Protozoan parasites are responsible for severe disease and suffering in humans worldwide. Apart from disease transmission via insect vectors and contaminated soil, food, or water, transmission may occur congenitally or by way of blood transfusion and organ transplantation. Several recent outbreaks associated with fresh produce and potable water emphasize the need for vigilance and monitoring of protozoan parasites that cause severe disease in humans globally. Apart from the tropical parasite Plasmodium spp., other protozoa causing debilitating and fatal diseases such as Trypanosoma spp. and Naegleria fowleri need to be studied in more detail. Climate change and socioeconomic issues such as migration continue to be major drivers for the spread of these neglected tropical diseases beyond endemic zones. Due to the complex life cycles of protozoa involving multiple hosts, vectors, and stringent growth conditions, studying these parasites has been challenging. While in vivo models may provide insights into host-parasite interaction, the ethical aspects of laboratory animal use and the challenge of ready availability of parasite life stages underline the need for in vitro models as valid alternatives for culturing and maintaining protozoan parasites. To our knowledge, this review is the first of its kind to highlight available in vitro models for protozoa causing highly infectious diseases. In recent years, several research efforts using new technologies such as 3D organoid and spheroid systems for protozoan parasites have been introduced that provide valuable tools to advance complex culturing models and offer new opportunities toward the advancement of parasite in vitro studies. In vitro models aid scientists and healthcare providers in gaining insights into parasite infection biology, ultimately enabling the use of novel strategies for preventing and treating these diseases.

中文翻译：

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原生动物寄生虫的杜鲁门秀：体外培养平台的回顾。

原生动物寄生虫是全世界人类严重疾病和痛苦的罪魁祸首。除了通过昆虫媒介和受污染的土壤、食物或水传播疾病外，传播还可能通过先天性或通过输血和器官移植发生。最近发生的与新鲜农产品和饮用水有关的几次暴发强调了对在全球范围内导致人类严重疾病的原生动物寄生虫保持警惕和监测的必要性。除了热带寄生虫疟原虫外，其他原生动物也会引起使人衰弱和致命的疾病，例如锥虫。和 Naegleria fowleri 需要更详细地研究。气候变化和移民等社会经济问题仍然是这些被忽视的热带疾病在流行区以外传播的主要驱动力。由于原生动物的生命周期复杂，涉及多个宿主、载体和严格的生长条件，研究这些寄生虫一直具有挑战性。虽然体内模型可以提供对宿主-寄生虫相互作用的见解，但实验动物使用的伦理方面和寄生虫生命阶段现成可用的挑战强调需要体外模型作为培养和维持原生动物寄生虫的有效替代方案。据我们所知，这篇评论是同类文章中首次重点介绍了引起高度传染性疾病的原生动物体外模型。最近几年，已经引入了一些使用新技术的研究工作，例如原生动物寄生虫的 3D 类器官和球体系统，这些技术为推进复杂的培养模型提供了宝贵的工具，并为寄生虫体外研究的进步提供了新的机会。体外模型帮助科学家和医疗保健提供者深入了解寄生虫感染生物学，最终能够使用新的策略来预防和治疗这些疾病。