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Microorganisms
Special Issues
The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology
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The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 11520

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Tudor Rares Olariu

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
Interests: toxoplasmosis; epidemiology; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the prevalence and epidemiology of parasitic infections and their impact on public health. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the global burden of parasitic diseases and the associated risks that they pose to populations around the world.

The articles featured in this Special Issue cover a wide range of topics, including the identification and characterization of different parasite species, the geographical distribution of infections, transmission dynamics, and risk factors.

Overall, by exploring the epidemiology of parasitic infections, this Special Issue aims to enhance our knowledge of parasitic diseases, inform public health authorities, and contribute to the development of effective prevention as well as control measures.

Prof. Dr. Tudor Rares Olariu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • parasite
  • epidemiology
  • public health
  • transmission dynamics
  • risk factor

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1154 KiB  
Article
Molecular Epidemiology of Cryptosporidiosis on Lamb and Goat Kid Farms in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (Spain)
by María Cristina Del Río, Sergio Martín, Joaquín Quílez, José Manuel Molina, Otilia Ferrer, José Adrián Molina, Adrián Melián and Antonio Ruiz
Microorganisms 2025, 13(3), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030644 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 455
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse and characterise Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep and goats in Gran Canaria (Spain) and to identify the risks and economic factors related to the disease. During sampling, a semi-structured survey was conducted with farmers, and faecal [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyse and characterise Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep and goats in Gran Canaria (Spain) and to identify the risks and economic factors related to the disease. During sampling, a semi-structured survey was conducted with farmers, and faecal samples were collected from lambs, goat kids, sheep, and adult goats from a total of 30 farms. Adult samples were examined microscopically for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, with only three positive samples being found in sheep and one in goats. The PCR of the SSU rRNA gene was performed on all juvenile and adult samples, and positive samples from lambs (8.3%), sheep (6.9%), goat kids (23.3%), and goats (2.5%) were subjected to sequencing, detecting three of the most important species in small ruminants: C. parvum, C. xiaoi, and C. ubiquitum. By sequencing the GP60 PCR products, two subtypes of C. parvum belonging to the IId family were identified, IIdA16G1 and IIdA23G1, with the latter being the most frequent. Although the prevalence of the disease was not very high, the zoonotic potential of C. parvum and the limited awareness of the parasite among farmers make surveillance and health education focused on the control of this member of Apicomplexa necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology)
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14 pages, 776 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Reported Cases of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. Infection in Children from Aragón (Northeast Spain) During the Period (2012–2021)
by Laura Lafarga-Molina, Encarnación Rubio, Cristina Seral, Antonio Rezusta, Pilar Egido Lizán, Carmen Malo Aznar, Josep-Oriol Casanovas-Marsal, María Teresa Fernández Rodrigo and Pilar Goñi
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020298 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1006
Abstract
Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, caused by Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp., are parasitic infections transmitted through faecal–oral routes or contaminated water. Although less common in Spain compared to developing countries, they pose a public health concern, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and immunocompromised [...] Read more.
Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, caused by Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp., are parasitic infections transmitted through faecal–oral routes or contaminated water. Although less common in Spain compared to developing countries, they pose a public health concern, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and immunocompromised individuals. This study aims to analyse the cases reported to the Microbiological Information System (MIS) in children between 2012 and 2021, as well as their distribution across sociodemographic variables. Proportions and infectivity rates were determined for epidemiological and sociodemographic data, and the incidence rate for giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis was calculated annually and by health sector. The variables analysed included sex, age, health sector and weather. For both diseases, there was a significant decrease in the number of cases in 2020, suggesting the importance of person-to-person transmission. Children were infected by Giardia in significantly higher proportion (p < 0.001), being the majority in age groups 5–14 years, while the proportion of boys and girls infected by Cryptosporidium was almost identical (1.4% vs. 1.3%), in children aged 2–4 years. Periodically there was a significant increase in cases of cryptosporidiosis, apparently related to the presence of torrential rains. Transmission is related to increased temperature and rainfall. Person-to-person transmission in the paediatric population needs further investigation. This study provides the foundation for future research on the evolution of cases of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in Spanish children. The data emphasise the need for informational campaigns on hygienic measures and efforts by public health authorities to maintain water resources in optimal condition to prevent parasite spread. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology)
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12 pages, 2924 KiB  
Article
Molecular Identification and Drug Susceptibility of Leishmania spp. Clinical Isolates Collected from Two Regions of Oaxaca, Mexico
by Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez, Ada Sarai Martin del Campo-Colín, Luis Roberto Domínguez-Díaz, Ana Livia Posadas-Jiménez, Félix Matadamas-Martínez and Lilián Yépez-Mulia
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020220 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 771
Abstract
Pentavalent antimonials are the first line for leishmaniasis treatment, although they induce many adverse side effects and treatment failure and parasite resistance have been detected. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the main clinical manifestation of the disease in Oaxaca State, Mexico; however, its presence is [...] Read more.
Pentavalent antimonials are the first line for leishmaniasis treatment, although they induce many adverse side effects and treatment failure and parasite resistance have been detected. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the main clinical manifestation of the disease in Oaxaca State, Mexico; however, its presence is under-registered, and information about the Leishmania species that circulate and cause the disease in the region is limited. In this study, the presence of Leishmania was analyzed in 24 skin smears and 2 biopsies from lesions suspicious for leishmaniasis in inhabitants of the Tehuantepec Isthmus and Papaloapan Basin regions, Oaxaca State. By ITS1-PCR, the species of clinical isolates were identified. Moreover, the susceptibility of clinical isolates to leishmanicidal drugs was assessed. Skin smears were negative for the presence of Leishmania spp.; meanwhile, parasite amastigotes were observed in tissue biopsies; however, by ITS1-PCR, 46% of the samples were determined to be positive for the parasite. Six clinical isolates were identified as L. mexicana and had lower susceptibility to Miltefosine and Amphotericin B than the L. mexicana reference strain. No leishmanicidal activity of Glucantime was detected. Further studies with increased patient sample sizes and genotypic studies will describe in detail parasite susceptibility to reference drugs in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology)
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15 pages, 2282 KiB  
Article
Molecular and Serological Detection of Vector-Borne Pathogens Responsible for Equine Piroplasmosis in Europe between 2008 and 2021
by Carla Wiebke Axt, Andrea Springer, Christina Strube, Clarissa Jung, Torsten J. Naucke, Elisabeth Müller and Ingo Schäfer
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040816 - 17 Apr 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2140
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Theileria (T.) equi and/or Babesia (B.) caballi. The aim was to assess the percentage of positive test results for EP in horses in Europe and to identify risk factors for pathogen contact/infection. [...] Read more.
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Theileria (T.) equi and/or Babesia (B.) caballi. The aim was to assess the percentage of positive test results for EP in horses in Europe and to identify risk factors for pathogen contact/infection. This study included results from PCR and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing requested by European veterinarians between 2008 and 2021. Binary bivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors. A total of 4060 horses were included. PCR testing was positive in 9.7% (154/1589), serology for T. equi in 15.2% (393/2591) and for B. caballi in 6.8% (175/2578). The odds of positive serology increased by 6.8% (B. caballi, p = 0.008) and 9.5% (T. equi, p < 0.001) each year. Regionality had a statistically significant impact on PCR (Eastern p = 0.047/OR = 1.605; Southern p = 0.029/OR = 1.451; Central p = 0.007/OR = 0.617) and serological testing for T. equi (Southern p < 0.001/OR = 2.521; Central p < 0.001/OR = 0.537; Northern p = 0.003/OR = 0.462), as well as breeds on seroprevalence of B. caballi (heavy horses: p = 0.016/OR = 2.239) and T. equi (ponies: p = 0.007/OR = 0.340; warmbloods: p = 0.025/OR = 1.602). In conclusion, there was a significant geographical impact on the results of PCR and serology, consistent with known vector habitats. The rising numbers of horses tested serologically positive highlights the importance of surveillance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology)
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13 pages, 3359 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Genotyping of Water- and Food-Borne Parasitic Protozoans (Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp.) in Hospitalized Patients from Northwestern Romania
by Angela Monica Ionică, Anca Ieremia, Zsuzsa Kalmár, Mihaela Lupșe, Mirela Flonta, Monica Muntean, Cristina Cismaru, Melinda Horvat, Amanda Rădulescu, Adriana Topan, Cristian Jianu, Georgiana Deak and Violeta Briciu
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040762 - 10 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1706
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are important zoonotic protozoan pathogens that infect the gastro-intestinal tract of numerous vertebrates, including humans, and both parasites are responsible for water- or food-borne outbreaks of disease worldwide. Although, globally, both parasites are highly prevalent, particularly in developing countries, [...] Read more.
Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are important zoonotic protozoan pathogens that infect the gastro-intestinal tract of numerous vertebrates, including humans, and both parasites are responsible for water- or food-borne outbreaks of disease worldwide. Although, globally, both parasites are highly prevalent, particularly in developing countries, epidemiological data from Romania are scarce, and genotyping has rarely been performed. The aims of the present study were to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in patients hospitalized in Northwestern Romania in relation to clinical and paraclinical presentation and to identify the relative frequency of non-specific symptoms and potential risk factors. Between June 2022 and January 2024, 426 fecal samples were screened for gastro-intestinal parasites by rapid tests and microscopical examination, further confirmed by PCR and sequencing. Giardia duodenalis was detected and characterized in 12 samples (2.82%), while Cryptosporidium parvum was confirmed in four samples (0.94%). A majority of positive patients were symptomatic and reported nausea and vomiting with a significantly higher frequency compared to negative ones. This study provides new insights into the epidemiological status and clinical implications of gastro-intestinal parasite species and genospecies in Romania that are necessary for an in-depth understanding of the potential zoonotic transmission and improvement of patient care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology)
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13 pages, 586 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors Associated with Toxoplasma gondii in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from Western Romania
by Angela Dragomir, Maria Alina Lupu, Cosmin Gheorghe Maciuceanu, Liana Maria Chicea and Tudor Rares Olariu
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040673 - 28 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
Background: Limited data are available in the existing literature regarding the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection among cardiovascular patients. We aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of T. gondii infection and associated risk factors among Romanian cardiovascular patients. Methods: Serologic testing was conducted [...] Read more.
Background: Limited data are available in the existing literature regarding the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection among cardiovascular patients. We aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of T. gondii infection and associated risk factors among Romanian cardiovascular patients. Methods: Serologic testing was conducted in 1205 patients with cardiovascular diseases to demonstrate the presence of T. gondii antibodies. An avidity test was performed in patients with detectable IgG and IgM antibodies. A structured questionnaire was designed to identify the potential risk factors associated with T. gondii. Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was 52.1%, with the highest value observed in patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (66.66%) and the lowest in patients with myopericarditis (30.0%). The 11 patients found with detectable IgM and IgG antibodies had a high avidity test result. A patient’s area of residence, gender, educational level, owning dogs, owning any pet, and toxoplasmosis awareness were significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity in multiple logistic regression analyses. Conclusions: This study provides novel and valuable insights into the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii among Romanian cardiovascular patients. Our findings reiterate the importance of toxoplasmosis awareness and health education for better control and prevention of infection with T. gondii. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Global Burden of Parasitic Diseases: Prevalence and Epidemiology)
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