Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103192
Manal Adil Murad
Background: Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax are mouth parasites cause periodontitis and gingivitis. They are common in people having poor oral hygiene. The aim of this study is to assess the rate of E.gingivalis and T.tenax, associated risk factors, and examine their effects on blood indices, interleukin 2 (IL-2), and interleukin 4 (IL-4) among participants. Material and Methods: A total of 600 subjects were recruited, including 325 males and 275 females. Oral swabs and blood samples were collected, the swabs were cultured to diagnose the parasites, while blood samples used to measure the blood parameters, IL-2, and, IL-4 among individuals. Results: The overall prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax 31.6 % and 16.7 %, respectively. The maximum infection was recorded among males, rural residents, those aged 35–54 years, and of primary education, 58.6 %, 51.0 %, 44.8 %, and 37.9 %. Significant decrease was noted in red blood cells count, hemoglobin concentrations, and platelets count. While a significant increase was observed in white blood cells, neutrophils, and the levels of IL-2 and IL-4 in patients compared to the control group. Conclusion: The patients should be screened for blood analysis to get early therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm these outcomes.
{"title":"Frequency of Entamoeba gingivalis and trichomonas tenax with hematological and immunological changes among human","authors":"Manal Adil Murad","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Background: <em>Entamoeba gingivalis</em> and <em>Trichomonas tenax</em> are mouth parasites cause periodontitis and gingivitis. They are common in people having poor oral hygiene. The aim of this study is to assess the rate of <em>E.gingivalis</em> and <em>T.tenax</em>, associated risk factors, and examine their effects on blood indices, interleukin 2 (IL-2), and interleukin 4 (IL-4) among participants. Material and Methods: A total of 600 subjects were recruited, including 325 males and 275 females. Oral swabs and blood samples were collected, the swabs were cultured to diagnose the parasites, while blood samples used to measure the blood parameters, IL-2, and, IL-4 among individuals. Results: The overall prevalence of <em>E. gingivalis</em> and <em>T. tenax</em> 31.6 % and 16.7 %, respectively. The maximum infection was recorded among males, rural residents, those aged 35–54 years, and of primary education, 58.6 %, 51.0 %, 44.8 %, and 37.9 %. Significant decrease was noted in red blood cells count, hemoglobin concentrations, and platelets count. While a significant increase was observed in white blood cells, neutrophils, and the levels of IL-2 and IL-4 in patients compared to the control group. Conclusion: The patients should be screened for blood analysis to get early therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm these outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103192"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145471688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183
Cédric Sima Obiang , Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe , Bob Eudes Mewani Mya Moua , Morel Essono Mintsa , Joefred Mbogho Abogho , Herman Begouabe , Noé Essono Kollo , Juliette Ornely Orango Bourdette , Hervé Martial Ekomy , Joseph Privat Ondo , Louis Clément Obame Engonga
The overuse of synthetic insecticides has led to widespread resistance among insect populations. Consequently, the use of plant-derived essential oils with insecticidal properties presents a viable alternative. This study aims to evaluate the larvicidal and adulticidal potential of essential oils against Aedes mosquitoes, as well as to analyze their chemical composition.
Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) mosquitoes, reared from collected eggs, were used in the experiments. Plant leaves and resin were harvested in south-eastern Gabon, in the Franceville region. Larvicidal activity was assessed following standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, and the chemical profiles of the essential oils were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). For adulticidal testing, mosquitoes were exposed for three minutes to netting treated with essential oils, following the WHO cone bioassay method.
The essential oils exhibited larvicidal activity against both mosquito species, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 2.09 ± 0.30 to 72.44 ± 3.00 ppm. When nets were treated at a dose of 165 μg/cm2, knockdown times (KDT₅₀) ranged from 1.07 ± 0.20 to 416.87 ± 18.50 s, and the highest observed mortality rate was 40 %. In Cymbopogon citratus essential oil, the predominant compounds were α-Citral (78.70 %) and β-Myrcene (12.71 %), while Aucoumea klaineana essential oil was mainly composed of α-Phellandrene (33.15 %), α-Pinene (29.30 %), and β-Cymene (10.65 %).
This research highlights the potential of essential oils as sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides, offering new prospects for vector control and the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, with a direct impact on public health.
{"title":"Insecticidal effects of essential oils from traditional repellent plants on Aedes mosquitoes, vectors of arboviral diseases in Gabon","authors":"Cédric Sima Obiang , Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe , Bob Eudes Mewani Mya Moua , Morel Essono Mintsa , Joefred Mbogho Abogho , Herman Begouabe , Noé Essono Kollo , Juliette Ornely Orango Bourdette , Hervé Martial Ekomy , Joseph Privat Ondo , Louis Clément Obame Engonga","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The overuse of synthetic insecticides has led to widespread resistance among insect populations. Consequently, the use of plant-derived essential oils with insecticidal properties presents a viable alternative. This study aims to evaluate the larvicidal and adulticidal potential of essential oils against Aedes mosquitoes, as well as to analyze their chemical composition.</div><div><em>Aedes aegypti</em> (L.) and <em>Aedes albopictus</em> (Skuse) mosquitoes, reared from collected eggs, were used in the experiments. Plant leaves and resin were harvested in south-eastern Gabon, in the Franceville region. Larvicidal activity was assessed following standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, and the chemical profiles of the essential oils were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). For adulticidal testing, mosquitoes were exposed for three minutes to netting treated with essential oils, following the WHO cone bioassay method.</div><div>The essential oils exhibited larvicidal activity against both mosquito species, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 2.09 ± 0.30 to 72.44 ± 3.00 ppm. When nets were treated at a dose of 165 μg/cm<sup>2</sup>, knockdown times (KDT₅₀) ranged from 1.07 ± 0.20 to 416.87 ± 18.50 s, and the highest observed mortality rate was 40 %. In <em>Cymbopogon citratus</em> essential oil, the predominant compounds were α-Citral (78.70 %) and β-Myrcene (12.71 %), while <em>Aucoumea klaineana</em> essential oil was mainly composed of α-Phellandrene (33.15 %), α-Pinene (29.30 %), and β-Cymene (10.65 %).</div><div>This research highlights the potential of essential oils as sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides, offering new prospects for vector control and the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, with a direct impact on public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103183"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103193
Amana Shafiq, Farzana Abbas, Muhammad Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Muhammad Imran Rashid
Lernaea cyprinacea, an invasive ectoparasitic copepod, poses a significant threat to freshwater aquaculture due to its high pathogenicity and association with severe epizootics leading to mass fish mortalities. The present study evaluated the immunogenic potential of parasite-derived antigens in Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp) as a immunoprophylactic strategy against L. cyprinacea infection. Crude antigens isolated from L. cyprinacea were administered intraperitoneally to the experimental group, whereas the control group received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and a naturally infected group received no treatment. Immunological and physiological responses were assessed through hematological profiling, quantification of protein and assessment of non-specific immune parameters, including protease and lysozyme activities, at defined post-immunization intervals. After 28 days of immunization, fish were experimentally challenged with live L. cyprinacea to evaluate protective efficacy. Immunized fish demonstrated significant improvements in hematological indices, with serum protein concentrations comparable to uninfected controls but markedly higher than those of infected fish, reflecting enhanced immune competence. Lysozyme activity exhibited a consistent and significant elevation, surpassing both control groups and indicating potentiation of innate immune defenses. Similarly, enhanced protease activity at post-immunization suggested acute immune activation. Challenge trials confirmed a notable reduction in parasite load among immunized fish, underscoring the protective efficacy of antigen-based immunization. These findings highlight L. cyprinacea-derived antigens as a promising immunoprophylactic strategy for sustainable lernaeosis control in freshwater aquaculture.
{"title":"Immunoprophylactic potential of parasite-derived antigens for controlling Lernaea cyprinacea infection in Ctenopharyngodon idella","authors":"Amana Shafiq, Farzana Abbas, Muhammad Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Muhammad Imran Rashid","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103193","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103193","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Lernaea cyprinacea,</em> an invasive ectoparasitic copepod, poses a significant threat to freshwater aquaculture due to its high pathogenicity and association with severe epizootics leading to mass fish mortalities. The present study evaluated the immunogenic potential of parasite-derived antigens in <em>Ctenopharyngodon idella</em> (grass carp) as a immunoprophylactic strategy against <em>L. cyprinacea</em> infection. Crude antigens isolated from <em>L. cyprinacea</em> were administered intraperitoneally to the experimental group, whereas the control group received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and a naturally infected group received no treatment. Immunological and physiological responses were assessed through hematological profiling, quantification of protein and assessment of non-specific immune parameters, including protease and lysozyme activities, at defined post-immunization intervals. After 28 days of immunization, fish were experimentally challenged with live <em>L. cyprinacea</em> to evaluate protective efficacy. Immunized fish demonstrated significant improvements in hematological indices, with serum protein concentrations comparable to uninfected controls but markedly higher than those of infected fish, reflecting enhanced immune competence. Lysozyme activity exhibited a consistent and significant elevation, surpassing both control groups and indicating potentiation of innate immune defenses. Similarly, enhanced protease activity at post-immunization suggested acute immune activation. Challenge trials confirmed a notable reduction in parasite load among immunized fish, underscoring the protective efficacy of antigen-based immunization. These findings highlight <em>L. cyprinacea-</em>derived antigens as a promising immunoprophylactic strategy for sustainable lernaeosis control in freshwater aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103193"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145476886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103174
Arnaud Deli , Guy Benoit Lekeufack-Folefack , Bienvenu Feudjio-Dongmo , Nelly Ornelle Onana-Ateba , Amandine Estelle Tchoutezo-Tiwa , Abraham Fomena
Classical parasitological methods, including fish autopsy and search of myxozoan species, were applied to examine 229 specimens of Labeo senegalensis collected monthly from Lake Maga, Cameroon, between October 2018 and August 2019. The myxosporean fauna of L. senegalensis was diverse and abundant, with 16 species recorded. Among these, Myxobolus sp.2, Myxobolus sp.6, Myxobolus sp.10, Thelohanellus sp.2, and Thelohanellus sp.3 were common. Intermediate occurrence was observed for Myxobolus sp.1, Myxobolus sp.3, Myxobolus sp.4, Myxobolus sp.5, Myxobolus sp.7, Myxobolus sp.8, Myxobolus sp.11, Thelohanellus sp.1 and Thelohanellus sp.4, whereas Myxobolus sp.9 and Myxidium sp. were scarce. The mean cyst load was high for Myxobolus sp.2, Myxobolus sp.5 and Thelohanellus sp.1; low for Myxobolus sp.3, Myxobolus sp.4, Myxobolus sp.6, Myxobolus sp.8, Myxobolus sp. 11, Thelohanellus sp.2 and Thelohanellus sp.3; and very low for Myxobolus sp.1, Myxobolus sp.7, Myxobolus sp.9 and Thelohanellus sp.4. Multiple infections were common: parasitism by five species occurred most frequently (26.8 %), followed by parasitism by six species (18.7 %). Monospecific infections were rare, with only four cases (1.8 %) recorded. Dice's coefficient combined with Forbes' index revealed eight strong associations between pairs of parasite species, significantly deviating from random expectations; six of these involved common parasite species. Conversely, five associations were less frequent than expected and involved species that typically colonized distinct host organs. Analysis of cyst load correlations indicated 15 positive and 8 negative Kendall's rank correlations among species. These findings suggest that polyspecific infections and positive interspecific interactions may contribute substantially to the pathogenic potential of myxozoan parasites in L. senegalensis.
{"title":"Diversity, ecological status and species associations of myxozoans (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) parasites of Labeo senegalensis Valenciennes, 1842 (Cyprinidae) from lake Maga in Cameroon","authors":"Arnaud Deli , Guy Benoit Lekeufack-Folefack , Bienvenu Feudjio-Dongmo , Nelly Ornelle Onana-Ateba , Amandine Estelle Tchoutezo-Tiwa , Abraham Fomena","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Classical parasitological methods, including fish autopsy and search of myxozoan species, were applied to examine 229 specimens of <em>Labeo senegalensis</em> collected monthly from Lake Maga, Cameroon, between October 2018 and August 2019. The myxosporean fauna of <em>L. senegalensis</em> was diverse and abundant, with 16 species recorded. Among these, <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.2, <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.6, <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.10, <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.2, and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.3 were common. Intermediate occurrence was observed for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.1<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.3<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.4<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.5<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.7<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.8<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.11<em>, Thelohanellus</em> sp.1 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.4, whereas <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.9 and <em>Myxidium</em> sp. were scarce. The mean cyst load was high for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.2<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.5 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.1; low for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.3<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.4<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.6<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.8<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp. 11, <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.2 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.3; and very low for <em>Myxobolus</em> sp.1<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.7<em>, Myxobolus</em> sp.9 and <em>Thelohanellus</em> sp.4. Multiple infections were common: parasitism by five species occurred most frequently (26.8 %), followed by parasitism by six species (18.7 %). Monospecific infections were rare, with only four cases (1.8 %) recorded. Dice's coefficient combined with Forbes' index revealed eight strong associations between pairs of parasite species, significantly deviating from random expectations; six of these involved common parasite species. Conversely, five associations were less frequent than expected and involved species that typically colonized distinct host organs. Analysis of cyst load correlations indicated 15 positive and 8 negative Kendall's rank correlations among species. These findings suggest that polyspecific infections and positive interspecific interactions may contribute substantially to the pathogenic potential of myxozoan parasites in L. <em>senegalensis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103174"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-11-04DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103191
María Elena Villagrán-Herrera , Javier Ávila Morales , Carmen Aburto-Fernández , Daiyé Molinet-Solorzano , Cesar Antonio Campos Ramírez , Norma Hernández-Camacho , Nelly Jovana Pasten-Castrejón , José Alejandro Martínez-Ibarra , Salvador Zamora Ledesma
Leishmaniasis remains a neglected tropical disease with significant diagnostic challenges due to serological cross-reactivity with other trypanosomatids. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of Iron Superoxide Dismutase (Fe-SODe), an excreted enzyme from Leishmania spp., as a specific antigen in detecting anti-Leishmania antibodies in school-aged children from urban areas of Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. A total of 131 blood samples were analyzed using ELISA and Western blot assays with Fe-SODe from L. mexicana, L. braziliensis, and L. infantum. ELISA-FeSODe revealed seroprevalences of 22.1 % (L. mexicana), 14.5 % (L. braziliensis), and 9.9 % (L. infantum), while Western blot confirmed slightly higher rates. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA-FeSODe ranged from 82.4 % to 98.5 % and 95.6 % to 100 %, respectively. The Fe-SODe ELISA and IEF immunoblot demonstrated high specificity without detectable cross-reactivity with other kinetoplastids, supporting Fe-SODe as a robust species-specific antigen for serodiagnosis.
{"title":"Iron Superoxide Dismutase (Fe-SODe) as a sensitive antigenic marker for serodiagnosis of Leishmania spp. in urban schoolchildren of Central Mexico","authors":"María Elena Villagrán-Herrera , Javier Ávila Morales , Carmen Aburto-Fernández , Daiyé Molinet-Solorzano , Cesar Antonio Campos Ramírez , Norma Hernández-Camacho , Nelly Jovana Pasten-Castrejón , José Alejandro Martínez-Ibarra , Salvador Zamora Ledesma","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leishmaniasis remains a neglected tropical disease with significant diagnostic challenges due to serological cross-reactivity with other trypanosomatids. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of Iron Superoxide Dismutase (Fe-SODe), an excreted enzyme from <em>Leishmania</em> spp., as a specific antigen in detecting anti-<em>Leishmania</em> antibodies in school-aged children from urban areas of Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. A total of 131 blood samples were analyzed using ELISA and Western blot assays with Fe-SODe from L. <em>mexicana, L. braziliensis</em>, and L. <em>infantum</em>. ELISA-FeSODe revealed seroprevalences of 22.1 % (<em>L. mexicana</em>), 14.5 % (<em>L. braziliensis</em>), and 9.9 % <em>(L. infantum</em>), while Western blot confirmed slightly higher rates. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA-FeSODe ranged from 82.4 % to 98.5 % and 95.6 % to 100 %, respectively. The Fe-SODe ELISA and IEF immunoblot demonstrated high specificity without detectable cross-reactivity with other kinetoplastids, supporting Fe-SODe as a robust species-specific antigen for serodiagnosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103191"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145452554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186
Gabrielly de Oliveira Lopes , Eder Barbier , Allyson dos Santos da Silva , Lorena Freitas das Neves , Lizeth Fernanda Banguero Micolta , Eliz Oliveira Franco , Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior , Luiz Augustinho Menezes da Silva , Rosangela Zacarias Machado , Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti , Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira , Marcos Rogério André
Streblide flies are obligatory ectoparasites with a worldwide distribution, specialized in exclusively parasitizing bats, which serve as important reservoirs of Bartonella spp. These flies are considered potential vectors of emerging Bartonella species. Despite the high diversity of both bats and streblid flies in Brazil, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in these hosts, particularly in cave environments. This study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in streblid flies associated with bats from humid forest remnants in Pernambuco state (558 flies from 12 species collected from 299 bats) and from caves in Pará state (677 flies from 11 species collected from 174 bats). Fly DNA samples positive for the endogenous cox-1 gene were screened by qPCR targeting the intergenic region 16S-23S rRNA of Bartonella spp., followed by molecular characterization using five genetic markers (gltA, rpoB, ribC, pap-31, and ftsZ). The overall positivity rates for Bartonella spp. were 37.5 % in Pernambuco and 25.4 % in Pará. Although molecular detection was achieved in both regions, successful genetic characterization was only possible for flies collected from cave-dwelling bats in the Brazilian Amazon. These analyses revealed a high genetic diversity of Bartonella spp., with the identification of 11 gltA genotypes, six ftsZ genotypes, and four rpoB genotypes. Phylogenetic inferences based on these three markers demonstrated close relationships between the sequences detected in this study and genotypes previously reported in bats and bat flies from Brazil and other countries. This study provides the first molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in streblid flies parasitizing cave-dwelling bats in Brazil, highlighting new perspectives for interspecific interaction studies (Bartonella–fly–bat) in these understudied ecosystems. Furthermore, this work reports, for the first time in Pará state, Bartonella spp. in Nycterophilia parnelli, Trichobius galei, Mastoptera minuta, and Trichobius johnsonae.
{"title":"Diversity of Bartonella spp. in bat-associated Streblidae flies from Brazil","authors":"Gabrielly de Oliveira Lopes , Eder Barbier , Allyson dos Santos da Silva , Lorena Freitas das Neves , Lizeth Fernanda Banguero Micolta , Eliz Oliveira Franco , Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior , Luiz Augustinho Menezes da Silva , Rosangela Zacarias Machado , Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti , Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira , Marcos Rogério André","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Streblide flies are obligatory ectoparasites with a worldwide distribution, specialized in exclusively parasitizing bats, which serve as important reservoirs of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. These flies are considered potential vectors of emerging <em>Bartonella</em> species. Despite the high diversity of both bats and streblid flies in Brazil, little is known about the occurrence and genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in these hosts, particularly in cave environments. This study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in streblid flies associated with bats from humid forest remnants in Pernambuco state (558 flies from 12 species collected from 299 bats) and from caves in Pará state (677 flies from 11 species collected from 174 bats). Fly DNA samples positive for the endogenous <em>cox-1</em> gene were screened by qPCR targeting the intergenic region 16S-23S rRNA of <em>Bartonella</em> spp., followed by molecular characterization using five genetic markers (<em>gltA, rpoB, ribC, pap-31,</em> and <em>ftsZ</em>). The overall positivity rates for <em>Bartonella</em> spp. were 37.5 % in Pernambuco and 25.4 % in Pará. Although molecular detection was achieved in both regions, successful genetic characterization was only possible for flies collected from cave-dwelling bats in the Brazilian Amazon. These analyses revealed a high genetic diversity of <em>Bartonella</em> spp., with the identification of 11 <em>gltA</em> genotypes, six <em>ftsZ</em> genotypes, and four <em>rpoB</em> genotypes. Phylogenetic inferences based on these three markers demonstrated close relationships between the sequences detected in this study and genotypes previously reported in bats and bat flies from Brazil and other countries. This study provides the first molecular evidence of <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in streblid flies parasitizing cave-dwelling bats in Brazil, highlighting new perspectives for interspecific interaction studies (<em>Bartonella</em>–fly–bat) in these understudied ecosystems. Furthermore, this work reports, for the first time in Pará state, <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in <em>Nycterophilia parnelli, Trichobius galei, Mastoptera minuta,</em> and <em>Trichobius johnsonae.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103173
Mariané Belen Mañez , Alan Ariel Santilli Poch , Josefina Lacunza , Juan Facundo Draque , Mariano Barros , Lorena De Felice , Juan Manuel Unzaga , Julia Inés Diaz
Snakes constitute the largest group of reptiles and play a crucial role in food chains, contributing to the balance of ecosystems. Despite this, they remain the least studied reptiles in the wild. This study aimed to identify the parasitic forms present in a wild population of yellow anacondas (Eunectes notaeus) from La Estrella marsh, Formosa, Argentina, through faecal matter analysis using flotation, sedimentation, and staining techniques. Between 2019 and 2023, 150 faecal samples were collected from the “Yellow Anaconda Management Program” in Fortín La Soledad. The samples were processed using the qualitative modified Ritchie sedimentation technique (ST), Willis flotation technique (FT), and Kinyoun staining. Parasitic forms belonging to four taxa were recovered. The prevalence of parasitism (P) was 64 % (ST) and 38 % (FT), and the following taxa were detected: Crepidobothrium sp. (Cestoda) eggs (P = 44.66 % ST and 24.66 % FT), Telorchis sp. (Digenea) eggs (P = 26 % ST and 18 % FT), and Nematoda larvae and eggs (P = 12 % ST and 2.66 % FT). Also, coccidia were detected using the FT (P = 1.33 %). The Ritchie method was more effective than the Willis method, specifically in recovering Crepidobothrium eggs and nematode larvae, while the Willis method was the only one that detected coccidia. No Cryptosporidium oocysts were found. In this study, the diagnosis of parasitic forms represents a valuable contribution to the ophidian parasitology, as well as an evaluation of the effectiveness of the techniques used.
{"title":"Endoparasites in yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) in the wild through coproparasitological tools","authors":"Mariané Belen Mañez , Alan Ariel Santilli Poch , Josefina Lacunza , Juan Facundo Draque , Mariano Barros , Lorena De Felice , Juan Manuel Unzaga , Julia Inés Diaz","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Snakes constitute the largest group of reptiles and play a crucial role in food chains, contributing to the balance of ecosystems. Despite this, they remain the least studied reptiles in the wild. This study aimed to identify the parasitic forms present in a wild population of yellow anacondas (<em>Eunectes notaeus</em>) from La Estrella marsh, Formosa, Argentina, through faecal matter analysis using flotation, sedimentation, and staining techniques. Between 2019 and 2023, 150 faecal samples were collected from the “Yellow Anaconda Management Program” in Fortín La Soledad. The samples were processed using the qualitative modified Ritchie sedimentation technique (ST), Willis flotation technique (FT), and Kinyoun staining. Parasitic forms belonging to four taxa were recovered. The prevalence of parasitism (P) was 64 % (ST) and 38 % (FT), and the following taxa were detected: <em>Crepidobothrium</em> sp. (Cestoda) eggs (<em>P</em> = 44.66 % ST and 24.66 % FT), <em>Telorchis</em> sp. (Digenea) eggs (<em>P</em> = 26 % ST and 18 % FT), and Nematoda larvae and eggs (<em>P</em> = 12 % ST and 2.66 % FT). Also, coccidia were detected using the FT (<em>P</em> = 1.33 %). The Ritchie method was more effective than the Willis method, specifically in recovering <em>Crepidobothrium</em> eggs and nematode larvae, while the Willis method was the only one that detected coccidia. No <em>Cryptosporidium</em> oocysts were found. In this study, the diagnosis of parasitic forms represents a valuable contribution to the ophidian parasitology, as well as an evaluation of the effectiveness of the techniques used.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease transmitted through phlebotomine sandfly bites. Identifying factors influencing and predicting the disease incidence is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the impact of climatic factors on CL incidence and predict patient numbers in Damghan County. In this study, we collected CL cases data from the Damghan County Health Network on monthly and annual basis from 2012 to 2021. Climatic data were obtained from the Meteorological Organization, the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, and the National Statistics Center of Iran. Data analysis was performed using SPSS – 22 and R - 4.3.1 to examine significant relationships between climatic variables and CL incidence, as well as to predict the number of patients in the coming years. The findings revealed significant correlations between CL incidence and several climatic factors, including air pressure (P < 0.001), relative humidity (P < 0.001), sunshine hours (P = 0.002), maximum temperature (P = 0.003), average temperature (P = 0.005), minimum temperature (P = 0.006), precipitation (P = 0.022), and maximum wind speed (P = 0.029.). Additionally, the ARIMA model predicted approximately 370 and 180 patients in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The annual incidence of CL can be largely attributed to seasonal and annual climatic variations. This highlights the necessity of implementing sandfly control measures before the onset of summer when conditions become optimal for the disease outbreak. Also, predicting the possible number of people suffering from the disease in the coming years can play an effective role in planning for the prevention and control of the disease.
{"title":"Climatic factors and their impact on cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Predicting the number of patients using ARIMA model","authors":"Behrad Pourmohammadi , Fatemeh Shahsavan , Fatemeh Paknazar , Monireh Manavi , Farin Fatemi","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease transmitted through phlebotomine sandfly bites. Identifying factors influencing and predicting the disease incidence is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the impact of climatic factors on CL incidence and predict patient numbers in Damghan County. In this study, we collected CL cases data from the Damghan County Health Network on monthly and annual basis from 2012 to 2021. Climatic data were obtained from the Meteorological Organization, the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, and the National Statistics Center of Iran. Data analysis was performed using SPSS – 22 and R - 4.3.1 to examine significant relationships between climatic variables and CL incidence, as well as to predict the number of patients in the coming years. The findings revealed significant correlations between CL incidence and several climatic factors, including air pressure (<em>P</em> < 0.001), relative humidity (P < 0.001), sunshine hours (<em>P</em> = 0.002), maximum temperature (<em>P</em> = 0.003), average temperature (<em>P</em> = 0.005), minimum temperature (<em>P</em> = 0.006), precipitation (<em>P</em> = 0.022), and maximum wind speed (<em>P</em> = 0.029.). Additionally, the ARIMA model predicted approximately 370 and 180 patients in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The annual incidence of CL can be largely attributed to seasonal and annual climatic variations. This highlights the necessity of implementing sandfly control measures before the onset of summer when conditions become optimal for the disease outbreak. Also, predicting the possible number of people suffering from the disease in the coming years can play an effective role in planning for the prevention and control of the disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103185"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145426997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103200
Rabi Suraj Duwa , Kabir Salihu Suraj
Invasive freshwater snails of the family Ampullariidae present significant threats to agriculture, biodiversity, and public health. Recent advances in deep learning have enabled automated identification of medically and agriculturally important snail species, but most existing models function as opaque “black boxes”, limiting their utility in taxonomic research and ecological decision-making. In this study, we propose an explainable convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture based on VGG16 and Grad-CAM to classify and interpret morphological features of Ampullariidae and related genera. A curated dataset comprising 350 field-collected Ampullariidae specimens from northern Nigeria, augmented with labeled images of Biomphalaria, Bulinus, Lymnae, and Melanoides, was used to train and validate the model. The classifier achieved a validation accuracy of 0.99 within 20 epochs, indicating robust performance. Grad-CAM overlays revealed that the network correctly focused on genus-specific shell features, such as spire height, coiling direction, and aperture orientation. Our findings demonstrate that explainable deep learning can enhance taxonomic precision and provide visual insights into diagnostic traits, making it a powerful tool for ecological monitoring and parasite control programs.
{"title":"Explainable Convolutional Neural Networks for the identification of the Ampullariidae genus","authors":"Rabi Suraj Duwa , Kabir Salihu Suraj","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103200","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103200","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Invasive freshwater snails of the family <em>Ampullariidae</em> present significant threats to agriculture, biodiversity, and public health. Recent advances in deep learning have enabled automated identification of medically and agriculturally important snail species, but most existing models function as opaque “black boxes”, limiting their utility in taxonomic research and ecological decision-making. In this study, we propose an explainable convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture based on VGG16 and Grad-CAM to classify and interpret morphological features of <em>Ampullariidae</em> and related genera. A curated dataset comprising 350 field-collected <em>Ampullariidae</em> specimens from northern Nigeria, augmented with labeled images of <em>Biomphalaria</em>, <em>Bulinus</em>, <em>Lymnae</em>, and <em>Melanoides</em>, was used to train and validate the model. The classifier achieved a validation accuracy of 0.99 within 20 epochs, indicating robust performance. Grad-CAM overlays revealed that the network correctly focused on genus-specific shell features, such as spire height, coiling direction, and aperture orientation. Our findings demonstrate that explainable deep learning can enhance taxonomic precision and provide visual insights into diagnostic traits, making it a powerful tool for ecological monitoring and parasite control programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 103200"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2025.103149
D.A. Oyebamiji, C.Y. Ajayi, B.O. Banwo
Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) infections are one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in tropical Africa and have been targeted for possible elimination in the year 2030. This study was conducted between August 2022 and July 2023 in Ona-Ara Local Government Area (LGA), Ibadan, Nigeria, to investigate the effects of Open Defaecation (OD), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices on STHs status in the advent of mass drug administration in the communities. 450 structured questionnaires covering demographics (age, sex), and WASH practices were given to consenting participants. 450 faecal samples from consenting participants and 1350 soil samples from the environment were collected from five different communities: Akanran, Olorunda, Idi-Ose, Amuloko, and Ore-Meji in the LGA. Parasites were extracted from the contaminated soil using floatation and modified Baermann methods while sedimentation method was used to detect parasites in the faecal samples and quantified by Kato-Katz techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive, regression and ANOVA at α 0.05. 59.8 % of the participants did not have access to potable water while 40.2 % claimed drinking water directly from the tap. Furthermore, 42.2 % had water closet, 41.1 % pit latrine, and 16.7 % practised OD of which 60.8 % are infected with STH. In terms of hygiene practices, 6.7 % reported that they do not wash with soap and water after defaecation, while 43.8 % claimed that they use tissue paper or water occasionally. The parasites prevalence in faecal samples collected from participants was 38 % in Ona Ara and the overall intensity was 265 per gram of faeces. Ascaris had the highest intensity of STH (300epg), followed by hookworm (210epg), Trichuris (50epg), and the least Strongyloides (32epg). The variation in the distribution of parasites was significant at χ2 = 75.21, p ≤ 0.05. 52.1 % of the sampled soil had at least one STH parasites and Strongyloides larvae was found to have highest prevalence in soil samples collected in the following locations: Akanran (35.8 %), Olorunda (37.8 %), Amuloko (39.4 %), and Idi-Ose (59.3 %) whereas, hookworm larvae had highest prevalence of 60.7 % in Ore-Meji. There is continuous transmission of STH among the populations living in Ona-Ara and the soil environment owing to OD and the hygiene practices. One Health Approach (animal, environment, and man) studies should be further carried out in the communities.
{"title":"Open defaecation and hygiene practices in relation to Soil-Transmitted Helminths in the advent of Mass Drug Administration in Ona-Ara, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria","authors":"D.A. Oyebamiji, C.Y. Ajayi, B.O. Banwo","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) infections are one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in tropical Africa and have been targeted for possible elimination in the year 2030. This study was conducted between August 2022 and July 2023 in Ona-Ara Local Government Area (LGA), Ibadan, Nigeria, to investigate the effects of Open Defaecation (OD), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices on STHs status in the advent of mass drug administration in the communities. 450 structured questionnaires covering demographics (age, sex), and WASH practices were given to consenting participants. 450 faecal samples from consenting participants and 1350 soil samples from the environment were collected from five different communities: Akanran, Olorunda, Idi-Ose, Amuloko, and Ore-Meji in the LGA. Parasites were extracted from the contaminated soil using floatation and modified Baermann methods while sedimentation method was used to detect parasites in the faecal samples and quantified by Kato-Katz techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive, regression and ANOVA at α <sub>0.05</sub>. 59.8 % of the participants did not have access to potable water while 40.2 % claimed drinking water directly from the tap. Furthermore, 42.2 % had water closet, 41.1 % pit latrine, and 16.7 % practised OD of which 60.8 % are infected with STH. In terms of hygiene practices, 6.7 % reported that they do not wash with soap and water after defaecation, while 43.8 % claimed that they use tissue paper or water occasionally. The parasites prevalence in faecal samples collected from participants was 38 % in Ona Ara and the overall intensity was 265 per gram of faeces. <em>Ascaris</em> had the highest intensity of STH (300epg), followed by hookworm (210epg), <em>Trichuris</em> (50epg), and the least <em>Strongyloides</em> (32epg). The variation in the distribution of parasites was significant at χ<sup>2</sup> = 75.21, <em>p</em> ≤ 0.05. 52.1 % of the sampled soil had at least one STH parasites and <em>Strongyloides</em> larvae was found to have highest prevalence in soil samples collected in the following locations: Akanran (35.8 %), Olorunda (37.8 %), Amuloko (39.4 %), and Idi-Ose (59.3 %) whereas, hookworm larvae had highest prevalence of 60.7 % in Ore-Meji. There is continuous transmission of STH among the populations living in Ona-Ara and the soil environment owing to OD and the hygiene practices. One Health Approach (animal, environment, and man) studies should be further carried out in the communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 103149"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144922643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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