Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, remains an endemic yet insufficiently documented zoonotic disease in Algeria. This study provides the first nationwide systematic review and meta-analysis summarizing epidemiological data from 2003 to 2024 in humans and animals, as no relevant studies were available prior to 2003. A systematic search of nine databases (last updated: February 2025) was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined eligibility criteria, resulting in 26 studies (22 animal studies and 4 human studies). Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers using a standardized form. Pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q, τ² and I² statistics. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to host species, region, and study period. Publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots and Egger's test. Human and animal datasets were analyzed separately to ensure comparability. A total of 764,040 animal samples were included, yielding an overall pooled prevalence of 4.69% (35,802 positive cases). The highest pooled prevalence was observed in dogs (16.9%). Among livestock, sheep showed the highest pooled prevalence (5.92%), followed by cattle, camels, and goats. Pooled estimates also indicated infection in horses (6.03%) and wild boars (6.31%), suggesting potential sylvatic transmission. Subgroup analyses revealed significantly higher pooled prevalence in southern regions (10.51%) and a declining temporal trend, from 14.1% in 2003-2009 to 6.09% in 2020-2024. Detection rates varied according to diagnostic methods, with ELISA and post-mortem examination yielding the highest pooled prevalences. All pooled estimates showed extreme heterogeneity (Cochran's Q = 27,254.50; I² = 99.92%), which persisted after Freeman-Tukey transformation. Egger's test indicated significant funnel-plot asymmetry (p = 0.0067), suggesting potential publication bias. Human data were limited to four studies, confirming the persistence of CE mainly in northern regions, but were insufficient to conduct meta-analysis. CE remains endemic in Algeria, with pronounced spatial, temporal, and host-related variability. Dogs play a central role in transmission, while the scarcity of human data highlights critical surveillance gaps. A strengthened One Health strategy emphasizing dog deworming, improved slaughterhouse practices, and better diagnostic and reporting systems is urgently needed.

To report a case of avian dermatitis associated with Microlichus sp. (Acari: Epidermoptidae) in a free-ranging Pitangus sulphuratus (Great Kiskadee) from southern Brazil, emphasizing the clinical presentation and parasitological diagnosis. A juvenile P. sulphuratus was rescued and admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center presenting feather loss and cutaneous lesions. Crust samples were collected from affected areas and examined microscopically after clarification in lactophenol. Mites were identified morphologically using classical and contemporary taxonomic keys. Topical ivermectin (0.4mg/kg) was administered once daily for 10 consecutive days, and clinical evolution was monitored during rehabilitation. Numerous mites morphologically consistent with Microlichus sp. were observed, supporting the diagnosis of epidermoptid infestation. Progressive resolution of dermatological lesions and complete feather regrowth were observed following treatment; however, no post-treatment parasitological reassessment was performed. To our knowledge, this represents the first clinical report of Microlichus sp. associated with dermatitis in P. sulphuratus in Brazil. This case highlights the relevance of integrating clinical and parasitological investigations in wildlife rehabilitation settings and contributes to expanding current knowledge on the host range and potential health impacts of epidermoptid mites in free-ranging Neotropical birds.

IntroductionTicks are globally recognised as the second most important vectors of infectious diseases, posing significant threats to human and animal health. Haemaphysalis parva (Acari: Ixodidae) is frequently reported infesting humans and domestic animals and has been experimentally demonstrated to transmit Babesia ovis, with field associations to ovine babesiosis during the colder months. It has also been reported to harbour several zoonotic pathogens, including Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, and various Rickettsia species. Here, we aim to report the complete mitochondrial genome of Haemaphysalis parva (Ixodida: Ixodidae), a zoonotic tick species with significant public health relevance in Türkiye. MethodsFor this purpose, we isolated total genomic DNA from H. parva and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform, raw reads were processed, and then the mitogenome was assembled using the Geneious R9 program with "map to reference" and verified via "de novo assembly" options.Results and DiscussionThe mitogenome of H. parva is a circular DNA molecule of 14,843bp, comprising the canonical 37 genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs) and two major non-coding regions (312bp and 304bp). Strand-specific compositional bias revealed a strong A + T enrichment (77.8%) and pervasive negative AT- and GC-skew values, diverging from the typical skew profiles observed in most arthropods and possibly reflecting lineage-specific replication asymmetries. All PCGs exhibited AT-biased codon usage, preferentially encoding hydrophobic amino acids. Several genes (cox1, cytB, nd2, nd6) showed dN/dS ratios > 1, suggesting positive adaptive evolution. Comparative mitogenomic analysis of 27 Haemaphysalis species confirmed overall structural conservation but identified a rearranged nd1-rrnS gene block relative to the Ixodes reference genome. Collinearity and synteny analyses revealed multiple conserved sequence blocks, including a putative humanin-like ORF within the rrnL gene region, indicating potential dual-coding or regulatory elements within non-PCG regions.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate intracellular microsporidian pathogen. It primarily causes diarrhea and weight loss in infected humans and animals, resulting in substantial economic losses to the livestock industry. Therefore, establishing a highly sensitive and specific detection method for E. bieneusi is critical for its prevention and control. crRNA and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) primers were designed based on partial sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of E. bieneusi. DNA extracted from fecal samples was amplified using RPA or nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR amplicons were treated with a Tris-saturated phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol mixture to obtain purified target DNA, which was subsequently introduced into the CRISPR-Cas12a reaction system. Post-reaction detection was performed via qPCR instrumentation, fluorescence visualization, and lateral flow strip (LFS) assays. The operational parameters for E. bieneusi detection were subsequently optimized using RPA/CRISPR-Cas12a or nested PCR/CRISPR-Cas12a platforms. The aforementioned methodology was concurrently validated using 50 clinical specimens with known E. bieneusi infection status. The limits of detection were 7.13 copies/µL for RPA/CRISPR-Cas12a and 2.35 × 10- 2 copies/µL for nested PCR/CRISPR-Cas12a. When the concentration of unamplified DNA in the CRISPR-Cas12a reaction system reached ≥ 1 × 10- 4 µg/µL, the single-stranded DNA reporter was efficiently cleaved, resulting in a detectable fluorescence signal. The nested PCR/CRISPR-Cas12a technology was used to analyze 50 fecal samples with confirmed E. bieneusi-positive or -negative status. The results obtained from instrument-based detection, fluorescence observation, and lateral flow test strip detection were completely consistent. We established the first integration of nested PCR with CRISPR-Cas12a for the detection of E. bieneusi. and were also the first to quantitatively explore the detection limit of Cas12a using non-amplified E. bieneusi DNA. This approach offers a rapid, specific, and highly sensitive diagnostic method. Furthermore, the wide selection of appropriate visualization methods facilitates adaptation to various laboratory conditions and sample template concentrations, enabling accurate result interpretation.