Sm16, a major component of Schistosoma mansoni cercarial excretory/secretory products, prevents macrophage classical activation and delays antigen processing

Therapeutic effect of GP543 strain of Bacillus thuringiensis against Amblyomma cajennense ticks in vitro and in naturally infested cattle

The current study was focused on evaluating the in vitro effect of the spore-crystal complex of GP543 Bacillus thuringiensis strain on the viability of Amblyomma cajennense, and the in vivo reduction of the parasite load of this ectoparasite on naturally infested cattle. In vitro, 30 adult ticks were treated with 1.2 mg/ml of B. thuringiensis GP543 strain spore-crystal complex in 10 µl/ml of AGREX F® surfactant and 20% glycerin, subjected to the immersion test to assess their viability every 1.5 h up to 6 h and finally at 12 h post-immersion. GP543 was compared to 125 µg/ml of the commercial drug BOMBARD® (amitraz). In vivo, the same concentrations were tested on naturally infested Swiss-Zebu heifers in grazing conditions. Treatments were applied on the perineal region in an area of 30 × 15 cm on days 0 and 7, and the parasite load was determined on days 0, 3, 7, 9, 14, and 21. In vitro, GP543 decreased the viability rate a 96.6% at 12 h post-immersion, while the commercial drug induced a 100% decrease of viability. On heifers, the parasite load decreased after 21 days in the group treated with GP543 in a similar way to the group treated with amitraz. Considering the above, GP543 strain of B. thuringiensis is proposed as a candidate for the control of Amblyomma cajennense.

Epidemiology, risk factors and vector density of trypanosomosis in cattle in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Bovine trypanosomosis remains a major barrier to livestock productivity, agricultural progress, and socioeconomic development in Ethiopia's large tsetse belt regions, threatening 70 million cattle. Therefore, this review examined published literature from the last ten years to estimate the pooled prevalence, risk factors, and vector density of bovine trypanosomosis. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using PubMed, Web of Science, HINARI, Google, and Google Scholar. Pooled prevalence and risk factors were calculated with a random effects model in R software, with a 95 % confidence interval. This meta-analysis included research published after 2015 on trypanosomosis in Ethiopian cattle, where Trypanosoma was classified at least to the genus level. Studies on other species, lacking specific prevalence data and published before 2015 were excluded.

Results

A total of 26 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The overall pooled proportion of bovine Trypanosomosis cases was 9 % (95 % CI: 8-9 %). Considerable heterogeneity was observed across the included studies (I2 = 94 %; P < 0.01). The highest pooled prevalence of trypanosomosis was reported in Amhara and Oromia (8 %), followed by Benishangul Gumuz (BSGR) (7 %). Based on the subspecies analysis, the highest pooled proportion was 65 % (95 % CI: 58 %-71 %) for T. congolense (I2 = 81 %: p = 0.01), followed by 32 % for T. vivax (I2 = 60 %: P = 0.61) and 19 % for T. brucei (95 % CI: 7 %-41 %). Among the risk factors, poor body condition, black coat color, and packed cell volume (PCV) were found to be significant for the development of this disease. Black-coated animals were 2.36 and 3.48 times more susceptible to trypanosomosis than red- and white-coated animals, respectively. According to the pooled odds ratio, animals in poor body condition were 2.82 times more likely to have bovine trypanosomosis. Animals infected with Trypanosoma were 18 times more likely to have a lower packed cell volume (PCV) compared to non-infected animals. The study found that Tsetse flies were responsible for 72.32 % of bovine trypanosomosis cases, with Glossina pallidipes and Glossina tachinoides being the most common species. The remaining 27.68 % were due to other biting insects. The study highlights the need for science-based risk mitigation strategies to control Trypanosoma infections, emphasizing the crucial role of Tsetse flies, particularly G. pallidipes and G. tachinoides, in transmission.

Molecular detection of Leishmania DNA in wild-caught sand flies, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia spp. in northern Iran

Leishmaniasis is currently considered a major health problem in Iran, posing an increasing threat to society's development in various dimensions. This study aimed to detect Leishmania infection in wild-caught sand flies in Sari City, northern Iran. Sand flies were collected using sticky traps, and Leishmania DNA was identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ITS2-rDNA region, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. A total of 138 female sand flies were tested, among which, only 1 specimen of Ph. papatasi (11.11 %) and Ph. major (14.28 %), 4 specimens of Ph. kandelakii (7.27 %) and Se. dentata (8.33 %), and 2 specimens of Se. sintoni (50 %) were naturally infected with L. (L.) major. This was observed in the ITS2 nested-PCR amplification assays where a ∼ 245 bp PCR band was produced. Also, RFLP analysis by Mnl1 revealed the fragments of 55 and 70 and 120 bp for infected sand flies which are characteristic of L. (L.) major. Most of the sand flies were unfed, collected during warm season, found indoor. This study reperesents the first molecular detection of L. (L.) major in wild-caught sand flies, specifically in Ph. papatasi in this region, as well as Ph. kandelakii and Ph. major in Iran and even the world.

Schistosoma antigens: A future clinical magic bullet for autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by dysregulated immunity against self-antigens. Current treatment of autoimmune diseases largely relies on suppressing host immunity to prevent excessive inflammation. Other immunotherapy options, such as cytokine or cell-targeted therapies, have also been used. However, most patients do not benefit from these therapies as recurrence of the disease usually occurs. Therefore, more effort is needed to find alternative immune therapeutics. Schistosoma infection has been a significant public health problem in most developing countries. Schistosoma parasites produce eggs that continuously secrete soluble egg antigen (SEA), which is a known modulator of host immune responses by enhancing Th2 immunity and alleviating outcomes of Th1 and Th17 responses. Recently, SEA has shown promise in treating autoimmune disorders due to their substantial immune-regulatory effects. Despite this interest, how these antigens modulate human immunity demonstrates only limited pieces of evidence, and whether there is potential for Schistosoma antigens in other diseases in the future remains an unsolved question. This review discusses how SEA modulates human immune responses and its potential for development as a novel immunotherapeutic for autoimmune diseases. We also discuss the immune modulatory effects of other non-SEA schistosome antigens at different stages of the parasite's life cycle.

Association of Antibodies to Helminth Defense Molecule 1 With Inflammation, Organomegaly, and Decreased Nutritional Status in Schistosomiasis Japonica

Immunomodulation enhances parasite fitness by reducing inflammation-induced morbidity in the mammalian host, as well as by attenuating parasite-targeting immune responses. Using a whole-proteome differential screening method, we identified Schistosoma japonicum helminth defense molecule 1 (SjHDM-1) as a target of antibodies expressed by S. japonicum-resistant but not S. japonicum-susceptible individuals. In a longitudinal cohort study (n = 644) conducted in a S. japonicum-endemic region of the Philippines, antibody levels to SjHDM-1 did not predict resistance to reinfection but were associated with increased measures of inflammation. Individuals with high levels of anti-SjHDM-1 immunoglobulin G had higher levels of C-reactive protein than those with low anti-SjHDM-1. High anti-SjHDM-1 immunoglobulin G responses were also associated with reduced biomarkers of nutritional status (albumin), as well as decreased anthropometric measures of nutritional status (weight-for-age and height-for-age z scores) and increased measures of hepatomegaly. Our results suggest that anti-SjHDM-1 responses inhibit the immunomodulatory function of SjHDM-1, resulting in increased morbidity rates.

Identification of novel bovine leukocyte antigen alleles and association of BoLA-DRB3.2*020:02:01 with resistance to Theileria orientalis infection in crossbred Kedah-Kelantan cattle: a pilot study

The bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) gene is a significant genetic part of the immune system and has been used as a disease marker in cattle. In this study, we detected Theileria orientalis, T. sinensis, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma platys, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and Trypanosoma evansi by PCR amplification and sequencing of the amplicons. The allelic association of the BoLA-DRB3.2 gene with blood pathogen disease resistance and susceptibility in 87 Kedah-Kelantan x Brahman (KKB) and 38 Bali cattle was determined by Fisher's exact test and Cochran Mantel Haenszel (CMH) correction test. Sequence-based typing of the BoLA-DRB3.2 gene identified 43 alleles (27 previously reported alleles and 16 novel alleles) across the two cattle breeds. Alignment analysis of the 16 novel alleles revealed 90.7-95.8% and 85-92% nucleotide and amino acid identities, with the reference allele, BoLA-DRB3*016:01 cDNA clone NR-1. BoLA-DRB3*009:02 (25.6%) and BoLA-DRB3*036:01 (36%) were the most frequent alleles in KKB and Bali cattle, respectively. In KKB cattle, BoLA-DRB3*020:02:01 was significantly associated with resistance to T. orientalis whereas *007:01 and *009:02 were significantly associated with resistance to C. Mycoplasma haemobos. Also, DRB3*017:01 was associated with susceptibility to T. orientalis in KKB cattle. In the Bali cattle, BoLA-DRB3*015:01 was found to be a genetic marker of susceptibility to C. Mycoplasma haemobos infection. Therefore, this study identified BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles associated with resistance and susceptibility to T. orientalis infection in KKB cattle and susceptibility to C. Mycoplasma haemobos infection in Bali cattle for the first time. Therefore, this study suggests that these BoLA-DRB3 resistance alleles could be used as candidate markers for selection, whereas susceptibility alleles could be used as candidate markers for culling in the beef industry.

Cellulolytic characterization of the rumen-isolated Acinetobacter pittii ROBY and design of a potential controlled-release drug delivery system

A novel cellulolytic bacterial strain, ROBY, was isolated from a bovine rumen sample using the enrichment culture method. This isolate was found to be Acinetobacter pittii, with >99 % similarity according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The potential use of this strain in combination with doxorubicin (Dox)-integrated cellulose nanoparticles (Dox-CNPs) was evaluated as a proof-of-concept study for the further development of this approach as a novel controlled-release drug delivery strategy. The isolate can utilize CNPs as the sole carbon source for growth and degrade both Dox-CNPs and empty CNPs with high efficiency. Extracellular cellulases isolated from bacteria may also be used to trigger Dox release. The results also demonstrated that the release of Dox into the environment due to nanoparticle degradation in the samples incubated with Dox-CNPs significantly affected bacterial cell viability (∼75 % decrease), proving the release of Dox due to bacterial cellulase activity and suggesting the great potential of this approach for further development.

Molecular, epidemiological, and hematological evaluation in Ehrlichia canis infected dogs from an endemic region in Egypt

Background

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is considered a multisystemic, life-threatening, rickettsial, and tick-borne disease that affects canine species and is caused by Ehrlichia canis (E. canis). Clinical signs of CME vary from asymptomatic to severe illness with three clinical phases. E. canis has the potential to infect humans.

Aim

This study aimed to provide recent information as there is limited data about the disease in Egypt. Therefore, this work was conducted to study the molecular prevalence of E. canis and evaluate the corresponding risk factors, hematology, biochemistry, and molecular characterization of the genus Ehrlichia and E. canis species among Egyptian dogs.

Methods

One hundred eighty dogs of both sexes from 3 months to 8 years from different breeds: stray and foreign breeds were examined for clinical signs in all seasons in two delta governorates: El-Dakahlia and El-Gharbia. Blood samples were collected from dogs for microscopic and haemato-biochemical analysis, and then molecular characterization of the genus Ehrlichia and species-specific E. canis was performed, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Out of 180 samples examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, 42 (23.33%) were positive for the genus of Ehrlichia and the species-specific E. canis. Only twenty-four dogs (13.33%) were positive for PCR, infested with ticks, and showed fever, anemia, loss of body weight, pale mucous membrane of gum and conjunctiva, blindness, paralysis, hemoglobinuria, and Melena. The univariate logistic regression revealed that all variables, including age, season, tick infestation, hemorrhage from natural orifices, and ectoparasitic treatments per year, showed statistical significance (p ≤ 0.05), except breed and sex, which also did not exhibit any relation between CME infection in multivariate logistic regression. The presence of morulae inside leukocytes in 66 dogs out of the total examined 180 (36.67%), only 39 (59.1%) were positive for morulae and PCR-positive for E. canis. Dogs positive for E. canis suffered from anemia, severe thrombocytopenia, the absolute value of WBCs and their fractions, alanine aminotransferas (ALT), AST, ALKP, γ-GT, total. P, T.BIL, urea, globulin, and creatinine were significantly increased in dogs infected with E. canis when compared to those with negative PCR results, while the levels of albumin and A: G ratios were significantly decreased.

Conclusion

The current study proves the existence of E. canis in El-Dakahlia and El-Gharbia governorates, and this is the first large-scale study concerning the epidemiological, clinicopathological examination, molecular characterization, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of reported from the center of the Delta of the Nile in Egypt.

Sero epidemiological study on bovine babesiosis in cattle and buffaloes in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Background

Bovine babesiosis represents a serious challenge for animal health, herd production, and profitability. Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors associated with babesiosis is critical to reduce their negative impacts.

Aim

Investigation of the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia bigemina (B. bigemina) and Babesia bovis (B. bovis) in five districts in Sharkia governorate using ELISA.

Methods

Across-sectional research was conducted to determine the seropositivity of babesiosis by collecting a total of 352 blood samples from 250 cattle and 102 buffaloes. A multivariate logistic regression model was implemented to evaluate the strength of the risk factors associated with both Babesia species infection.

Results

The seroprevalence of B. bigemina and B. bovis was 42.6% and 17.0 %, respectively. The prevalence of babesiosis in cattle was found to be 48.8% for B. bigemina and 16.8% for B. bovis. Inclusive, in buffaloes, the prevalence was 27.5% for B. bigemina and 17.6% for B. bovis. Adult animals were more vulnerable to infection with babesia than young animals by 3-5 times, respectively. Males were more susceptible to B. bigemina and B. bovis than females by 3.7 and 3.5 times. Similarly, the odds of infection in infested animals with ticks were 2-4 times higher than in animals without ticks.

Conclusion

The obtained results revealed that age, sex of the animal, and tick infestation were major risk factors for the seropositivity of both Babesia species. Inclusive, there was no evidence to support the premise that seroprevalence of babesiosis is correlated with the season and species.

Ecological setting of phlebotomine sand flies in the Republic of Kosovo

Sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) are the principal vectors of Leishmania spp., the causative agents of leishmaniasis, as well as phleboviruses. In the Balkans, the endemicity and spreading of sand fly-borne diseases are evident, particularly in the Republic of Kosovo, a country with a predominantly humid continental climate. To date, understanding the drivers behind the spatial structure and diversity patterns of sand fly communities in humid continental regions remains limited. Therefore, elucidating the geographical and ecological factors contributing to the presence of potential vector species in the country is crucial. We aimed to enhance our understanding of factors influencing sand fly occurrence in cool and wet wintering humid continental areas, which could serve as a model for other countries with similar climatic conditions. Therefore, we assessed the currently known sand fly fauna through detailed environmental analyses, including Voronoi tessellation patterns, entropy calculations, Principal Coordinate and Component Analyses, Hierarchical Clustering, Random Trees, and climatic suitability patterns. Notable differences in the ecological tolerance of the species were detected, and the most important climatic features limiting sand fly presence were wind speed and temperature seasonality. Sand flies were observed to prefer topographical environments with little roughness, and the modelled climatic suitability values indicated that, dominantly, the western plain regions of Kosovo harbour the most diverse sand fly fauna; and are the most threatened by sand fly-borne diseases. Phlebotomus neglectus and P. perfiliewi, both confirmed vectors for L. infantum and phleboviruses, were identified as two main species with vast distribution in Kosovo. Contrary to this, most other present species are relatively sparse and restricted to temperate rather than humid continental regions. Our findings reveal a diverse potential sand fly fauna in Kosovo, indicating the need for tailored strategies to address varying risks across the country's western and eastern regions in relation to leishmaniasis control amidst changing environmental conditions.

A comprehensive exploration of schistosomiasis: Global impact, molecular characterization, drug discovery, artificial intelligence and future prospects

Schistosomiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases which affects both humans and animals, is caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. The disease is caused by several species of Schistosoma which affect several organs such as urethra, liver, bladder, intestines, skin and bile ducts. The life cycle of the disease involves an intermediate host (snail) and a mammalian host. It affects people who are in close proximity to water bodies where the intermediate host is abundant. Common clinical manifestations of the disease at various stages include fever, chills, headache, cough, dysuria, hyperplasia and hydronephrosis. To date, most of the control strategies are dependent on effective diagnosis, chemotherapy and public health education on the biology of the vectors and parasites. Microscopy (Kato-Katz) is considered the golden standard for the detection of the parasite, while praziquantel is the drug of choice for the mass treatment of the disease since no vaccines have yet been developed. Most of the previous reviews on schistosomiasis have concentrated on epidemiology, life cycle, diagnosis, control and treatment. Thus, a comprehensive review that is in tune with modern developments is needed. Here, we extend this domain to cover historical perspectives, global impact, symptoms and detection, biochemical and molecular characterization, gene therapy, current drugs and vaccine status. We also discuss the prospects of using plants as potential and alternative sources of novel anti-schistosomal agents. Furthermore, we highlight advanced molecular techniques, imaging and artificial intelligence that may be useful in the future detection and treatment of the disease. Overall, the proper detection of schistosomiasis using state-of-the-art tools and techniques, as well as development of vaccines or new anti-schistosomal drugs may aid in the elimination of the disease.

Unveiling the burden of scrub typhus in acute febrile illness cases across India: A systematic review & meta-analysis

Background & objectives Scrub typhus is an emerging mite-borne zoonotic infection that has been overlooked, despite being one of the most widespread severe vector-borne diseases. With an estimated one billion people at risk worldwide and one million annual cases, it poses a significant public health concern. While various studies have investigated the prevalence of scrub typhus in different regions of India, a comprehensive regional systematic review and meta-analysis on the seropositivity of scrub typhus among acute febrile cases has been lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compile information on the current seroprevalence of scrub typhus in acute febrile illness cases in India. Methods A literature search of multiple databases on prevalence of scrub typhus in acute febrile illness in India, 60 eligible studies out of 573 studies. The prevalence of individual studies was double arcsine transformed, and the pooled prevalence was calculated using inverse variance method. Results In total, these studies encompassed 34,492 febrile cases. The overall seroprevalence of scrub typhus among acute febrile illness cases in India was found to be 26.41 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 22.03-31.03]. Additionally, the pooled case fatality rate (based on data from six studies) among scrub typhus-positive cases yielded a case fatality rate of 7.69 per cent (95% CI: 4.37-11.72). Interpretation & conclusions This meta-analysis shows that scrub typhus is a significant health threat in India. Preventive measures to control scrub typhus need to be given priority.

Effective factors in the pathogenesis of Toxoplasmagondii

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite in humans and animals. It infects about 30 % of the human population worldwide and causes potentially fatal diseases in immunocompromised hosts and neonates. For this study, five English-language databases (ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) and the internet search engine Google Scholar were searched. This review was accomplished to draw a global perspective of what is known about the pathogenesis of T. gondii and various factors affecting it. Virulence and immune responses can influence the mechanisms of parasite pathogenesis and these factors are in turn influenced by other factors. In addition to the host's genetic background, the type of Toxoplasma strain, the routes of transmission of infection, the number of passages, and different phases of parasite life affect virulence. The identification of virulence factors of the parasite could provide promising insights into the pathogenesis of this parasite. The results of this study can be an incentive to conduct more intensive research to design and develop new anti-Toxoplasma agents (drugs and vaccines) to treat or prevent this infection. In addition, further studies are needed to better understand the key agents in the pathogenesis of T. gondii.

Identification and genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus from human clinical samples in Guilan province, north of Iran

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a significant health problem in both human and veterinary medicine. It is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus). The objective of this study was to investigate molecular diversity of E. granulosus from the paraffin-embedded human (FFPE) tissue samples using sequencing of mitochondrial genes. Thirty-five FFPE tissue samples were collected from different regions of Guilan province, north of Iran. Demographic data were recorded using a questionnaire. Five sections (1 mm) of the tissue were prepared and deparaffined using xylene and ethanol methods. Molecular analysis was performed using the Nad1 and Cox1 genes using PCR and DNA sequencing. Totally, 25 cases (71.43%) were women and 10 cases (28.57%) were men. The most affected age group was 21-30 yr old. The most of cysts were isolated from the liver (n = 19; 54.29%) and others in the lung (n = 16; 45.71%). The Cox1 and Nad1 genes were successfully amplified in 16 (45.71%) and 12 (34.28%) DNA samples from FFPE tissue. Sequencing analysis revealed that all samples were E. granulosus sensu stricto complex (G1 and G3). In this study, E. granulosus sensu stricto complex G1 and G3 were identified in human hydatid cysts and showed the presence of sheep/dog cycle in human infection. This finding confirmed and completed previous studies on the geospatial distribution of E. granulosus sensu stricto complex G1 and G3 in the southern and coastal areas of the Caspian Sea region.

Larvicidal activity of Acacia nilotica extracts against Culex pipiens and their suggested mode of action by molecular simulation docking

Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest and most hazardous animals on Earth, where they transmit several diseases that kill millions of people annually. There is an ongoing search almost everywhere in the world for more effective and contemporary ways to control mosquitoes other than pesticides. Phytochemicals are affordable, biodegradable biological agents that specialize in eliminating pests that represent a risk to public health. The effectiveness of Acacia nilotica methanol and aqueous leaf extracts against 4th instar larvae was evaluated. The results revealed that the methanol extract of A. nilotica had a noticeable influence on the mortality rate of mosquito larvae, especially at high concentrations. Not only did the mortality rate rise significantly, but the hatching of the mosquito eggs was potentially suppressed.Terpenes, fatty acids, esters, glycosides, pyrrolidine alkane, piperazine, and phenols were the most prevalent components in the methanol extract, while the aqueous extract of A. nilotica exclusively showed the presence of fatty acids. The insecticidal susceptibility tests of both aqueous and alcoholic extract of A. nilotica confirmed that the Acacia plant could serves as a secure and efficient substitute for chemical pesticides because of its promising effect on killing larvae and egg hatching delaying addition to their safety as one of the natural pesticides. Molecular docking study was performed using one of the crucial and life-controlling protein targets, fatty acid binding protein (FABP) and the most active ingredients as testing ligands to describe their binding ability. Most of the structurally related compounds to the co-crystallized ligand, OLA, like hexadecanoic acid furnished high binding affinity to the target protein with very strong and stable intermolecular hydrogen bonding and this is quite similar to OLA itself. Some other structural non-related compounds revealed extraordinarily strong binding abilities like Methoxy phenyl piperazine. Most of the binding reactivities of the majortested structures are due to high structure similarity between the positive control, OLA, and tested compounds. Such structure similarity reinforced with the binding abilities of some detected compounds in the A. nilotica extract could present a reasonable interpretation for its insecticidal activity via deactivating the FABP protein. The FABP4 enzyme inhibition activity was assessed for of both methanolic and aqueous of acacia plant extract and the inhibition results of methanol extract depicted noticeable potency if compared to orlistat, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.681, and 0.535 µg/ml, respectively.

Enzymatic degradation of cellulose in soil: A review

Cellulose degradation is a critical process in soil ecosystems, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Enzymatic degradation of cellulosic biomass is the most sustainable and green method of producing liquid biofuel. It has gained intensive research interest with future perspective as the majority of terrestrial lignocellulose biomass has a great potential to be used as a source of bioenergy. However, the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulose limits its use as a source of energy. Noteworthy enough, enzymatic conversion of cellulose biomass could be a leading future technology. Fungal enzymes play a central role in cellulose degradation. Our understanding of fungal cellulases has substantially redirected in the past few years with the discovery of a new class of enzymes and Cellulosome. Efforts have been made from time to time to develop an economically viable method of cellulose degradation. This review provides insights into the current state of knowledge regarding cellulose degradation in soil and identifies areas where further research is needed.

Ecological factors shaping ectoparasite communities on heteromyid rodents at Médanos de Samalayuca

Rodent ectoparasites are vectors for important pathogens of wildlife, domestic animals, and even zoonosis. Nevertheless, distribution patterns of ectoparasites are not fully understood; habitat, season, and host species are important predictors of distribution and prevalence. Heteromyid rodents are considered important reservoirs of diseases, given the presence of different ectoparasites and pathogens in them, and they offer the opportunity to learn about the ecology of parasites. The aim of the present work was to survey ectoparasites associated with heteromyid rodents near a National Protected Area in Chihuahua Mexico, south of the USA-Mexico border, and asses the effects of ecological factors (season, vegetation type, host species, and host body condition) on parasite infestation. We sampled five different locations from January 2018 to July 2022; 845 heteromyid rodents were examined and 49 fleas and 33 ticks were collected. Ectoparasites belonged to the Siphonaptera and Ixodida orders, including three families Ixodidae (Riphicephalus sanguineus), Pulicidae (Pulex irritans), and Ctenophthalmidae (Meringins altipecten, M. dipodomys). Five species of host rodents were captured, Dipodomys merriami, D. ordii, Chaetodipus eremicus, C. hispidus, and C. intermedius, but the last two species did not present any ectoparasites. Dipodomys merriami presented the highest flea and tick prevalence followed by D. ordii. We found parasitic partnerships between heteromyids according to ecological factors. The infestation in C. eremicus was related to body condition, vegetation type, and sex; in D. merriami, it was related to vegetation type and season, while D. ordii did not present a clear pattern of infestation. Our results suggest that the infestation patterns of heteromyid rodents in desert habitats are species dependent.

Tape-disc-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TD-LAMP) method as noninvasive approach for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease caused by the bite of infectious female sand flies with high socioeconomic burdens. There is currently no non-invasive, point-of-care, diagnostic method with high sensitivity and specificity available for CL. We herein report the development of a non-invasive tape disc (TD) sampling method combined with a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay using primer sets targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) of Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) with a colorimetric readout for species-specific diagnosis of CL. We tested our Tape-Disc (TD)-LAMP method on a panel of skin samples collected by TD from 35 confirmed L. tropica patients, 35 healthy individuals and 35 patients with non-L. tropica infections. The detection limit of the TD-LAMP assay was determined as 1 fg (fg), and the assay sensitivity and specificity of 97 % and 100 % for L. tropica infection, respectively. This non-invasive, sensitive and rapid diagnostic method warrants further exploration of its use for differential diagnosis of CL in disease endemic settings.

Impact of the microbiome on mosquito-borne diseases

Mosquito-borne diseases present a significant threat to human health, with the possibility of outbreaks of new mosquito-borne diseases always looming. Unfortunately, current measures to combat these diseases such as vaccines and drugs are often either unavailable or ineffective. However, recent studies on microbiomes may reveal promising strategies to fight these diseases. In this review, we examine recent advances in our understanding of the effects of both the mosquito and vertebrate microbiomes on mosquito-borne diseases. We argue that the mosquito microbiome can have direct and indirect impacts on the transmission of these diseases, with mosquito symbiotic microorganisms, particularly Wolbachia bacteria, showing potential for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. Moreover, the skin microbiome of vertebrates plays a significant role in mosquito preferences, while the gut microbiome has an impact on the progression of mosquito-borne diseases in humans. As researchers continue to explore the role of microbiomes in mosquito-borne diseases, we highlight some promising future directions for this field. Ultimately, a better understanding of the interplay between mosquitoes, their hosts, pathogens, and the microbiomes of mosquitoes and hosts may hold the key to preventing and controlling mosquito-borne diseases.

Targeting helminths: The expanding world of type 2 immune effector mechanisms

In this new review, Rick Maizels and Bill Gause summarize how type 2 immune responses combat helminth parasites through novel mechanisms, coordinating multiple innate and adaptive cell and molecular players that can eliminate infection and repair-resultant tissue damage.

Praziquantel efficacy, urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis reinfection - a systematic review

Praziquantel (PZQ) has been extensively used as the drug of choice for the treatment of schistosomiasis on account of its safety and effectiveness against all major forms of schistosomiasis. However, low cure rate, reduced susceptibility of Schistosoma mansoni to PZQ and treatment failures in S. haematobium infections have been reported, raising concerns about its efficacy. Using the search terms, 'praziquantel efficacy, schistosomiasis, school children, reinfection' as well as defined inclusion criteria, and guided by the PRISMA guidelines, articles from 2001 to 2022 were selected from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases and reviewed to assess their importance to the research question. This review assessed the efficacy of PZQ against schistosomiasis and reinfection rates following treatment of Schistosoma infections in children. Majority of both intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis studies reported comparable egg reduction rates (ERRs) of 94.2% to 99.9% and 91.9% to 98%, respectively. However, ERRs suggestive of sub-optimal PZQ efficacy as well as generally high and comparable cure rates for intestinal (81.2%-99.1%) and urinary (79%-93.7%) schistosomiasis studies were reported. Schistosomiasis reinfection rates varied widely for urinary (8.1%-39.6%) and intestinal (13.9%-63.4%) studies within eight to 28 weeks following PZQ treatment. Praziquantel treatment of urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis should be accompanied by the provision of potable water, toilet, and recreational facilities to reduce reinfection and egg reduction rates and increase cure rate to expedite schistosomiasis elimination.

Phage based vaccine: A novel strategy in prevention and treatment

The vaccine was first developed in 1796 by a British physician, Edward Jenner, against the smallpox virus. This invention revolutionized medical science and saved lives around the world. The production of effective vaccines requires dominant immune epitopes to elicit a robust immune response. Thus, applying bacteriophages has attracted the attention of many researchers because of their advantages in vaccine design and development. Bacteriophages are not infectious to humans and are unlikely to bind to cellular receptors and activate signaling pathways. Phages could activate both cellular and humoral immunity, which is another goal of an effective vaccine design. Also, phages act as an effective adjuvant, along with the antigens, and induce a robust immune response. Phage-based vaccines can also be administered orally because of their stability in the gastrointestinal tract, in contrast to common vaccination routes, which are intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular. This review presents the current improvements in phage-based vaccines and their applications as preventive or therapeutic vaccines.

Epidemiology of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma centrale infections in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) from Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Toxocara Infection in Dogs and Cats in Isfahan Province of Iran in 2021

Background

Toxocariasis is an acute or chronic disease caused by parasites of the Ascaridae family, especially Toxocara of dogs and cats. Eggs are excreted out by feces of these animals on soil. Infective eggs develop on soil which can be infective to human. In this study, infection rate of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats of urban and rural areas of Isfahan province of Iran has been investigated.

Materials and Methods

Three hundred and seventy-five stray dog feces and 230 stray cat feces were collected from the public environment (slaughterhouses, parks, children's playgrounds, student dormitories, university environment, streets and squares) in Isfahan province of Iran. At first, dogs' and cats' feces were examined for the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs using formalin ether method. In the second stage, by using molecular methods, Toxocara eggs spp. (Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati) were identified.

Results

From 375 dog fecal samples, 39 (10.40%) and from 230 cat fecal samples, 38 (16.52%) were positive for presence of the Toxocara eggs.

Conclusion

Dogs and cats in Isfahan province of Iran were infected with Toxocara parasite. These infections can be potential risk for human toxocariasis.

Winter activity of Ixodes ricinus in Sweden

BACKGROUND

In Europe, Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most widespread and abundant tick species, acting as a vector for several microorganisms of medical and veterinary importance. In Northern and Central Europe, the tick has a bimodal activity pattern consisting of a peak in spring to the beginning of summer and a second peak at the end of summer. However, several findings of ticks on animals during winter have been reported, which raises the question of whether this is an overwintering strategy or whether ticks are active during winter in Scandinavia. The objectives of our study were to determine (i) whether ticks were active and finding hosts during winter, (ii) whether they parasitize their hosts, and (iii) what climatic factors-i.e., temperature, snow depth and precipitation-govern tick winter activity.

METHODS

Throughout three winter seasons, we examined wild-living and free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) for ticks on 332 occasions. In total, 140 individual roe deer were captured in two climatically contrasting sites in south-central Sweden, Grimsö and the Bogesund research area, respectively. We re-examined individual roe deer up to 10 times within the same winter or approximately once a week (mean 10 days, median 7 days between re-examinations) and recorded the absence or presence of ticks on the animals, and tested to what extent meteorological factors affected tick activity. To determine the attachment day, we used the coxal/scutal index of 18 nymphs and 47 female ticks.

RESULTS

In total, 243 I. ricinus were collected from 301 roe deer captures between 14 December and 28 February at the Bogesund study site during three subsequent years (2013/2014-2015/2016). We found attached ticks every third to every second examination (32%, 48% and 32% of the examinations, respectively). However, we collected only three I. ricinus females from 31 roe deer captures at the Grimsö study site between 17 December 2015 and 26 February 2016. At the Bogesund study site, based on 192 captures of previously examined deer, we collected 121 ticks, and ticks were found at 33%, 48% and 26% of the examinations during the respective winters. The probability of finding an attached tick on a roe deer at a temperature of -5 °C was > 8% ± 5 (SE), and that probability increased to almost 20% ± 7 (SE) if the air temperature increased to 5 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that winter-active nymphs and female ticks have been documented to attach and feed on roe deer during winter (December to February) in Scandinavia. The main weather conditions regulating winter activity for females were temperature and precipitation, and the lowest estimated air temperature for finding an active tick was well below 5 °C. The behaviour of winter-active and blood-feeding ticks was documented over several winters and in two contrasting areas, implying that it is a common phenomenon that should be investigated more thoroughly, since it may have important consequences for the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.

Babesiosis: Current status and future perspectives in Pakistan and chemotherapy used in livestock and pet animals

Babesiosis is a protozoal disease affect livestock and pet animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, mules, dogs, and cats. It causes severe economic losses in livestock as well as in pet animals. A large number of dairy animals are imported in order to fulfill the demands of milk, milk, meat and its products. In addition, different pet animals are transported from Pakistan to various parts of the world, therefore, it is important to identify the current status and distribution of babesiosis throughout Pakistan in order to control the disease and draw attention for future research, diagnosis, treatment and control of this diseases. No work has been done on a complete review on up-to-date on blood protozoal disease burden in Pakistan. This article will provide about the complete background of babesiosis in ruminants, equines and pet animals, its current status, distribution, vectors in Pakistan and allopathic and ethnoveterinary treatments used against babesiosis. Babesiosis may be subclinical (apparently normal) and may be clinical with acute to chronic disease and sometimes fatal. Babesia is found and develops inside the erythrocytes (red blood cells). Clinically, it causes fever, fatigue, lethargy, pallor mucus membranes, malaise, cachexia, respiratory distress, jaundice, icterus, hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, lymphadenopathy, chollangocytitis, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Chemotherapy for babesiosis includes Imidocarb dipropionate, Diaminazine aceturate Atovaquone and Bupravaquone, Azithromycin, Quinuronium sulfate and Amicarbalidesio-thionate are most widely used. Supportive therapy includes multivitamins, fluid therapy, antipyretics intravenous fluids, and blood transfusions are used if necessary. In addition, there are certain ethnoveterinary (homeopathic) ingredients which having anti-babesial activity. As the resistance against these drugs is developing every day. New more specific long-lasting drugs should be developed for the treatment of Babesiosis. Further studies should be done on disease genome of different species of Babesia for vaccine development like malarial parasites.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) ecology, biology, behaviour, and implications on arbovirus transmission in Thailand: Review

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Aedes) transmit highly pathogenic viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika which can cause life-threatening diseases in humans. They are the most important vectors of arboviruses in Thailand. Their vectorial capacity (VC) is highly complex mainly due to the interplay between biotic and abiotic factors that vary in time and space. A literature survey was conducted to collate and discuss recent research regarding the influence of Aedes vector biology, behaviour, and ecology on arbovirus transmission in Thailand. The survey followed guidelines of preferred reporting items of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). All fields, keyword search was conducted in the Web of Science database for the period of 2000-2021. The search yielded 821 records on Ae. aegypti and 293 records on Aedes albopictus, of which 77 were selected for discussion. Genomic studies showed that there is a high genetic variation in Aedes albopictus whereas Ae. aegypti generally shows low genetic variation. Along with genetically unstable arboviruses, the interaction between Aedes and arboviruses is largely regulated by genomic events such as genetic mutations and immune response protein factors. Temperature and precipitation are the major climatic events driving arbovirus transmission. Human exposure risk factors are mainly due to multiple feeding patterns, including endophagy by Aedes albopictus and zoophagic behaviour of Ae. aegypti as well as diverse human-associated breeding sites. Integration of the One Health approach in control interventions is a priority with a rigorous focus on Aedes-arbovirus surveillance as a complementary strategy.

Helminth-derived biomacromolecules as therapeutic agents for treating inflammatory and infectious diseases: What lessons do we get from recent findings?

Despite the tremendous progress in healthcare sectors, a number of life-threatening infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases are continuously challenging mankind throughout the globe. In this context, recent successes in utilizing helminth parasite-derived bioactive macromolecules viz. glycoproteins, enzymes, polysaccharides, lipids/lipoproteins, nucleic acids/nucleotides, and small organic molecules for treating various disorders primarily resulted from inflammation. Among the several parasites that infect humans, helminths (cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes) are known as efficient immune manipulators owing to their explicit ability to modulate and modify the innate and adaptive immune responses of humans. These molecules selectively bind to immune receptors on innate and adaptive immune cells and trigger multiple signaling pathways to elicit anti-inflammatory cytokines, expansion of alternatively activated macrophages, T-helper 2, and immunoregulatory T regulatory cell types to induce an anti-inflammatory milieu. Reduction of pro-inflammatory responses and repair of tissue damage by these anti-inflammatory mediators have been exploited for treating a number of autoimmune, allergic, and metabolic diseases. Herein, the potential and promises of different helminths/helminth-derived products as therapeutic agents in ameliorating immunopathology of different human diseases and their mechanistic insights of function at cell and molecular level alongside the molecular signaling cross-talks have been reviewed by incorporating up-to-date findings achieved in the field.

Tick findings from subterranean environments in the Central German Uplands and Luxembourg reveal a predominance of male Ixodes hexagonus

Questing ticks are usually collected by flagging or dragging. Mostly exophilic tick species are caught, such as Ixodes ricinus, the most common tick in Central Europe. In the present study, ticks collected from underground environments in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and in the Central German Uplands (Federal States of Hesse, Bavaria, Thuringia, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Northrhine-Westphalia) were investigated. Six tick species were revealed among the 396 analyzed specimens: Ixodes ariadnae, Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes hexagonus, I. ricinus, Ixodes trianguliceps, and Dermacentor marginatus. Adults and immatures of I. hexagonus dominated the findings (57% of all specimens), especially in shelters acting as potential resting places of main hosts. Ixodes canisuga and I. trianguliceps were for the first time recorded in Luxembourg, and one nymph of the bat tick I. ariadnae represents only the second report for Germany. Collecting ticks in subterranean environments turned out to be a useful approach to increase knowledge about the occurrence of relatively rare tick species, including those that spend most of their lifetime on their hosts, but detach in such environmental settings.

Immunological mechanisms involved in macrophage activation and polarization in schistosomiasis

Human schistosomiasis is caused by helminths of the genus Schistosoma. Macrophages play a crucial role in the immune regulation of this disease. These cells acquire different phenotypes depending on the type of stimulus they receive. M1 macrophages can be ‘classically activated’ and can display a proinflammatory phenotype. M2 or ‘alternatively activated’ macrophages are considered anti-inflammatory cells. Despite the relevance of macrophages in controlling infections, the role of the functional types of these cells in schistosomiasis is unclear. This review highlights different molecules and/or macrophage activation and polarization pathways during Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum infection. This review is based on original and review articles obtained through searches in major databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, ACS, PubMed, Wiley, Scielo, Web of Science, LILACS and ScienceDirect. Our findings emphasize the importance of S. mansoni and S. japonicum antigens in macrophage polarization, as they exert immunomodulatory effects in different stages of the disease and are therefore important as therapeutic targets for schistosomiasis and in vaccine development. A combination of different antigens can provide greater protection, as it possibly stimulates an adequate immune response for an M1 or M2 profile and leads to host resistance; however, this warrants in vitro and in vivo studies.

Alpha-Cypermethrin Resistance in Musca domestica: Resistance Instability, Realized Heritability, Risk Assessment, and Insecticide Cross-Resistance

Musca domestica L., the common house fly, is a cosmopolitan carrier of human and livestock disease pathogens. The species exhibits resistance to many insecticides; therefore, effective M. domestica insecticide resistance management programs are required worldwide. In the present study, the development of alpha-cypermethrin resistance, realized heritability (h²), instability of resistance trait (DR), and cross-resistance (CR) was investigated in an alpha-cypermethrin-selected M. domestica strain (Alpha-Sel) across 24 generations (Gs). Compared with an alpha-cypermethrin-unselected strain (Alpha-Unsel), resistance to alpha-cypermethrin increased from 46.4-fold (G₅) to 474.2-fold (G₂₄) in Alpha-Sel females and 41.0-fold (G₅) to 253.2-fold (G₂₄) in Alpha-Sel males. Alpha-cypermethrin resistance declined by between -0.10 (G₅) and -0.05 (G₂₄) in both M. domestica sexes without insecticide exposure for 24 generations. The h² of alpha-cypermethrin resistance was 0.17 and 0.18 for males and females, respectively, in G₁-G₂₄. With selection intensities of 10-90%, the G values required for a tenfold increase in the LC₅₀ of alpha-cypermethrin were 6.3-53.7, 4.1-33.8, and 3.0-24.7, given h² values of 0.17, 0.27, and 0.37, respectively, and a constant slope of 2.1 for males and h² values of 0.18, 0.28, and 0.38, respectively, and a constant slope of 2.0 for females. Compared with Alpha-Unsel, Alpha-Sel M. domestica exhibited moderate CR to bifenthrin (15.5-fold), deltamethrin (28.4-fold), and cyfluthrin (16.8-fold), low CR to two pyrethroids and five organophosphates, and no CR to insect growth regulators. The instability of resistance trait, low h², and absent or low CR associated with alpha-cypermethrin resistance in M. domestica indicate resistance could be managed with rotational use of the insecticide.

Impact of population based indoor residual spraying with and without mass drug administration with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine on malaria prevalence in a high transmission setting: a quasi-experimental controlled before-and-after trial in northeastern Uganda

BACKGROUND

Declines in malaria burden in Uganda have slowed. Modelling predicts that indoor residual spraying (IRS) and mass drug administration (MDA), when co-timed, have synergistic impact. This study investigated additional protective impact of population-based MDA on malaria prevalence, if any, when added to IRS, as compared with IRS alone and with standard of care (SOC).

METHODS

The 32-month quasi-experimental controlled before-and-after trial enrolled an open cohort of residents (46,765 individuals, 1st enumeration and 52,133, 4th enumeration) of Katakwi District in northeastern Uganda. Consented participants were assigned to three arms based on residential subcounty at study start: MDA+IRS, IRS, SOC. IRS with pirimiphos methyl and MDA with dihydroartemisinin- piperaquine were delivered in 4 co-timed campaign-style rounds 8 months apart. The primary endpoint was population prevalence of malaria, estimated by 6 cross-sectional surveys, starting at baseline and preceding each subsequent round.

RESULTS

Comparing malaria prevalence in MDA+IRS and IRS only arms over all 6 surveys (intention-to-treat analysis), roughly every 6 months post-interventions, a geostatistical model found a significant additional 15.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): [13.7%, 17.5%], Z = 9.6, p = 5e-20) decrease in the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) due to MDA for all ages, a 13.3% reduction in under 5's (95% CI: [10.5%, 16.8%], Z = 4.02, p = 5e-5), and a 10.1% reduction in children 5-15 (95% CI: [8.5%, 11.8%], Z = 4.7, p = 2e-5). All ages residents of the MDA + IRS arm enjoyed an overall 80.1% reduction (95% CI: [80.0%, 83.0%], p = 0.0001) in odds of qPCR confirmed malaria compared with SOC residents. Secondary difference-in-difference analyses comparing surveys at different timepoints to baseline showed aOR (MDA + IRS vs IRS) of qPCR positivity between 0.28 and 0.66 (p < 0.001). Of three serious adverse events, one (nonfatal) was considered related to study medications. Limitations include the initial non-random assignment of study arms, the single large cluster per arm, and the lack of an MDA-only arm, considered to violate equipoise.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being assessed at long time points 5-7 months post-round, MDA plus IRS provided significant additional protection from malaria infection over IRS alone. Randomized trials of MDA in large areas undergoing IRS recommended as well as cohort studies of impact on incidence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was retrospectively registered 11/07/2018 with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR201807166695568).

Apicomplexan haemoparasites in domestic cats in Romania

BACKGROUND

Apicomplexan haemoparasites are protozoans that infect a variety of domestic and wild animal species, as well as humans. Data regarding haemoprotozoans in domestic cats are limited; therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. in domestic cats in Romania using molecular tools.

METHODS

Blood samples from 371 domestic cats were screened for the presence of piroplasmids. All samples that yielded a visible band in agarose gels were subsequently tested by specific assays targeting the 18S rDNA of Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. Moreover, nested PCR assays targeting mitochondrial genes of Babesia spp. were used for screening of all Babesia spp. 18S rDNA-positive samples.

RESULTS

From the total number of sampled cats, 19.4% were positive in the PCR assay targeting piroplasmids. Babesia spp. were identified in 15.1% of cats, while 0.5% were positive for Hepatozoon spp. Molecular analyses confirmed the presence of Babesia canis. No samples were positive for Cytauxzoon spp.

CONCLUSIONS

The high infection rates of domestic cats with Babesia spp. and the need for species differentiation highlight the importance of mitochondrial genes as targets for molecular protocols.

A cercarial invadolysin interferes with the host immune response and facilitates infection establishment of Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni employs immune evasion and immunosuppression to overcome immune responses mounted by its snail and human hosts. Myriad immunomodulating factors underlie this process, some of which are proteases. Here, we demonstrate that one protease, an invadolysin we have termed SmCI-1, is released from the acetabular glands of S. mansoni cercaria and is involved in creating an immunological milieu favorable for survival of the parasite. The presence of SmCI-1 in the cercarial stage of S. mansoni is released during transformation into the schistosomula. SmCI-1 functions as a metalloprotease with the capacity to cleave collagen type IV, gelatin and fibrinogen. Additionally, complement component C3b is cleaved by this protease, resulting in inhibition of the classical and alternative complement pathways. Using SmCI-1 knockdown cercariae, we demonstrate that SmCI-1 protects schistosomula from complement-mediated lysis in human plasma. We also assess the effect of SmCI-1 on cytokine release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, providing compelling evidence that SmCI-1 promotes an anti-inflammatory microenvironment by enhancing production of IL-10 and suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines like IL-1B and IL-12p70 and those involved in eosinophil recruitment and activation, like Eotaxin-1 and IL-5. Finally, we utilize the SmCI-1 knockdown cercaria in a mouse model of infection, revealing a role for SmCI-1 in S. mansoni survival.

Spatial-Temporal Variations in Parasitological Prevalence and Host-Related Risk Factors of Camel Trypanosomiasis and Its Vectors in North Eastern Kenya: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Camel trypanosomiasis (Surra) is endemic in the Horn of Africa. Understanding the spatiotemporal variations in Surra prevalence, vector dynamics, and host-related risk factors is important in developing effective control strategies. A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the Surra parasitological prevalence, livestock reservoirs, vector density/diversity, and host-related risk factors in Kenya. Random samples of 847, 1079, and 824 camels were screened at the start of the dry season, peak dry season, and during the rainy season, respectively. Blood samples were examined using the dark ground/phase contrast buffy-coat technique, and Trypanosoma species were identified based on their movement and morphology in wet and stained thin smears. Reservoir status for Trypanosoma evansi was assessed in 406 cattle and 372 goats. A rainy and dry seasons entomological surveys were conducted to determine the Surra vector abundance/diversity and spatiotemporal density changes. Surra prevalence was 7.1%, 3.4%, and 4.1% at the start of the dry season, peak dry season, and rainy season, respectively. Camel co-infections by Trypanozoon (T. evansi or Trypanosoma brucei brucei) and Trypanosoma vivax were recorded. Spatial variations in Surra prevalence were recorded at the beginning of dry (X _{(7, N = 846)} ² = 110.9, p ≤ 0.001), peak dry (X _{(7, N = 1079)} ² = 42.2, p ≤ 0.001), and rainy (X _{(7, N = 824)} ² = 29.1, p ≤ 0.001) seasons. The screened cattle and goats tested negative for Trypanozoon (T. evansi or T. b. brucei), while two cattle tested positive for Trypanosoma congolense. Biting fly catches were composed of a single species from Tabanus, Atylotus, Philoliche, Chrysops, and Stomoxys genera. The total catches for Philoliche, Chrysops, and Stomoxys were higher in the rainy than dry season consistent with the prevalence results. Surra remains an important camel disease in the region with its prevalence varying in space and time. Camel co-infections by Trypanozoon (T. evansi or T. b. brucei) and T. vivax necessitate proper diagnosis of suspected cases and targeted therapy.

Molecular epidemiology, associated risk factors, and phylogeny of Theileria annulata infecting buffaloes and cattle from different agro-climatic regions of Punjab, Pakistan

Background

Tropical theileriosis is the most prevalent hemoprotozoan disease in Pakistan.

Aims

The study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and evolutionary relationship of Theileria annulata in bovines in diverse agro-climatic regions of Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods

800 blood specimens were collected from asymptomatic cattle (n=480) and buffaloes (n=320) using a multistage sampling method from Sargodha (n=400) and Multan (n=400) districts. The samples were assessed for blood smear microscopy and cytochrome b gene based PCR. Twenty samples were collected from each union council of each district.

Results

The overall prevalence of T. annulata infection in bovines was 9% and 17.13% as determined by blood smear analysis and PCR, respectively. The disease positivity in cattle and buffaloes was respectively 10.21% and 20.42% by blood smear screening and 7.19%, 12.19% by PCR. The overall PCR based prevalence in the Sargodha and Multan districts was 19% and 15.25%, respectively. Absence of rural poultry, tick infestation, and a history of tick-borne diseases had significant effect in cattle. Tick infestation and age were the main statistically significant disease determinants in buffaloes. The evolutionary analysis of the cytochrome b gene showed that the Pakistani isolate infecting buffalo was related to those from Iran, India, Egypt, and Sudan. The isolate from cattle was genetically close to those from Pakistan, India, Iran, Iraq, and Turkey.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that biotic and abiotic factors contribute to disease occurrence. The current study will help to devise control strategies to prevent substantial economic losses.

An insight into misidentification of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene sequences of Theileria spp. as Theileria annulata

BACKGROUND

There had been isolated reports of the presence of novel Theileria annulata genotypes based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence data from India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; but, these studies were restricted to limited field samples. Additionally, no comparative study has been conducted on all the isolates of this parasite from different countries whose sequences are available in the nucleotide databases. Therefore, we aimed to study the genetic diversity of T. annulata based on all available nearly complete 18S rRNA gene sequences in the GenBank™. Out of a total of 312 gene sequences of T. annulata available in the NCBI database, only 70 nearly complete sequences (> 1527 bp) were used for multiple sequence alignment.

RESULTS

The maximum likelihood tree obtained using TN93 + G + I model manifested two major clades. All the valid host-cell transforming Theileria species clustered in one clade. The T. annulata designated sequences occupying this clade clustered together, excluding two isolates (DQ287944 and EU083799), and represented the true T. annulata sequences (n = 54). DQ287944 and EU083799 exhibited close association with Theileria lestoquardi. In addition, 14 Indian sequences formed a large monophyletic group with published Theileria orientalis sequences. The broad range of sequence identity (95.8-100%) of T. annulata designated sequences indicated the presence of different Theileria spp. A closer analysis revealed the presence of three Theileria spp., namely, T. annulata, T. orientalis, and two isolates (DQ287944 and EU083799) closely related to T. lestoquardi. The true T. annulata sequences manifested 98.8-100% nucleotide identity within them. EU083799 and 14 misidentified Indian T. annulata sequences exhibited the highest similarity with T. lestoquardi (98.6-98.8%) and T. orientalis (98.0-99.9%) in comparison with the other Theileria spp. of domestic and wild ruminants.

CONCLUSION

In the course of analyzing the genetic diversity of T. annulata, we identified the nearly complete 18S rRNA gene sequences of other Theileria spp. that have not only been misidentified as T. annulata in the GenBank™, but are also published as T. annulata. Moreover, a high level of sequence conservation was noticed in the 18S rRNA gene of true T. annulata and T. orientalis sequences.

Nitric oxide in parasitic infections: a friend or foe?

The complex interaction between the host and the parasite remains a puzzling question. Control of parasitic infections requires an efficient immune response that must be balanced against destructive pathological consequences. Nitric oxide is a nitrogenous free radical which has many molecular targets and serves diverse functions. Apart from being a signaling messenger, nitric oxide is critical for controlling numerous infections. There is still controversy surrounding the exact role of nitric oxide in the immune response against different parasitic species. It proved protective against intracellular protozoa, as well as extracellular helminths. At the same time, it plays a pivotal role in stimulating detrimental pathological changes in the infected hosts. Several reports have discussed the anti-parasitic and immunoregulatory functions of nitric oxide, which could directly influence the control of the infection. Nevertheless, there is scarce literature addressing the harmful cytotoxic impacts of this mediator. Thus, this review provides insights into the most updated concepts and controversies regarding the dual nature and opposing sides of nitric oxide during the course of different parasitic infections.

Urogenital schistosomiasis: prevalence, knowledge and practices among women of reproductive age in Northern Tanzania

Objective

To determine the prevalence, knowledge and practices regarding urogenital schistosomiasis among women of reproductive age in Kileo Ward, Mwanga District.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the dispensary in Kileo Village, Mwanga District. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to participants to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics and schistosomiasis-related knowledge and practices. Urine samples were examined for schistosoma eggs using the urine sedimentation technique. Data collected were cleaned, coded and entered into SPSS Version 20 for analysis. Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for analysis.

Results

Overall prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 2.3%. The prevalence was higher among participants aged ≥18 years (3.2%), those who did domestic chores in river water (13.3%), and those who swam in river water (7.1%). Only a few participants had a low level of knowledge (4.8%) and poor practices (1.9%) regarding urogenital schistosomiasis.

Conclusion

The transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis was low among women of reproductive age in the study area. Despite a high level of knowledge and good practices for urogenital schistosomiasis, there are knowledge gaps regarding its causes and risk factors.

Comparative analysis of the anthelmintic efficacy of European heather extracts on Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis egg hatching and larval motility

Background

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) control is traditionally achieved with the use of anthelmintic drugs, however due to regulations in organic farming and the rise in anthelmintic resistance, alternatives are sought after. A promising alternative is the use of bioactive plant feeding due to the presence of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) such as proanthocyanidins (PAs). This study focussed on the perennial shrub heather (Ericaceae family), a plant rich in PAs, highly abundant across Europe and with previously demonstrated anthelmintic potential.

Methods

In vitro assays were used to investigate heather’s anthelmintic efficacy against egg hatching and larval motility. Heather samples were collected from five European countries across two seasons, and extracts were tested against two GIN species: Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Polyphenol group-specific ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis was performed to identify relevant polyphenol subgroups present, including the PA concentration and size and ratio of the subunits. Partial least squares analysis was performed to associate efficacy with variation in PSM composition.

Results

Heather extracts reduced egg hatching of both GIN species in a dose-dependent manner by up to 100%, while three extracts at the highest concentration (10 mg/ml) reduced larval motility to levels that were not significantly different from dead larvae controls. PAs, particularly the procyanidin type, and flavonol derivatives were associated with anthelmintic activity, and the particular subgroup of polyphenols associated with the efficacy was dependent on the GIN species and life stage.

Conclusions

Our results provide in vitro evidence that heather, a widely available plant often managed as a weed in grazing systems, has anthelmintic properties attributed to various groups of PSMs and could contribute to sustainable GIN control in ruminant production systems across Europe.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05531-0.

The impact of aqueous humor polymerase chain reaction and serological test results for establishing infectious uveitis diagnosis: An Indonesian experience

Objective

To assess the clinical value of aqueous humor real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serological antibody tests among uveitis patients in Indonesian cohort.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, single-plex RT-PCR analysis of aqueous samples from 86 new uveitis patients was performed to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Toxoplasmosis gondii, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and rubella virus. Specific serological antibodies for suspected pathogens were also obtained. Comparison of PCR and serological antibodies with the initial and final diagnosis were presented.

Results

The diagnostic positivity of aqueous RT-PCR in our cohort was 20% (17/86). The rate of infection as final etiological classification was higher after RT-PCR was performed (45 patients, 52%) compared to initial diagnosis based on clinical presentation alone (38 patients, 44%). In particular, the RT-PCR positivity among patients with infection as the final etiological classification was 33.33% (15/45). A significant difference in the IgG but not IgM toxoplasma value among those with ocular toxoplasmosis as the final diagnosis compared to the other etiologies were observed (3953 (IQR 2707-19562) IU/mL vs 428 (IQR 82-1807) IU/mL; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

RT-PCR analysis of aqueous fluid from uveitis patients helped confirm a third of infectious uveitis cases in Indonesia. In ocular toxoplasmosis, high IgG but not IgM antibody value might help differentiate those with other etiology.

Schistosome secretomes

Schistosomes are intravascular parasitic platyhelminths (blood flukes) that infect over 200 million people globally. Biomolecules secreted by the worms likely contribute to their ability to survive in the bloodstreams of immunocompetent hosts for many years. Here we review what is known about the protein composition of material released by the worms. Prominent among cercarial excretions/secretions (ES) is a ∼ 30 kDa serine protease called cercarial elastase (SmCE in Schistosoma mansoni), likely important in host invasion. Also prominent is a 117 amino acid non-glycosylated polypeptide (Sm16) that can impact several host cell-types to impinge on immunological outcomes. Similarly, components of the egg secretome (notably the 134 amino acid homodimeric glycoprotein "IL-4 inducing principle of schistosome eggs", IPSE, and the 225-amino acid monomeric T2 ribonuclease - omega-1) are capable of driving Th2-biased immune responses. A ∼36kDa chemokine binding glycoprotein SmCKBP, secreted by eggs, can negate the impact of several cytokines and can impede neutrophil migration. Of special interest is a disparate collection of classically cytosolic proteins that are surprisingly often identified in schistosome ES across life stages. These proteins, perhaps released as components of extracellular vesicles (EVs), include glycolytic enzymes, redox proteins, proteases and protease inhibitors, heat shock proteins, proteins involved in translation/turnover, histones, and others. Some such proteins may display "moonlighting" functions and, for example, impede blood clot formation around the worms. More prosaically, since several are particularly abundant soluble proteins, their appearance in the ES fraction may be indicative of worm damage ex vivo leading to protein leakage. Some bioactive schistosome ES proteins are in development as novel therapeutics against autoimmune, inflammatory, and other, non-parasitic, diseases.

Epidemiologic profile of hard ticks and molecular characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus infesting cattle in central part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Tick infestation is a major public and animal health concern causing significant financial losses, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This study aimed at investigating the epidemiologic profile of ticks infesting cattle and molecular identification of R. microplus in the centrally ignored part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 600 cattle from 20 farms were examined for the tick infestation, among them 358 (59.7%) cattle were infested with ticks. A total of 2118 nymph, larvae and adult tick stages were collected and morphologically identified followed by molecular confirmation of Rhipicephalus microplus. Host-based demographic and ecological parameter analysis revealed significantly higher tick infestation in adult, female, exotic, freely grazing, and with irregular/no acaricides treated cattle. The univariate logistic analysis showed that host age, gender, breed, acaricides use, and feeding method were significantly (P < 0.05) associated, whereas multivariate analysis revealed only host breed and feeding method were potential risk factors (P < 0.05) for tick infestation. Microscopy-based examination identified four different species of ticks including R. microplus (44.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum (38.5%), and Hyalomma marginatum (10.5%) and Hyalomma excavatum (6.5%). Tick infestation pattern showed that 55.9% of cattle was found co-infested with R. microplus and H. anatolicum followed by R. microplus and H. anatolicum and H. marginatum (29.3%) then R. microplus, H. anatolicum, H. marginatum, and H. excavatum (11.2%). Sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2-) and 16S rRNA gene fragments also confirmed the molecular identification of Rhipicephalus microplus. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS-2 revealed all sequences clustered in single clade of the R. microplus while the 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences showed that R. microplus in this study was clustered together in clade A along with other isolates from Pakistan, China, and India. The high tick infestation suggests the need for designing strategic and integrated control measures for ticks in order to ensure good health of domestic animals in this region of Pakistan.

Type 2 immunity: a two-edged sword in schistosomiasis immunopathology

Schistosomiasis is the second most debilitating neglected tropical disease globally after malaria, with no available therapy to control disease-driven immunopathology. Although schistosomiasis induces a markedly heterogenous immune response, type 2 immunity is the dominating immune response following oviposition. While type 2 immunity has a crucial role in granuloma formation and host survival during the acute stage of disease, its chronic activation can result in tissue scarring, fibrosis, and organ impairment. Here, we discuss recent advances in schistosomiasis, demonstrating how different immune and non-immune cells and signaling pathways are involved in the induction, maintenance, and regulation of type 2 immunity. A better understanding of these immune responses during schistosomiasis is essential to inform the potential development of candidate therapeutic strategies that fine-tune type 2 immunity to ideally modulate schistosomiasis immunopathology.

Livestock infected with Leishmania spp. in southern Iran

BACKGROUND

Query ID="Q1" Text="Graphical abstract: As per journal requirements, graphical abstract is necessary. Kindly check and provide the same."The magnitude of the health problems caused by leishmaniasis has been a major driving factor behind the development and implementation of leishmaniasis control programs by the national authorities in Iran, with a priority for health and environmental management. Such programs are not achievable unless all of the factors leading to the infection, including the parasite's life-cycle, vectors and reservoirs, are recognized. So far in Iran, humans and rodents have been considered the principal reservoirs of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major, respectively, both associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), with domestic dogs considered to be the main reservoir for Leishmania infantum, associated with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The role of other mammals in maintaining the Leishmania parasite has remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate Leishmania infection among livestock in endemic areas of VL and CL in Fars province, southern Iran, using serological and molecular methods.

METHODS

Blood samples from 181 clinically healthy livestock, including 49 sheep, 114 goats, 16 cattle and two donkeys, were screened to detect Leishmania DNA and anti-Leishmania antibodies using qPCR (quantitative PCR) and the direct agglutination test (DAT), respectively. Four qPCR-positive samples were amplified using the internal transcribed spacer one (ITS1) primers in conventional PCR and sent for directional sequencing.

RESULTS

Of the 181 livestock tested, 51 (28.2%) were infected with Leishmania, using serological and molecular methods. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected in 70 (38.7%) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.5-46.2) and Leishmania DNA in 93 (51.4%) (95% CI: 43.9-58.9) livestock. The identified Leishmania spp. were L. infantum and L. major.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study show a relatively high prevalence of Leishmania infection among livestock in endemic areas of the disease, in Fars province, southern Iran. Given the large population of this group of animals and the fact that they live in the vicinity of the main reservoirs of the disease and vectors, it seems that sand flies regularly bite these animals. Further studies are needed to determine the role of livestock in the parasite's life-cycle and the epidemiology of Leishmania infection.

Modeling the impact of genetically modified male mosquitoes in the spatial population dynamics of Aedes aegypti

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Improving control techniques requires a better understanding of the mosquito’s life cycle, including spatial population dynamics in endemic regions. One of the most promising techniques consists of introducing genetically modified male mosquitoes. Several models proposed to describe this technique present mathematical issues or rely on numerous parameters, making their application challenging to real-world situations. We propose a model describing the spatial population dynamics of the Aedes aegypti in the presence of genetically modified males. This model presents some mathematical improvements compared to the literature allowing deeper mathematical analysis. Moreover, this model relies on few parameters, which we show how to obtain or estimate from the literature. Through numerical simulations, we investigate the impacts of environmental heterogeneity, the periodicity of genetically modified male releases, and released genetically modified males quantity on the population dynamics of Aedes aegypti. The main results point to that the successful application of this vector control technique relies on releasing more than a critical amount of modified males with a frequency exceeding a specific critical value.

Is Immuno-PCR Better than ELISA Test for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii IgG Antibody?

INTRODUCTION

IgG antibodies against T. gondii persist for years, and can act as a reliable serological biomarker for the diagnosis of previous exposure to this parasite. Hence, the current investigation was designed to compare diagnostic power of immuno-polymerase chain reaction (iPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods for detection of T. gondii IgG antibody.

METHODS

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were measured by the ELISA method in 81 participants. In addition, detection of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis was performed via the ELISA IgG avidity. The set-up of iPCR was carried out and then, serum IgG of subjects were detected using the iPCR method.

RESULTS

Of 81 samples, 4 (4.9%) and 30 (37%) cases were be found positive for IgM and IgG against T. gondii in the ELISA method, respectively. Moreover, of 81 specimens, 42 (51.9%) and 39 (48.1%) samples had low-avidity IgG and high-avidity IgG by the IgG avidity kit, respectively. While, 59 (72.8%) of 81 samples were detected positive using the iPCR technique. Kappa (κ) value coefficient, between the iPCR and ELISA (for IgG) showed a strong agreement (0.360, p value < 0.001). A value of 0.25 I.U./ml for serum IgG [area under curve (AUC) = 0.720 (CI = 0.613-0.827); p = 0.002] was the cut-off value to differentiating between positive and negative toxoplasmosis (with sensitivity 66.0% and specificity 60.0%).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated despite a strong agreement shown between iPCR and ELISA methods, the diagnostic power of iPCR technique was more sensitive than ELISA test for detection of T. gondii IgG antibody. However, more complementary investigations are widely needed in this regard.

Transgenic Anopheles mosquitoes expressing human PAI-1 impair malaria transmission

In mammals, the serine protease plasmin degrades extracellular proteins during blood clot removal, tissue remodeling, and cell migration. The zymogen plasminogen is activated into plasmin by two serine proteases: tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), a process regulated by plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), a serine protease inhibitor that specifically inhibits tPA and uPA. Plasmodium gametes and sporozoites use tPA and uPA to activate plasminogen and parasite-bound plasmin degrades extracellular matrices, facilitating parasite motility in the mosquito and the mammalian host. Furthermore, inhibition of plasminogen activation by PAI-1 strongly blocks infection in both hosts. To block parasite utilization of plasmin, we engineered Anopheles stephensi transgenic mosquitoes constitutively secreting human PAI-1 (huPAI-1) in the midgut lumen, in the saliva, or both. Mosquitoes expressing huPAI-1 strongly reduced rodent and human Plasmodium parasite transmission to mosquitoes, showing that co-opting plasmin for mosquito infection is a conserved mechanism among Plasmodium species. huPAI-1 expression in saliva induced salivary gland deformation which affects sporozoite invasion and P. berghei transmission to mice, resulting in significant levels of protection from malaria. Targeting the interaction of malaria parasites with the fibrinolytic system using genetically engineered mosquitoes could be developed as an intervention to control malaria transmission.