Parasitologia, Volume 6, Issue 3 (June 2026) – 11 articles

Monieziosis presents a considerable challenge to livestock farming, mainly due to the parasite’s resistance to common anthelmintics, prompting the need for alternative control strategies. This study examined the in vitro effect of two enzymatic sources (plant and fungal) on the structural integrity of Moniezia expansa eggs, aiming to find new environmental management solutions. The plant enzyme papain was tested at various concentrations and time points, while the fungal enzyme was produced through solid-state fermentation using Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), resulting in an active crude enzymatic extract (ACEE). Papain at 10% w/v showed nonlinear degradation (R² = 0.998), achieving 95% egg reduction after 48 h. The fungal extract ACEE (71.2 U mL⁻¹) caused a 60% reduction after 72 h. Morphological studies indicated significant eggshell damage following both treatments. A compatibility assay showed an antagonistic interaction, with enzyme activity decreasing by 83.83% within 48 h, likely due to cross-proteolysis. Although each agent is effective individually, combining them is not feasible. This is the first study documenting the activity of ACEE and papain against M. expansa eggs, and it recommends using them separately or sequentially for effective parasite control. Full article

Zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites such as Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum are a public health concern, particularly in tropical and urban environments. This study evaluated Mexican veterinarians’ perceptions, knowledge, and deworming practices regarding these parasites and their zoonotic risks. A nationwide online survey obtained 717 fully completed responses from veterinarians across all Mexican states, exceeding the required sample size. Inclusion criteria required participants to be active small-animal practitioners with no missing data on core deworming questions; veterinarians working exclusively in pharmacies, feed stores, boarding facilities, dog daycares, or grooming services were excluded. Overall ESCCAP guideline compliance was 34.2%. Compliance was highest in northern states (41.8%) and lowest in southern states (23.5%). Deworming practices in lactating dogs showed uniformly low adherence, and no state reached moderate compliance for puppies aged 1–3 weeks. Compliance with the recommended puppy deworming frequency was notably higher. Compliance with the recommended adult deworming frequency was very low (9.8%), while coprological monitoring was recommended by 43.4% of respondents. Professional formation was the strongest predictor of overall guideline adherence across nearly all criteria. The 16–20-year experience group showed the highest overall compliance. Sex was not a significant predictor of overall ESCCAP compliance; the only significant sex difference was observed for coprological monitoring, where female veterinarians showed higher compliance rates. These findings suggest that academic training, years of experience, and geographic region are independently associated with guideline adherence, underscoring the value of standardized national protocols and continuing education to strengthen zoonotic risk awareness among veterinarians in Mexico. Full article

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), includes clinically relevant intestinal inflammation; however, the mechanisms associated with tissue injury remain incompletely understood. ArtinM is an immunomodulatory lectin with known effects on innate and adaptive immunity, although its intestinal role during acute T. cruzi infection remains unclear. This study investigated whether ArtinM modulates the intestinal inflammatory response during acute experimental T. cruzi infection. In vivo, BALB/c mice were allocated to Saline control, T. cruzi + Saline, and T. cruzi + ArtinM groups. Intestinal inflammatory infiltrate and tissue concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12p40, and IL-10 were quantified. Acute infection markedly increased TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12p40, and inflammatory infiltrate, whereas ArtinM significantly attenuated these responses. TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12p40 remained associated with group after adjustment for infiltrate, whereas IL-10 reached statistical significance only in the adjusted model and was therefore interpreted cautiously. In parallel, an exploratory analysis of a public murine intestinal scRNA-seq dataset (GSE319934; GSM9529706 and GSM9529707), derived from a chronic infection setting, was performed to provide pathway-level context for inflammatory mediators assessed in vivo. This transcriptomic analysis indicated that related inflammatory, innate immune, chemotactic, and adhesion-associated genes were detectable in intestinal single-cell data from T. cruzi infection. However, because this dataset was not temporally matched to the acute model, it was not interpreted as a phase-matched comparator, mechanistic validation, or temporal extension of the experimental findings. Together, the results support that ArtinM treatment is associated with attenuation of acute intestinal inflammatory outcomes in experimental T. cruzi infection. Because local intestinal parasite burden was not measured, these findings should be interpreted as evidence of inflammatory modulation rather than as direct evidence of local antiparasitic activity. The public scRNA-seq analysis provides only exploratory contextual information for related inflammatory pathways. Full article

Human scabies, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, is a neglected tropical disease with a significant public health burden worldwide. This retrospective study analyzed the spatiotemporal epidemiology of scabies in Mexico from 2004 to 2024 using national surveillance data. A total of 1,500,348 cases were reported. Children were disproportionately affected, with the highest crude incidence rates in the 0–4 age group. Females had higher incidence than males across all age groups, except in the 0–4 and ≥65 years age groups. Temporal trends were assessed using joinpoint regression on age-standardized incidence rates. Joinpoint regression identified two joinpoints in 2012 and 2017 for both sexes. Among males, the age-standardized incidence rate decreased from 2004 to 2012 (APC = −5.75%), increased from 2012 to 2017 (APC = 19.00%), and decreased from 2017 to 2024 (APC = −20.86%), with an AAPC of −6.02% (p < 0.001). Among females, a similar pattern was observed (APC = −5.94%, 18.23%, and −20.83%, respectively), with an AAPC of −6.24% (p < 0.001). Both sexes showed a significant net decrease in scabies incidence over the study period, despite a transient increase between 2012 and 2017. Spatial analyses revealed statistically significant spatial clustering, with persistent hot spots in the southeast, the Yucatán Peninsula, the Gulf of Mexico coast, and the Pacific Coast. These findings highlight the persistent burden of scabies in Mexico and the need for targeted public health interventions in high-incidence regions and among vulnerable populations. Full article

Background: The lack of set up in vulnerable population settings increases inhabitant’s exposure to fecal–oral pathogens. Objectives: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two Nicaraguan Caribbean islands to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for intestinal parasitism. Methods: A total of 228 stool samples were analyzed by modified concentration technique. A structured questionnaire was used to gather variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine potential risk factors was employed. Findings: In both islands, overall prevalence of parasitism reached 88.2%. Most parasitism with protist species appeared in El Bluff compared to Rama Cay (p < 0.0001). Trichuris trichiura was the dominant helminth species in El Bluff (79.8%) while Ascaris lumbricoides was in Rama Cay (64.7%). Those who live in Rama Cay had approximately a 78.8% lower chance (odds) (0.212; 95% CI: 0.069–0.541; p = 0.002) of experiencing parasitism than those in El Bluff. The use of latrines remained as the only significant predictor for parasitism (p = 0.013). Main Conclusion: It seems that Rama Cay currently has an improvement in the sanitary facilities that could limit protist parasitism. However, using latrines was assessed as a risk factor for being infected. In addition to the existence of latrines, their proper maintenance and cleaning is necessary to prevent parasitism. Full article

Leishmaniasis causes skin ulcers to complex visceral involvement, and available treatment options for humans are highly toxic and have prolonged application schemes. So far, there are no licensed vaccines for humans, so it is necessary to develop a strategy that can prevent the development of the disease. A cellular immune response of a CD4⁺ Th1 profile is essential to eliminate intracellular Leishmania amastigotes; therefore, the identification of sequences that bind to HLA class II pockets could induce a protective immune response. This study aimed to identify CD4⁺ T epitopes from immunogenic Leishmania proteins. First, three prediction tools were used to compare 15-mer sequences throughout the complete protein sequence against 25 HLA-DR alleles using NH, SMT, CPA, CPB, and CPC proteins. Six peptides were identified as strong HLA-DR binders using the three bioinformatic prediction tools. After alignment, molecular docking analysis, and molecular dynamics, the stability and affinity of the peptide–DR4 complex were confirmed for three sequences. This bioinformatics strategy allowed a sequential screening from 1857 to three promising candidates, namely, SMT_133-148, CPA_39-54, and CPA_301-316, which increases the probability of being natural Leishmania spp. CD4⁺ T cell epitopes in humans. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between T. gondii genotypes (types I, II, III) and cases of spontaneous abortion in humans. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and ScienceDirect) were searched for studies published in the last 10 years. Observational studies evaluating T. gondii genotypes in abortion cases were included. Results: Eight cross-sectional studies were included. A pooled positivity proportion for T. gondii of approximately 20% was observed among abortion cases, with substantial heterogeneity (I² > 90%). Genotype distribution varied across studies, with types I and III being the most frequently reported. Conclusions: Available evidence suggests a possible association between T. gondii infection and spontaneous abortion; however, the role of specific genotypes remains uncertain due to limited and heterogeneous data. More multicenter studies are needed to robustly address the issue. Full article

Malaria in a Greek citizen with prior malaria history residing and working in Cameroon returning in his home country is a medical emergency warranting prompt and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. We describe a mixed malaria case of a febrile patient, a professional returning to Greece from a malaria-endemic country whose initial diagnosis was a false-negative malaria rapid diagnostic test. Subsequent alternative rapid diagnostic test, malaria thin-film blood examination and molecular diagnosis revealed mixed malaria infection from Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae. The patient was successfully treated and achieved complete clinical recovery. The case described here highlights important points regarding prompt and accurate malaria diagnosis in returning travelers in non-endemic countries, emphasizing the importance of revealing cryptic mixed malaria cases and providing molecular approaches to malaria diagnosis in combination with the gold-standard microscopy. Full article

Dengue represents a growing challenge for public health in Argentina, where entomological surveillance is essential to Aedes aegypti control interventions. However, low community participation in surveillance activities constitutes a major obstacle to these interventions. In this mixed-methods (quantitative–qualitative) study, we analyzed the reasons for reluctance to undergo household inspections in Tartagal and Puerto Iguazú between March and December 2021. A total of 9065 responses were recorded, among which the most frequent reason was the perception that inspection was unnecessary (64.2%). Four additional categories of reluctance were identified: impossibility or restriction of access to the housing unit, lack of interest in the visit, safety concerns, and other causes. Analysis using the Shannon diversity index showed homogeneity of responses in Tartagal (H′ = 0.77) and greater diversity in Puerto Iguazú (H′ = 1.59). Although most respondents reported knowing what dengue is and where the vector mosquito breeds, lack of interest in identifying breeding sites predominated in Tartagal, whereas greater willingness to collaborate was observed in Puerto Iguazú. The findings suggest that risk perception, overlap of activities, institutional recognition, and safety concerns influence community participation. Understanding these factors is key to adjusting surveillance strategies and increasing the effectiveness of vector control programs. Full article

Chagas disease and trichomoniasis are two neglected parasitic infections (NPIs) in need for new therapies that address both the toxicity and limited bioavailability impacting on the effectiveness of benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox, the only drugs available for treating the infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, as well as the resistance that Trichomonas vaginalis has developed to 5-nitroimidazoles. Herein, we report the outcomes of the primary screening of a series of eighteen quinoxaline-1,4-di-N-oxides (QdNOs) carried out against both protozoan parasites. Computational approaches revealed that these derivatives have adequate oral bioavailability and do not pose toxicity risks associated with their chemical structures. Meanwhile, biological studies disclosed that compounds 4b and 4m exhibit considerable activity against T. cruzi at the highest concentration tested, showing 4m a trypanocidal profile (IC₅₀ = 23.66 µM) similar to that of BZ (IC₅₀ = 21.66 µM), and a selectivity index (SI) > 5.32. Regarding the activity on T. vaginalis, derivative 4n stands out with an IC₅₀ value of 9.85 µM, showing no cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells. However, their potency decreases when tested over resistant parasites. Alterations in either the hydrogenosomal membrane potential or the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also explored. The findings suggest that the trichomonacidal activity of compound 4n is not mediated by a direct disruption of hydrogenosomal bioenergetics or a pro-oxidant effect. Altogether, these preliminary results support that the QdNO scaffold could be introduced as a proper template for developing novel trypanocidal and trichomonacidal agents. Full article

Tick-borne diseases pose a significant threat to global cattle production, with species displacement between ticks compounding this issue. This narrative review synthesises the literature to examine the drivers behind the expansion of the invasive Rhipicephalus microplus and its displacement of the native Rhipicephalus decoloratus in Southern Africa. We analysed the biological, ecological, environmental, and anthropogenic factors by reviewing existing scientific studies and reports. Our findings indicate that R. microplus possesses a competitive advantage due to its shorter life cycle, higher reproductive output, and greater acaricide resistance. Furthermore, anthropogenic activities such as communal grazing practices, unregulated livestock movement, and land-use changes facilitate the spread of this parasite. Climate change and vegetation shifts also create more favourable habitats for this invasive species. The conclusion is that the displacement of R. decoloratus by R. microplus intensifies the burden of tick-borne diseases, leading to substantial economic losses. Effective mitigation requires an integrated tick management approach that combines chemical, biological, and ecological strategies, supported by improved surveillance and farmer education. Full article