Search Results (970)

Many biting midge species of the genus Culicoides Latreille are significant pests and vectors that transmit diverse parasites to humans and other animals. However, knowledge of these hematophagous insects in Laos remains limited, with the most recent information reported more than four decades ago. In this study, we investigated Culicoides species diversity, DNA barcoding and host blood sources using specimens collected across seven provinces in northern, central, and southern Laos. A total of 4592 specimens were collected, comprising 3095 females and 1497 males. Morphological identification, complemented by DNA barcode analysis, revealed 26 species (24 named and 2 unnamed), including five (three named and two unnamed) new country records. Culicoides peregrinus was the most abundant species, representing 25.7% (1179 individuals), followed by C. oxystoma at 23.8% (1093 individuals), and C. arakawae/C. mahasarakhamense, which together comprised 18.5% (849 individuals) of the total specimens. DNA barcode analysis demonstrated that this genetic marker is effective for species identification of Culicoides in Laos. Of the 115 COI sequences, 103 (89.6%) were successfully matched with conspecifics in the BOLD database. Cryptic genetic diversity was detected in three species, C. clavipalpis, C. palpifer, and C. huffi, with two, two, and three divergent lineages, respectively. Host blood meal analysis revealed that chickens and domestic water buffalo were the most common blood sources for the investigated Culicoides species. These findings provide important baseline information for future studies on the pest and vectorial roles of Culicoides in Laos. Full article

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in blood donors from the Brazilian Semiarid region, and to explore its implications for transfusion safety. Samples were collected from 646 donors at blood donation centers in the states of Ceará and Paraíba. Serological diagnosis was performed using BIOLISA TOXOPLASMOSE ELISA kits for anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies, and molecular diagnosis was conducted by conventional PCR targeting a 529-bp noncoding repetitive fragment. Epidemiological questionnaires on variables associated with infection were administered, and statistical analysis was performed in univariate and multivariate stages, using multiple logistic regression. Among the 646 donors, 43.4% (281/646) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, 0.3% (2/646) for IgM antibodies, and none tested positive by PCR. In the univariate analysis, age, family income, educational level, salad washing practices, water source, raw milk consumption, and duration as a donor were significantly associated, whereas in the multivariate analysis only “age” and “salad washing practices” remained significant. A substantial IgG seroprevalence was observed among blood donors in the Brazilian Semiarid. The low IgM frequency, concurrent IgG positivity, and negative PCR results are consistent with a low transfusion risk in the region. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, as negative PCR results do not completely rule out the presence of circulating parasites. Age was identified as a risk factor, whereas proper salad washing showed a protective effect. Full article

Blood-borne parasites, including Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Anaplasma spp., pose significant threats to buffalo health and productivity, highlighting the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance in endemic regions such as Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence of hemoparasites and characterize the genetic diversity of Theileria orientalis in swamp buffaloes from Northeast Thailand. A total of 176 blood samples were analyzed using genus- and species-specific PCR assays. Samples positive for T. orientalis were subjected to DNA sequencing of the MPSP gene, followed by haplotype and phylogenetic analyses. Overall, 19.3% (95% CI: 13.8–25.9) of samples were positive for at least one hemoparasite. The prevalence of T. orientalis, Babesia bigemina, and B. bovis was 15.9%, 3.4%, and 2.3%, respectively. Notably, all B. bovis infections occurred as co-infections with T. orientalis. Anaplasma spp. showed the lowest prevalence (1.7%), comprising A. marginale 0.6% and A. platys 1.1%. Sequence analysis of T. orientalis revealed significant genetic diversity within the population. Subsequent phylogenetic and pairwise distance analyses identified four distinct genotypes including Type 7, which was found to be predominant, followed by Type 5, Type N2 and Type 4. This study provides molecular evidence of hemoparasite infections and highlights the complex genetic diversity of T. orientalis in Thai water buffaloes. The co-circulation of multiple genotypes and co-infections underscore the need for improved epidemiological monitoring and targeted control strategies in the region. Full article

Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) caused by Leishmania infantum is increasingly recognized in endemic areas, but factors influencing susceptibility in cats remain incompletely understood. Because blood group antigens may modulate host–pathogen interactions, this study evaluated whether feline AB blood system phenotypes are associated with L. infantum seropositivity and/or molecular positivity in cats from Italy. Exploratory analyses further assessed whether blood phenotype was associated with the magnitude of indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) antibody titres or with real-time PCR (qPCR) parasite load. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, cats were classified as L. infantum-positive when they had an IFAT titre ≥1:80 and/or a positive qPCR on blood or lymph node aspirates. Feline AB blood typing was performed by tube agglutination, with type B and AB samples confirmed by immunochromatographic testing and back typing. A total of 706 cats were included. Overall, 67/706 cats (9.5%) were classified as L. infantum-positive. Blood phenotype distribution was 83.1% type A, 10.1% type B, and 6.8% type AB. L. infantum positivity was detected in all three phenotypes, and no evidence of association was found between blood phenotype and L. infantum positivity, IFAT seropositivity, qPCR positivity, IFAT titre, or qPCR parasite load. After adjustment for region, blood phenotype remained not significantly associated with L. infantum positivity. These findings suggest that feline AB blood system phenotypes were not associated with L. infantum infection in this feline cohort. Future studies should investigate whether blood phenotype may influence other aspects of FeL, such as clinical expression or disease outcome. Full article

Objectives: Patients with thalassemia major are at high risk of developing blood-borne infections, including toxoplasmosis, due to their dependence on frequent blood transfusions and underlying immune system disorders. This study was designed to investigate this hidden risk and provide data for policymaking in blood transfusion services in a region with a high endemicity. Methods: A total of 300 blood samples from thalassemia patients in northern Iran were collected. Serological testing was conducted to detect IgG and IgM antibodies. DNA extraction followed, with molecular screening performed via PCR. Finally, genotyping of T. gondii was carried out using nested PCR focused on the GRA6 gene. Results: The serological analysis revealed 59.7% of patients exhibited IgG against T. gondii, while only 0.6% tested positive for IgM. The results of the molecular screening revealed 2.7% of patients had DNA of T. gondii. The results of genetic analysis showed 75% had type II, 12.5% had type I, and 12.5% belonged to type III. Conclusions: This study provides serological and molecular evidence of a high chronic Toxoplasma gondii burden in thalassemia patients from northern Iran, an endemic region. A significant association between blood transfusion history and seropositivity, along with parasite DNA detection, suggests elevated exposure risk, though direct transfusion transmission remains unproven. Finding’s support integrating nested PCR with routine serology for diagnosing infection in this population. Full article

Angiostrongyliasis, the primary cause of eosinophilic meningitis, represents an emerging disease caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae, inadvertently transmitted to humans. The diagnosis of human angiostrongyliasis relies on epidemiological features, clinical symptoms, medical history, and laboratory findings, notably hyper eosinophilia in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Consequently, accurate diagnosis is challenging and prone to confusion with other parasitic diseases. The quest for an early, rapid, and specific diagnostic test for angiostrongyliasis persists, driven by the imperative for enhanced test specificity. This study focused on mapping IgM epitopes on galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-2 (Gal-2) proteins derived from A. cantonensis. The specificity of the epitopes was assessed using database homology analysis. After selecting specific epitopes, researchers chemically synthesized 12 individual multi-antigen peptides (MAPs4) and one chimeric polypeptide that is 65 amino acids long. The effectiveness of these synthesized peptides was subsequently evaluated using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). A total of twelve unique IgM epitopes were discovered; five were linked to Gal-1, while seven were linked to Gal-2. An ELISA-peptide method confirmed the twelve epitopes, and then the chimeric polypeptide was employed as an antigen to coat ELISA plates. This setup was evaluated with patients’ sera to diagnose strongyloidiasis in vitro. This study provides a comprehensive representation of the IgM epitopes of Gal-1 and Gal-2 from A. cantonensis. ELISA data utilizing the chimeric polypeptide demonstrate that the selected sequences hold promise for the development of a specific immunological assay tailored for the acute diagnosis of angiostrongyliasis infections. Full article

Transmission of malaria by blood transfusion is rare in non-endemic countries but can lead to serious complications in blood recipients. Increasing travel to and immigration from regions at risk for tropical diseases poses a challenge to blood donation services, which are striving to reduce the number of blood donor deferrals while ensuring a high level of blood safety. National guidelines of the Blood Transfusion Service of the Swiss Red Cross demand that donors at risk are serologically tested for malaria antibodies. Here, we summarize the numbers of malaria tests performed and the results obtained since the introduction of mandatory testing in Switzerland in 2007. From malaria-positive donors, information on travels to endemic areas and place of origin, or if malaria symptoms were experienced and if prophylaxis was taken, was requested in a post-donation questionnaire. Full article

Background: Dirofilaria spp. is an etiological agent of dirofilariasis, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease of increasing zoonotic concern in Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Dirofilaria spp. in dogs from Southern Poland using retrospective data from a commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory (Vetlab, Katowice, Poland). Methods: Blood tests from 2060 dogs were analyzed between 1 August 2018 and 31 December 2022. All samples were collected by the clinicians during routine veterinary activity and examined by a specific test—microscopic (blood smear/blood smear and Knott’s test), molecular or both—from the Vetlab laboratory offer (test selected by clinician). Results: Out of all examined dogs, 19 (0.92%) tested positive for Dirofilaria. Positive samples originated from the Śląskie (n = 13), Opolskie (n = 3), and Małopolskie (n = 3) voivodeships. Co-infections with Babesia spp. and Anaplasma spp. were identified in two blood samples. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the presence of Dirofilaria spp. in dogs from Southern Poland, a region where data about dirofilariasis cases remain limited. Its overall occurrence was low in comparison to endemic areas in Central Poland. However, the presence of confirmed cases highlights the need for increased veterinary awareness, implementation of preventive measures, and further molecular epidemiological studies to better evaluate the risk of exposure to Dirofilaria in this region. Full article

Colpodella spp. are phylogenetically related to apicomplexans such as Plasmodium spp., Babesia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. Colpodella spp. are free-living protists that prey on bodonids, ciliates, and algae using myzocytosis. Colpodella spp. cause human and animal infections known as colpodellosis, with transmission via ticks across different geographic areas on different continents. Colpodella spp. DNA has been detected in ticks, the biting fly Stomoxys indicus and vertebrate samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ticks transmit zoonotic pathogens, and the identification of Colpodella spp. in animals poses a major public health risk due to human and animal encounters exposing humans to tick bites. However, it is unclear if ticks are confirmed vectors for Colpodella spp., since tick vector competence and capacity for Colpodella spp. transmission has not been experimentally demonstrated. Human cases of colpodellosis have involved three cases of blood infection, a fourth case of tickborne infection, and a fifth case of urinary tract infection. In this narrative review, the occurrence of Colpodella spp. in ticks that transmit zoonotic pathogens will be reviewed. Differences in the disease presentations and symptoms of colpodellosis in tickborne infections will be discussed. The pattern of Colpodella spp. coinfections with piroplasms and Cryptosporidium spp. will be evaluated. The pressing need for morphological identification of Colpodella spp. to assist proper characterization of the different species identified in arthropods and vertebrate hosts will be highlighted. Full article

Yak diarrhea is a major health concern in high-altitude regions, yet data are lacking in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a key yak-producing area in China. This study aimed to describe the prevalence, mortality, seasonal patterns, and pathogen profiles of yak diarrhea in Ganzi Prefecture. Between 2017 and 2024, surveys were conducted across 5 counties, involving 5 cooperatives and 62 households. Fecal and blood samples were collected from healthy (n = 1805) and diarrheic yaks (n = 189) for pathogen detection. Among 1.9066 million yaks, breeding females accounted for 48.48% and calves 26.32%. Diarrhea prevalence was 12.22% in adult yaks and 20.91% in calves, with mortality rates of 15.71% and 28.29%, respectively. Cases peaked in spring and winter. Pathogen detection in healthy yaks revealed intestinal parasites (43.26%) and BVDV (2.33%). In diarrheic yaks, higher rates were observed for intestinal parasites (46.56%), E. coli (10.05%), Salmonella (10.58%), BVDV (22.75%), and Theileria (25.40%). Mixed infections were common. These findings provide a descriptive baseline for guiding region-specific control strategies. Full article

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) is a plant species with a multitude of uses in medicine, food science and agriculture. Xanthohumol, the major prenylflavonoid in hop cone extract, possesses anti-cancer activity. Xanthohumol also exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., S. aureus), but not against Gram-negative bacteria. Xanthohumol can reduce blood glucose levels and body fat in obese male rats (not females), and mature hop bitter acids (MHBAs) have been found to decrease visceral and abdominal human fat. Xanthohumol can increase bone mineral density, decrease osteoclast numbers, and protect osteoblasts from oxidative stress in osteoporotic mice. Further clinical research, xanthohumol and bitter acids could be sourced from hop cone extracts to formulate novel drugs that can successfully treat a variety of diseases and potentially replace current therapies that have negative effects. In the food industry, hop cone extracts are mainly used in the brewing industry, with 98% of the world’s hop cones being used in brewing beer. Hop cone extracts are also used as food/drink preservatives due to their antimicrobial abilities, as previously mentioned, although there is less of a need for hops in extending food/drink shelf-life. Finally, hop cone extracts have several uses in agriculture, mainly as pesticides. For example, hop extracts can kill varroa mites, a parasite that impairs honeybee health. This benefits honeybee farmers as increased bee survival means more honey production, increasing profits. Overall, this review paper brings together recent studies that highlight hop extracts as valuable bioactive compound mixtures with many useful applications. Full article

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects virtually all warm-blooded animals, progressing through acute and chronic stages. The Akt/mTOR signaling axis plays critical roles in cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism, making it a key target for intracellular pathogens. This study investigated how T. gondii infection modulates this pathway during both infections. Outbred CD-1 mice were infected intraperitoneally with the virulent GT1 strain of T. gondii. Mice for acute studies were sacrificed five days post-infection, while those for chronic studies were treated with sulfadiazine and sacrificed five months post-infection. Phosphoprotein expression of eight Akt/mTOR pathway components was measured in liver tissues using a multiplexed bead-based immunoassay. Acute T. gondii infection caused broad suppression of Akt/mTOR signaling, with 6 of 8 markers significantly downregulated, including pS6RP^Ser235/236, pAKT^S473, pBAD^Ser136, pIRS1^S636/639, pPTEN^Ser380, and pGSK-3α/β^Ser21/9. In contrast, chronic infection related to cyst burden selectively activates specific nodes of the pathway, including pBAD^Ser136, pmTOR^Ser2448, and pGSK-3α/β^Ser21/9. Infection induced strong correlations between inter-components, which reflect coherent and coordinated pathway-level reprogramming rather than random perturbation. These findings show that acute and chronic T. gondii infections have opposing effects on host Akt/mTOR signaling for their own benefit, which may present new therapeutic targets. Full article

Spinal infections in general, and infectious spondylodiscitis in particular, are increasingly diagnosed in the Western world, in recent decades. This rise in incidence is associated with an ageing population and with an increased availability of accurate diagnostic modalities. Even so, due to the non-specific nature of clinical manifestations, and of the implicated blood and serum markers, there is a risk of underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of the disease in its initial stages. Ionizing radiation methods, such as plain radiography (X-ray) and computed tomography (CT), are also not reliable in the early stages of the diseases, and the golden standard of imagistic diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is not always available or requested. Still, MRI remains the most reliable method in most cases where there is a need for differential diagnosis with other pathologies, namely Andersson lesions, destructive spondyloarthropathy, erosive osteochondritis, micro-crystalline spondylitis, Modic 1 lesion, Charcot spinal arthropathy, osteoporotic fractures, SAPHO syndrome with spinal involvement, and Schmorl’s nodes. Infectious spondylodiscitis is caused by bacteria, and, less frequently, by fungi. Rare cases of parasitic causes have also been reported in the literature. Infectious spondylodiscitis of bacterial causes may be pyogenic, more frequently caused by Staphylococcus spp. or Streptococcus spp., or granulomatous, usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) or from classical brucellosis. In all these cases, therapy may be conservative, with antibiotics, or surgical, when the former fails or in patients with significant spinal instability or other neurological manifestations. There are various surgical approaches, each with its own drawbacks, and usually used according to the preference of the attending physician. Even in cases of surgical treatment, antibiotic administration is prolonged, and it is important for a proper scheme to be selected based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing. However, given that in many cases, the causative agent cannot be identified, empirical treatment must be initiated. Finally, newer approaches, including the incorporation of antimicrobial substances, may offer better solutions for improving treatment and rehabilitation outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: The widespread emergence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum continues to drive the search for new quinoline-based antimalarial agents capable of retaining efficacy against resistant parasites. This study aimed to evaluate a series of synthetic quinoline derivatives incorporating arylnitro and aminochalcone moieties for their antiplasmodial activity and selectivity. Methods: A series of eighteen synthetic quinoline derivatives were evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum strains (3D7, K1, and Dd2), along with cytotoxicity in mammalian cells and hemolytic activity in human red blood cells. Structure–activity relationship analysis was performed, and molecular docking studies were conducted against β-hematin and the chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT). Results: Several compounds exhibited sub-micromolar activity against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain. The most potent compound (Compound 14), a nitro-substituted N-alkylated quinoline bearing a CF₃-enriched aromatic chalcone framework, demonstrated high potency and selectivity (IC₅₀ = 0.13 μM; SI = 1132.92). Importantly, this compound retained substantial activity against multidrug-resistant K1 and Dd2 strains, displaying lower resistance indices than chloroquine. Structure–activity relationship analysis revealed that nitro substitution, N-alkylation, and halogen/CF₃-rich aromatic features critically influence potency and selectivity. Docking studies suggested that Compound 14 engages both β-hematin and PfCRT more extensively than chloroquine. Conclusions: These findings identify Compound 14 as a promising lead scaffold for further optimization toward next-generation antimalarial agents. Full article

Avian haemosporidian parasites, especially Plasmodium juxtanucleare, Leucocytozoon caulleryi, and Leucocytozoon sabrazesi, represent major threats to poultry health and production. However, there is limited epidemiological information about these pathogens in domestic chickens in Southern China, which hinders effective disease prevention and control. The objective of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional survey to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of these three parasites in Guangxi and Hunan Provinces between June 2024 and December 2025. A total of 941 blood samples were collected from domestic chickens and analyzed using both nested PCR targeting the cytb gene and species-specific PCR assays targeting the coxI gene. The overall detection rate of haemosporidian infection was 25.40% (239/941). P. juxtanucleare was the most commonly detected species, with a detection rate of 23.59% (222/941), followed by L. caulleryi at 1.81% (17/941), while no L. sabrazesi infections were identified. Analysis of risk factors showed that chickens older than 90 days had significantly higher detection rates for both P. juxtanucleare and L. caulleryi compared to younger birds. Additionally, breed-specific differences were noted, with black-bone and partridge chickens showing higher susceptibility to P. juxtanucleare than three-yellow chickens. Genetic analysis of coxI sequences demonstrated high conservation among P. juxtanucleare isolates (99.7–100% similarity) and complete identity among L. caulleryi strains. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all sequences clustered with the corresponding reference strains from GenBank. This study presents an epidemiological evaluation of these three haemosporidian parasites in domestic chickens from Guangxi and Hunan Provinces, identifying P. juxtanucleare as a widespread pathogen and highlighting age and breed as important risk factors. These results emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and targeted control measures in the area. Full article