Parasitic infections of the human nervous system are frequently overlooked as causes of neurological morbidity, mostly because of lack of diagnostic awareness from clinicians in developed countries. Although limited and unfunded, research in neuroparasitoses leads to improved diagnostic and treatment approaches, and improvements in immunological, molecular and imaging techniques provide new insights in these neglected infections. This review succinctly describes most parasitic infections affecting humans and highlights new information available in the literature. Despite the fact that primary research reports in parasitic neuroinfection are sparse, a body of information on new diagnostic techniques, clinical manifestations, and more recent therapeutic approaches is now available, with particular emphasis in molecular techniques including deep sequencing, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. This review provides a quick overview of most parasitic infections affecting the human nervous system, and summarizes updated information on current diagnostic and treatment approaches, providing a comprehensive reference, of particular use for clinicians working in settings where neuroparasitoses are infrequent.

Parasitic interactions modulate the physiological responses of Gammarus fossarum to the herbicide metazachlor.

The role of CCL20 in infectious diseases.

Targeting Helicobacter pylori thymidylate kinase: structural insights and validation of novel inhibitors.

Leishmania spp., the causative agents of leishmaniasis, are protozoan parasites displaying two life stages: promastigote in the insect vector and amastigote in host macrophages. After inoculation, the promastigote differentiates into the amastigote which multiplies within a parasitophorous vacuole formed by the fusion of the phagosome with the macrophage endolysosome. This compartment is characterized by a specific enrichment in bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP), an atypical phospholipid that regulates endosomal dynamics and cholesterol trafficking. Host cell cholesterol is essential for parasite intracellular development. In this study, we examined the relationships between cholesterol, BMP, and the parasitophorous vacuole during the infection of J774 murine macrophages with L. infantum. Our results showed that cholesterol is redistributed in the vicinity of the parasite within infected cells. BMP is redistributed along with the same pattern and colocalizes with markers of the parasitophorous vacuole. Transcriptomic analyses revealed an upregulation of key genes governing cholesterol uptake and synthesis (HMGCR, SREBP2, LDLR) during infection and conversely a downregulation of ABCA1 involved in cholesterol efflux. Noteworthy, the overexpressions of HMGCR, SREBP2, LDLR were significantly attenuated by macrophage BMP enrichment. As for functional impact, BMP enrichment was associated with a significant increase of the parasite infectivity toward macrophages, assessed by infection rate and parasite load. Together, our results confirm the essentiality of macrophage cholesterol and demonstrate the involvement of BMP during Leishmania infection likely by facilitating parasitophorous vacuole remodeling and cholesterol trafficking.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in animals and humans worldwide, attracting the attention of many researchers who, in recent decades, have identified the sources of Toxoplasma gondii infections to optimize the adoption of preventive measures. In previous studies, it has been found that humans are infected mainly by consuming raw or undercooked meat or by ingesting fruits, vegetables, seafood or water contaminated with oocysts of this protozoan. Soil contaminated with T. gondii oocysts is a source of infection for animals and humans, but it has rarely been directly detected due to the lack of appropriate methods. Given that toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis of great public health importance, we investigated the occurrence of T. gondii in the soil of 30 enclosures housing different animal species at the Bauru Zoo, São Paulo, by amplifying the protozoan's DNA using conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR). The cPCR for T. gondii was performed using primers TOX4 and TOX5, which amplify 529 bp. Thus, we observed that soil samples from two enclosures of African primates of the species Papio papio (Guinea Baboon) and Papio hamadryas (Hamadryas Baboon) were positive by PCR for T. gondii, an unprecedented result in the literature.

In Nepal, the close and longstanding human-livestock relationship, vital for subsistence and livelihoods, also creates opportunities for potential zoonotic exposure to intestinal parasites, which remain a persistent and under-recognized public health challenge. This study investigated the prevalence, associated factors, and potential zoonotic implications of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in Sermathang, located in Nepal's Sindhupalchok District. Fecal samples were collected from 122 humans and 37 livestock and analyzed using direct smear methods along with sedimentation and flotation concentration techniques. Among human participants, 27 (22.1%) tested positive for intestinal parasites, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most frequently detected (9.8%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (4.9%) and hookworms (1.6%). In livestock, 27 samples (72.97%) were found to be infected, with common parasites including Toxocara species, Strongyloides species, and Ascaris species. Although individuals involved in farming, those living in non-concrete houses, and those who consumed raw or undercooked meat had adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 1.03 (95% CI: 0.40-2.63), 1.15 (0.42-3.15), and 1.20 (0.28-5.20), respectively, none of these associations reached statistical significance. Although host-specific species were observed, parasites belonging to the same genera (Toxocara, Strongyloides, and Ascaris) were detected separately in human and livestock samples from the same households. However, microscopy limitations prevent the assessment of zoonotic transmission, underscoring the need for molecular studies to confirm potential cross-species links.

Local host fish-Anisakis spp. parasite lipid interplay: A lipidomic characterization of Anisakis larvae and parasitized tissue of its host fish, the European hake (Merluccius merluccius).

Double burden: microfilariae infection amplifies metabolic costs of moult in breeding male village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus).

Parasitic infections or their secreted components exhibit therapeutic effects against certain allergic diseases. Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease with potentially severe symptoms and increasing prevalence worldwide. Recombinant Echinococcus granulosus myophilin (rEg.myophilin) induces a Th1 immune response in mouse spleens; however, the effects and mechanisms of rEg.myophilin in allergic asthma remain unclear. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of rEg.myophilin on airway inflammation in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma through histopathology, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics of mouse fecal samples and correlation analyses of microbiota, metabolites, and inflammatory indicators were used to explore the mechanistic role of rEg.myophilin in allergic asthma. rEg.myophilin significantly ameliorated OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation. Pathological findings revealed a marked reduction in lung inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition, and mucus secretion. rEg.myophilin also corrected the imbalance in Th1/Th2 cell ratios in lung tissues and reduced the abundance of Tenericutes and Candidatus_Arthromitus. Among the 19 metabolites with significant differences among Con, OVA, and OVA+rEg.myophilin groups, those linked to linoleic acid metabolism, indicating that rEg.myophilin may act through the linoleic acid metabolic pathway to alleviate allergic asthma. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed positive/negative correlations between several differential metabolites, differential microbiota, and immune indicators. rEg.myophilin alleviates OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice by modulating interactions among intestinal microbiota, metabolites, and immune cells. This research provides theoretical insights and novel biological targets for the prevention and treatment of allergic asthma.

Human dirofilariasis, an emerging mosquito-borne zoonosis, is increasing, particularly in Europe. While subcutaneous presentations are the most common infections, genital presentations are rare and can pose significant diagnostic challenges. This review aims to provide an updated synthesis of all detailed published cases of genital dirofilariasis analyzing clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, treatment strategies, and epidemiological implications to enhance clinical awareness and management. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify cases of Dirofilaria species with genital involvement in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar and through manual searches. Genital dirofilariasis is a rare condition, with 70 detailed documented cases identified in this review, representing the largest collection published to date. Dirofilaria repens is the predominant cause. Clinical presentation is often non-specific mimicking common or threatening conditions such as orchiepididymitis, spermatic cord torsion or undiagnosed nodule. The condition affects all ages, with a notable 40% of cases occurring in the pediatric population, particularly in Sri Lanka. Definitive diagnosis typically requires surgical excision and expert histopathological examination, supported by molecular techniques for species identification, if available and certificated. Imaging, mainly ultrasound, may reveal the highly suggestive "worm-in-sac sign". Minimally invasive excisional surgery is generally curative and post-operative antiparasitic therapy is usually not required after complete excision. Genital dirofilariasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained genital nodules or masses, especially in endemic areas or in patients with a history of travel to such regions. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach proposed here helps in identifying and managing these peculiar parasitic infections. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate invasive interventions.

Understanding how host-parasite relationships respond to environmental factors across long periods of time is vital to understanding the dynamics of parasitic infections. We studied blood parasite infections in two sympatric species of Podarcis lizards in Northern Portugal between 2011 and 2013 and in 2021, analysing parasite data together with host traits and microclimatic conditions to understand how this relationship was maintained through time. Relationships between host traits and parasite infection remained consistent across years, suggesting changes to infection parameters are more dependent on environmental factors than host adaptation. Warmer and drier conditions were significantly related with higher parasite infection prevalence and drier conditions with intensity, although the magnitude of the latter was dependant on host sex. The climatic trend observed during sampled years was of cooling conditions, congruent with the decrease in parasite infection parameters observed, although the lack of intermediate time points means it is unclear if this is a trend or just an isolated drop in prevalence. We also provide insights into a framework for using data obtained through different methodologies in linear model analyses, by homogenising the varying certainty of observations from different methods.

In the southwestern Brazilian Amazon, palm-dwelling triatomines maintain sylvatic transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and Trypanosoma rangeli, a related non-pathogenic parasite. Deforestation can reduce biodiversity and increase pathogen prevalence in triatomine populations; however, the effects of landscape structure on triatomine infection patterns remain poorly understood. Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining how forest cover and proximity to human dwellings influence triatomine infection patterns across gradients of deforestation. Field surveys were conducted in 2022 and 2024 in 20 landscape units in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre state, Brazil, where triatomines were collected from palm trees located at varying distances from inhabited households. Distances and land-use composition were quantified from high-resolution drone and satellite imagery, while parasite infections were identified using molecular assays. Bayesian binomial mixed-effects models revealed contrasting responses between parasites. T. cruzi infection probability was higher in more deforested landscapes and was further modulated by palm-household distance, with the strongest effects observed for palms closer to dwellings. In contrast, T. rangeli infection showed no supported association with forest cover or distance to households. Blood meal analysis revealed frequent feeding on sylvatic hosts, particularly marsupials, and detected human blood in a nymph collected only 33 m from a household; T. cruzi infections detected in the study were exclusively assigned to TcI discrete typing unit, a lineage commonly associated with sylvatic transmission. These findings demonstrate that deforestation reshapes host-vector-parasite interactions in palm-based systems, increasing spillover risk at the sylvatic-human interface without requiring domiciliated triatomines.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly affecting children under five years old. These infections contribute to malnutrition, impaired growth, diarrhea, and increased morbidity and mortality, disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to estimate the global prevalence of IPIs in children under five and examine the influence of socioeconomic, environmental, and diagnostic factors. A systematic literature search was conducted based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) for cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of IPIs in children under five years old, up to November 2025. The pooled prevalence was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis, and subgroup analyses were performed by region, human development index (HDI), income level, climate, diagnostic method, and parasite species. Methodological quality was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Forty-one studies, involving a total of 15,109 children under five, met the inclusion criteria. The study population was drawn from multiple regions worldwide. The overall pooled prevalence of IPIs in children under five was 31.60% (95% CI: 26.04-37.44). Prevalence was highest in lower-middle-income countries (37.45%) and low-HDI regions (35.17%), and lowest in high-income countries (6.25%) and very high-HDI regions (19.41%). South Asia (35.47%) and Eastern sub-Saharan Africa (35.24%) were identified as major hotspots. Helminth infections were most commonly caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (11.93%), while Giardia lamblia (10.37%) was the predominant protozoan. Studies using more sensitive diagnostic methods reported substantially higher prevalence. Environmental factors such as tropical savanna climates, moderate rainfall, and high humidity were associated with increased infection rates. Gender differences in prevalence were negligible. IPIs continue to pose a substantial global health burden on children under five, with socioeconomic and environmental disparities strongly influencing prevalence. The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions, including deworming programs, improved sanitation, and clinical surveillance, particularly in high-burden regions. Enhanced diagnostic strategies are essential to accurately capture infection rates and guide effective prevention and treatment efforts.

Peripheral blood eosinophilia in dogs and cats: A cross-sectional study on prevalence, seasonality, and endoparasite infections in a referral hospital population.

ABSTRACTAscariasis is a widespread helminthic infection, yet the long‐term hepatic consequences of larval migration remain poorly understood. Evidence indicates that tissue damage may persist beyond parasite clearance. While chronic cholestatic liver disease is classically associated with obstructive, autoimmune, or genetic disorders, parasitic infections such as ascariasis may represent an overlooked etiology. This study investigated post‐migratory hepatic effects of Ascaris suum larvae in a mouse model, evaluating dose‐dependent and exposure‐frequency paradigms. Female BALB/c mice were infected with A. suum eggs using low‐dose (250 eggs) or high‐dose (2500 eggs), administered as single or reinfection (14 days apart). Mice were euthanized at three time points, day 4 post‐infection (dpi) (peak hepatic migration phase), or 35 and 100 dpi (post‐hepatic clearance). Livers were analyzed for parasite burden (4 dpi), cytokine gene expression, and comprehensive histopathological analysis (35/100 dpi). Plasma was assessed for biochemical markers (AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, total bilirubin and fractions, and albumin) and cytokine quantification. Histological analysis revealed persistent hepatic inflammation and fibrotic remodeling up to 100 dpi. Biochemical assays confirmed cholestatic dysfunction with elevated ALP, GGT, and bilirubin. Gene expression analysis showed sustained inflammatory signaling. These findings establish that larval migration induces chronic hepatobiliary injury and cholestasis, independent of peak burden. Importantly, pathology occurred without adult worm–mediated biliary obstruction, identifying a novel helminth‐driven hepatic disease mechanism. Our findings demonstrated that ascariasis, even at low infection intensities and in the absence of adult worm establishment, can induce persistent hepatic inflammation, fibrotic progression, and cholestatic dysfunction. This evidence challenges the prevailing paradigm that biliary obstruction by adult worms is the exclusive mechanism of hepatobiliary injury in ascariasis. Our results underscore the significant pathogenic potential of larval stages and their ability to provoke chronic liver pathology that persists well beyond parasite clearance. These observations are clinically relevant for endemic regions, where recurrent low‐level exposure may lead to cumulative liver damage despite the absence of overt adult worm infection.

Intestinal parasitic infections remain among the most common infectious diseases worldwide, posing significant public health challenges. Blastocystis spp., in particular, has emerged as the most prevalent microorganism detected in human stool examinations in recent years. Accumulating evidence suggests a potential association between specific Blastocystis subtypes and gastrointestinal disturbances. This study aimed to assess the current epidemiological profile of intestinal parasitic infections in Taiwan and to explore potential associations between parasitic infections and chronic diseases. A retrospective analysis was conducted using 1498 parasite-positive stool reports from 1265 patients who underwent stool examinations at Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH) between January 2012 and December 2023. Stool specimens were examined using the merthiolate-iodine-formaldehyde (MIF) method, as recommended by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. Demographic and clinical data were collected to evaluate infection patterns, stool specimen positive rate, and species distribution across different patient subgroups. During the 12-year surveillance period, the average stool specimen positivity rate was 0.9%, ranging from 0.46 to 1.54%. The majority of infected individuals (81.43%) were local Taiwanese residents. Young adult males (aged 18-64years) had a higher risk of infection. Blastocystis spp. represented the predominant parasite, accounting for 87.19% of all identified cases, followed by Giardia lamblia (9.16%). Coinfections were observed in 18 of the 1265 cases, with Blastocystis spp. and Endolimax nana being the most frequent co-infecting species. Although the overall positive rate of intestinal parasitic infections in Taiwan remains low, the data indicate a distinct compositional shift in parasite species, highlighting Blastocystis spp. as the leading organism in human infections. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive investigations into the epidemiological, molecular, and pathophysiological characteristics of Blastocystis to elucidate its clinical significance and potential role in gastrointestinal disorders.

Thailand has achieved significant progress in malaria elimination, with a reduction in annual parasite incidence from 0.53 to 0.22 per thousand in 2014 and 2024, respectively. Given the high diversity of Anopheles mosquito species, elimination efforts must be precisely targeted, taking into account the varied behaviors and vectorial capacities of different vector species. This study aims to systematically review and update the distribution, identification, bionomics, behavior, and a meta-analysis of nonhuman parasite infectivity among mosquitoes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar (2013-2025) to identify studies on Anopheles species diversity, distribution, and zoonotic malaria infection in mosquitoes. The meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was carried out using the metafor package in R. A total of 92 relevant papers were included from 811 accessed articles. Of these, most documented geographical distribution, followed by mosquito behaviors, molecular identification, and mosquito infectivity. The pooled mosquito infection prevalence for the present meta-analysis was 0.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00-0.03), indicating low nonhuman primate (NHP) malaria parasite infectivity. Using standard nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), wild-caught Anopheles sawadwongporni, An. minimus, and An. dirus were incriminated as zoonotic malaria vectors, with a pooled infection prevalence of 0.2%. This review highlights a critical need for targeted, context-specific vector control interventions that address the unique opportunistic feeding and resting behaviors of Anopheles species complexes and the bionomics of local vector species, alongside the high mobility of high-risk populations. Research involving hosts and vectors across different micro-spatial and temporal scales, observations of human behavior, and monkey-human interactions is needed to improve understanding of zoonotic malaria transmission.

High prevalence of parasitic infections in chronic spontaneous urticaria: Evidence for a potential pathogenic link.

“Filariasis is a chronic, mosquito‐borne parasitic infection. Chronic infection can lead to swelling of extremities, hydroceles, and testicular masses.”PurposeThe study aimed to evaluate the frequency and distribution of filariasis in Somalia.MethodsPatients were assessed using clinical examination, cytology, peripheral blood smears, and Doppler ultrasonography. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS V23. Results were presented as tables, graphs, and frequencies (%).ResultA total of 22 cases of lymphatic filariasis were assessed in our hospital’s infectious diseases department during follow‐up from March 2018 to December 2023. When the regions of residence of the cases were questioned, it was found that a high proportion of the cases were presented from the same region (Mog‐86%). To a lesser extent, there were applicants from different regions. When the occupations of the cases were questioned, the majority were retired or housewives. When the presenting complaints and physical examination findings were analyzed, it was observed that the right or left extremity, or both, was usually affected. Swelling was the predominant presenting symptom. Genital involvement was detected in about 41% of cases. More than half of them had a history of mosquito bites.ConclusionGiven LF’s effects on public health, it remains an important public health problem in Somalia.