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

{"title":"Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in goats and sheep from the Northeast Region of Brazil destined for human consumption","authors":"Thais Ferreira Feitosa ,&nbsp;Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela ,&nbsp;Samira Pereira Batista ,&nbsp;Samara Santos Silva ,&nbsp;Rinaldo Aparecido Mota ,&nbsp;Frank Katzer ,&nbsp;Paul M. Bartley","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study aimed to genotype isolates of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> obtained from samples of brain, diaphragm and heart of goats and sheep intended for human consumption in the State of Paraíba, Brazil. Tissue samples from 14 animals, goats (<em>n</em> = 5) and lambs (<em>n</em> = 9), were sourced from public slaughterhouses in seven cities and bio-assayed in mice. The brains of the mice were utilized for DNA extraction. Genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using 10 markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, c22-8, PK1, GRA6, L358, c-29-2 and Apico). A total of 10 isolates were fully genotyped (i.e. at all loci), three from goats and seven from sheep, revealing five distinct genotypes: #13 (<em>n</em> = 4); #48 (<em>n</em> = 3); #57 (<em>n</em> = 1); #273 (<em>n</em> = 1); and one new genotype that had not been previously described. Genotype #13 is frequently found in the Northeast of Brazil and represents a clonal lineage circulating in this region and was the most prevalent genotype identified (<em>n</em> = 4). Moreover, in the present study genotypes #13, #48, #57, and #273 were documented for the first time in sheep from Brazil, and the novel genotype was isolated from a goat. Our findings align with previous studies on <em>T. gondii</em> from Brazil, where new genotypes are continuously being identified, highlighting a high level of genetic diversity of <em>T. gondii</em> isolates in the country.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X23000511/pdfft?md5=721a523467199e7c63de02821a6c0f9d&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X23000511-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138582223","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":"Genetic characterisation of Cryptosporidium parvum in dairy cattle and calves during the early stages of a calving season","authors":"Paul M. Bartley,&nbsp;Johan H. Standar,&nbsp;Frank Katzer","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em> is a causative agent of cryptosporidiosis, an infectious gastroenteritis in neonatal ruminants, which can be fatal in severe cases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of infections in dairy cattle/calves during the early stages of a calving season and the species/genotypes of the <em>Cryptosporidium</em> present. Faecal samples collected from pre- and post-partum dams (<em>n</em> = 224) as well as calves from age ∼1 day onwards (<em>n</em> = 312) were examined. Oocysts were concentrated, DNA extracted and tested by <em>Cryptosporidium</em> 18S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing, while genotypes of <em>C. parvum</em> were determined by <em>gp60</em> and VNTR analysis. Results showed that 31.3% and 30.4% of pre- and post-partum dams tested positive for <em>Cryptosporidium</em>, respectively. In the adults, <em>C. parvum</em> (<em>n</em> = 52), <em>C. bovis</em> (<em>n</em> = 4) and <em>C. andersoni</em> (<em>n</em> = 19) were identified, while in the calves 248 out of 312 (79.5%) were PCR-positive for <em>C. parvum</em>. The proportion of positive calf samples was significantly higher (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001) than the proportion of positive adult cattle during the first seven weeks of the calving season. In adult cattle, three distinct <em>gp60</em> genotypes were identified, a predominant genotype IIaA15G2R1 (<em>n</em> = 36) and genotypes IIaA15R1 (<em>n</em> = 2) and IIaA14G2R1 (<em>n</em> = 1). In the calves, only genotype IIaA15G2R1 was detected (<em>n</em> = 125). Although <em>C. parvum</em> was observed in adult cattle two weeks after the start of the calving season, the predominant genotypes were not detected until Week 4 in both adults and calves, meaning it is still unclear whether adult cattle are the initial source of <em>C. parvum</em> infections on the farm. Historically calves on this dairy farm demonstrated the IIaA19G2R1 genotype, which, has now clearly been replaced with the IIaA15G2R1 genotype that is now found in both adults and calves. During the study season, significantly higher levels of neonatal calf mortality were observed compared to the seasons before (<em>P</em> = 0.046) and after (<em>P</em> = 0.0002). This study has shown comparable levels of <em>C. parvum</em> infection in both pre- and post-partum dams but higher levels of infection in neonatal calves.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100160"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X23000481/pdfft?md5=51dcc37fe18e29113a43a029725e4aa9&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X23000481-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138582157","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":"The potential for use of haematological and anti-IgE humoral responses as phenotypic markers for tick resistance in cattle","authors":"Collins Ngetich ,&nbsp;Lucy Kamau ,&nbsp;Jemimah Simbauni ,&nbsp;Charles Mwendia ,&nbsp;Milton Owido ,&nbsp;Irene Kiio ,&nbsp;Oswald Matika ,&nbsp;Sarah Foster ,&nbsp;Michael Birkett ,&nbsp;Appolinaire Djikeng ,&nbsp;Kellie Anne Watson ,&nbsp;Naftaly Githaka","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100159","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Approximately 80% of the global cattle population is at risk of infestation and infection by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs). The economic losses from animal mortality, reduced production, vector control costs and animal treatment are very substantial, hence there is an urgent need to develop and deploy alternative vector control strategies. Breeding for host tick resistance has the potential for sustainable large-scale TTBD control especially in cattle. The gold standard method for phenotyping tick resistance in cattle is by counting ticks on the body but is very laborious and subjective. Better methods for phenotyping tick resistance more objectively, faster and at scale, are essential for selecting host genetic resistance to ticks. This study investigated the correlation between haematological cellular profiles and immunological responses (immunoglobulin E, IgE) and full body tick counts in herds of <em>Bos indicus</em> and <em>Bos taurus</em> following artificial tick challenge with <em>Rhipicephalus decoloratus</em> larvae. Fifty-four Friesian and Ayrshire (<em>Bos taurus</em>) and 52 East African Zebu (<em>Bos indicus</em>) calves were each infested with ∼2500 larvae. Near-replete adult female ticks (≥ 4.5 mm) were counted daily from Day 20–25. Blood and serum samples were obtained from each animal on Days 0 and 23 for cellular blood and IgE titre analysis, respectively. The indicine cattle were refractory to <em>R. decoloratus</em> infestation in comparison with the taurine breed (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001). Repeated measurements of blood components pre-infestation revealed a significant (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) association with tick count in IgE and red blood cells, haematocrit, and haemoglobin post-infestation. There was also a strong positive correlation between the tick counts and red blood cell numbers, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and IgE concentration (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001) following tick challenge. The application of this approach to phenotype host resistance needs to be assessed using higher cattle numbers and with different tick species or genera.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100159"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X2300047X/pdfft?md5=f89de976c1dec522eb62bf499e222328&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X2300047X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138656518","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":"Transfluthrin diffusers do not protect two-person US military tents from mosquitoes in open field and canopy warm-temperate habitats","authors":"Barbara E. Bayer ,&nbsp;Robert L. Aldridge ,&nbsp;Bianca J. Moreno ,&nbsp;Frances V. Golden ,&nbsp;Seth Gibson ,&nbsp;Jeffrey L. Wahl ,&nbsp;Kenneth J. Linthicum","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100156","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Spatial repellents are volatile or volatilized chemicals that may repel arthropod vectors in free space, preventing bites and reducing the potential for pathogen transmission. In a 21-week field study, we investigated the efficacy of passive transfluthrin-impregnated diffusers placed in two-person United States (US) military tents located in canopy and open field habitats in north Florida to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Mosquito collections with US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traps baited with light and carbon dioxide were conducted weekly for weeks 0–4, every two weeks for weeks 5–10, and monthly for weeks 11–21. Our results demonstrated that these transfluthrin-impregnated devices did not function as spatial repellents as expected and did not create a mosquito-free zone of protection. Instead, we observed consistently higher collections of mosquitoes from tents with transfluthrin-impregnated diffusers, and higher rates of mosquito mortality in collections from tents with transfluthrin diffusers, compared to untreated control tents. Based on these findings we do not recommend the use of passive transfluthrin-impregnated diffusers for mosquito protection in two-person US military tents in warm-temperate environments similar to north Florida.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X23000444/pdfft?md5=63faf383321f7604b3a6d746d8925b66&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X23000444-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138739322","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":"Redescription, molecular characterisation and Wolbachia endosymbionts of Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin & Orihel, 1972) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia) in Peninsular Malaysia","authors":"Ahmad Syihan Mat Udin ,&nbsp;Shigehiko Uni ,&nbsp;Jules Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Coralie Martin ,&nbsp;Kerstin Junker ,&nbsp;Takeshi Agatsuma ,&nbsp;Van Lun Low ,&nbsp;Weerachai Saijuntha ,&nbsp;Hasmahzaiti Omar ,&nbsp;Nur Afiqah Zainuri ,&nbsp;Masako Fukuda ,&nbsp;Makoto Matsubayashi ,&nbsp;Daisuke Kimura ,&nbsp;Hiroyuki Takaoka ,&nbsp;Rosli Ramli","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100154","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The genus <em>Mansonella</em> Faust, 1929 includes 29 species, mainly parasites of platyrrhine monkeys in South America and anthropoid apes in Africa. In Malaysia, <em>Mansonella</em> (<em>Tupainema</em>) <em>dunni</em> (Mullin &amp; Orihel, 1972) was described from the common treeshrew <em>Tupaia glis</em> Diard &amp; Duvaucel (Scandentia). In a recent classification of the genus <em>Mansonella</em>, seven subgenera were proposed, with <em>M</em>. (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> as a monotypic species in the subgenus <em>Tupainema</em>. In this study, we collected new material of <em>M</em>. (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> from common treeshrews in Peninsular Malaysia and redescribed the morphological features of this species. We found that <em>M</em>. (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> differs from <em>M</em>. (<em>Cutifilaria</em>) <em>perforata</em> Uni et al., 2004 from sika deer <em>Cervus nippon</em> (Cetartiodactyla) in Japan, with regards to morphological features and predilection sites in their respective hosts. Based on multi-locus sequence analyses, we examined the molecular phylogeny of <em>M</em>. (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> and its <em>Wolbachia</em> genotype. Species of the genus <em>Mansonella</em> grouped monophyletically in clade ONC5 and <em>M</em>. (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> was placed in the most derived position within this genus. <em>Mansonella</em> (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> was closely related to <em>M</em>. (<em>M</em>.) <em>ozzardi</em> (Manson, 1897) from humans in Central and South America, and most distant from <em>M</em>. (<em>C</em>.) <em>perforata</em>. The calculated p-distances between the <em>cox</em>1 gene sequences for <em>M</em>. (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> and its congeners were 13.09% for <em>M</em>. (<em>M.</em>) <em>ozzardi</em> and 15.6–16.15% for <em>M</em>. (<em>C</em>.) <em>perforata</em>. The molecular phylogeny of <em>Mansonella</em> spp. thus corroborates their morphological differences. We determined that <em>M</em>. (<em>Tup</em>.) <em>dunni</em> harbours <em>Wolbachia</em> endosymbionts of the supergroup F genotype, in keeping with all other <em>Mansonella</em> species screened to date.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100154"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X23000420/pdfft?md5=1ce8aff825d5351c592fe5979160d946&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X23000420-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138839097","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":"Cytobrush and cotton swab as sampling tools for molecular diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis in the uterine cervix","authors":"Doudou Sow ,&nbsp;Coumba Nar Ndiour ,&nbsp;Ousmane Thiam ,&nbsp;Magatte Ndiaye ,&nbsp;Pape Ndiole Diagne ,&nbsp;Souleymane Doucouré ,&nbsp;Bruno Senghor ,&nbsp;Oumar Gaye ,&nbsp;Cheikh Sokhna ,&nbsp;Babacar Faye","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100143","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) caused by <em>Schistosoma haematobium</em> is a neglected chronic parasitic disease. Diagnosis relies mainly on a colposcopy, which reveals non-specific lesions. This study aimed to assess the performance of two sampling methods for the molecular diagnosis of FGS in the uterine cervix. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in women of reproductive age in Saint Louis, Senegal, who presented for cervical cancer screening. Cotton swab and cytobrush samples were collected from the cervix and examined by real-time PCR. The PCR results obtained using the cotton swabs were compared with those obtained using cytobrush. Of the 189 women recruited, 56 (30%) were found to be positive for <em>S. haematobium</em> infection <em>via</em> real-time PCR. Women aged 40–54 years were predominantly infected (45%) followed by those aged 25–39 years (36%). Numerically more PCR-positive specimens were identified using cytobrush sampling. Of the 89 women who underwent both cytobrush and cotton swab sampling, 27 were PCR-positive in the cytobrush sampling <em>vs</em> 4 in the swab sampling. The mean Ct-value was 31.0 ± 3.8 for cytobrush-based PCR <em>vs</em> 30.0 ± 4.4 for swab-based PCR. The results confirm that real-time PCR can detect <em>Schistosoma haematobium</em> DNA in the uterine cervix. The next step will be to compare PCR with the other diagnostic methods of FGS.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100143"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/c7/47/main.PMC10570942.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41242930","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":"Temperature and transmission of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses: A systematic review of experimental studies on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus","authors":"Méryl Delrieu ,&nbsp;Jean-Philippe Martinet ,&nbsp;Olivia O’Connor ,&nbsp;Elvina Viennet ,&nbsp;Christophe Menkes ,&nbsp;Valérie Burtet-Sarramegna ,&nbsp;Francesca D. Frentiu ,&nbsp;Myrielle Dupont-Rouzeyrol","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mosquito-borne viruses are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. In recent years, modelling studies have shown that climate change strongly influences vector-borne disease transmission, particularly rising temperatures. As a result, the risk of epidemics has increased, posing a significant public health risk. This review aims to summarize all published laboratory experimental studies carried out over the years to determine the impact of temperature on the transmission of arboviruses by the mosquito vector. Given their high public health importance, we focus on dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, which are transmitted by the mosquitoes <em>Aedes aegypti</em> and <em>Aedes albopictus</em>. Following PRISMA guidelines, 34 papers were included in this systematic review. Most studies found that increasing temperatures result in higher rates of infection, dissemination, and transmission of these viruses in mosquitoes, although several studies had differing findings. Overall, the studies reviewed here suggest that rising temperatures due to climate change would alter the vector competence of mosquitoes to increase epidemic risk, but that some critical research gaps remain.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100139"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49791527","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":"Detection of multiple tick-borne pathogens in Ixodes scapularis from Hunterdon County, NJ, USA","authors":"Zoe E. Narvaez ,&nbsp;Tadhgh Rainey ,&nbsp;Rose Puelle ,&nbsp;Arsala Khan ,&nbsp;Robert A. Jordan ,&nbsp;Andrea M. Egizi ,&nbsp;Dana C. Price","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100140","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Several human pathogens vectored by the blacklegged tick (<em>Ixodes scapularis</em> Say; Acari: Ixodidae) are endemic in the state of New Jersey. Disease incidence data suggest that these conditions occur disproportionately in the northwestern portion of the state, including in the county of Hunterdon. We conducted active surveillance at three forested sites in Hunterdon County during 2020 and 2021, collecting 662 nymphal and adult <em>I. scapularis</em>. Ticks were tested for five pathogens by qPCR/qRT-PCR: <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em>, <em>Babesia microti</em>, <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em>, <em>Borrelia miyamotoi</em>, and Powassan virus (POWV) lineage 2. Over 2 years, 25.4% of nymphs and 58.4% of adults were found infected with at least one pathogen, with 10.6% of all ticks infected with more than one pathogen. We report substantial spatial and temporal variability of <em>A. phagocytophilum</em> and <em>B. burgdorferi</em>, with high relative abundance of the human-infective <em>A. phagocytophilum</em> variant <em>Ap</em>-ha. Notably, POWV was detected for the first time in Hunterdon, a county where human cases have not been reported. Based on comparisons with active surveillance initiatives in nearby counties, further investigation of non-entomological factors potentially influencing rates of tick-borne illness in Hunterdon is recommended.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100140"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49791528","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":"Morphological and molecular insights into the diversity of Leptoconops biting midges from a heavily infested Mediterranean area","authors":"Carlo Polidori ,&nbsp;Paolo Gabrieli ,&nbsp;Irene Arnoldi ,&nbsp;Agata Negri ,&nbsp;Laura Soresinetti ,&nbsp;Simone Faggiana ,&nbsp;Andrea Ferrari ,&nbsp;Federico Ronchetti ,&nbsp;Matteo Brilli ,&nbsp;Claudio Bandi ,&nbsp;Sara Epis","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The genus <em>Leptoconops</em> Skuse (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are blood-sucking midges known to pester humans and domestic animals. In certain Mediterranean areas, midges occur in large numbers during summer and limit the use of recreational areas, also raising serious health and social concerns. Despite such impact, the diversity and distribution of <em>Leptoconops</em> in Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany Region, Italy), a heavily infested area, is not well known, and neither molecular nor detailed morphological studies exist. We sampled adult midge females in six areas and used high-resolution digital stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy to identify species and investigate the morphology of structures involved in host searching/recognition (antennae and maxillary palps) and host attack (mouthparts). We also performed energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to characterize the elemental composition of mouthparts. Finally, the cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit 1 (<em>cox</em>1) gene was amplified and sequenced, to confirm species identification of collected specimens. We identified two species: <em>Leptoconops</em> (<em>L</em>.) <em>irritans</em> Noé and <em>Leptoconops</em> (<em>L.</em>) <em>noei</em> Clastrier &amp; Coluzzi, with the former being more frequently sampled than the latter and closer to sea coast and rivers. The antennal segments appeared slightly more globular in <em>L. noei</em> than in <em>L. irritans</em>. Five types of trichoid, basiconic and chaetic sensilla were found on the antennae, with some differences between the two species. Mouthparts had the labellum visibly larger in <em>L. noei</em> compared with <em>L. irritans</em>. The maxillary palps possessed a pit filled with bulb-shaped sensilla, which appeared denser in <em>L. noei</em> than in <em>L. irritans</em>. Mouthpart cuticle included Calcium (Ca) and Aluminum (Al) at small but significant concentrations (0.3–1.0%) in both species. Our results suggest that the limited but appreciable differences in sensory system between the studied species of <em>Leptoconops</em> and other Ceratopogonidae may reflect different host or habitat preferences, a scenario potentially suggested also by preliminarily data on their distribution in the studied area. The presence of Ca and Al in the cuticle of mouthparts may help host skin drilling during bite activity. Finally, the gene sequences obtained in this study provide a first reference for future investigations on the taxonomy and dispersal patterns of <em>Leptoconops</em> spp. in the Mediterranean area.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100142"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49791530","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":"Cryptosporidium and Giardia in cats and dogs: What is the real zoonotic risk?","authors":"Amanda D. Barbosa ,&nbsp;Siobhon Egan ,&nbsp;Yaoyu Feng ,&nbsp;Lihua Xiao ,&nbsp;Una Ryan","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Due to the close bond between humans and companion animals, a thorough understanding of the diversity of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species and <em>Giardia</em> assemblages in cats and dogs is essential to determine the potential zoonotic risks. Analysis of molecular studies shows that <em>C. felis</em> and <em>C. canis</em> are the main species infecting cats and dogs, respectively. These species are largely host-specific, as despite intense association with humans, prevalence of <em>C. felis</em> and <em>C. canis</em> in humans is low and predominantly in immunocompromised individuals and low-income countries. There have been reports of <em>C. parvum</em> in cats and dogs and two reports of <em>C. hominis</em> in dogs. In most studies conducted to date, however, the prevalence of zoonotic species was low and may be associated with coprophagy and or/spillback, but this remains to be determined. Results of subtyping studies suggest that for <em>C. felis</em> and <em>C. canis</em>, some zoonotic transmission may occur but host-adapted subtypes also exist. <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> assemblages C and D are commonly reported in dogs, with assemblages F and A most common in cats. Assemblages C, D and F are largely host-specific as there are only a handful of reports of them in humans. Reports of assemblage A and B in cats and dogs may be due to coprophagy or spillback from owners. Despite the extent of pet ownership and the close contact between humans and companion animals worldwide, the overall risk of zoonotic transmission from cats and dogs to humans is uncertain but thought to be low due to <em>C. canis</em>, <em>C. felis</em> and <em>G. duodenalis</em> assemblages C, D and F being predominantly host-specific, the relatively low prevalence of <em>C. parvum</em> (and <em>C. hominis</em>) in cats and dogs (which may be due to mechanical carriage), and low oo/cyst shedding. Carefully designed epidemiological studies of cats and dogs and their owners using subtyping tools are essential to better quantify the extent of spillover and spillback of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> and <em>Giardia</em> between pets and their owners.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X23000468/pdfft?md5=806749df9b270aab3bac2ecd537d4da8&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X23000468-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138549921","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}