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Parasitologia, Volume 3, Issue 4 (December 2023) – 5 articles

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10 pages, 696 KiB  
Review
Toxoplasma gondii in Marine Life of Italian Coasts, What Do We Know So Far?
by Veronica Rodriguez-Fernandez and Fabrizio Bruschi
Parasitologia 2023, 3(4), 364-373; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia3040035 - 5 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1865
Abstract
Coastal areas of Italy experience high anthropogenic pressure, with a population density estimated to be 360 people per km2. This is correlated with the production of sewage or surface runoff of water contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts and other pathogens that [...] Read more.
Coastal areas of Italy experience high anthropogenic pressure, with a population density estimated to be 360 people per km2. This is correlated with the production of sewage or surface runoff of water contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts and other pathogens that can in turn enter the food chain and become a public health concern. Therefore, in the present study, we want to review the current knowledge on the presence of T. gondii in Italian coastal areas. The majority of research in Italy has been carried out on marine mammals, while fishes and mollusks have less often been screened. So far, T. gondii has been found in all sea animals tested, with genotypes II and III as well as atypical genotypes being the most commonly found when screened. However, more information is needed. We encourage routine screening of mollusks and fish that are sold in different food markets throughout the country in order to add information on the distribution of T. gondii and other parasites, preventing possible future outbreaks. Full article
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15 pages, 574 KiB  
Article
Discovery of Antigens and Cellular Mechanisms in the Protozoan Parasite Sarcocystis aucheniae Using Immunoproteomics
by Sarah Nathaly Wieser, Cecilia Decker-Franco, Paloma de Alba, Sandra Romero, Alejandro Ferrari, Leonhard Schnittger and Mónica Florin-Christensen
Parasitologia 2023, 3(4), 349-363; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia3040034 - 26 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1581
Abstract
Sarcocystis aucheniae is a coccidian parasite that produces macroscopic sarcocysts in South American camelid (SAC) muscles and causes a disease known as SAC sarcocystosis. This parasitosis hampers the commercialization of llama and alpaca meat, a vital economic activity in the Andean regions. No [...] Read more.
Sarcocystis aucheniae is a coccidian parasite that produces macroscopic sarcocysts in South American camelid (SAC) muscles and causes a disease known as SAC sarcocystosis. This parasitosis hampers the commercialization of llama and alpaca meat, a vital economic activity in the Andean regions. No control or prevention methods are available, and diagnosis is based on postmortem visual inspection of carcasses. The aim of this study was to identify S. aucheniae B-cell epitopes suitable for the development of diagnostic methods for SAC sarcocystosis. To this end, sarcocyst immunoreactive protein bands were analyzed via mass spectrometry, and proteins in each band were identified in silico by searching in the parasite transcriptome. Five highly antigenic, hydrophilic B-cell epitopes, predicted not to cross-react with antibodies against other coccidia, were selected for future development of peptide-based serological tests. In addition, conserved domains present in the identified proteins allowed us to unravel metabolic pathways and mechanisms active in the parasitic stages present in sarcocysts, including aerobic respiration, antioxidant activity, signal transduction, protein synthesis and processing, and host–pathogen interactions. This study provides novel information on the biology of S. aucheniae, as well as new protein sequences that can be used for the development of diagnostic tests and chemotherapeutic approaches for SAC sarcocystosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sarcocystis in Domestic and Wildlife Animals)
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1 pages, 189 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Solano-Barquero et al. Metazoan Marine Parasites of Costa Rica: A Review. Parasitologia 2023, 3, 116–141
by Alberto Solano-Barquero, Alicia Rojas and Jorge Cortés
Parasitologia 2023, 3(4), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia3040033 - 20 Nov 2023
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Abstract
There was a small error in the fifth sentence of the Abstract in the original publication [...] Full article
21 pages, 833 KiB  
Review
Sarcocystis Species (Apicomplexa, Eucoccidiorida) Parasitizing Snakes
by Taynar Lima Bezerra, Rodrigo Martins Soares and Luís Fernando Pita Gondim
Parasitologia 2023, 3(4), 327-347; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia3040032 - 10 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2304
Abstract
The genus Sarcocystis has approximately 200 species that are able to infect homeothermic and poikilothermic animals. So far, 23 Sarcocystis spp. have snakes as definitive hosts (DHs) and mammals and/or reptiles as intermediate hosts (IHs). Some of these species cause disease or even [...] Read more.
The genus Sarcocystis has approximately 200 species that are able to infect homeothermic and poikilothermic animals. So far, 23 Sarcocystis spp. have snakes as definitive hosts (DHs) and mammals and/or reptiles as intermediate hosts (IHs). Some of these species cause disease or even death in their IH. At least two Sarcocystis spp. from snakes have relevance in public health. Sarcocystis nesbitti causes serious myopathy in humans, and S. singaporensis is lethal for rats and was successfully tested in the biological control of these rodents. Molecular identification was not reported for half of Sarcocystis spp. shed by snakes. For some snake species, their role as DHs for Sarcocystis spp. is totally unknown, including certain snakes which are bred as companion animals. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of snakes as DHs or IHs of Sarcocystis spp. and the future directions for the identification of the parasites and the elucidation of their life cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sarcocystis in Domestic and Wildlife Animals)
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27 pages, 8586 KiB  
Review
The Large American Liver Fluke (Fascioloides magna): A Survivor’s Journey through a Constantly Changing World
by Ágnes Csivincsik, Tibor Halász and Gábor Nagy
Parasitologia 2023, 3(4), 300-326; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia3040031 - 4 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5368
Abstract
The large American liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) is considered an invasive trematode parasite in Europe. Its origin dates back before the Cretaceous-Paleogene Mass Extinction, after which it survived at least three population bottlenecks and successful host switches before it arrived in [...] Read more.
The large American liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) is considered an invasive trematode parasite in Europe. Its origin dates back before the Cretaceous-Paleogene Mass Extinction, after which it survived at least three population bottlenecks and successful host switches before it arrived in Europe. The authors review the evolutionary history of F. magna, the distribution by its ancient proboscidean hosts, and the probable drivers of the switch to the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The review collects knowledge on the biology of intermediate hosts, which helps understand the factors that influence the epidemiology of F. magna in aquatic ecosystems. The authors demonstrate the adaptation potential of the parasite using data from both North American and European endemics. Finally, the study calls attention to the epidemiological risk of human-induced global change, with a special interest in the invasive snail species Pseudosuccinea columella. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Change and Parasites)
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