Pub Date : 2025-07-26DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103134
Philip Louise M. Salvo , Patricia A. Torriana , Amina C. Kunting , Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla , Lydia R. Leonardo , Kharleezelle Moendeg-Mamades , Aleyla E. de Cadiz , Raffy Jay C. Fornillos , Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco , Ian Kim B. Tabios
The family Heterophyidae includes endoparasitic minute intestinal flukes that are primarily transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked fish, causing heterophyidiasis. Several heterophyid species have been reported to infect humans in the Philippines. Heterophyidiasis is diagnosed by detection of parasite ova in stool samples through Kato-Katz stool microscopy, but species identification is challenging due to the morphologically similar eggs of different heterophyid species and other minute intestinal flukes such as Clonorchis and Opisthorchis. This study addresses the need for accurate species identification by employing molecular techniques, specifically nested PCR and DNA sequencing of the 5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region, to identify heterophyid eggs in human stool samples in the Philippines. This study detected 10 human stool samples infected with Haplorchis taichui from Leyte and Davao del Norte, with all ten sequences clustering with H. taichui sequences from Vietnam. One sample contained Opisthorchis viverrini, an opisthorchiid that is nested inside Heterophyidae. The study also identified two novel genotypes of Haplorchis sp. These results contribute to our knowledge of the diversity of medically important trematodes in the Philippines and emphasize the usefulness of molecular techniques for the accurate identification of heterophyid parasite eggs.
{"title":"Molecular identification of heterophyids in human stool samples from the Philippines","authors":"Philip Louise M. Salvo , Patricia A. Torriana , Amina C. Kunting , Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla , Lydia R. Leonardo , Kharleezelle Moendeg-Mamades , Aleyla E. de Cadiz , Raffy Jay C. Fornillos , Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco , Ian Kim B. Tabios","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The family Heterophyidae includes endoparasitic minute intestinal flukes that are primarily transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked fish, causing heterophyidiasis. Several heterophyid species have been reported to infect humans in the Philippines. Heterophyidiasis is diagnosed by detection of parasite ova in stool samples through Kato-Katz stool microscopy, but species identification is challenging due to the morphologically similar eggs of different heterophyid species and other minute intestinal flukes such as <em>Clonorchis</em> and <em>Opisthorchis</em>. This study addresses the need for accurate species identification by employing molecular techniques, specifically nested PCR and DNA sequencing of the 5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region, to identify heterophyid eggs in human stool samples in the Philippines. This study detected 10 human stool samples infected with <em>Haplorchis taichui</em> from Leyte and Davao del Norte, with all ten sequences clustering with <em>H. taichui</em> sequences from Vietnam. One sample contained <em>Opisthorchis viverrini</em>, an opisthorchiid that is nested inside Heterophyidae. The study also identified two novel genotypes of <em>Haplorchis</em> sp. These results contribute to our knowledge of the diversity of medically important trematodes in the Philippines and emphasize the usefulness of molecular techniques for the accurate identification of heterophyid parasite eggs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 103134"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144723623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic intestinal protozoan that infects humans and a wide range of animals. It is a leading cause of diarrhea worldwide. However, data on the epidemiology of giardiasis in humans and animals in Africa are limited. The present study aimed to genotype G. duodenalis in children from Algiers, Algeria. A total of 447 fecal samples submitted to a medical laboratory were examined for G. duodenalis by microscopy. Of the samples tested, 67 were positive. We performed molecular characterization to determine the G. duodenalis assemblages among the positive samples by analyzing sequences of the triose phosphate isomerase (TPI), beta-giardin (BG), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) genes. PCR analysis of at least one gene revealed that a total of 66 samples were positive. Phylogenetic sequence analysis of the TPI locus identified assemblage A in 36 samples and assemblage B in 15 samples. All assemblage A sequences were determined to be subtype A2. For the BG locus, assemblages A and B were identified in 12 and 13 samples, respectively. For the GDH locus, 36 and 12 samples were identified as assemblages A and B, respectively. Five samples showed mixed infection based on the results of the three analyzed loci. Assemblage A was significantly pore prevalent in children who had diarrhea, attended schools or kindergartens, and drank tap water. This study provides valuable data on the molecular epidemiology of G. duodenalis in Algerian children. Further genotyping- and subtyping-based investigations are needed to better understand transmission dynamics and develop public health measures to control this important parasite.
{"title":"Distribution of Giardia duodenalis genotypes in diarrheic children from Algiers, Algeria","authors":"Djamel Baroudi , AbdElkarim Laatamna , Salem Belkessa , Ahcene Hakem , Houria Zait , Karim-Tarik Adjou , Ratiba Baazizi , Yaoyu Feng , Djamel Khelef , Lihua Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Giardia duodenalis</em> is a zoonotic intestinal protozoan that infects humans and a wide range of animals. It is a leading cause of diarrhea worldwide. However, data on the epidemiology of giardiasis in humans and animals in Africa are limited. The present study aimed to genotype <em>G. duodenalis</em> in children from Algiers, Algeria. A total of 447 fecal samples submitted to a medical laboratory were examined for <em>G. duodenalis</em> by microscopy. Of the samples tested, 67 were positive. We performed molecular characterization to determine the <em>G. duodenalis</em> assemblages among the positive samples by analyzing sequences of the triose phosphate isomerase (<em>TPI</em>), beta-giardin (<em>BG</em>), and glutamate dehydrogenase (<em>GDH</em>) genes. PCR analysis of at least one gene revealed that a total of 66 samples were positive. Phylogenetic sequence analysis of the <em>TPI</em> locus identified assemblage A in 36 samples and assemblage B in 15 samples. All assemblage A sequences were determined to be subtype A2. For the <em>BG</em> locus, assemblages A and B were identified in 12 and 13 samples, respectively. For the <em>GDH</em> locus, 36 and 12 samples were identified as assemblages A and B, respectively. Five samples showed mixed infection based on the results of the three analyzed loci. Assemblage A was significantly pore prevalent in children who had diarrhea, attended schools or kindergartens, and drank tap water. This study provides valuable data on the molecular epidemiology of <em>G. duodenalis</em> in Algerian children. Further genotyping- and subtyping-based investigations are needed to better understand transmission dynamics and develop public health measures to control this important parasite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 103132"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144712943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-20DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103129
Masahito Hidaka , Hiroyuki Matsuyama
Ixodes pavlovskyi inhabits cool temperate zones, especially in Russia, north-eastern China and northern Japan. This tick species is thought to transmit various pathogens such as Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Hence, understanding the geographical distribution of I. pavlovskyi is important for estimating risk of tick-borne diseases. Among ticks collected using the flagging method in Osaka Prefecture, south-western Japan, we found a single I. pavlovskyi male that was identified based on its morphological features and the mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequence. To the best of our knowledge, the finding of I. pavlovskyi in Osaka Prefecture, highly humid subtropical western Japan, is the southernmost record of this species. Although ticks are dispersed towards the north by birds or mammals in the northern hemisphere, our findings suggest that they can also be transferred from north to south. Therefore, pathogens of tick-borne diseases that are endemic can be transferred from regions of high to low latitudes. This is an important discovery for understanding the biogeography of I. pavlovskyi and the risk of tick-borne diseases transmitted by I. pavlovskyi.
{"title":"New record of Ixodes pavlovskyi (Acari: Ixodidae) from the Osaka Prefecture, western Japan: An update on the southernmost distribution record","authors":"Masahito Hidaka , Hiroyuki Matsuyama","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ixodes pavlovskyi</em> inhabits cool temperate zones, especially in Russia, north-eastern China and northern Japan. This tick species is thought to transmit various pathogens such as <em>Borrelia</em> spp., <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Hence, understanding the geographical distribution of <em>I. pavlovskyi</em> is important for estimating risk of tick-borne diseases. Among ticks collected using the flagging method in Osaka Prefecture, south-western Japan, we found a single <em>I. pavlovskyi</em> male that was identified based on its morphological features and the mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequence<em>.</em> To the best of our knowledge, the finding of <em>I. pavlovskyi</em> in Osaka Prefecture, highly humid subtropical western Japan, is the southernmost record of this species. Although ticks are dispersed towards the north by birds or mammals in the northern hemisphere, our findings suggest that they can also be transferred from north to south. Therefore, pathogens of tick-borne diseases that are endemic can be transferred from regions of high to low latitudes. This is an important discovery for understanding the biogeography of <em>I. pavlovskyi</em> and the risk of tick-borne diseases transmitted by <em>I. pavlovskyi</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 103129"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-19DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103128
Geusivam B. Soares , Edson A. Adriano , José L. Luque , Juan A. Balbuena , Marcus V. Domingues , Antônio A.M. Maia
The Cosmetocleithrum represents the most diverse group of monogenoids parasitizing Neotropical doradid catfishes. In this study, based on morphological and molecular data, we describe two new species, Cosmetocleithrum guamaensis n. sp. and Cosmetocleithrum taeniophallum n. sp., and assess their phylogenetic relationships within the Dactylogyridae using partial 28S rDNA sequences. Our analyses support the validity of these new taxa and suggest their phylogenetic affinity with Cosmetocleithrum species parasitizing auchenipterid catfishes. Additionally, we confirm the presence of Cosmetocleithrum falsunilatum and Cosmetocleithrum bulbocirrus in Megalodoras uranoscopus and Pterodoras granulosus, respectively, with C. falsunilatum exhibiting notable morphological variation across river basins, possibly influenced by environmental factors. Our phylogenetic results corroborate previous studies indicating two distinct Cosmetocleithrum lineages, one exclusively associated with doradids and another with both doradids and auchenipterids, with weak support for the genus' monophyly. Furthermore, we discuss morphological diversity within Cosmetocleithrum, highlighting significant variation in key diagnostic features, including haptoral structures, copulatory complex morphology, and vaginal opening orientation. These findings reinforce previous hypotheses suggesting that Cosmetocleithrum may not constitute a natural group and that taxonomic revisions are needed. The limited molecular data available for Cosmetocleithrum species (with only 13 out of 31 described species studied) and the disparity between the number of known doradid hosts and those surveyed for monogenoids highlight the urgent need for further integrative taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. This approach will be crucial for providing valuable insights and advancing our understanding of the complex evolutionary puzzle of one of the largest genera of monogenoids parasitizing Neotropical Siluriformes.
Cosmetocleithrum是寄生于新热带doradid鲶鱼的最多样化的单基因类群。本文在形态学和分子生物学的基础上，描述了两个新种，Cosmetocleithrum guamaensis n. sp.和Cosmetocleithrum taeniophallum n. sp.，并利用部分28S rDNA序列分析了它们在Dactylogyridae中的系统发育关系。我们的分析支持了这些新分类群的有效性，并表明它们与寄生于金翅目鲶鱼的Cosmetocleithrum物种在系统发育上有亲缘关系。此外，我们还证实了狐尾蛾（Cosmetocleithrum falsunilatum）和球状狐尾蛾（Cosmetocleithrum bulbocirrus）的存在，且狐尾蛾在不同流域表现出明显的形态差异，可能受环境因素的影响。我们的系统发育结果证实了先前的研究，表明有两个不同的Cosmetocleithrum谱系，一个与doradids完全相关，另一个与doradids和auchenipterids都相关，这对属的单系性支持较弱。此外，我们讨论了Cosmetocleithrum的形态多样性，强调了关键诊断特征的显著差异，包括触觉结构，交配复合体形态和阴道口方向。这些发现加强了以前的假设，即Cosmetocleithrum可能不是一个自然类群，需要对其分类进行修订。由于对Cosmetocleithrum物种的分子数据有限（在31个已描述的物种中只有13个被研究），以及已知的doradid宿主数量与已调查的单基因类宿主数量之间的差异，迫切需要进一步的综合分类和系统发育研究。这种方法对于提供有价值的见解和推进我们对寄生于新热带志卢虫的最大一属的复杂进化之谜的理解至关重要。
{"title":"Unveiling hidden diversity in Cosmetocleithrum (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) from thorny catfishes (Doradidae) endemic to South America: Two new species, morphological variation, and molecular phylogenetic insights","authors":"Geusivam B. Soares , Edson A. Adriano , José L. Luque , Juan A. Balbuena , Marcus V. Domingues , Antônio A.M. Maia","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103128","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103128","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The <em>Cosmetocleithrum</em> represents the most diverse group of monogenoids parasitizing Neotropical doradid catfishes. In this study, based on morphological and molecular data, we describe two new species, <em>Cosmetocleithrum guamaensis</em> n. sp. and <em>Cosmetocleithrum taeniophallum</em> n. sp., and assess their phylogenetic relationships within the Dactylogyridae using partial 28S rDNA sequences. Our analyses support the validity of these new taxa and suggest their phylogenetic affinity with <em>Cosmetocleithrum</em> species parasitizing auchenipterid catfishes. Additionally, we confirm the presence of <em>Cosmetocleithrum falsunilatum</em> and <em>Cosmetocleithrum bulbocirrus</em> in <em>Megalodoras uranoscopus</em> and <em>Pterodoras granulosus</em>, respectively, with <em>C. falsunilatum</em> exhibiting notable morphological variation across river basins, possibly influenced by environmental factors. Our phylogenetic results corroborate previous studies indicating two distinct <em>Cosmetocleithrum</em> lineages, one exclusively associated with doradids and another with both doradids and auchenipterids, with weak support for the genus' monophyly. Furthermore, we discuss morphological diversity within <em>Cosmetocleithrum</em>, highlighting significant variation in key diagnostic features, including haptoral structures, copulatory complex morphology, and vaginal opening orientation. These findings reinforce previous hypotheses suggesting that <em>Cosmetocleithrum</em> may not constitute a natural group and that taxonomic revisions are needed. The limited molecular data available for <em>Cosmetocleithrum</em> species (with only 13 out of 31 described species studied) and the disparity between the number of known doradid hosts and those surveyed for monogenoids highlight the urgent need for further integrative taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. This approach will be crucial for providing valuable insights and advancing our understanding of the complex evolutionary puzzle of one of the largest genera of monogenoids parasitizing Neotropical Siluriformes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 103128"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144682921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Canine hepatozoonosis is caused by the tick-borne protozoans Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanum (Apicomplexa, Hepatozoidae). While H. americanum is widespread in the south-central and south-eastern United States, H. canis is documented in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America, and is transmitted to dogs by ingesting infected ticks, primarily Rhipicephalus sanguineus. In Europe, this vector is mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region but endemic areas within Central Europe have also been reported, possibly facilitated by climate change.
A mixed-breed male puppy, ∼3–7 months-old, evacuated from Kherson City, Ukraine, was admitted to a private veterinary clinic in Kyiv in August 2023. There was no information about the owner and history of the animal. Physical examination evidenced fever, anorexia, lethargy, mild dehydration, and pale mucous membranes. Alopecia, purulent skin ulcers, and pruritus were also observed. On day 1 of admission, a 34 % hematocrit and elevated leukocyte counts, particularly granulocytes and lymphocytes, were observed. H. canis gamonts were detected in stained blood smears and confirmed by specific PCR. Treatment was initiated with imidocarb at 6.6 mg/kg i.m. at 15-day intervals for six weeks, and doxycycline 10 mg/kg orally once daily for two weeks. Blood counts improved between towards day 16, with initial increase and subsequent normalization of hematological parameters. Hepatozoon-PCR was still positive on day 16. The dog made a full recovery, and no further tests were done thereafter. The systemic clinical signs were likely parasite-induced. H. canis and its vector R. sanguineus are being increasingly reported in Europe outside of their original geographical distribution, the Mediterranean basin. This case confirms the geographical expansion of this protozoan parasite.
{"title":"First case of clinical canine hepatozoonosis in Ukraine","authors":"Maryna Galat , Diana Gliga , Vladyslava Storozhuk , Oleksandr Paraska , Olena Semenko , Sergii Honcharov , Hans-Peter Fuehrer , Gaston Moré , Walter Basso , Britta Lundström-Stadelmann , Caroline F. Frey","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Canine hepatozoonosis is caused by the tick-borne protozoans <em>Hepatozoon canis</em> and <em>Hepatozoon americanum</em> (Apicomplexa, Hepatozoidae). While <em>H. americanum</em> is widespread in the south-central and south-eastern United States, <em>H. canis</em> is documented in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America, and is transmitted to dogs by ingesting infected ticks, primarily <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em>. In Europe, this vector is mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region but endemic areas within Central Europe have also been reported, possibly facilitated by climate change.</div><div>A mixed-breed male puppy, ∼3–7 months-old, evacuated from Kherson City, Ukraine, was admitted to a private veterinary clinic in Kyiv in August 2023. There was no information about the owner and history of the animal. Physical examination evidenced fever, anorexia, lethargy, mild dehydration, and pale mucous membranes. Alopecia, purulent skin ulcers, and pruritus were also observed. On day 1 of admission, a 34 % hematocrit and elevated leukocyte counts, particularly granulocytes and lymphocytes, were observed. <em>H. canis</em> gamonts were detected in stained blood smears and confirmed by specific PCR. Treatment was initiated with imidocarb at 6.6 mg/kg i.m. at 15-day intervals for six weeks, and doxycycline 10 mg/kg orally once daily for two weeks. Blood counts improved between towards day 16, with initial increase and subsequent normalization of hematological parameters. <em>Hepatozoon</em>-PCR was still positive on day 16. The dog made a full recovery, and no further tests were done thereafter. The systemic clinical signs were likely parasite-induced. <em>H. canis</em> and its vector <em>R. sanguineus</em> are being increasingly reported in Europe outside of their original geographical distribution, the Mediterranean basin. This case confirms the geographical expansion of this protozoan parasite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 103125"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144668181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-16DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103117
André S. Lopes , Danimar López-Hernández , Sean A. Locke , Hudson A. Pinto
The rumen fluke Balanorchis anastrophus Fischoeder, 1901 is a paramphistome found in introduced domestic and native wild ruminants in South America, and the sole member of the family Balanorchiidae. No DNA sequences have been obtained from B. anastrophus, and little is known about the life cycle, distribution, pathology and epidemiology of this species. In this study, paramphistomes found in the rumen of slaughtered cattle from Rio Grande, Southern Brazil, in 2022 were subjected to morphological and molecular analyses. Stained whole and manually cut worms were subjected to morphological and morphometric analyses by light microscopy, which allowed the identification of B. anastrophus. In the molecular analysis, the first genetic data for the species were generated by Sanger [28S (1162 bp), ITS2 (480 bp) and cox1 (764 bp)] and Next Generation [mt genome (14,259 bp, 22 protein coding genes); rDNA operon (7214 bp)] sequencing, which were used in phylogenetic analyses. In all phylogenetic analyses, B. anastrophus formed a distinct lineage from other paramphistomoid taxa with data available for comparison. Thus, at the current stage, Balanorchiidae is maintained as a distinct family of Paramphistomoidea. In most phylogenies, B. anastrophus was more closely related to New World paramphistomoids than to taxa from the Old World. This finding supports the South American origin of B. anastrophus and suggests that the infection of cattle is probably related to a parasite spillover from wild deer.
{"title":"The first molecular phylogenetic analysis of Balanorchis anastrophus (Paramphistomoidea: Balanorchiidae), a rumen fluke found in cattle in South Brazil","authors":"André S. Lopes , Danimar López-Hernández , Sean A. Locke , Hudson A. Pinto","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103117","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rumen fluke <em>Balanorchis anastrophus</em> Fischoeder, 1901 is a paramphistome found in introduced domestic and native wild ruminants in South America, and the sole member of the family Balanorchiidae. No DNA sequences have been obtained from <em>B. anastrophus</em>, and little is known about the life cycle, distribution, pathology and epidemiology of this species. In this study, paramphistomes found in the rumen of slaughtered cattle from Rio Grande, Southern Brazil, in 2022 were subjected to morphological and molecular analyses. Stained whole and manually cut worms were subjected to morphological and morphometric analyses by light microscopy, which allowed the identification of <em>B. anastrophus</em>. In the molecular analysis, the first genetic data for the species were generated by Sanger [28S (1162 bp), ITS2 (480 bp) and <em>cox</em><em>1</em> (764 bp)] and Next Generation [mt genome (14,259 bp, 22 protein coding genes); rDNA operon (7214 bp)] sequencing, which were used in phylogenetic analyses. In all phylogenetic analyses, <em>B. anastrophus</em> formed a distinct lineage from other paramphistomoid taxa with data available for comparison. Thus, at the current stage, Balanorchiidae is maintained as a distinct family of Paramphistomoidea. In most phylogenies, <em>B. anastrophus</em> was more closely related to New World paramphistomoids than to taxa from the Old World. This finding supports the South American origin of <em>B. anastrophus</em> and suggests that the infection of cattle is probably related to a parasite spillover from wild deer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 103117"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144659871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-09DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103116
Ngigi Noel Muthoni Mumbi , Claudia Esther Silvera Rojas , Believe Ahedor , Yihong Ma , Maria Fátima Rodríguez Valinotti , Tomás Javier Acosta , Thillaiampalam Sivakumar , Naoaki Yokoyama
Bovine theileriosis and anaplasmosis are major tick-borne diseases affecting cattle health and productivity worldwide. Although cattle farming significantly contributes to Paraguay's economy, limited epidemiological data on the causative agents hinder the formulation of disease control measures. To address this challenge, the present study investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and genetic diversity of Theileria annulata, Theileria orientalis, and Anaplasma marginale among cattle populations in Paraguay. Blood DNA samples from 326 cattle in nine departments of Paraguay were screened with the pathogen-specific PCR assays. All three pathogens were detected with A. marginale (18.0 %) being the most prevalent, followed by T. orientalis (2.4 %) and T. annulata (1.5 %). In addition, further screening of A. marginale-negative samples using two PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA and groEL genes of Anaplasma spp., followed by sequencing, detected an infection with Candidatus Anaplasma cinensis. We observed significantly higher A. marginale-positive rates in the Eastern region, males, and extensively managed cattle, as compared to those in the Western region, females, and semi-intensively managed cattle, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that T. annulata tams1 gene sequences were diverse and occurred in multiple clades, while T. orientalis mpsp gene sequences clustered into the genotypes 1, 2, and 3. In contrast, A. marginale msp5 gene sequences occurred within a single clade, suggesting a low genetic diversity. In conclusion, the detection of T. annulata, T. orientalis genotype 2, and A. marginale indicates that cattle populations in Paraguay are at risk of clinical theileriosis and anaplasmosis, highlighting the need to develop disease management strategies.
{"title":"Prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria and Anaplasma species infecting cattle in Paraguay","authors":"Ngigi Noel Muthoni Mumbi , Claudia Esther Silvera Rojas , Believe Ahedor , Yihong Ma , Maria Fátima Rodríguez Valinotti , Tomás Javier Acosta , Thillaiampalam Sivakumar , Naoaki Yokoyama","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103116","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103116","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine theileriosis and anaplasmosis are major tick-borne diseases affecting cattle health and productivity worldwide. Although cattle farming significantly contributes to Paraguay's economy, limited epidemiological data on the causative agents hinder the formulation of disease control measures. To address this challenge, the present study investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and genetic diversity of <em>Theileria annulata</em>, <em>Theileria orientalis</em>, and <em>Anaplasma marginale</em> among cattle populations in Paraguay. Blood DNA samples from 326 cattle in nine departments of Paraguay were screened with the pathogen-specific PCR assays. All three pathogens were detected with <em>A. marginale</em> (18.0 %) being the most prevalent, followed by <em>T. orientalis</em> (2.4 %) and <em>T. annulata</em> (1.5 %). In addition, further screening of <em>A. marginale</em>-negative samples using two PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA and <em>groEL</em> genes of <em>Anaplasma</em> spp., followed by sequencing, detected an infection with <em>Candidatus</em> Anaplasma cinensis. We observed significantly higher <em>A. marginale</em>-positive rates in the Eastern region, males, and extensively managed cattle, as compared to those in the Western region, females, and semi-intensively managed cattle, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that <em>T. annulata tams1</em> gene sequences were diverse and occurred in multiple clades, while <em>T. orientalis mpsp</em> gene sequences clustered into the genotypes 1, 2, and 3. In contrast, <em>A. marginale msp5</em> gene sequences occurred within a single clade, suggesting a low genetic diversity. In conclusion, the detection of <em>T. annulata</em>, <em>T. orientalis</em> genotype 2, and <em>A. marginale</em> indicates that cattle populations in Paraguay are at risk of clinical theileriosis and anaplasmosis, highlighting the need to develop disease management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 103116"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-30DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103115
Khalid Jabar Aziz , Nawzat Aboziad Issa , Farhad Buzo Mikaeel , Shameeran Salman Ismael
This study investigated the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of Parascaris equorum (P. equorum) infection in equids using both parasitological and molecular methods. Data on age, sex, body condition, and housing conditions were systematically collected to evaluate their influence on infection risk. Fecal samples from 294 equines (148 horses, 47 mules, 63 donkeys, and 36 ponies) were examined microscopically using direct wet-mount and flotation techniques, with infection intensity quantified using the McMaster technique to determine eggs per gram (EPG). Molecular confirmation was conducted via PCR targeting the ITS-2 region of P. equorum, followed by sequencing one PCR-positive sample per species and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA 7 software. The overall prevalence was 28.2 %, with the highest rates observed in donkeys (38.1 %), followed by horses (29.1 %), mules (23.4 %), and ponies (13.9 %). Higher infection rates were significantly associated with younger age, male sex, poor body condition, and outdoor housing. Infection intensity varied by species, with moderate infections more frequent in horses and severe cases predominant in donkeys. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high genetic similarity between local and international P. equorum isolates, indicating low genetic variability. These findings underscore the widespread presence of P. equorum in equids and highlight the importance of combining conventional and molecular diagnostics for effective detection and control. To mitigate infection and improve equine health, the study recommends implementing routine deworming schedules, enhancing stable hygiene and manure management, and providing targeted nutritional support, particularly for animals in poor body condition.
{"title":"Mapping the epidemiology and intensity of Parascaris equorum infection in equids in Erbil Province, Iraq","authors":"Khalid Jabar Aziz , Nawzat Aboziad Issa , Farhad Buzo Mikaeel , Shameeran Salman Ismael","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103115","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103115","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of <em>Parascaris equorum (P. equorum)</em> infection in equids using both parasitological and molecular methods. Data on age, sex, body condition, and housing conditions were systematically collected to evaluate their influence on infection risk. Fecal samples from 294 equines (148 horses, 47 mules, 63 donkeys, and 36 ponies) were examined microscopically using direct wet-mount and flotation techniques, with infection intensity quantified using the McMaster technique to determine eggs per gram (EPG). Molecular confirmation was conducted via PCR targeting the ITS-2 region of <em>P. equorum</em>, followed by sequencing one PCR-positive sample per species and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA 7 software. The overall prevalence was 28.2 %, with the highest rates observed in donkeys (38.1 %), followed by horses (29.1 %), mules (23.4 %), and ponies (13.9 %). Higher infection rates were significantly associated with younger age, male sex, poor body condition, and outdoor housing. Infection intensity varied by species, with moderate infections more frequent in horses and severe cases predominant in donkeys. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high genetic similarity between local and international <em>P. equorum</em> isolates, indicating low genetic variability. These findings underscore the widespread presence of <em>P. equorum</em> in equids and highlight the importance of combining conventional and molecular diagnostics for effective detection and control. To mitigate infection and improve equine health, the study recommends implementing routine deworming schedules, enhancing stable hygiene and manure management, and providing targeted nutritional support, particularly for animals in poor body condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 103115"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-28DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103114
João Otávio Santos Silva , Leandro Sousa , Eris Amorim de Paula , Ricardo Massato Takemoto , Lucélia Nobre Carvalho
Electrophorus voltai, commonly known as poraquê, is a fish species widely distributed in the Amazon Basin. This study presents the first record of parasitism by Dolops discoidalis, an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite, in E. voltai from the Xingu River Basin. Six host specimens were examined (mean total length: 119.5 cm), harboring 41 parasite individuals (19 males and 21 females), with a prevalence of 100 % and a mean intensity of 6.83 ± 2.22. Parasites were attached to specific regions of the host's body. Our findings support the affinity of D. discoidalis for scaleless fish and contribute to the still limited knowledge of the parasitic fauna of poraquê, Electrophorus species.
{"title":"First documented case of ectoparasitism in electric eel: Dolops discoidalis (Branchiura: Argulidae) infesting Electrophorus voltai (Teleostei: Gymnotidae)","authors":"João Otávio Santos Silva , Leandro Sousa , Eris Amorim de Paula , Ricardo Massato Takemoto , Lucélia Nobre Carvalho","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103114","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Electrophorus voltai</em>, commonly known as poraquê, is a fish species widely distributed in the Amazon Basin. This study presents the first record of parasitism by <em>Dolops discoidalis</em>, an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite, in <em>E. voltai</em> from the Xingu River Basin. Six host specimens were examined (mean total length: 119.5 cm), harboring 41 parasite individuals (19 males and 21 females), with a prevalence of 100 % and a mean intensity of 6.83 ± 2.22. Parasites were attached to specific regions of the host's body. Our findings support the affinity of <em>D. discoidalis</em> for scaleless fish and contribute to the still limited knowledge of the parasitic fauna of poraquê, <em>Electrophorus</em> species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 103114"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144529242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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