Can Parasites be Useful?

Parasites are commonly associated with harm, but they also have beneficial aspects that are still being discovered. It is important to acknowledge both the harmful and beneficial aspects of parasites. They have been found to have positive effects on non-healing wounds, surgical wounds, obesity, glucose metabolism disorders, nerve repair, cancer treatments, and fertility. Research has shown that helminths, protozoa, and arthropods have the ability to correct, prevent, and cure certain disorders through the use of the parasite itself, its molecules, or even its eggs. This article includes studies on the beneficial aspects of parasites. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which parasites stimulate or affect the immune system and how they can be used therapeutically.

Occurrence of helminths in shrews and small rodents on territories transformed by reclamation.

Shrews and small rodents inhabit the drainage channel banks in reclai med areas and have their own helminth complex. The aim of the study is to conduct the 3rd research period during 2015-2019 the helminth fauna of these animals living on the drainage channel banks of model reclamation systems in Brest Polesie (south-western part of Belarus), to establish the species composition of helminths and the animal infection by these, and to compare the data obtained with previous research periods. 4,000 trap-days were worked out. 151 specimens of shrews of 4 species and 510 small rodents of 8 species were caught. Animals were examined by the method of complete helminthological dissections. Their numbers were 3.78 and 12.75 individuals per 100 trap-days, and helminth infection was 94.7% and 65.9%, respectively. 66 helminth species were found in animals. The dominant helminth species in infection have been identified. The trematode Prosolecithus danubica Tkach et Bray, 1995 (definitive host: common shrew), the acanthocephalans Centhrorhynchus aluconis (Müller, 1780) (larval host: lesser shrew) and Moniliformis moniliformis (Bremser, 1811) (definitive host: striped field mouse) are new species of helminths for Belarus. New hosts in Belarus have been found for 6 helminth species. Shrews and small rodents are involved in the life cycles of bird, non-ruminant artiodactyl and carnivorous mammal helminths. Nine helminth species have significance for medicine and 7 species for veterinary science. The results are compared with data from the 1st (1996-1999) and 2nd (2005-2010) research periods.

New records of helminth infections in Bothrops atrox Linnaeus, 1758 from Marajó Island-Brazil and a literature review with a check list of helminths infecting Bothrops species (Squamata, Viperidae) in the neotropical region.

Snakes of the genus Bothrops inhabit tropical forests in Central and South America and are important for the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries because of the chemical properties of their venom. They serve as either definitive or intermediate hosts for many parasitic helminths. The Marajó Island (Brazil) is the natural habitat of venomous snakes, Bothrops atrox and Bothrops marajoensis, which are often found around rural and peri-urban areas and are known to bite humans. Samples of helminths parasitizing the oral cavity, subcutaneous tissues, coelomic cavity, and intestine of four B. atrox from Marajó Island (Pará-Brazil) were collected. The specimens studied were taxonomically classified as trematodes of the species Stycholecitha serpentis, nematodes of the genera Eustrongylides and Camallanus and cystacanths of an acanthocephalan of the genus Centrorhynchus. The aims of the present study were: to record helminths found in B. atrox from the Marajó Island; to discuss their role as definitive, intermediate, or paratenic hosts; and to compile a list of helminths that have been recorded in snakes of the genus Bothrops of the Neotropical region.

Endohelminth diversity in the invasive Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) from two freshwater lakes: Naivasha and Ol'Bolossat, Kenya.

Fish parasitology contributes to our understanding of the potential risks posed by diverse groups of parasitic organisms on fish stocks in either wild and culture systems. This study was conducted in May 2023 and aimed at assessing the diversity of endohelminths in the invasive North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) obtained from two freshwater lakes, Naivasha and Ol'Bolossat, in Kenya. Parasitological examination of 66 and 35 fish samples collected from the two lakes respectively was achieved using light and scanning electron microscopy methods. Results revealed endohelminth diversity broadly classified as four digeneans, two nematodes, and one cestode. Seven taxa of endohelminths were found in C. gariepinus samples, but only four of these taxa could be identified up to the species level. Six of the taxa (Diplostomum sp., Tylodelphys mashonense, Plagiorchioidea sp., Paracamallanus cyathopharynx, Contracaecum sp., and Tetracampos ciliotheca) were common in samples from the two lakes. Glossidium pedatum only occurred in samples from Lake Ol'Bolossat. Parasite prevalence ranged from 8.6 (T. mashonense) to 100% (Diplostomum sp., T. ciliotheca, and Contracaecum sp.) and mean intensity from 1.4 (T. mashonense) to 16.9 (Diplostomum sp.). The diversity and richness indices were comparatively higher in fish samples from Lake Ol'Bolossat and attributed to the occurrence of G. pedatum in the Ol'Bolossat. However, parasitic infestation of fish samples from the two lakes depicted close similarity, both in diversity and prevalence. These findings form an important baseline data for further follow-up studies, and they suggest the need for further molecular analyses to fully describe three of the taxa only identified up to the genus level.

Transforming gastrointestinal helminth parasite identification in vertebrate hosts with metabarcoding: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal helminths are a very widespread group of intestinal parasites that can cause major health issues in their hosts, including severe illness or death. Traditional methods of helminth parasite identification using microscopy are time-consuming and poor in terms of taxonomic resolution, and require skilled observers. DNA metabarcoding has emerged as a powerful alternative for assessing community composition in a variety of sample types over the last few decades. While metabarcoding approaches have been reviewed for use in other research areas, the use of metabarcoding for parasites has only recently become widespread. As such, there is a need to synthesize parasite metabarcoding methodology and highlight the considerations to be taken into account when developing a protocol. METHODS: We reviewed published literature that utilized DNA metabarcoding to identify gastrointestinal helminth parasites in vertebrate hosts. We extracted information from 62 peer-reviewed papers published between 2014 and 2023 and created a stepwise guide to the metabarcoding process. RESULTS: We found that studies in our review varied in technique and methodology, such as the sample type utilized, genetic marker regions targeted and bioinformatic databases used. The main limitations of metabarcoding are that parasite abundance data may not be reliably attained from sequence read numbers, metabarcoding data may not be representative of the species present in the host and the cost and bioinformatic expertise required to utilize this method may be prohibitive to some groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, using metabarcoding to assess gastrointestinal parasite communities is preferable to traditional methods, yielding higher taxonomic resolution, higher throughput and increased versatility due to its utility in any geographical location, with a variety of sample types, and with virtually any vertebrate host species. Additionally, metabarcoding has the potential for exciting new discoveries regarding host and parasite evolution.

Two distinct host-parasite associations mediate seasonal ecosystem linkages.

Nematomorph parasites manipulate terrestrial arthropods to enter streams where the parasites reproduce. These manipulated arthropods become a substantial prey subsidy for stream salmonids, causing cross-ecosystem energy flow. Diverse nematomorph-arthropod associations underlie the energy flow, but it remains unknown whether they can mediate the magnitude and temporal attributes of the energy flow. Here, we investigated whether distinct phylogenetic groups of nematomorphs manipulate different arthropod hosts and mediate seasonal prey subsidy for stream salmonids. The results of our molecular-based diagnoses show that Gordionus and Gordius nematomorphs infected ground beetle and orthopteran hosts, respectively. The presumable ground beetle hosts subsidized salmonid individuals in spring, whereas the presumable orthopteran hosts did so in autumn. Maintaining the two distinct nematomorph-arthropod associations thus resulted in the parasite-mediated prey subsidy in both spring and autumn in the study streams. Manipulative parasites are common, and often associated with a range of host lineages, suggesting that similar effects of phylogenetic variation in host-parasite associations on energy flow might be widespread in nature.

Helminths of the black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) from breeding colonies in north-central Poland.

Among parasites of the digestive tract of the black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in Poland, the best known are species of digenetic trematodes and cestodes. Nematodes of this bird species are not well known. Black-headed gulls, due to their varied diet, migration, life in a flock, and changes of habitat, can become infected with various species of helminths, and like synanthropic birds, they can spread the dispersal stages of parasites across urban and recreational areas. In the present study, an attempt was made to identify the helminth fauna of C. ridibundus from breeding colonies in north-central Poland. The aim of the study was to describe the taxonomic structure of parasites of the digestive tract of the black-headed gull and determine the quantitative parameters of their occurrence. A total of 43 black-headed gulls were examined post-mortem for gastrointestinal helminths, resulting in the identification of four cestodes (Paricterotaenia porosa, Lateriporus clerci, Anomotaenia micracantha, and Wardium fusum), three trematodes (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, Plagiorchis laricola, and Apophallus muehlingi), and three nematodes (Eucoleus contortus, Cosmocephalus obvelatus, and Porrocaecum ensicaudatum). Lateriporus clerci (in adult form), C. obvelatus and P. ensicaudatum (in larval form) were recorded for the first time in the black-headed gull in Poland.

Does the body size, sex, and reproductive modes of leaf litter anurans affect the diversity of parasites?

We describe the composition of endoparasites associated with leaf litter anurans from an Atlantic Forest area, in southeastern Brazil. We tested if body size, sex, and reproductive modes of anuran hosts influence endoparasite abundance and richness. We sampled 583 individuals from 11 anuran species and recorded 1,600 helminths from 14 taxa. The helminths that infected the greatest number of anuran host species were the nematodes Cosmocerca parva (8 spp.), Physaloptera sp. (8 spp.), and Cosmocerca brasiliense (7 spp.), and the most abundant helminth species were Physaloptera sp. (14.6%), Cosmocerca brasiliense (13.7%) and Cosmocerca parva (12.6%). Both helminth abundance and richness were positively affected by anuran body size and dependence on water for reproduction. Larger hosts can contain a higher abundance of parasites because they may provide more physical space than smaller ones, or it can simply be a function of age. Besides, parasite species richness can be highly correlated with the amount of time a host spends in association with aquatic habitats, a conservative aspect of both parasite and host natural history. Within host species, there was a positive and significant influence of body size on helminth abundance. Haddadus binotatus females had greater helminth abundance than males, probably due to sex-related differences in behavior and/or in physiology. Our data suggest that reproductive modes could also influence helminth infection parameters in other anuran communities and should be considered in detail in future analyses.

Using our understanding of interactions between helminth metabolism and host immunity to target worm survival.

Helminths can adapt to environmental conditions in the host, utilising anaerobic processes like fermentation and malate dismutation to produce energy from carbohydrate. Although targeting carbohydrate metabolism is an established therapeutic strategy to combat helminth infection, questions remain over the metabolic pathways they employ as adults to survive and evade host immunity. Helminths also use amino acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and cholesterol metabolism, a possible strategy favouring the production of immunomodulatory compounds that may influence survival in the host. Here, we discuss the significance of these differing metabolic pathways and whether targeting of helminth metabolic pathways may allow for the development of novel anthelmintics.

Evaluation of Parasight All-in-One system for the automated enumeration of helminth ova in canine and feline feces.

BACKGROUND:  Digital imaging combined with deep-learning-based computational image analysis is a growing area in medical diagnostics, including parasitology, where a number of automated analytical devices have been developed and are available for use in clinical practice. METHODS: The performance of Parasight All-in-One (AIO), a second-generation device, was evaluated by comparing it to a well-accepted research method (mini-FLOTAC) and to another commercially available test (Imagyst). Fifty-nine canine and feline infected fecal specimens were quantitatively analyzed by all three methods. Since some samples were positive for more than one parasite, the dataset consisted of 48 specimens positive for Ancylostoma spp., 13 for Toxocara spp. and 23 for Trichuris spp. RESULTS: The magnitude of Parasight AIO counts correlated well with those of mini-FLOTAC but not with those of Imagyst. Parasight AIO counted approximately 3.5-fold more ova of Ancylostoma spp. and Trichuris spp. and 4.6-fold more ova of Toxocara spp. than the mini-FLOTAC, and counted 27.9-, 17.1- and 10.2-fold more of these same ova than Imagyst, respectively. These differences translated into differences between the test sensitivities at low egg count levels (< 50 eggs/g), with Parasight AIO > mini-FLOTAC > Imagyst. At higher egg counts Parasight AIO and mini-FLOTAC performed with comparable precision (which was significantly higher that than Imagyst), whereas at lower counts (> 30 eggs/g) Parasight was more precise than both mini-FLOTAC and Imagyst, while the latter two methods did not significantly differ from each other. CONCLUSIONS: In general, Parasight AIO analyses were both more precise and sensitive than mini-FLOTAC and Imagyst and quantitatively correlated well with mini-FLOTAC. While Parasight AIO produced lower raw counts in eggs-per-gram than mini-FLOTAC, these could be corrected using the data generated from these correlations.

Epidemiology and diversity of gastrointestinal tract helminths of wild ruminants in sub-Saharan Africa: a review.

This review summarises studies on distribution, diversity, and prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections in wild ruminants in sub-Saharan Africa. The results showed that 109 gastrointestinal tract (GIT) helminth species or species complexes were recorded in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. South Africa reported the highest number of species because most studies were carried out in this country. Eighty-eight nematode species or species complexes were recorded from 30 wild ruminant species across eight countries. The genus Trichostrongylus recorded the highest number of species and utilised the highest number of wild ruminant species, and along with Haemonchus spp., was the most widely distributed geographically. Fifteen trematode species or species complexes were reported from seven countries. The genus Paramphistomum recorded the highest number of species, and Calicophoron calicophoron was the most commonly occurring species in sub-Saharan African countries and infected the highest number of hosts. Six cestode species or species complexes from one family were documented from 14 wild hosts in seven countries. Moniezia spp. were the most commonly distributed in terms of host range and geographically. Impala were infected by the highest number of nematodes, whilst Nyala were infected by the highest number of trematode species. Greater kudu and Impala harbored the largest number of cestodes. The prevalence amongst the three GIT helminths taxa ranged between 1.4% and 100% for nematodes, 0.8% and 100% for trematodes, and 1.4% and 50% for cestodes. There is still limited information on the distribution and diversity of GIT helminths in wild ruminants in most sub-Saharan African countries.

Equine helminths: prevalence and associated risk factors in Gamo Gofa Zone, Ethiopia.

IMPORTANCE: Equines are indispensable in reducing the huge burden on children and women and income generation. On the other hand, minimal attention is given to improving their health and welfare. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of helminth parasites of equine in the Gamo Gofa Zone. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was employed from June 2019 to March 2020. The study districts and Kebeles were selected purposively based on agroecology whereas selection of study households and animals were performed based on simple random sampling techniques. Identification of nematode, trematode parasite ova and larvae of D. arnfieldi were done by floatation, sedimentation, and Baermann techniques respectively. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was applied to estimate the prevalence and association of risk factors with helminth parasites. RESULTS: The overall helminth parasite prevalence in the study area was 90.4%, 425/470 (95% [CI], 87.16-92.9). The prevalence of Strongyle, Fasciola, O. equi, P. equorum, D. arnfieldi, and mixed parasite infections were 65.1%, 21.7%, 17.4%, 34%, 34%, and 58.1%, respectively. Infections from Fasciola species and D. arnfieldi infection were four ([AOR], 4.4; 95% CI, 2-9.4) and two times (AOR, 2; 95% CI, 1.1-3.6) respectively more likely occur in donkeys than in mules. The occurrence of Strongyle species in midland agroecology was two times (AOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-4.7) more likely than lowland agroecology. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The present study identified diverse species of equine helminth parasites that necessitate urgent disease control and prevention measures.

Akkermansia muciniphila: a deworming partner independent of type 2 immunity.

The gut microbiota has coevolved with the host for hundreds of millions of years, playing a beneficial role in host health. Human parasitic helminths are widespread and pose a pervasive global public health issue. Although Type 2 immunity provides partial resistance to helminth infections, the composition of the gut microbiota can change correspondingly. Therefore, it raises the question of what role the gut microbiota plays during helminth infection. Akkermansia muciniphila has emerged as a notable representative of beneficial microorganisms in the gut microbiota. Recent studies indicate that A. muciniphila is not merely associated with helminth infection but is also causally linked to infection. Here, we provide an overview of the crosstalk between A. muciniphila and enteric helminth infection. Our goal is to enhance our understanding of the interplay among A. muciniphila, helminths, and their hosts while also exploring the potential underlying mechanisms.

Host weight, seasonality and anthropogenic factors contribute to parasite community differences between urban and rural foxes.

Pathogens often occur at different prevalence along environmental gradients. This is of particular importance for gradients of anthropogenic impact such as rural-urban transitions presenting a changing interface between humans and wildlife. The assembly of parasite communities is affected by both the external environmental conditions and individual host characteristics. Hosts with low body weight (smaller individuals or animals with poor body condition) might be more susceptible to infection. Furthermore, parasites' mode of transmission might affect their occurrence: rural environments with better availability of intermediate hosts might favour trophic transmission, while urban environments, typically with dense definitive host populations, might favour direct transmission. We here study helminth communities (141 intestinal samples) within the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), a synanthropic host, using DNA metabarcoding of multiple marker genes. We analysed the effect of urbanisation, seasonality and host-intrinsic (weight, sex) variables on helminth communities. Helminth species richness increased in foxes with lower body weight and in winter and spring. Season and urbanisation, however, had strong effects on the community composition, i.e., on the identity of the detected species. Surprisingly, transmission in two-host life cycles (trophic transmission) was more pronounced in urban Berlin than in rural Brandenburg. This disagrees with the prevailing hypothesis that trophically transmitted helminths are less prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas. Generally, co-infestations with multiple helminths and high infection intensity are associated with lighter (younger, smaller or low body condition) animals. Both host-intrinsic traits and environmental drivers together shape parasite community composition and turnover along urban-rural gradients.

First molecular insights into gastrointestinal helminths of domestic birds in the Caspian Sea Littoral of Iran with an emphasis on the One Health concern.

The current investigation was carried out during the period from July 2022 to March 2023, aiming to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in domestic birds collected from traditional markets in Guilan province. One hundred forty-eight domestic birds, including chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus), greylag geese (Anser anser), and domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo domesticus) were examined. Totally, 42.56% of the investigated birds were positive for helminthic parasites. Morphological analysis revealed varying infection rates among birds: Echinostoma revolutum (5.40%), Hypoderaeum conoideum (2.02%), Cloacotaenia megalops (0.67%), Hymenolepididae family (4.05%), Ascaridia galli (16.89%), and Heterakis gallinarum (4.72%). The investigation involved molecular analysis of the 18S and ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2 rRNA gene regions. The findings indicated that the 18S region of nematode isolates exhibited a similarity of 92 to 100% with sequences in the GenBank, whereas trematode and cestode isolates showed a gene similarity ranging from 88 to 99%. The ITS regions of nematode, trematode, and cestode isolates exhibited genetic similarities ranging from 87 to 100%, 73-99%, and 75-99%, respectively. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis confirmed the categorization of the identified species within the Ascaridiidae, Heterakidae, Hymenolepididae, and Echinostomatidae families, indicating their close affinity with previously documented species. Implementing precise control measures such as consistent monitoring, adequate sanitation protocols, and administering anthelmintic treatments is crucial for effectively managing parasitic infections in free-range and backyard poultry farms. Additionally, conducting further surveys is advisable to assess the impact of these parasites on the health and productivity of poultry in the investigated area.

Glyphosate-environmental variables interaction: How does it affect the parasite Chordodes nobilii?

The worldwide used herbicide Glyphosate can interact with environmental variables, but there is limited information on the influence of environmental stressors on its toxicity. Environmental changes could modify glyphosate effects on non-target organisms, including parasites such as gordiids. The freshwater microscopic larvae of the gordiid Chordodes nobilii are sensitive to several pollutants and environmental variables, but their combined effect has not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of temperature, pH and exposure time on the toxicity of Glyphosate to C. nobilii larvae. A protocol was followed to evaluate the infectivity of larvae treated with factorial combinations of concentration (0 and 0.067 mg/L), exposure time (24 and 48 h), temperature (18, 23 and 28 °C), and pH (7, 8 and 9). The reference values were 23 °C, pH 8 and 48 h. The interaction effect on the infectivity of gordiid larvae was assessed post-exposure using Aedes aegyptii larvae as host. Results were evaluated using GLMM, which does not require data transformation. The modeling results revealed three highly significant triple interactions. Glyphosate toxicity varied depending on the combination of variables, with a decrease being observed after 24 h-exposure at pH 7 and 23 °C. Glyphosate and 28 °C combination led to slightly reduced infectivity compared to temperature alone. This study is the first to report the combined effects of glyphosate, temperature, pH and time on a freshwater animal. It demonstrates that a specific combination of factors determines the effect of glyphosate on a non-target organism. The potential use of C. nobilli as a bioindicator is discussed. In the context of global warming and considering that the behavioral manipulation of terrestrial hosts by gordiids can shape community structure and the energy flow through food webs, our results raise concerns about possible negative effects of climate change on host-parasite dynamics.

Metabarcoding of protozoa and helminth in black-necked cranes: a high prevalence of parasites and free-living amoebae.

Parasites and free-living amoebae (FLA) are common pathogens that pose threats to wildlife and humans. The black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is a near-threatened species and there is a shortage of research on its parasite diversity. Our study aimed to use noninvasive methods to detect intestinal parasites and pathogenic FLA in G. nigricollis using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) based on the 18S rDNA V9 region. A total of 38 fresh fecal samples were collected in Dashanbao, China, during the overwintering period (early-, middle I-, middle II-, and late-winter). Based on the 18S data, eight genera of parasites were identified, including three protozoan parasites: Eimeria sp. (92.1%) was the dominant parasite, followed by Tetratrichomonas sp. (36.8%) and Theileria sp. (2.6%). Five genera of helminths were found: Echinostoma sp. (100%), Posthodiplostomum sp. (50.0%), Euryhelmis sp. (26.3%), Eucoleus sp. (50.0%), and Halomonhystera sp. (2.6%). Additionally, eight genera of FLA were detected, including the known pathogens Acanthamoeba spp. (n = 13) and Allovahlkampfia spp. (n = 3). Specific PCRs were used to further identify the species of some parasites and FLA. Furthermore, the 18S data indicated significant changes in the relative abundance and genus diversity of the protozoan parasites and FLA among the four periods. These results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring of pathogens in black-necked cranes to protect this near-endangered species.

Title: Métabarcoding des protozoaires et des helminthes chez les grues à cou noir : forte prévalence de parasites et d'amibes libres. Abstract: Les parasites et les amibes libres sont des agents pathogènes courants qui constituent une menace pour la faune et les humains. La grue à cou noir (Grus nigricollis) est une espèce quasi menacée et les recherches sur sa diversité parasitaire sont insuffisantes. Notre étude visait à utiliser des méthodes non invasives pour détecter les parasites intestinaux et les amibes libres pathogènes chez G. nigricollis en utilisant le séquençage à haut débit basé sur la région V9 de l'ADNr 18S. Au total, 38 échantillons de matières fécales fraîches ont été collectés à Dashanbao, en Chine, au cours de la période d'hivernage (début, milieu I, milieu II et fin de l'hiver). Sur la base des données 18S, huit genres de parasites ont été identifiés, dont trois parasites protozoaires : Eimeria sp. (92,1 %) était le parasite dominant, suivi de Tetratrichomonas sp. (36,8 %) et Theileria sp. (2,6 %). Cinq genres d'helminthes ont été trouvés : Echinostoma sp. (100 %), Posthodiplostomum sp. (50,0 %), Euryhelmis sp. (26,3 %), Eucoleus sp. (50,0 %) et Halomonhystera sp. (2,6 %). De plus, huit genres d'amibes libres ont été détectés, y compris les agents pathogènes connus Acanthamoeba spp. (n = 13) et Allovahlkampfia spp. (n = 3). Des PCR spécifiques ont été utilisées pour identifier davantage les espèces de certains parasites et amibes libres. En outre, les données 18S ont indiqué des changements significatifs dans l'abondance relative et la diversité des genres des parasites protozoaires et des amibes au cours des quatre périodes. Ces résultats soulignent l'importance de la surveillance à long terme des agents pathogènes chez les grues à cou noir pour protéger cette espèce quasi menacée.

Endoparasitic helminth fauna and diet of Geophagus sveni (Pisces) in Upper Paraná River basin.

In freshwater ecosystems, parasite infection patterns are influenced by factors including spatial-temporal variations, host diet, and habitat. Fish often change diets, affecting their parasite communities. This study focused on non-native host fish Geophagus sveni, aiming to characterize diet and endoparasitic helminth fauna patterns in the invaded area, investigating spatial and seasonal possible differences of endoparasite infections and correlating with host diet, in São José dos Dourados River and Tietê River areas. The host fish were collected in these areas during the dry and rainy season using gillnets. The endoparasites were collected and preserved in alcohol and identified using taxonomic methods, and stomach contents were examined for diet analysis. Parasitism descriptors were calculated and evaluated spatially and seasonally by ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis tests. PERMANOVA assessed G. sveni diet differences, and RDA correlated the endohelminth abundance with the host diet. Two endoparasites were recorded: metacercariae of Austrodiplostomum compactum (Trematoda) and larvae and adults of Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) lanfrediae (Nematoda). Spatial differences were observed for the mean abundance and prevalence of R. (S.) lanfrediae and A. compactum prevalence. Seasonal variations of parasitic descriptors occurred for the nematode in the Tietê River area. The detritus and aquatic insects were the most consumed items by G. sveni. Detritus consumption positively correlates with nematode abundance. The findings indicate that factors such as artificial channels and rainfall, which can influence resource availability, may affect the fish's diet and potentially influence the structure of its endoparasite community. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding trophic chain-transmitted parasites and calls for further research in Neotropical environments.

Worming into infancy: Exploring helminth-microbiome interactions in early life.

There is rapidly growing awareness of microbiome assembly and function in early-life gut health. Although many factors, such as antibiotic use and highly processed diets, impinge on this process, most research has focused on people residing in high-income countries. However, much of the world's population lives in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where, in addition to erratic antibiotic use and suboptimal diets, these groups experience unique challenges. Indeed, many children in LMICs are infected with intestinal helminths. Although helminth infections are strongly associated with diverse developmental co-morbidities and induce profound microbiome changes, few studies have directly examined whether intersecting pathways between these components of the holobiont shape health outcomes in early life. Here, we summarize microbial colonization within the first years of human life, how helminth-mediated changes to the gut microbiome may affect postnatal growth, and why more research on this relationship may improve health across the lifespan.

Next-generation sequencing technologies for helminth diagnostics and surveillance in ruminants: shifting diagnostic barriers.

Helminth infections in grazing ruminants are a major issue for livestock farming globally, but are unavoidable in outdoor grazing systems and must be effectively managed to avoid deleterious effects to animal health, and productivity. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are transforming our understanding of the genetic basis of anthelmintic resistance (AR) and epidemiological studies of ruminant gastrointestinal parasites. They also have the potential to not only help develop and validate molecular diagnostic tests but to be directly used in routine diagnostics integrating species-specific identification and AR into a single test. Here, we review how these developments have opened the pathway for the development of multi-AR and multispecies identification in a single test, with widespread implications for sustainable livestock farming for the future.