Parasitology Research最新文献

Theileria and Babesia are emerging threats to wildlife health but remain underreported in captive large herbivores. This study aimed to investigate the presence and genetic identity of Theileria and Babesia in large captive herbivores in Thailand using PCR targeting the 18 S rRNA gene. Blood samples were collected from 31 individuals representing five herbivore species: Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus), white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum), pygmy hippopotamuses (Choeropsis liberiensis), bantengs (Bos javanicus), and gaurs (Bos gaurus) across five zoological parks in central Thailand. A total of 16 positive samples were identified, including one coinfection, resulting in an overall infection rate of 51.6% (16/31; 95% CI: 33.1-69.9). Theileria equi-like was detected in 37.5% (3/8; 95% CI: 8.5-75.5) of Malayan tapirs. Theileria bicornis was detected in 75% (9/12; 95% CI: 42.8-94.5) of white rhinoceroses. In gaur, the infection rate was 33.3% (4/12; 95% CI: 9.9-65.1), comprising one Babesia ovata infection, two Theileria orientalis, and one coinfection. This study provided the first molecular confirmation of Babesia ovata infection in gaurs. No infections were detected in pygmy hippopotamuses or bantengs. These results provide novel baseline data on tick-borne pathogens in captive environments, highlighting potential risks to susceptible wildlife, both non-domestic and domestic species, and underscoring implications for conservation. Our findings emphasize the need for continued surveillance, integrated vector management, and targeted control strategies in zoological settings to mitigate pathogen transmission and protect animal health.

Humans mites Demodex folliculorum are found in the hair follicles and in pilosebaceous units, while D. brevis favours areas with high levels of sebaceous glands. Demodex mites present in excessive numbers can lead to demodicosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of Demodex mites infestation in patients and determine the effectiveness of selected aesthetic procedures in alleviating the consequences of chronic inflammation caused by the infestation. The study group consisted of 100 patients (81 women, 19 men), and Demodex infestation was noted in 44%. The patients infested with Demodex required anti-parasite therapy and post treatment observation. The most frequently-performed aesthetic treatments that improved skin condition and improved appearance were medical peelings, mesotherapy and botulinum toxin. In cases where Demodex spp. infestation has impaired the condition of the skin, supplementing antiparasitic treatments with Aesthetic Medicine can help achieve skin recovery, long-lasting aesthetic benefits and improve patient satisfaction.

Cardiopulmonary nematodes (CPN) are among the most pathogenic helminths, with wild carnivores serving as hosts for a variety of species. Knowledge of their presence in the Iberian Peninsula is limited, and for certain hosts, such as the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), no data are currently available. Lung and heart samples from 112 road-killed individuals belonging to 10 different species, primarily wildcats (n = 33), collected in Navarra (northern Spain) were collected. Morphological identification of nematodes was done and confirmed, when possible, by sequencing fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) genes. Fifteen wildcats (45%) were found to be parasitized, with the following species identified: Troglostrongylus brevior (30%), Angiostrongylus chabaudi (15%), and Oslerus rostratus (3%). Other CPN-positive hosts included the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) (3/15), with Angiostrongylus daskalovi and Crenosoma melesi; the pine marten (Martes martes) (3/13) and the stone marten (Martes foina) (5/11), both parasitized by Eucoleus aerophilus and Crenosoma petrowi; and the European polecat (Mustela putorius) (4/8), with Crenosoma melesi. This study reports the first identification of A. chabaudi in the Iberian Peninsula and confirms previous, though rare, records of other CPN species. Additionally, several novel genetic sequences are provided for poorly characterized taxa. Conducting parasitological surveys in free-roaming domestic cats in areas where wildcats are present, to assess the potential for cross-species transmission of these parasites, is highly recommended.

Xenopus frogs (Pipidae) are aquatic anurans widely distributed across Africa, where they play important ecological, biomedical, and cultural roles. However, populations are increasingly threatened by a range of stressors, including habitat degradation, climate change, and parasitic infections. This study investigated spatio-temporal infection and diversity indices of gastrointestinal helminths in Xenopus borealis and X. victorianus from the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya. A total of 480 individuals (240 per species) were collected between June 2024 and January 2025 from selected streams and ponds using baited traps and seine nets. Spatio-temporal variations in environmental conditions were recorded using a YSI multiparameter meter. Standard parasitological techniques were employed for the recovery, fixation, and identification of parasites. Three helminth genera were recorded: the intestinal cestode Cephalochlamys sp., and two nematodes, Contracaecum sp. (intestinal) and Paracamallanus sp. (stomach). Prevalence ranged from 23% to 90%, and mean intensity from 1.0 to 8.3, depending on parasite taxon and host species. Nematodes were the most prevalent and diverse group across all localities. Diversity metrics, including Shannon-Wiener, Margalef richness, Berger-Parker dominance, and Simpson's index, showed variation between hosts and sampling sites. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant spatial differences in infection indices (p > 0.05), but temporal differences were significant (p < 0.05) for Contracaecum infections in X. borealis and Paracamallanus in X. victorianus. These findings provide the first baseline data on helminth fauna from Xenopus species in Kenya and support the need for molecular analyses to clarify taxonomy and better understand host-parasite-environment interactions.

The study aimed to investigate the infestation of commercial fish species in the Shardara Dam with Dibothriocephalus spp. plerocercoids, the localization of plerocercoids within fish bodies, and the effect of freezing treatment on plerocercoid mobility. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2024 in the area of the Shardara Dam, located on the Syr Darya River in the Turkistan Region, Kazakhstan. A total of 993 fish specimens were examined for the presence of Dibothriocephalus spp. plerocercoids. The fish belonged to four species: common perch (Perca fluviatilis L.), wels catfish (Silurus glanis L.), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.), and northern pike (Esox lucius L.). An experiment on fish decontamination was performed using freezing temperatures of - 8 °C, - 10 °C, - 12 °C, and - 14 °C. Fish specimens weighing up to 2.5 kg were used. The condition of the plerocercoids was assessed after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. In this study, the northern pike demonstrated the highest infestation rates. The extensity of infestation in the northern pike, the extensity ranged from 45% to 57.1%, with an average of 50.4%, depending on the year and sampling location. A high intensity of Dibothriocephalus spp. plerocercoid invasion was observed in the muscle tissue and edible internal organs. Freezing fish at - 12 °C for at least 96 h or at - 14 °C for at least 48 h effectively inactivates Dibothriocephalus spp. larvae. The study identified a persistent focus of dibothriocephalosis in the area of the Shardara Dam. In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, fish caught in the reservoir must undergo mandatory decontamination.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a global distribution that can infect a wide range of warm-blooded hosts. This study investigated, for the first time, the seroprevalence and genetic variability of T. gondii in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Victoria, Australia. Animals from both regional Victoria and the metropolitan Melbourne area were sourced from trappers and shooters involved in pest control. Sera were screened for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using a modified agglutination test, and tissue samples were tested using a qPCR assay targeting the 529 bp repeated element. qPCR positive samples were genotyped using a five-marker (L358, 5'SAG2, 3'SAG2, c22-8, GRA6) polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocol. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 38.9% (30/77) of foxes, and parasite DNA was identified in 23.4% (18/77) of animals. Genotyping revealed a predominance of T. gondii clonal Type II whereas two isolates showed new alleles attributable to Type II-like genotypes. These findings suggest that Australian red foxes are frequently exposed to T. gondii and may play an important role as epidemiological sentinels to assess the circulation of T. gondii in the Australian environment, with implications for both wildlife conservation and public health.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a significant public health challenge in endemic regions, particularly where access to safe and patient-friendly treatments is limited. Amphotericin B (AmB), although highly active against Leishmania, is restricted by systemic toxicity and the need for parenteral administration. In this study, AmB-loaded bioactive nanofibrous patches were fabricated using a dual-nozzle electrospinning method incorporating chitosan, gelatin, and polyvinyl alcohol. The resulting nanofibers were structurally characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Drug loading was uniform, and in vitro release demonstrated a sustained profile with approximately 82% cumulative release at 72 h. Cytocompatibility was confirmed in human dermal fibroblasts and THP-1 cells. The therapeutic performance was further assessed in BALB/c mice using short- and long-term treatment protocols. AmB-loaded patches produced a significant reduction in lesion size compared with untreated and placebo groups, and the treatment outcome was comparable to Glucantime^® (Day 21) and SinaAmpholeish^® (Day 63). No local irritation or observable systemic toxicity was noted. Overall, these findings indicate that nanofiber-mediated topical delivery of AmB provides a promising localized treatment approach for CL and warrants further investigation in translational and clinical studies.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a pressing global health issue, particularly in low-resource settings where inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, and limited healthcare access contribute to persistent transmission. In rural Egypt, IPIs are endemic and impose substantial health and economic burdens. This study aimed to assess medication adherence patterns among patients diagnosed with IPIs, identify barriers to adherence, and evaluate associated treatment outcomes in some rural health units in northern Egypt. A cross-sectional and follow-up study was conducted among 450 patients with laboratory-confirmed IPIs across seven rural health units. Data were collected through medical record reviews, structured questionnaires, and the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale. Adherence barriers and treatment outcomes were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants had a wide age range (mean age 20.7 ± 17.4 years), with 86% residing in rural areas. Adherence levels were varied: 41.6% high, 18.4% moderate, and 40% low. Key barriers included side effects, forgetfulness, and disrupted routines. Clinical improvement is observed in 82% of patients during the first follow-up and in all patients who completed the third follow-up visit. However, high attrition during follow-up limited confirmation of long-term outcomes, with only 19.8% completing all visits. Notably, patients with higher adherence scores paradoxically showed lower improvement rates (p = 0.048), suggesting complex adherence-outcome dynamics that might be confounded by reinfection or measurement limitations. While antiparasitic treatments were generally effective, adherence varied widely and was influenced by socioeconomic and behavioral factors. In conclusion, reinfection and follow-up attrition remain major challenges. Public health interventions must prioritize patient education, improved follow-up systems, and targeted strategies to enhance adherence and reduce reinfection in high-risk communities.

This review paper outlines the history of giardiasis caused by Giardia duodenalis. Discovered in 1681, G. duodenalis is probably the first protozoan parasite ever observed by a human. Despite the early discovery, the taxonomic status of the protozoan remained uncertain for a long time. The reason for this is that G. duodenalis is a species complex comprising several phylogenetically distinct genotypes termed assemblages. Initially, it was thought that G. duodenalis is a primitive eukaryote because it lacks many subcellular organelles. However, recent research has shown that the protozoan has diverged from higher eukaryotes and that the lack of subcellular organelles is due to secondary loss and reduction. Based on paleoparasitological findings, G. duodenalis has parasitised humans since antiquity and has probably been spread globally by human migratory activity. Interestingly, it was not until 1987 that the pathogenicity of G. duodenalis was demonstrated for humans. Giardiasis is still a public health problem in the 21st century, particularly in young children living in areas with low hygiene standards.