Journal of Parasitic Diseases最新文献

A mixed group of tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) and different colored glo widow tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) were procured from Galiff street market of Kolkata, India and stocked in a glass aquarium with 250L water capacity for ornamental fish decorative purpose. After a few days of stocking, fishes were (mean weight of 1.8 ± 0.5 g and mean length 5.0 ± 0.3 cm) found severely infected with white spot disease. Initially, the manifestation was clearly observed in Tiger barb followed by widow tetra with clinical signs of white spot, loss of fin, complete loss of gill filaments, and anorexia. The causative agent was identified as protozoan ciliate parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, by wet mount preparation. The histopathological observation of infected fish skin tissue depicts that epidermis were severely damaged and presence of trophozoite parasite in dermis near the blood vessels. Molecular characterization of the parasitic pathogen was carried out by partial18s rDNA sequencing and the obtained sequences were showing 100% similarity with previously reported Indian I. multifiliis sequence.

Increased resistance of malaria parasite to first line antimalarial drugs has led to the search for alternatives in the management of malaria. This study evaluated the anti-plasmodial and immunomodulatory effect of dichloromethane plant extract of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium berghei infected mice were separated into five treatment groups (200 mg/Kg, 400 mg/Kg, and 600 mg/Kg) with a negative control (given distilled water only) and a positive control (treated with Piperaquine-Dihydro-artemisinin), a standard drug. The plant extracts and the standard drugs were administered orally. Parasitological examinations and survival rates of the animals were monitored for 30 days, post infection. Phytochemical screening of the plant extract was performed using the standard method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to ascertain the immunomodulatory potential of the plant extract. Leaf extract of S. jamaicensis revealed the presence of alkaloids only. The extract showed significant (P < 0.05) antiplasmodial effect on Day 11 post-infection and at 200 mg/kg dose mediated parasite clearance and improved survival throughout the study. The intense and sustained TGF-β level stimulated by S. jamaicensis at 200 mg/kg dose may have translated into the prolonged survival observed in the mice. S. jamaicensis modulated both pro and anti-inflammatory responses in early and late infections, thus preventing pathological outcomes associated with excessive expression of the pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β) cytokines. S. jamaicensis may therefore be explored as alternatives for development of novel antimalarial and immunomodulatory candidates.

Human onchocerciasis has devastating pathological effects and the control relies on community directed treatment with ivermectin. However, ivermectin is only microfilaricidal and threatened by potential resistance in the parasite among other limitations. Allanblackia floribunda and Symphonia globulifera, with reported antiparasitic activity, were tested for anti-onchocerca activity and toxicity. The activity of methanol extracts of the stem barks were determined on Onchocerca ochengi adult male worms and microfilariae by motility reduction and adult female worms using MTT/Formazan assay. Cytotoxicity of extracts was assessed on monkey kidney epithelial cells, LLCMK2. Acute toxicity was investigated in mice and biochemical changes in the liver and kidney were assessed. High and moderate activities were recorded for S. globulifera and A. floribunda extracts with IC₅₀ values of 4.37 and 37.4 µg/mL respectively. Both extracts were not cytotoxic (CC₅₀ > 130 µg/mL), and no significant changes (p > 0.05), were recorded for the liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and the kidney function parameters (creatinine and urea). This study has revealed that S. globulifera and A. floribunda possess high and moderate anti-onchocerca activities respectively with a low risk of toxicity, hence could be exploited in traditional medicine as an alternative treatment for onchocerciasis. Both plants are potential sources of efficacious anti-onchocerca natural products which should be isolated and also studied.

The study aimed to identify phlebotomine species associated with American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) transmission in Ulianópolis, Brazil, examining their relationship with deforested areas. Using CDC light traps, 1,676 phlebotomine were collected, with a composition of 43% males and 57% females, identifying thirteen species, with Evandromyia evandroi and Nyssomyia whitmani as the most prevalent. Despite the limited clinical relevance of Ev. evandroi, its substantial prevalence raised concerns regarding potential transmission of Leishmania spp. The abundance of Ny. whitmani was attributed to favourable climatic conditions in Ulianópolis. Phlebotomine distribution varied across collection points and environments, with Point C exhibiting the highest species diversity. Notably, species including the Bi. flaviscutellata, Ps. complexus, and Ps. davisi were predominantly found in forested areas, necessitating further investigation into their role in ACL transmission dynamics. The absence of Leishmania spp. DNA and mammalian blood meals in phlebotomine suggested potential factors affecting parasite survival, including gut enzymes and interactions within the microbiota. This study associated the heightened incidence of ACL in Ulianópolis to extensive deforestation, which has resulted in phlebotomine migration to residential areas a consequence of habitat degradation. This environmental degradation, associated with agribusiness expansion and housing development, underscores the urgency for continuous monitoring and expanded research on phlebotomine behaviour, infection mechanisms, and conservation efforts to mitigate ACL incidence in the region.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-025-01779-2.

Toxocara spp. infection can cause systemic and ocular disease in infants and pregnant women. In this study, the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxocara spp. infection were investigated in pregnant women from Jahrom county, Fars province, southern Iran. A total of 220 serum samples from pregnant women were assessed for the presence of Toxocara spp. IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The associated risk factors were obtained using questionnaires. The seroprevalence was 16.36% (36/220) among pregnant women. As such, a statistically significant association was found between age (39 ≤ years old with P-value: 0.009), consuming raw vegetables (P-value: 0.001), and eating raw or undercooked meat (P-value: 0.04). We recommend an appropriate health education program for pregnant women and serological screening for toxocariasis before pregnancy. Moreover, we believed a need for more epidemiological studies for better understand the status of Toxocara spp. in pregnant women.

Hydatid cyst is a disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus parasite and a common zoonotic infection between humans and animals, with increasing prevalence in Iran. Few studies have been conducted in Iran about its clinical epidemiology. This study by Latent class analysis (LCA), examined the patterns of patients based on clinical symptoms and signs, organs involved, and diagnosis approaches and the chi-square test was used to examine the relationship of these patterns with some epidemiologic variables. In this case series study of surveillance system of hydatid cyst of Mazandaran province in north Iran, all patients who were confirmed to have hydatid cysts between 2012 and 2022 (118 patients) were evaluated Liver, lung and belly were the most involved organs and belly pain, liver enlargement and chest pain were also the most common symptoms of the disease. Based on clinical signs and symptoms, patients were classified into two classes: " non-specific symptoms& sings with 49.2%" and " specific symptoms & sings with 50.8%". Based on the involved organs, the patients were classified into 3 classes: "specific lung with 17.8%", "non-specific organs with 13.6%" and "specific liver with 68.6%". Based on diagnosis approaches, patients were classified into 3 classes, including "specifically CT-scan with 32.2%", " specifically MRI with 33.9%" and "specifically X-ray with 33.9%". More "specific symptoms & sings pattern" were seen in the "specifically liver class" (almost 60% of cases) and "non-specific organs class" (75% of cases). This study provides valuable insights into the clinical epidemiology of hydatid cyst.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria presents a substantial threat as an infectious disease causing the most severe neurological complication- Cerebral malaria (CM). CM is responsible for approximately 400,000 annual fatalities among African children, constituting over 90% of the total deaths attributed to malaria. Remarkably, the mortality rate for children succumbing to severe malaria complicated by CM has remained relatively stable over the past decade, ranging between 0.15 and 0.25. The pathogenesis of CM is poorly understood, innumerable theories have explained the pathophysiological mechanisms but hitherto there are no firm conclusions about it. Insufficient access to human samples poses a significant obstacle to advancing research in Cerebral Malaria (CM). However, various post-mortem histopathological studies of human tissues and mice models of CM have revealed the parasite's adherence within the cerebral microvasculature. This adherence is thought to be crucial in the development of the condition, contributing to subsequent pathological alterations in the surrounding tissue and ultimately leading to neural dysfunction. It also leads to the breakdown of the Blood-Brain Barrier leading to haemorrhages. This clinical syndrome is primarily characterized by a significant impairment in consciousness or a state of coma. Patients who survive often experience prolonged neurological complications, such as hemiplegia, partial paralysis, seizure disorders, ataxia, changes in behaviour, and cognitive deficits. To date, several adjunctive treatment approaches have yielded limited success, and numerous attempts to develop effective neuroprotective adjunctive therapies have failed, emphasizing the pressing need for advancements in this area.

This study aimed to enhance morphological identification of Eimeria species in cattle of Kashmir through comprehensive analysis of oocyst morphology, body shape index, micropyle presence, dimensions, and sporulation time and prepare a taxonomic key for the identification of Eimeria in cattle. A total of 1198 faecal samples were collected by per rectal method with 589 (49.2%) testing positive for Eimeria species. Subsequently, 845 Eimeria oocysts from various samples were analyzed for shape assessment and measurement of dimensions using micrometry. Nine Eimeria species were identified based on morphological characteristics, including E. zuernii, E. bovis, E. alabamensis, E. auburnensis, E. canadensis, E. subspherica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. cylindrica, and E. brasiliensis. Additionally, an unidentified Eimeria species exhibiting morphological similarities to E. alabamensis and E. bovis was discovered, distinguished by a distinct and conspicuous micropyle absent in either species. Emphasis was placed on identifying recurring characteristics within certain oocysts, and a key was formulated to enhance oocyst identification. Our findings contribute to the understanding of Eimeria species diversity in cattle populations, underscoring the importance of comprehensive morphometric analysis for accurate species identification and epidemiological surveillance. Further research is warranted to elucidate the genetic diversity and pathogenicity of identified species, as well as to refine identification methods and develop effective disease management strategies.

This study aimed to evaluate the hematological parameters of mullet (Mugil liza) naturally parasitized by Neobenedenia melleni after cohabitation with the barber neon goby (Elacatinus figaro) as a biological control (cleaner fish) of ectoparasites. A total of 108 mullets were distributed in 500 L tanks, with six mullets per tank, in triplicate, divided into six groups: naïve (without neon and non-parasitized), mullets parasitized with N. melleni in cohabitation with one, two, three, and six neons, and the control (without neon and parasitized). Continuous aeration in a static system and a 12-h photoperiod for a period of 25 d was used. For hematological analyses, blood samples were collected from six fish per experimental unit. Blood was used to determine the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total thrombocyte and white blood cell counts, as well as the differential leukocyte count. Erythrocyte and lymphocyte counts were higher in the only parasitized group without cleaner fish (control) compared to the groups that had 1, 2, 3 and 6 neon and parasitized with N. melleni and the naïve group. In addition, the mullet circulating monocytes increased in the control groups and in the animals that were cohabiting with 6 neons compared to the naïve. The MCHC was reduced in the control group compared to naïve. Fish from treatments with 1, 2, and 3 neons showed similar hemogram values among themselves and to the naïve group, indicating lower stress in aquaculture systems with E. figaro acting as a biological control.

Cryptosporidium spp. infect the microvillus epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrates. It leads to diarrheal disease named as cryptosporidiosis which is considered as the fifth leading cause of diarrhea in children younger than 5 years. The treatment is also limited, as there is only single FDA approved drug (i.e., Nitazoxanide) which has varying efficacy in immune-compromised individuals (HIV infections) and children. The increasing utilization of traditional plants extracts in treating these spp. of infectious protozoan parasite indicated their potentials as alternative remedies for dealing with these detrimental pathogens.