Parasitological Research Research Articles

In vitro and in vivo Antitrypanosomal Activities of Annona muricata Leaf Extracts in Trypanosoma brucei brucei Experimentally Infected Albino Rats

Aims: Trypanosomiasis is an important protozoan disease that affects domestic and wild animals as well as man. It is caused by the tsetse fly-transmitted extracellular hemo-flagellates that belong to the genus, Trypanosoma. In East and Southern Africa, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense while in West and Central Africa, it is caused by T. b. gambiense. Animal trypanosomiasis on the other hand is caused by T. b. brucei, T. vivax, and T. congolense. In sub-Saharan Africa, about sixty million people are at risk of infection. This current study evaluates the antitrypanosomal efficacy of extracts of Annona muricata leaf in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected albino rats.
 Place and Duration of Study: Animal Parasitology and Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, between February and June, 2021.
 Methodology: In vitro antitrypanosomal analysis was done in varied concentrations of 2.5mg/ml, 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml using various solvent extracts (ethanolic, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous). Diminazine aceturate and normal saline were used as positive and negative controls respectively. The In vivo assay was carried out through intraperitoneal administration of graded doses (200, 400 and 600mg/kg) of ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of the plant for three consecutive days.
 Results: The n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts yielded high percentage DPPH free radical scavenging activity of 85.52, 80.00 and 78.49% respectively. Decrease in motility of the parasites at different times were observed in all extracts tested invitro. These responses were positively concentration-dependent. 10mg/ml concentration of chloroform and ethyl acetate showed complete cessation of parasite motility at 35 and 45 minutes respectively. These two extracts (ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts) which showed the best invitro responses, were subjected to invivo analysis. Both extracts caused decrease in trypanosome parasitemia and prolongation of mean survival days of the rats to 14.67days as compared with 6.83days in the negative control group. The extracts displayed dose-dependent significant (p ≤ 0.05) antitrypanosomal activities when compared with the negative and positive controls.
 Conclusion: The chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Annona muricata showed a relatively higher antitrypanosomal activity over other solvent extracts used in this study. Further fractionation, purification and isolation should be done to confirm the active components in this plant that is responsible for the antitrypanosomal activities recorded.

Exosome-based malaria vaccine, a miracle of nanomedicine

Exosomes are the nano-size subpopulation of extracellular vesicles secreted by all living cells and they originated from the endosomes. In general, it is involved in Inter-Cellular communication. Exosomes transport several bioactive molecules (DNA, RNA, protein, etc.) from parental cells to recipient cells. This event showcases cellular health or pathologic status1. The invention of the exosome adds a new chapter in nanomedicine. After the event now nanomedicine overcome several limitations (toxicity, immune rejection, biocompatibility, stability, and target-specific drug transport). The current decade of scientific investigation suggests that exosomes have active participation in host-pathogen intercellular communication in several parasitic infected diseases including malaria2. Malaria is a lethal parasitic infectious disease that led to large population death globally. It is spared in the human host after biting of parasite load female anopheles bite. This parasitic development happens in a circulating system with red bold cells and this maturation face boosts of exosome secretion3. In Malaria ABCA1 (ATP-binding-cassette transporter 1) gene is most vital for exosome biogenesis and maintaining host-pathogen communication4. Experimental data shows that the ABCA1 gene knockout reduces the chance of cerebral Malaria5. In disease progression phage host-pathogen cell-to-cell interaction happens via exosome cargos miRNA and proteins, Both ingredients of exosome efficiently regulate genetic expression. Malaria-infected cells derived exosomes carry miRNA451a which is related to red blood cells (RBC) maturation and related to vascular permeability. Malaria derives exosome-associated noncoding RNA, and fragments of genomic DNA of Plasmodium involved in suppressing the innate immune cells activity6. The immune system suppresses during malaria, and infected RBCs derive exosome (Fig. 1) downregulation natural killer cell activity against parasites. Infected RBCs-derived exosome protein and inflammatory molecules suppress the immune system. During malaria, exosomes play a vital role in reducing T-cell proliferation and downregulating T-cell–mediated immune response7. The vaccine development for Malaria is most challenging because of the complex life cycle of Plasmodium and surface protein diversity, although some limited success stories there8. At the current time, large-scale malaria vaccine development and delivery focus on exosomes9. Exosome-based plasmid delivery plays the role in anti-malaria antigenic immune memory development and promotes humoral immunity10. In malarial, exosome is the most promising drug resistance overcoming tool. Although exosome-based vaccine needs more clinical investigation, it is the most efficient, has less immunogenic rejection, and it is capable across biological braise. The infected RBC derives exosome-related miRNA is the most exciting part of the malaria Vaccine research but it required deep investigation before being used. Infected RBC derives exosome-related mediated host immune system reprogramming is still unexplored side of the exosome-based malaria research domain. Detailed investigation is needed regarding host cells derived exosome cargos (inflammatory molecules, miRNAs) and malaria development multiple stages associate exosome heterogeneity11 to develop exosome base efficient malaria vaccine. Now the question comes about why malaria research focuses on exosomes? The exosome-based malarial treatment approach is innovative because it supports early diagnosis and therapeutic aspects it is more promising with null toxicity with less immune rejection, compare with the other approaches, exosomes have some advantages such as boosting the immune system against malaria, surface engineering exosomes are more efficient compared with other (liposome) approaches in drug delivery in the case of malaria. Exosome is a smart tool for malarial drug delivery because they provide better stability of the drug in the biological system and help them cross the biological barriers. The feasible aspect of exosome-based malaria research depends on the expertise in exosome research. It is possible if we develop an expert group and some of the exosome-related advanced equipment. Once this facility is established and maintained by a trained expert, that reduces the production cost of the downstream product. Exosome-based malarial treatment research adds a new chapter to parasitology research. Exosome helps to decode the malaria-associated pathological complication at the more detailed molecular level. We hope, this innovative approach will save large-scale populations from malaria globally.Figure 1: Exosome and malaria. (A) Infected red blood cells (RBCs) derive exosomes that inhibit RBCs development and suppression of immune response against malaria. (B) Exosome surface modification, drug delivery an innovative approach in exosome associate malaria vaccine development.Ethical approval and consent of publication None. Sources of funding None. Author contribution D.M. and R.D. has conceptualized the project. D.M., S.G., R.M., P.S.G., and A.A. have written the manuscript. A.D. and S.K.J. has guided the project. All authors have done the editing. All authors have contributed significantly in preparation of the manuscript. Conflict of interest disclosure The authors declare that they have no financial conflict of interest with regard to the content of this report. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) Not Applicable. Guarantor All Authors. Availability of data and materials None.

Dysbiotic changes in the intestines under the influence of exogenous biological determinants

Introduction. Data were obtained on the difference in the quantitative and specific composition of intestinal microbiota bacteria in practically healthy individuals with subclinical invasions by pathogenic intestinal protozoa Lamblia intestinalis, Blastocystis hominis. Сhanges in bacterial composition were shown to have characterological features and species-specific «targets» of intestinal microbiota destruction. 
 Material and methods. Bacteriological and parasitological research methods were used. For a comparative analysis of quantitative and specific changes in the symbiotic microflora, there were formed two groups: “Yes” and “No” for each type of pathogenic protozoa, bacteriological indicators were ranked by quantitative content — CFU “0–103”, CFU “103–10max”, CFU “10max”. Statistical differences in research results were determined by the Chi-square calculation method. 
 Results. Antagonistic activity of unicellular protozoa in relation to the symbiotic bacterial intestinal microflora in the examined population groups has a different degree of severity depending on the type of invasion. Parasitic pathogens were shown to inhibit up to 40% of the quantitative and 50% of the species composition of the intestinal microflora and are an aggressive biogenic factor in the destruction of biota. There are no limitations of the study. 
 Limitations. The studies had no methodological or administrative restrictions.
 Conclusion. For the first time, significant statistical material has confirmed that asymptomatic parasitosis is a strong biogenic determinant of the development of destructive changes in the integral structure of the symbiotic microflora and the formation of a subclinical form of dysbiosis in an “almost healthy contingent” of the population. The asymptomatic carriage of Blastocysts spp. was found to have a more pronounced antagonistic effect on the bacterial composition of the intestinal microbiota than the presence of L. intestinalis, Blastocysts spp., form intestinal dysbiosis more aggressively, which indicates a greater pathogenic potential of B. hominis in the formation of intestinal pathology in humans.

Epizootic Aspects of Helminthiases in Horses of Tyumen Region

Introduction. Parasitic diseases are one of the main problems of horse breeding, in particular, helminthic infestations. The helminths are able to induce mechanical, toxic, inoculation effect. Moreover they absorb the nutrients necessary for the horse body. Thereby the helminths inflict significant harm on the horse population, not only due to animals deaths, but also due to weakening the protective functions of the body as well as working capability, sports and breeding qualities of horses. The aim of the present work is to study the epizootological aspects of helminthiases in horses at the territory of Tyumen region.Materials and methods. The study was carried out taking into account the horses keeping and care practices in twenty-two administrative districts of the region, located in the subzones of the northern and southern forest-and-steppe and subtaiga areas. To determine the infestation extensity (IE), the parasitological research methods of Kotelnikov-Khrenov, Fülleborn’s, Darling's modification method and the method of studying the scrapings of the perianal folds of the horse were applied. Results. During the research it has been found that the infestation extensity in horses infested with helminths in the Tyumen region averages to 27.9 ± 1.43 %. Whereas, the maximum helminthic infestation was found in horses in the subzone of the northern forest-and-steppe area IE 38.7 ± 1.97 % and the minimum in the subzone of the southern forest-and-steppe area IE 22.5 ± 1.16 %. It was found that in the conditions of year-round keeping in the stables with regular walking, the intestinal helminths parasitised in horses with the following infestation extensity (IE): Parascaris equorum 70.1 ± 2.53 %, suborder Strongylata 48.3 ± 1.97 %, Oxyuris equi 36.1 ± 1.63 %, the representative of Strongyloides westeri 20.9 ± 1.19 %. In the conditions of herd farming, the maximum infestation extensity in horses was observed for the helminths of suborder Strongylata with IE 74.0 ± 2.31 %, also spotted were parasites Parascaris equorum with IE of 41.2 ± 1.67 %, Oxyuris equi with IE — of 13.2 ± 0.87 % and the minimum infestation extensity was recorded for the parasites Strongyloides westeri with IE of 6.5 ± 0.21 %. In horses in the conditions of improved herd farming, the maximum infestation extensity was observed for the helminths of suborder Strongylata with IE of 79.4 ± 2.52 % and the minimum was for Strongyloides westeri with IE of 0.8 ± %. When studying the distribution of infestation in relation to the keeping and care practices, the data was obtained confirming that under practices of keeping in stables the helminths Parascaris equorum prevail with IE of 70.1 ± 2.53 % and under practices of herd and improved-herd farming the helminths of the suborder Strongylata with IE of 74.0 ± 2.31 % and IE 79.4 ± 2.52 %, respectively.Discussion and conclusions. Thus, in the result of studying the epizootic aspects of helminthiases in horses, it was found that helminthic infestation is recorded in various climatic zones throughout the whole territory of Tyumen region.

Metazoan Marine Parasites of Costa Rica: A Review

Many new marine parasite species are added every year. Still, in some places, mainly tropical regions, marine parasites have been little studied. An exhaustive review of the indexed publications where species of parasites are reported in the marine environments of Costa Rica was carried out. The history of research on marine parasites in this region is also reviewed. A total of 146 species of marine parasites have been reported in Costa Rica as parasites of 61 different species of hosts. Most of these parasites correspond to trematodes and cestodes, found mainly in the digestive tract of their vertebrate hosts. In Costa Rica, marine parasites have been studied mainly in sea turtles, elasmobranchs, fish, and dolphins. Most marine parasites have been reported based on morphological identifications of adult stages, and most of the work done so far consists of taxonomic identifications (species reports), with little contribution to the pathology and other aspects of the parasites–hosts interactions. The technical difficulties for research in marine parasitology, the lack of sampling in certain groups of hosts, and the lack of a consolidated research group in marine wildlife parasitology in Costa Rica are factors that have prevented a greater and faster advance in the knowledge of the biodiversity of marine parasites in this country.

Battle of the sexes: analysis of sex bias in host use and reporting practices in parasitological experiments

Experimental approaches are among the most powerful tools available to biologists, yet in many disciplines their results have been questioned due to an underrepresentation of female animal subjects. In parasitology, experiments are crucial to understand host-parasite interactions, parasite development, host immune responses, as well as the efficacy of different control methods. However, distinguishing between species-wide and sex-specific effects requires the balanced inclusion of both male and female hosts in experiments and the reporting of results for each sex separately. Here, using data from over 3600 parasitological experiments on helminth-mammal interactions published in the past four decades, we investigate patterns of male versus female subject use and result reporting practices in experimental parasitology. We uncover multiple effects of the parasite taxon used, the type of host used (rats and mice for which subject selection is fully under researcher control versus farm animals), the research subject area and the year of publication, on whether host sex is even specified, whether one or both host sexes have been used (and if only one then which one), and whether the results are presented separately for each host sex. We discuss possible reasons for biases and unjustifiable selection of host subjects, and for poor experimental design and reporting of results. Finally, we make some simple recommendations for increased rigour in experimental design and to reset experimental approaches as a cornerstone of parasitological research.

Evaluation of the scientific production of the Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (UBA-CONICET)

The Institute of Research in Medical Microbiology and Parasitology (IMPaM) of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) was evaluated using the bibliometric tool SciVal to identify its strengths and weaknesses in terms of scientific production. The research areas, the institution's influence in the research field, financing, and available resources were analyzed. It was found that more than 50% of the articles are open access, and it is suggested to encourage publication in open access journals without embargo periods. The most representative thematic areas are related to the institution's social objective, with Medicine, Immunology and Microbiology, and Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Biology being the most prominent. Additionally, it was concluded that international collaboration is essential for scientific research. Despite its high production of open access articles, IMPaM is below average in Weighted Citation Impact by Field and needs to strengthen international collaboration links and expand thematic diversity to maintain its relevance in scientific research. Overall, the SciVal evaluation provided a useful guide to improve the institution's scientific production and its impact on the international scientific community.

ВЕТЕРИНАРНО-САНИТАРНАЯ ЭКСПЕРТИЗА КАРПА, ВЫРАЩЕННОГО В РЫБОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОМ ВОДОЕМЕ

Modern forms of pond fish farming provide for compacted planting of fish in ponds. This causes close contact of farmed fish and favorable conditions for the spread of diseases. Most often carp fish get sick. A veterinary and sanitary examination of fish caught from the ponds of the Institute of Fish Farming and Biserovskiy fish plant cages was carried out according to organoleptic and bacteriological indicators. An autopsy of the fish was carried out in order to identify endoparasites, ectoparasites and changes in internal organs. As a result of the veterinary and sanitary examination, inflammation of the swim bladder was noted in some fish on the basis of clinical data and parasitological research. No parasites were found. No significant changes were registered during the organoleptic examination. In sick fish, when cooking, there was a slight turbidity and a decrease in the size of fat droplets on the surface of the broth. Bacterioscopic examination of carp revealed gram-negative bacterium aeromonas hydrophila, which causes aeromonosis. Recommendations for the prevention of inflammation of the swim bladder and aeromonosis are given.

Alchornea laxiflora as therapeutic agent in the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection using experimental wistar rats; invivo and gene expression studies

Aims: African trypanosomosis is a zoonotic tropical disease of Sub-Saharan Africa. Its etiology is a group of extracellular protozoans of the genera Trypanosoma which has numerous species including Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Inavailability of vaccines and numerous side effects arising from few available antitrypanosomal drugs gives the indication for search for local alternatives. This experimental study investigates the antitrypanosomal efficacy of chloroform extract of A. laxiflora leaves in wistar albino rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Place and Duration of Study: Animal Parasitology and Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, between July and November, 2022. Methodology: Thirty-six rats of both sexes were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with Alchornea laxiflora extracts intraperitoneally at dosages of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg for three consecutive days. Diminacene aceturate at 3.5mg/kg as single dose was used as positive control. Daily parasiteamia, rectal temperature and body weight were monitored for 26 days. Antioxidant (SOD, CAT, Nrf2) and pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6) gene expressions were determined. Results: Treatment with Alchornea laxiflora caused significant (p < 0.05) decrease in parasitemia of infected rats compared to negative control. Increase in weight gain was recorded after the initial weight loss post infection. There was prolongation of survival days to 22days at 400mg/kg treatment dose compared to 7days in the untreated control. Significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent upward regulation of SOD, CAT and Nrf2 antioxidant genes and down-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory genes were observed in all treatment groups compared to the untreated control in the spleen and liver. Conclusion: These observations suggest that A. laxiflora extract possess excellent anti-trypanosomal properties with the downregulation of pro inflammatory genes and up-regulation of antioxidant genes

A century of parasitology in fisheries and aquaculture.

Fish parasitological research associated with fisheries and aquaculture has expanded remarkably over the past century. The application of parasites as biological tags has been one of the fields in which fish parasitology has generated new insight into fish migration and stock assessments worldwide. It is a well-established discipline whose methodological issues are regularly reviewed and updated. Therefore, no concepts or case-studies will be repeated here; instead, we summarize some of the main recent findings and achievements of this methodology. These include the extension of its use in hosts other than bony fishes; the improvements in the selection of parasite tags; the recognition of the host traits affecting the use of parasite tags; and the increasingly recognized need for integrative, multidisciplinary studies combining parasites with classical methods and modern techniques, such as otolith microchemistry and genetics. Archaeological evidence points to the existence of parasitic problems associated with aquaculture activities more than a thousand years ago. However, the main surge of research within aquaculture parasitology occurred with the impressive development of aquaculture over the past century. Protozoan and metazoan parasites, causing disease in domesticated fish in confined environments, have attracted the interest of parasitologists and, due to their economic importance, funding was made available for basic and applied research. This has resulted in a profusion of basic knowledge about parasite biology, physiology, parasite-host interactions, life cycles and biochemistry. Due to the need for effective control methods, various solutions targeting host-parasite interactions (immune responses and host finding), genetics and pharmacological aspects have been in focus.

Results of Parasitological Research on Hydrobionts from Water Bodies in West Kazakhstan Region

Results of Parasitological Research on Hydrobionts from Water Bodies in West Kazakhstan Region

ЧУВСТВИТЕЛЬНОСТЬ И СПЕЦИФИЧНОСТЬ ТЕСТ-СИСТЕМЫ В РЕАКЦИИ ИММУНОФЛЮОРЕСЦЕНЦИИ ПРИ ДИАГНОСТИКЕ TRYPANOSOMA EVANSI

The purpose of the research is to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the developed test system in the immunofluorescence reaction as one of the methods for diagnosing Trypanosoma evansi. The novelty of the test system is the use of a local trypanosome isolate, which will increase the diagnostic value and specificity, with further production in accordance with international GMP standards, which will guarantee the quality and safety of the studies. The work used parasitological research methods and serological methods of setting the reaction of immunofluorescence in various concentrations. As a result of the studies, the high sensitivity and specificity of the fluorescence reaction in relation to the Trypanosoma evansi strain was confirmed. Diagnostic immunoglobulin is highly sensitive to trypanosomes at concentrations of 1:1 and 1:10 in green-yellow and blue-violet spectra. The specificity of the diagnostic immunoglobulin was confirmed by the absence of reaction with the blood cells of horses, as well as with the T. equiperdum strain, in which luminescence is visible only in the shell and undulating membrane. The use of the developed test system shows the potential of the immunofluorescence reaction in modern practical veterinary serology and parasitology, and will also contribute to the fight against equine trypanosomiasis in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Welcome to Microbiological & Immunological Communications

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Microbiological & Immunological Communications-a biannual, open access, and peer-reviewed journal aiming to publish high-quality research articles in the field of basic & clinical microbiology and immunology. The journal covers topics such as clinical practice, education, research, policy, and technology in the field of microbiology and immunology. It strives to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration between researchers, clinicians, educators, policymakers, and other professionals in the microbiology and immunology community.
 Microbiological & Immunological Communications, available online and in print, publishes scholarly input from the scientific and broader community related to the important themes in microbiological and immunological sciences. The journal emphasizes studies integrating the more expansive interdisciplinary fields of microbiology and immunology with hardcore evidenced based.
 Microbiological & Immunological publishes studies investigating all aspects of the relationships between infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc) and hosts. Clinical studies and investigations carried out at organismal, organ, and tissue levels can be submitted to this journal, however, studies exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms are encouraged. Animal studies investigating molecular aspects of disease prevention, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment, especially targeting their immunological aspects using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico tools, are also welcomed. The journal also publishes research in mycology and parasitology.
 The purpose of this journal is to provide a platform to the scientific fraternity, especially regional and national academics, where they could get their studies published after a rapid, transparent, and high-quality peer review. All the articles published in Microbiological & Immunological Communications will be freely available to readers immediately after publication. The open-access policy of our journal is likely to increase the readership of articles and enhance their visibility and citation potential. Therefore, I invite you to submit your work to Microbiological & Immunological Communications. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
 Professor Dr. Saeed Khan
 Editor-In-Chief
 Microbiological & Immunological Communications

The expansion and migration of small mammals in the Makalu Barun region induced by changes of the Himalayan environment during the Quaternary

This paper describes the course of migration and expansion of small mammals in the Makalu Barun region influenced by the orogenetic uplift of the East Nepal Himalaya and climatically conditioned changes in the extent of morphogenetic zones from the Upper Pleistocene up to the present. The results of zoological and parasitological research are compounded with the knowledge of the dynamic development of landforms, which testifies to significant changes in the high-mountain environment during the Quaternary. The migration of Palearctic species of small mammals across the gradually emerging orographical barrier during the orogenesis of the High Himalaya was completely interrupted by the glaciation in the Upper Pleistocene. This extensive glaciation also excluded occurrence and survival of small mammals in the high-mountain valleys of the Makalu Barun region. Migration routes and the extension of the territory of small mammals remained open only in the periglacial zone of the Arun and Barun Khola valleys. Following the interstadial period of warmer and humid climate conditions were changed by the Late Glacial Maximum when small mammals were again pushed away from heavily glaciated valleys to the lower altitude periglacial zone. During the Holocene interglacial, the occurrence of fauna and flora in the high-mountain valleys depended on repeated spatial changes of periglacial and glacial morphoclimatic zones. Current biogeographical hazards are accentuated due to the rapid retreat of glaciers, the expansion of the periglacial morphoclimatic zone and the increased human impact in the High Himalaya.

Investigation of the Precence of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in Patients Who Undergone Endoscopy and Colonoscopy

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the presence of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in the samples taken during the procedure from patients who underwent endoscopy and/or colonoscopy with different prediagnoses, and in the stools of the same patients, by ELISA and direct microscopy methods. A total of 88 patients' endoscopic and colonoscopic pre-washed materials, which consisted of 49 individuals who belong former group and 39 individuals to the next group, were, respectively, obtained, and the stool samples were also included to study from the same group. All the specimens were immediately transferred to the parasitology research laboratory within the same day and stored C until for the next step of ELISA applications. All the samples were examined by direct microscopy and ELISA method. In the examinations performed using the ELISA method; E. histolytica was detected in 2 (2.3%) stool samples, and G. intestinalis was found in 4 (4.5%) stool samples. In the colonoscopic wash/swab samples of the patients who underwent colonoscopy, 6 (6.8%) G. intestinalis, 1 (1.1%) Cryptosporidium spp. detected. No parasites were detected by ELISA in any of the stool samples or endoscopic washing/swab samples of the patients who underwent colonoscopy. No parasites were detected in stool and wash/swab samples by the direct examination method. When the incidence of G. intestinalis in washing/swab samples taken from patients who underwent endoscopy and colonoscopy was statistically compared, the difference was found to be significant (p<0.05). When the incidence of G. intestinalis in the stools of patients who underwent endoscopy was compared, the difference between genders was found to be significant (p<0.05). In patients with gastrointestinal complaints and undergoing endoscopy and colonoscopy, investigation of the presence of parasites by stool examination with direct microscopy may be insufficient. In addition to the direct examination of the stool sample, it is thought that the investigation of parasite antigens in the wash/swab materials that can be easily taken during the endoscopy and colonoscopy procedure is necessary and critical in the diagnosis.

Environmental DNA in human and veterinary parasitology - Current applications and future prospects for monitoring and control

Parasites are important pathogens with significant global economic, public and animal health impacts. Successful control or elimination of many parasitic diseases, not least neglected tropical parasites, will require scalable, sensitive and cost-effective monitoring tools. Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods, used extensively in ecology for biomonitoring in natural ecosystems, offer promising advantages such reduced costs and labor requirements for species monitoring. Yet, the use of eDNA-based methods in parasitology and disease surveillance, has only recently begun to be explored. With this review, we wish to give an up-to-date overview of current uses and limitations of eDNA in human and veterinary parasitology, and how existing challenges can be overcome to fully utilize the potential of eDNA for monitoring and control of parasitic diseases. We begin by systematically searching published literature to identify studies that apply eDNA methods in parasitology and synthesize the main findings from these studies. We find that eDNA applications in parasitology only account for a small proportion (73/1960) of all eDNA publications up to now, and even fewer (27/73) studies, that apply eDNA methods specifically for parasites of human or veterinary importance. The majority of studies concern snail-borne trematodes and their intermediate host snails, while a few apply eDNA for mosquito vector species detection. A strong geographical bias, with only very few studies undertaken on the African continent, where parasites are of the biggest public health concern, is also noted. Current obstacles hindering further advances of eDNA methods in parasitology include incomplete reference databases, and challenges related to real-time monitoring in remote areas, and in certain LMIC settings. Finally, we point to future opportunities for eDNA-based research in parasitology and highlight recent innovations in eDNA research, which could further develop its application for monitoring and control of parasitic diseases and vectors in the future.

ICOPA 2022: living with parasites, collaborating globally, and breaking a glass ceiling

ICOPA 2022: living with parasites, collaborating globally, and breaking a glass ceiling

Comparative assessment of complex drugs based on moxidectin and praziquantel for cats endoparasitic invasions

The article presents data on the effectiveness of the new domestic antiparasitic drug complex “Moxistop for cats” in comparison to the referenced drug “Vormazol for cats spot-on” used for the treatment and prevention of endoparasitic infestations in cats of different ages, body weights, breeds, and sex. According to the results of parasitological research, animals of the experimental and control groups were found to be spontaneously infected with endoparasites, the causative agents of nematodes: Toxascaris leonina with an intensity of invasion (II) of 110 to 160 eggs in one gram of faeces (EGF) and Uncinaria stenocephala – from 22 to 43 EGF, and the cestode pathogen Taenia pisiformis with the intensity of invasion from 26 to 42 EGF and Dipylidium caninum with the intensity of invasion from 9 to 20 cocoons in one gram of feces (KGF). Before the 7th day and the next seventh–14th day after deworming, helminthocoprological studies were carried out with the definition of parasitological damage indices and determination of the extensive effectiveness (EE) and intensive effectiveness (II) of the drugs. Based on the obtained results, it was found that for spontaneous toxascarose and uncinariasis infestation of cats on the 7th and 14th day after deworming with the drug “Moxistop for cats” and the reference drug “Vormazol for cats spot-on” in doses recommended by the manufacturer, the intensive and extensive effects of the drugs were 100 %. Helminthological studies showed that for spontaneous teniosis-pisiform infestation of cats on the 7th and 14th day after deworming with the experimental drug “Moxistop for cats”, the intensity was 92.2 and 96.8 %, and after deworming with the reference drug “Vormazol for cats spot-on” intensity efficiency was 90.0 and 93.7 %, respectively. It was determined that the intensity of the experimental drug “Moxistop for cats” on the 7th day after deworming was 83.8 % and on the 14th day – 96.0 %, while the intensity of the reference drug “Vormazol for cats spot-on” was on the 7th and 14th day after deworming was 82.9 and 93.3 %, respectively. In general, the results obtained during the therapeutic effectiveness of complex antiparasitic drugs determination indicate that the drugs for nematode infestation of cats can be classified as highly effective (&gt; 98 %) and for cestode infestation of cats – as effective (90–98 %). In vivo field tests have shown that the research drugs are easy to use, well tolerated by animals regardless of age, body weight, breed, and sex, and do not have a toxic effect on the animal's body when they are used by the spot-on method in the recommended by the manufacturer doses.

Metazoan parasite diversity of the endemic South African intertidal klipfish, Clinus superciliosus: Factors influencing parasite community composition.

The current trend in marine parasitology research, particularly in South Africa, is to focus on a specific parasite taxon and not on the total parasite community of a specific fish host. However, these records do not always reveal the ecological role of parasites in ecosystems. Thus, the present study aimed to determine which factors influence the parasite community composition of the endemic southern African intertidal klipfish, Clinus superciliosus (n=75). Metazoan parasites were sampled from four localities (two commercial harbours - west coast; and two relatively pristine localities - southeast coast) along the South African coast. A total of 75 klipfish were examined for parasites, where 30 distinct taxa, representing seven taxonomic groups were found: Acanthocephala (4 taxa), Cestoda (2 taxa), Crustacea (5 taxa), Digenea (11 taxa), Hirudinea (2 taxa), Monogenea (1 taxon) and Nematoda (5 taxa). Results indicated that the main driver of diversity was locality, with the highest diversity on the southeast coast, most likely due to higher water temperatures and upwelling compared to the west coast. The parasite community composition of the klipfish was significantly influenced by water temperature and parasite life cycle. These results emphasise the importance of parasitological surveys including all parasite taxa in hosts from multiple localities and seasons, to better comprehend their ecological role.

Parasite repository - the future of parasitological research in Nigeria

Biorepositories are an important resource for today’s research. To obtain more scientific information, stored samples from older repositories are being investigated using modern techniques and technologies, while new repositories are being built to facilitate genomic studies. Parasitological research has progressed from basic laboratory procedures to using molecular and genomic methodologies to understand parasite biology, necessitating the creation of parasitology-based biorepositories. Parasite biorepositories can reduce the cost of frequent sampling in resource-constrained situations and enhance best research practices, in addition to enhancing research productivity. Repositories can also help to prevent the loss of biological materials from uncommon, endangered, or newly found species. In Nigeria, the available repositories are mostly for the archiving of clinical samples. To promote parasite genomics research in Nigeria, a parasite library is required. Through membership, institutional, and international support, national groups such as the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) can build and maintain parasite biorepositories.