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

{"title":"What is the status of Ixodes inopinatus (Ixodidae)?","authors":"Agustin Estrada-Peña ,&nbsp;Molin Zheng ,&nbsp;Valérie O. Baede ,&nbsp;José de la Fuente ,&nbsp;Hein Sprong","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100306","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100306","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The original description of <em>Ixodes inopinatus</em> is predominantly based on morphological and ecological characteristics. It was postulated that <em>I. inopinatus</em> is a cryptic species of the <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> complex, mainly found in the Mediterranean region of Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Although definitive proof is lacking, genetic insights support that <em>I. inopinatus</em> is a distinct species, but that the morphological characteristics, particularly from the adult stages, as well as molecular features, might not be distinctive enough for identification. In this study, we re-examined and expanded recently published results on the molecular relationships between <em>I. ricinus</em> and <em>I. inopinatus</em>, using the complete mitogenomes of 44 specimens of <em>I. ricinus</em>, 3 of <em>Ixodes persulcatus</em>, 3 of either <em>Ixodes pomerantzevi</em>, <em>Ixodes scapularis</em>, or <em>Ixodes pacificus</em>, and 6 of <em>I. inopinatus</em> from Northern Africa; the latter were identified as <em>I. ricinus</em> (in part) in previous reports. We managed to demonstrate that <em>I. inopinatus</em> has unique mitochondrial genomic features that allow the complete separation from <em>I. ricinus</em> collected in Europe. All specimens of <em>I ricinus</em> in Europe belong to four mitogenome clades that lack clear geographical structuring. Specimens found in Northern Africa belong to a fifth population. Although specimens of <em>I. inopinatus</em> have been reported in Central Europe, their link with such a fifth mitogenome has not yet been documented. To confirm the link between genetics and morphology, we recommend additional studies, ideally based on nymphs of <em>I. ricinus</em> and <em>I. inopinatus</em>, since they allow adequate morphological separation. Efforts should be directed to manage laboratory colonies to check for reproductive isolation, hybridization, and performance under different conditions of temperature and humidity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100306"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144842744","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":"Why the Jenner/Pasteur paradigm is insufficient for controlling vector-borne diseases and the role of microbiota-mediated interactions","authors":"Ana Laura Cano-Argüelles ,&nbsp;Lianet Abuin-Denis ,&nbsp;Dasiel Obregon ,&nbsp;Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez ,&nbsp;Apolline Maître ,&nbsp;Elianne Piloto-Sardiñas ,&nbsp;Alejandra Wu-Chuang ,&nbsp;Pierre Tonnerre ,&nbsp;Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100291","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100291","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vaccination campaigns have profoundly influenced the dynamics of infectious diseases, acting as one of the largest ecological experiments in history. By vaccinating billions across decades, we have imposed powerful selective pressures on pathogens, illuminating their ability to adapt, evade, or persist. Rooted in the Jenner/Pasteur paradigm – where exposure to an antigen induces protective immunity – vaccines have revealed how pathogens differ in their ecological susceptibility to immunity. Using this framework, pathogens can be categorized based on their strategies to endure, from those limited by direct immunity to those relying on antigenic variation, chronic infection, or reservoirs. Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) present a set of challenges to vaccination efforts due to their complex life cycles, stage-specific antigen expression, and reliance on arthropod vectors for transmission. These pathogens not only evade host immunity but also adapt to selective pressures within the vector’s microbiome and immune system. Such complexity often places VBPs beyond the scope of traditional vaccine paradigms, requiring alternative strategies such as transmission-blocking and vector-targeted vaccines. This review explores these insights, examining the interplay between vaccination, pathogen ecology, and evolution – with special emphasis on VBPs – to guide future strategies in vector-borne disease (VBD) control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100291"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144623447","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":"Travelling safe? Risks associated to Dirofilaria spp. infection in dogs in a tourist destination","authors":"Francesca Nonnis ,&nbsp;Doriana Atzeni ,&nbsp;Lia Cavallo ,&nbsp;Simona Gabrielli ,&nbsp;Marco Pombi ,&nbsp;Serena Cavallero ,&nbsp;Ilaria Bellini ,&nbsp;Ettore Napoli ,&nbsp;Giovanni De Benedetto ,&nbsp;Luigi Venco ,&nbsp;Claudia Tamponi ,&nbsp;Antonio Scala ,&nbsp;Antonio Varcasia","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100298","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100298","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Dirofilaria immitis</em> and <em>Dirofilaria repens</em>, the causative agents of canine heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively, are the most studied filarioid species, given their veterinary and public health significance. Considering the environmental conditions and the role of Sardinia as a tourist destination, a study was conducted on 741 dogs to update the prevalence and the risk factors of these infections. For each animal, information regarding biological and management parameters was collected. All enrolled dogs were older than 12 months and had no macrocyclic lactones treatments in the previous year. Blood samples were obtained and analyzed by modified Knott’s test and ELISA rapid test (SNAP 4DX, IDEXX). An overall microfilaremia prevalence of 15.2% was observed; <em>D. immitis</em> was the most prevalent species (9.9%), followed by <em>D. repens</em> (5.5%), while <em>Acanthocheilonema reconditum</em> microfilariae were identified in 3.1% of the samples. <em>Dirofilaria immitis</em> antigens were detected in 12.2% of the dogs included in the study. <em>Dirofilaria immitis</em> infection risk was statistically significant, considering the absence of ectoparasite treatments (<em>χ</em>² = 21.863, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), shelter housing (<em>χ</em>² = 6.512, <em>P</em> = 0.011) and residence areas (<em>χ</em>² = 64.725, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). <em>Dirofilaria repens</em> infection risk was significantly higher in male dogs (<em>χ</em>² = 4.904, <em>P</em> = 0.027), along with small-sized dogs (<em>χ</em>² = 5.450, <em>P</em> = 0.020). This study confirms that dirofilariosis remains endemic across Sardinia, emphasizing the need for integrated control strategies to reduce the risk of infection spreading, protecting both animal and human health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100298"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144724466","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":"Is Stomoxys calcitrans a single species? Morphometric and genetic perspectives from populations in Thailand and Spain","authors":"Tanasak Changbunjong ,&nbsp;Gérard Duvallet ,&nbsp;Sedthapong Laojun ,&nbsp;Tanawat Chaiphongpachara","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100315","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Stomoxys calcitrans</em> (Diptera: Muscidae) is a significant insect in the veterinary and medical fields. Previous studies have found a pronounced genetic divergence between populations from the Oriental region and those from other zoogeographical zones. Understanding the morphological and genetic variation within <em>S. calcitrans</em> populations is essential for clarifying the evolutionary processes underlying their structure across biogeographical regions. This study conducted geometric morphometrics on a total of 120 wings (30 per group: Thailand males, Thailand females, Spain males, and Spain females) to assess wing size and shape variations between <em>S. calcitrans</em> populations from Thailand (Oriental region) and Spain (Palaearctic region). Molecular analyses utilized two mitochondrial markers, <em>cox</em>1 and <em>cytb</em>, the nuclear marker ITS2, and a concatenated dataset of all three. Geometric morphometric analysis revealed statistically significant differences in wing size and shape (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), although the classification accuracy based on wing shape was moderate (70%), indicating phenotypic plasticity rather than species-level differentiation. Phylogenetic reconstruction identified two well-supported genetic lineages. However, the results from the species delimitation methods (Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning, Automated Barcode Gap Discovery, and multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes), low interpopulation divergence, and a shared haplotype all verify that these lineages represent a single, globally distributed species. Further neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analyses revealed that the Oriental population has a deeper evolutionary history, while the European population likely arose from a more recent colonization event. These findings demonstrate the influence of historical biogeographical processes in shaping the global genetic structure of <em>S. calcitrans</em> and underscore the importance of broader geographical sampling to fully elucidate its evolutionary history.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100315"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018852","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":"Leveraging location intelligence and individual-based modeling to simulate Rhipicephalus microplus infestation and eradication dynamics at the cattle-wildlife interface","authors":"Hsiao-Hsuan Wang ,&nbsp;William E. Grant ,&nbsp;Taylor G. Donaldson ,&nbsp;Donald B. Thomas ,&nbsp;Kimberly H. Lohmeyer ,&nbsp;Adalberto Á. Pérez de León ,&nbsp;Pete D. Teel","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cattle fever ticks (CFT), <em>Rhipicephalus</em> (<em>Boophilus</em>) <em>annulatus</em> and <em>R</em>. (<em>B</em>.) <em>microplus</em>, threaten the economic security of the USA cattle industry as vectors of <em>Babesia bigemina</em> and <em>B. bovis</em>. Of the two CFT, <em>R</em>. <em>microplus</em> has a more invasive biology and thrives in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. The U.S. Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program successfully eliminated CFT from the southern USA and has since prevented CFT re-establishment by operating surveillance and quarantine in South Texas, including the permanent quarantine zone along the Texas-Mexico border. However, introductions and successful establishment of alternate CFT hosts, including white-tailed deer (<em>Odocoileus virginianus</em>) and nilgai (<em>Boselaphus tragocamelus</em>) in the Tamaulipan biome, have complicated eradication efforts. We used location intelligence and a spatially explicit, individual-based model to simulate potential impacts of wildlife hosts on <em>R</em>. <em>microplus</em> infestation/eradication dynamics in the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge that encompasses a brushland ecosystem with diverse coastal habitats, including parts of a lagoon in South Texas. Results of our hypothetical eradication scenarios suggest that even sparse populations of wildlife hosts can maintain <em>R</em>. <em>microplus</em> populations in habitat-specific refugia during eradication efforts. The present model version is the first to have incorporated a georeferenced representation of a real landscape and to have integrated site-specific field data on climatic conditions and cattle movement patterns. Model forecasts of spatially explicit chronologies of changes in <em>R</em>. <em>microplus</em> densities can aid in <em>a priori</em> evaluation of field sampling strategies and treatment applications in specific landscapes under specific environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100323"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219887","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":"Transcriptome analysis of Aedes aegypti midgut and salivary gland post-Zika virus infection","authors":"Chunling Zhu ,&nbsp;Yuting Jiang ,&nbsp;Qianghui Zhang ,&nbsp;Jian Gao ,&nbsp;Chaojie Li ,&nbsp;Chunxiao Li ,&nbsp;Yande Dong ,&nbsp;Dan Xing ,&nbsp;Hengduan Zhang ,&nbsp;Teng Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaoxia Guo ,&nbsp;Tongyan Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100251","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100251","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to investigate the transcriptomic changes in the midgut and salivary glands of <em>Aedes aegypti</em> mosquitoes infected with Zika virus (ZIKV), in order to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between the virus and the mosquito vector. <em>Aedes aegypti</em> from Jiegao (JG) and Mengding (MD) in China were experimentally infected with ZIKV, and the midgut and salivary gland tissues were collected at 2-, 4- and 6 days post-infection (dpi). High-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the transcriptomic changes between ZIKV-infected and non-infected <em>Ae</em>. <em>aegypti</em> midgut and salivary gland tissues. Bioinformatics tools were employed for further analysis of the transcriptomic data. The expression levels of 8 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using RT-qPCR. A conjoint analysis of small RNA-seq and mRNA-seq was performed to screen interactional miRNA-mRNA pairs during ZIKV infection. Using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network of genes and subsequently identified hub genes. The most significant transcriptional changes in <em>Ae</em>. <em>aegypti</em> occurred at 2 dpi. On 2, 4 and 6 dpi, 11 genes showed significant changes in both the midgut and salivary glands of the same mosquito strain, while 25 genes exhibited significant changes in the same tissue between the JG and MD strains. The expression tendencies of 8 DEGs obtained by RNA-Seq were similar to those detected by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, we individually identified 10 hub genes in the midgut and salivary glands. Based on previous miRNA research, we discovered the involvement of 9 miRNAs in the regulation of these hub genes. Our findings demonstrate that <em>Ae</em>. <em>aegypti</em> exhibit distinct transcriptomic changes in response to ZIKV infection. The identification of the hub genes and their regulatory miRNAs provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ZIKV infection in mosquitoes. This study contributes to a better understanding of the pathogen-vector interactions and may aid in the development of targeted strategies for ZIKV control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100251"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143644026","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":"Vector competence of European Aedes mosquito species for Japanese encephalitis virus under fluctuating temperature conditions","authors":"Anna M. Ciećkiewicz ,&nbsp;Julia Ettlin ,&nbsp;Eva Veronesi ,&nbsp;Andrea Marti ,&nbsp;Obdulio Garcia-Nicolas ,&nbsp;Jeannine Hauri ,&nbsp;Artur Summerfield ,&nbsp;Alexander Mathis ,&nbsp;Niels O. Verhulst","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100302","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100302","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus endemic to much of Asia and the Western Pacific, both temperate and tropical regions. Globalisation and the expansion of invasive mosquito species raise concerns about their potential establishment in Europe and other currently non-endemic regions. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the vector competence of European mosquitoes, particularly under the region’s characteristic fluctuating temperatures. While <em>Culex</em> species are primary JEV vectors, the role of <em>Aedes</em> mosquitoes remains unclear. This study assessed the vector competence of field-caught or low-generation colony-derived <em>Aedes albopictus</em>, <em>Ae. japonicus</em>, and <em>Ae. vexans</em> from Switzerland under a fluctuating temperature regime (16–28 °C), using <em>Culex quinquefasciatus</em> as a reference. Mosquitoes were exposed to JEV genotype I-b and incubated for 7 and 14 days. RT-qPCR was used to analyse mosquito body parts and saliva to determine infection, dissemination, transmission rates and transmission efficiency. <em>Aedes albopictus</em>, <em>Ae. japonicus</em>, and <em>Cx. quinquefasciatus</em> were competent vectors. <em>Aedes japonicus</em> showed the highest infection rate (13.6%, 9/66) compared to <em>Ae. albopictus</em> (3.0%, 3/101) and <em>Cx. quinquefasciatus</em> (6.9%, 7/101), while <em>Ae. vexans</em> was refractory (0/80). Dissemination was observed in <em>Ae. japonicus</em> already 7 days post-exposure, preceding other species. <em>Aedes japonicus</em> had the highest transmission rate (66.7%, 2/3) and efficiency (6.1%, 2/33). This study demonstrates that European <em>Aedes</em> mosquitoes can serve as JEV vectors under fluctuating temperatures and may contribute to virus transmission despite being considered secondary vectors. The findings emphasise that species-specific assessments under realistic temperatures are essential in evaluating the risk of JEV establishment in temperate regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144771720","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":"Entomological surveillance of onchocerciasis in Burkina Faso: Progress towards interrupting transmission in blackflies in the main river basins of the country","authors":"Lassane Koala ,&nbsp;Achille S. Nikièma ,&nbsp;Mathias Ouedraogo ,&nbsp;Justin Compaoré ,&nbsp;Clarisse Bougouma ,&nbsp;Karim Sanon ,&nbsp;Aimé G. Adjami ,&nbsp;Moussa S. Sanfo ,&nbsp;Inaki Tirados ,&nbsp;Philip McCall ,&nbsp;Paul Bessel ,&nbsp;Thomas R. Unnasch ,&nbsp;Daniel A. Boakye ,&nbsp;Soungalo Traore ,&nbsp;Roch K. Dabire","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Current guidelines for onchocerciasis elimination rely heavily upon assessment of the presence of <em>Onchocerca volvulus</em> in the vector <em>Simulium damnosum</em> (<em>sensu lato</em>). This entomological study was conducted over four years in several regions of Burkina Faso to determine the progress made towards interrupting onchocerciasis transmission. Larvae and adult blackflies were collected in eight river basins (Comoé, Léraba, Dienkoa, Mouhoun, Bougouriba, Bambassou, Nakambé, Nazinon and Sissili). Larvae were analyzed by cytotaxonomy, and the adult blackflies analyzed for the presence of infective larvae of <em>O. volvulus</em> by PCR. Blackfly infectivity rates were first determined by year for each basin, then compared to the thresholds established by the WHO. The results indicate that the blackflies collected belong to the savannah group species <em>Simulium damnosum</em> (<em>sensu stricto</em>) and <em>Simulium sirbanum</em>. Hybrids of the two species were also identified. Overall, the prevalence of flies carrying infective larvae was below the threshold of 0.05% established by the WHO, indicating important progress towards the interruption of onchocerciasis transmission in Burkina Faso, although hotspots with infectivity rates well above the WHO’s thresholds remain. <em>Onchocerca volvulus</em> continues to be transmitted in six of the nine basins evaluated, all of which border neighboring countries. These data indicate that it will be necessary to maintain entomological surveillance in these hotspot areas until transmission is interrupted throughout the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100259"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143895790","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":"Assessing the role of community involvement and capacity building in larviciding applications for malaria control in Africa: A scoping review","authors":"GloriaSalome Shirima ,&nbsp;Thiery Masserey ,&nbsp;Hamenyimana Gervas ,&nbsp;Nakul Chitnis ,&nbsp;Samson Kiware ,&nbsp;Silas Mirau","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Larviciding offers a supplementary approach in malaria vector control, particularly when applied through community engagement and capacity building. A scoping review was performed to evaluate existing larviciding delivery mechanisms and their impacts on African malaria control. A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The search strategy utilized Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms related to “malaria”, “larvicide”, “community engagement” and “mosquito control”. The databases PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched for relevant literature published until December 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on studies addressing community engagement in delivering larviciding within African settings. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 32 papers were ultimately included in the analysis. The studies spanned 13 African countries, primarily in sub-Saharan regions, with findings indicating that larviciding significantly reduced mosquito density and, in some cases, malaria incidence. Community engagement strategies varied, with workshops and participatory meetings targeting various stakeholders to enhance awareness and ownership of larviciding programmes. Community engagement and capacity building were critical to successfully implementing larviciding programmes. While challenges, such as logistical barriers, lack of awareness, and financial constraints, persist, integrating technological innovations and strengthening monitoring systems can enhance the sustainability of these efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100307"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144878888","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":"Characterization of co-infections of haemosporidian parasites in Swinhoe’s pheasant (Lophura swinhoii): Utilizing nanopore sequencing for species-level detection and mitochondrial-genome analysis","authors":"Peihang Hong ,&nbsp;Sijia Yu ,&nbsp;Hau-You Tzeng ,&nbsp;Yu-Hsuan Lin ,&nbsp;Chao-Min Wang ,&nbsp;Chung-Hung Lai ,&nbsp;Shyun Chou","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Avian haemosporidian parasites are vector-borne apicomplexans that infect bird species globally and pose considerable challenges in detection due to frequent co-infections and morphological convergence. In the present study, we first used Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) to resolve co-infections of haemosporidians in Swinhoe’s pheasant (<em>Lophura swinhoii</em>), an island-endemic galliform. Blood smears revealed two morphologically distinct gametocyte forms: roundish and circumnuclear, and molecular analyses identified three mitochondrial lineages: two novel <em>Haemoproteus</em> lineages (hLOPSWI01 and hLOPSWI02) and one <em>Plasmodium</em> lineage (pNILSUN01). Phylogenetic reconstruction of mitogenomes resolved hLOPSWI01 and hLOPSWI02 within the <em>Parahaemoproteus</em> clade, whereas pNILSUN01 clustered in the <em>Giovannolaia-Haemamoeba</em> clade. Overall, this study revealed the efficacy of ONT in resolving cryptic co-infections through unfragmented mitogenome assembly, overcoming ambiguities inherent to Sanger sequencing. Our findings establish baseline haemosporidian diversity in <em>L. swinhoii</em> and highlight the necessity of combining long-read genomics with morphological scrutiny for accurate parasite taxonomy, particularly in understudied avian hosts facing conservation threats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100313"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916533","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}