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Journals
Microorganisms
Special Issues
The One Health Challenge: Zoonotic Parasites
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The One Health Challenge: Zoonotic Parasites

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 5327

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Olga Maria Guerreiro de Matos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Medical Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
2. Environmental Health Institute, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: medical parasitology; infectious diseases; opportunistic pathogens; tropical medicine; molecular biology
Dr. Maria Luísa Lobo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Medical Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: enterocytozoon; Enterocytozoon bieneusi; cryptosporidium; microsporidia; Giardia lamblia
Dr. Maria Wesołowska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 9, 50-345 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: microsporidia; evolutionary parasitology; dirofilaria; medical malacology; parasitology; medical parasitology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interconnection between human, animal and environmental health has never been more apparent than in the context of zoonotic parasites. These microscopic, yet formidable, entities have the potential to transcend species boundaries, posing significant health challenges for humans and animals alike. The Special Issue of Microorganisms is dedicated to addressing these challenges through a One Health approach.
The Special Issue welcomes original research articles, reviews and perspectives related to zoonotic parasites, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Exploring zoonotic parasites that bridge the human–animal–environment divide, investigating their biology, transmission and impact;
  • Discussing the epidemiology of zoonotic parasitic diseases, highlighting emerging threats and trends;
  • Sharing insights into innovative diagnostic tools, prevention strategies and treatment options;
  • Promoting collaborative research and multidisciplinary approaches to address the complexities of zoonotic parasites;
  • Emphasizing the importance of surveillance, early detection and rapid response to prevent zoonotic parasite transmission.

We welcome your contributions and insights as we confront the One Health challenge presented by zoonotic parasites. Together, we can make significant strides in understanding, preventing and mitigating the impact of these parasitic diseases.

Dr. Olga Maria Guerreiro de Matos
Dr. Maria Luísa Lobo
Dr. Maria Wesołowska
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • zoonotic parasites
  • one health
  • parasitic diseases
  • host-parasite interactions
  • epidemiology
  • zoonoses
  • vector-borne diseases

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 901 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors and Circulating Subtypes of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Hospitalized Children in Mozambique
by Ofélia Nhambirre, Maria Luísa Lobo, Idalécia Cossa-Moiane, Adilson Bauhofer, Nilsa de Deus and Olga Matos
Microorganisms 2025, 13(1), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010196 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 556
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important diarrheal agents in children in developing countries. Little is known about their molecular epidemiology; as such, the objective of this study was to determine the risk factors and genetic diversity of both parasites in diarrheal samples [...] Read more.
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important diarrheal agents in children in developing countries. Little is known about their molecular epidemiology; as such, the objective of this study was to determine the risk factors and genetic diversity of both parasites in diarrheal samples in Mozambique. In this study, two nested PCRs targeting ssurRNA and gp60 genes were used for genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and b-giardin for G. duodenalis. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were obtained through questionnaires. The location (odds ratio [OR] 3.499), mother’s education level (OR 2.150) and age were significant factors for acquiring infection by Cryptosporidium spp. (p < 0.05). Cryptosporidium hominis was the predominant (77.8%) species. Four families (three C. hominis and one C. parvum) were identified, with the highest for Ib (73.9%), followed by Id (13%), Ia (8.7%) and IIc (4.3%). The location (p-value < 0.001), drinking untreated water (p-value = 0.04) and living in masonry houses (p-value = 0.002) were identified as risks associated with G. duodenalis infection. Assemblage A was the dominant type (65.2%). Among the subassemblages of assemblage A, AII was the most frequent (86.6%), followed by AIII (6.6%). For assemblage B, subassemblages BIII (87.5%) and BIV (12.5%) were identified. The dominance of the subtype IbA9G3 of C. hominis, as well as the AII subassemblage of G. duodenalis, seems to indicate that the transmission of both protozoa occurs mainly through the anthroponotic route. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The One Health Challenge: Zoonotic Parasites)
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15 pages, 1553 KiB  
Article
Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Circulating in Peri-Domestic Areas in Mainland Portugal
by Leonardo Moerbeck, Ricardo Parreira, Magdalena Szczotko, Gonçalo Seixas, Rita Velez, Małgorzata Dmitryjuk, Ana Sofia Santos, Ana Domingos and Sandra Antunes
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12051006 - 16 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1926
Abstract
Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and [...] Read more.
Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and reemerging zoonoses. In this sense, ticks, which are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, have a key role in maintaining and transmitting TBPs among humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, namely Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. DNA fragments were detected in questing ticks collected from five different ecological areas under investigation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study reports new worldwide findings, including B. bigemina infecting Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Additionally, it presents new findings in Portugal of N. mikurensis infecting I. ricinus and of presumably Wolbachia endosymbionts being detected in I. ricinus. Overall, there were 208 tick samples that were negative for all screened TBPs. The results herein obtained raise concerns about the circulation of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, especially in anthropophilic ticks, highlighting the importance of adopting a One Health perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The One Health Challenge: Zoonotic Parasites)
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11 pages, 617 KiB  
Article
Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Wild Rats and Shrews from Zhejiang Province, China: Occurrence, Genetic Characterization, and Potential for Zoonotic Transmission
by Ting Zhang, Kuai Yu, Junchen Xu, Wenjie Cao, Yiqing Wang, Jiayan Wang, Liyuting Zhou, Jiani Chen, Huicong Huang and Wei Zhao
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040811 - 17 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1180
Abstract
Globally, Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been detected in humans and various animal hosts. Wild rats and shrews have the potential to act as carriers of E. bieneusi, facilitating the parasite’s transmission to humans and domestic animals. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of [...] Read more.
Globally, Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been detected in humans and various animal hosts. Wild rats and shrews have the potential to act as carriers of E. bieneusi, facilitating the parasite’s transmission to humans and domestic animals. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of E. bieneusi in 652 wild rats and shrews from Zhejiang Province, China, by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To determine animal species, we amplified the Cytochrome b (Cyt-b) gene in their fecal DNA using PCR. Furthermore, we determined the genotype of E. bieneusi by amplifying the ITS region of rDNA through PCR. Genetic traits and zoonotic potential were evaluated using similarity and phylogenetic analyses. Suncus murinus (n = 282) and five rat species, Rattus losea (n = 18), Apodemus agrarius (n = 36), Rattus tanezumi (n = 86), Rattus norvegicus (n = 155), and Niviventer niviventer (n = 75), were identified. The average infection rate of E. bieneusi was 14.1% (92/652) with 18.1% (51/282) in S. murinus and 11.1% (41/370) in rats (27.8% in R. losea, 22.2% in A. agrarius, 10.5% in R. tanezumi, 8.4% in R. norvegicus, and 8.0% in N. niviventer). Thirty-three genotypes were identified, including 16 known genotypes. The most commonly known genotypes were HNR-VI (n = 47) and Peru11 (n = 6). Type IV, KIN-1, SHW7, and HNPL-II were each found in two samples, while Macaque4, CH5, K, Henan-III, Henan-V, HNP-II, HNPL-I, HNPL-III, HNHZ-II, and HNHZ-III were each found in one sample. Additionally, 17 novel genotypes were discovered: WZR-VIII (n = 5), WZR-I to WZR-VII, WZR-IX to WZR-XII, and WZSH-I to WZSH-V (n = 1 each). Those 33 genotypes were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 25), Group 2 (n = 3), and Group 13 (n = 5). The initial report underscores the extensive occurrence and notable genetic diversity of E. bieneusi in wild rats and shrews from Zhejiang province, China. These results suggest that these animals play a pivotal role in the transmission of E. bieneusi. Furthermore, animals carrying the zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi pose a serious threat to residents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The One Health Challenge: Zoonotic Parasites)
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