Helminth Control Practices in Sheep and Cattle in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas of Adea District, Central Ethiopia.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal helminth parasitism is an important problem of livestock in many places of the globe. Despite the fact that the disease is one of the leading causes of economic losses, there is little information on the occurrence of the infection in cattle and sheep in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to February 2023 in urban and peri-urban areas of the Ada'a District with the objective of estimating the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites (GIHPs) in sheep and cattle and to assess the commercial anthelmintic utilization practices and associated risk factors in sheep and cattle. A total of 351 randomly selected fecal samples (192 cattle and 159 sheep) were collected from the rectum and examined using flotation and sedimentation. One hundred respondents were interviewed for questionnaire surveys on anthelmintic utilization practices. Results and Discussion: The overall prevalence of GIHPs (61.25%) was recorded during the study. Among the animals, 55.21% and 68.55% prevalence of the infection was observed in cattle and sheep, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in gastrointestinal helminth parasite (GIHP) infection between the study animal species, breeds, body condition of the animals, and production systems. However, there were no significant differences in gastrointestinal helminth parasite (GIHP) infection (P > 0.05) according to sex and age of the animals. A higher prevalence of strongyle (55.34%), fasciola (13.48%), and moniezia eggs (10.69%) was recorded. According to a questionnaire survey, ivermectin was found to be the most used anthelmintic drug. This study addresses the challenge of anthelmintic resistance (AR) against currently available anthelmintics; highly prevalent parasitic infections are causing tremendous economic losses to the animal industry.

Prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasitosis in small ruminant farms in the Sahelian zone of Niger.

The general aim of this study is to analyse the risk factors for gastrointestinal parasitosis in small ruminants in order to contribute to the emergence of targeted treatment methods, at herd and agro-climatic zone levels, for the integrated and sustainable management of parasitic diseases in Sahelian livestock systems. The methodology was based on a questionnaire survey conducted in 37 villages and coprological analysis using the McMaster method on faecal samples from 968 small ruminants, including 555 goats and 413 sheep. Multiple logistic regression was used to highlight the risk factors associated with each type of parasitosis encountered. The results showed that the most widespread farming system remained 100% traditional, with feeding based essentially on natural grazing. Coprological results showed the prevalence of nematodosis (70.2%), Cestodosis (4.1%) and Coccidiosis (79.9%), with an average prevalence of coinfection of 56.9%. These parasite loads were significantly higher during the rainy season and in the more arid northern Sahelian zone, with a marked reduction at the end of the season. Average parasitic egg excretions were 1089 EPG of nematodes and 6864 EPG of coccidia. Parasite loads were higher in the wetter southern strip and varied significantly by breed. Of the five breeds of small ruminants studied, the ara-ara sheep had the highest parasitic loads and prevalences for nematodosis (78.6%), coccidiosis (89,3%) and coinfection (70.9%), appears to be the most susceptible to parasitosis. As for risk factors for severe parasite pressure, animals at the end of the rainy season, older animals and those with poor body condition were at risk of nematodiasis or coinfection. On the other hand, animals at the beginning of the rainy season, farms located in less arid southern Sahelian zones and male subjects were the groups at significant risk of coccidiosis. In these extensive Sahelian farming conditions, the control of these parasitoses by selective treatment of animals could be developed, targeting in particular the risk groups highlighted in this study.

Fatal Hymenolepis nana-associated visceral larva migrans in captive juvenile white-tailed antsangies (Brachytarsomysalbicauda).

White-tailed antsangies (Brachytarsomys albicauda) are Madagascan rodents uncommonly kept in captivity. Hymenolepis nana is a cestode with an unusual life cycle, incorporating direct, indirect and autoinfective stages. This case series represents the first reported outbreak of H. nana cestodiasis in white-tailed antsangies, summarizing macroscopic and histological findings in four cases. On post-mortem examination (PME), numerous cysticerci were detected consistently throughout the intestinal serosa, liver, mesenteric lymphatic vasculature and mesenteric lymph nodes. Pancreatic cysticerci were observed in one case. Adult tapeworms, larvae and eggs were found only in the small intestine, and faecal egg shedding was a feature. Histopathological examination identified adult, larval and encysted cestodes within the respective gross lesions, with pulmonary, pancreatic and splenic involvement detected in a single case. The cestodes sampled on PME were identified by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing, with H. nana confirmed in all cases. Visceral larva migrans was consistent throughout all specimens, in contrast with the natural infections of standard rodent hosts, and may be considered a likely pathological feature of H. nana infection in white-tailed antsangies.

Visceral cysticercosis in a Kunekune sow: description and molecular identification of Taenia hydatigena.

A 2-year-old Kunekune sow was submitted for necropsy following death after peritonitis and sepsis. In addition to peritonitis, numerous fluid-filled cysts were identified in the mesentery and hepatic parenchyma, which contained an approximately 1 cm metacestode (cysticercosis). Subsequent molecular characterization confirmed the presence of Taenia hydatigena, a non-zoonotic cestode species. To our knowledge, visceral cysticercosis caused by T. hydatigena has not been previously documented in Kunekune pigs. Taenia solium is a differential diagnosis of public health importance in cases of cysticercosis. Although Taenia solium is not commonly reported nor endemic in the United States, its zoonotic potential warrants consideration in the initial diagnostic assessment. Clinicians should be aware of the presence of T. hydatigena in its definitive and intermediate hosts.

Molecular characterization of Bertiella studeri infecting a primate in South India.

Bertiella spp. is a mite-borne cestode parasite that inhabits the small intestine of wide range of mammals, including non-human primates. In the present study, the morphological and molecular analysis of Bertiella studeri recovered from the small intestine of a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) from Wayanad, Kerala (South India) was performed. Acetic alum carmine staining identified the cestode morphologically based on the characters like broader proglottids, which contain irregularly alternating genital pores, single set of reproductive organs, 280 testes and a tubular transverse uterus. Molecular characterization was done using 18SrRNA, ITS1-5.8S and COX1 genes. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA X based on the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method (Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano (HKY) model). Cytochrome oxidase I gene could detect the existence of genetic variation in the parasite from two different hosts viz., monkey (Kerala, Argentina, and Kenya) and human (Sri Lanka). A minimum spanning network of haplotypes was generated by the haplotype networking with the above sequences using the popARTv1.7. Haplotype analysis based on COX1 revealed that the parasite haplotype was different in each country with highest population frequency in Sri Lanka.

Microbial artists: the role of parasite microbiomes in explaining colour polymorphism among amphipods and potential link to host manipulation.

Parasite infections are increasingly reported to change the microbiome of the parasitised hosts, while parasites bring their own microbes to what can be a multi-dimensional interaction. For instance, a recent hypothesis suggests that the microbial communities harboured by parasites may play a role in the well-documented ability of many parasites to manipulate host phenotype, and explain why the degree to which host phenotype is altered varies among conspecific parasites. Here, we explored whether the microbiomes of both hosts and parasites are associated with variation in host manipulation by parasites. Using colour quantification methods applied to digital images, we investigated colour variation among uninfected Transorchestia serrulata amphipods, as well as amphipods infected with Plagiorhynchus allisonae acanthocephalans and with a dilepidid cestode. We then characterised the bacteriota of amphipod hosts and of their parasites, looking for correlations between host phenotype and the bacterial taxa associated with hosts and parasites. We found large variation in amphipod colours, and weak support for a direct impact of parasites on the colour of their hosts. Conversely, and most interestingly, the parasite's bacteriota was more strongly correlated with colour variation among their amphipod hosts, with potential impact of amphipod-associated bacteria as well. Some bacterial taxa found associated with amphipods and parasites may have the ability to synthesise pigments, and we propose they may interact with colour determination in the amphipods. This study provides correlational support for an association between the parasite's microbiome and the evolution of host manipulation by parasites and host-parasite interactions more generally.

Endogenous innate sensor NLRP3 is a key component in peritoneal macrophage dynamics required for cestode establishment.

The NLRP3 receptor can assemble inflammasome platforms to trigger inflammatory responses; however, accumulating evidence suggests that it can also display anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we explored the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain pyrin-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) in Taenia crassiceps experimental infection, which requires immune polarization into a Th2-type profile and peritoneal influx of suppressive macrophages for successful colonization. NLRP3 deficient mice (NLRP3-/-) were highly resistant against T. crassiceps, relative to wild-type (WT) mice. Resistance in NLRP3-/- mice was associated with a diminished IL-4 output, high levels of IL-15, growth factor for both innate and adaptive lymphocytes, and a dramatic decrease in peritoneum-infiltrating suppressive macrophages. Also, a transcriptional analysis on bone marrow-derived macrophages exposed to Taenia-secreted antigens and IL-4 revealed that NLRP3-/- macrophages express reduced transcripts of relm-α and PD-1 ligands, markers of alternative activation and suppressive ability, respectively. Finally, we found that the resistance displayed by NLRP3-/- mice is transferred through intestinal microbiota exchange, since WT mice co-housed with NLRP3-/- mice were significantly more resistant than WT animals preserving their native microbiota. Altogether, these data demonstrate that NLRP3 is a component of innate immunity required for T. crassiceps to establish, most likely contributing to macrophage recruitment, and controlling lymphocyte-stimulating cytokines such as IL-15.

Cystic echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato infection) in Tunisia, a One Health perspective for a future control programme.

The emergence of pandemics with dramatic consequences for human health has obscured endemic diseases that continue to pose a problem for human and animal health in several regions of the world. Among these diseases, cystic echinococcosis, a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by a group of cestodes, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, remains a real human and animal health problem in several regions of the world, including the Mediterranean Basin. Despite the implementation of a number of governmental control programmes using several tools (dog treatment, meat inspection, etc.), this infection is still highly prevalent in North Africa. Here we present a review of the epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis in Tunisia, an analysis of the constraints limiting the effectiveness of the control programmes implemented, and finally argue for the use of the One Health framework to improve the effectiveness of future programmes.

First report of apparent praziquantel resistance in Dipylidium caninum in Europe.

Dipylidium caninum is a common tapeworm of dogs. Two cases of praziquantel resistance have been described in D. caninum in the United States. No further reports have been published to the authors' knowledge. Here, the case of a dog imported to Switzerland from Spain with a history of chronic excretion of tapeworm proglottids and unresponsiveness to praziquantel treatments is reported. Clinical signs were mild (restlessness, tenesmus, anal pruritus, squashy feces) and flea infestation could be ruled out. Infection with D. caninum was confirmed through morphological and genetic parasite identification. Different subsequently applied anthelmintic compounds and protocols, including epsiprantel, did not confer the desired effects. Proglottid shedding only stopped after oral mebendazole administration of 86.2 mg kg−1 body weight for 5 consecutive days. Clinical signs resolved and the dog remained coproscopically negative during a follow-up period of 10 months after the last treatment. This case represents the first reported apparent praziquantel and epsiprantel resistance in D. caninum in Europe. Treatment was extremely challenging especially due to the limited availability of efficacious alternative compounds.

Hidden diversity of cestodes in wild African carnivores: I. Non-taeniid cyclophyllideans.

Our knowledge of parasites in wildlife remains limited, primarily due to restricted access to samples, especially of parasites from protected species. This present study contributes to the comprehension of the enigmatic world of helminths of African wild mammals and cestode biodiversity by combining both molecular and morphological analysis. Cestode samples were opportunistically collected from 77 individual definitive hosts in South Africa, Namibia and Ethiopia, encompassing 15 different species of wild African carnivores and additionally domestic cats. The analysis revealed 32 different cyclophyllidean species of which 21 (65.6 %) represent previously unknown genetic entities. They belong to the families Mesocestoididae, Hymenolepididae, Dipylidiidae and Taeniidae. Here we cover the non-taeniid cestodes, while the taeniids will be addressed in a separate publication. Three of the non-taeniid species uncovered in this study could be assigned to the genus Mesocestoides and were isolated from servals and domestic cats. The white-tailed mongoose was found to be a suitable host for a species belonging to the Hymenolepididae, which was identified as Pseudandrya cf. mkuzii. Both feline and canine genotypes of Dipylidium caninum were detected in domestic cats, the canine genotype also in an African wolf. In addition to these, a novel species of Dipylidium was discovered in an aardwolf. Lastly, four distinct species of Joyeuxiella were found in this study, revealing a cryptic species complex and emphasizing the need for a taxonomic reassessment of this genus. Despite the limited scope of our study in terms of geography and sample size, the results highlight that biodiversity of cestodes in African wild mammals is grossly under-researched and follow-up studies are urgently required, in particular linking morphology to gene sequences.

Biochemical characterization and gene structure analysis of the 24-kDa glutathione transferase sigma from Taenia solium.

Taenia solium can cause human taeniasis and/or cysticercosis. The latter can in some instances cause human neurocysticercosis which is considered a priority in disease-control strategies and the prevention of mental health problems. Glutathione transferases are crucial for the establishment and long-term survival of T. solium; therefore, we structurally analyzed the 24-kDa glutathione transferase gene (Ts24gst) of T. solium and biochemically characterized its product. The gene promoter showed potential binding sites for transcription factors and xenobiotic regulatory elements. The gene consists of a transcription start site, four exons split by three introns, and a polyadenylation site. The gene architecture is conserved in cestodes. Recombinant Ts24GST (rTs24GST) was active and dimeric. Anti-rTs24GST serum showed slight cross-reactivity with human sigma-class GST. A 3D model of Ts24GST enabled identification of putative residues involved in interactions of the G-site with GSH and of the H-site with CDNB and prostaglandin D2. Furthermore, rTs24GST showed optimal activity at 45 °C and pH 9, as well as high structural stability in a wide range of temperatures and pHs. These results contribute to the better understanding of this parasite and the efforts directed to fight taeniasis/cysticercosis.

Mouse model of secondary cystic echinococcosis.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s. l.), a genetic complex composed of five species: E. granulosus sensu stricto (s. s.), E. equinus, E. ortleppi, E. canadensis, and E. felidis. The parasite requires two mammalian hosts to complete its life cycle: a definitive host (mainly dogs) harboring the adult parasite in its intestines, and an intermediate host (mostly farm and wild ungulates) where hydatid cysts develop mainly in the liver and lungs. Humans are accidental intermediate hosts, being susceptible to either primary or secondary forms of CE; the first one due to the ingestion of oncospheres, and the second one because of the spillage of protoscoleces (PSC) contained within a primary cyst. Secondary CE is a serious medical problem, and can be modeled in immunocompetent mice (a non-natural intermediate host) through the intraperitoneal inoculation of viable PSC from E. granulosus s. l. This model is useful to study not only the immunobiology of CE, but also to test new chemotherapeutics or therapeutical protocols, to explore novel vaccine candidates, and to evaluate alternative diagnostic and/or follow-up tools. The mouse model of secondary CE involves two sequential stages: an early stage of parasite pre-encystment (PSC develop into hydatid cysts in the peritoneal cavity of mice), and a late or chronic stage of parasite post-encystment (already differentiated cysts slowly grow during the whole host lifespan). This model is a time-consuming infection, whose outcome depends on several factors like the parasite infective dose, the mouse strain, and the parasite species/genotype. Thus, such variables should always be adjusted according to the research objectives. Herein, the general materials and procedures needed to establish secondary CE in mice are described, as well as several useful tips and recommendations.

Efficacy of Lactobacillus taiwanensis S29 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S27 against tapeworm infection in Swiss Albino rats.

Hymenolepis diminuta a zoonotic tapeworm infection in human remains an important cestode model for anthelmintic study as it display common clinical symptoms like other adult human tapeworms during heavy infestation. The use of Lactobacillus as a probiotic is an alternative to drugs which have increased in research and usage considerably during the last decade. The present study aims to determine the anthelmintic efficacy of two probiotics, L. taiwanensis strain S29 and L. plantarum strain S27 against H. diminuta in infected rat. Four groups of animals, each with six numbers were randomly chosen as the negative control (Group I), positive control (infected) (Group II) and the infected treated with two probiotics Group III and Group IV respectively. Another four groups (Group V-VIII) were selected and further subdivided into four sub-groups to investigate the development of larvae to adult during probiotics treatment. Worm burden, egg per gram were determined after treatment with these two probiotics. Furthermore, hematological assays and levels of biochemical markers were estimated, tissue damage was assayed through histological study and intestinal mitochondria detection was done. Worm sustainability reduced about 70-90% and EPG count decreased by 81-94% in probiotics treated groups. A significant level of unsuccessful establishment of larvae was observed in the developmental phase. Improvement in hematological parameter along with some biochemical parameters in the host were significantly observed after treatment with probiotics. The architecture damaged caused in the intestine and mitochondria density due to parasite infection improved significantly as that of control after probiotics treatment.

Coinfection of the gut with protozoal and metazoal parasites in broiler and laying chickens.

The chicken business faces substantial economic losses due to the risk of parasitic coinfection. Because the current study aimed to investigate enteric parasitic coinfections problems among the suspected examined chicken farms, samples were collected during the field investigation from suspected freshly dead birds, clinically diseased, apparently healthy, and litter samples for further laboratory parasitological, histopathological, and immunological examinations. Variable mortalities with various clinical indicators, such as ruffled feathers, weight loss, diarrhea of various colors, and a decline in egg production, occurred on the farms under investigation. In addition, the treatment protocols of each of the farms that were evaluated were documented and the m-RNA levels of some cytokines and apoptotic genes among the infected poultry have been assessed. The prevalence rate of parasitic coinfection in the current study was found to be 8/120 (6.66%). Parasitological analysis of the samples revealed that they belonged to distinct species of Eimeria, cestodes, and Ascaridia galli. When deposited, A. galli eggs were nonembryonated and ellipsoidal, but cestodes eggs possessed a thin, translucent membrane that was subspherical. Eimeria spp. oocysts in layer chickens were identified as Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima in broiler chickens. Our findings proved that coinfection significantly upregulated the IL-1ß, BAX, and Cas-3 genes. Conversely, the IL-10, BCL-2, and AKT mRNA levels were downregulated, indicating that nematode triggered apoptosis. The existence of parasite coinfection was verified by histological investigation of the various intestinal segments obtained from affected flocks. A. galli and cestodes obstructed the intestinal lumen, causing different histological alternations in the intestinal mucosa. Additionally, the lamina propria revealed different developmental stages of Eimeria spp. It was determined that parasite coinfection poses a significant risk to the poultry industry. It was recommended that stringent sanitary measures management methods, together with appropriate treatment and preventative procedures, be employed in order to resolve such issues.

First known case of human bertiellosis in a child in Paraná, Brazil / Primeiro caso conhecido de bertielose humana em uma criança no Paraná, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the first known case of human Bertiellosis in Paraná (Brazil). Case description: A 6-year-old male residing in the Brazilian state of Paraná was suffering from intermittent nonspecific abdominal pain and abdominal distension, associated with expulsion of live tapeworms in his feces for 7 months. He had a history of interaction with monkeys on an island. His first feces analysis was inconclusive, with an initial hypothesis of an atypical Taenia. However, after additional research, the parasitologist identified pregnant proglottids of Bertiella sp. The patient was initially treated with an unknown dosage of albendazole and nitazoxanide, as it was believed he had been infected with Taenia sp. Since the symptoms persisted, praziquantel 10 mg/kg was prescribed without further proglottids elimination. Comments: Human Bertiellosis is a rare zoonosis, with less than one hundred cases reported. However, it is a cause of chronic abdominal pain and should be kept as a differential diagnosis, especially in cases reporting recurrent tapeworm expulsion in feces and refractory treatment with albendazole.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o primeiro caso conhecido de bertielose humana no Paraná, Brasil. Descrição do caso: Criança de seis anos do sexo masculino, residente no Paraná, Brasil, apresentava dor abdominal inespecífica intermitente e distensão abdominal, associadas à expulsão de helmintos vivos em suas fezes havia sete meses. Tinha um histórico de interação com macacos em uma ilha. Sua primeira análise de fezes foi inconclusiva, com hipótese inicial de uma Taenia atípica. No entanto, após pesquisas adicionais, o parasitologista identificou proglótides gravídicas de Bertiella sp. O paciente foi inicialmente tratado com uma dosagem desconhecida de albendazol e nitazoxanida, pois se acreditava que havia sido infectado por Taenia sp. Diante da persistência dos sintomas, foi prescrito praziquantel 10 mg/kg, sem mais eliminação de proglótides. Comentários: A bertielose humana é uma zoonose rara, com menos de cem casos relatados. No entanto, é uma causa de dor abdominal crônica e deve ser mantida como diagnóstico diferencial, principalmente nos casos que relatam expulsão recorrente de helmintos nas fezes e que são refratários ao tratamento com albendazol.

Lactate Dehydrogenase Gene Family in Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea)-Phylogenetic Patterns and Molecular Characteristics.

The plerocercoid of Spirometra mansoni can parasitize both human and animals, resulting in sparganosis. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an important enzyme in parasites. However, our knowledge of the LDH family in S. mansoni is still inadequate. This work identified 19 new LDH members in S. mansoni. Clustering analysis demonstrated that all SmLDHs were divided into two main groups, which is consistent with the patterns of conserved motif organization. According to RT-qPCR, 2 LDHs were highly expressed in the plerocercoid stage and 17 LDHs were highly expressed in the adult stage. The evolutionary tree showed a high level of diversity of both cestode and trematode LDHs. SmLDHs contained both conserved family members and members in the process of further diversification. rSmLDH has a NAD-binding domain and a substrate-binding domain. The protein was immunolocalized in the epidermis of the pleroceroid and in the tegument, uterus and egg shell of adult worms. The optimum activity for rSmLDH in the pyruvate reduction reaction was found to be pH 4.5 and 37 °C. In the oxidation reaction, optimal values for pH and temperature were 9.0 and 30 °C, respectively. Gossypol was found to be the most powerful inhibitor in both reduction and oxidation reactions. The results provide a basis for the further study of the biological roles of LDHs in S. mansoni and other LDH-containing taxa.

Stem cell proliferation and differentiation during larval metamorphosis of the model tapeworm Hymenolepis microstoma.

Background: Tapeworm larvae cause important diseases in humans and domestic animals. During infection, the first larval stage undergoes a metamorphosis where tissues are formed de novo from a population of stem cells called germinative cells. This process is difficult to study for human pathogens, as these larvae are infectious and difficult to obtain in the laboratory. Methods: In this work, we analyzed cell proliferation and differentiation during larval metamorphosis in the model tapeworm Hymenolepis microstoma, by in vivo labelling of proliferating cells with the thymidine analogue 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), tracing their differentiation with a suite of specific molecular markers for different cell types. Results: Proliferating cells are very abundant and fast-cycling during early metamorphosis: the total number of cells duplicates every ten hours, and the length of G2 is only 75 minutes. New tegumental, muscle and nerve cells differentiate from this pool of proliferating germinative cells, and these processes are very fast, as differentiation markers for neurons and muscle cells appear within 24 hours after exiting the cell cycle, and fusion of new cells to the tegumental syncytium can be detected after only 4 hours. Tegumental and muscle cells appear from early stages of metamorphosis (24 to 48 hours post-infection); in contrast, most markers for differentiating neurons appear later, and the detection of synapsin and neuropeptides correlates with scolex retraction. Finally, we identified populations of proliferating cells that express conserved genes associated with neuronal progenitors and precursors, suggesting the existence of tissue-specific lineages among germinative cells. Discussion: These results provide for the first time a comprehensive view of the development of new tissues during tapeworm larval metamorphosis, providing a framework for similar studies in human and veterinary pathogens.

Long live the host! Proteomic analysis reveals possible strategies for parasitic manipulation of its social host.

Parasites with complex life cycles often manipulate the phenotype of their intermediate hosts to increase the probability of transmission to their definitive hosts. Infection with Anomotaenia brevis, a cestode that uses Temnothorax nylanderi ants as intermediate hosts, leads to a multiple-fold extension of host lifespan and to changes in behaviour, morphology and colouration. The mechanisms behind these changes are unknown, as is whether the increased longevity is achieved through parasite manipulation. Here, we demonstrate that the parasite releases proteins into its host with functions that might explain the observed changes. These parasitic proteins make up a substantial portion of the proteome of the hosts' haemolymph, and thioredoxin peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, two antioxidants, exhibited the highest abundances among them. The largest part of the secreted proteins could not be annotated, indicating they are either novel or severely altered during recent coevolution to function in host manipulation. We also detected shifts in the hosts' proteome with infection, in particular an overabundance of vitellogenin-like A in infected ants, a protein that regulates division of labour in Temnothorax ants, which could explain the observed behavioural changes. Our results thus suggest two different strategies that might be employed by this parasite to manipulate its host: secreting proteins with immediate influence on the host's phenotype and altering the host's translational activity. Our findings highlight the intricate molecular interplay required to influence the phenotype of a host and point to potential signalling pathways and genes involved in parasite-host communication.

Neoskrjabinolepis paradoxa n. sp. from shrews on Sakhalin Island, Russia, with an amended diagnosis of Neoskrjabinolepis Spassky, 1947 (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae), a key, and a review on geographical distribution of the species.

A taxonomic review was performed on cestodes of the genus Neoskrjabinolepis Spassky, 1947 that parasitize different species of Sorex shrews in different regions of the northern Palearctic and in the Nearctic (Alaska, USA). Information on Palearctic Neoskrjabinolepis cestodes published in various articles is summarized. An overview of the geographical distribution of the Neoskrjabinolepis species is also presented. Currently, the genus includes 17 species. In the European part of the Palearctic, four species of the genus are registered; in the Asian part, 13 species; and on the American continent (Seward Peninsula, Alaska, USA), two species. Descriptions, illustrations, and differential diagnoses are given for a new species of Neoskrjabinolepis, i.e. N. paradoxa n. sp., which was found in shrews Sorex unguiculatus Dobson and S. caecutiens Laxmann on Sakhalin Island. A unique feature of the new species is irregularly alternating genital pores in the uterus series in the strobila. Amended new differential features (positioning of the uterus relative to osmoregulatory canals and alternation of genital pores) of genus diagnosis and an identification key for Neoskrjabinolepis spp. are presented.