Trends in parasitology最新文献

Wang et al. recently reported that during helminth infection, innate lymphoid cell (ILC)-derived IL-13 is sensed by gut neurons, which in turn secretes CGRP to inhibit ILC2 proliferation and anti-helminth responses. Hence, this study demonstrates a bidirectional crosstalk between enteric neurons and immune cells that regulates type-2 immunity.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne parasitic disease that poses a significant risk to both animal and human health. A comprehensive understanding of Babesia biology necessitates the application of advanced laboratory techniques. This review explores recent advancements in gene editing technologies of Babesia, emphasizing the foundational importance of in vitro culture systems. We highlight the historical challenges encountered in establishing effective in vitro culture and discuss the need for optimizing these methods to enhance gene editing efficiency. Here, we describe recent progress in Babesia transfection, different gene manipulation systems, and the applications of gene editing. This review aims to provide essential insights and technical guidance for future studies in Babesia genetics, highlighting the transformative potential of gene manipulation in combating this important parasitic disease.

Mosquitoes transmit deadly diseases. Chemical repellents deter mosquitoes from approaching or biting a human host and are an effective behavior-based method of personal protection. However, the current standards for selecting repellents often disregard their mode of action. This has likely led many potential repellents to be overlooked. Here, we discuss the sensory systems that underlie host-seeking behavior and how such behaviors are interrupted by repellents. We explore the behavioral assays used to identify repellents and how these have led a handful of contact repellents (DEET, picaridin, IR3535) to dominate the field. Finally, we consider how the development of spatial repellents may further protect against mosquito-borne diseases.

The application of neuroimaging techniques to patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection has uncovered a wide range of brain changes not only in cerebral malaria but also in noncomatose patients. We propose several hypotheses to unify findings across the spectrum of clinical malaria in adults and highlight the urgent need to evaluate potential long-term effects of cerebral alterations on neurocognition in this understudied age group.

Tropical theileriosis is a significant tick-borne disease affecting cattle. For decades an empirical live attenuated vaccine has been the primary method of controlling disease. The vaccine is produced through prolonged culture of Theileria annulata schizont-transformed macrophages, but how loss of virulence occurs remains unclear. Notably attenuated (vaccine) macrophages display dampened dissemination potential compared with their original, virulent counterparts. In addition, parasite schizonts in attenuated macrophages have significantly lost their ability to differentiate into merozoites. This review discusses the changes that occur during long-term passage of T. annulata-transformed bovine macrophages and how they contribute to loss of virulence, defined as heightened dissemination. Finally, we also suggest that a common parasite-dependent pathway is potentially involved in both macrophage dissemination and parasite merogony.

Toxoplasma gondii motility is an all-or-nothing response. Claywell et al. identify negative-feedback loops in cyclic-nucleotide signaling that allow parasites to turn off motility and commit to intracellular replication. Feedback mechanisms and bistability are useful frameworks for describing, modeling, and testing T. gondii motility signaling pathways.

The persistent global burden of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) needs innovative control strategies, as traditional methods are compromised by acaricides and drug resistance and variable vaccine efficacy. We propose a dual-action strategy using cross-species immune activation: human microbiota triggers the production of natural antibodies that directly target pathogens in the host and modulate vector immunity by interacting with vector microbiota. The human microbiota also modulates cytokine responses, enhancing immune defenses in both host and vector. These mechanisms can be further optimized by identifying immunobiotics - specific gut microbes that stimulate protective immune responses against VBDs. This approach offers a sustainable framework to bridge the gap between host and vector immunity, introducing a novel method to combat VBDs.

Neglected tropical diseases are accelerating because of climate change and urbanization to create new clusters of vast urban areas beset by poverty and environmental degradation. These hot and contaminated megacities could enable the rise of parasitic and other tropical infections. A new generation of antiparasitic vaccines will be needed.

Intravascular schistosomes have an unusual outer, heptalaminate (seven-layered) covering consisting of not one but two lipid bilayers. Here, we present an updated model of the molecular composition of these bilayers in Schistosoma mansoni that places most identified proteins in the outer, and not the inner, membrane. Here, enzymes would have access to their recently described (non-membrane-permeable) substrates. By contrast, nutrient transporter proteins must be in both membranes to facilitate uptake into the worm's inner tissues. Ectoenzyme activities displayed by living worms suggest the presence on their outer surface of several noncanonically extracellular proteins. The advantages of having a double-bilayered covering may relate to impeding host immunological attack and/or to the worm's ability to acquire selected host molecules onto their exterior.