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

{"title":"An abortion storm in a goat farm in the Northeast Region of Brazil was caused by the atypical Toxoplasma gondii genotype #13","authors":"Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela ,&nbsp;Thais Ferreira Feitosa ,&nbsp;Sara Vilar Dantas Simões ,&nbsp;Rinaldo Aparecido Mota ,&nbsp;Frank Katzer ,&nbsp;Paul M. Bartley","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The objective of this study was to characterise a <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>-induced abortion outbreak on a goat farm in the State of Paraíba, Northeast Region of Brazil. From a herd of 10 does, seven experienced abortions and one gave birth to twins (one stillborn and the other weak and underdeveloped). Serum samples from all of the does were analysed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Samples of colostrum and placenta from two does, along with lung, heart, brain and umbilical cord samples from four of the foetuses, were screened by nested ITS1 PCR specific for <em>T. gondii</em>. The positive samples were then analysed by multiplex nested PCR-RFLP. All ten does tested positive by IFAT for anti-<em>T. gondii</em> IgG (titrations ranging from 1:4096 to 1:65,536). The ITS1 PCR screening revealed <em>T. gondii</em> DNA in the placenta (2/2), colostrum (2/2), umbilical cord (2/4), lung (1/4), heart (1/4), and brain (1/4). Four samples produced complete RFLP genotyping results, identifying a single genotype, ToxoDB #13. In conclusion, we demonstrated a high rate of abortion caused by <em>T. gondii</em> in a goat herd, highlighting the pathogenicity of genotype #13, one of the most prevalent genotypes of <em>T. gondii</em> in Brazil.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X23000456/pdfft?md5=8147f5093a79bafcbbccfd96d8ef1289&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X23000456-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138992286","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":"Laser-based selective killing of a manipulative parasite reveals partial reversibility of phenotypic alterations in its intermediate host","authors":"Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot ,&nbsp;Frank Cézilly ,&nbsp;Olivier Musset","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100221","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100221","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Various parasites alter their intermediate hostʼs phenotype in ways that increase parasite transmission to definitive hosts. To what extent infected intermediate hosts can recover from such “manipulation” is poorly documented, thus limiting our understanding of its proximate and ultimate causes. Here, we address the reversibility of several phenotypic alterations induced by the acanthocephalan <em>Polymorphus minutus</em>, a trophically-transmitted bird parasite, in its amphipod intermediate host. Using a recently developed laser-based technology, we selectively killed parasite larvae inside the body cavity of <em>Gammarus fossarum</em>, while preserving host viability. Following behavioral tests, parasite death was confirmed using DNA integrity assays. Alterations of geotaxis, locomotor activity and resting metabolic rate in infected gammarids remained unchanged one month after parasiteʼs death. In contrast, elevated brain lactate concentration and hemolymph total phenoloxidase activity of treated gammarids hosting a dead cystacanth returned to control (uninfected) levels. Interestingly, melanotic encapsulation response to dead cystacanths was rare up to two months after treatment, with only 5.6% of cystacanths being fully or partially melanized, thus suggesting long-lasting protection from the acellular outer envelope. Irreversible behavioral but reversible physiological alterations appear to be a cost-effective strategy of host manipulation, and point to a putative role of epigenetic alterations in parasite manipulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100221"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142698302","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":"Public knowledge and awareness of tick-borne pathogens and diseases: A cross-sectional study in Ghana","authors":"Theophilus Yaw Alale ,&nbsp;Jani J. Sormunen ,&nbsp;Joseph Nzeh ,&nbsp;Richard Osei Agjei ,&nbsp;Eero J. Vesterinen ,&nbsp;Tero Klemola","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a significant and increasing health threat globally. About 45 tick species have been described from Ghana, located in sub-Saharan Africa, but it is unknown how well-informed local citizens are regarding the risks posed by ticks and TBDs. Utilizing a cross-sectional design with questionnaires, this study assessed the public knowledge and awareness of ticks, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and TBDs in Ghana. With demographic background data, we received knowledge responses from 537 respondents across all 16 regions of Ghana through an electronic survey and structured interview questionnaire. Descriptive table statistics were used to tabulate frequencies and percentages of all categorical responses and more closely tested for associations between certain variable pairs. Our results showed that 88% of respondents kept at least one animal species irrespective of being a farmer or not. Of all respondents, over 70% (<em>n</em> = 352) were not aware of TBDs in humans while over 50% (<em>n</em> = 289) indicated their awareness of TBDs in animals. Interestingly, we found a significant association between age group and awareness of TBDs in animals. Furthermore, the results highlighted the association between domestic animal ownership and increased human-tick encounters. These findings suggest a need for targeted public education on TBDs in Ghana. As Ghana imports livestock, the risk of TBD spread demands attention. Overall, the survey contributes essential insights for veterinary and public health interventions, stressing the urgency of raising awareness and understanding among the public regarding the risks associated with ticks and TBDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660489","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":"Development, validation, and pilot application of a high throughput molecular xenomonitoring assay to detect Schistosoma mansoni and other trematode species within Biomphalaria freshwater snail hosts","authors":"John Archer ,&nbsp;Shi Min Yeo ,&nbsp;Grace Gadd ,&nbsp;Tom Pennance ,&nbsp;Lucas J. Cunningham ,&nbsp;Alexandra Juhàsz ,&nbsp;Sam Jones ,&nbsp;Priscilla Chammudzi ,&nbsp;Donales R. Kapira ,&nbsp;David Lally ,&nbsp;Gladys Namacha ,&nbsp;Bright Mainga ,&nbsp;Peter Makaula ,&nbsp;James E. LaCourse ,&nbsp;Sekeleghe A. Kayuni ,&nbsp;Janelisa Musaya ,&nbsp;J. Russell Stothard ,&nbsp;Bonnie L. Webster","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by infection with parasitic trematodes of the genus <em>Schistosoma</em> that can lead to debilitating morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization recommend molecular xenomonitoring of <em>Biomphalaria</em> spp. freshwater snail intermediate hosts of <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> to identify highly focal intestinal schistosomiasis transmission sites and monitor disease transmission, particularly in low-endemicity areas. A standardised protocol to do this, however, is needed. Here, two previously published primer sets were selected to develop and validate a multiplex molecular xenomonitoring end-point PCR assay capable of detecting <em>S. mansoni</em> infections within individual <em>Biomphalaria</em> spp. missed by cercarial shedding. The assay proved highly sensitive and highly specific in detecting and amplifying <em>S. mansoni</em> DNA and also proved highly sensitive in detecting and amplifying non-<em>S. mansoni</em> trematode DNA. The optimised assay was then used to screen <em>Biomphalaria</em> spp. collected from a <em>S. mansoni-</em>endemic area for infection and successfully detected <em>S. mansoni</em> infections missed by cercarial shedding as well as infections with non-<em>S. mansoni</em> trematodes. The continued development and use of molecular xenomonitoring assays such as this will aid in improving disease control efforts, significantly reducing disease-related morbidities experienced by those in schistosomiasis-endemic areas.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100174"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000050/pdfft?md5=acd5d280b300a614593b3227aad82fdb&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000050-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140270138","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":"First insights into using outline-based geometric morphometrics of wing cell contours to distinguish three morphologically similar species of Tabanus (Diptera: Tabanidae)","authors":"Tanasak Changbunjong ,&nbsp;Thekhawet Weluwanarak ,&nbsp;Tanawat Chaiphongpachara","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate species identification of horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) is crucial due to their role as vectors for various pathogens, which is essential for understanding their biology, devising strategies to control their populations, and enhancing disease surveillance. This study assessed the efficacy of outline-based geometric morphometrics (GM) by analyzing the wing cell contours of discal, first submarginal, and second submarginal cells to distinguish three morphologically similar <em>Tabanus</em> species commonly found in Thailand, <em>T. megalops</em>, <em>T. rubidus</em>, and <em>T. striatus</em>. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant size differences between <em>T. rubidus</em> and the two other species (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), with <em>T. rubidus</em> exhibiting larger wing cells. <em>Tabanus megalops</em> and <em>T. striatus</em> had similar sizes; their size differences were not statistically significant. The accuracy of size analysis based on validated classification tests was relatively low, ranging from 64.67% to 68.67%. Nonetheless, all wing cell contours showed significant shape differences between the three species, as confirmed by Mahalanobis distance comparisons using 1000 permutation tests (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The shape of the first submarginal cell contour showed the highest classification accuracy (86.67%). Outline-based GM offers a significant advantage for analyzing fly specimens with incomplete wings that have intact cells. For damaged specimens, analyzing the contour of the first submarginal cell through this technique can be a viable alternative.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100218"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420475","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":"Ixodes ricinus tick presence is associated with abiotic but not biotic factors","authors":"Nannet D. Fabri ,&nbsp;Tim R. Hofmeester ,&nbsp;Frauke Ecke ,&nbsp;Hein Sprong ,&nbsp;Jordi Timmermans ,&nbsp;Hans Heesterbeek ,&nbsp;Joris P.G.M. Cromsigt","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100206","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100206","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Species composition and densities of wild ungulate communities in Europe have changed over the last decades. As ungulates play an important role in the life-cycle of the tick species <em>Ixodes ricinus</em>, these changes could affect both the life-cycle of <em>I. ricinus</em> and the transmission of tick-borne pathogens like <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) and <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em>. Due to morphological and behavioural differences among the ungulate species, these species might have different effects on the densities of questing <em>I. ricinus</em>, either directly through a bloodmeal or indirectly <em>via</em> the impact of ungulates on rodent numbers <em>via</em> the vegetation. In this study, we aimed to investigate these direct and indirect effects of five different ungulate species, fallow deer (<em>Dama dama</em>), roe deer (<em>Capreolus capreolus</em>), red deer (<em>Cervus elaphus</em>), moose (<em>Alces alces</em>), and wild boar (<em>Sus scrofa</em>), on the presence and abundance of <em>I. ricinus</em> ticks. In the summer of 2019, on 20 1 × 1 km transects in south-central Sweden that differed in ungulate community composition, we collected data on tick presence and abundance (by dragging a cloth), ungulate community composition (using camera traps), vegetation height (using the drop-disc method), temperature above field layer and rodent abundance (by snap-trapping). Using generalized linear mixed models we did not find any associations between vegetation height and tick presence/abundance or ungulate visitation frequencies, or between ungulate visitation frequencies and the presence/abundance of questing <em>I. ricinus</em>. The power of our analyses was, however, low due to very low tick and rodent numbers. We did find a negative association between adult ticks and air temperature, where we were more likely to find adult ticks if temperature in the field layer was lower. We conclude that more elaborate long-term studies are needed to elucidate the investigated associations. Such future studies should differentiate among the potential impacts of different ungulate species instead of treating all ungulate species as one group.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100206"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000372/pdfft?md5=d78d97c867c1e26c504c7c612f324270&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000372-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141978312","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":"A baseline epidemiological survey for malaria and schistosomiasis reveals an alarming burden in primary schools despite ongoing control in Chikwawa District, southern Malawi","authors":"Blessings Chiepa ,&nbsp;Rex Mbewe ,&nbsp;Michelle C. Stanton ,&nbsp;Blessings Kapumba ,&nbsp;Eggrey Kambewa ,&nbsp;Lucy Kaunga ,&nbsp;John Chiphwanya ,&nbsp;Themba Mzilahowa ,&nbsp;Christopher M. Jones ,&nbsp;J. Russell Stothard","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Our study rationale was to establish contemporary epidemiological data on malaria and schistosomiasis among school-going children in Chikwawa District before future environmental changes associated with the Shire Valley Transformation Programme occurred. Our cross-sectional surveys tested 1134 children from 21 government-owned primary schools (approximately 50 children per school); rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (Humasis Pf/PAN) and intestinal schistosomiasis (urine-Circulating Cathodic Antigen) were used, with urine reagents strips and egg-filtration with microscopy for urogenital schistosomiasis. All infected children were treated with an appropriate dose of Lonart® (for malaria) and/or Cesol® (for schistosomiasis). Across 21 schools the overall prevalence was 9.7% (95% CI: 8.8–10.6%) for malaria, 1.9% (95% CI: 1.4–2.3%) for intestinal schistosomiasis, and 35.0% (95% CI: 33.6–36.5%) for egg-patent urogenital schistosomiasis. The prevalence of co-infection of malaria with urogenital schistosomiasis was 5.5% (95% CI: 4.8–6.2%). In a third of the schools, the prevalence of malaria and urogenital schistosomiasis was above national averages of 10.5% and 40–50%, respectively, with two schools having maxima of 36.8% and 84.5%, respectively. Set against a background of ongoing control, our study has revealed an alarming burden of malaria and schistosomiasis in southern Malawi. These findings call for an immediate mitigating response that significantly bolsters current control interventions to better safeguard children's future health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100183"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000141/pdfft?md5=e0418d55be1ce6c81a22a176e889c049&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000141-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141286029","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 role of car tyres in the ecology of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Ghana","authors":"Anisa Abdulai ,&nbsp;Christopher Mfum Owusu-Asenso ,&nbsp;Christodea Haizel ,&nbsp;Sebastian Kow Egyin Mensah ,&nbsp;Isaac Kwame Sraku ,&nbsp;Daniel Halou ,&nbsp;Richard Tettey Doe ,&nbsp;Abdul Rahim Mohammed ,&nbsp;Yaw Akuamoah-Boateng ,&nbsp;Akua Obeng Forson ,&nbsp;Yaw Asare Afrane","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100176","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Aedes aegypti</em> is an important vector of arboviral diseases including dengue and yellow fever. Despite the wide distribution of this mosquito species, there are limited data on the ecology of <em>Ae</em>. <em>aegypti</em> in Ghana. In this study, we report on the oviposition preference and the larval life tables of <em>Ae</em>. <em>aegypti</em> mosquitoes in Accra, Ghana. The oviposition preference of the mosquitoes to three habitat types (car tyres, drums and bowls) was measured by setting up ovitraps. We recorded the presence and abundance of larvae every 3 days. Two-hour-old <em>Ae. aegypti</em> larvae were introduced and raised in three habitat types to undertake larval life tables. The number of surviving larvae at each developmental stage was recorded daily until they emerged as adults. Car tyres showed a higher abundance of <em>Ae. aegypti</em> larvae (52.3%) than drums (32.5%) and bowls (15.1%) (ANOVA, <em>F</em>_(2,₁₅₉₎ = 18.79, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). The mean development time of <em>Ae. aegypti</em> larvae was significantly lower in car tyres (7 ± 1 days) compared to that of bowls (9 ± 0.0 days) and drums (12.6 ± 1.5 days) (<em>P</em> = 0.024). The differences in pupation rates and emergence rates were not significant across the habitat types; however, the highest pupation rate was observed in bowls (0.92 ± 0.17) and the emergence rate was highest in tyres (0.84 ± 0.10). The proportion of first-instar larvae that survived to emergence was significantly higher in car tyres (0.84 ± 0.10) compared to that of bowls (0.72 ± 0.20) and drums (0.62 ± 0.20) (<em>P</em> = 0.009). No mortalities were observed after 9 days in car tyres, 10 days in bowls and 15 days in drums. The results confirm that discarded car tyres were the preferred habitat choice for the oviposition of gravid female <em>Ae</em>. <em>aegypti</em> mosquitoes and provide the best habitat conditions for larval development and survival. These findings are necessary for understanding the ecology of <em>Ae. aegypti</em> to develop appropriate strategies for their control in Ghana.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000074/pdfft?md5=ca76a1e2a611c72f7fac999ff49aa441&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000074-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140880125","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":"Exploratory actor mapping of social interactions within tick risk surveillance networks in France","authors":"Iyonna Zortman ,&nbsp;Laurence Vial ,&nbsp;Thomas Pollet ,&nbsp;Aurélie Binot","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100222","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100222","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are important zoonotic disease vectors for human and animal health worldwide. In Europe they are the principal vector of public health importance, responsible for Lyme disease, the most prevalent and widespread tick-borne disease (TBD). Tick presence and TBD incidence are increasing, questioning the effectiveness of existing surveillance systems. At the European level TBD burden is likely underestimated as surveillance differs amongst and within countries. France created its first national public health policy in 2016 to tackle TBDs, prompted by growing concern from the public, medical professionals and the scientific community for the lack of knowledge on tick-borne pathogen risk on the population. With global changes, France currently faces risk for TBD emergence (e.g. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever) and re-emergence (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis), in addition to increasing Lyme disease cases. We conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with French tick risk surveillance actors to characterize how the national surveillance system functions. Qualitative descriptive analysis was conducted on interview transcripts to create actor maps and identify the barriers and levers for actor interactions. We identified four tick risk surveillance processes: surveillance-oriented research, risk evaluation, policy creation and policy application, to which interdisciplinary, intersectoral and multi-level actor interactions contribute. Actors express a pervasive need to reinforce intersectoral interactions between human, animal and environmental sectors for early risk detection, as well as multi-level interactions to accurately estimate risk and disseminate prevention information. Transdisciplinary, social-ecological system approaches may offer an adaptive framework for locally relevant surveillance activities in diverse social-ecological contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100222"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142540133","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":"Older urban rats are infected with the zoonotic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis","authors":"Phoebe Rivory ,&nbsp;Miguel Bedoya-Pérez ,&nbsp;Michael P. Ward ,&nbsp;Jan Šlapeta","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Rats, being synanthropic, are hosts to agents of zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to human and domestic animal health. The nematode parasite <em>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</em>, commonly known as the rat lungworm, is no exception; it can cause potentially fatal neural disease in humans, dogs and other species. The distribution of <em>A. cantonensis</em> (haplotypes SYD.1 and Ac13) and its close relative, <em>Angiostrongylus mackerrasae</em> is not well understood in Australia. We investigated the prevalence of <em>Angiostrongylus</em> in rats in Sydney, Australia, primarily <em>via</em> faecal qPCR, and identified the species and haplotypes using partial <em>cox</em>1 sequencing. We found a moderate prevalence of infection (29%; 95% CI: 16.1–46.6%) in black (<em>Rattus rattus</em>) and brown (<em>Rattus norvegicus</em>) rats around public parks and residential areas. This study demonstrates that Sydney’s urban rat population is a reservoir for <em>A. cantonensis</em>. Modelling infection status as a function of rat species, sex, tibia length (as a proxy for age), and health index (a measure of weight by size) revealed that older rats are statistically more likely to be infected (<em>χ</em>²₁ = 5.331, <em>P</em> = 0.021). We observed a dominant presence of the <em>A. cantonensis</em> SYD.1 haplotype, for which the implications are not yet known. No <em>A. mackerassae</em> was detected, leading us to suspect it may have a more restricted host- and geographical range. Overall, this study illustrates the presence and potential risk of <em>A. cantonensis</em> infection in Sydney. Public education regarding transmission routes and preventative measures is crucial to safeguard human and animal health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000104/pdfft?md5=911084a9ef1b8fc2258110b24fbe4479&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000104-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141144716","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}