Article
Parasitology
M. Vanhecke, J. Charlier, R. Hamdi, F. Duchene, C. Strube, E. Claerebout
Summary: Control of infections with Dictyocaulus viviparus is difficult due to its volatile epidemiology. In this study, a longitudinal observation of 717 Flemish dairy farms revealed that weather factors significantly influenced the optical density ratio of D. viviparus in bulk tank milk. A mixed effects model showed an accuracy of 80% in predicting infection status, while optical density ratios were generally overestimated by 38%. By including previous optical density ratio values, the accuracy increased to 86%.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
C. McCarthy, H. Rose Vineer, E. R. Morgan, J. van Dijk
Summary: This study develops the first mathematical model of the free-living stages of cattle lungworm and incorporates the impact of climate and fungi on its transmission. The model predicts high levels of larvae abundance before a rise in antibody levels, providing a framework for the development of a risk forecasting system.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Andrea Springer, Christian von Holtum, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Christina Strube
Summary: The lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus is an economically important bovine parasite. A recombinant subunit vaccine based on the major sperm protein (MSP) was tested and found to induce specific antibody production. However, the vaccine alone did not significantly reduce worm fecundity.
Article
Immunology
Caixian Zhou, Yao Zhang, Simin Wu, Zhiheng Wang, Waresi Tuersong, Chunqun Wang, Feng Liu, Min Hu
Summary: CircRNAs are a novel class of non-coding RNA family involved in various biological processes in plants and animals, but little is known about their presence in parasitic helminths. In this study, a comprehensive exploration of circRNAs in the blood-sucking parasitic nematode H. contortus revealed that a majority were derived from exonic regions of protein-coding genes, with a higher expression in third-stage larvae compared to adult stages. Differential expression analysis showed circRNAs were significantly enriched in biological processes like signaling and metabolism, and could potentially regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The study lays a foundation for understanding circRNA regulatory mechanisms in H. contortus and other parasitic nematodes.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Elke von Son-de Fernex, Estefania Zuniga-Olivos, Luis Felipe Jimenez-Garcia, Pedro Mendoza-de Gives
Summary: This study evaluated the in vitro motility inhibition of Cooperia punctata using polyphenolic compound (PC) combinations. The results showed that the PC combinations significantly inhibited the motility of adult worms, but had minimal effect on the motility of infective larvae. Structural and ultrastructural changes were observed in both stages of the nematodes after treatment.
Article
Entomology
Mauri Hickin, Hannah Nadel, Jason Carlson, Hugh Conway
Summary: By comparing different diet formulations, this study found that the current diet used for mass-reared Mexican fruit flies promotes younger mating and optimal sperm transfer.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Shinzaburo Takamiya, Takeshi Nakamura, Daigo Tsubokawa, Naotoshi Tsuji, Koichi Fukuda, Hiroshi Yamasaki, Tsutomu Fujimura, Hikari Taka, Naoko Kaga, Momoko Kobayashi-Tanabe, Motoo Matsuda, Toshihiro Mita
Summary: The mitochondria of adult and plerocercoid Spirometra mansoni were studied to understand their respiratory function and physicochemical properties. It was found that adult mitochondria had higher specific activities of succinate oxidase and NADH-FRD compared to plerocercoid mitochondria. Both adult and plerocercoid mitochondria contained rhodoquinone-10 and ubiquinone-10, with higher concentrations in adult mitochondria. Inhibition studies showed that adult mitochondria had both cyanide-sensitive and -insensitive succinate oxidases, and could produce hydrogen peroxide. The specific activities of NADH-fumarate reductase and cytochrome c oxidase were higher in mature proglottids. Isopycnic density-gradient centrifugation analyses and in situ electron microscopic histochemistry revealed the heterogeneity of both adult and plerocercoid mitochondria.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Katharina May, Katharina Raue, Katrin Blazejak, Daniela Jordan, Christina Strube
Summary: This study investigated the long-term effect of pasture rewetting on endoparasite infections in sheep and cattle and found that pasture rewetting did not increase the probability of endoparasite infection in ruminants. Interestingly, the infection of Fasciola hepatica showed a significant decrease during the study period.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
C. Constancis, C. Chartier, M. Leligois, N. Brisseau, N. Bareille, C. Strube, N. Ravinet
Summary: The rearing system of dairy calves with nurse cows in organic farms in western France has shown to be effective in minimizing gastrointestinal and lungworm infections. This system allows cow-calf contact until the natural weaning age and promotes a mixed grazing season, resulting in low infection levels and minimal coughing episodes.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Simon Rohner, Peter Wohlsein, Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff, Christa Ewers, Patrick Waindok, Christina Strube, Christine Baechlein, Paul Becher, Dunja Wilmes, Volker Rickerts, Ursula Siebert
Summary: Working with dead otters can provide valuable insights for population health investigations. In Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, most of the dead otters found were males aged between 1-3 years with good nutritional status. Roadkill was a major cause of death, and post-mortem investigations are essential for analyzing potential trends and establishing a monitoring program for Eurasian otters in the region.
Article
Microbiology
Anna-Katharina Topp, Andrea Springer, Gerhard Dobler, Malena Bestehorn-Willmann, Masyar Monazahian, Christina Strube
Summary: A study in Lower Saxony, Germany, investigated the occurrence of TBEV in questing ticks and found a previously unknown transmission focus, while confirming ongoing virus circulation at four other locations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of two different virus strains with different origins in identified natural foci.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Uta Alstedt, Katja Voigt, Miriam Carmen Jaeger, Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer, Yury Zablotski, Christina Strube, Christoph Wenzel
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and prevalence of rumen and liver flukes in sheep and goats in Germany. It found that rumen flukes were more common in the north, while liver flukes were more common in the south. Mixed grazing with other ruminants and previous infections with flukes were identified as predictors for the parasitosis. This study is important for the prevention and control of parasite infections.
Review
Microbiology
Anna Bajer, Ana Beck, Relja Beck, Jerzy M. Behnke, Dorota Dwuznik-Szarek, Ramon M. Eichenberger, Robert Farkas, Hans-Peter Fuehrer, Mike Heddergott, Pikka Jokelainen, Michael Leschnik, Valentina Oborina, Algimantas Paulauskas, Jana Radzijevskaja, Renate Ranka, Manuela Schnyder, Andrea Springer, Christina Strube, Katarzyna Tolkacz, Julia Walochnik
Summary: There is growing evidence of an emerging infectious disease in Europe called babesiosis, which is spreading due to the increasing range of tick vectors. The incidence of babesiosis is increasing in both humans and animals, and the situation requires extensive monitoring and a One Health approach.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Katja Voigt, Maximilian Geiger, Miriam Carmen Jaeger, Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer, Christina Strube, Yury Zablotski
Summary: Parasitic worms pose a major threat to the health and production of sheep and goats globally, with many worms developing resistance to common drugs. A study in Germany evaluated the effectiveness of treatments against gastrointestinal nematodes, finding reduced efficacy for all available drugs. The high percentage of treatment failures is concerning, highlighting the need for alternative methods of worm control to prevent further deterioration.
Article
Parasitology
Sarina Koehler, Andrea Springer, Nicole Issel, Stefanie Klinger, Michael Wendt, Gerhard Breves, Christina Strube
Summary: This study found that infection of Ascaris suum has a negative impact on intestinal nutrient transport in pigs, with significant downregulation of certain transcription factors and transporter proteins in the jejunum. On the other hand, A. suum antigens mainly induced an upregulation of transport processes, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum.
Article
Zoology
Frederik Kiene, Andrea Springer, Bertrand Andriatsitohaina, Malcolm S. Ramsay, Romule Rakotondravony, Christina Strube, Ute Radespiel
Summary: The relevance of emerging infectious diseases is increasing worldwide, particularly on the island of Madagascar. Lemurs, as close relatives of humans on the island, play a significant role in the potential transmission of zoonotic pathogens. However, there is limited knowledge about the pathogens circulating in lemur populations, particularly lemur hemoparasites. This study conducted blood sample examinations on various lemur and rodent species in northwestern Madagascar, revealing the presence of a pathogenic nematode species but not the previously described hemoparasite Lemurfilaria lemuris. These findings highlight the lack of knowledge on lemur hemoparasites and call for further research in conservation medicine and human epidemiology.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Daniela Hauck, Katharina Raue, Katrin Blazejak, Rita M. Hanna, David A. Elsemore, Nikola Pantchev, Christina Strube
Summary: The study evaluated the ability of three different antigen detection methods to identify roundworm and hookworm infections in cats and Uncinaria stenocephala infections in dogs, as well as monitoring the course of infection.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Antje Glass, Andrea Springer, Marie -Kristin Raulf, Volker Fingerle, Christina Strube
Summary: The prevalence of Borrelia infection in ticks has remained stable in Hanover, Germany over a 15-year period. However, there have been shifts in the distribution of different Borrelia species, which may alter the epidemiological risk.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Cara Leonie Ebert, Lars Soeder, Mareike Kubinski, Julien Glanz, Eva Gregersen, Katrin Duemmer, Domenic Grund, Ann-Sophie Woehler, Laura Koenenkamp, Katrin Liebig, Steffen Knoll, Fanny Hellhammer, Anna-Katharina Topp, Paul Becher, Andrea Springer, Christina Strube, Uschi Nagel-Kohl, Marcel Nordhoff, Imke Steffen, Benjamin Ulrich Bauer, Martin Ganter, Karsten Feige, Stefanie C. Becker, Mathias Boelke
Summary: The newly discovered group of Jingmenviruses, known as Alongshan virus (ALSV), has been found to infect a wide range of hosts and cause febrile illness in humans. ALSV was identified in Ixodes spp. ticks in Lower Saxony, Germany, and further studies confirmed its replication in those tick species. The virus was also observed to be transmitted during blood feeding in laboratory experiments with ALSV-injected Ixodes ricinus. Serological investigations in wildlife and domestic animals in Lower Saxony revealed the presence of ALSV-specific antibodies, indicating frequent exposure to the virus. These findings highlight the potential risk of ALSV to human and animal health, emphasizing the need for further research.
Article
Parasitology
Vanessa Ruester, Alina Kathrin Lueckemann, Margareta Wittmann, Christina Strube, Thomas Bartels
Summary: This case report describes the successful control of poultry red mite infestations in an experimental laying hen house through a combination of cleaning and disinfection measures, the use of a synthetic silica-based acaricide, and frequent mite monitoring. The study suggests that this integrated approach can effectively control PRM in the long term, reducing the need for acaricidal drugs.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Marcus Faehndrich, Benno Woelfing, Jana C. Klink, Marco Roller, Wolfgang Baumgaertner, Peter Wohlsein, Katharina Raue, Christina Strube, Christa Ewers, Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff, Jutta Verspohl, Antonio Lavazza, Lorenzo Capucci, Herbert Tomaso, Ursula Siebert
Summary: By analyzing samples from European brown hares in three locations in the northernmost German state of Schleswig-Holstein, it was found that infectious diseases have a relatively low importance on the observed population dynamics, but there is a high prevalence of chronic inflammations of unknown origin.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Anja Wiegmann, Tony Rinaud, Meinolf Ottensmann, Oliver Krueger, Andrea Springer, Marko Legler, Michael Fehr, Christina Strube, Nayden Chakarov
Summary: The study found that the use of a single dose of Malarone in common buzzard nestlings did not have significant adverse effects, suggesting the tolerability of the drug in this species. Further research is recommended to determine pharmacokinetics in different avian species and the effects of repeated treatment.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)