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Parasitologia, Volume 1, Issue 1 (March 2021) – 4 articles

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2 pages, 384 KiB  
Editorial
Parasites as Disruptors: From Ecology and Evolution, through Cell and Molecular Biology to Clinical and Veterinary Medicine
by Geoff Hide
Parasitologia 2021, 1(1), 34-35; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia1010004 - 19 Mar 2021
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Abstract
Fundamental to our understanding of natural processes, is the measurement of responses to disruptions in the status quo [...] Full article
14 pages, 1220 KiB  
Article
Effect of Neonicotinoid Exposure on the Life History Traits and Susceptibility to Plasmodium Infection on the Major Avian Malaria Vector Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)
by Romain Pigeault, Danaé Bataillard, Olivier Glaizot and Philippe Christe
Parasitologia 2021, 1(1), 20-33; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia1010003 - 16 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2614
Abstract
Culex pipiens complexes play an important role in the transmission of a wide range of pathogens that infect humans, including viruses and filarial worms, as well as pathogens of wildlife, such as the avian malaria parasite (Plasmodium spp.). Numerous biotic and abiotic [...] Read more.
Culex pipiens complexes play an important role in the transmission of a wide range of pathogens that infect humans, including viruses and filarial worms, as well as pathogens of wildlife, such as the avian malaria parasite (Plasmodium spp.). Numerous biotic and abiotic stresses influence vector-borne pathogen transmission directly, through changes in vector density, or indirectly by changing vector immunocompetence, lifespan, or reproductive potential. Among these stresses, mosquito exposure to sublethal doses of pesticides could have important consequences. In addition to being exposed to pollutants in aquatic breeding sites, mosquitoes can also be exposed to chemicals as adults through their diet (plant nectar). In this study, we explored the impact of mosquito exposure at the larval and adult stages to one of the most commonly used pesticides, imidacloprid, a chemical belonging to the class of the neonicotinoids, on a set of life history traits ranging from development time to fecundity. We also studied the impact of this pesticide on the susceptibility of mosquitoes to infection by the avian malaria parasite, Plasmodium relictum. Surprisingly, we observed no effects of imidacloprid on any of the parameters examined. This result highlights the fact that Culex pipiens mosquitoes do not appear to be susceptible to imidacloprid when exposure doses are close to those measured in the field. Full article
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8 pages, 1608 KiB  
Review
Should Veterinary Practitioners Be Concerned about Acanthamoeba Keratitis?
by Elise Cooper, William Cowmeadow and Hany M. Elsheikha
Parasitologia 2021, 1(1), 12-19; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia1010002 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 9797
Abstract
When presented with an animal exhibiting signs of keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), such as impaired vision, mucoid discharges, redness, swelling, and corneal oedema, most veterinarians would think of bacteria, viruses, or fungi as the potential causative agent(s). However, evidence has arisen in [...] Read more.
When presented with an animal exhibiting signs of keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), such as impaired vision, mucoid discharges, redness, swelling, and corneal oedema, most veterinarians would think of bacteria, viruses, or fungi as the potential causative agent(s). However, evidence has arisen in recent years of a possible connection between the protozoan Acanthamoeba and keratitis in animals. Acanthamoeba infection is underdiagnosed, but potentially common, in animals. In view of the paucity of evidence regarding Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in animals, this review has been written to increase awareness of veterinary professionals of the potential threat associated with AK and to stimulate more studies into the extent of occurrence and clinical impact of AK in animals. Full article
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11 pages, 2062 KiB  
Article
Teladorsagia circumcincta 1,6-Bisphosphate Aldolase: Molecular and Biochemical Characterisation, Structure Analysis and Recognition by Immune Hosts
by Saleh Umair, Charlotte Bouchet, Nikola Palevich and Heather Simpson
Parasitologia 2021, 1(1), 1-11; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia1010001 - 30 Jan 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2067
Abstract
A 1095 bp full length cDNA encoding Teladorsagia circumcincta aldolase (TciALDO-1) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant TciALDO-1 was purified, and its kinetic properties determined. The predicted protein consisted of 365 amino acids, and was present as a [...] Read more.
A 1095 bp full length cDNA encoding Teladorsagia circumcincta aldolase (TciALDO-1) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant TciALDO-1 was purified, and its kinetic properties determined. The predicted protein consisted of 365 amino acids, and was present as a single band of about 44 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Multiple alignments of the protein sequence of TciALDO-1 with homologues from other helminths showed the greatest similarity (93%) to the aldolases of Haemonchus contortus and Dictyocaulus viviparus, 82–86% similarity to the other nematode sequences, and 68–71% similarity to cestode and trematode enzymes. Substrate binding sites and conserved regions were identified, and were completely conserved in other homologues. At 30 °C, the optimum pH for TciALDO-1 activity was pH 7.5, the Vmax was 432 ± 23 nmol × min−1 × mg−1 protein, and the apparent Km for the substrate fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was 0.24 ± 0.01 µM (mean ± SEM, n = 3). Recombinant TciALDO-1 was recognized by antibodies in both serum and saliva from field-immune sheep in ELISA, however, that was not the case with nematode-naïve sheep. Teladorsagia circumcincta fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase appears to have potential as a vaccine candidate to control this common sheep parasite. Full article
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