Trends in parasitology最新文献

Vector-borne infectious diseases remain a burden within the intertropical belt, and developing holistic vector-control strategies poses a significant challenge. Recently, Tang and colleagues engineered an entomopathogenic fungus that attracts and kills mosquitoes by emitting a woody-scented compound.

In the past decade, Cryptosporidium research has progressed considerably, often drawing on Toxoplasma gondii as a molecular model. Yet, accumulating evidence reveals that such cross-species extrapolation risks overlooking the distinctive biology of Cryptosporidium. Notably, marked metabolic differences exist not only between apicomplexans but also within the Cryptosporidium species, particularly between those infecting the stomach (C. andersoni, C. muris) and those targeting the intestines (C. parvum, C. hominis). Pathways such as polyamine and ceramide metabolism illustrate how earlier assumptions, combined with insufficient attention to species delineation, have led to an incomplete and sometimes inaccurate description of Cryptosporidium metabolism. This review examines metabolic needs and capabilities across several Cryptosporidium species to clarify evolutionary differences and highlight promising pathways for therapeutic intervention.

Parasitic plants rely on other plants for nutrients, but they steer clear of exploiting their relatives, a behavior known as kin avoidance. Recently, Xiang et al. revealed that the parasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum glucosylates and inactivates its haustorium-inducing factors (HIFs), thereby inhibiting prehaustorium formation and avoiding parasitism of its own species.

The peptidome mimicry hypothesis (PMH) builds on the principle that vertebrate immunity recognizes peptides absent from the host proteome. It extends this idea to predict host-parasite coevolution outcomes, systematic 'missing peptides', the narrow host specificity of many parasites, and the higher susceptibility of some interspecies hybrids to infection. PMH proposes that long-term coevolution reduces parasite peptide vocabularies and drives convergence toward host repertoires - a pattern that can help to infer a parasite's original host. For example, analyses of SARS-CoV-2 peptide vocabularies have been used to reconstruct the virus's likely host-switching history. Beyond theory, PMH provides an independent and effective way to nominate immunogenic peptide targets for vaccine design, complementary to existing prediction methods.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a leading approach for deciphering the complexity and heterogeneity of RNA transcripts among individual cells. The technique has revolutionized helminthology by offering critical insights into helminth cell and developmental biology, host-helminth interactions, and the underlying mechanisms involved in the immunopathology of helminth infections. scRNA-seq facilitates the identification of novel anti-helminth targets for therapeutic and prophylactic intervention. This review presents an overview of scRNA-seq and highlights its applications in the field of helminthology. Despite certain limitations and challenges, the technique has the potential for further improvement and integration with other methodologies, such as single-cell multi-omics, showing a promising perspective in transforming helminth research.

Loiasis remains one of the least prioritised filarial infections, yet its neglect undermines onchocerciasis elimination and limits progress toward global NTD goals. Recognising Loa loa as a neglected tropical disease would unlock resources, promote safe mass drug administration, and accelerate the World Health Organization's 2030 targets.

Human-mediated migrations have reshaped Toxoplasma gondii in South America through massive hybridizations between Old World domestic lineages and wild native populations. We propose that this convergence of domestic adaptation and virulence traits from wild strains underlies the continent's unusually severe disease burden, particularly ocular toxoplasmosis, with major public health implications.

Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites, poses an immense global health burden in desperate need of additional foundational and translational research. Fokkens et al. characterize a unique dual kinase-ubiquitin ligase (KUL) protein that is an essential virulence factor for Leishmania mexicana and can be targeted by small-molecule inhibitors.

Ascarid infections, caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (humans), Ascaris suum (domestic pigs and wild boars), Parascaris spp. (equids), Ascaridia galli (poultry) and Toxocara spp. (dogs, foxes, and cats), remain a significant global challenge, substantially impacting human, animal, and environmental health and imposing considerable economic burdens. This review synthesizes recent advances and persistent obstacles in ascarid control, including drug resistance, low-intensity and undetected infections, climate-driven transmission shifts, and diagnostic limitations. Using a One Health lens, we underscore the need for integrated approaches across human, animal, and environmental sectors. We emphasize rethinking helminth control strategies through cross-sector collaboration, community participation, equity, social and behavior change communication (SBCC), environmental risk reduction, and innovative diagnostic and monitoring systems across species and environments.