Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00315
Zhao Li , Tao Li , Lian-Tao Yang , Cai-Qin Deng , Qi-Xin Liu , Qin-Zhang , Ling Wu , Yue Sun , Feng-Cai Zou , Xue Zhou , Qi-Shuai Liu
Toxoplasma gondii is a significant foodborne parasite. However, the precise thermal conditions required to inactivate its tissue cysts in meat remain poorly defined. This study systematically determined the effects of temperature (45–70 °C) and time (10–30 min) on cyst viability. Cysts treated under each condition were orally administered to susceptible C57BL/6J mice, and infectivity was comprehensively assessed through survival, clinical signs, serology (IgG), qPCR, and histopathology. Results demonstrated that treatment at 60 °C for 10 min or under more stringent conditions completely abolished infectivity, as evidenced by 100% survival, the absence of specific antibodies, and the non-detection of parasite DNA or lesions in tissues. Thus, 60 °C for 10 min is established as a critical inactivation threshold, providing a definitive reference for developing science-based thermal processing guidelines to enhance meat safety.
{"title":"Bioassay of the infectivity of heat-treated Toxoplasma gondii cysts in susceptible C57BL/6J mice","authors":"Zhao Li , Tao Li , Lian-Tao Yang , Cai-Qin Deng , Qi-Xin Liu , Qin-Zhang , Ling Wu , Yue Sun , Feng-Cai Zou , Xue Zhou , Qi-Shuai Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00315","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is a significant foodborne parasite. However, the precise thermal conditions required to inactivate its tissue cysts in meat remain poorly defined. This study systematically determined the effects of temperature (45–70 °C) and time (10–30 min) on cyst viability. Cysts treated under each condition were orally administered to susceptible C57BL/6J mice, and infectivity was comprehensively assessed through survival, clinical signs, serology (IgG), qPCR, and histopathology. Results demonstrated that treatment at 60 °C for 10 min or under more stringent conditions completely abolished infectivity, as evidenced by 100% survival, the absence of specific antibodies, and the non-detection of parasite DNA or lesions in tissues. Thus, 60 °C for 10 min is established as a critical inactivation threshold, providing a definitive reference for developing science-based thermal processing guidelines to enhance meat safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00315"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00319
Laurencie Massamba , Jean Testa , Pierre Marty , Jacques Sevestre
Human distomatoses may be caused by several genera of trematodes, including Fasciola spp., responsible for cosmopolitan fasciolosis. Once widespread in Western Europe, the prevalence of these parasitoses has significantly declined in the last decades. The rarity of these infections may result in overlooking such etiologies. Nevertheless, imported cases are still being diagnosed, notably among migrants and travelers returning from endemic areas. Laboratory assays used for confirmation require different techniques, which exhibit various sensitivities and specificities, thus requiring expertise. In this context, diagnosis of fasciolosis can be challenging, particularly in primary care settings. We present a case of hepatic fasciolosis, likely acquired in Burkina Faso, in a traveler for whom several months elapsed before etiological diagnosis was made. Given the important number of patients visiting endemic areas, and recent migratory movements, the incidence of human imported distomatosis may increase in metropolitan France in the near future.
{"title":"Fasciolosis in a traveler returning from Burkina Faso","authors":"Laurencie Massamba , Jean Testa , Pierre Marty , Jacques Sevestre","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human distomatoses may be caused by several genera of trematodes, including <em>Fasciola</em> spp., responsible for cosmopolitan fasciolosis. Once widespread in Western Europe, the prevalence of these parasitoses has significantly declined in the last decades. The rarity of these infections may result in overlooking such etiologies. Nevertheless, imported cases are still being diagnosed, notably among migrants and travelers returning from endemic areas. Laboratory assays used for confirmation require different techniques, which exhibit various sensitivities and specificities, thus requiring expertise. In this context, diagnosis of fasciolosis can be challenging, particularly in primary care settings. We present a case of hepatic fasciolosis, likely acquired in Burkina Faso, in a traveler for whom several months elapsed before etiological diagnosis was made. Given the important number of patients visiting endemic areas, and recent migratory movements, the incidence of human imported distomatosis may increase in metropolitan France in the near future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00319"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146214367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-20DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00323
Md. Farhan Hasan , Ainun Nahar , Anas Bin Harun , Abdullah Al Bayazid , Sourov Sutradhar , Sabiha Zarin Tasnim Bristi , Basant Saud , Delower Hossain , Md. Aminul Islam , Md. Ataur Rahman , Md Robiul Karim
Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent zoonotic protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle, using felids as definitive hosts and various warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. This study aimed to assess the sero-molecular prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in domestic cats in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh. Blood and fecal samples from 184 cats were collected and analyzed using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the REP-529 gene. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was determined as 9.78% (18/184), while molecular analysis detected a slightly lower prevalence of 8.15% (15/184) among the sampled cats. Several host- and management-related factors were significantly associated with T. gondii infection in cats. ELISA positivity was significantly higher in non-dewormed cats, those with outdoor access, and those defecating outdoors, while PCR positivity was significantly associated with outdoor access and outdoor defecation. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that age, deworming status, and outdoor access were significant risk factors based on ELISA. In contrast, outdoor access alone was identified as a risk factor by PCR detection. The results indicate that T. gondii infection is common among domestic cats in Bangladesh, posing a potential risk of zoonotic transmission to humans. These findings highlight the importance of raising cat owners' awareness, enhancing public health education, and promoting preventive veterinary care to reduce the transmission of T. gondii between cats and humans.
{"title":"Serological and molecular investigation of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats in Dhaka City, Bangladesh","authors":"Md. Farhan Hasan , Ainun Nahar , Anas Bin Harun , Abdullah Al Bayazid , Sourov Sutradhar , Sabiha Zarin Tasnim Bristi , Basant Saud , Delower Hossain , Md. Aminul Islam , Md. Ataur Rahman , Md Robiul Karim","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is a globally prevalent zoonotic protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle, using felids as definitive hosts and various warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. This study aimed to assess the sero-molecular prevalence and risk factors of <em>T. gondii</em> infection in domestic cats in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh. Blood and fecal samples from 184 cats were collected and analyzed using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the REP-529 gene. The seroprevalence of <em>T. gondii</em> was determined as 9.78% (18/184), while molecular analysis detected a slightly lower prevalence of 8.15% (15/184) among the sampled cats. Several host- and management-related factors were significantly associated with <em>T. gondii</em> infection in cats. ELISA positivity was significantly higher in non-dewormed cats, those with outdoor access, and those defecating outdoors, while PCR positivity was significantly associated with outdoor access and outdoor defecation. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that age, deworming status, and outdoor access were significant risk factors based on ELISA. In contrast, outdoor access alone was identified as a risk factor by PCR detection. The results indicate that <em>T. gondii</em> infection is common among domestic cats in Bangladesh, posing a potential risk of zoonotic transmission to humans. These findings highlight the importance of raising cat owners' awareness, enhancing public health education, and promoting preventive veterinary care to reduce the transmission of <em>T. gondii</em> between cats and humans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00323"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147349636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00316
Si Si Ru , Wen Li , Jie Hao , Cheng Yue Cao , Li Ma , Xi Zhang
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology offers substantial advantages in parasite detection; however, we still know very little about its diagnostic value for Spirometra mansoni infection. In this study, mNGS technology was used to analyse faecal samples and blood samples from cats infected with S. mansoni, as well as tissue samples and blood samples from mice infected with the plerocercoid larvae of S. mansoni. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to validate the mNGS results. The diagnostic value of mNGS for S. mansoni infection was systematically evaluated. The mNGS results revealed that the read counts of S. mansoni in the cat faeces (CF) samples were 301,497 (CF1), 1,330,549 (CF2), 1,181,162 (CF3), and 0 (CF0), with relative abundances of 3.17%, 16.64%, 13.14%, and 0%, respectively. In the mouse tissue (MT) samples, the read counts of S. mansoni were 10,791 (MT1), 438 (MT2), 3697 (MT3), and 10 (MT0), with relative abundances of 67.21%, 3.65%, 21.12%, and 0.16%, respectively. No sequences of S. mansoni were detected in the cat blood samples or mouse blood samples. The PCR results were consistent with the mNGS results, confirming the accuracy of the mNGS analysis. In addition, during the detection process, the assembly-based analysis did not detect sequences of S. mansoni in all samples. In contrast, the read-based analysis successfully detected the target sequences without fail. Finally, the analysis of microbiota diversity in the definitive host faecal samples revealed that compared with those in the control group, the elevated microbial taxa in the infected group mainly were probiotics, such as Prevotella copri and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. Conversely, the decreased microbial populations were primarily associated with certain diseases, such as Collinsella stercoris and Catenibacterium sp. In this study, the diagnostic value of mNGS for S. mansoni infection was systematically evaluated. These findings establish a foundation for the more precise application of mNGS technology in the detection of S. mansoni and related cestode infections.
新一代宏基因组测序（mNGS）技术在寄生虫检测方面具有显著优势；然而，我们对其对曼氏螺虫感染的诊断价值仍知之甚少。在本研究中，采用mNGS技术分析了感染mansoni的猫的粪便样本和血液样本，以及感染mansoni S. plerocercotes幼虫的小鼠的组织样本和血液样本。此外，采用聚合酶链反应（PCR）对mNGS结果进行验证。系统评价mNGS对曼氏链球菌感染的诊断价值。mNGS结果显示，猫粪（CF）样品中mansoni S. reads计数分别为301497 （CF1）、1330549 （CF2）、1181162 （CF3）和0 (CF0)，相对丰度分别为3.17%、16.64%、13.14%和0%。在小鼠组织（MT）样品中，mansoni S. mansoni的reads计数分别为10791 （MT1）、438 （MT2）、3697 （MT3）和10 (MT0)，相对丰度分别为67.21%、3.65%、21.12%和0.16%。猫血和鼠血均未检出曼氏链球菌序列。PCR结果与mNGS结果一致，证实了mNGS分析的准确性。此外，在检测过程中，基于装配的分析并未在所有样品中检测到S. mansoni的序列。相比之下，基于读取的分析成功地检测到目标序列，没有失败。最后，对最终宿主粪便样本的微生物群多样性分析显示，与对照组相比，感染组微生物群的增加主要是益生菌，如copri普雷沃氏菌和青少年双歧杆菌。相反，微生物数量的减少主要与某些疾病有关，如粪Collinsella stercoris和Catenibacterium sp.。本研究系统评价了mNGS对mansoni s.m ansoni感染的诊断价值。这些发现为更精确地应用mNGS技术检测曼氏梭菌及相关寄生虫感染奠定了基础。
{"title":"Evaluation of the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for zoonotic cestode Spirometra mansoni infection","authors":"Si Si Ru , Wen Li , Jie Hao , Cheng Yue Cao , Li Ma , Xi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00316","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00316","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology offers substantial advantages in parasite detection; however, we still know very little about its diagnostic value for <em>Spirometra mansoni</em> infection. In this study, mNGS technology was used to analyse faecal samples and blood samples from cats infected with <em>S. mansoni</em>, as well as tissue samples and blood samples from mice infected with the plerocercoid larvae of <em>S. mansoni</em>. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to validate the mNGS results. The diagnostic value of mNGS for <em>S. mansoni</em> infection was systematically evaluated. The mNGS results revealed that the read counts of <em>S. mansoni</em> in the cat faeces (CF) samples were 301,497 (CF1), 1,330,549 (CF2), 1,181,162 (CF3), and 0 (CF0), with relative abundances of 3.17%, 16.64%, 13.14%, and 0%, respectively. In the mouse tissue (MT) samples, the read counts of <em>S. mansoni</em> were 10,791 (MT1), 438 (MT2), 3697 (MT3), and 10 (MT0), with relative abundances of 67.21%, 3.65%, 21.12%, and 0.16%, respectively. No sequences of <em>S. mansoni</em> were detected in the cat blood samples or mouse blood samples. The PCR results were consistent with the mNGS results, confirming the accuracy of the mNGS analysis. In addition, during the detection process, the assembly-based analysis did not detect sequences of <em>S. mansoni</em> in all samples. In contrast, the read-based analysis successfully detected the target sequences without fail. Finally, the analysis of microbiota diversity in the definitive host faecal samples revealed that compared with those in the control group, the elevated microbial taxa in the infected group mainly were probiotics, such as <em>Prevotella copri</em> and <em>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</em>. Conversely, the decreased microbial populations were primarily associated with certain diseases, such as <em>Collinsella stercoris</em> and <em>Catenibacterium</em> sp. In this study, the diagnostic value of mNGS for <em>S. mansoni</em> infection was systematically evaluated. These findings establish a foundation for the more precise application of mNGS technology in the detection of <em>S. mansoni</em> and related cestode infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00316"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00322
Vladislav A. Lobanov, Kelly A. Konecsni, W. Brad Scandrett
The International Commission on Trichinellosis (ICT) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) recommend the use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that utilizes excretory-secretory (E-S) antigens (ESA) of Trichinella spiralis for surveillance and epidemiological studies in pigs and wild boars. Our efforts to optimize and standardize ESA production and ELISA protocols resulted in improved diagnostic performance of an in-house E-S ELISA. To validate the optimized assay, we compared its performance with that of a commercial E-S ELISA kit using sera from a representative set of commercial Canadian pigs (presumably Trichinella-free) and pigs experimentally infected with Trichinella spp. Both assays correctly identified the positive and negative sera, yielding 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. However, in-house E-S ELISA exhibited a higher resolving power, as evidenced by the markedly better separation of normalized absorbance values of positive sera from those of samples from the negative pig population. Furthermore, significantly higher serial dilutions of sera from pigs experimentally infected with T. spiralis, T. pseudospiralis, T. britovi and T. nativa tested positive by the in-house E-S ELISA, demonstrating a higher analytical sensitivity of this assay. We continued testing sera from Canadian commercial pigs using the in-house assay to obtain a more accurate estimate of its diagnostic specificity. A total of 6345 animals have been tested, with only 11 samples showing test values above the cut-off. Ten of these sera tested negative by confirmatory western blot (WB). Therefore, the diagnostic specificity of in-house E-S ELISA alone and in combination with WB testing was 99.84% and 99.98%, respectively. WB detected seroconversion earlier than the optimized E-S ELISA in five of 15 pigs experimentally infected with various low doses of T. spiralis. The results of this study support the use of the optimized E-S ELISA and confirmatory WB for epidemiological surveys to monitor exposure to Trichinella spp. in swine.
{"title":"Validation of an optimized in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for enhanced detection of Trichinella spp. exposure in swine","authors":"Vladislav A. Lobanov, Kelly A. Konecsni, W. Brad Scandrett","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2026.e00322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The International Commission on Trichinellosis (ICT) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) recommend the use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that utilizes excretory-secretory (E-S) antigens (ESA) of <em>Trichinella spiralis</em> for surveillance and epidemiological studies in pigs and wild boars. Our efforts to optimize and standardize ESA production and ELISA protocols resulted in improved diagnostic performance of an in-house E<em>-</em>S ELISA. To validate the optimized assay, we compared its performance with that of a commercial E-S ELISA kit using sera from a representative set of commercial Canadian pigs (presumably <em>Trichinella</em>-free) and pigs experimentally infected with <em>Trichinella</em> spp. Both assays correctly identified the positive and negative sera, yielding 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. However, in-house E-S ELISA exhibited a higher resolving power, as evidenced by the markedly better separation of normalized absorbance values of positive sera from those of samples from the negative pig population. Furthermore, significantly higher serial dilutions of sera from pigs experimentally infected with <em>T. spiralis</em>, <em>T. pseudospiralis</em>, <em>T. britovi</em> and <em>T. nativa</em> tested positive by the in-house E-S ELISA, demonstrating a higher analytical sensitivity of this assay. We continued testing sera from Canadian commercial pigs using the in-house assay to obtain a more accurate estimate of its diagnostic specificity. A total of 6345 animals have been tested, with only 11 samples showing test values above the cut-off. Ten of these sera tested negative by confirmatory western blot (WB). Therefore, the diagnostic specificity of in-house E-S ELISA alone and in combination with WB testing was 99.84% and 99.98%, respectively. WB detected seroconversion earlier than the optimized E-S ELISA in five of 15 pigs experimentally infected with various low doses of <em>T. spiralis</em>. The results of this study support the use of the optimized E-S ELISA and confirmatory WB for epidemiological surveys to monitor exposure to <em>Trichinella</em> spp. in swine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"42 ","pages":"Article e00322"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147397308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-31DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00299
Antonino Pace , Paola Pepe , Massimiliano Fabbricino , Vincenzo Mignano , Lavinia Ciuca , Laura Rinaldi , Ludovico Dipineto
Waterborne diseases affect millions of people annually, challenging public health worldwide. Despite the advancements in water management, high-income countries remain at risk, mainly because of faulty or ageing water infrastructure. Giardia and Campylobacter are two key waterborne pathogens and leading agents of gastrointestinal illnesses. Both can be transmitted through contaminated water under similar environmental and sanitary conditions, with co-infections worsening symptoms and complicating diagnosis and treatment efficacy. This review examines waterborne outbreaks in Europe, over the last 15 years (2010–2024), focusing on Giardia while adding an additional perspective on Campylobacter. Over 30 outbreaks were reported during the study period, primarily in Ireland and Nordic countries. Recreational and drinking water sources were the most commonly implicated, with contamination events often associated with specific incidents or treatment failures, and heavy rainfall suggested as contributing factor to pathogen entry. In addition, climate change is discussed as a major driver exacerbating waterborne disease risks through extreme weather events. The review highlights persistent vulnerabilities in water safety across Europe, and emphasizes the importance of mitigation strategies, which include risk assessment, early detection and continuous surveillance, improved water treatment and climate-resilient infrastructures, along with interdisciplinary collaboration with different stakeholders.
{"title":"Giardia and Campylobacter: Fifteen years (2010–2024) of waterborne outbreaks in Europe","authors":"Antonino Pace , Paola Pepe , Massimiliano Fabbricino , Vincenzo Mignano , Lavinia Ciuca , Laura Rinaldi , Ludovico Dipineto","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00299","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00299","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Waterborne diseases affect millions of people annually, challenging public health worldwide. Despite the advancements in water management, high-income countries remain at risk, mainly because of faulty or ageing water infrastructure. <em>Giardia</em> and <em>Campylobacter</em> are two key waterborne pathogens and leading agents of gastrointestinal illnesses. Both can be transmitted through contaminated water under similar environmental and sanitary conditions, with co-infections worsening symptoms and complicating diagnosis and treatment efficacy. This review examines waterborne outbreaks in Europe, over the last 15 years (2010–2024), focusing on <em>Giardia</em> while adding an additional perspective on <em>Campylobacter</em>. Over 30 outbreaks were reported during the study period, primarily in Ireland and Nordic countries. Recreational and drinking water sources were the most commonly implicated, with contamination events often associated with specific incidents or treatment failures, and heavy rainfall suggested as contributing factor to pathogen entry. In addition, climate change is discussed as a major driver exacerbating waterborne disease risks through extreme weather events. The review highlights persistent vulnerabilities in water safety across Europe, and emphasizes the importance of mitigation strategies, which include risk assessment, early detection and continuous surveillance, improved water treatment and climate-resilient infrastructures, along with interdisciplinary collaboration with different stakeholders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00299"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Blastocystis is a genetically diverse enteric protist commonly found in humans and a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Although its prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution have been extensively studied in terrestrial ecosystems, its occurrence in marine organisms remains less known. In this study, we performed amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) to investigate, for the first time, the presence of Blastocystis in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and to expand existing data on ST diversity in cetaceans, stranded along the Italian Mediterranean coast. A total of 97 faecal samples were collected from 69 individuals of loggerhead sea turtles and 28 cetaceans. Blastocystis was detected in 44 % of the samples by real-time PCR—specifically in 39 loggerhead sea turtles and 4 fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus)—and further characterized by NGS. Ten STs were identified in loggerhead sea turtles and six in fin whales, with mixed infections frequently observed, particularly in turtles. Among the 18 STs detected, several represented new host records for marine organisms. ST4 was the most prevalent, especially in loggerhead sea turtles from the Tyrrhenian coast, and it exhibited a high degree of intra-subtype genetic variation. Comparison of ST4 sequences from this study with those of terrestrial origin revealed a certain level of substructuring; however, the most common haplotypes were shared between marine and terrestrial sources, supporting the hypothesis of a terrestrial origin for the marine STs. These findings highlight the potential use of Blastocystis STs occurring in marine megafauna as ecological indicators of faecal pollution from terrestrial origin in coastal marine environment. Moreover, they underscore the importance of applying a One Health framework, supported by NGS technologies, to elucidate the transmission dynamics of Blastocystis STs among humans, terrestrial, and marine hosts.
{"title":"Multiple Blastocystis subtypes in Mediterranean marine turtles and cetaceans by amplicon-based NGS","authors":"Marialetizia Palomba , Veronica Rodriguez-Fernandez , Renato Aco-Alburqueque , Meryam Carrus , Federica Marcer , Erica Marchiori , Mario Santoro , Tiziana Castrignanò , Daniele Canestrelli , Simonetta Mattiucci","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Blastocystis</em> is a genetically diverse enteric protist commonly found in humans and a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Although its prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution have been extensively studied in terrestrial ecosystems, its occurrence in marine organisms remains less known. In this study, we performed amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) to investigate, for the first time, the presence of <em>Blastocystis</em> in loggerhead sea turtles (<em>Caretta caretta</em>) and to expand existing data on ST diversity in cetaceans, stranded along the Italian Mediterranean coast. A total of 97 faecal samples were collected from 69 individuals of loggerhead sea turtles and 28 cetaceans. <em>Blastocystis</em> was detected in 44 % of the samples by real-time PCR—specifically in 39 loggerhead sea turtles and 4 fin whales (<em>Balaenoptera physalus</em>)—and further characterized by NGS. Ten STs were identified in loggerhead sea turtles and six in fin whales, with mixed infections frequently observed, particularly in turtles. Among the 18 STs detected, several represented new host records for marine organisms. ST4 was the most prevalent, especially in loggerhead sea turtles from the Tyrrhenian coast, and it exhibited a high degree of intra-subtype genetic variation. Comparison of ST4 sequences from this study with those of terrestrial origin revealed a certain level of substructuring; however, the most common haplotypes were shared between marine and terrestrial sources, supporting the hypothesis of a terrestrial origin for the marine STs. These findings highlight the potential use of <em>Blastocystis</em> STs occurring in marine megafauna as ecological indicators of faecal pollution from terrestrial origin in coastal marine environment. Moreover, they underscore the importance of applying a One Health framework, supported by NGS technologies, to elucidate the transmission dynamics of <em>Blastocystis</em> STs among humans, terrestrial, and marine hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00307"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-26DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00297
Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez , Rafael Calero-Bernal , Natalia Velasco-Jiménez , Irene Gallego-Moreno , Carmen Pérez-Díaz , Rocío Bustamante , Ryan Choi , Matthew A. Hulverson , Andrew Hemphill , Wesley C. Van Voorhis , Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
The presence of microscopic cysts of the zoonotic apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in mutton is relatively common. Toxoplasma gondii is frequently transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat and infected people may suffer from neurological, ocular and pregnancy disorders. Experimental infections in sheep have provided clues on the T. gondii tissue tropism during the chronic stage of infection. However, data regarding infections involving low challenge doses is lacking. Following challenge of sheep with 1000 sporulated oocysts of the Type II TgShSp1 strain, parasite DNA was detected in all sheep at 62 days post-challenge, with detection rates of 87 %, 79 %, 66 % and 66 % in the brain, heart, tongue and biceps femoris muscle, respectively. By contrast, after challenge of sheep with a dose of 10 oocysts, parasite DNA was detected in tissues of only 5 out of 8 animals (62.5 %). The biceps femoris muscle was the most frequently infected tissue (parasite DNA detection rate of 50 %), resembling the pattern observed in naturally infected sheep. In addition, the administration of multiple doses of the compound BKI-1748, which reached therapeutic concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, to infected sheep at 2 and 7 days post-challenge prevented the establishment of the chronic T. gondii infection in the treated animals. Therefore, BKI-1748 could be a promising tool for improving safety in mutton intended for human consumption.
{"title":"Dose-dependent tissue tropism and efficacy of early BKI-1748 treatment in chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep","authors":"Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez , Rafael Calero-Bernal , Natalia Velasco-Jiménez , Irene Gallego-Moreno , Carmen Pérez-Díaz , Rocío Bustamante , Ryan Choi , Matthew A. Hulverson , Andrew Hemphill , Wesley C. Van Voorhis , Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of microscopic cysts of the zoonotic apicomplexan parasite <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> in mutton is relatively common. <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is frequently transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat and infected people may suffer from neurological, ocular and pregnancy disorders. Experimental infections in sheep have provided clues on the <em>T. gondii</em> tissue tropism during the chronic stage of infection. However, data regarding infections involving low challenge doses is lacking. Following challenge of sheep with 1000 sporulated oocysts of the Type II TgShSp1 strain, parasite DNA was detected in all sheep at 62 days post-challenge, with detection rates of 87 %, 79 %, 66 % and 66 % in the brain, heart, tongue and <em>biceps femoris</em> muscle, respectively. By contrast, after challenge of sheep with a dose of 10 oocysts, parasite DNA was detected in tissues of only 5 out of 8 animals (62.5 %). The <em>biceps femoris</em> muscle was the most frequently infected tissue (parasite DNA detection rate of 50 %), resembling the pattern observed in naturally infected sheep. In addition, the administration of multiple doses of the compound BKI-1748, which reached therapeutic concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, to infected sheep at 2 and 7 days post-challenge prevented the establishment of the chronic <em>T. gondii</em> infection in the treated animals. Therefore, BKI-1748 could be a promising tool for improving safety in mutton intended for human consumption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00297"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145417585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-21DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00292
Xialiang Ye , Ziran Mo , Qinghan Meng , Jingwei Quan , Bin Xu , Wei Ruan , Jianhua Zhao , Junxian Liu , Cuimei Li , Yang Yu , Yuwei Shan , Wenbin Yang , Lei Xiu , Wei Hu
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic parasite with a broad host range and public health significance. In China, livestock production is predominantly small-scale, with cattle and sheep commonly maintained under extensive or semi-intensive husbandry systems that lack adequate biosecurity measures. Lishui, Zhejiang Province, typifies this model, where intensive and non-intensive farming systems coexist, and where abundant rainfall and dense water networks facilitate pathogen transmission. A total of 588 fecal samples were collected from cattle (n = 175), sheep (n = 228), and humans (n = 185) across nine counties in Lishui. Nested PCR targeting the ITS region was used for detection and genotyping, followed by phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses. The overall infection rates were 32.9 % in sheep, 4.5 % in cattle, and 1.6 % in humans, with all human cases occurring in occupationally exposed farm workers. Significantly higher infection rates were observed in intensively managed herds and in young animals under one year of age (P < 0.05). Five genotypes were identified in sheep, among which BEB6 was predominant (80.0 %), while cattle harbored genotypes BEB8 and J. Human isolates comprised genotypes BEB6, J, and I. Phylogenetic analyses placed all identified genotypes within Group 2, and haplotype network reconstruction revealed 10 haplotypes, some of which were shared between human and livestock samples from the same farms. These findings highlight cross-species transmission risks under current farming practices and underscore the necessity for One Health-based surveillance and control strategies.
{"title":"Molecular epidemiology and cross-species transmission risk of Enterocytozoon bieneusi between humans and livestock: Evidence from Lishui, China","authors":"Xialiang Ye , Ziran Mo , Qinghan Meng , Jingwei Quan , Bin Xu , Wei Ruan , Jianhua Zhao , Junxian Liu , Cuimei Li , Yang Yu , Yuwei Shan , Wenbin Yang , Lei Xiu , Wei Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00292","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00292","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</em> is a zoonotic parasite with a broad host range and public health significance. In China, livestock production is predominantly small-scale, with cattle and sheep commonly maintained under extensive or semi-intensive husbandry systems that lack adequate biosecurity measures. Lishui, Zhejiang Province, typifies this model, where intensive and non-intensive farming systems coexist, and where abundant rainfall and dense water networks facilitate pathogen transmission. A total of 588 fecal samples were collected from cattle (<em>n</em> = 175), sheep (<em>n</em> = 228), and humans (<em>n</em> = 185) across nine counties in Lishui. Nested PCR targeting the <em>ITS</em> region was used for detection and genotyping, followed by phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses. The overall infection rates were 32.9 % in sheep, 4.5 % in cattle, and 1.6 % in humans, with all human cases occurring in occupationally exposed farm workers. Significantly higher infection rates were observed in intensively managed herds and in young animals under one year of age (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Five genotypes were identified in sheep, among which BEB6 was predominant (80.0 %), while cattle harbored genotypes BEB8 and J. Human isolates comprised genotypes BEB6, J, and I. Phylogenetic analyses placed all identified genotypes within Group 2, and haplotype network reconstruction revealed 10 haplotypes, some of which were shared between human and livestock samples from the same farms. These findings highlight cross-species transmission risks under current farming practices and underscore the necessity for One Health-based surveillance and control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00292"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145120580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00303
F. Atroch , L.F. Rangel , P. Ramos , C. Ayra-Pardo , M.J. Santos
This study examined the distribution of Anisakis sp. L3 within the edible muscle tissue of 15 European hake (Merluccius merluccius) specimens captured off the Southwest Irish coast during the spring of 2023. European hake is a commercially valuable species, but it is frequently and heavily infected with species of the genus Anisakis, which pose significant zoonotic risks. All examined hakes were infected, with a mean intensity of 743.3 ± 215 larvae per fish and a mean density of 17.7 ± 6.7 larvae per gram of muscle. While the distribution of parasites was symmetrical between the left and right sides of the fish, significant differences were observed among the four muscle sections. The anterior ventral region (belly flap) was identified as the area most severely affected by infection. The removal of belly flaps has been demonstrated to achieve an 83 % reduction in Anisakis sp. presence, signifying a straightforward yet efficacious measure to mitigate the risk of human infection and enhance seafood safety. No significant correlation was found between the host features measured, including total length and eviscerated weight, and the parasitic load. These findings underscore the significance of targeted processing techniques in enhancing the safety of European hake for consumption.
{"title":"Preliminary observations on muscle distribution of Anisakis sp. L3 in European hake off Southwest Ireland","authors":"F. Atroch , L.F. Rangel , P. Ramos , C. Ayra-Pardo , M.J. Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00303","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fawpar.2025.e00303","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined the distribution of <em>Anisakis</em> sp. L3 within the edible muscle tissue of 15 European hake (<em>Merluccius merluccius</em>) specimens captured off the Southwest Irish coast during the spring of 2023. European hake is a commercially valuable species, but it is frequently and heavily infected with species of the genus <em>Anisakis</em>, which pose significant zoonotic risks. All examined hakes were infected, with a mean intensity of 743.3 ± 215 larvae per fish and a mean density of 17.7 ± 6.7 larvae per gram of muscle. While the distribution of parasites was symmetrical between the left and right sides of the fish, significant differences were observed among the four muscle sections. The anterior ventral region (belly flap) was identified as the area most severely affected by infection. The removal of belly flaps has been demonstrated to achieve an 83 % reduction in <em>Anisakis</em> sp. presence, signifying a straightforward yet efficacious measure to mitigate the risk of human infection and enhance seafood safety. No significant correlation was found between the host features measured, including total length and eviscerated weight, and the parasitic load. These findings underscore the significance of targeted processing techniques in enhancing the safety of European hake for consumption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37941,"journal":{"name":"Food and Waterborne Parasitology","volume":"41 ","pages":"Article e00303"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号