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Trends in Parasitology Dec 2023Chicken coccidiosis, caused by infection with single or multiple Eimeria species, results in significant economic losses to the global poultry industry. Over the past... (Review)
Review
Chicken coccidiosis, caused by infection with single or multiple Eimeria species, results in significant economic losses to the global poultry industry. Over the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to generate attenuated Eimeria strains, and the use of live attenuated anticoccidial vaccines for disease prevention has achieved tremendous success. In this review, we evaluate the advantages and limitations of the methods of attenuation as well as attenuated Eimeria strains in a historical perspective. Also, we summarize the recent exciting research advances in transient/stable transfection systems and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based genome editing developed for Eimeria parasites, and discuss trends and challenges of developing live attenuated anticoccidial vaccines based on transgenesis and genome editing.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Vaccines, Attenuated; Poultry Diseases; Protozoan Vaccines; Coccidiosis; Eimeria
PubMed: 37770352
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.09.002 -
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious... Aug 2023The diversity of microbiota is different in each person. Many health problems such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and depression can be... (Review)
Review
The diversity of microbiota is different in each person. Many health problems such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and depression can be caused by microbiota imbalance. Since the parasite needs a host to survive, it interacts closely with the microbiota elements. Blastocystis acts on the inflammatory state of the intestine and may cause various gastrointestinal symptoms, on the contrary, it is more important for gut health because it causes bacterial diversity and richness. Blastocystis is associated with changes in gut microbiota composition, the ultimate indicator of which is the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The Bifidobacterium genus was significantly reduced in IBS patients and Blastocystis, and there is a significant decrease in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which has anti-inflammatory properties in Blastocystis infection without IBS. Lactobacillus species reduce the presence of Giardia, and the produced bacteriocins prevent parasite adhesion. The presence of helminths has been strongly associated with the transition from Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes and Clostridia. Contrary to Ascaris, alpha diversity in the intestinal microbiota decreases in chronic Trichuris muris infection, and growth and nutrient metabolism efficiency can be suppressed. Helminth infections indirectly affect mood and behavior in children through their effects on microbiota change. The main and focus of this review is to address the relationship of parasites with microbiota elements and to review the data about what changes they cause. Microbiota studies have gained importance recently and it is thought that it will contribute to the treatment of many diseases as well as in the fight against parasitic diseases in the future.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Bacteroidetes; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Feces; Firmicutes; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Microbiota; Parasites
PubMed: 37267741
DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.115954 -
Current Biology : CB May 2024Parasitoids - insects that parasitize other insects - have fascinating biologies that have made them darlings of the science fiction genre, owing to their wide array of... (Review)
Review
Parasitoids - insects that parasitize other insects - have fascinating biologies that have made them darlings of the science fiction genre, owing to their wide array of innovative and often gruesome strategies for living off other organisms. These insects do not sting, but rather lay eggs on or inside their hosts, typically another insect or spider. Unlike parasites, which feed off a host without killing it, parasitoids kill their hosts - and they typically do it slowly. Parasitoids carefully keep their hosts alive for extended periods while they feed on host hemolymph and/or tissues until they are close to completing their own development. The techniques parasitoids use to feed on and manipulate their hosts are wide ranging, demonstrating multiple evolutionary pathways to achieve successful development from egg to adult.
Topics: Animals; Wasps; Host-Parasite Interactions; Biological Evolution; Insecta
PubMed: 38772331
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.038 -
Trends in Parasitology Jun 2024
Topics: Animals; Fascioliasis; Fasciola; Humans
PubMed: 38355314
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.01.007 -
Trends in Parasitology Aug 2023Arguably the most unique biological features of trematode parasites involve their clonal parthenitae and cercariae. These life stages are biologically fascinating,... (Review)
Review
Arguably the most unique biological features of trematode parasites involve their clonal parthenitae and cercariae. These life stages are biologically fascinating, medically and scientifically important, and often studied for years, lacking knowledge of their corresponding sexual adult stages. But sexual adults are the focus of trematode species-level taxonomy, partially explaining the relative neglect of documenting the diversity of parthenitae and cercariae and why researchers who do describe them give them only provisional names. Provisional names are unregulated, unstable, often ambiguous, and, I argue, often unnecessary. I suggest that we recommence formally naming parthenitae and cercariae using an improved naming scheme. The scheme should permit us to reap the benefits of formal nomenclature and thereby enhance research involving these diverse and important parasites.
Topics: Animals; Larva; Snails; Trematoda
PubMed: 37385923
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.011 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Mar 2024Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the helminth spp. and has the second highest global impact of all parasites. are transmitted through contact... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the helminth spp. and has the second highest global impact of all parasites. are transmitted through contact with contaminated fresh water predominantly in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Due to the widespread prevalence of , co-infection with other infectious agents is common but often poorly described. Herein, we review recent literature describing the impact of co-infection between species and co-infection with blood-borne protozoa, soil-transmitted helminths, various intestinal protozoa, , , various urinary tract infection-causing agents, and viral pathogens. In each case, disease severity and, of particular interest, the immune landscape, are altered as a consequence of co-infection. Understanding the impact of schistosomiasis co-infections will be important when considering treatment strategies and vaccine development moving forward.
Topics: Humans; Coinfection; Schistosomiasis; Africa; Soil; Prevalence; Helminthiasis
PubMed: 38319102
DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00098-23 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jan 2024
Topics: Animals; Humans; Lice Infestations; Phthirus; Genitalia
PubMed: 38226842
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm2303713 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2023
Topics: Animals; Parasites; Artificial Intelligence; Parasitic Diseases
PubMed: 37770977
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05972-1 -
Trends in Parasitology Jul 2023Piroplasmids of the genera Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon are tick-transmitted parasites with a high impact on animals and humans. They have complex life cycles in... (Review)
Review
Piroplasmids of the genera Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon are tick-transmitted parasites with a high impact on animals and humans. They have complex life cycles in their definitive arthropod and intermediate vertebrate hosts involving numerous processes, including invasion of, and egress from, host cells, parasite growth, transformation, and migration. Like other parasitic protozoa, piroplasmids are equipped with different types of protease to fulfill many of such essential processes. Blockade of some key proteases, using inhibitors or antibodies, hinders piroplasmid growth, highlighting their potential usefulness in drug therapies and vaccine development. A better understanding of the functional significance of these enzymes will contribute to the development of improved control measures for the devastating animal and human diseases caused by these pathogens.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Peptide Hydrolases; Babesia; Piroplasmida; Theileria; Ticks; Babesiosis
PubMed: 37271664
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.04.010