Veterinary parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Nanotechnology: An avenue for combating fish parasites in aquaculture system","authors":"Pushpa Kumari ,&nbsp;Saurav Kumar ,&nbsp;Ram P. Raman ,&nbsp;Rajive K. Brahmchari","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The intensification of aquaculture in recent years has led to the rise of infectious fish diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Parasitic diseases, in particular, are widespread and have significant economic impacts globally. Protozoan parasites like <em>Ichthyophthirius multifiliis</em> and <em>Trichodina</em> sp., myxozoans (cnidarians), monogeneans like <em>Dactylogyrus</em> sp. and <em>Gyrodactylus</em> sp., and crustacean parasites like <em>Argulus</em> sp. and <em>Lernaea cyprinacea</em> primarily cause these diseases. Despite advancements and new technologies aimed at understanding and treating these diseases, parasites remain a major health challenge in aquaculture. Traditional antiparasitic agents face limitations, including drug resistance and negative effects on non-target organisms. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a novel approach in aquaculture medicine, enabling the development of effective nanoparticles against pathogenic microbes. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are particularly notable for their strong antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties due to their broad mechanisms of action. Although <em>Argulus</em> is a highly destructive crustacean parasite that financially burdens fish farmers, applying nanoparticles to manage this infection in aquaculture is still underexplored. Therefore, this review explores recent efforts to combat parasitic diseases with AgNPs and investigates their potential parasiticidal mechanisms of action, proposing them as a novel tool that could improve the management and control of argulosis diseases. The article underscores the benefits and challenges of this technology, emphasizing its significance in fostering improved health management for sustainable aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110334"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142605312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contribution to host diversity, genetic diversion, and epidemiology of Trichinella pseudospiralis in Slovakia, central Europe.","authors":"Zuzana Hurníková, Yaroslav Syrota, Petronela Komorová, Gabriela Chovancová, Martina Miterpáková","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110332","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trichinella pseudospiralis belongs to the non-encapsulated clade of the genus and its epidemiology is influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors. The role of different animal species in the spread and epidemiology of the parasite is still not well understood and further research is needed in the areas where its occurrence has been recorded. In Slovakia, T. pseudospiralis was first documented in 2004 on a poorly maintained industrial pig farm where pigs, rats, and a domestic cat were found to be infected. In the following years, its occurrence was confirmed in foxes, wild boars, and three species of birds of prey. The objective of the present study was to investigate different micromammal and carnivore host species inhabiting the Tatra National Park in the north of Slovakia for the presence of Trichinella parasites. From 2018-2023, 715 small mammals belonging to 19 species and 92 muscle samples from 12 carnivorous species were individually examined for the presence of Trichinella muscle larvae using the artificial digestion method. The research brought new host records and completed the list of sylvatic hosts for T. pseudospiralis in Slovakia - the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) together with results of the genetic structure study conducted on a fragment of the 28S gene in T. pseudospiralis.</p>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"110332"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142564978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “In vitro evaluation of the potential of mites of the family Macrochelidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) as macrobiological agents against the nematode Haemonchus contortus (Strongylida: Trichostrongylidae)” [Vet. Parasitol. 328 (2024) 110191]","authors":"Karina Araújo dos Anjos ,&nbsp;Fernanda Calvo Duarte ,&nbsp;Luciana Morita Katiki ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Giglioti ,&nbsp;Bruna Gonçalves Santos ,&nbsp;Márcia Cristina Mendes","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110336","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110336"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142509205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk factors associated with increased Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in South Australian Sheep","authors":"Connor Bury,&nbsp;Charles Caraguel,&nbsp;Anne-Lise Chaber,&nbsp;Ryan O’Handley","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110338","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110338","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> (<em>T. gondii</em>) is a protozoan parasite of substantial impact to small ruminants, with reproductive failure a possible outcome of exposure. This observational study assessed <em>T. gondii</em> prevalence within the South Australian sheep population and investigated on-farm risk factors to <em>T. gondii</em> exposure via a cross-sectional survey. 1433 individual animals, consisting of 1282 mixed-age ewes and 151 mixed-age rams were blood sampled and serologically screened for <em>T. gondii-</em>specific antibodies. A risk-analysis questionnaire was conducted for each participating property. Of the 1433 animals sampled, 530 tested positive, with seroprevalence observed to be 39 % (95 % CI 28.7–49.3 %) after accounting for clustering within properties. All properties returned at least one positive result, indicating a flock level seroprevalence of 100 %. <em>T. gondii</em> seroprevalence was found to be higher in sheep on Kangaroo Island (46.6 %; 95 % CI 32.1–61.1 %) compared to the South Australian mainland (31.3 %; 95 % CI 18.4–44.2 %), however this difference was not statistically significant (<em>P</em>=0.125). A significant association was observed between <em>T. gondii</em> seroprevalence and age, with seroprevalence increasing from 30.2 % (95 % CI 17.7–42.6 %) in one year old sheep, to 69.7 % (95 % CI 47.0–92.5 %) in sheep older than six years (P=0.001). <em>T. gondii</em> seroprevalence was significantly higher in animals drinking water from surface water sources (55.9 %; 95 % CI 35.2–76.6 %), compared to those exclusively sourcing reticulated mains water (19.1 %; 95 % CI 0 %-39.0 %) (P=0.028). An individual animal exposed to a surface water source was found to be more than ten times as likely to be exposed to <em>T. gondii</em>, than an animal sourcing only reticulated mains water (odds ratio:10.68; 95 % CI 1.30–87.88). Water source is important in the transmission of <em>T. gondii</em> to South Australian sheep. Mitigation strategies should be developed and targeted at reducing contact between oocysts and water sources and reducing interaction between livestock and contaminated water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110338"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142577748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A 50-year-old question: Can imidocarb chemoprophylaxis ensure seroconversion for babesiosis in cattle under field conditions?","authors":"José Reck ,&nbsp;Guilherme Klafke ,&nbsp;Ramon Scheffer ,&nbsp;Thais Ribeiro Correia ,&nbsp;Fabio Barbour Scott ,&nbsp;João Ricardo Martins","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110337","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110337","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine babesiosis, caused by <em>Babesia bovis</em> or <em>Babesia bigemina</em>, is a major tick-borne disease affecting livestock. In regions with limited vaccine availability, imidocarb is widely used as a chemoprophylactic drug. Although it is assumed that chemoprophylaxis allows for the development of immunity shortly after treatment, the extent of seroconversion during the imidocarb administration protocol remains largely unexplored, with most investigations emphasizing symptom prevention. This research endeavors to verify the seroconversion rate (humoral immunity) of cattle undergoing imidocarb chemoprophylaxis while exposed to tick vectors in field conditions. Fifteen tick-naïve heifers were used, with twelve receiving imidocarb (experimental group) on day 0 of the experiment, and the remaining three serving as controls. On day one of the study, all animals were introduced into a tick-infested pasture. Subsequently, at 28-day intervals (days 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, and 168), the experimental group received imidocarb treatments (1.2 mg/Kg). The detection of antibodies against <em>B. bovis</em> and <em>B. bigemina</em> was performed using commercial ELISA kits. Throughout the study, all animals were exposed to natural infestation by <em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em> ticks. By the 56th day, after two imidocarb doses, 25 % of the experimental group had seroconverted for <em>B. bovis</em>, and 41 % for <em>B. bigemina</em>. By the 84th day, 66 % were seropositive for <em>B. bovis</em> and <em>B. bigemina</em>. By the 112th day, 75 % were seropositive for <em>B. bovis</em>. Notably, one heifer (8 %) failed to seroconvert for either species, while 41 % remained seropositive for only one <em>Babesia</em> species. These findings underscore certain limitations of the chemoprophylaxis protocol for bovine babesiosis. While the majority of treated cattle become seropositive for at least one <em>Babesia</em> species after four successive treatments, exposure to the parasite while receiving imidocarb chemoprophylaxis does not guarantee seroconversion for all treated animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110337"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142523230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The efficacy of essential oil components with ivermectin against Rhipicephalus annulatus: An in-vitro study","authors":"Shawky M. Aboelhadid ,&nbsp;Abdel-Azeem S. Abdel-Baki ,&nbsp;Samar M. Ibrahium ,&nbsp;Saleh Al-Quraishy ,&nbsp;Sahar M. Gadelhaq ,&nbsp;Walid M. Arafa ,&nbsp;Abdulrahman Reyad ,&nbsp;Asmaa A. Kamel","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110335","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110335","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ivermectin (Iv) is widely used to control <em>Rhipicephalus annulatus</em> infestations in cattle in Egypt. However, increasing resistance to ivermectin necessitates alternative approaches. This study aimed to address this resistance by investigating the interactions between ivermectin and essential oil components (EOCs)—carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, D-limonene, trans-anethole, and thymol—against four <em>R. annulatus</em> tick isolates collected from Beni-Suef, El-Minia, and El-Fayoum. The larval immersion test was conducted using various ivermectin concentrations (3, 1.5, 0.75, 0.38, 0.19, 0.09, 0.045, 0.025, and 0.0125 mg/mL) prepared in EthTX1 %. Additionally, EOCs were tested at different concentrations (20, 10, 5, and 2.5 mg/mL) prepared by dilution in 5 % ethyl alcohol and EthTX 1 %. Ivermectin and each EOC were tested individually against the isolates. Subsequently, the LC50 of ivermectin was combined with the LC50 of each EOC in a 1:1 ratio to evaluate potential synergistic effects. All EOCs demonstrated significant toxicity against the isolates. The combination of carvacrol and thymol with ivermectin increased mortality, but the combination index (CI) exceeded one for all isolates, indicating no synergism. Similarly, while D-limonene, cinnamaldehyde, and trans-anethole also resulted in high mortality rates, including up to 100 %, no synergism was observed (CI &gt; 1). However, these three EOCs exhibited CIs close to 1, suggesting an additive effect when combined with ivermectin. In conclusion, combining ivermectin with certain EOCs, particularly D-limonene, cinnamaldehyde, and trans-anethole, may offer an effective tool for controlling cattle ticks. Developing topical or pour-on formulations of ivermectin-EOC combinations could be an integral part of integrated management strategies to combat resistance to macrocyclic lactones like ivermectin. Further studies, including tests on adult ticks and field trials, are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these combinations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110335"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142509208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the efficacy of disinfectants and disinfection methods against Ascaris suum eggs","authors":"Ruisi Zhang,&nbsp;Maolin Lu,&nbsp;Hongyan Yu,&nbsp;Tianlu Liu,&nbsp;Zhiying Cui,&nbsp;Yuling Yang,&nbsp;Mengchao Zhou,&nbsp;Yaxian Lu,&nbsp;Hang Tian,&nbsp;Lihong Tian,&nbsp;Lei Han,&nbsp;Zhijun Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110333","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110333","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ascaris</em> is highly adaptable, allowing its offspring to thrive in various conditions and posing significant health risks widely among animal populations. Most studies regarding the efficacy of disinfectants against <em>Ascaris</em> eggs in animal houses have been limited and lack a systematic and comprehensive evaluation. Currently, <em>Ascaris suum</em> is one of the most extensively studied helminths in the context of parasitology. Here, 8 disinfectants, UV radiation and quicklime were used to treat <em>A</em>. <em>suum</em> eggs, which were subsequently incubated at a room temperature of 22–25ºC for 15 days. The inactivation rate of <em>A. suum</em> eggs (expressed as a percentage) was measured to assess the efficacy of disinfectants, UV radiation, and quicklime in inactivating <em>A. suum</em> eggs. The results indicated that 1 %-10 % povidone iodine, 5 %-25 % ammonia solution, 0.5–2 % chlorine dioxide, 75 % ethanol and formalin in long-term (15 days), as well as the 5 % and 10 % povidone iodine, 25 % ammonia solution and UV irradiation in short-term (30–120 min) completely inhibited the normal development of <em>A. suum</em> eggs up to L2 stage. In conclusion, 75 % ethanol, povidone iodine, chlorine dioxide, ammonia solution, formalin, and UV irradiation are effective in inactivating <em>A. suum</em> eggs for dual disinfection of parasites and microorganisms. Among them, povidone iodine and UV irradiation are relatively efficient and environmentally friendly disinfection methods, and chlorine dioxide, a relatively harmless and broad-spectrum disinfectant, is an alternative choice for <em>A. suum</em> eggs elimination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110333"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142509207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles and extracellular vesicle-depleted excretory-secretory products of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati larval cultures","authors":"Timothy K. Wu ,&nbsp;Qin Fu ,&nbsp;Janice L. Liotta ,&nbsp;Dwight D. Bowman","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110331","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110331","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxocara canis</em> and <em>Toxocara cati</em> are parasitic nematodes in the order Ascaridida, which inhabit the small intestines of dogs and cats, respectively, as adults. Although often nonpathogenic as adults, nematodes within this genus are capable of causing widespread disease throughout the host while in a larval stage, during which time larvae migrate throughout the body in a process termed larva migrans. Larvae are also capable of surviving within host tissues in an encysted arrested stage, without immune clearance by the host. The ability of larvae to survive within host tissues during migration and encystment may be attributed to immunomodulatory molecules released by the excretory cells of larvae in excretory-secretory (ES) products. ES products of parasites contain a variety of molecules, including proteins, lipids, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). <em>Toxocara</em> excretory-secretory (TES) products have been studied to some degree, with proteomic analysis of TES proteins described previously; however, investigation of the EVs within TES is lacking, despite the suggested role for these molecules in host interaction and potential immunomodulation. To further characterize the protein cargo within EVs in TES, EVs were isolated from larval cultures of <em>T. canis</em> and <em>T. cati</em> via ultrafiltration, with concurrent collection of EV-depleted TES filtrate for additional study. Isolated EVs and EV-depleted TES from both <em>T. canis</em> and <em>T. cati</em> were submitted for proteomic analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Proteomic identification results revealed 140 proteins across all samples, with 16 shared by all samples, and 76 total proteins shared between <em>T. canis</em> and <em>T. cati</em>, present within EVs and EV-depleted TES. There were 17 proteins shared exclusively by EV samples, and 15 were shared exclusively between EV-depleted TES samples. Many shared proteins were associated with the host immune response. Several proteins were specific to either <em>T. canis</em> or <em>T. cati</em>, highlighting the potential use of these proteins as diagnostic tools in the differentiation of etiologic agents in cases of toxocariasis. The results of this study build upon previously reported proteomic evaluations of TES, contributing new information in regards to newly identified proteins, EV protein cargo within TES, and potential immunomodulatory functions of these proteins.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110331"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142444936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global and regional prediction of heterakidosis population prevalence in extensive backyard chickens in low-income and middle-income countries","authors":"Violeta Muñoz-Gómez ,&nbsp;Paul R. Torgerson","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110329","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110329","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extensive backyard chickens are one of the most common production systems in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this production system, chickens are exposed to infectious forms of parasites as a result of the outdoor access and scavenging behaviour. <em>Heterakis gallinarum</em> is one of the most common nematode parasites present in the environment, and estimating its global and regional prevalence is essential for attributing the economic losses in extensive backyard chickens. The objective of this study is to predict the prevalence of heterakidosis in extensive backyard chickens at global and regional levels in LMICs using regression imputation methods. A binomial random effect model was developed using empirical data on heterakidosis prevalence and climatic factors as main predictors. Prevalence data were then imputed in all regions based on the regression model. Global and country prevalence were estimated based on regional predictions and their beta distributions. Minimum precipitation, minimum temperature and maximum temperature were selected as significant predictors. The population prevalence of heterakidosis was 0.24 (0.19–0.29). Countries with continental and dry climates had a higher mean prevalence, whereas countries with tropical climates had a lower mean prevalence of heterakidosis. As more empirical data on heterakidosis prevalence become available, this model and predictions should be redefined and updated to capture a more representative association and increase the accuracy of the predictions. The results of this study can be used to attribute the economic losses of extensive backyard chickens, taking into account a holistic approach as promoted by the GBADs programme and therefore, to identify which diseases are more costly to backyard farmers. Furthermore, results can be also served as a proxy for the risk of histomoniasis in extensive backyard chickens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110329"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142441542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Levonorgestrel enhanced Toxoplasma gondii infection risk via progesterone receptor upregulation","authors":"Shenghui Wang,&nbsp;Tiancong Sun,&nbsp;Yan Huang,&nbsp;Rongsheng Mi,&nbsp;Yan Zhang,&nbsp;Haiyan Gong,&nbsp;Zhaoguo Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110330","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110330","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The numerous stray cats and dogs worldwide pose a huge burden on local governments, keeping residents safe and healthy, and maintaining clean cities with good traffic situations. To effectively control the populations of these stray animals, while considering animal welfare, researchers have suggested the use of levonorgestrel (LNG) as a contraceptive method. However, the potential side effects of LNG on these animals need to be evaluated before widespread application. Since dogs and cats play important roles in the transmission of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> as intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively, it is critical to assess the safety of LNG from the perspective of its effect on <em>Toxoplasma</em> susceptibility. In this study, the susceptibility of mice to <em>T. gondii</em> infection was investigated <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em> with the presence of LNG. As a result, LNG increased the risk of infection, which was probably associated with the downregulation of IFN-γ levels, but not with the alteration of host sex hormone levels. Concurrently, the presence of LNG enhanced the expression of its ligand, the progesterone receptor (PGR), on the host cells. The promotional effect of LNG on <em>T. gondii</em> infection was attenuated when the <em>PGR</em> gene was knocked down. This investigation represents the inaugural study of LNG's side effects on <em>T. gondii</em> infection in mice, underscoring the significance of choosing or developing suitable contraceptive drugs for stray animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"332 ","pages":"Article 110330"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142476090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}