Different groups parasitize the gills of fishes, and the organisms can interact in positive, negative, or neutral ways, depending on parasitic abundance, environmental conditions, and the availability of resources. Here, we studied the distribution of ectoparasites on the gills of the mullet Mugil curema in the Cabedelo port region (Brazil), asking if (1) the gill parasites of M. curema fix on specific

Tungiasis is a public health problem in endemic resource-poor communities, where dogs are important reservoirs of Tunga spp., contributing significantly to the process of transmission of this zoonosis. In order to optimize the diagnosis of canine tungiasis, macroscopic morphological characteristics and clinical signs of the lesions were investigated, based on the inspection of 40 dogs infested by T

Cystic echinococcosis is a neglected, zoonotic disease in Turkey. The disease is commonly seen in rural areas where the local population is in close contact with livestock and dogs. This research aimed to molecularly identify of hydatid cysts in cattle and human isolates from Konya, Turkey. Following sample collection, direct microscopy was performed. After direct examination, total DNA was extracted

In a survey study on the macroscopic species of Sarcocystis infecting domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and cattle (Bos taurus) in Egypt, the macrosarcocysts of Sarcocystis gigantea and Sarcocystis medusiformis were detected in the carcasses of 33 domestic sheep out of a total of 250 (13.20%), whereas Sarcocystis hirsuta macrosarcocysts were found in 17 out of 150 cattle (11.33%) slaughtered at the municipal

Around the world, human health and animal health are closely linked in terms of the One Health concept by ticks acting as vectors for zoonotic pathogens. Animals do not only maintain tick cycles but can either be clinically affected by the same tick-borne pathogens as humans and/or play a role as reservoirs or sentinel pathogen hosts. However, the relevance of different tick-borne diseases (TBDs) may

A new coccidian species, Isospora lugensae n. sp., was described from a single Kerguelen petrel (Lugensa brevirostris). Sporulated oocysts (n = 25) were characterized as subspheroidal to ellipsoidal measuring 24–25 μm × 21–23 μm (24.8 × 22.2 μm) in length/width (L/W), respectively, with a ratio of 1.07–1.14 μm (1.12). They contained a bi-layered wall with a thickness of 0.8–1.2 μm (1.0) and the outer

The malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum is a severe threat to human health across the globe. This parasite alone causes the highest morbidity and mortality than any other species of Plasmodium. The parasites dynamically multiply in the erythrocytes of the vertebrate hosts, a large number of reactive oxygen species that damage biological macromolecules are produced in the cell during parasite

Avian blood parasites have been shown to have significant health effects on avifauna worldwide. Sri Lanka, a tropical island rich with resident and migratory birds, has not been properly evaluated for avian blood parasites or their vectors. We investigated the presence of avian haemoparasites in Sri Lankan birds and the potential mosquito vectors of those pathogens. Blood samples were collected from

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of non-protein-coding transcripts that are involved in a diverse spectrum of regulatory mechanisms across a broad range of biological processes. To date, however, few studies on circRNAs have investigated their role in the biology of invertebrate parasites. The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is perceived as the principal biotic threat towards global

The importance of vectors and vector-borne diseases (VBDs) is increasing on a global scale. Many vectors and pathogens benefit from global warming and can spread to novel habitats where they were formerly not present, including higher altitudes. Various vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, have been reported in, for instance, red foxes and wild ungulates in the Western

We studied the success of fleas, Synosternus cleopatrae and Xenopsylla ramesis, in switching to a novel host by establishing experimental lines maintained on different hosts for 18 generations. Fleas fed on principal (P-line) or novel hosts, either sympatric with (S-line) or allopatric to (A-line) a flea and its principal host, then we assessed their reproductive performance via the number and size

Ticks are considered the second most important vectors of pathogens worldwide, after mosquitoes. This study provides a systematic review of vector-host relationships between ticks and mammals (domestic and wild) and consolidates information from studies conducted in Colombia between 1911 and 2020. Using the PRISMA method, 71 scientific articles containing records for 51 tick species (Argasidae and

Toxoplasma gondii infection was one of the most frequent AIDS-defining conditions in HIV-infected individuals until the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to assess the clinical load, coinfection, and mortality, as well as time trends for people living with HIV and hospitalized with Toxoplasma gondii infection, in Spain from 1997 to 2015. Retrospective observational analysis using

Two domestic cats from the Patagonia rural area in Argentina were found to be naturally infected with Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto/G1 genotype; so far, the only species/genotype of E. granulosus sensu lato complex described to infect domestic cats. The felines developed abdominal disseminated larval disease; the diagnosis was performed by ultrasound, exploratory laparotomy, and molecular techniques

Air sac nematodes from birds are known for more than 200 years now and Filaria attenuata was the first described species from falcons, owl and corvid birds. The superficial description and the loss of the original material made F. attenuata a species inquirenda. Seurat (1915) redescribed the species with material from lanner falcon and pallid harrier from Algeria and based on this description Bain

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, a heteroxenous parasite belonging to Cestoda class. AE is currently considered an important public health issue, but epidemiological and notably molecular data from several endemic countries, including Pakistan, are sparse. Here we report the first detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in wildlife from Pakistan after

Dendritic cells play a crucial role in inducing antigen-specific immunity to pathogens. During host-parasite interaction, host immune response to the parasite molecules is considered essential for recognizing novel antigens for control strategies. Therefore, in the present study, chicken dendritic cells (DCs) (ChDCs), derived from spleens were used to evaluate their capacity to proliferate and differentiate

Wombats suffer from sarcoptic mange, a mite infection that ultimately leads to their death from secondary infections. In 2017, wildlife carers were granted legal approval to treat bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) for sarcoptic mange in the field using 4 mL of topical Cydectin® per adult wombat. However, (limited) scientific field trials suggest approved protocols are inadequate which has been

During their different life stages, parasites undergo remarkable morphological, physiological, and behavioral “metamorphoses” to meet the needs of their changing habitats. This is even true for ectoparasites, such as the monogeneans, which typically have a free-swimming larval stage (oncomiracidium) that seeks out and attaches to the external surfaces of fish where they mature. Before any obvious changes

Leishmaniasis is a tropical parasitic disease that affects up to 12 million people worldwide. Current chemotherapies have limitations such as toxicity, high cost, and parasite resistance. This work aims to select an essential oil (EssOil) isolated from the Tunisian flora as a new antileishmanial candidate. Two plants were chosen for their antileishmanial potential: Citrus limon (Citrus) and Pistacia

Foodborne zoonotic trematode (FZT) infections are common neglected tropical diseases in Southeast Asia. Their complicated life cycles involve freshwater snails as intermediate hosts. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Yen Bai and Thanh Hoa provinces in North and Central Vietnam, to investigate the diversity of cercariae of potential FZT and to construct the phylogenetic relationship of trematode

Neoheterobothrium papillosum n. sp. (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) is described based on specimens collected from the gills of the dusky flounder Syacium papillosum (Linnaeus) (Paralichthyidae) in the Yucatan Shelf. The new species can be differentiated from other congeneric species by the following characteristics: (1) number of hooks in the genital atrium (8 hooks), (2) number of testes (20–34), (3)

In nature, parasitic infections must be addressed as complex systems involving parasite-host relationships on a temporal and spatial scale. Since the parasites cover a great biological diversity, we can expect that wildlife are exposed simultaneously to different parasites. In this sense, the objective of this work was to determine the relationships between free-living mammals and their associated

Gyrodactylus spp. are common monogenean ectoparasites that may lead to significant fish mortality. To find effective anthelmintic agents with lower toxicity, a series of natural saponins were obtained and evaluated for their anthelmintic activity against Gyrodactylus kobayashii and acute toxicity to goldfish (Carassius auratus). Among all tested compounds, six compounds (1, 2, 3, 8, 10, and 13) shown

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis is rare in immunocompetent patients. Herein, a Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated in Brazil from an immunocompetent patient who had severe pulmonary involvement was biologically and molecularly characterized for the first time. The TgHumIMTBr1 isolate was bioassayed in mice showing a virulent phenotype. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping using 11 markers

This study evaluated the technology of detection of Giardia spp. cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in environmental matrices obtained after water treatment on a bench scale. Calcium carbonate flocculation with immunomagnetic separation was the selected method to quantify the protozoa, and the importance of the number of acid dissociations in the immunomagnetic separation was assessed. When adding

The diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) infesting domestic animals in Tchicala-Tcholoanga, Angola, in 2016 was investigated. Seventeen tick species were recorded, Amblyomma pomposum being the most abundant on cattle (40%), goats (38%) and sheep (35%); Rhipicephalus turanicus was the most abundant on dogs (46%). This study presents new records of Haemaphysalis paraleachi, R. compositus

Owing to the importance and clinical diversity of Leishmania infantum, studying its virulence factors is promising for understanding the relationship between parasites and hosts. In the present study, differentially abundant proteins from strains with different degrees of virulence in promastigote and amastigote forms were compared using two quantitative proteomics techniques, differential gel electrophoresis

This study aimed to genetically characterize Toxoplasma gondii isolates obtained from free-range chickens reared in the metropolitan region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to evaluate the morbidity and histological changes associated with these isolates in mice. A mouse bioassay was used to isolate T. gondii from a pool of tissue samples (brain, heart, and thigh muscles) collected from

Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected parasitic infections of the world and current therapeutic options show several limitations. In the search for more effective drugs, plant compounds represent a powerful natural source. Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from Artemisia annua L. leaves, from which dihydroartemisinin (DQHS) and artesunic acid (AA)/artesunate are examples of active

The species Metchnikovella dogieli (Paskerova et al. Protistology 10:148–157, 2016) belongs to one of the early diverging microsporidian groups, the metchnikovellids (Microsporidia: Metchnikovellidae). In relation to typical (‘core’) microsporidia, this group is considered primitive. The spores of metchnikovellids have no classical polar sac-anchoring disk complex, no coiled polar tube, no posterior

A novel microsporidial disease was documented in two ornamental fish species, black tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi Boulenger 1895 and cardinal tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi Schultz 1956. The non-xenoma-forming microsporidium occurred diffusely in most internal organs and the gill, thus referring to the condition as tetra disseminated microsporidiosis (TDM). The occurrence of TDM in black tetra was associated

Paragonimiasis is a foodborne trematode infection that affects 23 million people, mainly in Asia. Lung fluke infections lead frequently to chronic cough with fever and hemoptysis, and are often confused with lung cancer or tuberculosis. Paragonimiasis can be efficiently treated with praziquantel, but diagnosis is often delayed, and patients are frequently treated for other conditions. To improve diagnosis

Trichinella spiralis is a foodborne zoonotic nematode, which causes trichinellosis. During the infection, parasite evades the host immune responses by direct and indirect (through excretory-secretory products) contact with host immune cells. One of the main targets for immunomodulation induced by helminths are macrophages. In this study, we examined whether direct contact of different stages of T.

In this work, we analyze data that support an epidemiological link between cases of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) by Ehrlichia canis and the presence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto as vector in an endemic area for this tick in Argentina. In a blood sample of a 1-year-old toy poodle with CME compatible clinical signs, which showed CME typical morulae in monocytes in Giemsa-stained blood

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important intestinal zoonotic pathogens that can infect various hosts and cause diarrhoeal diseases. There are few reports of the epidemiological prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in wild birds around Qinghai Lake and in the surrounding areas on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Northwest China. Therefore, the aim of this study was to

Musca domestica is one of the major cosmopolitan pests in livestock facilities because it can be both a nuisance and a vector of pathogens to animals. Currently, treatment of animal manure with insect growth regulator (IGR) insecticides is among major practices to control M. domestica throughout the year over wide-ranging environmental temperatures. Fluctuation in daily or seasonal temperature is one

Studies contrasting parasite prevalence and host-parasite community structure between pristine and disturbed environments will improve our understanding of how deforestation affects disease transmission and parasite extinction. To determine how infection rates of a common and diverse group of avian blood parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) respond to changes in avian host composition after mining

The monogenean genus Heterobothrium (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) currently consists of 12 accepted species described globally from various pufferfishes (Tetraodontidae). This includes the economically important Heterobothrium okamotoi Ogawa 1991 that causes severe disease in the cultured tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes in Japan. During parasitological surveys targeting near shore marine fishes of South

Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis are the most common filarial species affecting humans in Europe. Dirofilaria repens causes subcutaneous or ocular infection, whereas D. immitis is responsible mainly for the pulmonary form. In this report, we present the first human case of periorbital dirofilariasis in the Czech Republic. A 58-year-old woman suffered from an eyelid oedema, redness and pain

Toxoplasmosis is the most prevalent zoonosis in the world and is associated with a large spectrum of diseases. Acute acquired toxoplasmosis (AAT) is considered a benign and self-limiting disease but severe postnatal infections have been reported, particularly in South America. Laboratory diagnosis is based on the detection of anti–Toxoplasma gondii IgM, IgG, and presence of low IgG avidity. However

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic protozoan that infects most species of mammals and birds, including poultry. This study aimed to investigate the course of T. gondii infection and the efficacy of diclazuril and Artemisia annua in preventing infection in experimentally infected chickens. Seventy-five 1-month-old chickens, female and male, were randomly divided into five groups (n = 15 each)

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an important neglected parasitic disease according to the World Health Organization. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of human LF in Asia using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Records from 1990 to 2018 in reputable databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched using a panel of related keywords.

Associated with the spreading in (north)western direction of Fascioloides magna from its historic endemic area in Bohemia with its cervid hosts, unusual noticeable hepatic lesions (black-colored tissue, hemorrhage) were observed in deer harvested in hunting grounds and one deer farm located in the Upper Palatinate Forest close to the border to the Czech Republic, initially in the years of 2007 and

The probiotic medicinal product TSO (Trichuris suis ova) is administered to patients with active ulcerative colitis in an ongoing clinical phase IIb trial where the typical co-medications are steroids (prednisolone or budesonide) and antibiotics (e.g., phenoxymethylpenicillin). The present pre-clinical study evaluates the effects of these co-medications on the biological activity of TSO in Göttingen

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a serious infection of the eye that can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness, caused by free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba. Early diagnosis is necessary for effective treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Acanthamoeba is abundant in nature and can be found in water, soil, and air. Acanthamoeba keratitis is usually diagnosed by culture from a scraping

Protozoa of the genus Sarcocystis are obligatory heterogenous parasites with both definitive and intermediate hosts. Opossums (Didelphis aurita) can shed multiple species of Sarcocystis with birds as the intermediate host. The pathologies of Sarcocystis species in birds have not been thoroughly elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study to determine the main lesions that can occur in acute

Schistosomiasis still affects a lot of people in many developing countries. Reducing the disease dissemination has been the target of various studies. As methyl gallate has antioxidant properties, it is assumed that it can be a good candidate for stimulating the immune response of snails. So, the aim of this work is to investigate the potential of using methyl gallate as an immunostimulant to Biomphalaria

The Diplozoidae are monogenean parasites of mainly cyprinoid fishes with a unique life cycle, whereby two larvae undergo anastomosis and fuse into a single cross-shaped specimen. Paradiplozoon is the most species rich and widespread genus of the family, with a distribution range covering Eurasia and Africa; however, some areas remain underexplored and their diplozoid fauna is uncertain. In the present

The genus Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 represents one of the most diverse and widespread taxa within Monogenea, with approximately 500 species described worldwide. Thirty-three species of Gyrodactylus have been recorded in Mexico, and in the last two decades, at least 26 new species have been described mainly from freshwater fish families such as poeciliids, goodeids, profundulids, characids, and

Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi are parasites belonging to the Trypanosomatidae family and the causative agents for two very important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), namely leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, respectively. Together, they affect millions of people worldwide and the number of cases is constantly rising; thus, further effort on identifying and developing non-toxic, affordable

Wellcomia species (Oxyuridae, Syphaciinae) parasitise several families of rodents from Africa, Asia and America with diverse ecological characteristics. A new species of Wellcomia is described based on specimens obtained from the plains viscacha Lagostomus maximus (Chinchillidae) from Argentina. The description includes morphometric and ecological aspects and an emended diagnosis of the genus Wellcomia

Understanding the processes responsible for structuring communities has been a challenge in ecology, and parasite communities are an excellent system to address this issue. The use of different diversity metrics can help us to understand the determinants of the structure of parasite communities, and in this sense, functional diversity indexes make it possible to measure the variability of organism

Waterborne diseases are a major global problem, resulting in high morbidity and mortality, and massive economic costs. The ability to rapidly and reliably detect and monitor the spread of waterborne diseases is vital for early intervention and preventing more widespread disease outbreaks. Pathogens are, however, difficult to detect in water and are not practicably detectable at acceptable concentrations

Pediculosis is a worldwide disease affecting school-aged children produced by the presence of the head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, an obligate ectoparasite on the human scalp feeding exclusively on blood. Transmission occurs primarily through direct physical head-to-head contact. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. COVID-19

This study aimed to investigate the links between parasites and behavioural traits of juvenile Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii). The Murray cod is an endangered Australian freshwater fish for which restocking programs are in place and there is a growing human consumption market. However, little is known about the parasites of these fish and how these parasites influence their behaviour and survival

Fundamentally, larviciding with pyriproxyfen (PPF) has potential to complement Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) and indoor residual sprays (IRS) in settings where resistance to pyrethroids and residual malaria transmission exist. In this study, we evaluated the field effectiveness of larviciding using PPF to reduce dry season productivity of mosquito breeding habitats that were located by pastoralists