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Parasitology Research Feb 2015Parasites including helminthes, protozoa, and medical arthropod vectors are a major cause of global infectious diseases, affecting one-sixth of the world's population,... (Review)
Review
Parasites including helminthes, protozoa, and medical arthropod vectors are a major cause of global infectious diseases, affecting one-sixth of the world's population, which are responsible for enormous levels of morbidity and mortality important and remain impediments to economic development especially in tropical countries. Prevalent drug resistance, lack of highly effective and practical vaccines, as well as specific and sensitive diagnostic markers are proving to be challenging problems in parasitic disease control in most parts of the world. The impressive progress recently made in genome-wide analysis of parasites of medical importance, including trematodes of Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, Schistosoma haematobium, S. japonicum, and S. mansoni; nematodes of Brugia malayi, Loa loa, Necator americanus, Trichinella spiralis, and Trichuris suis; cestodes of Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis, and Taenia solium; protozoa of Babesia bovis, B. microti, Cryptosporidium hominis, Eimeria falciformis, E. histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Leishmania braziliensis, L. donovani, L. major, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, Trichomonas vaginalis, Trypanosoma brucei and T. cruzi; and medical arthropod vectors of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles darlingi, A. sinensis, and Culex quinquefasciatus, have been systematically covered in this review for a comprehensive understanding of the genetic information contained in nuclear, mitochondrial, kinetoplast, plastid, or endosymbiotic bacterial genomes of parasites, further valuable insight into parasite-host interactions and development of promising novel drug and vaccine candidates and preferable diagnostic tools, thereby underpinning the prevention and control of parasitic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Genomics; Helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Plasmodium falciparum; Vaccines
PubMed: 25563615
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4299-5 -
International Journal of Paleopathology Dec 2017Archaeological parasitology originated in the mid-twentieth century with interdisciplinary teams of specialists directed by archaeologists. The goals of such studies... (Review)
Review
Archaeological parasitology originated in the mid-twentieth century with interdisciplinary teams of specialists directed by archaeologists. The goals of such studies were detailed analyses of dietary, medicinal, and environmental factors that shaped the patterns of infection. By the 1970s, a cadre of unique coprolite analysts was trained to analyze macroscopic and microscopic remains for integrated reconstructions of the cultural determinants of parasitism. During these first phases of research, diagnostic rigor was maintained by direct training of specialists in parasitology and archaeology sub-disciplines including archaeobotany and archaeopalynology. Near the end of the twentieth century, however, "paleoparasitology" was defined as a separate field focusing on defining parasite distribution through time and space. Ironically, this focus resulted in an increase in misdiagnosis, especially prominent after 2000. Paleoparasitology does not explicitly include other specialized studies in it research design. Thus, dietary, environmental and medicinal inferences have been neglected or lost as samples were destroyed solely for the purpose of parasitological analysis. Without ancillary archaeological studies, paleoparasitology runs the risk of separation from archaeological context, thereby reducing its value to the archaeologists who recover samples for analysis.
Topics: Animals; Archaeology; Education, Professional; History, Ancient; History, Medieval; Humans; Paleopathology; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Parasitology; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results; Species Specificity
PubMed: 29198394
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2017.06.002 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences May 2019Free-living species vary substantially in the extent of their spatial distributions. However, distributions of parasitic species have not been comprehensively compared...
Free-living species vary substantially in the extent of their spatial distributions. However, distributions of parasitic species have not been comprehensively compared in this context. We investigated which factors most influence the geographical extent of mammal parasites. Using the Global Mammal Parasite Database we analysed 17 818 individual geospatial records on 1806 parasite species (encompassing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, arthropods and helminths) that infect 396 carnivore, ungulate and primate host species. As a measure of the geographical extent of each parasite species we quantified the number and area of world ecoregions occupied by each. To evaluate the importance of variables influencing the summed area of ecoregions occupied by a parasite species, we used Bayesian network analysis of a subset ( n = 866) of the parasites in our database that had at least two host species and complete information on parasite traits. We found that parasites that covered more geographical area had a greater number of host species, higher average phylogenetic relatedness between host species and more sampling effort. Host and parasite taxonomic groups had weak and indirect effects on parasite ecoregion area; parasite transmission mode had virtually no effect. Mechanistically, a greater number of host species probably increases both the collective abundance and habitat breadth of hosts, providing more opportunities for a parasite to have an expansive range. Furthermore, even though mammals are one of the best-studied animal classes, the ecoregion area occupied by their parasites is strongly sensitive to sampling effort, implying mammal parasites are undersampled. Overall, our results support that parasite geographical extent is largely controlled by host characteristics, many of which are subsumed within host taxonomic identity.
Topics: Animal Distribution; Animals; Bayes Theorem; Ecosystem; Geography; Host Specificity; Host-Parasite Interactions; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Mammals; Parasites
PubMed: 31113328
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0673 -
Journal of Chemical Ecology Sep 2018In eusocial insects, the high cost of altruistic cooperation between colony members has favoured the evolution of cheaters that exploit social services of other species.... (Review)
Review
In eusocial insects, the high cost of altruistic cooperation between colony members has favoured the evolution of cheaters that exploit social services of other species. In the most extreme forms of insect social parasitism, which has evolved multiple times across most social lineages, obligately parasitic species invade the nests of social species and manipulate the workforce of their hosts to rear their own reproductive offspring. As alien species that have lost their own sociality, these social parasites still face social challenges to infiltrate and control their hosts, thus providing independent replicates for understanding the mechanisms essential to social dominance. This review compares socially parasitic insect lineages to find general trends and build a hypothetical framework for the means by which social parasites achieve reproductive dominance. It highlights how host social organization and social parasite life history traits may impact the way they achieve reproductive supremacy, including the potential role of chemical cues. The review discusses the coevolutionary dynamics between host and parasite during this process. Altogether, this review emphasizes the value of social parasites for understanding social evolution and the need for future research in this area.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Female; Host-Parasite Interactions; Insecta; Parasites; Pheromones; Reproduction
PubMed: 29785629
DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0971-z -
Pharmaceutical Research Apr 2022Cutaneous parasites are identified by their specific cutaneous symptoms which are elicited based on the parasite's interactions with the host. Standard anti-parasitic... (Review)
Review
Cutaneous parasites are identified by their specific cutaneous symptoms which are elicited based on the parasite's interactions with the host. Standard anti-parasitic treatments primarily focus on the use of specific drugs to disrupt the regular function of the target parasite. In cases where secondary infections are induced by the parasite itself, antibiotics may also be used in tandem with the primary treatment to deal with the infection. Whilst drug-based treatments are highly effective, the development of resistance by bacteria and parasites, is increasingly prevalent in the modern day, thus requiring the development of non-drug based anti-parasitic strategies. Cutaneous parasites vary significantly in terms of the non-systemic methods that are required to deal with them. The main factors that need to be considered are the specifically elicited cutaneous symptoms and the relative cutaneous depth in which the parasites typically reside in. Due to the various differences in their migratory nature, certain cutaneous strategies are only viable for specific parasites, which then leads to the idea of developing an all-encompassing anti-parasitic strategy that works specifically against cutaneous parasites. The main benefit of this would be the overall time saved in regards to the period that is needed for accurate diagnosis of parasite, coupled with the prescription and application of the appropriate treatment based on the diagnosis. This review will assess the currently identified cutaneous parasites, detailing their life cycles which will allow for the identification of certain areas that could be exploited for the facilitation of cutaneous anti-parasitic treatment.
Topics: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Parasites
PubMed: 35313360
DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03232-y -
Parasitology Research May 2023The components that mold the structure of parasitic fauna are used as objects of study in an attempt to find patterns in their distribution. It is known that phylogeny...
The components that mold the structure of parasitic fauna are used as objects of study in an attempt to find patterns in their distribution. It is known that phylogeny (represented by specificity), host ecological traits (for example, feeding habits, position of the water column, reproductive strategies, body size, and age), and the environment affect the distribution and occurrence of parasites. In tropical regions, digeneans show high diversity, and the species Dadaytrema oxycephala is known to parasitize a wide range of host species. In this context, the objective of the present study is to analyze the components that affect the occurrence of D. oxycephala in Neotropical fish. We used data from the literature that contained the abundance of this parasite, as well as the geographic location and host species, and evaluated the influence of ecological traits, specificity, and latitude on parasite abundance, using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). The abundance of D. oxycephala can be explained by trophic level and position in the water column and latitude. However, coevolutionary processes are also extremely important, and the distribution of this parasite was not equal, showing high abundance for the genus Piaractus, which are the preferred hosts, even if the parasite is considered generalist. In short, host ecological traits are the important components in the distribution and occurrence of D. oxycephala, as well as the latitude.
Topics: Animals; Fishes; Trematoda; Parasites; Phylogeny; Water; Host-Parasite Interactions; Fish Diseases
PubMed: 36930288
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07822-6 -
Parasitology Feb 2015A key part of the life cycle of an organism is reproduction. For a number of important protist parasites that cause human and animal disease, their sexuality has been a... (Review)
Review
A key part of the life cycle of an organism is reproduction. For a number of important protist parasites that cause human and animal disease, their sexuality has been a topic of debate for many years. Traditionally, protists were considered to be primitive relatives of the 'higher' eukaryotes, which may have diverged prior to the evolution of sex and to reproduce by binary fission. More recent views of eukaryotic evolution suggest that sex, and meiosis, evolved early, possibly in the common ancestor of all eukaryotes. However, detecting sex in these parasites is not straightforward. Recent advances, particularly in genome sequencing technology, have allowed new insights into parasite reproduction. Here, we review the evidence on reproduction in parasitic protists. We discuss protist reproduction in the light of parasitic life cycles and routes of transmission among hosts.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Eukaryota; Genome; Humans; Life Cycle Stages; Meiosis; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Reproduction
PubMed: 25529755
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182014001693 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2015Trypanosomatidae are a dangerous family of Euglenobionta parasites that threaten the health and economy of millions of people around the world. More precisely describing... (Review)
Review
Trypanosomatidae are a dangerous family of Euglenobionta parasites that threaten the health and economy of millions of people around the world. More precisely describing the population biology and reproductive mode of such pests is not only a matter of pure science, but can also be useful for understanding parasite adaptation, as well as how parasitism, specialization (parasite specificity), and complex life cycles evolve over time. Studying this parasite's reproductive strategies and population structure can also contribute key information to the understanding of the epidemiology of associated diseases; it can also provide clues for elaborating control programs and predicting the probability of success for control campaigns (such as vaccines and drug therapies), along with emergence or re-emergence risks. Population genetics tools, if appropriately used, can provide precise and useful information in these investigations. In this paper, we revisit recent data collected during population genetics surveys of different Trypanosoma species in sub-Saharan Africa. Reproductive modes and population structure depend not only on the taxon but also on the geographical location and data quality (absence or presence of DNA amplification failures). We conclude on issues regarding future directions of research, in particular vis-à-vis genotyping and sampling strategies, which are still relevant yet, too often, neglected issues.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Animals; Genetic Variation; Genetics, Population; Humans; Parasitology; Trypanosoma
PubMed: 26491968
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003985 -
Trends in Parasitology May 2021Biological interactions are key drivers of ecological and evolutionary processes. The complexity of such interactions hinders our understanding of ecological systems and... (Review)
Review
Biological interactions are key drivers of ecological and evolutionary processes. The complexity of such interactions hinders our understanding of ecological systems and our ability to make effective predictions in changing environments. However, network analysis allows us to better tackle the complexity of ecosystems because it extracts the properties of an ecological system according to the number and distribution of links among interacting entities. The number of studies using network analysis to solve ecological and evolutionary questions in parasitology has increased over the past decade. Here, we synthesise the contribution of network analysis toward disentangling host-parasite processes. Furthermore, we identify current trends in mainstream ecology and novel applications of network analysis that present opportunities for research on host-parasite interactions.
Topics: Animals; Host-Parasite Interactions; Models, Biological; Parasitology; Social Network Analysis
PubMed: 33558197
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.01.005 -
Current Topics in Microbiology and... 2019Parasites exist within most ecological niches, often transitioning through biologically and chemically complex host environments over the course of their parasitic life... (Review)
Review
Parasites exist within most ecological niches, often transitioning through biologically and chemically complex host environments over the course of their parasitic life cycles. While the development of technologies for genetic engineering has revolutionised the field of functional genomics, parasites have historically been less amenable to such modification. In light of this, parasitologists have often been at the forefront of adopting new small-molecule technologies, repurposing drugs into biological tools and probes. Over the last decade, activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) has evolved into a powerful and versatile chemical proteomic platform for characterising the function of enzymes. Central to ABPP is the use of activity-based probes (ABPs), which covalently modify the active sites of enzyme classes ranging from serine hydrolases to glycosidases. The application of ABPP to cellular systems has contributed vastly to our knowledge on the fundamental biology of a diverse range of organisms and has facilitated the identification of potential drug targets in many pathogens. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review on the different forms of ABPP that have been successfully applied to parasite systems, and highlight key biological insights that have been enabled through their application.
Topics: Animals; Catalytic Domain; Humans; Parasites; Proteome; Proteomics; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 30105424
DOI: 10.1007/82_2018_123