Search Results (582)

Camels, vital to economies in Asia, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, have been domesticated for over 4000 years. They thrive in arid regions like Xinjiang, China, but face challenges from internal and external parasites, particularly gastrointestinal parasites, which impact health, meat and milk quality, and production efficiency. This study investigates the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections in camels from five major regions in Xinjiang. We collected 435 fresh fecal samples and used the saturated saline flotation method and McMaster’s method for detection. Molecular examination followed. The overall prevalence was 18.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.7–22.2%), with Urumqi showing the highest prevalence (29%, 95% CI: 23.4–35.1%) compared to other regions (odds ratio [OR]: 4.62, 95% CI: 2.63–8.41%). Younger camels (≤3 years old) were more likely infected by the parasites after adjusting for the region differences (OR: 10.53, 5.12–24.65%). However, we found no evidence that the prevalence was different between male and female camels. PCR analysis identified Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina, and Haemonchus contortus as predominant parasites, with observed co-infections indicating a complex parasitic landscape. The findings provide essential epidemiological data for effective parasite control strategies. Full article

Strongyloidiasis is a neglected, soil-transmitted helminth infection prevalent worldwide. The true burden of strongyloidiasis is unclear due to the lack of sensitive, field-friendly diagnostic tests. PCR tests to detect Strongyloides DNA in stool are sensitive and specific, but the need for expensive equipment limits their use in endemic regions. Isothermal PCR amplification tests are easier to deploy while maintaining sensitivity and specificity. We developed and evaluated a recombinase polymerase amplification lateral flow assay (RPA-LFA) to detect Strongyloides stercoralis in human stool samples. Three hundred stool samples were collected in three communities in the jungle of Cusco, Peru. Samples were tested for S. stercoralis larvae using microscopy (Baermann’s, agar plate culture (APC), and rapid sedimentation), real-time PCR, and RPA-LF for Strongyloides DNA. The RPA-LFA showed an analytical limit of detection of 20 pg/µL. The prevalence of S. stercoralis was 27%, 38%, 46.3%, and 46% using microscopy, PCR, microscopy/PCR, and RPA-LFA, respectively. RPA-LFA had a sensitivity and specificity of 59.3% and 58.9%, 66.2% and 71.4%, and 77.2% and 73.1% when microscopy, microscopy/PCR, and real-time PCR were used as the gold standards, respectively. The Strongyloides RPA-LFA is a novel, fast, highly sensitive, and specific molecular method with the potential for deployment in endemic regions. Full article

Seagrass meadows consist of angiosperms that thrive fully submerged in marine environments and form distinct ecosystems. They provide essential support for many organisms, acting as nursery grounds for species of economic importance. Beyond their ecological roles, seagrasses and their associated microbiomes are rich sources of bioactive compounds with the potential to address numerous human healthcare challenges. Seagrasses produce bioactive molecules responding to physical, chemical, and biological environmental changes. These activities can treat microbe-borne diseases, skin diseases, diabetes, muscle pain, helminthic diseases, and wounds. Seagrasses also offer potential secondary metabolites that can be used for societal benefits. Despite numerous results on their presence and bioactive derivatives, only a few studies have explored the functional and therapeutic properties of secondary metabolites from seagrass. With the increasing spread of epidemics and pandemics worldwide, the demand for alternative drug sources and drug discovery has become an indispensable area of research. Seagrasses present a reliable natural source, making this an opportune moment for further exploration of their pharmacological activities with minimal side effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biochemical, phytochemical, and biomedical applications of seagrasses globally over the last two decades, highlighting the prospective areas of future research for identifying biomedical applications. Full article

We discuss the potential usefulness of molecular testing of soil, dust, and water samples to detect medically important parasites, and where such testing could be used to supplement stool sampling in humans. A wide variety of parasites including protozoa and helminths, many of which are zoonotic, have an important infection reservoir in the environment. In some cases, this environmental period is essential for further parasite development. We describe the progress in implementing methods for the molecular detection of these parasites in soil across eight collaborating centers in Latin America and represent a variety of potential applications in improving our understanding of parasite epidemiology and mapping, surveillance, and control of these parasites. This methodology offers new opportunities for improving our understanding of a wide variety of parasites of public health importance and novel tools for their control. Full article

Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition of cardiac tissue presenting significant variability in clinical manifestations and outcomes. Its etiology is diverse, encompassing infectious agents (primarily viruses, but also bacteria, protozoa, and helminths) and non-infectious factors (autoimmune responses, toxins, and drugs), though often the specific cause remains unidentified. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of genetic susceptibility in the development of myocarditis (and in some cases the development of inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy, i.e., the condition in which there is chronic inflammation (>3 months) and left ventricular dysfunction\dilatation), with several studies indicating a correlation between myocarditis and genetic backgrounds. Notably, pathogenic genetic variants linked to dilated or arrhythmic cardiomyopathy are found in 8–16% of myocarditis patients. Genetic predispositions can lead to recurrent myocarditis and a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure. Moreover, the presence of DSP mutations has been associated with distinct pathological patterns and clinical outcomes in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (hot phases). The interplay between genetic factors and environmental triggers, such as viral infections and physical stress, is crucial in understanding the pathogenesis of myocarditis. Identifying these genetic markers can improve the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of patients with myocarditis, potentially guiding tailored therapeutic interventions. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the genetic underpinnings of myocarditis, with an emphasis on desmoplakin-related arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, to enhance clinical understanding and inform future research directions. Full article

Helminths have developed intricate mechanisms to survive and evade the host’s immune responses. Hence, understanding the excretory-secretory products (ESPs) by helminths is crucial for developing control tools, including drug targets, vaccines, and potential therapies for inflammatory and metabolic disorders caused by them. Proteomics, the large-scale analysis of proteins, offers a powerful approach to unravel the complex proteomes of helminths and gain insights into their biology. Proteomics, as a science that delves into the functions of proteins, has the potential to revolutionize clinical therapies against parasitic infections that have developed anthelminthic resistance. Proteomic technologies lay a framework for accompanying genomic, reverse genetics, and pharmacokinetic approaches to provide more profound or broader coverage of the cellular mechanisms that underlie the response to anthelmintics. With the development of vaccines against helminth infections, proteomics has brought a major change to parasitology. The proteome of helminths can be analyzed comprehensively, revealing the complex network of proteins that enable parasite survival and pathogenicity. Furthermore, it reveals how parasites interact with hosts’ immune systems. The current article reviews the latest advancements in helminth proteomics and highlights their valuable contributions to the search for anthelminthic vaccines. Full article

Parasites are key players in ecosystems, influencing population sizes and food webs, yet the impact of environmental factors on their diversity is not well understood. The Atlantic rainforest in Brazil, particularly the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI), exemplifies a biodiversity hotspot facing significant deforestation, housing diverse animal species such as the synanthropic Brazilian common opossum (Didelphis aurita), which serves as a reservoir for multiple zoonotic pathogens. In this study, we investigated parasite diversity, abundance, prevalence, and richness in free-living D. aurita in the PEFI, São Paulo, Brazil. From January 2015 to January 2017, 101 fecal samples of D. aurita were collected in two areas of PEFI, at the Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA) and the Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia (Cientec), and analyzed using three different parasitological methods. In total, 99% of the samples were positive for at least one parasite. The most prevalent parasite belonged to the order Strongylida (82%), followed by Cruzia sp. (77%), the latter having a significantly higher prevalence at IPA. In contrast, Acanthocephala showed greater prevalence at Cientec. Co-infections were common, with some individuals harboring up to seven different parasites. Our findings reveal significant parasite diversity in the D. aurita population at PEFI, including both helminths and protozoan trophozoites, some of which are reported for the first time in this host species. Further research is essential for accurate species identification of the observed parasites. Full article

Anthelmintic resistance has been documented worldwide, but few cases have been reported in dogs. Shelter dogs are a great opportunity to study intestinal helminths and assess their potential resistance to anthelmintic compounds. With these two goals in mind, 361 faecal samples were collected from dogs in 18 municipalities in Portugal, from 19 shelters and 11 private tutors. These samples were analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC before and 13 days after deworming. The percentage of faecal egg count reduction was calculated. Parasitic forms were identified in 22.4% of the samples collected: Trichuris vulpis (10.5%), Toxocara canis (8.0%), members of the family Ancylostomatidae (6.4%), Toxascaris leonina (0.8%), Dipylidium caninum (0.6%) and members of the family Taeniidae (0.3%). The first three nematode parasites showed the highest intensity of infection (2900, 1325, and 1265 eggs per gram, respectively). In the second faecal collection, parasites were present in 20.8% of the samples. The anthelmintics febendazole + pyrantel embonate + praziquantel and praziquantel + fenbendazole were ineffective for T. vulpis and members of the family Ancylostomatidae in 16.2% and 6.9% of the samples, respectively. The parasites identified are all potentially zoonotic. This study is the first to suggest a potential resistance of T. vulpis to anthelmintics. Full article

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) are organisms known to have coevolved for millennia with their mammalian hosts. These parasites produce small molecules, peptides, and proteins to evade or fight their hosts’ immune systems and also to protect their host for their own survival/coexistence. The small molecules include polar compounds, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. Metabolomics and lipidomics are emerging fields of research that have recently been applied to study helminth infections, host–parasite interactions and biochemicals of GIPs. This review comprehensively discusses metabolomics and lipidomics studies of the small molecules of GIPs, providing insights into the available tools and techniques, databases, and analytical software. Most metabolomics and lipidomics investigations employed LC-MS, MS or MS/MS, NMR, or a combination thereof. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted software tools and databases have propelled parasitomics forward, offering new avenues to explore host–parasite interactions, immunomodulation, and the intricacies of parasitism. As our understanding of AI technologies and their utilisation continue to expand, it promises to unveil novel perspectives and enrich the knowledge of these complex host–parasite relationships. Full article

Recently a number of broad-range stool parasite PCR assays have been developed. However, there is ongoing disagreement regarding their diagnostic performance, as various studies have produced contradictory results. In this study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of the Seegene Allplex GI-Parasite and Allplex GI-Helminth assays (SA) with the conventional methods used at the travel clinic of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) including microscopy, antigen testing, and molecular detection in order to provide insights into the strengths and limitations of this diagnostic tool which may be crucial to select the most appropriate diagnostic tools for the suspected pathogen. A total of 97 native stool samples from 95 patients with suspected gastrointestinal illness were analyzed, including 26 from a frozen collection and 71 prospectively collected samples. The diagnostic performance of SA was notably superior to the conventional workflow in detecting Dientamoeba fragilis (sensitivity 100% vs. 47.4%) and Blastocystis hominis (sensitivity 95% vs. 77.5%). SA had a comparable performance with the conventional workflow in detecting pathogenic protozoa (sensitivity 90% vs. 95%). In contrast, SA had a much lower diagnostic performance in detecting helminths (59.1%) compared to the conventional workflow (100%). We conclude that the Seegene Allplex GI-Parasite assay may be useful for protozoa screening in low-endemic industrialized countries. However, the Allplex GI-Helminth assay is not recommended due to its suboptimal performance compared to microscopy. Full article

Non-human primates (NHPs) host a variety of helminth and protist parasites that are able to cause infection in humans. Gastrointestinal parasites in NHPs living in two zoological gardens of Northern Italy were studied. An total of 96 faecal pools were collected from 26 groups of NHPs. The mini-Flotac method was applied to fecal samples to detect gastrointestinal helminthiases, while the detection of the protists Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis sp. and Giardia duodenalis was performed by targeting SSU rRNA through nested PCR and real-time PCR; they were further studied by sequencing the same gene for Blastocystis and βgiardine and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) genes for Giardia. Twenty-two out of the 96 examined fecal pools (22.9%) were positive for one or more helminth species, including Hymenolepis diminuta, Trichurid, Capillariid and Strongylid eggs. All samples were negative for Cryptosporidium spp., while 16/26 (61.5%) animals were positive for G. duodenalis in the real-time PCR; the sequences obtained assigned them all to sub-assemblage BIV. Blastocystis sp. was detected in 22/26 of the NHPs (84.6%); molecular analyses attributed the isolates to ST 4, allele 92. Analyses of the feces of sympatric rats revealed the presence of the same allele, as well as of Hymenolepis diminuta eggs, raising concern about their role as parasite reservoirs in the facilities. Full article

Liver fibrosis, a critical precursor to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), results from chronic liver injury and significantly contributes to HCC progression. Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, is known to cause liver fibrosis; however, this process can be modulated by schistosome-derived miRNAs. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that Schistosoma japonicum extracellular vesicles (EVs) deliver sja-let-7 to hepatic stellate cells, leading to the inhibition of Col1α2 expression and alleviation of liver fibrosis. Given the well-documented antifibrotic and antiproliferative properties of the let-7 miRNA family, this study aims to preliminarily investigate the effects of the sja-let-7/Col1α2 axis on BALB/c mice and HCC cell line SNU387, providing a basis for the potential application of parasite-derived molecules in HCC therapy. In the present study, schistosome-induced fibrosis datasets were analyzed to identify the role of Col1α2 in extracellular matrix organization. Pan-cancer analysis revealed that Col1α2 is upregulated in various cancers, including HCC, with significant associations with immune cell infiltration and clinical parameters, highlighting its diagnostic importance. Functional assays demonstrated that transfection with sja-let-7 mimics significantly reduced Col1α2 expression, inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation. These findings suggest that sja-let-7, by targeting Col1α2, has the potential to serve as a therapeutic agent in HCC treatment. This study indicates the pivotal role of Col1α2 in liver fibrosis and HCC, and the promising therapeutic application of helminth-derived miRNAs. Full article

Nematophagous, or helminthophagous fungi of the genera Duddingtonia, Arthrobotrys, Monacrosporium, Pochonia, Paecilomyces, and Mucor, have been used over the years in in vitro and in vivo experiments to control helminth parasites that are potentially zoonotic. These fungi have shown efficacy against the following helminth genera: Ancylostoma, Toxocara, Enterobius, Strongyloides, Angiostrongylus, Taenia, Fasciola, and Schistosoma. The results obtained from these experiments, together with studies on soil contamination, suggest the viability of their use as a sustainable and effective strategy to reduce environmental contamination by these zoonotic parasites. Therefore, the aim of this review was to address the role of helminthophagous fungi in the biological control of potentially zoonotic helminths. To this end, we describe (1) a brief history of helminthophagous fungi; (2) a discussion of some potentially zoonotic intestinal parasites; (3) the importance of helminthophagous fungi in the control of nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes; and (4) the potential of helminthophagous fungi as a practical and sustainable strategy. Full article

From 2015 to 2023, we conducted a comprehensive study in the 11,893-hectare hunting area managed by the Marcal-Bitvaközi Hunting Company, characterised by its substantial wild boar population. The research was carried out across various settings, including a free-range wild boar garden during large-scale hunts and free-living areas during individual hunts. We examined 216 wild boars in total, with 173 individuals from free-living areas and 43 from free-range areas. Throughout the sample collection process, we encountered numerous technical challenges that are infrequently detailed in the professional literature, often mentioned only tangentially. This oversight in existing publications neglects the significance of addressing field sampling difficulties, which are crucial for ensuring the precision and accuracy of research. This paper details the equipment requirements, sampling methodologies, and practical solutions to streamline fieldwork. While our primary focus was on endoparasitic infections of the stomach and small intestine, the described methodologies and findings are broadly applicable to research involving all internal organs. Full article

Research on the therapeutic use of parasites has been ongoing since the development of the “hygiene hypothesis”. Parasites can stimulate the Th2-dependent response and suppress the Th1-dependent response, which is intensified in many diseases, especially allergic and autoinflammatory ones. In this review, we present the types of parasites used in helminth therapy and the range of diseases in which they may be useful. We also present the results of clinical trials conducted so far, which confirm the safety of such therapy and provide promising outcomes. Full article