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Pathogens
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Advances in Parasitic Diseases—Second Edition
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Advances in Parasitic Diseases—Second Edition

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 10956

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hans-Peter Fuehrer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
Interests: mosquitoes and mosquito-borne pathogens; vectors and vector-borne pathogens; Calodium hepaticum; Plasmodium malariae; Plasmodium ovale spp.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Parasitic diseases constitute a major health burden in domestic animals and humans, but they also put strain on crop plants. Despite the considerable efforts of governmental and private bodies to develop and apply effective control measures for affected populations, considerable knowledge gaps remain and a lack of sustainable and economic control options persists. However, advances in vaccine development and the development of deeper insights into the dynamics of antiparasitic drug resistance and its prevention (or at least delay) have demonstrated progress in combating parasitic diseases. Global changes (including climate changes, landscape overuse and loss of biodiversity), however, appear to be shifting development in the opposite direction, and the (re-)emergence of parasitic diseases threatens previous success. Amongst these, vector-borne and zoonotic parasites are of utmost concern. This Special Issue of Pathogens will highlight the most recent advances in fundamental and applied research into parasitic diseases (in animals, humans and plants), with a focus on epidemiology, novel options for surveillance and control, and cutting-edge -omics analyses, which will provide the basis for the development of effective long-term control.

Dr. Hans-Peter Fuehrer
Guest Editor

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. Pathogens 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 2200 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

  • diagnosis
  • control
  • antiparasitic treatment
  • antiparasitic resistance
  • prevention
  • vaccines
  • sustainability

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 784 KiB  
Communication
Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Wild American Mink (Neogale vison): The First Serological Study in Germany and Poland
by Mike Heddergott, Jutta Pikalo, Franz Müller, Natalia Osten-Sacken and Peter Steinbach
Pathogens 2024, 13(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13020153 - 7 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1835
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals. Although most infections in humans and animals are subclinical, an infection can nevertheless be fatal. One of the important characteristics in the epidemiology of this parasite is waterborne transmission. The [...] Read more.
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals. Although most infections in humans and animals are subclinical, an infection can nevertheless be fatal. One of the important characteristics in the epidemiology of this parasite is waterborne transmission. The American mink (Neogale vison), a mammal closely adapted to freshwater ecosystems, is a potential sentinel for T. gondii. We analysed meat juice from the heart of 194 wild minks collected between 2019 and 2022 in five study areas from Germany and Poland and tested for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii. The analysis was performed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (ELISA). Antibodies were detected in 45.36% (88/194, 95% confidence interval (CI): 38.39–52.41%) of the analysed animals. While the prevalence values ranged from 37.50% to 49.30%, there was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the study areas. Juveniles were less likely to carry T. gondii antibodies than adults (odds ratio: 0.216), whereas there was no significant difference in prevalence between the sexes (odds ratio: 0.933). The results of our study show that contact with T. gondii is widespread in minks, and the parasite is common in inland freshwater ecosystems in Germany and Poland. This indicates that watercourses play an important role in the spread of T. gondii oocysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parasitic Diseases—Second Edition)
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18 pages, 2934 KiB  
Article
Handheld Ultra-Fast Duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays and Lateral Flow Detection and Identification of Leishmania Parasites for Cutaneous Leishmaniases Diagnosis
by Insaf Bel Hadj Ali, Yusr Saadi-Ben Aoun, Zeineb Hammami, Oumayma Rhouma, Ahmed Sahbi Chakroun and Ikram Guizani
Pathogens 2023, 12(11), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12111292 - 28 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1176
Abstract
Early and accurate detection of infectious diseases is a key step for surveillance, epidemiology and control, notably timely disease diagnosis, patient management and follow-up. In this study, we aimed to develop handheld ultra-fast duplex PCR assays coupled to amplicon detection by lateral flow [...] Read more.
Early and accurate detection of infectious diseases is a key step for surveillance, epidemiology and control, notably timely disease diagnosis, patient management and follow-up. In this study, we aimed to develop handheld ultra-fast duplex PCR assays coupled to amplicon detection by lateral flow (LF) immunoassay to deliver a rapid and simple molecular diagnostic test for concomitant detection and identification of the main Leishmania parasites encountered in Tunisia. We selected two DNA targets to amplify L. major/L. tropica and L. infantum/L. tropica groups of species DNAs, respectively. We optimized the experimental conditions of a duplex ultra-fast PCR. The amplification is performed using a portable Palm convection PCR machine within 18 min, and the products are detected using an LF cassette within 10 min. The test allows the identification of the infecting species according to the position and number of test lines revealed. Tested on a selection of DNAs of representative Leishmania strains of the three studied species (N = 37), the ultra-fast duplex PCR–LF showed consistent, stable and reproducible results. The analytical limit of detection of the test was 0.4 pg for L. major, 4 pg for L. infantum and 40 pg for L. tropica. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parasitic Diseases—Second Edition)
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12 pages, 2809 KiB  
Article
Kudoa septempunctata Spores Cause Acute Gastroenteric Symptoms in Mouse and Musk Shrew Models as Evidenced In Vitro in Human Colon Cells
by Sung-Hee Hong, Ji-Young Kwon, Soon-Ok Lee, Hee-Il Lee, Sung-Jong Hong and Jung-Won Ju
Pathogens 2023, 12(5), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12050739 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2498
Abstract
Kudoa septempunctata is a myxosporean parasite that infects the trunk muscles of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and has been reported to cause foodborne illnesses in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying K. septempunctata spore toxicity remain largely unknown. In this study, [...] Read more.
Kudoa septempunctata is a myxosporean parasite that infects the trunk muscles of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and has been reported to cause foodborne illnesses in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying K. septempunctata spore toxicity remain largely unknown. In this study, the gastroenteropathy of K. septempunctata was examined in human colon adenocarcinoma cells as well as experimental mice inoculated with spores. We found that K. septempunctata decreased transepithelial resistance and disrupted epithelial tight junctions by deleting ZO-1 in Caco-2 monolayers. Additionally, serotonin (5-HT), an emetic neurotransmitter, was increased in K. septempunctata-inoculated cells. In vivo, K. septempunctata spores induced diarrhea in suckling mice (80% in ddY and 70% in ICR mice), with a minimum provocative dose of 2 × 105 K. septempunctata spores. In house musk shrews, K. septempunctata induced emesis within 1 h and induced serotonin secretion in the intestinal epithelium. In conclusion, K. septempunctata may induce diarrhea and emesis by increasing intestinal permeability and serotonin secretion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parasitic Diseases—Second Edition)
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Review

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28 pages, 473 KiB  
Review
Neglected Zoonotic Diseases: Advances in the Development of Cell-Penetrating and Antimicrobial Peptides against Leishmaniosis and Chagas Disease
by Sara M. Robledo, Silvia Pérez-Silanes, Celia Fernández-Rubio, Ana Poveda, Lianet Monzote, Víctor M. González, Paloma Alonso-Collado and Javier Carrión
Pathogens 2023, 12(7), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070939 - 15 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2700
Abstract
In 2020, the WHO established the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030, which aims to control and eradicate 20 diseases, including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. In addition, since 2015, the WHO has been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. In [...] Read more.
In 2020, the WHO established the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030, which aims to control and eradicate 20 diseases, including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. In addition, since 2015, the WHO has been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. In this context, the achievement of innovative strategies as an alternative to replace conventional therapies is a first-order socio-sanitary priority, especially regarding endemic zoonoses in poor regions, such as those caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. infections. In this scenario, it is worth highlighting a group of natural peptide molecules (AMPs and CPPs) that are promising strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy against these neglected zoonoses, as they avoid the development of toxicity and resistance of conventional treatments. This review presents the novelties of these peptide molecules and their ability to cross a whole system of cell membranes as well as stimulate host immune defenses or even serve as vectors of molecules. The efforts of the biotechnological sector will make it possible to overcome the limitations of antimicrobial peptides through encapsulation and functionalization methods to obtain approval for these treatments to be used in clinical programs for the eradication of leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parasitic Diseases—Second Edition)
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Other

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21 pages, 6939 KiB  
Systematic Review
Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review
by Vicky Frisch, Hans-Peter Fuehrer and Jessika-M. V. Cavalleri
Pathogens 2023, 12(4), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12040568 - 6 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2213
Abstract
In equine stables and their surroundings, a large number of insects are present that can be a nuisance to their equine hosts. Previous studies about dipterans transmitting infectious agents to Equidae have largely focused on Nematocera. For the preparation of this systematic review, [...] Read more.
In equine stables and their surroundings, a large number of insects are present that can be a nuisance to their equine hosts. Previous studies about dipterans transmitting infectious agents to Equidae have largely focused on Nematocera. For the preparation of this systematic review, the existing literature (until February 2022) was systematically screened for various infectious agents transmitted to Equidae via insects of the suborder Brachycera, including Tabanidae, Muscidae, Glossinidae and Hippoboscidae, acting as pests or potential vectors. The PRISMA statement 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. The two concepts, Brachycera and Equidae, were combined for the search that was carried out in three languages (English, German and French) using four different search engines. In total, 38 articles investigating Brachycera as vectors for viral, bacterial and parasitic infections or as pests of equids were identified. Only 7 of the 14 investigated pathogens in the 38 reports extracted from the literature were shown to be transmitted by Brachycera. This review clearly shows that further studies are needed to investigate the role of Brachycera as vectors for pathogens relevant to equine health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parasitic Diseases—Second Edition)
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