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

{"title":"Serological assessment of pediatric parasite exposure in two Senegalese districts using multiplex serology","authors":"Helena Brazal Monzó ,&nbsp;Santiago Rayment Gomez ,&nbsp;Doudou Sow ,&nbsp;Aminata Colle Lo ,&nbsp;Marie Pierre Diouf ,&nbsp;Amadou Seck ,&nbsp;Ibrahima Mbaye ,&nbsp;Elhadji Babacar Fall ,&nbsp;Catriona Patterson ,&nbsp;Seyi Soremekun ,&nbsp;Isaac A. Manga ,&nbsp;Cheikh Cissé ,&nbsp;Awa Diouf ,&nbsp;Ndéye Aida Gaye ,&nbsp;Kevin K.A. Tetteh ,&nbsp;Alex Loukas ,&nbsp;Brian Greenwood ,&nbsp;Jean Louis A. Ndiaye ,&nbsp;Chris Drakeley ,&nbsp;Muhammed O. Afolabi","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although pediatric parasitic diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality in regions with high rates of co-infection, this overlap may offer opportunities for integrated control strategies. This study aimed at a serological assessment of exposure to multiple parasitic infections among children aged 1–14 years in two Senegalese districts, Saraya (Kédougou Region) and Diourbel (Diourbel Region), to inform integrated control strategies. We analysed 883 dried blood spot samples. A multiplex bead-based immunoassay quantified IgG antibody against <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em>, helminths (<em>Necator americanus</em>, <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em>, <em>Strongyloides stercoralis</em>, <em>Taenia solium</em>), and intestinal protozoa (<em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em>, <em>Giardia duodenalis</em>) as proxies for single- and multiple-pathogen exposure. Multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors for seropositivity. Recent malaria exposure was identified in 11% of children, while 42% showed evidence of historical exposure. Helminth seroprevalence ranged between 0.1% and 7.2%, whereas <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em> and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> seroprevalence values were 19.0% and 7.4%, respectively. Co-exposures to malaria and other parasites ranged from 9.4% to 18.0%. School-aged children exhibited higher seroprevalence rates for historical exposure to <em>P. falciparum</em> and <em>S. stercoralis</em> compared to pre-school children, while <em>G. duodenalis</em> was more seroprevalent in pre-school children. Saraya exhibited higher seroprevalence for historical <em>P. falciparum</em> and <em>G. duodenalis</em> exposure. Rare/never handwashing before meals, shorter travel time to a water source (&lt; 10 min, likely reflecting residence near shared or surface water rather than improved household taps), and frequent contact with any waterbodies (daily/weekly) were associated with higher odds of parasite seropositivity. While seasonal malaria chemoprevention appears suitable, the low helminth seroprevalence coupled with substantial protozoan exposure suggests that current integrated interventions may require re-evaluation and enhancement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145157107","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":"Species distribution and screening of Trypanosoma DNA in phlebotomine sand flies from four southern provinces of Thailand","authors":"Nantatchaporn Klaiklueng ,&nbsp;Rawadee Kumlert ,&nbsp;Sopavadee Moonmake ,&nbsp;Toon Ruang-areerate ,&nbsp;Padet Siriyasatien ,&nbsp;Sakone Sunantaraporn ,&nbsp;Darawan Wanachiwanawin ,&nbsp;Pichet Ruenchit ,&nbsp;Sirichit Wongkamchai","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sand flies are principal vectors of <em>Leishmania</em> spp. and <em>Trypanosoma</em> spp. Identifying precise vector species is crucial for effective control. We conducted a study on the species distribution of phlebotomine sand flies in cave-dwelling and non-cave-dwelling in four southern provinces of Thailand. In this study, we collected 621 sand flies (346 females and 275 males) and identified all specimens based on morphology and DNA barcoding, employing cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit 1 (<em>cox</em>1) and cytochrome <em>b</em> (<em>cytb</em>) genes. In female specimens, we also screened the small subunit 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene for <em>Leishmania</em> spp. and <em>Trypanosoma</em> spp. Morphologically, 467 (75.2%) sand flies were identified to species level, 47 (7.57%) to subgenus level, and 107 (17.23%) to genus level. These included <em>Idiophlebotomus asperulus</em> (43.48%), <em>Sergentomyia khawi</em> (26.73%), <em>S. anodontis</em> (2.25%), <em>S. brevicaulis</em> (2.25%), <em>Grassomyia indica</em> (0.48%), <em>Phlebotomus</em> (<em>Euphlebotomus</em>) spp. (4.83%), <em>Phlebotomus</em> (<em>Lewisius</em>) spp. (2.74%), <em>Sergentomyia</em> spp. (9.18%), and <em>Phlebotomus</em> spp. (8.05%). Among the 107 specimens identified to genus level, DNA barcoding further identified 49 (45.79%) as <em>Sergentomyia barraudi</em> (1.61%), <em>S. bailyi</em> (0.16%), <em>Phlebotomus kiangsuensis</em> (2.9%), and <em>Ph. stantoni</em> (1.61%). No <em>Leishmania</em> DNA was detected, but <em>Trypanosoma</em> DNA was found in females of <em>S. khawi</em> from Narathiwat Province. Expanding genetic reference databases of sand flies located in four provinces of southern Thailand will improve barcoding accuracy. Understanding sand fly species composition and distribution is imperative for vector control and disease prevention in Thailand.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143868349","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":"Impact of seasonal change on virus-rodent dynamics in Nigeria’s Edo-Ondo hotspot for Lassa fever","authors":"Akinlabi Oyeyiola ,&nbsp;Adetunji Samuel Adesina ,&nbsp;Adeoba Obadare ,&nbsp;Joseph Igbokwe ,&nbsp;Samuel Ayobami Fasogbon ,&nbsp;Chukwuyem Abejegah ,&nbsp;Patience Akhilomen ,&nbsp;Danny Asogun ,&nbsp;Ekaete Tobin ,&nbsp;Olufemi Ayodeji ,&nbsp;Omolaja Osoniyi ,&nbsp;Meike Pahlmann ,&nbsp;Stephan Günther ,&nbsp;Elisabeth Fichet-Calvet ,&nbsp;Ayodeji Olayemi","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100271","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The zoonotic Lassa virus (LASV) is naturally maintained in rodents but commonly virulent in humans, killing thousands across West Africa annually. Human cases of Lassa fever surge during the dry season. In a hotspot for this disease, involving seven localities from Edo and Ondo states within Nigeria, we sought to depict how fluctuation patterns of LASV prevalence in rodents and levels of rodent infestation culminate in particularly heightened points of potential rodent-to-human transmission. We also explored how this variability may be driven by environmental and demographic factors. We determined active LASV infection by PCR and previous infection using an indirect immunofluorescence assay for IgG antibodies. Six out of the seven localities had active LASV infections, ranging between 3.7% (1/27) and 75.5% (37/49). In Ebudin and Ekpoma, where longitudinal sampling was conducted, prevalence differences were not statistically significant across locality, habitat, season, or year. Conversely, abundance peaked significantly indoors for <em>Mastomys natalensis</em> (the major LASV reservoir) and <em>Praomys daltoni</em> either during the dry or rainy season, depending on whether each of these rodent species occupied Ebudin or Ekpoma. Our results suggest that, since LASV occurrence is usually widespread in its natural reservoir within highly endemic areas, a more immediate component of zoonotic risk to prioritize for control would be the targeting of rodent infestation peaks when they occur inside human habitations. Over our two-year survey, these peaks in abundance were consistent in the months they occurred yearly for <em>M. natalensis</em> and <em>P. daltoni</em> per locality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100271"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105567","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":"Midichloria mitochondrii stimulates the sylvatic cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in Ixodes ricinus and contributes to Lyme disease risk","authors":"Clara F. Köhler ,&nbsp;Maya L. Holding ,&nbsp;Manoj Fonville ,&nbsp;Ron P. Dirks ,&nbsp;Hans J. Jansen ,&nbsp;Sara Moutailler ,&nbsp;Aurélie Heckmann ,&nbsp;Jens Zarka ,&nbsp;Erik Matthysen ,&nbsp;Hein Sprong ,&nbsp;Aleksandra I. Krawczyk","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100290","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100290","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sex and symbionts of arthropod vectors are potential modulators of infection with vector-borne pathogens. Here, we investigated the involvement of sex and presence of the bacterial symbiont <em>Midichloria mitochondrii</em> in immature stages of <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> ticks on the acquisition and abundance of the tick-borne spirochete <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> (<em>sensu lato</em>). There was no difference in the infection rate of <em>M. mitochondrii</em> between male and female larvae. The infection with <em>M. mitochondrii</em> but not tick sex increased the acquisition of <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) by <em>I. ricinus</em> larvae feeding on naturally infected birds. The infection with <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) in questing nymphs was positively associated with <em>M. mitochondrii</em>, but not with their sex. The infection rates of <em>M. mitochondrii</em> in field-collected ticks showed substantial spatial variation. In our field study, we observed that locations exhibiting higher <em>M. mitochondrii</em> prevalence in nymphs also have significantly higher infection rates with <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>). Thus, the <em>M. mitochondrii</em> symbiont appears to enhance the ability of immature <em>I. ricinus</em> ticks to acquire and/or maintain <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) in nature and is therefore an additional factor that contributes to the spatial variation in Lyme disease risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100290"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144581268","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":"The BiteBarrier perimeter: A passive spatial device for tick control and bite prevention","authors":"Maria V. Murgia ,&nbsp;Laurie Widder ,&nbsp;Catherine A. Hill","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100246","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) impact human and animal health on a global scale. Prevention of TBDs relies primarily on prevention of tick bites. New bite-prevention technologies are needed as an alternative to current approaches such as topical repellents and treated clothing which suffer low user compliance. To date, no passive spatial devices have been commercialized for area protection against ticks. The BiteBarrier (formerly the Personal Insect Repellent Kit, PIRK), a passive, lightweight device that emits transfluthrin, offers to fill this gap. In a previous study, we demonstrated contact toxicity of the BiteBarrier substrate to three tick species, <em>Ixodes scapularis</em>, <em>Dermacentor variabilis</em> and <em>Amblyomma americanum</em>, and reported differences in efficacy depending on species and short-range spatial efficacy against <em>I. scapularis</em> adult females. Here, we extended analyses and demonstrated modest spatial activity of the BiteBarrier substrate against <em>A. americanum</em> and <em>D. variabilis</em> adult females. Using a dual-choice behavioral assay, we showed that the three tick species preferred an area of untreated substrate. Lastly, we present a novel perimeter assay, developed to assess the efficacy of the BiteBarrier ground-based prototype against ticks. At short-range in a Peet Grady-style chamber, the BiteBarrier perimeter induced greater than 90% knockdown of <em>I. scapularis</em> adult females at 1 and 2 h post-exposure and 90% mortality at 48 h post-exposure. Taken together, study findings indicate the potential of the BiteBarrier perimeter to control ticks at near range and potentially, to protect against tick bites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100246"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143421670","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":"Occurrence and the first molecular genotyping of Dibothriocephalus dendriticus and Dibothriocephalus ditremus (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) in salmonids from Iceland","authors":"Ivica Králová-Hromadová ,&nbsp;Eva Čisovská Bazsalovicsová ,&nbsp;Alžbeta Radačovská ,&nbsp;Lucia Dinisová ,&nbsp;Karl Skírnisson","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100301","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100301","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The occurrence of <em>Dibothriocephalus dendriticus</em> and <em>Dibothriocephalus ditremus</em> (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) in salmonids from lakes Hafravatn, Thingvallavatn, Másvatn, and Ytra-Hólavatn in Iceland was studied. The exact taxonomic identification of plerocercoids was performed by a recently validated molecular discriminatory PCR-based approach using <em>D. dendriticus</em>-specific Dd_8 primers. Of 1684 plerocercoids isolated from 58 fish (40 Arctic charrs <em>Salvelinus alpinus</em>, and 18 brown trout <em>Salmo trutta</em>), 318 (18.9%) larvae were identified as <em>D. dendriticus</em> and 1366 (81.1%) as <em>D. ditremus</em>. The prevalence of <em>D. ditremus</em> was high at all four localities, ranging from 54.2% to 100%. Similarly, the prevalence of <em>D. dendriticus</em> ranged from 50.0% to 100% in all lakes, except for Ytra-Hólavatn, where a prevalence of 14.3% was recorded. All examined specimens of large benthivorous (LB) charr from Thingvallavatn were negative, which was related to the specific habitat and the different feeding specialization of the LB morph. In contrast, the prevalence and the intensity of infection with both <em>D. dendriticus</em> and <em>D. ditremus</em> were high in piscivorous and planktivorous Arctic charr morphs. The intensity of infection with <em>D. dendriticus</em> was lower in all four lakes compared to much higher values detected for <em>D. ditremus.</em> The relative abundance of <em>D. dendriticus</em> and <em>D. ditremus</em> plerocercoids in individual fish hosts showed substantially lower values for <em>D. dendriticus</em> in all four lakes. This can be explained by various climatic conditions required for egg development and by the different feeding ecology of aquatic birds, definitive hosts of both tapeworms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100301"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144831121","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":"Density-dependence and different dimensions of changing weather shape adult abundance patterns of common mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in Bloomington, Indiana, USA","authors":"Aidan Patrick Simons ,&nbsp;Amanda Lenfestey ,&nbsp;Luis Fernando Chaves","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100242","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100242","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the factors driving changes in mosquito abundance are key to quantify the risk they pose as vectors of pathogens. Here, to study the impacts of weather changes and density-dependent regulation on mosquito species abundance, we used season long weekly time series of <em>Aedes japonicus</em> (Theobald), <em>Aedes triseriatus</em> (Say), <em>Aedes vexans</em> (Meigen), <em>Anopheles punctipennis</em> (Say), C<em>oquillettidia perturbans</em> (Walker), and <em>Culex pipiens</em> L., common mosquito species in the Bloomington, IN, USA, area. We use the forced Ricker model to estimate population growth and density-dependence parameters, as well as the forcing by weather variables. We found that weather factors important for the population dynamics of these species were different. We found that <em>Cx. pipiens</em> population dynamics was not associated with any weather variables, while <em>Ae. japonicus</em>, <em>Ae. triseriatus</em> and <em>Cq. perturbans</em> were forced by relative humidity, <em>Ae. vexans</em> by SD of rainfall, and <em>An. punctipennis</em> by the kurtosis of temperature. These results illustrate the diversity of ways in which mosquitoes can respond to changing weather patterns and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of how mosquitoes respond to climate change by coupling field studies with mathematical modeling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100242"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143149067","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":"Refining the annotation of Rhodnius prolixus aspartic proteases A1 family genes through proteogenomics","authors":"Radouane Ouali,&nbsp;Sabrina Bousbata","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100253","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100253","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rhodnius prolixus</em> Stål (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) a hematophagous model organism and vector of Chagas disease, relies on a complex repertoire of digestive enzymes to process its blood meals. Among these, aspartic proteases from the A1 peptidase family play a crucial role in nutrient breakdown. This study aims to refine the gene annotation of the A1 peptidase family in this organism through proteogenomics. A comprehensive analysis of aspartic protease gene sequences and protein isoforms, identified by proteomics, revealed discrepancies in existing gene annotations, including the identification of novel open reading frames and the consolidation of previously separated gene sequences. Our efforts led to the correction of seven gene annotations, reducing the total count of A1 peptidase genes from 19 to 15. Notably, 11 of these genes were confirmed at the protein level, while two were supported by transcriptomic data. Furthermore, our findings highlight instances of alternative splicing, as seen in RPRC015076, where proteoforms T1IFK7 and R4G5J6 are expressed through intron retention. This study not only provides a more accurate and comprehensive genomic framework for the A1 peptidase family but also offers new insights into the functional complexity and regulation of digestive enzymes in <em>R. prolixus</em>. These findings pave the way for future studies on insect digestive biology and their potential applications in vector control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100253"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684031","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":"Cryptosporidium prevalence in calves and its effect on local water quality prior to abstraction and treatment","authors":"Ceri Edwards ,&nbsp;Frank Katzer ,&nbsp;Paul M. Bartley ,&nbsp;Janet Roden ,&nbsp;Hannah J. Shaw","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp., particularly <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em>, pose a significant threat to raw water quality and public health. Cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal zoonotic disease, causes diarrhoea in dairy and beef production systems worldwide. Infected calves shed <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. oocysts in faeces, posing risks of contaminating surface water sources. Understanding the dynamics of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> contamination is crucial for effective water quality management. This study investigated <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. prevalence in neonatal calves and its potential impact on water quality before abstraction and treatment. The study analysed faecal samples from 1–3-week-old calves on two English dairy farms upstream of a water abstraction point. Initial screening used <em>C. parvum</em> immune chromatographic assays (ICT) on 47 faecal samples. This was followed by DNA extraction and species identification, with <em>gp60</em> subtyping. Raw and treated water quality data were analysed to determine <em>Cryptosporidium</em> oocyst counts. <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em> was the predominant species in calves at both farms, with <em>gp60</em> subtype IIaA17G2R1 being the only subtype detected. Some calf samples revealed mixed infections with <em>C. parvum</em> and <em>C. ryanae</em>. Raw-water samples (<em>n</em> = 214) revealed a 50.00% positivity rate for <em>Cryptosporidium</em> oocysts, with 22.43% (24/107) containing <em>C. parvum/C. hominis</em> and the remainder 77.57% (83/107) <em>C. andersoni</em>. Water treatment significantly reduced oocyst counts (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001); however, due to the increase in popularity of bathing in rivers, oocysts present in raw river water may still prove a public health risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100295"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654635","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":"Brugia malayi miRNAs and potential targets within the feline host (Felis catus)","authors":"Erica Burkman ,&nbsp;Lucienne Tritten ,&nbsp;Christopher C. Evans ,&nbsp;Guilherme G. Verocai ,&nbsp;Caroline Sobotyk ,&nbsp;Timothy G. Geary ,&nbsp;Andrew R. Moorhead","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100329","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100329","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Host specificity is a critical feature of the survival and proliferation of parasites. In the context of interactions with the host, numerous mechanisms have been identified, particularly in parasitic helminths, that enable manipulation of the host immune system to enhance their own survival. The evolutionary history of these interactions often results in hosts becoming disease-tolerant or asymptomatic, even when burdened with a high number of worms, until a disruption in the host’s immune system can trigger a disease state. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying host specificity and the ways in which parasites alter the host’s immune system remain largely unexplored. Research conducted on parasite-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) suggests they may play a role in remodeling the host to improve parasite survival and growth, possibly through directed pathology. To further explore this host-parasite relationship, we analyzed plasma of four cats experimentally infected with the filarial nematode <em>Brugia malayi</em>, each with varying levels of microfilaremia, six months post-infection. Out of approximately 32 million sequencing reads, we detected 185 mature miRNA candidates potentially originating from <em>B. malayi</em>, with 26 miRNAs present in 10 or more copies. We also identified seven immunity-related host genes (<em>Ptgs1</em>, <em>Irf4</em>, <em>Irf5</em>, <em>Numbl</em>, <em>Tnfsf15</em>, <em>Stat3</em>, and <em>Txlnb</em>) that are predicted to be targets of parasite-derived miRNAs. Additional investigation is warranted to elucidate the role of these miRNAs in the host-parasite interaction. These data offer promising targets for further exploration, and potentially the discovery of novel therapeutics that disrupt parasite immune evasion and pathological alterations to the host.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100329"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361535","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}