Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases最新文献

{"title":"Assessing whole-host homogenisation as a new tool for parasite detection and identification","authors":"Kamil Hupało ,&nbsp;Celine Sassor ,&nbsp;Mia Merle Fuhren ,&nbsp;Dominik Buchner ,&nbsp;Daniel Grabner ,&nbsp;Bernd Sures","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100348","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite their importance in ecosystem functioning, parasites remain the most neglected components of biodiversity monitoring. This neglect is partly due to the methodological challenges associated with their detection and identification. Current traditional morphological and molecular approaches are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and require specialised expertise. Here, we explore a novel approach of deriving parasite information through whole-host homogenisation followed by DNA-based identification of its parasite biota. Our goal was to validate whether the approach is feasible and if it could become a complementary method for studying parasites, providing a time-efficient solution allowing for a holistic parasite scan with limited taxonomic expertise. To test the method’s efficiency, we analysed five specimens of European eel as model hosts. Their parasites were identified morphologically, and then all the parasites and the entire host tissue were homogenised together using a commercial blender. Molecular identification of the morphologically detected parasites was conducted using DNA barcoding with parasite-specific primers. Following homogenisation and DNA-based identification, we successfully detected all parasite taxa identified during morphological analyses, even including instances where they had not been detected morphologically. A notable exception were acanthocephalans, which showed low levels of molecular detection. Despite certain limitations, the detection of parasites directly from the whole-host homogenate shows high potential for efficient and accurate parasite detection, in some cases even surpassing morphological identification. The further development of the method, particularly through exploration of DNA metabarcoding, could improve the reliability of parasite assessments and facilitate parasite detection, which could aid in proper parasite recognition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100348"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929082","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}

{"title":"Effectiveness of eprinomectin, albendazole and their combination therapy against strongyle nematode in dairy goats: A clinical field study using nemabiome-integrated approach in Thailand","authors":"Thanakorn Rompo ,&nbsp;Naoki Hayashi ,&nbsp;Takaya Hoketsu ,&nbsp;Ernest Teo ,&nbsp;Nariaki Nonaka ,&nbsp;Boondarika Namboopha ,&nbsp;Tawatchai Singhla ,&nbsp;Songphon Buddhasiri ,&nbsp;Naoaki Misawa ,&nbsp;Ryo Nakao ,&nbsp;Saruda Tiwananthagorn","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100345","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100345","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Strongyle nematodes are parasitic worms that significantly impact the health and productivity of livestock, including goats. Although infected goats are commonly treated with anthelmintics, reports of anthelmintic resistance have been increasing. This issue, along with limited treatment choices for goats and the lack of comprehensive anthelmintic resistance surveillance in Thailand, highlights the need to evaluate available drugs for effective parasite control. On a dairy goat farm in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a previous fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) revealed resistance of strongyle nematodes to ivermectin, one of the most widely used anthelmintic drugs in the country. To further investigate treatment options, a clinical field study was conducted using the FECRT to evaluate the efficacy of eprinomectin at the label dose (0.2 mg/kg, <em>n</em> = 15 goats) and double dose (0.4 mg/kg, <em>n</em> = 9 goats), albendazole (20 mg/kg, <em>n</em> = 9 goats); and the combination of double dose eprinomectin and albendazole (<em>n</em> = 12 goats). Strongyle nematode species were identified through nemabiome analysis targeting the ITS-2 region of copro-DNA. Species-adjusted egg counts were calculated to determine species-specific egg count reduction (ECR). The FECRT results confirmed multi-anthelmintic resistance; however, species-specific ECR indicated varying susceptibility among species. <em>Haemonchus contortus</em> and <em>Trichostrongylus colubriformis</em> were the main contributors to the resistance, whereas <em>Trichostrongylus axei</em> and <em>Oesophagostomum columbianum</em> remained highly susceptible to eprinomectin and albendazole. These findings demonstrate the value of integrating FECRT with nemabiome to provide species-level insights into treatment responses, supporting the development of targeted deworming protocols and improving anthelmintic resistance surveillance in regions with limited treatment options.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100345"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929079","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}

{"title":"Malaria outbreaks in Humboldt penguins and haemosporidian infections in avian hosts in zoos across Thailand","authors":"Savana Annisa Rahmah ,&nbsp;Waleemas Jairak ,&nbsp;Suchansa Thanee ,&nbsp;Arpussara Saedan ,&nbsp;Pannarai Mahadthai ,&nbsp;Dimas Novianto ,&nbsp;Tawee Saiwichai ,&nbsp;Osamu Kaneko ,&nbsp;Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat ,&nbsp;Morakot Kaewthamasorn","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100352","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100352","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Haemosporidian parasites are increasingly being recognized as emerging threats to avian populations, with the potential to cause severe morbidity, leading to population decline, and even extinction in susceptible species. In February 2022, a Humboldt penguin (<em>Spheniscus humboldti</em>) housed at a zoo in northeastern Thailand died, later confirmed to be due to avian malaria infection. The same year, four more deaths occurred between July and November. This study aimed to (i) determine if these infections extended beyond the affected penguins to other avian species housed at the same or at other zoos across Thailand, and (ii) explore the potential genetic relationships between the parasite lineages detected in this study and those reported previously across the world. A total of 406 blood and tissue samples from 146 Humboldt penguins and 260 individuals representing ten avian orders (38 species) were collected from six zoos nationwide. Nested PCR assays amplifying the mitochondrial cytochrome <em>b</em> gene (<em>cytb</em>) were performed, and the positive amplicons were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and BLASTn similarity searches. Phylogenetic analyses and tripartite network visualizations of parasite lineages, host species, and sample origins were used to assess the inter-lineage correlations. Exoerythrocytic meronts were observed within the cytoplasm of the Kupffer cells, consistent with an active haemosporidian infection. Molecular screening detected haemosporidian DNA in 40 of the 146 penguin samples (27.4%) and in 125 of the 260 samples from other avian species (48.0%). These included taxa listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, most notably the Malayan peacock-pheasant (<em>Polyplectron malacense</em>), the green peafowl (<em>Pavo muticus</em>), and the white-rumped vulture (<em>Gyps bengalensis</em>), classified as critically endangered. The identified parasites comprised four confirmed <em>Plasmodium</em> species (<em>P. collidatum</em>, <em>P. relictum</em>, <em>P. juxtanucleare</em>, and <em>P. gallinaceum</em>) as well as seven <em>Plasmodium</em> lineages. In addition, <em>Haemoproteus sacharovi</em>, four <em>Haemoproteus</em> lineages, and <em>Leucocytozoon caulleryi</em> were detected. Several of these parasites have been reported in domesticated and wild birds in Thailand and other countries, suggesting an ongoing circulation among avian populations. These findings emphasize the urgency for implementing surveillance, vector control, and strengthened biosecurity measures to safeguard avian populations in <em>ex situ</em> conservation programmes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100352"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038524","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}

{"title":"Repeated biannual cross-sectional surveys in primary schools set baseline seasonal and spatial surveillance for malaria and schistosomiasis in the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP), Malawi","authors":"Priscilla Kapolo ,&nbsp;Blessings Chiepa ,&nbsp;Rex B. Mbewe ,&nbsp;Blessings Kapumba ,&nbsp;Eggrey Kambewa ,&nbsp;Lucy Kaunga ,&nbsp;Sylvester Coleman ,&nbsp;James Chirombo ,&nbsp;Themba Mzilahowa ,&nbsp;Christopher M. Jones ,&nbsp;Michelle C. Stanton ,&nbsp;J. Russell Stothard","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100350","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100350","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Control of malaria and schistosomiasis among school children poses a key public health challenge in Chikwawa District, Malawi. Furthermore, anticipated environmental changes from the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP), a large-scale irrigation scheme, are expected to both alter transmission of malaria and schistosomiasis. To later inform future disease surveillance and appropriate control interventions, our study sought to establish comprehensive seasonal and spatial baseline epidemiological data. Four cross-sectional surveys were undertaken in 21 primary schools, covering two wet and two dry seasons. A total of 4176 children aged 7–13 years were examined using rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, urine reagent strips with egg-filtration microscopy for urogenital schistosomiasis, and urine-Circulating Cathodic Antigen (CCA) dipsticks for intestinal schistosomiasis. The overall prevalence was 10.8% (95% CI: 9.8–11.7%) for malaria, 36.5% (95% CI: 35.1–38.0%) for urogenital schistosomiasis, and 1.9% (95% CI: 1.5–2.4%) for intestinal schistosomiasis. Co-infection prevalence of malaria and urogenital schistosomiasis was 5.2% (95% CI: 4.5–5.9%). Macrohematuria was at 5.5% (95% CI: 4.8–6.2%) while microhematuria was at 26.2% (95% CI: 24.9–27.6%). Seasonal fluctuations were noted for malaria, whereas schistosomiasis was limited, although both diseases exhibited strong spatial heterogeneity. Alarmingly, malaria exceeded 25% and urogenital schistosomiasis surpassed 50% in certain schools, thus clearly demonstrating currently unmet public health needs. These are set to become further exacerbated by forthcoming SVTP-driven environmental change; hence, we provide critical evidence to guide the Malawi Ministry of Health in strengthening surveillance and preparing integrated disease control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100350"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929080","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}

{"title":"Long-term persistence of Schistosoma mansoni hotspots in western Kenya despite ongoing mass drug administration","authors":"Peter Olilah ,&nbsp;John Oguso ,&nbsp;Austine Okinyo ,&nbsp;Winka Le Clec’h ,&nbsp;Frédéric D. Chevalier ,&nbsp;Susan Musembi ,&nbsp;Timothy Anderson ,&nbsp;Eric M. Ndombi","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100349","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100349","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Previous studies have reported the existence of ‘hotspots’, where schistosomiasis prevalence and infection intensity remain high despite regular preventive chemotherapy. Western Kenya is one region where such hotspots were reported. We investigated whether hotspots remain following eight years of school-based deworming programme by comparing the prevalence and infection intensity of <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> between five purposively selected hotspots and non-hotspots in Siaya County, western Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 500 participants (250 from hotspots and 250 from non-hotspots) between May and September 2023. The overall prevalence of <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> in the ten villages was 39.4%. However, the average prevalence in the hotspots was 2.08 times higher than in the non-hotspots (adjusted prevalence ratio, <em>Adj</em>PR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.65–2.66, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). The intensity of infection was also significantly greater in hotspots than in non-hotspots (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Males had infection prevalence 1.22 times higher than females (<em>Adj</em>PR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5, <em>P =</em> 0.055), but gender had no impact on prevalence and intensity. Age impacted both prevalence and intensity as they were all significantly higher in individuals ≤ 18 years of age compared to those &gt; 18 years. These results demonstrate the long-term persistence of <em>S. mansoni</em> hotspots over 8 years, despite ongoing mass drug administration efforts targeting school children. These results underscore the necessity to reconsider current control strategies, which could include vector control and other water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-based control measures in these persistent hotspots.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100349"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929081","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}

{"title":"Susceptibility of Anopheles stephensi SDA500 strain to common insecticides and efficacy of glazed tile bioassay for resistance characterization","authors":"Michele Matera ,&nbsp;Melanie Nolden ,&nbsp;Sebastian Horstmann ,&nbsp;Derric Nimmo ,&nbsp;Mark J.I. Paine ,&nbsp;David Weetman","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100347","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100347","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research on the urban malaria vector <em>Anopheles stephensi</em> has intensified in recent years following its rapid spread throughout the Horn of Africa and beyond. In addition to behavioural and ecological traits which may limit the efficacy of control efforts, insecticide resistance is a notable problem in invasive <em>An. stephensi</em> populations. The most frequently used laboratory reference strain for <em>An. stephensi</em> is SDA500 originally colonized from Pakistan; though considered insecticide susceptible, quantitative demonstration of this crucial assumption is lacking. We characterized the susceptibility status of SDA500 against multiple insecticide classes used for adult and larval control using the standard WHO techniques for larval bioassays and two alternatives for adults: bottle bioassays and glazed tile bioassays. SDA500 showed full susceptibility against all insecticides tested, and <em>via</em> dose-response assays, we provide the first comprehensive LC₅₀ dataset for a strain of <em>An. stephensi</em>, filling a key knowledge gap and providing an important resource for all future studies of resistance in this important malaria vector. Whilst tile and bottle adult bioassays produced broadly comparable results for both SDA500 and additional laboratory strains, differences were found when testing neonicotinoids and butenolides, which require the addition of the compound MERO® for effectiveness. Nevertheless, the glazed tile bioassay represents a much higher throughput and less resource-intensive technique than bottle bioassays for simultaneous screening of multiple insecticides.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100347"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145898156","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}

{"title":"Eye to eye with Thelazia-infected canids in Central European forests","authors":"Eszter Nagy ,&nbsp;Rebeka Ráhel Nagy ,&nbsp;Máté Miklós ,&nbsp;Sándor Szekeres ,&nbsp;Bawan Mustafa Abdalrahman ,&nbsp;Gábor Földvári ,&nbsp;Lajos Rózsa ,&nbsp;Éva Fok ,&nbsp;Tamás Sréter ,&nbsp;Tamás Tari ,&nbsp;Melinda Kovács ,&nbsp;Ágnes Csivincsik ,&nbsp;Gábor Nagy","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100353","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100353","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The oriental eyeworm <em>Thelazia callipaeda</em> has been present in Europe since the late 1980s. Its occurrence in the Carpathian Basin has been known since 2014. Despite the central position of Hungary in the radial expansion of <em>T. callipaeda</em> in Central and Eastern Europe, no comprehensive surveillance has been conducted to date to determine the reservoir role of wild carnivores within the Carpathian Basin. The study involved the analysis of samples from 180 red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>), 119 European badgers (<em>Meles meles</em>), 62 golden jackals (<em>Canis aureus</em>), and 10 stone martens (<em>Martes foina</em>) harvested in the framework of an authorised wildlife management programme. Among the mustelids (family Mustelidae), no infected individuals were found. In the red fox, prevalence and mean intensity were 12.2% (95% CI: 8.0–18.0%) and 2.6 (95% CI: 1.7–4.9), respectively; while in the golden jackal, these values were 9.7% (95% CI: 4.3–20.0%) and 3.0 (95% CI: 1.5–6.5), respectively. The difference in prevalence and mean intensity of infection between the two hosts proved non-significant. The generalised linear models suggested that the presence of hygrophilous beech (<em>Fagus sylvatica</em>) forests positively influenced the occurrence of infection in wild carnivores. Although the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed only a modest discriminatory power for the models, these findings highlighted the potential of humidity in the spread of <em>T. callipaeda</em> in the Carpathian Basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100353"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078938","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}

{"title":"Long-read sequencing reveals that the mitochondrial genome of an individual Ixodiphagus hookeri is a mixture of structural variants with an invariable core region and heterogeneous repeat regions","authors":"Ron P. Dirks ,&nbsp;Hans J. Jansen ,&nbsp;Wouter J. Veneman ,&nbsp;Jane Segobola ,&nbsp;Valérie O. Baede ,&nbsp;Veronika Blažeková ,&nbsp;Michal Stanko ,&nbsp;Bronislava Víchová ,&nbsp;Hein Sprong","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2026.100346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The encyrtid wasp <em>Ixodiphagus hookeri</em> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) predates on a broad range of tick species, including the important disease vectors of the <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> complex. This wasp is a promising candidate for the biological control of tick populations. To support future studies on the biological interaction between ticks and tick wasps, the complete genome sequence of <em>I. hookeri</em> was determined using nanopore long-read technology. This work presents the complete mitochondrial genome of a singular <em>I. hookeri</em>. In-depth annotation of multiple nanopore long reads revealed that the mtDNA genome is a mixture of structural variants. It consists of an invariable ∼15.2-kb core flanked by variable regions. Together, this variable region contains tens of copies of a 92-bp repeat unit, two copies of a ∼340-bp repeat unit, and up to more than 1500 copies of a TA-dinucleotide. Parts of the mtDNA core sequence and the repeat region have integrated a few hundred times into the nuclear genome of <em>I. hookeri</em>. Our study shows that long-read DNA sequencing is essential for reliable <em>de novo</em> assembly of insect mtDNA genomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100346"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929174","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}

{"title":"Larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes","authors":"Prakai Rajchanuwong ,&nbsp;Sawaporn Peaboon ,&nbsp;Ratchadawan Ngoen-Klan ,&nbsp;Atsalek Rattanawannee ,&nbsp;Atirat Noosidum ,&nbsp;Boonhiang Promdonkoy ,&nbsp;Jariya Chanpaisaeng ,&nbsp;Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organophosphates, carbamates and synthetic pyrethroids are commonly used in Thailand to control mosquito vectors; however, long-term use of insecticides in vector control has led to the rapid development of insecticide resistance. In this study, we screened <em>Bacillus thuringiensis</em> strains as biological control agents for potential toxins against mosquito larvae as an additional control tool. Preliminary bioassays conducted on 434 strains demonstrated that 41 strains (11.64%) and 14 strains (3.97%) achieved 100% mortality against <em>Ae. aegypti</em> and <em>Cx. quinquefasciatus</em> larvae, respectively. Three strains (JC690, JC691, and JC699) showed toxicity to both mosquito species, compared with the reference Bti strain. Strains JC691 demonstrated the highest efficacy against <em>Ae. aegypti</em> and <em>Cx. quinquefasciatus</em>, with an LC₅₀ value of 6.96 × 10⁴ CFU/ml and 1.16 × 10³ CFU/ml, respectively. A comparison of LC₅₀ values revealed that JC691 exhibited higher efficacy against <em>Cx. quinquefasciatus</em> than that by Bti (Bti LC₅₀: 8.89 × 10⁴ CFU/ml) but lower efficacy against <em>Ae. aegypti</em> (Bti LC₅₀: 1.99 × 10³ CFU/ml). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that JC690, JC691, and JC699 are rod-shaped, have oval spores, and produce bi-pyramidal crystal proteins. Protein profile analysis using SDS-PAGE demonstrated distinct differences between these Thailand strains (JC690, JC691, and JC699) and the reference Bti strain. All three Thailand strains contained <em>cry</em>1I and <em>cry</em>2A genes, and only JC691 harbored the <em>cry</em>32 gene. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of <em>cry</em>32 indicated that the partial sequences of <em>cry</em>32 in JC691 from Thailand were distinct from those of other <em>B. thuringiensis</em> strains from different countries. This study demonstrates the potential of JC690, JC691, and JC699 as biocontrol agents for <em>Ae. aegypti</em> and <em>Cx. quinquefasciatus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100245"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143149005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insights into the transmission cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis from an endemic community in rural Guatemala","authors":"Yaimie Lopez ,&nbsp;Aitor Casas-Sanchez ,&nbsp;Byron Arana ,&nbsp;Nidia Rizzo ,&nbsp;Erick Duran ,&nbsp;Norma Padilla ,&nbsp;Andrea de la Vega ,&nbsp;Esteban Bustamante ,&nbsp;Álvaro Acosta-Serrano ,&nbsp;Renata Mendizabal-Cabrera","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100244","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100244","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic vector-borne disease prevalent in 90 countries. Despite its endemicity in Guatemala, key transmission factors are still unknown. To address this, we characterized sand fly populations and <em>Leishmania</em> parasites in a Guatemalan community in 2022. We visited the households of 23 patients with lesions compatible with CL, sampled for sand flies and analysed <em>Leishmania</em> spp. presence in patients’ skin scrapings and in collected sand flies. We collected 93 sand flies, predominantly females including the vector species <em>Nyssomyia ylephiletor</em>, <em>Bichromomyia olmeca</em> and <em>Lutzomyia cruciata</em>. <em>Nyssomyia ylephiletor</em> was the most abundant species indoors. Four <em>Leishmania</em> spp. were identified including <em>L. panamensis</em>, <em>L. guyanensis</em>, <em>L. braziliensis</em> and <em>L. infantum</em> in CL lesions, <em>L. guyanensis</em> complex species (<em>L. guyanensis</em> or <em>L. panamensis</em>) and <em>Leishmania</em> sp. in sand flies. Sand fly species positive for <em>Leishmania</em> spp. were <em>Ny. ylephiletor</em>, <em>Dampfomyia deleoni</em>, <em>Dampfomyia</em> sp<em>.</em> and <em>Brumptomyia</em> sp. Blood-meal analysis revealed human and pig blood in engorged <em>Ny. ylephiletor</em> collected inside and in the proximity of the households. This is the first report of <em>L. guyanensis</em> in Guatemalan patients and provides insights into CL transmission dynamics, suggesting potential indoor transmission, pending more studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100244"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143360315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}