Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-08-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108437
Serkan Sugeçti
Candida albicans is one of the most common human fungal pathogens. C. albicans infections can range from superficial conditions, such as oral and vaginal candidiasis, to more severe, invasive infections, which can lead to life-threatening systemic diseases, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. In this study, the oxidative effects of C. albicans infection on the non-vertebrate model Galleria mellonella, were investigated. Levels of oxidative damage indicators, lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), were determined in C. albicans-infected G. mellonella larvae. Initially, CAT activity decreased at 2–4 h post-infection, followed by an increase at 6–8 h, while levels of MDA, GST, and SOD were elevated at 8 h, reflecting a dynamic antioxidant response. Furthermore, this study examines the interaction of gliotoxin, a mycotoxin, with antioxidant enzymes GST, SOD and CAT using molecular docking studies. Molecular docking revealed gliotoxin and β-glucan binding affinities of −6.8 kcal/mol with GST and SOD, and −6.5 and −7.2 kcal/mol with CAT, respectively. These findings indicate that G. mellonella provides an effective model for studying the interactions between C. albicans and the host.
{"title":"Oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in Galleria mellonella following Candida albicans infection","authors":"Serkan Sugeçti","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Candida albicans</em> is one of the most common human fungal pathogens. <em>C. albicans</em> infections can range from superficial conditions, such as oral and vaginal candidiasis, to more severe, invasive infections, which can lead to life-threatening systemic diseases, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. In this study, the oxidative effects of <em>C. albicans</em> infection on the non-vertebrate model <em>Galleria mellonella</em>, were investigated. Levels of oxidative damage indicators, lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), were determined in <em>C. albicans</em>-infected <em>G. mellonella</em> larvae. Initially, CAT activity decreased at 2–4 h post-infection, followed by an increase at 6–8 h, while levels of MDA, GST, and SOD were elevated at 8 h, reflecting a dynamic antioxidant response. Furthermore, this study examines the interaction of gliotoxin, a mycotoxin, with antioxidant enzymes GST, SOD and CAT using molecular docking studies. Molecular docking revealed gliotoxin and β-glucan binding affinities of −6.8 kcal/mol with GST and SOD, and −6.5 and −7.2 kcal/mol with CAT, respectively. These findings indicate that <em>G. mellonella</em> provides an effective model for studying the interactions between <em>C. albicans</em> and the host.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108437"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108480
Daniella-Mari White , Emmanouela Karaveti , Vasileios Bakopoulos
Fish farming may pose a risk to adjacent octopus farms due to pathogen transmission. Moreover, the immune defense mechanisms of cephalopods are still not fully understood. This study aimed to determine changes in total protein concentration and hemolysis activity of Octopus vulgaris hemolymph, after intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) challenges with aquaculture fish pathogens (either Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida or damselae or Vibrio alginolyticus or anguillarum O1) at two temperatures (21 ± 0.5 ℃ and 24 ± 0.5 ℃).
Results showed that Octopus vulgaris exhibited a mean total protein concentration of 173.93 ± 69.37 mg/mL across all experimental conditions, markedly exceeding values reported for other mollusks, such as the bivalves Chamelea gallina (0.75–1.66 mg/mL) and Mytilus galloprovincialis (0.59–1.60 mg/mL). Patterns of total protein concentration, related to the genera of the pathogen used for the challenges, were observed. Four-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects of bacterium (F(3, 144) = 54.360, p < 0.001) and temperature (F(1, 144) = 10.014, p = 0.002) on total protein, along with multiple significant interaction effects, including bacterium × temperature, route × time, and bacterium × route × temperature × time (all p < 0.001).
Hemolysis remained at low levels across both experimental temperatures, challenge routes, and pathogens, not exceeding 25 % in any case. Values above 15 % and up to 20 % were recorded in specific conditions, such as Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae at 24 ± 0.5 °C on Day 3 in CIM-, IM-, and IV- control and challenged groups respectivelly; V. alginolyticus at 24 ± 0.5 °C on Day 3 in IM-challenged groups; and Vibrio anguillarum O1 at 21 ± 0.5 °C on Day 3 and Day 7 in IM-challenged groups. ANOVA for hemolytic activity showed significant main effects of bacterium (F(3, 144) = 22.032, p < 0.001) and temperature (F(1, 144) = 4.083, p = 0.045), with multiple significant interactions, including bacterium × temperature, route × time, and bacterium × route × temperature × time (all p < 0.001). These results indicate that the route of challenge may play a major role in hemolysis activity, with temperature and time post-challenge also exerting significant effects, possibly through a complex synergistic interaction.
Our results may assist in elucidating common octopus defense mechanisms against common fish pathogens and provide important information to the scientific community and the marine aquaculture sector.
{"title":"Assessing the impact of gram-negative bacteria on the common octopus, in relation to rising sea temperature: a study of total protein concentration and hemolysis activity in hemolymph","authors":"Daniella-Mari White , Emmanouela Karaveti , Vasileios Bakopoulos","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108480","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108480","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fish farming may pose a risk to adjacent octopus farms due to pathogen transmission. Moreover, the immune defense mechanisms of cephalopods are still not fully understood. This study aimed to determine changes in total protein concentration and hemolysis activity of <em>Octopus vulgaris</em> hemolymph, after intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) challenges with aquaculture fish pathogens (either <em>Photobacterium damselae</em> subsp. <em>piscicida</em> or <em>damselae</em> or <em>Vibrio alginolyticus</em> or <em>anguillarum</em> O1) at two temperatures (21 ± 0.5 ℃ and 24 ± 0.5 ℃).</div><div>Results showed that <em>Octopus vulgaris</em> exhibited a mean total protein concentration of 173.93 ± 69.37 mg/mL across all experimental conditions, markedly exceeding values reported for other mollusks, such as the bivalves <em>Chamelea gallina</em> (0.75–1.66 mg/mL) and <em>Mytilus galloprovincialis</em> (0.59–1.60 mg/mL). Patterns of total protein concentration, related to the genera of the pathogen used for the challenges, were observed. Four-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects of bacterium (F(3, 144) = 54.360, p < 0.001) and temperature (F(1, 144) = 10.014, p = 0.002) on total protein, along with multiple significant interaction effects, including bacterium × temperature, route × time, and bacterium × route × temperature × time (all p < 0.001).</div><div>Hemolysis remained at low levels across both experimental temperatures, challenge routes, and pathogens, not exceeding 25 % in any case. Values above 15 % and up to 20 % were recorded in specific conditions, such as <em>Photobacterium damselae</em> subsp. <em>damselae</em> at 24 ± 0.5 °C on Day 3 in CIM-, IM-, and IV- control and challenged groups respectivelly; <em>V. alginolyticus</em> at 24 ± 0.5 °C on Day 3 in IM-challenged groups; and <em>Vibrio anguillarum</em> O1 at 21 ± 0.5 °C on Day 3 and Day 7 in IM-challenged groups. ANOVA for hemolytic activity showed significant main effects of bacterium (F(3, 144) = 22.032, p < 0.001) and temperature (F(1, 144) = 4.083, p = 0.045), with multiple significant interactions, including bacterium × temperature, route × time, and bacterium × route × temperature × time (all p < 0.001). These results indicate that the route of challenge may play a major role in hemolysis activity, with temperature and time post-challenge also exerting significant effects, possibly through a complex synergistic interaction.</div><div>Our results may assist in elucidating common octopus defense mechanisms against common fish pathogens and provide important information to the scientific community and the marine aquaculture sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108480"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145421971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-09-15DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108455
Zohreh Fazelan , Nicolas Argenta , Spencer J. Greenwood , K. Fraser Clark
The Canadian lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery is Canada’s most economically significant fishing industry and is a critical component of many rural Atlantic Canadian communities. Aerococcus viridans var. homari is a Gram-positive bacterium that can cause mortalities in wild and live-stocked lobsters. We used an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approach to examine the expression of more than 29,000 hepatopancreatic genes in H. americanus during an A. viridans var. homari infection challenge to determine how lobster immune gene expression changes during infection. The infection challenge identified 1,803 differentially expressed genes, of which at least 87 are related to immune or stress responses. Of particular note are several anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALFs), pentraxin serum amyloid A (SAA), lectins, Toll-like proteins, cytokines, relish, cactus, myeloid differentiation factor, and genes related to antioxidant defence, coagulation, and hyperglycemic hormone regulation. Compared to a previous study using microarray technology, our RNA-seq approach uncovered a broader array of immune genes that were previously undetected in H. americanus. This study provides additional evidence that ALFs and SAA-5-like proteins are critical players in immune defence. Differential expression of ALFs and lectin genes may indicate a tailored response specific to A. viridans var. homari, highlighting the complexity of the immune system of lobster in recognizing and responding to specific pathogens.
{"title":"American lobster (Homarus americanus) immune gene expression during Aerococcus viridans var. homari challenge","authors":"Zohreh Fazelan , Nicolas Argenta , Spencer J. Greenwood , K. Fraser Clark","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Canadian lobster (<em>Homarus americanus</em>) fishery is Canada’s most economically significant fishing industry and is a critical component of many rural Atlantic Canadian communities. <em>Aerococcus viridans</em> var<em>. homari</em> is a Gram-positive bacterium that can cause mortalities in wild and live-stocked lobsters. We used an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approach to examine the expression of more than 29,000 hepatopancreatic genes in <em>H. americanus</em> during an <em>A. viridans</em> var. <em>homari</em> infection challenge to determine how lobster immune gene expression changes during infection. The infection challenge identified 1,803 differentially expressed genes, of which at least 87 are related to immune or stress responses. Of particular note are several anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALFs), pentraxin serum amyloid A (SAA), lectins, Toll-like proteins, cytokines, relish, cactus, myeloid differentiation factor, and genes related to antioxidant defence, coagulation, and hyperglycemic hormone regulation. Compared to a previous study using microarray technology, our RNA-seq approach uncovered a broader array of immune genes that were previously undetected in <em>H. americanus</em>. This study provides additional evidence that ALFs and SAA-5-like proteins are critical players in immune defence. Differential expression of ALFs and lectin genes may indicate a tailored response specific to <em>A. viridans</em> var. <em>homari</em>, highlighting the complexity of the immune system of lobster in recognizing and responding to specific pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108455"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145080335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPN) is a lethal shrimp disease caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus carrying virulent pirAB genes in extrachromosomal plasmids. However, the limitations of current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods pose challenges for on-site AHPND diagnosis. This study aimed to develop a real-time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay for diagnosing AHPND at shrimp farming sites. Two primer sets were designed to target a 300 bp region within the pirAB gene on the pVPA3-1 plasmid of the reference strain 13–028/A3. Using a Genie II machine, an AHPND-specific primer set was selected to optimize a LAMP reaction mixture (LAMP-mixture I) and reaction conditions. The LAMP-mixture I provided clear and accurate results at 65 °C within approximately 50 min. The detection limit (100 fg) was comparable to that of duplex PCR developed for AHPND detection and was 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR with existing LAMP primers (10 pg), though less sensitive than AP4 nested PCR. To enhance the feasibility of the LAMP assay in shrimp farms, a portable real-time LAMP machine developed by SMTION (Daejeon, Korea) was employed. The LAMP products were analyzed using SYBR Green I and calcein detection methods. Both methods produced positive results and showed no cross-reactivity with non-AHPND strains. The real-time LAMP calcein method demonstrated high diagnostic specificity, positive predictive value, and 78 % accuracy when evaluated with field samples. Hence, the real-time LAMP calcein method developed here offers potential for rapid and reliable AHPND diagnosis in shrimp farming sites, in comparison to other PCR-based strategies in simplicity and specificity.
{"title":"Development of a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (real-time LAMP) assay for the onsite detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp","authors":"L.G.T.G. Rajapaksha, C.W.R. Gunasekara, S.H.M.P. Wimalasena, H.N.K.S. Pathirana, Gee-wook Shin","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108501","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108501","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPN) is a lethal shrimp disease caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus carrying virulent <em>pir<sup>AB</sup></em> genes in extrachromosomal plasmids. However, the limitations of current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods pose challenges for on-site AHPND diagnosis. This study aimed to develop a real-time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay for diagnosing AHPND at shrimp farming sites. Two primer sets were designed to target a 300 bp region within the <em>pir<sup>AB</sup></em> gene on the pVPA3-1 plasmid of the reference strain 13–028/A3. Using a Genie II machine, an AHPND-specific primer set was selected to optimize a LAMP reaction mixture (LAMP-mixture I) and reaction conditions. The LAMP-mixture I provided clear and accurate results at 65 °C within approximately 50 min. The detection limit (100 fg) was comparable to that of duplex PCR developed for AHPND detection and was 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR with existing LAMP primers (10 pg), though less sensitive than AP4 nested PCR. To enhance the feasibility of the LAMP assay in shrimp farms, a portable real-time LAMP machine developed by SMTION (Daejeon, Korea) was employed. The LAMP products were analyzed using SYBR Green I and calcein detection methods. Both methods produced positive results and showed no cross-reactivity with non-AHPND strains. The real-time LAMP calcein method demonstrated high diagnostic specificity, positive predictive value, and 78 % accuracy when evaluated with field samples. Hence, the real-time LAMP calcein method developed here offers potential for rapid and reliable AHPND diagnosis in shrimp farming sites, in comparison to other PCR-based strategies in simplicity and specificity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108501"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145648811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-09-20DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108459
Jordyn S. Barr, Saksham R. Saksena, Abby Callahan-Muller, Edith Simpson, Julián F. Hillyer
Most female mosquitoes feed on blood to gain the nutrients needed for oogenesis, but the process of blood feeding often exposes mosquitoes to pathogens. Blood feeding and infection both activate the hemocytes that drive cellular immune responses, and the efficacy of immune responses like phagocytosis varies with environmental temperature, aging, and their interaction. Here, we quantified the hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis response in the hemocoel of adult female mosquitoes during the digestion of a blood meal and thereafter, focusing on mosquitoes that had been reared at 27 °C, 30 °C or 32 °C, and were 3, 5 or 10 days old at the time of blood feeding. We discovered that, in blood-fed mosquitoes, phagocytic activity generally increases when the temperature is warmer and when the mosquito is older. Moreover, within the first three days after a blood meal, warmer temperature does not accelerate the senescence of the phagocytosis response. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that ingesting blood changes how warmer temperature, aging, and their interaction alters the phagocytic response of hemocytes, which has implications for how mosquitoes respond to infection and survive in their environment.
{"title":"When a mosquito ingests blood, the phagocytic activity of hemocytes increases with warmer environmental temperature and aging","authors":"Jordyn S. Barr, Saksham R. Saksena, Abby Callahan-Muller, Edith Simpson, Julián F. Hillyer","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108459","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108459","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Most female mosquitoes feed on blood to gain the nutrients needed for oogenesis, but the process of blood feeding often exposes mosquitoes to pathogens. Blood feeding and infection both activate the hemocytes that drive cellular immune responses, and the efficacy of immune responses like phagocytosis varies with environmental temperature, aging, and their interaction. Here, we quantified the hemocyte-mediated phagocytosis response in the hemocoel of adult female mosquitoes during the digestion of a blood meal and thereafter, focusing on mosquitoes that had been reared at 27 °C, 30 °C or 32 °C, and were 3, 5 or 10 days old at the time of blood feeding. We discovered that, in blood-fed mosquitoes, phagocytic activity generally increases when the temperature is warmer and when the mosquito is older. Moreover, within the first three days after a blood meal, warmer temperature does not accelerate the senescence of the phagocytosis response. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that ingesting blood changes how warmer temperature, aging, and their interaction alters the phagocytic response of hemocytes, which has implications for how mosquitoes respond to infection and survive in their environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108459"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108498
Ahlam Ahmed Alfazairy , Yasien Mohamed Gamal El-Abed , Hanan Mohamed Ramadan , Hedaya Hamza Karam , Esmat Mohamed Hegazi
Entomopathogenic protozoans are, to a large extent, host specific, and through acute or chronic infections they negatively alter host reproductive fitness, metabolism, immune response, juvenile hormonal balance, and host development. Hence, these entomopathogens are well-suited to reduce populations of stored product insect pests. The first step towards achieving successful suppression, natural or applied, of storage insect pest populations is the detection for these entomopathogenic protozoans in their habitats. Therefore, a preliminary survey of naturally occurring protozoan infections in stored-grain insect pests was carried out across some Governorates in Lower and Upper Egypt. The protozoan-natural mortality rates among the subject insect pests were recorded. Based on morphological characteristics, particularly spore or oocyst morphology, five entomopathogenic protozoans were taxonomically identified, at the genus level (i.e., four apicomplexans, Adelina sp., Farinocystis sp., Mattesia sp., and Gregarina sp., as well as one microsporidian or fungal pathogen, Nosema sp.). Observations on the morpho-pathological, physio-pathological, and behavioural changes induced by protozoan infections in beetles of Cryptolestes turcicus, Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, and moths of Plodia interpunctella were recorded, as well. Among the interesting findings, a behavioural abnormality was induced by Nosema infection in P. interpunctella moths; viz., the complete failure of copulated pairs to be separated after copulation (i.e., frequent occurrence of ca., 66.70–73.70 %). Additionally, an increased abundance, by ca., 2.40-fold, of the total protein content has been quantified in Adelina-infected or Farinocystis-infected T. castaneum beetles compared to the uninfected beetles. The pathological changes observed in this study may provide new insights into the interaction between the subject entomopathogenic protozoans and their insect hosts.
{"title":"Observations on morphological, physiological, and behavioural changes induced by protozoan infections in certain storage insect pests","authors":"Ahlam Ahmed Alfazairy , Yasien Mohamed Gamal El-Abed , Hanan Mohamed Ramadan , Hedaya Hamza Karam , Esmat Mohamed Hegazi","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108498","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108498","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Entomopathogenic protozoans are, to a large extent, host specific, and through acute or chronic infections they negatively alter host reproductive fitness, metabolism, immune response, juvenile hormonal balance, and host development. Hence, these entomopathogens are well-suited to reduce populations of stored product insect pests. The first step towards achieving successful suppression, natural or applied, of storage insect pest populations is the detection for these entomopathogenic protozoans in their habitats. Therefore, a preliminary survey of naturally occurring protozoan infections in stored-grain insect pests was carried out across some Governorates in Lower and Upper Egypt. The protozoan-natural mortality rates among the subject insect pests were recorded. Based on morphological characteristics, particularly spore or oocyst morphology, five entomopathogenic protozoans were taxonomically identified, at the genus level (i.e.<em>,</em> four apicomplexans, <em>Adelina</em> sp., <em>Farinocystis</em> sp., <em>Mattesia</em> sp., and <em>Gregarina</em> sp., as well as one microsporidian or fungal pathogen, <em>Nosema</em> sp.). Observations on the morpho-pathological, physio-pathological, and behavioural changes induced by protozoan infections in beetles of <em>Cryptolestes turcicus, Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum,</em> and moths of <em>Plodia interpunctella</em> were recorded, as well. Among the interesting findings, a behavioural abnormality was induced by <em>Nosema</em> infection in <em>P. interpunctella</em> moths; viz., the complete failure of copulated pairs to be separated after copulation (i.e., frequent occurrence of ca., 66.70–73.70 %). Additionally, an increased abundance, by <em>ca</em>., 2.40-fold, of the total protein content has been quantified in <em>Adelina</em>-infected or <em>Farinocystis</em>-infected <em>T. castaneum</em> beetles compared to the uninfected beetles. The pathological changes observed in this study may provide new insights into the interaction between the subject entomopathogenic protozoans and their insect hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108498"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108471
Francisco Lozano , Romina Guadalupe Manfrino , Andreas Leclerque , Christina Schuster , Federico Rivas-Franco , Alejandra Concepción Gutierrez
Blattella germanica is the most prevalent synanthropic pest and negatively impacts human health, as do the synthetic chemical insecticides used to control them. In contrast, Metarhizium spp. is a well known fungus that can infect insects and other arthropods, causing death to their hosts. When cultivated in liquid medium it produces blastospores. This propagule has the potential to be used as a biological control agent for cockroaches. The aim of this study was to identify eleven native Metarhizium strains from Argentina through molecular taxonomy, evaluate blastospores and biomass production in submerged fermentation, and assess the pathogenicity of the blastospores against adult B. germanica cockroaches. For the molecular identification of the strains, diagnostic PCR amplification was performed using previously developed primers for region markers EF1A, RPB1, RPB2, 5TEF, MzIGS3, and rIGS-ID800. In order to elucidate blastospores production, a conidia suspension was inoculated into Adamek liquid medium. Samples were taken at 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h to quantify blastospore production, and at 96 h blastospores were harvested, dry biomass was weighted and the pH of the liquid medium was assessed. The strains showed blastospores production at 96 h or earlier, except for two strains, and statistically significant maximum blastospores production was reached at 48 h for most strains. A blastospore suspension of 1E + 07 blastospore/mL was applied by spray to B. germanica adults, and mortality was assessed every two days for 20 days after application. Dead cockroaches were placed in a humid chamber and periodically observed for Metarhizium growth. Blastospores significantly reduced the survivorship of B. germanica adults. Species-discriminating diagnostic PCR and phylogenetic reconstruction was successful in assigning ten of the strains to different species within the Metarhizium PARB clade: four strains to Metarhizium brunneum and three strains each to Metarhizium hybridum and Metarhizium robertsii. One strain had previously been shown to belong to the distantly related species Metarhizium argentinense.
This study, therefore, constitutes the first description of M. hybridum from Argentina and provides the first report of direct contact application of fungal blastospores as a pathogenic approach against cockroaches, reducing B. germanica adult survivorship.
{"title":"Argentine Metarhizium spp. isolates: Molecular identification, blastospores production, and its pathogenicity against Blattella germanica adults","authors":"Francisco Lozano , Romina Guadalupe Manfrino , Andreas Leclerque , Christina Schuster , Federico Rivas-Franco , Alejandra Concepción Gutierrez","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108471","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108471","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Blattella germanica</em> is the most prevalent synanthropic pest and negatively impacts human health, as do the synthetic chemical insecticides used to control them. In contrast, <em>Metarhizium</em> spp. is a well known fungus that can infect insects and other arthropods, causing death to their hosts. When cultivated in liquid medium it produces blastospores. This propagule has the potential to be used as a biological control agent for cockroaches. The aim of this study was to identify eleven native <em>Metarhizium</em> strains from Argentina through molecular taxonomy, evaluate blastospores and biomass production in submerged fermentation, and assess the pathogenicity of the blastospores against adult <em>B. germanica</em> cockroaches. For the molecular identification of the strains, diagnostic PCR amplification was performed using previously developed primers for region markers EF1A, RPB1, RPB2, 5TEF, MzIGS3, and rIGS-ID800. In order to elucidate blastospores production, a conidia suspension was inoculated into Adamek liquid medium. Samples were taken at 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h to quantify blastospore production, and at 96 h blastospores were harvested, dry biomass was weighted and the pH of the liquid medium was assessed. The strains showed blastospores production at 96 h or earlier, except for two strains, and statistically significant maximum blastospores production was reached at 48 h for most strains. A blastospore suspension of 1E + 07 blastospore/mL was applied by spray to <em>B. germanica</em> adults, and mortality was assessed every two days for 20 days after application. Dead cockroaches were placed in a humid chamber and periodically observed for <em>Metarhizium</em> growth. Blastospores significantly reduced the survivorship of <em>B. germanica</em> adults. Species-discriminating diagnostic PCR and phylogenetic reconstruction was successful in assigning ten of the strains to different species within the <em>Metarhizium</em> PARB clade: four strains to <em>Metarhizium brunneum</em> and three strains each to <em>Metarhizium hybridum</em> and <em>Metarhizium robertsii</em>. One strain had previously been shown to belong to the distantly related species <em>Metarhizium argentinense</em>.</div><div>This study, therefore, constitutes the first description of <em>M. hybridum</em> from Argentina and provides the first report of direct contact application of fungal blastospores as a pathogenic approach against cockroaches, reducing <em>B. germanica</em> adult survivorship.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108471"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108485
Xiaolin Cai , Chunxiu Pang , Fuchang Zhuo , Bo Hu , Xuehua Huang , Jiaxing Huang , Yuming Lu
Melissococcus plutonius, the agent of European foulbrood (EFB), has been well studied in Apis mellifera but its epidemiology in Apis cerana remains less understood. We surveyed 37 apiaries across Guangxi, China, and detected M. plutonius in 32.4%, 10.8%, and 27.0% of larvae, adult bees, and honey samples, respectively, all originating from asymptomatic colonies. Duplex PCR revealed frequent co-detection of typical and atypical strains. Viable isolates were recovered from 58.3% of PCR-positive larval samples. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) showed six isolates (T1, X16, L20, Q21, Q22, L32) clustering with the atypical reference strain DAT561, and one isolate (P6) clustering with the typical reference strain ATCC 35311. Our findings highlight the high prevalence and strain diversity of M. plutonius in A. cerana in subtropical Guangxi and emphasize the need for region-specific surveillance strategies.
{"title":"High prevalence and strain diversity of Melissococcus plutonius in Apis cerana in Guangxi, China","authors":"Xiaolin Cai , Chunxiu Pang , Fuchang Zhuo , Bo Hu , Xuehua Huang , Jiaxing Huang , Yuming Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108485","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108485","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Melissococcus plutonius</em>, the agent of European foulbrood (EFB), has been well studied in <em>Apis mellifera</em> but its epidemiology in <em>Apis cerana</em> remains less understood. We surveyed 37 apiaries across Guangxi, China, and detected <em>M. plutonius</em> in 32.4%, 10.8%, and 27.0% of larvae, adult bees, and honey samples, respectively, all originating from asymptomatic colonies. Duplex PCR revealed frequent co-detection of typical and atypical strains. Viable isolates were recovered from 58.3% of PCR-positive larval samples. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) showed six isolates (T1, X16, L20, Q21, Q22, L32) clustering with the atypical reference strain DAT561, and one isolate (<em>P</em>6) clustering with the typical reference strain ATCC 35311. Our findings highlight the high prevalence and strain diversity of <em>M. plutonius</em> in <em>A. cerana</em> in subtropical Guangxi and emphasize the need for region-specific surveillance strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108485"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145421952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-09-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108452
Suresh R. Jambagi , M. Mohan , T. Venkatesan , K. Muralimohan , D.N. Kambrekar , C.P. Mallapur , Neenu Augustine
The lack of compliance with refugia planting by growers of transgenic cotton expressing toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a major factor contributing to the development of resistance to Bt toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab and outbreak of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella in several cotton growing regions of India. The present study estimated the resistant alleles frequency in South Indian populations of P. gossypiella against Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab toxins produced by Bt Bollgard II® cotton. Among the 33 established isofemale families, 19 laid fertile eggs and reached the F1 generation, of which 10 survived the F2 screen. Further, individuals from four isofemale families survived the reconfirmation test at the F3 generation, which was conducted to eliminate false-positive lines for the resistance. These four families are the true positives for carrying Cry toxin resistance alleles. The frequency of Cry toxin resistance alleles was estimated at 0.059, indicating a relatively high prevalence of individuals carrying resistant alleles for both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab toxins. The present study affirms the existence of a high frequency of resistance alleles in individuals of P. gossypiella populations collected from South India. The outbreak-like situation of P. gossypiella in cotton fields underscores the urgent need for developing and implementing alternative technologies within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework. The present estimates provide valuable baseline data for monitoring resistance alleles frequency in pink bollworm populations.
{"title":"High levels of Bt cry toxin resistant allele frequency in South Indian populations of cotton pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders (Gelechiidae: Lepidoptera)","authors":"Suresh R. Jambagi , M. Mohan , T. Venkatesan , K. Muralimohan , D.N. Kambrekar , C.P. Mallapur , Neenu Augustine","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108452","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108452","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lack of compliance with refugia planting by growers of transgenic cotton expressing toxins from <em>Bacillus thuringiensis</em> (<em>Bt</em>) is a major factor contributing to the development of resistance to <em>Bt</em> toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab and outbreak of pink bollworm, <em>Pectinophora gossypiella</em> in several cotton growing regions of India. The present study estimated the resistant alleles frequency in South Indian populations of <em>P. gossypiella</em> against Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab toxins produced by <em>Bt</em> Bollgard II® cotton. Among the 33 established isofemale families, 19 laid fertile eggs and reached the F<sub>1</sub> generation, of which 10 survived the F<sub>2</sub> screen. Further, individuals from four isofemale families survived the reconfirmation test at the F<sub>3</sub> generation, which was conducted to eliminate false-positive lines for the resistance. These four families are the true positives for carrying Cry toxin resistance alleles. The frequency of Cry toxin resistance alleles was estimated at 0.059, indicating a relatively high prevalence of individuals carrying resistant alleles for both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab toxins. The present study affirms the existence of a high frequency of resistance alleles in individuals of <em>P. gossypiella</em> populations collected from South India. The outbreak-like situation of <em>P. gossypiella</em> in cotton fields underscores the urgent need for developing and implementing alternative technologies within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework. The present estimates provide valuable baseline data for monitoring resistance alleles frequency in pink bollworm populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108452"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145033614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2025.108499
Man-Hong Ye , Qian-Nan Han , Chuang Meng , Feng Ji , Bin Zhou
Translucent post-larvae disease (TPD) is a lethal syndrome causing high mortality in post-larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei. This study investigated the protective efficacy of gallic acid (GA), a non-antibiotic compound, against TPD induced by a field isolate Vibrio parahaemolyticus TS-GE (V. para. TS-GE). Immersion challenge assays confirmed the high virulence of V. para. TS-GE, as it caused 100 % mortality in post-larvae within 24 h at 2.82 × 107 CFU/mL. Whole-genome sequencing revealed its genome comprised two chromosomes (3.50 Mb and 1.92 Mb) and three plasmids (69.7 kb, 60.7 kb, 60.5 kb). The 69.7-kb plasmid harbored TPD-associated virulence genes vhvp1 and vhvp2, while chromosomal genes encoded 40 type III secretion system components and thermolabile hemolysin. Pangenome analysis revealed the open genome nature of V. parahaemolyticus strains. Multi-locus sequence typing identified V. para. TS-GE as ST2621. In vitro, GA exhibited growth-inhibitory activity against V. para. TS-GE. In vivo, 200 μg/mL GA significantly reduced cumulative mortality (P < 0.01) from 100 % to 18.3 %, preserving hepatopancreatic epithelium and midgut structure in V. para. TS-GE infected post-larvae. Mechanistic investigations revealed GA disrupted bacterial cell wall/membrane integrity, inhibited swimming motility, and suppressed biofilm formation. Molecular docking simulations predicted favorable binding of GA to virulence proteins VHVP1 (−6.3 kcal/mol) and VHVP2 (−7.8 kcal/mol), suggesting dual antibacterial and anti-virulence activities. These findings highlight GA as a promising antibiotic alternative for TPD control. Genomic data provide insights into the pathogenic adaptation of V. para. TS-GE in aquaculture.
{"title":"Protective effects of gallic acid against Vibrio parahaemolyticus-induced translucent post-larvae disease in Litopenaeus vannamei: insights into antibacterial and anti-virulence mechanisms","authors":"Man-Hong Ye , Qian-Nan Han , Chuang Meng , Feng Ji , Bin Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108499","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Translucent post-larvae disease (TPD) is a lethal syndrome causing high mortality in post-larvae of <em>Litopenaeus vannamei</em>. This study investigated the protective efficacy of gallic acid (GA), a non-antibiotic compound, against TPD induced by a field isolate <em>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</em> TS-GE (<em>V</em>. <em>para</em>. TS-GE). Immersion challenge assays confirmed the high virulence of <em>V</em>. <em>para</em>. TS-GE, as it caused 100 % mortality in post-larvae within 24 h at 2.82 × 10<sup>7</sup> CFU/mL. Whole-genome sequencing revealed its genome comprised two chromosomes (3.50 Mb and 1.92 Mb) and three plasmids (69.7 kb, 60.7 kb, 60.5 kb). The 69.7-kb plasmid harbored TPD-associated virulence genes vhvp1 and vhvp2, while chromosomal genes encoded 40 type III secretion system components and thermolabile hemolysin. Pangenome analysis revealed the open genome nature of <em>V</em>. <em>parahaemolyticus</em> strains. Multi-locus sequence typing identified <em>V</em>. <em>para</em>. TS-GE as ST2621. <em>In vitro</em>, GA exhibited growth-inhibitory activity against <em>V</em>. <em>para</em>. TS-GE. <em>In vivo</em>, 200 μg/mL GA significantly reduced cumulative mortality (<em>P</em> < 0.01) from 100 % to 18.3 %, preserving hepatopancreatic epithelium and midgut structure in <em>V</em>. <em>para</em>. TS-GE infected post-larvae. Mechanistic investigations revealed GA disrupted bacterial cell wall/membrane integrity, inhibited swimming motility, and suppressed biofilm formation. Molecular docking simulations predicted favorable binding of GA to virulence proteins VHVP1 (−6.3 kcal/mol) and VHVP2 (−7.8 kcal/mol), suggesting dual antibacterial and anti-virulence activities. These findings highlight GA as a promising antibiotic alternative for TPD control. Genomic data provide insights into the pathogenic adaptation of <em>V</em>. <em>para</em>. TS-GE in aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108499"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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