Occurrence and identification of lungworms in Iranian wild boars.

This study represents the first investigation into the occurrence and identification of Metastrongylus spp. in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Iran, utilizing both molecular and morphological methods. Thirteen wild boars from Kerman Province were examined, with 92.3% found to be infected with at least one species of Metastrongylus. Mixed infections were observed in 38.46% of the animals. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the presence of M. pudendotectus and M. salmi, with prevalence rates of 76.9% and 53.9%, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed transverse and longitudinal sections of Metastrongylus parasites within the airways, causing partial to complete obstruction, interstitial pneumonia, and inflammatory responses. The study also highlights the public health significance of these parasites. The higher prevalence observed compared to earlier studies suggests changes in environmental conditions, host dynamics, or agricultural practices as possible factors, warranting further investigation. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive surveillance and control measures to mitigate the risk of zoonotic transmission, particularly in regions with significant wild and domestic swine populations. This study contributes to the understanding of Metastrongylus spp. distribution and their pathological impact, emphasizing the ecological importance of wild boars and the necessity for continued monitoring and research to prevent and control infections in both animal and human populations.

Humans seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi co-infected with intestinal helminths have higher infectiousness, parasitaemia and Th2-type response in the Argentine Chaco.

BACKGROUND: The Gran Chaco ecoregion is a well-known hotspot of several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including Chagas disease, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and multiparasitic infections. Interspecific interactions between parasite species can modify host susceptibility, pathogenesis and transmissibility through immunomodulation. Our objective was to test the association between human co-infection with intestinal parasites and host parasitaemia, infectiousness to the vector and immunological profiles in Trypanosoma cruzi-seropositive individuals residing in an endemic region of the Argentine Chaco. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional serological survey for T. cruzi infection along with an intestinal parasite survey in two adjacent rural villages. Each participant was tested for T. cruzi and Strongyloides stercoralis infection by serodiagnosis, and by coprological tests for intestinal parasite detection. Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream parasite load was determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR), host infectiousness by artificial xenodiagnosis and serum human cytokine levels by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The seroprevalence for T. cruzi was 16.1% and for S. stercoralis 11.5% (n = 87). We found 25.3% of patients with Enterobius vermicularis. The most frequent protozoan parasites were Blastocystis spp. (39.1%), Giardia lamblia (6.9%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (3.4%). Multiparasitism occurred in 36.8% of the examined patients. Co-infection ranged from 6.9% to 8.1% for T. cruzi-seropositive humans simultaneously infected with at least one protozoan or helminth species, respectively. The relative odds of being positive by qPCR or xenodiagnosis (i.e. infectious) of 28 T. cruzi-seropositive patients was eight times higher in people co-infected with at least one helminth species than in patients with no such co-infection. Trypanosoma cruzi parasite load and host infectiousness were positively associated with helminth co-infection in a multiple regression analysis. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) response, measured in relation to interleukin (IL)-4 among humans infected with T. cruzi only, was 1.5-fold higher than for T. cruzi-seropositive patients co-infected with helminths. The median concentration of IL-4 was significantly higher in T. cruzi-seropositive patients with a positive qPCR test than in qPCR-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a high level of multiparasitism and suggest that co-infection with intestinal helminths increased T. cruzi parasitaemia and upregulated the Th2-type response in the study patients.

Bacilli load in PTB- intestinal helminths co-infected and PTB non -infected patients at selected public health facilities in Jimma zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) and intestinal helminths are diseases that pose a dual burden on public health in low-income countries. Previous studies have shown that helminths can affect the shedding of bacteria or the bacterial load in the sputum of active TB patients. However, there is limited information on bacterial load in TB patients with helminth infections. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare bacterial load in helminths-infected and non-infected pulmonary tuberculosis patients at selected public health facilities in Jimma zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. METHODS: The study was conducted in Jimma Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A facility-based comparative cross-sectional study was employed from August 01, 2020, to January 2021. A total of 124 (55 intestinal helminths-infected and 69 non-infected) newly diagnosed smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients were included in the study. A convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit study participants, and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and possible risk factors for intestinal helminths co-infection. Stool examination was performed using both wet mount and Kato Katz technique. Additionally, weight and height measurements, sputum, and blood samples were taken to determine body mass index, bacilli load, and diabetic mellitus, respectively. Data were entered into Epi-Data software version 3.1 and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25. A statistically significant difference was defined as a P-value of less than 0.05. RESULTS: Intestinal helminths reduced bacilli load 3 times more than intestinal helminths non-infected PTB (AOR = 3.44; 95% CI; 1.52, 7.79; P = 0.003) However, diabetes mellitus, HIV, drinking alcohol and cigarette smoking were not associated with bacilli load. The rate of co-infection TB with intestinal helminths was 44%. The three most prevalent parasites detected were Trichuris trichiura 29 (66%), hookworm 19 (43%), and Ascaris lumbricoides 11(25%)). Among co-infected patients about 36 (81.8%) had a single parasite infection, and 19 (43.2%) had multiple infections. A body mass index < 18.5 (AOR = 3.26; 95% CI; 1.25, 8.56;P = 0.016) and untrimmed fingernail status (AOR = 3.63; 95%CI;1.32,9.93;P = 0.012) were significantly associated with PTB- intestinal helminth -co-infection. CONCLUSION: Helminth infection was associated with a lower bacilli load compared to helmenths non-infected PTB. The rate of co-infection TB with intestinal helminths was 44%. Trichuris trichiura was the most prevalent helminth. Untrimmed fingernail and a body mass index were associated with PTB-intestinal helminth co-infection.

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and Opisthorchis viverrini coinfections: insights into immune responses and clinical outcomes.

The effects of co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 and parasitic diseases have been little investigated in terms of immune response, disease dynamics, and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to explore the impact of co-infection with Opisthorchis viverrini and SARS-CoV-2 on the immune response concerning clinical symptoms and the severity of pulmonary abnormalities. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including healthy participants as controls, participants with opisthorchiasis, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a co-infection group with both diseases. Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed based on clinical parameters and severity of pulmonary abnormalities, whereas opisthorchiasis burden was evaluated by eggs-per-gram (EPG) counts. Immune responses were assessed by measuring levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG, and neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2. In the co-infected group, clinical parameters and hospitalization rates were lower than in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Pulmonary abnormalities, such as bronchial fibrosis, were commonly observed in the SARS-CoV-2 group, leading to hospitalization in some cases. Participants with opisthorchiasis had higher IFN-γ levels than healthy individuals. IFN-γ levels were significantly lower in the co-infection group compared with the SARS-CoV-2 group (P = 0.002). There was a significant (P = 0.044) positive correlation between RBD-specific IgG and percent neutralization levels in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Levels of both were somewhat lower (not statistically significant) in the co-infection group. A negative correlation was observed between opisthorchiasis burden (EPG counts) and IFN-γ and RBD-specific IgG levels in the co-infected group. Following vaccination, the increase in IgG levels against the RBD protein was significantly lower in the co-infected group than in the SARS-CoV-2 group. These results suggest that O. viverrini infection suppresses immune responses and may lead to a reduction in severity in cases of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.

Novel identification of mixed infection of Lactococcus garvieae and Cryptocaryon irritans isolated from cultured Trachinotus ovatus in China.

Lactococcus garvieae has recently been identified and listed as one of the causative agents of hyperacute hemorrhagic sepsis in fish. In intensive recirculating aquaculture systems where there are high fish densities and minimal water changes, not only will it be conducive to the growth of bacteria, but Cryptocaryon irritans as a marine protozoan fish parasite is also prone to appear. This study reports the disease status of Trachinotus ovatus in an aquaculture area in Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province. Through the diagnosis of clinical symptoms of the diseased fish, identification of specific primers, 16s rRNA sequences phylogenetic tree analysis, physiological and biochemical identification, and observation of histopathological sections, the result of the experiment is that the mass death of T. ovatus is caused by a mixture of L. garvieae and C. irritants infections. Subsequently, regression infection experiments were performed to verify Koch's law. It was confirmed that the pathogen had strong virulence to T. ovatus. This is the first time that the co-infection of L. garvieae and C. irritans to T. ovatus was found in South China. The research results of this experiment have certain enlightenment significance for the epidemic trend of fish diseases in relevant sea areas.

Heligmosomoides bakeri and Toxoplasma gondii co-infection leads to increased mortality associated with changes in immune resistance in the lymphoid compartment and disease pathology.

Co-infections are a common reality but understanding how the immune system responds in this context is complex and can be unpredictable. Heligmosomoides bakeri (parasitic roundworm, previously Heligmosomoides polygyrus) and Toxoplasma gondii (protozoan parasite) are well studied organisms that stimulate a characteristic Th2 and Th1 response, respectively. Several studies have demonstrated reduced inflammatory cytokine responses in animals co-infected with such organisms. However, while general cytokine signatures have been examined, the impact of the different cytokine producing lymphocytes on parasite control/clearance is not fully understood. We investigated five different lymphocyte populations (NK, NKT, γδ T, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells), five organs (small intestine, Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and liver), and 4 cytokines (IFN©, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13) at two different time points (days 5 and 10 post T. gondii infection). We found that co-infected animals had significantly higher mortality than either single infection. This was accompanied by transient and local changes in parasite loads and cytokine profiles. Despite the early changes in lymphocyte and cytokine profiles, severe intestinal pathology in co-infected mice likely contributed to early mortality due to significant damage by both parasites in the small intestine. Our work demonstrates the importance of taking a broad view during infection research, studying multiple cell types, organs/tissues and time points to link and/or uncouple immunological from pathological findings. Our results provide insights into how co-infection with parasites stimulating different arms of the immune system can lead to drastic changes in infection dynamics.

Human Babesia odocoilei and Bartonella spp. co-infections in the Americas.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, Babesia and Bartonella species co-infections in patients with chronic, nonspecific illnesses have continued to challenge and change the collective medical understanding of "individual pathogen" vector-borne infectious disease dynamics, pathogenesis and epidemiology. The objective of this case series is to provide additional molecular documentation of Babesia odocoilei infection in humans in the Americas and to emphasize the potential for co-infection with a Bartonella species. METHODS: The development of improved and more sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques, as confirmatory methods to assess active infection, has provided increasing clarity to the healthcare community. RESULTS: Using a combination of different molecular diagnostic approaches, infection with Babesia odocoilei was confirmed in seven people suffering chronic non-specific symptoms, of whom six were co-infected with one or more Bartonella species. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that infection with Babesia odocoilei is more frequent than previously documented and can occur in association with co-infection with Bartonella spp.

Elevated Inflammation Associated with Markers of Neutrophil Function and Gastrointestinal Disruption in Pilot Study of Plasmodium fragile Co-Infection of ART-Treated SIVmac239+ Rhesus Macaques.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium spp., are endemic in similar geographical locations. As a result, there is high potential for HIV/Plasmodium co-infection, which increases the pathology of both diseases. However, the immunological mechanisms underlying the exacerbated disease pathology observed in co-infected individuals are poorly understood. Moreover, there is limited data available on the impact of Plasmodium co-infection on antiretroviral (ART)-treated HIV infection. Here, we used the rhesus macaque (RM) model to conduct a pilot study to establish a model of Plasmodium fragile co-infection during ART-treated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, and to begin to characterize the immunopathogenic effect of co-infection in the context of ART. We observed that P. fragile co-infection resulted in parasitemia and anemia, as well as persistently detectable viral loads (VLs) and decreased absolute CD4+ T-cell counts despite daily ART treatment. Notably, P. fragile co-infection was associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1). P. fragile co-infection was also associated with increased levels of neutrophil elastase, a plasma marker of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, but significant decreases in markers of neutrophil degranulation, potentially indicating a shift in the neutrophil functionality during co-infection. Finally, we characterized the levels of plasma markers of gastrointestinal (GI) barrier permeability and microbial translocation and observed significant correlations between indicators of GI dysfunction, clinical markers of SIV and Plasmodium infection, and neutrophil frequency and function. Taken together, these pilot data verify the utility of using the RM model to examine ART-treated SIV/P. fragile co-infection, and indicate that neutrophil-driven inflammation and GI dysfunction may underlie heightened SIV/P. fragile co-infection pathogenesis.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other markers of inflammation in cats tested for Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies.

BACKGROUND: In endemic areas, Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) co-infection occurs in cats, and may favour a progressive course of feline leishmaniosis. Abnormalities in serum protein fractions have been reported, but inflammation markers have scarcely been studied. Erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) is a marker of inflammation that is poorly used in veterinary medicine, but it has been evaluated in EDTA blood using a recently introduced automatic device. We studied ESR and a pool of feline markers of inflammation (MoI) in cats L. infantum (Li+) and/or FIV antibody-positive (Li+FIV+/FIV+) with the aims (a) to evaluate ESR as MoI in cats with the infectious and clinical conditions considered and (b) to provide data about a pool of MoI never investigated in the feline infections studied and in other cat diseases before. METHODS: This prospective controlled study included 35 study group cats (Li+, n = 20; FIV +, n = 8; Li+FIV+, n = 7) and ten healthy antibody-negative control cats. Clinical findings at physical examination and selected clinical pathological abnormalities related to inflammation were statistically analysed in relation to the infectious status and ESR values. RESULTS: ESR values were higher in Li+, FIV+, and Li+FIV+ cats compared with control cats, and 40% of the study group cats had ESR values above the reference interval (RI). ESR positively correlated with some positive MoI and negatively with some negative MoI studied. Additionally, a higher prevalence of ESR values above the RI has been detected in cats with hypoalbuminemia or hypergammaglobulinemia and higher ESR values were measured in cats with serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) fraction abnormalities. Correlations were also found with erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and some erythrocyte indices. FIV+ and Li+FIV+ cats had a higher prevalence of increased ESR values, and almost all had SPE abnormalities and more severe clinical presentations compared with Li+ cats. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal levels of MoI were found in almost all parameters studied, particularly in FIV+ and Li+FIV+ cats. Also, ESR can be used as a marker of inflammation in cats with L. infantum and/or FIV infection.

Malaria and typhoid fever co-infection: a retrospective analysis of University Hospital records in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Studies have long documented the presence of malaria and typhoid fever in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, studies on these diseases have primarily concentrated on rural settings, neglecting the potential impact on urban areas. This knowledge gap hinders effective surveillance and intervention strategies. To bridge this gap, this study investigated the prevalence of malaria and typhoid co-infections in an urban environment. METHODS: This study, conducted at Lead City University Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria (West Africa's largest metropolis), analysed medical records of over 3195 patients seen between April and June 2023. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to understand how these co-infections were distributed across different age and gender groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of co-infection peaked in May (9.7%), followed by June (8.9%) and April (5.7%). Notably, children aged 6-12 years exhibited the highest co-infection rate (18.5%), while those under five had the lowest (6.3%). Gender analysis indicated a slight difference, with 8.8% of females and 7.1% of males co-infected. Malaria prevalence was highest at the beginning of the rainy season and significantly decreased over time. Conversely, typhoid fever displayed the opposite trend, increasing with the rainy season. Children under five years old were most susceptible to malaria, while typhoid fever predominantly affected adults over 25 years old, with prevalence decreasing significantly with age. CONCLUSION: This study sheds light on the previously overlooked risk of malaria and typhoid co-infections in urban settings. These findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted public health interventions, particularly for vulnerable groups like young children during peak transmission seasons.

Coinfection accelerates transmission to new hosts despite no effects on virulence and parasite growth.

One of the fundamental aims of ecological, epidemiological and evolutionary studies of host-parasite interactions is to unravel which factors affect parasite virulence. Theory predicts that virulence and transmission are correlated by a trade-off, as too much virulence is expected to hamper transmission owing to excessive host damage. Coinfections may affect each of these traits and/or their correlation. Here, we used inbred lines of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae to test how coinfection with T. evansi impacted virulence-transmission relationships at different conspecific densities. The presence of T. evansi on a shared host did not change the relationship between virulence (leaf damage) and the number of transmitting stages (i.e. adult daughters). The relationship between these traits was hump-shaped across densities, both in single and coinfections, which corresponds to a trade-off. Moreover, transmission to adjacent hosts increased in coinfection, but only at low T. urticae densities. Finally, we tested whether virulence and the number of daughters were correlated with measures of transmission to adjacent hosts, in single and coinfections at different conspecific densities. Traits were mostly independent, meaning that interspecific competitors may increase transmission without affecting virulence. Thus, coinfections may impact epidemiology and parasite trait evolution, but not necessarily the virulence-transmission trade-off.This article is part of the theme issue 'Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics'.

Molecular detection, risk factors, and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from northern Vietnam.

In tropical regions, numerous tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) play a crucial role as causative agents of infectious diseases in humans and animals. Recently, the population of companion and pet dogs has significantly increased in Vietnam; however, information on the occurrence of TBPs is still limited. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the occurrence rate, risk factors, and phylogenetic characteristics of TBPs in dogs from northern Vietnam. Of 341 blood samples tested by PCR, the total infection of TBPs was 73.9% (252/341). Babesia vogeli (18SrRNA gene - 30.5%) was detected most frequently in studied dogs followed by Rickettsia spp. (OmpA gene - 27%), Anaplasma platys (groEL gene - 22%), Bartonella spp. (16SrRNA - 18.8%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (16SrRNA - 9.4%) and Hepatozoon canis (18SrRNA gene - 1.2%), respectively. All samples were negative for Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophylum. Co-infection was detected in 31.4% of the samples (107/341) of which, A. platys/Bartonella spp. (34/94,10%), Rickettsia spp./B. vogeli (19/94, 5.6%), and M. haemocanis/B. vogeli (19/94, 5.6%) were recorded as the three most frequent two species of co-infection types. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between TBP infection and several host variables regarding age, breed, and living area in the current study. The recent findings reported herein, for the first time in Vietnam, are essential for local veterinarians when considering the appropriate approaches for diagnosing these diseases. Furthermore, this data can be used to establish control measures for future surveillance and prevention strategies against canine TBPs in Vietnam.

Acute Ascaris infection impairs the effector functions of natural killer cells in single and Salmonella co-infected pigs.

Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in defense against Salmonella infections during the early phase of infection. Our previous work showed that the excretory/secretory products of Ascaris suum repressed NK activity in vitro. Here, we asked if NK cell functionality was influenced in domestic pigs during coinfection with Ascaris and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium. Ascaris coinfection completely abolished the IL-12 and IL-18 driven elevation of IFN-γ production seen in CD16 + CD8α + perforin + NK cells of Salmonella single-infected pigs. Furthermore, Ascaris coinfection prohibited the Salmonella-driven rise in NK perforin levels and CD107a surface expression. In line with impaired effector functions, NK cells from Ascaris-single and coinfected pigs displayed elevated expression of the inhibitory KLRA1 and NKG2A receptors genes, contrasting with the higher expression of the activating NKp46 and NKp30 receptors in NK cells during Salmonella single infection. These differences were accompanied by the highly significant upregulation of T-bet protein expression in NK cells from Ascaris-single and Ascaris/Salmonella coinfected pigs. Together, our data strongly indicate a profound repression of NK functionality by an Ascaris infection which may hinder infected individuals from adequately responding to a concurrent bacterial infection.

Coexistence of Helicobacter pylori and Giardia duodenalis causes severe iron deficiency anaemia in an adult male: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), the most prevalent type of anaemia, is recognised as a significant global health concern that affects individuals of all ages. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present a case involving an adult male coinfected with Helicobacter pylori and Giardia duodenalis, which precipitated severe IDA. RESULTS: A 24-year-old male presented with symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea persisting for four weeks. Thorough blood tests, including complete blood counts, blood film, and iron studies, conclusively established the presence of severe IDA. Furthermore, his faecal sample was collected and subjected to analysis of common bacterial and parasitic gastrointestinal infections. Examination of upper and lower gastrointestinal pathogens indicated that the severe IDA was most likely a result of coinfection with H. pylori and G. duodenalis. The patient received treatment involving antibiotics and iron replacement therapy, which resulted in an improvement in both his symptoms and laboratory results. CONCLUSIONS: The present report provides crucial insights into the synergistic effect of concurrent H. pylori and G. duodenalis infections, highlighting their potential to induce severe IDA in infected patients.

Toxoplasma gondii infection and high levels of IgE are associated to erythema nodosum leprosy (ENL).

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. The disease may evolve for inflammatory reactions, reversal reaction (RR) and erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), the major cause of irreversible neuropathy in leprosy, which occur in 1 in 3 people with leprosy, even with effective treatment of M. leprae. Leprosy remains persistently endemic in our region where it predominantly affects lowest socioeconomic conditions people, as Toxoplasma gondii infection in the municipality studied. Previously, we have shown T. gondii coinfection as a risk marker for leprosy, mainly in its severe form. This present study assessed whether T. gondii infection is also a risk factor for leprosy reactions and the predictive value of immunoglobulin production prior to development of leprosy reactions. Patients with leprosy (n = 180), co-infected or not with T. gondii, had their serum investigated for levels of IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 anti-PGL-1 by ELISA prior to development of leprosy reactions. The serologic prevalence for T. gondii infection was 87.7% in leprosy reaction patients reaching 90.9% in those with ENL. The leprosy reaction risk increased in T. gondii seropositive individuals was two-fold ([OR] = 2.366; 95% confidence interval [CI 95%]: 1.024-5.469) higher than those seronegative, and considering the risk of ENL, this increase was even more evident (OR = 6.753; 95% CI: 1.050-72.85) in coinfected individuals. When evaluated the prediction of anti-PGL-1 immunoglobulin levels for development of leprosy reactions in patients coinfected or not with T. gondii, only the increase IgE levels were associated to occurrence of reactional episodes of leprosy, specifically ENL type, in patients coinfected with T. gondii, compared to those not coinfected or no reaction. Thus, the immunomodulation in co-parasitism T. gondii-M. leprae suggest increased levels of IgE as a biomarker for early detection of these acute inflammatory episodes and thereby help prevent permanent neuropathy and disability in leprosy patients.

IgG seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum in leprosy patients: Implications for screening and management of co-infections.

Parasitic co-infections are common in developing countries and can interfere with leprosy treatment, leading to an increased risk of inflammatory leprosy reactions. This study assessed serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against Toxoplasma gondii and Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) antigens in 270 leprosy patients from Brazilian states. Regarding the respective cut-offs, the prevalence of IgG seropositivity for T. gondii and VL were 21.05 % and 47.36 % in the leprosy-negative group, and 77.7 % and 52.6 % in the leprosy-positive group. Of the 270 leprosy patients, 158 (58.5 %) presented with inflammatory leprosy reactions. Of those, 72 (59.5 %) had neuritis, 35 (48.6 %) had reverse reactions, and 28 (38.9 %) had ENL in both Brazilian states. Leprosy patients with anti-Leishmania IgG seropositivity were 3.25 times more likely to develop neuritis (95 % C.I.: 1.187 - 9.154; p = 0.019). These findings are particularly relevant for clinical settings where both leprosy and parasitic diseases are prevalent and could provide essential guidance for detecting and addressing complications arising from parasitic co-infections in leprosy patients, thereby improving clinical management strategies.

Avian haemosporidians of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus from resident and Neotropical migrant birds in Colombia.

Avian haemosporidians of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus are a group of widely distributed blood parasites that can negatively affect the fitness of their hosts. Colombia contains the greatest diversity of birds on the planet, but knowledge about the associations between haemosporidian and its avifauna is scarce and fragmented. We collected blood samples from 255 birds (203 residents and 52 neotropical migrants) belonging to 27 families and 108 species. The study was conducted in six localities in the inter-Andean valleys of the Cauca and Magdalena rivers. Parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus were identified in the samples by morphological and molecular analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cyt b. Among the samples, 9.3% (n = 24) were positive for Plasmodium or Haemoproteus. Co-infection with Plasmodium and Haemoproteus was found in Red-eyed Vireo. Seventeen haemosporidian lineages were identified, five of which were reported for the first time in resident birds (Common Ground Dove, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Tropical Kingbird, Pale-breasted Thrush, and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater) and one in the Summer Tanager (neotropical migrant). The research results confirm the wide diversity of haemosporidian present in tropical lowlands and the possible role of neotropical migratory birds in dissemination on haemosporidian along their migratory routes.

Prevalence of Plasmodium and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Coinfection and Associated Factors among Malaria-Suspected Patients Attending Shewa Robit Health Center, North-Central Ethiopia.

Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) coinfection is a major public health problem in developing countries. Its prevalence and associated factors are poorly addressed in the available research. Therefore, this study aimed to assess Plasmodium-STH coinfection prevalence and associated factors among malaria-suspected patients attending Shewa Robit Health Center, north-central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 379 malaria-suspected patients attending Shewa Robit Health Center from April to May 2023. Stool and blood samples were collected from each participant. Plasmodium and STHs were detected from blood and stool samples by using blood film and the Kato-Katz method, respectively. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to compute Plasmodium-STH coinfection. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Variables with a P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Among the study participants, 27.9%, 20.3%, and 13.4% were positive for Plasmodium, STHs, and Plasmodium-STH coinfection, respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium-Ascaris lumbricoides coinfection was high (7.6%). Unavailability of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), improper use of ITNs, absence of indoor residual spraying, presence of stagnant water, and previous malaria infection were significantly associated (P <0.01) with Plasmodium infection. Being illiterate, using an unimproved latrine, having an untrimmed fingernail, and practicing open defecation were also significantly associated (P <0.03), with STH infection. Being male, illiterate, and living in rural areas were significantly associated (P <0.03) with Plasmodium-STH coinfection. The prevalence of Plasmodium-STH coinfection was high in malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, malaria-suspected cases should be checked for STH infection.

Coinfection frequency in water flea populations is a mere reflection of parasite diversity.

In nature, parasite species often coinfect the same host. Yet, it is not clear what drives the natural dynamics of coinfection prevalence. The prevalence of coinfections might be affected by interactions among coinfecting species, or simply derive from parasite diversity. Identifying the relative impact of these parameters is crucial for understanding patterns of coinfections. We studied the occurrence and likelihood of coinfections in natural populations of water fleas (Daphnia magna). Coinfection prevalence was within the bounds expected by chance and parasite diversity had a strong positive effect on the likelihood of coinfections. Additionally, coinfection prevalence increased over the season and became as common as a single infection. Our results demonstrate how patterns of coinfection, and particularly their temporal variation, are affected by overlapping epidemics of different parasites. We suggest that monitoring parasite diversity can help predict where and when coinfection prevalence will be high, potentially leading to increased health risks to their hosts.

Visceral Leishmaniasis-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Coinfected Patients Are Highly Infectious to Sandflies in an Endemic Area in India.

In an area endemic with Indian visceral leishmaniasis (VL), we performed direct xenodiagnosis to evaluate the transmission of Leishmania donovani from patients with VL-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection to the vector sandflies, Phlebotomus argentipes. Fourteen patients with confirmed VL-HIV coinfection, with a median parasitemia of 42 205 parasite genome/mL of blood, were exposed to 732 laboratory-reared pathogen-free female P argentipes sandflies on their lower arms and legs. Microscopy revealed that 16.66% (122/732) of blood-fed flies were xenodiagnosis positive. Notably, 93% (13/14) of the VL-HIV group infected the flies, as confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and/or microscopy, and were 3 times more infectious than those who had VL without HIV.