ACTA PARASITOLOGICA

First Detection and Molecular Characterization of Colpodella in Goats, Foxes, and Birds
Hasapis KA, Charalambidou I, Phanis CO, Kazamia S, Kassinis N, Schou C and Karanis P
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Colpodella sp. in domestic and wild animals in Cyprus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to report the detection of Colpodella sp. in foxes (Cyprus red fox Vulpes vulpes indutus), wild birds (Eurasian coot Fulica atra, duck Anas spp.) and goats (Capra hircus) worldwide.
Hennegoides Africanus sp. nov. from Kadey River in Cameroon
Onana-Ateba NO, Lekeufack-Folefack GB, Fadanka S, Berinyuy-Tata G and Fomena A
Fish are susceptible to various parasitic infections, with Myxozoa emerging as a major group. A taxonomic study of Myxozoa is essential for the rapid diagnosis of species potentially responsible for epizootic diseases.
Investigation of Betaine and Vaccine Efficacy for Coccidiosis Prevention in Broilers
Oryasin AG and Eren H
This study aimed to assess the anticoccidial effects of betaine and a vaccine compared to monensin sodium in experimentally induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens.
Expression of TNF-α, VEGF-A and Microvessel Density in Cerebral Alveolar Echinococcosis and Their Correlation with Perilesional Brain Edema
Wumier W, Abulizi A, Wu P, Jinsihan N, Wang Y, Duysenbi S and Wang Z
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is an infrequent zoonosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis with a high degree of disability and mortality. Metastatic cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (CAE) is very rare and the lesions could lead to severe perilesional brain edema (PLBE) and subsequent uncontrollable intracranial hypertension. In this study, we sought to determine the expression of edema-associated factors in CAE lesions and their associations with PLBE. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical data of 18 CAE patients who received craniotomy. Severity of PLBE was described by edema index (EI). Archived specimens were processed for immunohistochemistry to detect tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and microvessel density (MVD) in CAE lesions. Expression intensity of CAE lesions was quantified by integral optical density (IOD) or count and was compared to the control group. The results showed TNF-α and VEGF-A were significantly expressed in CAE lesions (p < 0.001), their levels were positively correlated with PLBE (TNF-α: r = 0.701, p = 0.001; VEGF-A: r = 0.803, p < 0.001). The MVD of CAE lesions had a similar expression with normal brain tissue, and it was positively correlated with PLBE and VEGF-A (PLBE: r = 0.849, p < 0.001; VEGF-A: r = 0.687, p = 0.002). In conclusion, we speculated the upregulation of TNF-α and VEGF-A induced the formation of PLBE. Besides, though there was no extra increase of MVD, it was still regulated by VEGF-A and provided a better anatomical basis for the formation of PLBE and further promoted it.
Colchicine: A Dual Therapeutic Target for Trichinellosis
Hamed EFA, Taha AA, Ghany SMA, Al-Attar AR and Fawzy EM
Trichinellosis affects around 11 million people globally. Treatments for this medical condition are limited by adverse effects and resistance, emphasising the importance of effective and safe therapies. Consequentially, we sought to study colchicine's synergistic effects with atorvastatin or acetazolamide in the treatment of Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis)-infected mice.
Association Between Plasmodium Infection and Blood Count Values: Implications for Malaria Diagnosis in Resource-Limited Settings
Seijas-Pereda L, Fernández-González P, Asare I, Asumang GO, Frimpong E, Rescalvo-Casas C, Hernando-Gozalo M and Pérez-Tanoira R
Malaria remains a major global health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), contributing substantially to mortality and morbidity rates. In resource-limited settings, access to specialized diagnostic tests is often restricted, making basic blood analysis a valuable diagnostic tool. This study investigated the correlation between malaria infection and full blood count values in a rural region of Ghana during the 2022 rainy season, aiming to highlight diagnostic insights available from routine blood analyses.
Rhanterium Epapposum Essential Oil and Its Primary Compounds Control Infection, Inflammation, and Serum Electrolyte Imbalance in Mice with Giardiasis
Alshehri ZS and Alshehri FF
The present experimental study seeks to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects, as well as the potential mechanisms of action, of Rhanterium epapposum essential oil (REE) and its main constituents against Giardia lamblia infection.
Laminated Layer Extract from Echinococcus Granulosus cyst Attenuates Ocular Damages and Inflammatory Responses in an Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis Model
Djebbara S, Belguendouz H, Soufli I, Hannachi L, Ameur F, Benazzouz S, Benkhelifa S, Terrahi M, Achour K, Amir ZC, Amri M and Touil-Boukoffa C
Since extract of the laminated layer (LL) from E. granulosus showed immuno-modulatory effects in vitro and in vivo, we sought to determine its effect on the onset, development, and evolution of experimental auto-immune uveitis (EAU). The latter is a model of some human diseases with ocular inflammation that can cause blindness.
New Henneguya Species Cause Gill Disease of Commercial Amazonian Fish
Velasco M, Xavier KC, Furtado AMM, Eduard J and Sindeaux-Neto JL
Freshwater fish are affected with much parasitic diseases, among the most common are Henneguyosis caused by myxozoans of the genus Henneguya, which exhibit great diversity in fish from South America, particularly in the Brazilian Amazon.
Effect of Arum rupicola Boiss rupicola Extracts on Visceral Larva Migrans in Mice
Akkus GN, Atalay T, Akdeniz S, Ekici H, Yildiz D, Gurcan IS and Yildiz K
In the present study, the effects of leaf and rhizome extracts of Arum rupicola Boiss rupicola were searched on the infective stage Toxocara canis larvae (L3) in the experimentally infected mice.
Approaches of Inducing Tolerance to Murine Schistosomiasis mansoni applying Biomphalaria and Bulinus Proteins
Mossalem HS, Nasr SM, Fahmy AM, Atta S and Abuelenain GL
The freshwater snails Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus trancatus are key contributors to the transmission of S. mansoni and S.haematobium, respectively, for being their intermediate hosts.
Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses of Ceratomyxa tessaloniensis n. sp. In Astyanax mexicanus De Fillipi, 1853 (Characiformes: Characidae) from the Flexal River, Tessalônica Community, Amapá, Amazon, Brazil
Cardoso S, Carvalho AA, Ferreira RLDS, Oliveira JEF, Araújo RF, Nascimento LSO, Neto JLS, Videira MN and Velasco M
This work described a new species of Ceratomyxa, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyzes of myxospores collected from the gallbladder of the fish Astyanax mexicanus.
Analysis of Seroreactivity and Seropositivity in Balb/c Mice Experimentally Infected with Toxocara canis Using Two Recombinant (rTc-CTL-1 and rTES-120) Antigens
Kavitha KT, Sreekumar C, Latha BR and Gowri AM
Toxocarosis in human beings is currently diagnosed by serological assay based on the detection of antibodies against Toxocara antigens. Toxocara canis larvae do not reach the adult stage in paratenic hosts like humans and mice. Therefore experimental infection in mice, which mimics the biology of human infection, might be relevant to get a better understanding of human toxocarosis.
Blastocystis ST1: Protein Profile and Specific Serum Immunoglobulin in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Patients
Darwish B, Aboualchamat G and Al Nahhas S
Blastocystis sp. is a common enteric human parasite, which recently has been linked to gastrointestinal disorders i.e. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and symptomatic patients (non IBS). Analyzing antibodies level in these patients could help in differential diagnosis. The current study aimed to identify the protein profile of the Blastocystis ST1 (Syrian strain: OR537347) lysates and to investigate the differences in IgG serum immunoglobulin between patients with IBS and non IBS.
Therapeutic Potential of Propolis and Royal Jelly in Encephalitozoon Intestinalis Infection: An in Vitro Study
Gülpinar DG, Polat ZA and Çetinkaya Ü
Encephalitozoon intestinalis is an obligate intracellular microsporidian fungus that causes severe gastrointestinal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Propolis (PROP), a resinous substance derived from bees, has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while royal jelly (RJ) has immunomodulatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of PROP and RJ against E. intestinalis.
Trichomoniasis in Men: A Neglected Factor in Male Infertility?
Hosseini SA, Matini M, Bahmanzadeh M, Aslani R and Foroughi-Parvar F
This study is aimed to detect the frequency of trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by an anaerobic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, in men referred to the Fertility and Infertility Research Center Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.
Impact of Experimental Congenital Toxoplasmosis on the Thyroid Gland: Histopathological and Immunobiochemical Indices Assessment
Elgawad HA, Elmehankar MS, Nabih N, Sheta H and Awad SI
The thyroid gland is one of the most vital endocrine organs. It is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of hormones principally triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones play a significant role in the functions and the metabolism of the body. The thyroid gland could be affected by several infections, among them Toxoplasma gondii. Congenital toxoplasmosis took place when the parasite reached the developing fetus and infected any nucleated cells within it. This study assessed the effect of experimental congenital toxoplasmosis on the thyroid gland structure and function.
Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Brain Tissues of Pet Birds with Neurological Symptoms Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and PCR
Neshatpour Esfahani M, Gholami-Ahangaran M and Sullivan WJ
This study seeks to close this divide by assessing the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the brain tissues of pet birds displaying neurological symptoms, utilizing Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) methods. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate and contrast the sensitivity and specificity of different diagnostic procedures. Seventy bird samples, consisting of 50 sick and 20 asymptomatic samples, were assessed using various methods. Brain tissue DNA was isolated and then analyzed using nested PCR and LAMP assays targeting the T. gondii B1 gene and RE gene. Sensitivity and specificity assessments were conducted, and statistical evaluations were made using SPSS software.
The Potential Role of Sanguinarine as an Inhibitor of Leishmania PP2C in the Induction of Apoptosis
Ornelas-Cruces M, Escalona-Montaño AR, Salaiza-Suazo N, Sifontes-Rodríguez S and Aguirre-García MM
Leishmania spp. cause a wide range of human diseases, localized skin lesions, mucocutaneous and visceral infections. In the present study, the aim was to investigate the potential role of sanguinarine as a specific inhibitor of Leishmania PP2C that can induce apoptosis in the parasite. The results demonstrated that sanguinarine inhibits, in a dose-dependent mode at 72 h, the growth and phosphatase activity of both Leishmania major and Leishmania mexicana promastigotes. Therefore, all assays were performed from this time period onwards. TUNEL assay was used to identify apoptosis and indicated apoptosis in L. major and L. mexicana promastigotes. Similarly, Western blot assay showed that PARP, a DNA damage indicator molecule, was present in L. major and L. mexicana promastigotes incubated with the inhibitor. In addition, differential expression of the proapoptotic protein Bax and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was observed in both Leishmania species. Finally, the protein phosphatase PP2C expression was not affected, whereas p38 MAPK phosphorylation was increased in L. major promastigotes than in L. mexicana promastigotes. Therefore, sanguinarine proved to be an inhibitor of the growth and PP2C enzymatic activity of L. major and L. mexicana promastigotes, and with it, this inhibition induced apoptosis.
Toxoplasma gondii Infection in the Male Reproductive System: A Systematic Review
Tabares Tejada P and Cardona Maya WD
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide widespread parasitic infection; it affects about 30% of the global population, either through acute toxoplasmosis or its sequels. Even though the male reproductive system is not the primary target for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), studies have inquired into the possibility of presenting repercussions in this system directly or indirectly due to toxoplasmosis. Therefore, this systematic literature review aims to summarize the available evidence on the effects of infection caused by T. gondii on the male reproductive tract.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Anaplasma marginale in Water Buffaloes in Nile Delta of Egypt
Gattan HS, Marzok M, AlJabr OA, Alruhaili MH, Salem M and Selim A
Bovine anaplasmosis is a major tick-borne disease in ruminants, resulting in significant economic loss for the dairy sector. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale) in buffaloes in three governorates in Nile Delta of Egypt.