Parasitic Helminths and Control Strategies

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 198

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa—UFV, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
Interests: control of helminths; biological control; parasites; nematophagous fungi; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: control of helminths; biological control; parasites; nematophagous fungi; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Pathogens aims to collect current information on parasitic helminths and control strategies in animals and humans. Helminthosis represents a global problem that is commonly addressed under the umbrella of neglected tropical diseases and has not only been attributed to financial losses, but also to losses caused by damage to animal and human health. This is very important under the concept of “One Health” and the relationship with the zoonotic aspects that involve the various diseases caused by helminths. The collection of data is necessary with the use of biotechnological or customary tools to establish the updated prevalence, which is important to determine the reality of each location and can indicate whether the control measures adopted are effective or even whether the unprecedented reports may indicate the growth of one of these agents.
Pathological mechanisms and lesions caused by these agents can also indicate the various damages related to them. Among the advances for the control strategies of helminthosis are biological control, vaccines, resistant breeds, nanotechnology, chemicals, and even new phytotherapeutic anthelmintics. This Special Issue aims to present the parasitic helminths and control strategies in animals and humans. We, therefore, invite our colleagues to send in their work so that we can fulfil this objective.

Dr. Jackson Victor de Araújo
Prof. Dr. Luís Madeira de Carvalho
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • control of helminthosis
  • biological control
  • vaccines
  • resistant breeds
  • diagnostics of helminths
  • epidemiology of helminths
  • chemical and phytotherapeutic anthelmintics
  • One Health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

32 pages, 456 KiB  
Review
Emerging Approaches to Anthelmintic Therapy Using Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals: A Review of Natural Products Against Strongyloidiasis
by Julio López-Abán, Belén Vicente-Santiago, Guadalupe Gutiérrez-Soto, Nancy Edith Rodríguez-Garza, Miroslava Kačániová, Iosvany López-Sandin, Cesar Iván Romo-Sáenz, Juan Manuel Ballesteros-Torres, Lucio Galaviz-Silva, Uziel Castillo-Velázquez, Stefania Garzoli and Joel Horacio Elizondo-Luévano
Pathogens 2025, 14(9), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14090842 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025
Abstract
Strongyloidosis is a parasitic disease caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, a nematode with a complex life cycle that facilitates long-term persistence within the host. The infection affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions and poses a particular challenge in immunocompromised individuals. [...] Read more.
Strongyloidosis is a parasitic disease caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, a nematode with a complex life cycle that facilitates long-term persistence within the host. The infection affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions and poses a particular challenge in immunocompromised individuals. Although conventional treatments, such as ivermectin and albendazole, are generally effective, emerging concerns regarding drug resistance and adverse effects have prompted the search for alternative therapeutic options. In this context, natural products—including plant extracts, bioactive phytochemicals, and nanoparticle-based formulations derived from natural sources—are emerging as promising anti-Strongyloides potential. This review summarizes recent studies on natural products with anthelmintic activity against strongyloidiasis, with emphasis on their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and future perspectives. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using terms related to Strongyloides, plant species, extracts, and bioactive compounds with nematocidal activity. Eligible studies included those reporting the activity of plants, plant extracts, and their purified metabolites against Strongyloides spp. Data were compiled into a comprehensive table including year of publication, author, plant species, active principle, application conditions, and target nematode species. The pharmacological treatment of this parasite varies according to its life cycle stage. Various biomolecules, phytoactive compounds, and novel plant-based formulations have demonstrated promising activity and may be considered both for treatment and for inclusion in control programs for strongyloidiasis. This review highlights medicinal plants and phytochemicals with ethnopharmacological background and experimentally validated activity against Strongyloides spp., integrating evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and experimental models, as well as clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Helminths and Control Strategies)
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