Pub Date : 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103189
Yasuyuki Goto , Junya Yamagishi
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and is characterized by clinical manifestations including fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and anemia. We previously developed a non-healing chronic model of experimental VL, using BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania donovani, which manifest hepatosplenomegaly, leukopenia, and anemia. In mice, it is widely accepted that immune responses in the spleen and liver do not necessarily occur in parallel during experimental VL. This implies that Leishmania parasites may also exhibit different gene expression patterns in these distinct tissues. In this study, we performed dual transcriptome analyses of the spleen and liver from L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice to characterize tissue-specific responses of both the host and the parasite. Two independent transcriptome analyses with high reproducibility revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of host genes during L. donovani infection. For example, Pdilt was upregulated in the spleen but downregulated in the liver, whereas Marco displayed the opposite pattern. By contrast, gene expression patterns of L. donovani amastigotes were relatively conserved between the spleen and liver. These results suggest that tissue-specific host immune responses play a critical role in driving tissue-specific pathology, whereas they have limited influence on parasite gene expressions in this non-healing model of experimental VL.
{"title":"Dual transcriptome analyses of a non-healing chronic Leishmania donovani infection in mice","authors":"Yasuyuki Goto , Junya Yamagishi","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103189","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus <em>Leishmania</em> and is characterized by clinical manifestations including fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and anemia. We previously developed a non-healing chronic model of experimental VL, using BALB/c mice infected with <em>Leishmania donovani</em>, which manifest hepatosplenomegaly, leukopenia, and anemia. In mice, it is widely accepted that immune responses in the spleen and liver do not necessarily occur in parallel during experimental VL. This implies that <em>Leishmania</em> parasites may also exhibit different gene expression patterns in these distinct tissues. In this study, we performed dual transcriptome analyses of the spleen and liver from <em>L. donovani</em>-infected BALB/c mice to characterize tissue-specific responses of both the host and the parasite. Two independent transcriptome analyses with high reproducibility revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of host genes during <em>L. donovani</em> infection. For example, <em>Pdilt</em> was upregulated in the spleen but downregulated in the liver, whereas <em>Marco</em> displayed the opposite pattern. By contrast, gene expression patterns of <em>L. donovani</em> amastigotes were relatively conserved between the spleen and liver. These results suggest that tissue-specific host immune responses play a critical role in driving tissue-specific pathology, whereas they have limited influence on parasite gene expressions in this non-healing model of experimental VL.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103189"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416506","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 : 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103188
Sugandika Bulumulla , Amanda Ash , Una Ryan , Barry Combs , Andrew Larkins , Nevada Pingault , Damien Bradford , Amanda D. Barbosa
Cryptosporidium species are an important cause of diarrhoeal disease worldwide. Many countries reported declines in cryptosporidiosis incidence during COVID-19 restrictions, followed by marked increases post-COVID. A similar pattern has been observed in Australia, with record-high case numbers reported across multiple states in 2024–2025, including Western Australia (WA), where an outbreak occurred in 2025. Between 1st January – 30th June 2025, WA reported a statewide total of 1110 human cryptosporidiosis cases, which is substantially higher than the previous years. In the present study, a subset of WA cases from 2025 was investigated using contact tracing and molecular typing and compared with subtypes circulating in 2023 and 2024. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and gp60 loci identified three Cryptosporidium species: C. hominis (91.5 %, 108/118), C. parvum (6.8 %, 8/118), and C. meleagridis (1.7 %, 2/118), comprising 13 distinct subtypes, over the three years. Notably, a previously rare C. hominis subtype, IeA11G3T3, emerged in 2023 and by 2025 had become the dominant subtype (92.1 %, 70/76) of samples typed. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of a representative subset of IeA11G3T3 isolates (n = 13) showed that all sequences were identical, except for one isolate from 2024, which contained three insertions: an 18-bp repeat in the cp-47 gene and both a 12-bp and a 6-bp repeat in the dz-hrgp gene. The C. hominis IeA11G3T3 subtype has also recently emerged as a dominant subtype in several other countries, although the factors driving its emergence remain unclear.
{"title":"Molecular analysis of Cryptosporidium species in Western Australian human populations (2023–2025), and the emergence of rare C. hominis IeA11G3T3 subtype","authors":"Sugandika Bulumulla , Amanda Ash , Una Ryan , Barry Combs , Andrew Larkins , Nevada Pingault , Damien Bradford , Amanda D. Barbosa","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103188","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103188","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> species are an important cause of diarrhoeal disease worldwide. Many countries reported declines in cryptosporidiosis incidence during COVID-19 restrictions, followed by marked increases post-COVID. A similar pattern has been observed in Australia, with record-high case numbers reported across multiple states in 2024–2025, including Western Australia (WA), where an outbreak occurred in 2025. Between 1st January – 30th June 2025, WA reported a statewide total of 1110 human cryptosporidiosis cases, which is substantially higher than the previous years. In the present study, a subset of WA cases from 2025 was investigated using contact tracing and molecular typing and compared with subtypes circulating in 2023 and 2024. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and <em>gp60</em> loci identified three <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species: <em>C. hominis</em> (91.5 %, 108/118), <em>C. parvum</em> (6.8 %, 8/118), and <em>C. meleagridis</em> (1.7 %, 2/118), comprising 13 distinct subtypes, over the three years. Notably, a previously rare <em>C. hominis</em> subtype, IeA11G3T3, emerged in 2023 and by 2025 had become the dominant subtype (92.1 %, 70/76) of samples typed. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) of a representative subset of IeA11G3T3 isolates (<em>n</em> = 13) showed that all sequences were identical, except for one isolate from 2024, which contained three insertions: an 18-bp repeat in the <em>cp-47</em> gene and both a 12-bp and a 6-bp repeat in the <em>dz-hrgp</em> gene. The <em>C. hominis</em> IeA11G3T3 subtype has also recently emerged as a dominant subtype in several other countries, although the factors driving its emergence remain unclear.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103188"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145355628","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 : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183
Cédric Sima Obiang , Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe , Bob Eudes Mewani Mya Moua , Morel Essono Mintsa , Joefred Mbogho Abogho , Herman Begouabe , Noé Essono Kollo , Juliette Ornely Orango Bourdette , Hervé Martial Ekomy , Joseph Privat Ondo , Louis Clément Obame Engonga
The overuse of synthetic insecticides has led to widespread resistance among insect populations. Consequently, the use of plant-derived essential oils with insecticidal properties presents a viable alternative. This study aims to evaluate the larvicidal and adulticidal potential of essential oils against Aedes mosquitoes, as well as to analyze their chemical composition.
Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) mosquitoes, reared from collected eggs, were used in the experiments. Plant leaves and resin were harvested in south-eastern Gabon, in the Franceville region. Larvicidal activity was assessed following standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, and the chemical profiles of the essential oils were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). For adulticidal testing, mosquitoes were exposed for three minutes to netting treated with essential oils, following the WHO cone bioassay method.
The essential oils exhibited larvicidal activity against both mosquito species, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 2.09 ± 0.30 to 72.44 ± 3.00 ppm. When nets were treated at a dose of 165 μg/cm2, knockdown times (KDT₅₀) ranged from 1.07 ± 0.20 to 416.87 ± 18.50 s, and the highest observed mortality rate was 40 %. In Cymbopogon citratus essential oil, the predominant compounds were α-Citral (78.70 %) and β-Myrcene (12.71 %), while Aucoumea klaineana essential oil was mainly composed of α-Phellandrene (33.15 %), α-Pinene (29.30 %), and β-Cymene (10.65 %).
This research highlights the potential of essential oils as sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides, offering new prospects for vector control and the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, with a direct impact on public health.
{"title":"Insecticidal effects of essential oils from traditional repellent plants on Aedes mosquitoes, vectors of arboviral diseases in Gabon","authors":"Cédric Sima Obiang , Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe , Bob Eudes Mewani Mya Moua , Morel Essono Mintsa , Joefred Mbogho Abogho , Herman Begouabe , Noé Essono Kollo , Juliette Ornely Orango Bourdette , Hervé Martial Ekomy , Joseph Privat Ondo , Louis Clément Obame Engonga","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The overuse of synthetic insecticides has led to widespread resistance among insect populations. Consequently, the use of plant-derived essential oils with insecticidal properties presents a viable alternative. This study aims to evaluate the larvicidal and adulticidal potential of essential oils against Aedes mosquitoes, as well as to analyze their chemical composition.</div><div><em>Aedes aegypti</em> (L.) and <em>Aedes albopictus</em> (Skuse) mosquitoes, reared from collected eggs, were used in the experiments. Plant leaves and resin were harvested in south-eastern Gabon, in the Franceville region. Larvicidal activity was assessed following standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, and the chemical profiles of the essential oils were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). For adulticidal testing, mosquitoes were exposed for three minutes to netting treated with essential oils, following the WHO cone bioassay method.</div><div>The essential oils exhibited larvicidal activity against both mosquito species, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 2.09 ± 0.30 to 72.44 ± 3.00 ppm. When nets were treated at a dose of 165 μg/cm<sup>2</sup>, knockdown times (KDT₅₀) ranged from 1.07 ± 0.20 to 416.87 ± 18.50 s, and the highest observed mortality rate was 40 %. In <em>Cymbopogon citratus</em> essential oil, the predominant compounds were α-Citral (78.70 %) and β-Myrcene (12.71 %), while <em>Aucoumea klaineana</em> essential oil was mainly composed of α-Phellandrene (33.15 %), α-Pinene (29.30 %), and β-Cymene (10.65 %).</div><div>This research highlights the potential of essential oils as sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides, offering new prospects for vector control and the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, with a direct impact on public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103183"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313447","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 : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186
Gabrielly de Oliveira Lopes , Eder Barbier , Allyson dos Santos da Silva , Lorena Freitas das Neves , Lizeth Fernanda Banguero Micolta , Eliz Oliveira Franco , Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior , Luiz Augustinho Menezes da Silva , Rosangela Zacarias Machado , Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti , Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira , Marcos Rogério André
Streblide flies are obligatory ectoparasites with a worldwide distribution, specialized in exclusively parasitizing bats, which serve as important reservoirs of Bartonella spp. These flies are considered potential vectors of emerging Bartonella species. Despite the high diversity of both bats and streblid flies in Brazil, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in these hosts, particularly in cave environments. This study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in streblid flies associated with bats from humid forest remnants in Pernambuco state (558 flies from 12 species collected from 299 bats) and from caves in Pará state (677 flies from 11 species collected from 174 bats). Fly DNA samples positive for the endogenous cox-1 gene were screened by qPCR targeting the intergenic region 16S-23S rRNA of Bartonella spp., followed by molecular characterization using five genetic markers (gltA, rpoB, ribC, pap-31, and ftsZ). The overall positivity rates for Bartonella spp. were 37.5 % in Pernambuco and 25.4 % in Pará. Although molecular detection was achieved in both regions, successful genetic characterization was only possible for flies collected from cave-dwelling bats in the Brazilian Amazon. These analyses revealed a high genetic diversity of Bartonella spp., with the identification of 11 gltA genotypes, six ftsZ genotypes, and four rpoB genotypes. Phylogenetic inferences based on these three markers demonstrated close relationships between the sequences detected in this study and genotypes previously reported in bats and bat flies from Brazil and other countries. This study provides the first molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in streblid flies parasitizing cave-dwelling bats in Brazil, highlighting new perspectives for interspecific interaction studies (Bartonella–fly–bat) in these understudied ecosystems. Furthermore, this work reports, for the first time in Pará state, Bartonella spp. in Nycterophilia parnelli, Trichobius galei, Mastoptera minuta, and Trichobius johnsonae.
{"title":"Diversity of Bartonella spp. in bat-associated Streblidae flies from Brazil","authors":"Gabrielly de Oliveira Lopes , Eder Barbier , Allyson dos Santos da Silva , Lorena Freitas das Neves , Lizeth Fernanda Banguero Micolta , Eliz Oliveira Franco , Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior , Luiz Augustinho Menezes da Silva , Rosangela Zacarias Machado , Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti , Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira , Marcos Rogério André","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Streblide flies are obligatory ectoparasites with a worldwide distribution, specialized in exclusively parasitizing bats, which serve as important reservoirs of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. These flies are considered potential vectors of emerging <em>Bartonella</em> species. Despite the high diversity of both bats and streblid flies in Brazil, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in these hosts, particularly in cave environments. This study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in streblid flies associated with bats from humid forest remnants in Pernambuco state (558 flies from 12 species collected from 299 bats) and from caves in Pará state (677 flies from 11 species collected from 174 bats). Fly DNA samples positive for the endogenous <em>cox-1</em> gene were screened by qPCR targeting the intergenic region 16S-23S rRNA of <em>Bartonella</em> spp., followed by molecular characterization using five genetic markers (<em>gltA, rpoB, ribC, pap-31,</em> and <em>ftsZ</em>). The overall positivity rates for <em>Bartonella</em> spp. were 37.5 % in Pernambuco and 25.4 % in Pará. Although molecular detection was achieved in both regions, successful genetic characterization was only possible for flies collected from cave-dwelling bats in the Brazilian Amazon. These analyses revealed a high genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp., with the identification of 11 <em>gltA</em> genotypes, six <em>ftsZ</em> genotypes, and four <em>rpoB</em> genotypes. Phylogenetic inferences based on these three markers demonstrated close relationships between the sequences detected in this study and genotypes previously reported in bats and bat flies from Brazil and other countries. This study provides the first molecular evidence of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in streblid flies parasitizing cave-dwelling bats in Brazil, highlighting new perspectives for interspecific interaction studies (<em>Bartonella</em>–fly–bat) in these understudied ecosystems. Furthermore, this work reports, for the first time in Pará state, <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in <em>Nycterophilia parnelli, Trichobius galei, Mastoptera minuta,</em> and <em>Trichobius johnsonae.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313487","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}
Anisakis simplex, a parasitic nematode transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, is known to cause gastric anisakidosis, often accompanied by acute inflammatory and allergic responses. However, the underlying immunological mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we established a murine model by orally infecting BALB/c mice with live Anisakis larvae to elucidate the host immune response. Repeated infection with live Anisakis larvae, but not with homogenates, induced severe gastric inflammation, accompanied by a marked elevation of total IgE, Anisakis-specific IgE, Ani s 1-specific IgE, and interleukin (IL)-5 in the serum. Active cutaneous anaphylaxis confirmed the presence of functional Anisakis-specific IgE capable of mediating immediate hypersensitivity. Flow cytometry of gastric lamina propria cells showed increased infiltration of IL-5 producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), eosinophils, IL-4 producing T helper (Th) cells and B cells in mice with repeated infection. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed widespread localization of IL-33-positive cells in the gastric mucosa, consistent with the observed increased levels of truncated IL-33 and total IL-33. These findings suggest that Anisakis infection induces a type 2 immune response through IL-33-driven activation of ILC2s followed by Th2 development, thereby promoting eosinophilia and antigen-specific IgE. This model enables new insights of Anisakis-associated allergic inflammation and may serve as future therapeutic studies.
{"title":"Anisakis infection induces IgE responses resulting from ILC2 and Th2 cell activation via IL-33 in the murine stomach","authors":"Shinya Hidano , Kazuhiro Mizukami , Kohei Shirakami , Hideyuki Ito , Kazunori Matsumura , Astri Dewayani , Sotaro Ozaka , Benjawan Saechue , Shimpei Ariki , Takashi Ozaki , Kaori Noguchi , Yomei Kagoshima , Spanuch Ekronarongchai , Masaaki Okamoto , Naganori Kamiyama , Nozomi Sachi , Takashi Sekiya , Satoshi Takaki , Kazunari Murakami , Takashi Kobayashi","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103184","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103184","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Anisakis simplex</em>, a parasitic nematode transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, is known to cause gastric anisakidosis, often accompanied by acute inflammatory and allergic responses. However, the underlying immunological mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we established a murine model by orally infecting BALB/c mice with live <em>Anisakis</em> larvae to elucidate the host immune response. Repeated infection with live <em>Anisakis</em> larvae, but not with homogenates, induced severe gastric inflammation, accompanied by a marked elevation of total IgE, <em>Anisakis</em>-specific IgE, Ani s 1-specific IgE, and interleukin (IL)-5 in the serum. Active cutaneous anaphylaxis confirmed the presence of functional <em>Anisakis</em>-specific IgE capable of mediating immediate hypersensitivity. Flow cytometry of gastric lamina propria cells showed increased infiltration of IL-5 producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), eosinophils, IL-4 producing T helper (Th) cells and B cells in mice with repeated infection. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed widespread localization of IL-33-positive cells in the gastric mucosa, consistent with the observed increased levels of truncated IL-33 and total IL-33. These findings suggest that <em>Anisakis</em> infection induces a type 2 immune response through IL-33-driven activation of ILC2s followed by Th2 development, thereby promoting eosinophilia and antigen-specific IgE. This model enables new insights of <em>Anisakis</em>-associated allergic inflammation and may serve as future therapeutic studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103184"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308741","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}
This study aimed (i) to determine the occurrence of vector-borne pathogens (Cytauxzoon felis, Babesia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Coxiella burnetii) in domestic cats in Türkiye; (ii) to conduct molecular characterization of identified species; (iii) to assess the genetic diversity among identified species in cats reported worldwide. A total of 311 blood samples were collected from animals visiting Ondokuz Mayıs University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital for routine checkups, vaccinations, antiparasitic application, and sterilization. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of targeted pathogens by PCR analysis. Data on domestic cats (age, sex, breed, and living conditions) were recorded, and statistical analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for infection. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to assess relatedness among detected pathogen isolates worldwide. Out of 311 cats tested, 13.1 % (n = 41) were positive for at least one pathogen, and 0.9 % (n = 3) were found to be co-infected. PCR analyses detected 9.64 % (n = 30) of examined samples infected with Mycoplasma spp., and 3.5 % (n = 11) with C. burnetii. Babesia spp., C. felis, and Rickettsia spp. were not detected. There was no significant statistical difference between the prevalence of any detected pathogen and data of the cats. Sanger sequencing of the 30 positive PCR products identified Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm) in 50 % (n = 15), Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) in 36.6 % (n = 11), and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt) in 13.3 % (n = 4). Phylogenetic analysis of the Mycoplasma spp. 16S rRNA gene showed two distinct groups: one belonging to the haemominutum group, clustering with CMhm isolates, and the other from the haemofelis group, clustered with Mhf and CMt isolates. Coxiella burnetii IS1111 gene sequences shared high identity and similarity and clustered with isolates from different countries. This is the first report of C. burnetii in domestic cats from Türkiye. Our data provide information on the presence, molecular epidemiology, and genetic characterization of vector-borne pathogens in domestic cat populations in Türkiye. This study highlights the importance of the epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens for effective disease management in cat populations.
{"title":"Molecular detection and characterization of vector-borne pathogens in domestic cats (Felis catus) in Türkiye: The first report of Coxiella burnetii from cats in Türkiye","authors":"Zuhal Önder , Didem Pekmezci , Batuhan Aşkım Arslanhan , Gökmen Zafer Pekmezci , Gupse Kübra Karademir , Simge Şahin , Gamze Nur Konacoğlu , Sümmani Çifci , Zeynep Nurselin Kot","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed (i) to determine the occurrence of vector-borne pathogens (<em>Cytauxzoon felis</em>, <em>Babesia</em> spp., <em>Mycoplasma</em> spp., <em>Rickettsia</em> spp., and <em>Coxiella burnetii)</em> in domestic cats in Türkiye; (ii) to conduct molecular characterization of identified species; (iii) to assess the genetic diversity among identified species in cats reported worldwide. A total of 311 blood samples were collected from animals visiting Ondokuz Mayıs University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital for routine checkups, vaccinations, antiparasitic application, and sterilization. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of targeted pathogens by PCR analysis. Data on domestic cats (age, sex, breed, and living conditions) were recorded, and statistical analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for infection. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to assess relatedness among detected pathogen isolates worldwide. Out of 311 cats tested, 13.1 % (<em>n</em> = 41) were positive for at least one pathogen, and 0.9 % (<em>n</em> = 3) were found to be co-infected. PCR analyses detected 9.64 % (<em>n</em> = 30) of examined samples infected with <em>Mycoplasma</em> spp., and 3.5 % (<em>n</em> = 11) with <em>C. burnetii</em>. <em>Babesia</em> spp., <em>C. felis</em>, and <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. were not detected. There was no significant statistical difference between the prevalence of any detected pathogen and data of the cats. Sanger sequencing of the 30 positive PCR products identified <em>Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum</em> (CMhm) in 50 % (<em>n</em> = 15), <em>Mycoplasma haemofelis</em> (Mhf) in 36.6 % (<em>n</em> = 11), and <em>Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis</em> (CMt) in 13.3 % (<em>n</em> = 4). Phylogenetic analysis of the <em>Mycoplasma</em> spp. 16S rRNA gene showed two distinct groups: one belonging to the haemominutum group, clustering with CMhm isolates, and the other from the haemofelis group, clustered with Mhf and CMt isolates. <em>Coxiella burnetii</em> IS1111 gene sequences shared high identity and similarity and clustered with isolates from different countries. This is the first report of <em>C. burnetii</em> in domestic cats from Türkiye. Our data provide information on the presence, molecular epidemiology, and genetic characterization of vector-borne pathogens in domestic cat populations in Türkiye. This study highlights the importance of the epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens for effective disease management in cat populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103182"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145275500","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 : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103179
Eduardo Montalvo , Camila Lara-Cazorla , V. Neira , Eder Cano-Pérez , M. Páez , Byron Fuertes-Flores , Tatiana Guevara-Bahamonde , Gabriela Echeverría-Garcés , E. Castro-Lalangui , E. Rivadeneira , Diego Álvarez Pico , Nery Giler Zambrano , Génesis García-Díaz
This report describes the first documented case in Ecuador of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri, in coinfection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) associated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). A 23-year-old male with a history of severe traumatic brain injury developed central nervous system infection symptoms after VPS placement. Despite targeted antibiotics for MRSA, clinical deterioration continued. Whole genome sequencing confirmed N. fowleri, prompting antiparasitic treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole, resulting in partial improvement. This case underscores the need to consider rare pathogens in atypical neurological cases and highlights the diagnostic value of genome sequencing in complex infections.
{"title":"Post-neurosurgical meningitis by Naegleria fowleri and Staphylococcus aureus in Ecuador: A case report","authors":"Eduardo Montalvo , Camila Lara-Cazorla , V. Neira , Eder Cano-Pérez , M. Páez , Byron Fuertes-Flores , Tatiana Guevara-Bahamonde , Gabriela Echeverría-Garcés , E. Castro-Lalangui , E. Rivadeneira , Diego Álvarez Pico , Nery Giler Zambrano , Génesis García-Díaz","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This report describes the first documented case in Ecuador of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by <em>Naegleria fowleri</em>, in coinfection with methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA) associated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). A 23-year-old male with a history of severe traumatic brain injury developed central nervous system infection symptoms after VPS placement. Despite targeted antibiotics for MRSA, clinical deterioration continued. Whole genome sequencing confirmed <em>N. fowleri</em>, prompting antiparasitic treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole, resulting in partial improvement. This case underscores the need to consider rare pathogens in atypical neurological cases and highlights the diagnostic value of genome sequencing in complex infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103179"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145252228","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 : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103180
Abdulkerim Gökoğlu , Hüseyin Yiğit , Bülent Tucer
Cystic hydatid disease (CHD), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, remains a significant global health concern. While commonly affecting the liver and lungs, rare localizations can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This report presents a case of CHD affecting the left temporal bone, originating from the mastoid cells, resulting in left transverse sinus obliteration and cerebellar hemisphere compression. This unusual presentation highlights the importance of considering CHD in the differential diagnosis of neurological symptoms, including vertigo, even in the absence of more typical clinical signs. We aim to raise awareness among neurosurgeons, neurologists, and otorhinolaryngologists regarding this atypical manifestation of CHD.
{"title":"An unusual presentation of cystic hydatid disease: Left temporal bone involvement with transverse sinus obliteration","authors":"Abdulkerim Gökoğlu , Hüseyin Yiğit , Bülent Tucer","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103180","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103180","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cystic hydatid disease (CHD), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, remains a significant global health concern. While commonly affecting the liver and lungs, rare localizations can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This report presents a case of CHD affecting the left temporal bone, originating from the mastoid cells, resulting in left transverse sinus obliteration and cerebellar hemisphere compression. This unusual presentation highlights the importance of considering CHD in the differential diagnosis of neurological symptoms, including vertigo, even in the absence of more typical clinical signs. We aim to raise awareness among neurosurgeons, neurologists, and otorhinolaryngologists regarding this atypical manifestation of CHD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103180"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145252202","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 : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103181
Tooran Nayeri , Maryam Hataminejad , Aziz Kassani , Davood Anvari , Nahid Maspi , Abbas Moridnia
The association between parasitic diseases and the consumption of contaminated water has been widely reported. Due to oocyst contamination, water is a medium for human and veterinary toxoplasmosis transmission. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in water and raw and treated wastewater samples from around the world utilizing molecular methods. A comprehensive search of three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and the internet search engine Google Scholar was conducted for studies published until September 2024. The screening process identified 51 relevant studies, from which 45 were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of T. gondii in water and raw and treated wastewater samples worldwide was estimated at 11.1 % (95 % CI: 8.5 to 14.3 %) and 6.8 % (95 % CI: 3 to 14.6 %) using molecular methods. The findings underscore a significant public health concern, given the potential for waterborne transmission of toxoplasmosis. The results of this study emphasize the necessity for enhanced surveillance and monitoring of water quality, as well as the implementation of effective sanitation measures to reduce the risks associated with contaminated water.
{"title":"Molecular prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in water and wastewater of the world: a systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Tooran Nayeri , Maryam Hataminejad , Aziz Kassani , Davood Anvari , Nahid Maspi , Abbas Moridnia","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103181","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The association between parasitic diseases and the consumption of contaminated water has been widely reported. Due to oocyst contamination, water is a medium for human and veterinary toxoplasmosis transmission. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate the prevalence of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> (<em>T. gondii</em>) in water and raw and treated wastewater samples from around the world utilizing molecular methods. A comprehensive search of three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and the internet search engine Google Scholar was conducted for studies published until September 2024. The screening process identified 51 relevant studies, from which 45 were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of <em>T. gondii</em> in water and raw and treated wastewater samples worldwide was estimated at 11.1 % (95 % CI: 8.5 to 14.3 %) and 6.8 % (95 % CI: 3 to 14.6 %) using molecular methods. The findings underscore a significant public health concern, given the potential for waterborne transmission of toxoplasmosis. The results of this study emphasize the necessity for enhanced surveillance and monitoring of water quality, as well as the implementation of effective sanitation measures to reduce the risks associated with contaminated water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103181"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145252248","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 : 2025-10-03DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103178
Mohamed M. Baz , Randa I. Eltaly , Ramy E. El-Ansary , Moustafa Ibrahim , Fatma H. Galal , Hattan S. Gattan , Mohammed H. Alruhaili , Abdelfattah M. Selim , Lamya Ahmed Alkeridis , Yasser A. El-Sayed , Esraa A. Elhawary
Mosquitoes, one of the deadliest animals on the planet, cause millions of fatalities each year by transmitting several human illnesses. Therefore, it was necessary to use many synthetic pesticides to prevent the spread of diseases, which led to an increase in the effective use of synthetic pesticides to protect humans. The extensive use of pesticides caused serious health problems for humans, environmental damage, and mosquito resistance to synthetic insecticides. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of Datura stramonium extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and aqueous) against larvae and adults of Culex pipiens and Aedes aegypti with phytochemical profiles. Bioassays were conducted under laboratory conditions, and lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) were calculated after 24 and 48 h. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed the strongest ability to kill larvae, with LC₅₀ values of 40.19 ppm for Cx. pipiens and 71.46 ppm for Ae. aegypti. In adulticidal assays, aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts induced the highest mortality rates (up to 88 %) at 100 ppm. The methanol extract exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, recording the largest inhibition zone (27 mm) against Klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (25 mm) and Candida albicans (22 mm). highlighting its potential as a dual-function natural agent with both insecticidal and antimicrobial properties. UPLC/MS analysis identified several bioactive phytochemicals, including alkaloids withanolides, alkaloids, phenolic acids, cinnamic acid derivatives and flavonoids, that may contribute to the observed effects. The n-hexane extract revealed twelve volatile components from the mono-, di-, and sesquiterpenoid classes, along with volatile alkaloids such as nicotine and scopolamine. Antimicrobial tests also revealed moderate to high inhibition against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the genes Apismin, Defincin 1, SFCYP1, SFCYP4, SFCYP5, and SFRYR were significantly increased, while SFCYP3 was consistently decreased in both Datura and pesticide. However, SFCYP2 is believed to increase in pesticide and decreased in Datura. These findings highlight Datura stramonium as an available, eco-friendly, and promising natural alternative to synthetic insecticides for vector control.
{"title":"Efficiency of Datura stramonium metabolites as a promising insecticide against the vector-borne diseases Culex pipiens and Aedes aegypti","authors":"Mohamed M. Baz , Randa I. Eltaly , Ramy E. El-Ansary , Moustafa Ibrahim , Fatma H. Galal , Hattan S. Gattan , Mohammed H. Alruhaili , Abdelfattah M. Selim , Lamya Ahmed Alkeridis , Yasser A. El-Sayed , Esraa A. Elhawary","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mosquitoes, one of the deadliest animals on the planet, cause millions of fatalities each year by transmitting several human illnesses. Therefore, it was necessary to use many synthetic pesticides to prevent the spread of diseases, which led to an increase in the effective use of synthetic pesticides to protect humans. The extensive use of pesticides caused serious health problems for humans, environmental damage, and mosquito resistance to synthetic insecticides. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of <em>Datura stramonium</em> extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate, <em>n</em>-hexane, and aqueous) against larvae and adults of <em>Culex pipiens</em> and <em>Aedes aegypti</em> with phytochemical profiles. Bioassays were conducted under laboratory conditions, and lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) were calculated after 24 and 48 h. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed the strongest ability to kill larvae, with LC₅₀ values of 40.19 ppm for <em>Cx. pipiens</em> and 71.46 ppm for <em>Ae. aegypti</em>. In adulticidal assays, aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts induced the highest mortality rates (up to 88 %) at 100 ppm. The methanol extract exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, recording the largest inhibition zone (27 mm) against <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, followed by <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (25 mm) and <em>Candida albicans</em> (22 mm). highlighting its potential as a dual-function natural agent with both insecticidal and antimicrobial properties. UPLC/MS analysis identified several bioactive phytochemicals, including alkaloids withanolides, alkaloids, phenolic acids, cinnamic acid derivatives and flavonoids, that may contribute to the observed effects. The n-hexane extract revealed twelve volatile components from the mono-, di-, and sesquiterpenoid classes, along with volatile alkaloids such as nicotine and scopolamine. Antimicrobial tests also revealed moderate to high inhibition against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the genes Apismin, Defincin 1, SFCYP1, SFCYP4, SFCYP5, and SFRYR were significantly increased, while SFCYP3 was consistently decreased in both <em>Datura</em> and pesticide. However, SFCYP2 is believed to increase in pesticide and decreased in <em>Datura</em>. These findings highlight <em>Datura stramonium</em> as an available, eco-friendly, and promising natural alternative to synthetic insecticides for vector control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103178"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145233309","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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