Pub Date : 2024-07-08DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4030021
Viridiana Plascencia-Palomera, Carmen Franco-Gordo, Horacio Lozano-Cobo, Israel Ambriz-Arreola, E. Suárez-Morales, J. Gómez‐Gutiérrez
The prevalence of endoparasites associated with chaetognath abundance in the coastal waters of the Mexican Central Pacific was studied fortnightly from November 2010 to December 2011. A total of 35 (0.21%) out of 16,407 chaetognaths were found to be parasitized. Five out of twelve chaetognath species (Flaccisagitta enflata, F. hexaptera, Parasagitta euneritica, Serratosagitta pacifica, Zonosagitta bedoti) were found to be parasitized by nine endoparasitic taxa: Protists (two morphotypes), digenean metacercariae [Didymozoidae, Hemiuridae, Parahemiurus sp., Lepocreadiidae, Prosorhynchus sp. (Bucephalidae)], and cestodes (metacestodes) [Tetraphyllidea (two morphotypes)]. Parasagitta. euneritica and Z. bedoti were the most abundant chaetognath species, and Protist sp. 2 and Tetraphyllidea sp. 1 were the most abundant parasites. The highest prevalence for most of the endoparasite species occurred in June, and the values varied according to three hydroclimatic periods: stratified (S), semi-mixed (SM), and mixed (M). Eight non-infected chaetognath species, two parasitized chaetognaths (F. enflata and S. pacifica), and two parasites (Protist sp. 1 and Tetraphyllidea sp. 2) were associated with warm temperatures (S and SM periods); in contrast, P. euneritica, Z. bedoti, parasitized F. hexaptera, and the parasite Tetraphyllidea sp. 1 showed a strong local preference for cooler temperatures, high productivity, and high biomass conditions (M periods). We discovered the occurrence of the digenean Prosorhynchus sp. (Bucephalidae) parasitizing the chaetognath P. euneritica, and this is the first report of Prosorhynchus parasitizing chaetognaths worldwide. We also confirmed the presence of Lepocrediidae (metacercariae larval stage) infecting F. hexaptera, a parasite that had only been recorded infecting other chaetognaths of the Atlantic Ocean. The parasite diversity affecting the chaetognath populations of the Central Mexican Pacific coast likely differs between the offshore, outer slope areas, and the surveyed coastal system.
{"title":"Monthly Occurrence of Endoparasites of Chaetognaths in a Coastal System of the Mexican Central Pacific","authors":"Viridiana Plascencia-Palomera, Carmen Franco-Gordo, Horacio Lozano-Cobo, Israel Ambriz-Arreola, E. Suárez-Morales, J. Gómez‐Gutiérrez","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4030021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4030021","url":null,"abstract":"The prevalence of endoparasites associated with chaetognath abundance in the coastal waters of the Mexican Central Pacific was studied fortnightly from November 2010 to December 2011. A total of 35 (0.21%) out of 16,407 chaetognaths were found to be parasitized. Five out of twelve chaetognath species (Flaccisagitta enflata, F. hexaptera, Parasagitta euneritica, Serratosagitta pacifica, Zonosagitta bedoti) were found to be parasitized by nine endoparasitic taxa: Protists (two morphotypes), digenean metacercariae [Didymozoidae, Hemiuridae, Parahemiurus sp., Lepocreadiidae, Prosorhynchus sp. (Bucephalidae)], and cestodes (metacestodes) [Tetraphyllidea (two morphotypes)]. Parasagitta. euneritica and Z. bedoti were the most abundant chaetognath species, and Protist sp. 2 and Tetraphyllidea sp. 1 were the most abundant parasites. The highest prevalence for most of the endoparasite species occurred in June, and the values varied according to three hydroclimatic periods: stratified (S), semi-mixed (SM), and mixed (M). Eight non-infected chaetognath species, two parasitized chaetognaths (F. enflata and S. pacifica), and two parasites (Protist sp. 1 and Tetraphyllidea sp. 2) were associated with warm temperatures (S and SM periods); in contrast, P. euneritica, Z. bedoti, parasitized F. hexaptera, and the parasite Tetraphyllidea sp. 1 showed a strong local preference for cooler temperatures, high productivity, and high biomass conditions (M periods). We discovered the occurrence of the digenean Prosorhynchus sp. (Bucephalidae) parasitizing the chaetognath P. euneritica, and this is the first report of Prosorhynchus parasitizing chaetognaths worldwide. We also confirmed the presence of Lepocrediidae (metacercariae larval stage) infecting F. hexaptera, a parasite that had only been recorded infecting other chaetognaths of the Atlantic Ocean. The parasite diversity affecting the chaetognath populations of the Central Mexican Pacific coast likely differs between the offshore, outer slope areas, and the surveyed coastal system.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":" December","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141669755","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 : 2024-07-07DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4030020
Thaís Schmidt Ferreira, Carolina Magri Ferraz, Pedro Henrique Dutra Santos, F. E. Soares, Vinicius Bastos Salles Segantine, V. Vilela, J. V. Araújo, F. R. Braga
The aim of this study was to evaluate the isolated and associated use of the nematophagous fungi Pochonia chlamydosporia (isolate VC4) as an ovicide and Duddingtonia flagrans (isolate AC001) as a predator in the control of Taenia saginata eggs. Viable T. saginata eggs were obtained by dissecting mature proglottids from a specimen. For the experimental assay, four groups were formed in microtubes, as follows: (G1—T. saginata eggs/control); (G2—100 T. saginata eggs + VC4); (G3—100 T. saginata eggs + AC001); (G4—100 T. saginata eggs + VC4 + AC001). All the groups were stored in a B.O.D. incubation chamber at a temperature of 27 °C for 15 days and then the contents of the microtubes were analyzed using an optical microscope with a 40x objective. At the end of the assay the treated groups (G2 to G4) showed ovicidal activity (destruction of eggs) compared to the control group (G1). The highest ovicidal percentage was observed in group G2 (eggs + VC4), with 43.3%. In groups G3 and G4 (combination of fungal isolates), the ovicidal percentages were 25.7% and 25.6%, respectively. The results of this study shed light on a new possibility for the combined use of different species of nematophagous fungi, which could be used in the future for environmental biological control of T. saginata eggs.
{"title":"Isolated and Associated Use of the Nematophagous Fungi Pochonia chlamydosporia and Duddingtonia flagrans to Control Taenia saginata Eggs","authors":"Thaís Schmidt Ferreira, Carolina Magri Ferraz, Pedro Henrique Dutra Santos, F. E. Soares, Vinicius Bastos Salles Segantine, V. Vilela, J. V. Araújo, F. R. Braga","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4030020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4030020","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was to evaluate the isolated and associated use of the nematophagous fungi Pochonia chlamydosporia (isolate VC4) as an ovicide and Duddingtonia flagrans (isolate AC001) as a predator in the control of Taenia saginata eggs. Viable T. saginata eggs were obtained by dissecting mature proglottids from a specimen. For the experimental assay, four groups were formed in microtubes, as follows: (G1—T. saginata eggs/control); (G2—100 T. saginata eggs + VC4); (G3—100 T. saginata eggs + AC001); (G4—100 T. saginata eggs + VC4 + AC001). All the groups were stored in a B.O.D. incubation chamber at a temperature of 27 °C for 15 days and then the contents of the microtubes were analyzed using an optical microscope with a 40x objective. At the end of the assay the treated groups (G2 to G4) showed ovicidal activity (destruction of eggs) compared to the control group (G1). The highest ovicidal percentage was observed in group G2 (eggs + VC4), with 43.3%. In groups G3 and G4 (combination of fungal isolates), the ovicidal percentages were 25.7% and 25.6%, respectively. The results of this study shed light on a new possibility for the combined use of different species of nematophagous fungi, which could be used in the future for environmental biological control of T. saginata eggs.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":" 35","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141671095","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 : 2024-07-01DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4030019
M. F. Wiser
Endocytosis is a quintessential feature of eukaryotes, and the emergence of endocytosis played a major role in the origin and evolution of eukaryotes. During the early evolution of eukaryotes, phagocytosis and the digestion of prey (i.e., bacteria) combined with the endocytosis of macromolecules opened a new source of nutrients beyond osmotrophy. Pathogenic and commensal protozoa have retained endocytosis as a major mechanism of nutrient acquisition even though, in theory, nutrients could be obtained from the host through osmotrophy. Nearly all pathogenic protozoa exhibit endocytosis and have lysosomal-like compartments that function as digestive vacuoles, and endocytosis appears to play a major role in the acquisition of nutrients. Cryptosporidium is a possible exception that may not exhibit endocytosis. Phagotrophy, however, is only observed in parasites of the intestinal lumen and appears to have been lost in blood and tissue parasites. Overall, the basic features of endocytosis and lysosomes are similar to other eukaryotes. Nonetheless, adaptation to the host has generated some novel features that are specific to certain protozoan lineages.
{"title":"Feeding Mechanisms of Pathogenic Protozoa with a Focus on Endocytosis and the Digestive Vacuole","authors":"M. F. Wiser","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4030019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4030019","url":null,"abstract":"Endocytosis is a quintessential feature of eukaryotes, and the emergence of endocytosis played a major role in the origin and evolution of eukaryotes. During the early evolution of eukaryotes, phagocytosis and the digestion of prey (i.e., bacteria) combined with the endocytosis of macromolecules opened a new source of nutrients beyond osmotrophy. Pathogenic and commensal protozoa have retained endocytosis as a major mechanism of nutrient acquisition even though, in theory, nutrients could be obtained from the host through osmotrophy. Nearly all pathogenic protozoa exhibit endocytosis and have lysosomal-like compartments that function as digestive vacuoles, and endocytosis appears to play a major role in the acquisition of nutrients. Cryptosporidium is a possible exception that may not exhibit endocytosis. Phagotrophy, however, is only observed in parasites of the intestinal lumen and appears to have been lost in blood and tissue parasites. Overall, the basic features of endocytosis and lysosomes are similar to other eukaryotes. Nonetheless, adaptation to the host has generated some novel features that are specific to certain protozoan lineages.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":"1 S1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141689184","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 : 2024-06-12DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4020018
S. Tirosh-Levy, Omri Asher, Michal Peri Markovich, Daniel Yasur Landau, E. Blinder, M. Mazuz
Background: Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite and a main cause of abortions in cattle worldwide. However, its role in abortions and decreased fertility in sheep is not completely understood, especially due to the complex, multifactorial etiology of abortions. This study aimed to perform a longitudinal field study to investigate the epidemiology of neosporosis and its effect on fertility in endemic sheep herds. Methods: Serological (IFAT) and clinical (outcome of pregnancy) data from 153 ewe-lambs was collected in four intensive management farms in Israel during three consecutive pregnancies. Results: The seroprevalence in ewe-lambs at different farms varied between 24% and 93%. The overall seroprevalence increased from 50% in ewe-lambs to 96.6% at the end of the third pregnancy. Horizontal infection was observed in all farms, with seroconversion in 59% of seronegative sheep. Abortion rates were lower (p = 0.004) in seropositive ewes in the first pregnancy and not significantly higher in seropositive sheep in consecutive pregnancies. Seropositivity or seroconversion were not associated with abortions or repeated abortions; however, many aborting ewes were removed from the flock. Conclusions: No direct short- or long-term association was found between Neopsora infection and abortions. The variations between flocks and pregnancies suggest a more complex etiology.
{"title":"Neosporosis in Naturally Infected Sheep Herds, a Prospective Cohort Study over Three Years","authors":"S. Tirosh-Levy, Omri Asher, Michal Peri Markovich, Daniel Yasur Landau, E. Blinder, M. Mazuz","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4020018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020018","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite and a main cause of abortions in cattle worldwide. However, its role in abortions and decreased fertility in sheep is not completely understood, especially due to the complex, multifactorial etiology of abortions. This study aimed to perform a longitudinal field study to investigate the epidemiology of neosporosis and its effect on fertility in endemic sheep herds. Methods: Serological (IFAT) and clinical (outcome of pregnancy) data from 153 ewe-lambs was collected in four intensive management farms in Israel during three consecutive pregnancies. Results: The seroprevalence in ewe-lambs at different farms varied between 24% and 93%. The overall seroprevalence increased from 50% in ewe-lambs to 96.6% at the end of the third pregnancy. Horizontal infection was observed in all farms, with seroconversion in 59% of seronegative sheep. Abortion rates were lower (p = 0.004) in seropositive ewes in the first pregnancy and not significantly higher in seropositive sheep in consecutive pregnancies. Seropositivity or seroconversion were not associated with abortions or repeated abortions; however, many aborting ewes were removed from the flock. Conclusions: No direct short- or long-term association was found between Neopsora infection and abortions. The variations between flocks and pregnancies suggest a more complex etiology.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":"91 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141352732","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 : 2024-06-09DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4020017
Leobardo Daniel Gonzalez-Zuñiga, L. Z. Rodriguez-Anaya, J. R. Gonzalez-Galaviz, Abraham Cruz-Mendívil, F. Lares-Villa, L. F. Lares-Jiménez
Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that causes granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) and skin lesions. Transcriptomic analysis is a powerful tool used to study B. mandrillaris pathogenic infections. However, preliminary tests of RNA extraction showed poor results, so it has become essential to standardize a protocol for high-quality RNA. The present study evaluated 11 RNA extraction protocols based on three commercial kits by making modifications to the temperature and centrifugation times, and by combining kits. Four protocols, namely Q3 (based on QIAGEN RNeasy Mini Kit, with modifications in temperature and centrifugation times), T1 (Invitrogen TRIzol Reagent), T2 (combination of TRIzol and QIAGEN modified protocols) and T3 (combination of TRIzol and PROMEGA SV Total RNA Isolation protocols), presented RNA with good integrity and purity, except for the T1 protocol, which obtained an A260/230 value below the acceptable threshold. High RNA integrity (RIN) values were obtained with the Q3 (9.8), T2 (9.2), and T3 (8.9) protocols, while the T1 protocol obtained a lower RIN value (7.1). The Q3, T2, and T3 protocols obtained high-quality RNA from B. mandrillaris based on the criteria of integrity, purity, and concentration, where the implemented modifications and combinations raised the quality; thus, their use is recommended to obtain accurate results when performing transcriptomic analysis.
{"title":"Evaluation and Standardization of RNA Extractions with Quality for RNA-Seq for Balamuthia mandrillaris","authors":"Leobardo Daniel Gonzalez-Zuñiga, L. Z. Rodriguez-Anaya, J. R. Gonzalez-Galaviz, Abraham Cruz-Mendívil, F. Lares-Villa, L. F. Lares-Jiménez","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4020017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020017","url":null,"abstract":"Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that causes granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) and skin lesions. Transcriptomic analysis is a powerful tool used to study B. mandrillaris pathogenic infections. However, preliminary tests of RNA extraction showed poor results, so it has become essential to standardize a protocol for high-quality RNA. The present study evaluated 11 RNA extraction protocols based on three commercial kits by making modifications to the temperature and centrifugation times, and by combining kits. Four protocols, namely Q3 (based on QIAGEN RNeasy Mini Kit, with modifications in temperature and centrifugation times), T1 (Invitrogen TRIzol Reagent), T2 (combination of TRIzol and QIAGEN modified protocols) and T3 (combination of TRIzol and PROMEGA SV Total RNA Isolation protocols), presented RNA with good integrity and purity, except for the T1 protocol, which obtained an A260/230 value below the acceptable threshold. High RNA integrity (RIN) values were obtained with the Q3 (9.8), T2 (9.2), and T3 (8.9) protocols, while the T1 protocol obtained a lower RIN value (7.1). The Q3, T2, and T3 protocols obtained high-quality RNA from B. mandrillaris based on the criteria of integrity, purity, and concentration, where the implemented modifications and combinations raised the quality; thus, their use is recommended to obtain accurate results when performing transcriptomic analysis.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":" 90","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141367460","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 : 2024-06-07DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4020016
Susan Knowles, E. Leis, J. Richard, Isaac F. Standish, J. Bojko, Jesse Weinzinger, Diane L. Waller
During an epidemiological survey following a mortality event of freshwater mussels in 2018 in the Embarrass River, Wisconsin, USA, we identified a novel microsporidian parasite in the ovaries of mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina), plain pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium), and fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) (Unionidae). Histopathology showed round-to-oval microsporidian spores in the cytoplasm of oocytes in 60% (3/5) of female mucket, 100% (4/4) of female plain pocketbook, and 50% (1/2) of female fatmucket. Using transmission electron microscopy, we found that mature spores were round-to-oval and measured 4.13 ± 0.64 µm (3.14–5.31) long by 2.88 ± 0.37 µm (2.36–3.68) wide. The spores had a thin electron-dense exospore with a spiky “hairy” coat, a thick electron lucent endospore, diplokaryotic nuclei, a polar vacuole, and 27–28 polar filaments arranged in 1–3. Sequencing of the small subunit rRNA produced a 1356 bp sequence most similar to that of Pseudonosema cristatellae (92%), and phylogenetic analysis grouped it within the freshwater Neopereziida. Genetic, morphological, and ultrastructural characteristics did not closely match those of other Pseudonosema spp., and a new genus and species, Hirsutonosema embarrassi n. gen. n. sp., were designated. Additional studies could evaluate host susceptibility, distribution, seasonality, transmission, and lethal or sub-lethal effects of this parasite on freshwater mussels.
2018 年，在美国威斯康星州 Embarrass 河淡水贻贝死亡事件后进行的流行病学调查中，我们在贻贝（Actinonaias ligamentina）、普通口袋书（Lampsilis cardium）和胖贻贝（Lampsilis siliquoidea）（联盟科）的卵巢中发现了一种新型微孢子虫寄生体。组织病理学结果表明，60%（3/5）的雌性胭脂鱼、100%（4/4）的雌性普通袖珍胭脂鱼和 50%（1/2）的雌性肥胭脂鱼的卵母细胞胞质中存在圆形至椭圆形的微孢子虫孢子。通过透射电子显微镜，我们发现成熟孢子呈圆形至椭圆形，长 4.13 ± 0.64 µm（3.14-5.31），宽 2.88 ± 0.37 µm（2.36-3.68）。孢子有一层薄薄的电子致密的外胚层，外胚层上有一层尖尖的 "毛状 "外衣，有一层厚厚的电子致密的内胚层，有双核、极性液泡和 27-28 根排列成 1-3 的极性丝。小亚基 rRNA 测序得出的 1356 bp 序列与 Pseudonosema cristatellae 最相似（92%），系统进化分析将其归入淡水新孢子虫类。遗传学、形态学和超微结构特征与其他假丝酵母属的特征并不十分吻合，因此被指定为新属和新种，即 Hirsutonosema embarrassi n. gen. n. sp.。更多的研究可以评估宿主对这种寄生虫的易感性、分布、季节性、传播以及对淡水贻贝的致死或亚致死效应。
{"title":"Hirsutonosema embarrassi n. gen. n. sp. (Phylum Microsporidia) in the Ovary of Mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina), Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium), and Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) (Unionidae) from the Embarrass River, Wisconsin, USA","authors":"Susan Knowles, E. Leis, J. Richard, Isaac F. Standish, J. Bojko, Jesse Weinzinger, Diane L. Waller","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4020016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020016","url":null,"abstract":"During an epidemiological survey following a mortality event of freshwater mussels in 2018 in the Embarrass River, Wisconsin, USA, we identified a novel microsporidian parasite in the ovaries of mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina), plain pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium), and fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) (Unionidae). Histopathology showed round-to-oval microsporidian spores in the cytoplasm of oocytes in 60% (3/5) of female mucket, 100% (4/4) of female plain pocketbook, and 50% (1/2) of female fatmucket. Using transmission electron microscopy, we found that mature spores were round-to-oval and measured 4.13 ± 0.64 µm (3.14–5.31) long by 2.88 ± 0.37 µm (2.36–3.68) wide. The spores had a thin electron-dense exospore with a spiky “hairy” coat, a thick electron lucent endospore, diplokaryotic nuclei, a polar vacuole, and 27–28 polar filaments arranged in 1–3. Sequencing of the small subunit rRNA produced a 1356 bp sequence most similar to that of Pseudonosema cristatellae (92%), and phylogenetic analysis grouped it within the freshwater Neopereziida. Genetic, morphological, and ultrastructural characteristics did not closely match those of other Pseudonosema spp., and a new genus and species, Hirsutonosema embarrassi n. gen. n. sp., were designated. Additional studies could evaluate host susceptibility, distribution, seasonality, transmission, and lethal or sub-lethal effects of this parasite on freshwater mussels.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":"2 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141375832","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 : 2024-06-06DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4020015
Ernesto Candela, R. Cimino, Leonardo Sandon, C. Muñoz-Antolí, M. V. Periago
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a group of parasites that are globally distributed and are the most prevalent neglected disease (NTD) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC); their presence is associated with health and development problems. In Argentina, their distribution is heterogenous, and there are highly endemic areas in the north of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the mass deworming of children as a first-line strategy for the prevention and control of STHs and recently also encourage the development of more sensitive diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of STHs in Tartagal (Salta, Argentina) after four years of deworming interruption with albendazole and ivermectin. A total of 437 fecal samples were analyzed using standard coprological techniques, a subset of which were selected to molecularly typify protozoan parasites; 257 blood samples were analyzed for the presence of specific antibodies to the STH Strongyloides stercoralis. The most prevalent protozoan species were G. intestinalis (19.6–49.2%) and B. hominis (19.1–38.5%). Molecular characterization allowed us to evidence possible zoonotic or human-to-human transmission pathways for Giardia intestinalis or Blastocystis spp., while serology for S. stercoralis proved to be a useful screening tool for monitoring this parasite after treatment. In general, a decrease in the prevalence of STHs was observed in the area, from 60% to 2.9–20% for hookworms and from 51% to 1–9.3% for S. stercoralis four years after treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness and duration of anthelmintic treatment with these two drugs.
{"title":"Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites, Protozoans and Soil-Transmitted Helminths, in Children from Communities of Northern Argentina after the Interruption of Deworming","authors":"Ernesto Candela, R. Cimino, Leonardo Sandon, C. Muñoz-Antolí, M. V. Periago","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4020015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020015","url":null,"abstract":"Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a group of parasites that are globally distributed and are the most prevalent neglected disease (NTD) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC); their presence is associated with health and development problems. In Argentina, their distribution is heterogenous, and there are highly endemic areas in the north of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the mass deworming of children as a first-line strategy for the prevention and control of STHs and recently also encourage the development of more sensitive diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of STHs in Tartagal (Salta, Argentina) after four years of deworming interruption with albendazole and ivermectin. A total of 437 fecal samples were analyzed using standard coprological techniques, a subset of which were selected to molecularly typify protozoan parasites; 257 blood samples were analyzed for the presence of specific antibodies to the STH Strongyloides stercoralis. The most prevalent protozoan species were G. intestinalis (19.6–49.2%) and B. hominis (19.1–38.5%). Molecular characterization allowed us to evidence possible zoonotic or human-to-human transmission pathways for Giardia intestinalis or Blastocystis spp., while serology for S. stercoralis proved to be a useful screening tool for monitoring this parasite after treatment. In general, a decrease in the prevalence of STHs was observed in the area, from 60% to 2.9–20% for hookworms and from 51% to 1–9.3% for S. stercoralis four years after treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness and duration of anthelmintic treatment with these two drugs.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141378621","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 : 2024-05-23DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4020014
Mehmet Bozan, Mehmet Can Ulucesme, Arda Eyvaz, O. Ceylan, F. Sevinc, M. Aktas, S. Ozubek
Babesiosis, caused by Babesia ovis, is a major seasonal issue in sheep, particularly in countries like Türkiye with high Rhipicephalus bursa tick populations. Previous studies employing various methods such as microscopy, serology, or molecular techniques have reported different epidemiological data concerning ovine babesiosis. Addressing this knowledge gap, our study employed a combined nested PCR (nPCR)/indirect ELISA (iELISA) approach, analyzing blood samples collected from 414 sheep between April and July 2023 using both techniques. nPCR amplified the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of B. ovis and determined a molecular prevalence of 1.9%. Conversely, serological testing using iELISA targeted the BoSA1 antigen and revealed a significantly higher positivity rate of 59.9% for anti-B. ovis antibodies. The temporary presence of Babesia after recovery reduces nPCR sensitivity, resulting in lower molecular prevalence. However, even if Babesia is not present in the host, anti-B. ovis antibodies remain in the serum for a long time and can be detected serologically. Our study underscores the necessity of concurrently employing molecular and serological methods for an accurate assessment of B. ovis prevalence. It highlights the importance of comprehensive epidemiological approaches for effective disease management in sheep populations.
{"title":"Serological and Molecular Survey of Babesia ovis in Healthy Sheep in Türkiye","authors":"Mehmet Bozan, Mehmet Can Ulucesme, Arda Eyvaz, O. Ceylan, F. Sevinc, M. Aktas, S. Ozubek","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4020014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020014","url":null,"abstract":"Babesiosis, caused by Babesia ovis, is a major seasonal issue in sheep, particularly in countries like Türkiye with high Rhipicephalus bursa tick populations. Previous studies employing various methods such as microscopy, serology, or molecular techniques have reported different epidemiological data concerning ovine babesiosis. Addressing this knowledge gap, our study employed a combined nested PCR (nPCR)/indirect ELISA (iELISA) approach, analyzing blood samples collected from 414 sheep between April and July 2023 using both techniques. nPCR amplified the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of B. ovis and determined a molecular prevalence of 1.9%. Conversely, serological testing using iELISA targeted the BoSA1 antigen and revealed a significantly higher positivity rate of 59.9% for anti-B. ovis antibodies. The temporary presence of Babesia after recovery reduces nPCR sensitivity, resulting in lower molecular prevalence. However, even if Babesia is not present in the host, anti-B. ovis antibodies remain in the serum for a long time and can be detected serologically. Our study underscores the necessity of concurrently employing molecular and serological methods for an accurate assessment of B. ovis prevalence. It highlights the importance of comprehensive epidemiological approaches for effective disease management in sheep populations.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":"53 21","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141103032","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 : 2024-05-17DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4020013
N. Tegos, Christos Goumenopoulos, Anastasia Mpimpa, Vasilios Papavasilopoulos, S. Beleri, Eleni Patsoula
Background: Accurate malaria diagnosis constitutes a challenging task, necessitating the need for the implementation of targeted and effective diagnostic tools. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different molecular methodologies in terms of sensitivity for the detection of External Quality Assessment (EQA) Plasmodium samples. Methods: A total of 104 lyophilized blood samples from 14 different UK-NEQAS (National External Quality Assessment Site) (2016–2021) and eight WHO-NEQAS distributions (2017–2020) were analyzed. An in-house multiplex PCR protocol, followed by single target real-time PCR protocols for all five Plasmodium species, was implemented. Results: The multiplex PCR had a success rate of 10/16 and 20/28 for P. vivax and P. falciparum species, respectively. On the other hand, the respective results for real-time PCR had a success rate of 13/16 (P. vivax), 28/28 (P. falciparum), 5/8 (P. malariae), 8/10 (P. ovale), and 10/14 (P. knowlesi). Plasmodium falciparum samples displayed the highest sensitivity of detection, 0.02 parasites/μL. Plasmodium vivax samples displayed a 0.1 parasites/μL cutoff value, greater than the respective value for whole blood samples, while P. ovale species displayed a respective cutoff value of 0.05 parasites/μL. Due to the limited number of tested samples, data obtained for P. malariae and P. knowlesi species samples were inconclusive. Conclusions: Real-time PCR comprises a credible molecular methodology in terms of sensitivity assessment and detection of low parasitemia levels of Plasmodium sp. in EQA lyophilized blood samples.
{"title":"Sensitivity Assessment of a Multiplex and Real-Time PCR Protocols for the Detection of Malaria in External Quality Control Samples in the Malaria Reference Center in Greece","authors":"N. Tegos, Christos Goumenopoulos, Anastasia Mpimpa, Vasilios Papavasilopoulos, S. Beleri, Eleni Patsoula","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4020013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020013","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Accurate malaria diagnosis constitutes a challenging task, necessitating the need for the implementation of targeted and effective diagnostic tools. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different molecular methodologies in terms of sensitivity for the detection of External Quality Assessment (EQA) Plasmodium samples. Methods: A total of 104 lyophilized blood samples from 14 different UK-NEQAS (National External Quality Assessment Site) (2016–2021) and eight WHO-NEQAS distributions (2017–2020) were analyzed. An in-house multiplex PCR protocol, followed by single target real-time PCR protocols for all five Plasmodium species, was implemented. Results: The multiplex PCR had a success rate of 10/16 and 20/28 for P. vivax and P. falciparum species, respectively. On the other hand, the respective results for real-time PCR had a success rate of 13/16 (P. vivax), 28/28 (P. falciparum), 5/8 (P. malariae), 8/10 (P. ovale), and 10/14 (P. knowlesi). Plasmodium falciparum samples displayed the highest sensitivity of detection, 0.02 parasites/μL. Plasmodium vivax samples displayed a 0.1 parasites/μL cutoff value, greater than the respective value for whole blood samples, while P. ovale species displayed a respective cutoff value of 0.05 parasites/μL. Due to the limited number of tested samples, data obtained for P. malariae and P. knowlesi species samples were inconclusive. Conclusions: Real-time PCR comprises a credible molecular methodology in terms of sensitivity assessment and detection of low parasitemia levels of Plasmodium sp. in EQA lyophilized blood samples.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":"4 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140965437","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 : 2024-04-15DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia4020010
Ursula Panzner
Schistosomiasis, acquired by skin-penetrating cercariae of dioecious digenean schistosomes during freshwater contact, afflicts nearly 260 and 440 million people with active infections and residual morbidity, respectively. About 10 million women at reproductive age contract schistosomiasis during gestation every year. Acute schistosomiasis is characterized by pre-patent pro-inflammatory CD4+ T-helper 1 or CD4+ Th1/T-helper 17 reactivity against immature schistosomulae. Chronic schistosomiasis is dominated by post-patent anti-inflammatory CD4+ T-helper 2 reactivity against ova epitopes. Flukes co-exist in immunocompetent definitive hosts as they are capable of evading their defense mechanisms. Preventive measures should be complemented by vaccination, inducing long-term protection against transmission, infection, and disease recurrence, given the latest advancements in schistosomal vaccines. Vaccines become pivotal when considering constraints of chemotherapy, i.e., lack of protection against re-infection, and evolving resistance or reduced sensitivity. Transmission models for human non-zoonotic schistosomiasis incorporating vaccination available in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to 31 December 2023 are presented. Besides conceptual model differences, predictions meant to guide decision- and policymaking reveal continued worm harboring that facilitates transmission besides residual infections. In addition, increased susceptibility to re-infection and rebound morbidity, both shifted to later life stages following the intervention, are forecasted. Consequently, a vaccination schedule is pivotal that considers the optimal age for initial immunization, i.e., pre-schoolchildren or schoolchildren in a cohort-based or population-based manner, while incorporating potential non-adherers promoting ongoing transmission. Longevity over magnitude of vaccine protection to antigenic schistosomal moieties is crucial. Accounting for pre-acquired immunity from natural exposure, in utero priming in addition to herd immunity, and induced by chemotherapy is crucial. Combining, as a multi-component approach, long-term effects of vaccination with short-term effects of chemotherapy as regular repeated vaccine-linked therapy seems most promising to achieve WHO’s endpoints of transmission elimination and morbidity control.
{"title":"Transmission Modelling for Human Non-Zoonotic Schistosomiasis Incorporating Vaccination: Guiding Decision- and Policymaking","authors":"Ursula Panzner","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia4020010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020010","url":null,"abstract":"Schistosomiasis, acquired by skin-penetrating cercariae of dioecious digenean schistosomes during freshwater contact, afflicts nearly 260 and 440 million people with active infections and residual morbidity, respectively. About 10 million women at reproductive age contract schistosomiasis during gestation every year. Acute schistosomiasis is characterized by pre-patent pro-inflammatory CD4+ T-helper 1 or CD4+ Th1/T-helper 17 reactivity against immature schistosomulae. Chronic schistosomiasis is dominated by post-patent anti-inflammatory CD4+ T-helper 2 reactivity against ova epitopes. Flukes co-exist in immunocompetent definitive hosts as they are capable of evading their defense mechanisms. Preventive measures should be complemented by vaccination, inducing long-term protection against transmission, infection, and disease recurrence, given the latest advancements in schistosomal vaccines. Vaccines become pivotal when considering constraints of chemotherapy, i.e., lack of protection against re-infection, and evolving resistance or reduced sensitivity. Transmission models for human non-zoonotic schistosomiasis incorporating vaccination available in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to 31 December 2023 are presented. Besides conceptual model differences, predictions meant to guide decision- and policymaking reveal continued worm harboring that facilitates transmission besides residual infections. In addition, increased susceptibility to re-infection and rebound morbidity, both shifted to later life stages following the intervention, are forecasted. Consequently, a vaccination schedule is pivotal that considers the optimal age for initial immunization, i.e., pre-schoolchildren or schoolchildren in a cohort-based or population-based manner, while incorporating potential non-adherers promoting ongoing transmission. Longevity over magnitude of vaccine protection to antigenic schistosomal moieties is crucial. Accounting for pre-acquired immunity from natural exposure, in utero priming in addition to herd immunity, and induced by chemotherapy is crucial. Combining, as a multi-component approach, long-term effects of vaccination with short-term effects of chemotherapy as regular repeated vaccine-linked therapy seems most promising to achieve WHO’s endpoints of transmission elimination and morbidity control.","PeriodicalId":513388,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia","volume":"75 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140702437","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}
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