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Parasitologia
Special Issues
Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Human Parasitic Infections—2nd Edition
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Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Human Parasitic Infections—2nd Edition

A special issue of Parasitologia (ISSN 2673-6772).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 3516

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marcia Aparecida Speranca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: Chagas’s disease; leishmaniasis; molecular biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Aline Diniz Cabral

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Veterinary Medicine Program, Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul (USCS), São Caetano do Sul, Brazil
2. Center for Engineering, Modeling, and Applied Social Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
Interests: toxoplasmosis; trypanosomíases; epidemiology of parasitic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Anthropogenic movements result in modifications of wild natural habitats, such as the destruction of forest areas, the introduction of domestic animals, and the improvising of sanitation conditions. These changes, associated with global warming, can lead to the uncontrolled proliferation and dispersion of arthropod vectors of parasitic infectious diseases, such as malaria, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. Others parasitic diseases are associated with poor sanitation conditions, such as giardiasis, toxoplasmosis, and diseases caused by helminths and flatworms. As a result of the diversity of biomes, the investigation of eco-epidemiological and evolutionary relationships among parasites is important for the detection, prevention, and clinical management of parasitic infectious diseases.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Pathogens.

Dr. Marcia Aparecida Speranca
Dr. Aline Diniz Cabral
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Parasitologia is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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

  • parasitic infectious diseases
  • eco-epidemiology
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • clinical management
  • prevention

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1240 KB  
Article
Exploratory Toxicogenomic Analysis of Parasite-Related Th2 Immune Response
by Marina Ziliotto, José Artur Bogo Chies and Joel Henrique Ellwanger
Parasitologia 2025, 5(4), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia5040058 - 3 Nov 2025
Viewed by 306
Abstract
Helminth parasites infect mammalian hosts through complex life cycles, mostly triggering T helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses characterized by interleukin-4 (IL4), interleukin-5 (IL5), and interleukin-13 (IL13) production. Environmental chemical exposures may modulate these immune pathways, potentially affecting infection outcomes. Using The Comparative [...] Read more.
Helminth parasites infect mammalian hosts through complex life cycles, mostly triggering T helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses characterized by interleukin-4 (IL4), interleukin-5 (IL5), and interleukin-13 (IL13) production. Environmental chemical exposures may modulate these immune pathways, potentially affecting infection outcomes. Using The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), we analyzed chemical–gene interactions affecting IL4, IL5, and IL13 genes to identify chemicals capable of modulating Th2 immunity and their associated expression profiles. Accordingly, a total of 818 chemicals can interact with IL4, IL5 and/or IL13, with 145 chemicals showing the potential of affecting all three genes. These 145 chemicals include air pollutants (8.3%), allergens (2.7%), bioactive molecules (8.3%), industry-related chemicals (14.5%), medicinal drugs (21.4%), metal and metal-containing chemicals (8.3%), pesticides (3.4%), plant compounds (12.4%), and others (20.7%). We observed a greater number of chemicals associated with increased (n = 95) gene expression compared to decreased (n = 14) gene expression, suggesting a Th2 pathway hyperactivation caused by chemicals capable of affecting IL4, IL5 and IL13. Eight classes of parasitic diseases were observed among chemical-associated conditions. Environmental chemicals extensively modulate Th2 immune responses through diverse molecular mechanisms. The trend concerning upregulation of Th2 pathways may enhance antiparasitic protection but, on the other hand, could predispose individuals to allergic diseases, among other Th2-related conditions. These exploratory findings suggest that chemical pollution may influence the susceptibility and pathogenesis of helminth infections and highlight the need for the incorporation of exposome-based approaches in parasitology research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Human Parasitic Infections—2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 245 KB  
Article
Helminth and Malaria Co-Infection Among Pregnant Women in Battor and Adidome Towns of the Volta Region of Ghana
by Sarah Alhakimi, Navneet Kaur, Javeriya Choudry, Naa Adjeley Frempong, Charity Ahiabor, William K. Anyan, Abraham K. Anang and Nilanjan Lodh
Parasitologia 2025, 5(3), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia5030044 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 828
Abstract
Aim: In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 40 million pregnant women are exposed to parasitic diseases such as malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Schistosome parasites, and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). When parasitic diseases share the same habitat and overlap in distribution, then high co-infection rates [...] Read more.
Aim: In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 40 million pregnant women are exposed to parasitic diseases such as malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Schistosome parasites, and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). When parasitic diseases share the same habitat and overlap in distribution, then high co-infection rates occur. The co-infection can lead to consequences for the child, such as intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, pre-term delivery, and neonatal mortality. Methods: The objective of the study was to determine the nature and extent of coinfection from 100 samples collected from the Battor (50) and Adidome (50) towns of Ghana in collaboration with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana. Results: Out of 50 for the Adidome towns determined for P. falciparum by Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), Malaria Pan-specific Antigen (PAN), and Malaria Pf kit, 39 were true positive (TP), 8 were true negative (TN), and 30 were false negative (FN). For Battor, 19 were TP, 12 TN, and 20 FN. For S. mansoni in Adidome via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), 21 tested positive, and 29 were negative, with 52.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity. For S. haematobium, 28 were positive and 22 negative using PCR with 70% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In LAMP, 28 were positive, and 22 negatives, with 70% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In Battor PCR for S. mansoni, 28 positives and 22 negatives with 68.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In LAMP, 32 were positive, and 18 were negative, with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity. For S. haematobium, PCR showed 30 positive and 20 negative, with 73.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity. With LAMP, 21 were positive, and 29 negatives, with 51% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In both towns, 20–30 years had the highest infection prevalence for P. falciparum, S. mansoni, S. haematobium, and Strongyloides stercoralis. Conclusion: The results will be utilized as a part of the continuous surveillance for future research aiming at gathering nationally representative data in Ghana on the prevalence of coinfection and proposing interventions based on that for the vulnerable pregnant women population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Human Parasitic Infections—2nd Edition)

Review

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22 pages, 520 KB  
Review
Prevalence of Human and Animal African Trypanosomiasis in Nigeria: A Scoping Review
by Chinwe Chukwudi, Elizabeth Odebunmi and Chukwuemeka Ibeachu
Parasitologia 2025, 5(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia5040053 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1485
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease that affects both humans and animals. Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a Neglected Tropical Disease targeted for elimination in 2030. Although WHO has not reported HAT from Nigeria in the last decade, there are published studies reporting [...] Read more.
African trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease that affects both humans and animals. Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a Neglected Tropical Disease targeted for elimination in 2030. Although WHO has not reported HAT from Nigeria in the last decade, there are published studies reporting seroprevalence, parasite detection/isolation, and animal reservoirs potentially involved in HAT transmission in Nigeria. Interestingly, the burden of Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) continues to increase. In this study, we synthesized published reports on the prevalence of HAT and AAT in Nigeria from 1993–2021, the trypanosome species involved, the spread of animal reservoirs, and the variability in diagnostic methodologies employed. A scoping review was performed following the methodological framework outlined in PRISMA-ScR checklist. Sixteen eligible studies published between 1993 and 2021 were reviewed: 13 for AAT and 3 for HAT. Varying prevalence rates were recorded depending on the diagnostic methods employed. The average prevalence reported from these studies was 3.3% (HAT), and 27.3% (AAT). Diagnostic methods employed include microscopy, PCR and Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT). Cattle, pigs, and dogs were identified as carriers of human-infective trypanosomes. This study highlights the scarcity of HAT epidemiological studies/data from Nigeria, the high prevalence, complex epidemiology, limited attention and surveillance of African Trypanosomiasis in Nigeria. Remarkably, WHO records do not reflect the published data showing evidence of HAT prevalence/cases in Nigeria. Unfortunately, diagnostics challenges and unrealistic disease reporting protocols seem to limit HAT reporting from Nigeria. Therefore, adequately coordinated epidemiological surveys and targeted intervention policies are imperative to ascertain the true epidemiological status of HAT in Nigeria and prevent disease re-emergence towards achieving WHO’s elimination targets. The presence of animal carriers of human-infective trypanosomes underscores the importance of a one-health approach to combat African trypanosomiasis effectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Human Parasitic Infections—2nd Edition)
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Other

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7 pages, 375 KB  
Case Report
Abdominal Subcutaneous Dirofilariasis Due to Dirofilaria repens in a 34-Year-Old Sicilian Woman: Diagnostic Challenges and Molecular Confirmation
by Roberta Virruso, Valeria Gargano, Francesco Scarlata, Stefano Rizzuto, Antonio Vella, Rita Immordino, Teresa Fasciana, Walter Razete, Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco and Cinzia Calà
Parasitologia 2025, 5(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia5040051 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 432
Abstract
Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens is an emerging zoonotic parasitic infection increasingly observed in southern Europe. We report a case of a woman from western Sicily, who likely acquired the infection locally through a mosquito bite. The high prevalence of D. [...] Read more.
Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens is an emerging zoonotic parasitic infection increasingly observed in southern Europe. We report a case of a woman from western Sicily, who likely acquired the infection locally through a mosquito bite. The high prevalence of D. repens in the local canine population (up to 20.4%) suggests a role of dogs as a probable reservoir for transmission to humans in the local population. With ultrasound analysis being inconclusive, only after surgical removal was the presence of an adult worm evident, and only after molecular analysis through DNA sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) could a definitive D. repens infection diagnosis be obtained. This case highlights the need for enhanced vector control, animal health surveillance and public awareness to limit the transmission to humans of D. repens. A correct parasitological diagnosis would be imperative for the recognition of human cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Human Parasitic Infections—2nd Edition)
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