic preferences of sand flies in Hungary and provides crucial baseline data to monitor potential future spread.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100293"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144605393","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":"Deciphering a cryptic minefield: A guide to Cryptosporidium gp60 subtyping","authors":"Guy Robinson ,&nbsp;Rachel M. Chalmers ,&nbsp;Kristin Elwin ,&nbsp;Rebecca A. Guy ,&nbsp;Kyrylo Bessonov ,&nbsp;Karin Troell ,&nbsp;Lihua Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For 25 years, analysis of the <em>gp60</em> gene has been the cornerstone of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> subtyping, particularly for <em>Cryptosporidium hominis</em> and <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em>, during population-based and epidemiological studies. This gene, which encodes a 60 kDa glycoprotein, is highly polymorphic with several variable features that make it particularly useful for differentiating within <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species. However, while this variability has proven useful for subtyping, it has on occasion resulted in alternative interpretations, and descriptions of novel and unusual features have been added to the nomenclature system, resulting in inconsistency and confusion. The components of the <em>gp60</em> gene sequence used in the nomenclature that are discussed here include “R” repeats, “r” repeats, alphabetical suffixes, “variant” designations, and the use of the Greek alphabet as a family designation. As the subtyping scheme has expanded over the years, its application to different <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species has also made the scheme more complex. For example, key features may be absent, such as the typical TCA/TCG/TCT serine microsatellite that forms a major part of the nomenclature in <em>C. hominis</em> and <em>C. parvum</em>. As is to be expected in such a variable gene, different primer sets have been developed for the amplification of the <em>gp60</em> in various species and these have been collated. Here we bring together all the current components of <em>gp60</em>, including a guide to the nomenclature in various species, software to assist in analysing sequences, and links to useful reference resources with an aim to promote standardisation of this subtyping tool.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100257"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143792052","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":"Exploring the epidemiological impact of attractive targeted sugar bait against malaria in combination with standard malaria control","authors":"Nima R. Moghaddas ,&nbsp;Mohamed M. Traore ,&nbsp;Gunter C. Müller ,&nbsp;Joseph Wagman ,&nbsp;Javan Chanda ,&nbsp;Julian Entwistle ,&nbsp;Christen M. Fornadel ,&nbsp;Thomas S. Churcher","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) is a potential new vector control tool that exploits the sugar-feeding behaviour of mosquitoes. Little is known about the factors which drive ATSB efficacy, either as a standalone vector control tool or in combination with existing intervention strategies. It has been suggested that the percentage of wild mosquitoes caught fed on dye-containing sugar baits without the toxin could provide an entomological correlate of the potential epidemiological benefit of ATSB. A transmission dynamics mathematical model is combined with data from wild mosquitoes to investigate the relationship between the mosquito dyed fraction, bait-feeding rate and the potential epidemiological impact of ATSB in the presence of standard malaria control. The dyed fraction in Mali varies substantially in space and time (mean 0.34, standard deviation 0.15), causing estimates of the bait-feeding rate to be highly uncertain, especially in areas with existing vector control tools. The model indicates the dyed fractions observed in field experiments were broadly predictive of the reductions in mosquitoes caught when ATSB stations were deployed at scale in Mali (<em>R</em>² = 0.90). Model projections suggest that if these bait-feeding rates were observed in all mosquitoes, then the widespread use of ATSB could substantially reduce malaria burden alone or in combinations with standard malaria control, though epidemiological impact is likely to vary substantially in different areas. For example, observing a dyed fraction of 5% would indicate a daily bait-feeding rate of 0.024 (range 0.008–0.049) which is projected to result in 0.13 clinical cases averted per person-year (range 0.051–0.22), a 39% efficacy (range 12–66%) in this particular site. Nevertheless, the uncertainty in the relationship between the observed dyed fraction and the true bait-feeding rate, and the underlying biology of mosquito sugar-feeding means that the epidemiological benefit of this new possible intervention remains unclear.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100247"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143378485","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":"Species classification of Tabanus (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Western Thailand: Integrating DNA barcoding and modern morphometrics","authors":"Tanasak Changbunjong ,&nbsp;Thekhawet Weluwanarak ,&nbsp;Sedthapong Laojun ,&nbsp;Tanawat Chaiphongpachara","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The species of <em>Tabanus</em>, commonly known as horse flies, are remarkable ectoparasites capable of transmitting various pathogens to animals and humans. Given their role in disease transmission, accurate identification of horse fly species is critical but traditionally relies on morphological characteristics, requiring significant expertise and posing a high potential for error, especially with damaged specimens. To address the limitations of traditional morphological identification, this study highlights the importance of alternative techniques, including DNA barcoding and geometric morphometrics (GM). To enhance the reliability of species identification, DNA barcoding was employed to analyze 30 cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit 1 (<em>cox</em>1) gene sequences from 15 horse fly species, which were then compared with sequences in the GenBank and BOLD databases. Most <em>cox</em>1 sequences aligned with existing data, with similarity percentages ranging from 96% to 100%. However, discrepancies were noted, including <em>Tabanus helvinus</em>, misidentified as <em>Tabanus aurilineatus</em>, and <em>Tabanus minimus</em>, whose sequences matched those of both <em>Tabanus minimus</em> and <em>Tabanus mesogaeus</em>. Besides DNA barcoding, GM analyses were conducted to enhance species classification accuracy. Our GM analyses employed the landmark-based method for the entire wing and the outline-based method for the first submarginal cell. While shape-based GM analyses demonstrated high reliability, with adjusted total accuracy scores of 97% and 96%, size-based GM analyses yielded significantly lower accuracy, with scores of only 27% and 23%, respectively. These findings provide a foundation for refining horse fly species classification by integrating DNA barcoding and GM approaches, offering valuable advances in species identification and developing targeted control measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100243"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143346095","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":"Genome analyses of amphotericin B-susceptible and -resistant strains of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis reveal variations potentially related to amphotericin B resistance","authors":"Narissara Jariyapan ,&nbsp;Sivamoke Dissook ,&nbsp;Pitiporn Noisagul ,&nbsp;Patcharawadee Thongkumkoon ,&nbsp;Chonlada Mano ,&nbsp;Romteera Kittichaiworakul ,&nbsp;Anuluck Junkum ,&nbsp;Adisak Tantiworawit ,&nbsp;Pascale Pescher ,&nbsp;Gerald F. Späth ,&nbsp;Hatim Almutairi ,&nbsp;Padet Siriyasatien","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmpB) is used for the treatment of leishmaniasis caused by <em>Leishmania</em> (<em>Mundinia</em>) <em>martiniquensis</em> in Thailand, and relapse cases have been documented. To date, genomic analysis of drug-resistant <em>L</em>. <em>martiniquensis</em> strains is limited. In this study, comparative genome analyses were performed with an experimentally selected AmpB-resistant <em>L</em>. <em>martiniquensis</em> (AmpBRP2i) and two cryopreserved <em>L</em>. <em>martiniquensis</em> parasite strains isolated from a patient showing differences in response to AmpB treatment, LSCM1-WT (susceptible) and LSCM1-6 (resistant). Applying the GIP genome analyses package, we identified aneuploidy and gene copy number variations in all three samples, none of which correlated with AmpB resistance. In contrast, single nucleotide variant (SNV) analyses revealed an SNV in AmpB-resistant strains introduced a premature stop codon into a putative sterol C-24 reductase gene (<em>C24R</em>) (<em>LSCM1_02556</em>) involved in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in <em>Leishmania</em>. As <em>Leishmania</em> AmpB resistance has previously been linked to mutations in other genes of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in different species of <em>Leishmania</em> parasites, these results suggest that <em>C24R</em> may serve as an additional marker of AmpB resistance in <em>Leishmania</em>. We further identified two missense SNVs in AmpB-resistant strains in a putative ‘ABC transporter-like/ABC transporter family’ gene (<em>LSCM1_01856</em>) that could be involved in drug efflux. These initial findings pave the way for future research with a larger number of isolates to confirm the genomic signature we associate here with AmpB resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100255"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684034","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":"Redefining Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) species complex in Greece focusing on the mitogenome of Rhipicephalus secundus","authors":"Panagiota Ligda ,&nbsp;Jan Šlapeta ,&nbsp;Anastasios Saratsis ,&nbsp;Vaia Kantzoura ,&nbsp;Jaisy Chong ,&nbsp;Smaragda Sotiraki","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> species complex, referred to as <em>R. sanguineus</em> (<em>sensu lato</em>), is distributed globally with some species distributed in specific regions and others spread globally. In Greece, <em>R. sanguineus</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) in dogs, and <em>Rhipicephalus turanicus</em> and <em>Rhipicephalus bursa</em> in livestock, have been repeatedly reported however only based on morphological identification. Recently, there has been a great effort to accurately identify the species belonging to the <em>R. sanguineus</em> species complex, using modern molecular tools and describe their spatial distribution. The aim of this study was to expand the studies on the molecular characterisation of species of the <em>R. sanguineus</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) complex in the Mediterranean region, by molecularly characterising ticks collected from various locations and host species in Greece. Results confirm the presence of <em>Rhipicephalus rutilus</em>, <em>Rhipicephalus secundus</em>, <em>R. bursa</em>, and <em>R. turanicus</em>. The complete mitochondrial genome of <em>R. secundus</em> (approx. 15 kb) from sheep (<em>n</em> = 3) in Greece was sequenced and matched to sequences and morphological data from the type-material from Israel. Additionally, the mitogenome of <em>R. bursa</em> from goats (<em>n</em> = 2) in Greece was sequenced. This study provides a molecular reference for <em>R. secundus</em>, a tick species distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100231"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11696630/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142934335","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":"Malaria transmission, insecticide resistance and efficacy of insecticide-treated nets in Belabo and Ouami, two localities of the East Region of Cameroon","authors":"Paulette Ndjeunia-Mbiakop ,&nbsp;Idriss Nasser Ngangue-Siewe ,&nbsp;Abdou Talipouo ,&nbsp;Arnold Princewil Chi Nji ,&nbsp;Roland Bamou ,&nbsp;Joel Djoufounna ,&nbsp;Jeannette Tombi ,&nbsp;Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The East Region of Cameroon has over 150 malaria cases per 1000 inhabitants per year. Factors contributing to this high malaria prevalence are not well understood. This study assessed the bionomics of vectors involved in malaria transmission, their susceptibility to insecticides, and the efficacy of insecticide-treated nets. Entomological studies were conducted twice yearly in Belabo and Ouami from 2021 to 2023 using both human landing catches and CDC light traps to collect adult mosquitoes. Anopheline species were separated using morphological identification keys and <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> (<em>s.l</em>.) were molecularly identified to species. <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> presence was detected by ELISA. Susceptibility of 3–5-day-old <em>An. gambiae</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) to deltamethrin, permethrin, malathion and bendiocarb was assessed. A WHO cone test was performed to assess bednet efficacy against mosquitoes. Out of 7634 mosquitoes collected, 47.44% were anophelines. <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) was the most abundant species, followed by <em>An. ziemanni</em>, <em>An. funestus</em> and <em>An. paludis</em> in both localities. The mosquito biting rate was similar in Belabo and Ouami. Both <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) and <em>An. funestus</em> were infected with <em>P. falciparum</em> at Ouami but only <em>An. gambiae</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) was infected at Belabo. <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) was less susceptible to both deltamethrin and permethrin. None of the 48 bednets tested were effective against field populations of <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) in both sites. High malaria transmission associated with high pyrethroid resistance rate was recorded in vectors from the East Region of Cameroon supporting the high endemicity of malaria in the area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100266"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144116353","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}