Mansonella perstans is the most prevalent human filarial parasite, infecting over 100 million people worldwide. Despite its wide distribution, it remains one of the most neglected parasitic infections, largely due to its...Mansonella perstans is the most prevalent human filarial parasite, infecting over 100 million people worldwide. Despite its wide distribution, it remains one of the most neglected parasitic infections, largely due to its asymptomatic clinical presentation and the difficulty in isolating adult worms. These factors have limited our understanding of its biology, including lifespan, reproductive behaviour, and migration patterns. Its strong immunomodulatory capacity can impair host immunity, increase susceptibility to coinfections, and reduce vaccine efficacy. This, combined with the lack of efficacy of single-dose ivermectin, underscores the urgent need for new treatment strategies. Encouragingly, recent advances in drug development, diagnostics, molecular tools, and experimental models are beginning to bridge key knowledge gaps, offering new insights into transmission dynamics, host-parasite interactions, and therapeutic options.
Global elimination of onchocerciasis is progressing. However, challenges persist in achieving elimination across all endemic regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, due to diagnostic limitations and operational comp...Global elimination of onchocerciasis is progressing. However, challenges persist in achieving elimination across all endemic regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, due to diagnostic limitations and operational complexity in coendemic, resource-constrained settings. This review synthesizes the historical and programmatic trajectory of onchocerciasis control, outlines the WHO elimination framework and evaluates diagnostic tools across programmatic phases. We examine clinical, molecular, serological, and entomological tools, highlighting the strengths and limitations while emphasizing the urgent need for field-deployable, high-sensitivity and non-invasive diagnostics to detect active Onchocerca volvulus infection. Novel tools show promise but require coordinated validation and integration into elimination programs. Success in the 'last mile' will depend on sensitive and specific diagnostics to detect low-level transmission and confirm elimination.
Malaria remains a major global health burden. Antibodies targeting the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), the main surface protein of Plasmodium sporozoites, have emerged as a promising prophylactic tool. Antibodies that bi...Malaria remains a major global health burden. Antibodies targeting the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), the main surface protein of Plasmodium sporozoites, have emerged as a promising prophylactic tool. Antibodies that bind to the CSP central repetitive region are the foundation of protection against sporozoite infection elicited by CSP-based vaccines. These antibodies have been shown to provide protection in both animal models and humans, although how they confer protection is not fully understood. This review explores how anti-CSP antibodies can neutralize sporozoites and how they mediate protection through tissue-specific mechanisms. Understanding these multilayered mechanisms is critical for improving vaccines and antibody-based prophylaxis.
Blastocystis, a prevalent eukaryote in human stool, may represent a core but cyclically abundant gut resident rather than a sporadic microorganism. Its fluctuating detectability might reflect host-microbe-environment dyn...Blastocystis, a prevalent eukaryote in human stool, may represent a core but cyclically abundant gut resident rather than a sporadic microorganism. Its fluctuating detectability might reflect host-microbe-environment dynamics and diagnostic limitations. Longitudinal sampling and advanced detection methods are essential to elucidate its ecological role and clinical significance.
Trends Parasitol
· 2025 Nov · PMID 40885645
·
Full text
Lutzomyia longipalpis is a phlebotomine sand fly of medico-veterinary importance and the primary vector of Leishmania infantum in the Americas. Its taxonomic status has been debated for decades, with ongoing uncertainty...Lutzomyia longipalpis is a phlebotomine sand fly of medico-veterinary importance and the primary vector of Leishmania infantum in the Americas. Its taxonomic status has been debated for decades, with ongoing uncertainty about whether it represents a single species or a species complex. While multiple studies support the existence of cryptic species, no formal taxonomic revision has been conducted to describe the putative species within the so-called L. longipalpis complex. A crucial step in resolving this issue is the designation of a name-bearing specimen (neotype) for L. longipalpis sensu stricto. Herein, I address the ongoing debate surrounding the L. longipalpis complex and provide insights to advance its taxonomic resolution and public health implications.
Ectoparasites and opportunistic protists exhibit species-, toxicant-, and environment-specific responses to different pollutants. This review summarises the effects of organic, inorganic, and emerging pollutants on ectop...Ectoparasites and opportunistic protists exhibit species-, toxicant-, and environment-specific responses to different pollutants. This review summarises the effects of organic, inorganic, and emerging pollutants on ectoparasites and opportunistic protists, and their applicability in environmental monitoring. From an indicator context, most studies have focused on endoparasites, largely because they fulfil key criteria used to assess the general suitability of parasites as indicators. Fewer studies have assessed effects of pollution on ectoparasites and protists despite being exposed for their entire life cycles. Their sensitivity to environmental changes, host-related factors, and macroenvironment interactions position them as promising tools for ecosystem assessment. However, the complexity of multi-stressor and species-specific dynamics necessitates novel approaches to their use as bioindicators.
Arthropod-borne diseases, caused by diverse pathogens, are global public health threats. Recent studies show that adiponectin receptor-like proteins in vectors such as Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti, and Ixodes scapula...Arthropod-borne diseases, caused by diverse pathogens, are global public health threats. Recent studies show that adiponectin receptor-like proteins in vectors such as Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti, and Ixodes scapularis influence transmission of diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, and Lyme disease. These receptors could be novel targets for controlling vector-borne diseases.
Trends Parasitol
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40849260
·
Full text
This article explores the cultural practices and diagnostic challenges surrounding schistosomiasis in Tanzania's Lake Zone. Mr Ezekiel's son endured years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments until the correct iden...This article explores the cultural practices and diagnostic challenges surrounding schistosomiasis in Tanzania's Lake Zone. Mr Ezekiel's son endured years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments until the correct identification and treatment of his chronic urinary schistosomiasis, highlighting the need for improved healthcare access and awareness in rural African communities.
Misaligned sequences derail evolutionary inference. Datasets from GenBank require verification of positional homology and orientation before alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Liver-fluke case studies reveal how overlo...Misaligned sequences derail evolutionary inference. Datasets from GenBank require verification of positional homology and orientation before alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Liver-fluke case studies reveal how overlooked errors skew results, underscoring the need for rigorous checks in parasitology and all molecular research.
Mosquito-borne viruses represent an increasing global public health threat, exacerbated by urbanisation and climate change, thus making effective mosquito control essential. RNA interference (RNAi), a sequence-specific g...Mosquito-borne viruses represent an increasing global public health threat, exacerbated by urbanisation and climate change, thus making effective mosquito control essential. RNA interference (RNAi), a sequence-specific gene regulation mechanism, can be a flexible vector control tool. RNAi effectors, such as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), can target mosquito genes or the viruses they carry, disrupting development or suppressing infection. However, current RNAi delivery methods are ineffective. Engineered bacterial symbionts offer a promising alternative for delivery, as they can produce dsRNA directly within mosquitoes. However, bacterial RNAi delivery in mosquitoes remains underexplored. We review emerging genetic tools, insights from RNAi and bacteria-mosquito interactions to outline priorities for realising bacterial RNAi as an efficient and sustainable vector control strategy.
A repurposed human kinase inhibitor was developed by Nardella et al. as a highly effective antimalarial with minimal cross resistance. A wide range of analyses implicated a Plasmodium kinase and haemoglobin digestion as...A repurposed human kinase inhibitor was developed by Nardella et al. as a highly effective antimalarial with minimal cross resistance. A wide range of analyses implicated a Plasmodium kinase and haemoglobin digestion as potential drug targets, but the true mode of action remains ambiguous, highlighting the hurdles involved in drug target identification.
The pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii in humans is largely attributed to its capacity for rapid multiplication via a streamlined division process known as endodyogeny. The assembly of the daughter cell scaffold, occurrin...The pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii in humans is largely attributed to its capacity for rapid multiplication via a streamlined division process known as endodyogeny. The assembly of the daughter cell scaffold, occurring through a process termed budding, necessitates strict temporal and spatial regulation. Recent advances have elucidated remarkable details of the early stages of daughter cell formation, underscoring the pivotal role of the apical polar ring during the initial phases. Furthermore, emerging evidence implicates ApiAP2 transcription factors in the regulation of gene expression essential for the synthesis of daughter cell components. This transcriptional control is complemented by post-translational regulatory mechanisms governing both the initiation and maturation of the daughter cell cytoskeleton. Both processes are critical for the successful production of invasive zoites.
Vial et al. performed single-cell transcriptomics and metabolomics of Aedes aegypti midgut and fat body tissues after blood feeding, characterizing novel cell types and markers, transcriptomic and metabolic responses to...Vial et al. performed single-cell transcriptomics and metabolomics of Aedes aegypti midgut and fat body tissues after blood feeding, characterizing novel cell types and markers, transcriptomic and metabolic responses to feeding, and insect-specific virus infection dynamics. This analysis reveals an intricate cellular ecosystem driving digestion, metabolism, reproduction, and immunity.
Grazing ruminants are commonly infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, and their negative impacts on animal health, welfare and production are intensified by increasing anthelmintic drug resistance. The goal of reducin...Grazing ruminants are commonly infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, and their negative impacts on animal health, welfare and production are intensified by increasing anthelmintic drug resistance. The goal of reducing anthelmintic use while preserving effective parasite control has motivated research on non-chemotherapeutic interventions, including those relevant to 'green'/organic ruminant production systems. However, 'green' control strategies are at varying levels of development, and an updated overview of the fragmented evidence is timely before they can be integrated with current parasite management. Here, we highlight recent scientific progress of selected non-chemotherapeutic tools for gastrointestinal nematode control in ruminants, existing knowledge gaps, and how novel research approaches and new technologies are contributing to their testing, further development and on-farm implementation, while advancing our understanding of host-parasite-environment interactions.
By localizing within the host nervous system, parasites gain a strategic foothold that facilitates precise manipulation of host behavior. Despite diverse mechanisms, unrelated metazoan taxa have convergently evolved to t...By localizing within the host nervous system, parasites gain a strategic foothold that facilitates precise manipulation of host behavior. Despite diverse mechanisms, unrelated metazoan taxa have convergently evolved to target similar neural pathways. Behavioral changes are sometimes dismissed as nonadaptive by-products of infection, particularly in understudied systems, making it difficult to identify true manipulation. However, growing evidence suggests that such by-products may serve as evolutionary precursors to adaptive strategies. In some groups, such as rhizocephalans, neural interaction appears fundamental to the evolution of the entire group. Recent advances are uncovering specific neural targets, molecular effectors, and precise timing of manipulation. As research moves beyond descriptive studies, parasite neuroscience promises new insights into brain function, evolutionary dynamics, and potential applications in bioengineering.
Parasitology has long relied on genomics and transcriptomics to explore gene function, diversity, and host-parasite interactions, yet functional insight often requires deeper molecular resolution. This forum highlights a...Parasitology has long relied on genomics and transcriptomics to explore gene function, diversity, and host-parasite interactions, yet functional insight often requires deeper molecular resolution. This forum highlights advances in proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and emerging technologies. We advocate an integrative multiomics approach to better understand parasite biology in context.
Links between genome organization and transcription have been extensively studied in model eukaryotes; however, recent application of state-of-the-art chromosome conformation capture techniques to kinetoplastid and Plasm...Links between genome organization and transcription have been extensively studied in model eukaryotes; however, recent application of state-of-the-art chromosome conformation capture techniques to kinetoplastid and Plasmodium parasites has revealed fascinating and divergent architectural mechanisms underlying gene regulation. Trypanosomes assemble nuclear compartments to fine-tune transcription and splicing of variant surface glycoprotein genes. Plasmodium utilizes specific protein complexes to cluster variant surface antigen genes for their epigenetic regulation and genetic diversity. Recent studies have also observed coalescence of genes transcribed by RNAPII in Trypanosoma brucei and active stage-specific genes in Plasmodium falciparum, which could facilitate bursts of transcription in the dynamic parasite life cycle. Thus, connections between genome architecture and gene regulation are emerging as crucial to parasite survival and pathogenesis.
Vector-borne diseases have a growing impact on human and animal health. Metagenomics has been largely used to characterize the microbiome and has highlighted the key role of the microbiota in modulating the vector compet...Vector-borne diseases have a growing impact on human and animal health. Metagenomics has been largely used to characterize the microbiome and has highlighted the key role of the microbiota in modulating the vector competence of insects. Currently, an integrated approach combining vector control, vaccine prevention, and drug treatment is being developed to limit the transmission of insect-borne pathogens. This is more complex for tick-associated diseases, considering the biology of the tick and the possibility of modifications of its microbiota in vector control. Conversely, because the skin is an essential interface in tick-borne diseases, an in-depth study of the precise role of the tick and host microbiota during tick bite and pathogen inoculation opens up new prospects for controlling these diseases.