Review
Microbiology
Paul A. Fuerst
Summary: Acanthamoeba is a widely distributed protist group in nature. The diversity of Acanthamoeba strains in culture collections has been studied using DNA sequencing, and it is found that the frequency of genotypes differs between culture collections and clinical/environmental studies. It is important to have reliable genotype designations for all Acanthamoeba species.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Wenya Song, Xiaotian Luo, Yong Chi, Saleh A. Al-Farraj, Chen Shao
Summary: Ciliates play important roles in ecological, environmental, evolutionary, and ontogenetic research. This study identifies the phylogenetic position of Chaetospira sinica sp. nov. and provides morphological and morphogenetic data to support its validity. Additionally, the morphologic and molecular data of exconjugant cells are provided.
MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Xiaotian Luo, Jie Huang, Honggang Ma, Yujie Liu, Xiaoteng Lu, William A. Bourland
Summary: In contrast to most hypotrich ciliates that inhabit the benthos, only a few species of the genus Hypotrichidium have adapted to a planktonic lifestyle. This study investigates the interphase morphology and ontogenetic process of Hypotrichidium tisiae, redefining its ciliary pattern. The morphogenetic features and phylogenetic analyses support the assignment of Hypotrichidium to the family Spirofilidae within Postoralida, as well as the establishment of separate families for slender tubicolous spirofilids and highly helical spirofilids.
MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Svetlana N. Kovalchuk
Summary: Theileriae are intracellular protozoan parasites transmitted by ixodid ticks that infect both wild and domestic ruminants. Theileriosis causes significant economic losses in the livestock industry worldwide. The study in Russia detected Theileria parasites in cattle and found that they share a common genotype with other pathogenic strains from different countries.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Wenya Song, Tengyue Zhang, Jingyi Dong, Xiaotian Luo, William A. Bourland, Yurui Wang
Summary: This study identified two new urostylid ciliates, Heterobakuella bergeri gen. nov., sp. nov. and Anteholosticha perezuzae sp. nov., from Chinese wetland samples. Heterobakuella gen. nov. is distinguished by its unique cirral arrangement, while Anteholosticha perezuzae is characterized by a slender body shape and distinctive cortical granules. Phylogenetic analyses revealed non-monophyletic trends within the genus Anteholosticha.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Weiwei Qin, Qian Zhou, Shiyao Wang, Fahui Tang, Yuanjun Zhao
Summary: This study presented the first 18S rRNA gene sequence data of two Tripartiella species, Tripartiella macrosoma and Tripartiella obtusa, isolated from fish in China. The morphological characteristics of these species were within the range of the original descriptions, with T. macrosoma distinguished by a long strip denticles and T. obtusa by broad blades and relatively long rays. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a closer relationship between T. macrosoma and Trichodinella spp., questioning the validity of the genus Tripartiella.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Peng Zhang, Jie Liu, Xiao-Ming Yin, Jun-Yu Zhou, Julius Lukes, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: This study presents a detailed phylogenetic and haplotype diversity analysis of freshwater fish trypanosomes, proposing three scenarios for distinguishing T. carassii from other aquatic trypanosomes. The findings support the existence of an umbrella complex composed of T. carassii and two sister species.
MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Kang-San Kim, Su-Jung Ji, Sanghee Kim, Gi-Sik Min
Summary: Anteholosticha sigmoidea can be divided into two groups with morphological differences compared to the Antarctica populations. Phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA gene sequences showed that A. sigmoidea was not nested with any species, indicating polyphyly of the genus Anteholosticha.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mohammed Ahmed, Oleksandr Holovachov
Summary: Advancements in DNA sequencing and molecular phylogenetics have greatly impacted our understanding of nematode evolution, leading to significant changes in classification. While the current classification of Nematoda does not always accurately reflect their evolutionary relationships, further research and improvements are needed to better understand the phylogeny of this diverse group of animals.
Article
Parasitology
Christophe Angeline Felicia Bora, Anju Varghese, Chundayil Kalarickal Deepa, Ashwathappa Nandini, Lanchalung Malangmei, Karapparambu Gopalan Ajith Kumar, Opinder Krishen Raina, Lijo John, Preena Prasanna, Muhasin Asaf, Gatchanda Shravan Kumar, Prabodh Kumar Hembram, Jess Vergis, Sanis Juliet, Reghu Ravindran
Summary: The study identified a specific strain of Babesia gibsoni in dogs in the state of Kerala, India, which formed a distinct cluster with isolates from north India and Bangladesh based on genetic analysis. This strain showed considerable genetic variation compared to isolates from East Asian countries. Further research is needed to better understand the genetic diversity of Babesia gibsoni parasites.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. G. Bulgarelli, M. F. A. Leite, M. De Hollander, P. Mazzafera, S. A. L. Andrade, E. E. Kuramae
Summary: The availability of soil phosphorus can affect plant growth, root-soil interactions, and rhizosphere microbial community composition. This study investigated the rhizosphere microbial communities of 24 species of eucalypts under low or sufficient soil phosphorus availability. It was found that eucalypt species identity was the main factor determining the composition of the rhizosphere microbial community, while the effect of phosphorus availability varied among species.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Sandor Hornok, Andrei D. Mihalca, Jeno Kontschan, Nora Takacs, Denis Fedorov, Olivier Plantard, Attila D. Sandor
Summary: This study provides high-resolution digital pictures and molecular data of male and female I. rugicollis for the first time, and morphological comparison with I. cornutus could not resolve uncertainties in the latter species' validity. Further molecular comparisons with new specimens of I. cornutus are needed to confirm its status. This study represents the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of western Palearctic Pholeoixodes species, including I. rugicollis, and confirms the phylogenetic position of the subgenus Eschatocephalus within Pholeoixodes.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xiaobin Gu, Xiuhai Lu, Shudan Lin, Xinrui Shi, Yue Shen, Qingsong Lu, Yiying Yang, Jing Yang, Jiabei Cai, Chunyan Fu, Yongliang Lou, Meiqin Zheng
Summary: This study identified horizontal gene transfer events between Acanthamoeba and amoeba-resisting microorganisms, shedding light on the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Daniele Corsaro, Danielle Venditti
Summary: Acanthamoeba is a common amoeba that can cause serious infections in humans and animals. Different strains can be identified using 18S rDNA sequencing, with the majority belonging to the T4 genotype. In this study, a new nuclear subtype (T4H) was identified, which co-clusters with the T4j subtype of mitochondria. This new subtype has been found in cases of amoebic keratitis in several countries.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Aman Nangru, Biswa Ranjan Maharana, Sukhdeep Vohra, Binod Kumar, Anita Ganguly, Subhasish Sahu, Harpreet Singh, Swati Ruhil, Vikas Khichar
Summary: The present study aimed to identify, characterize, and assess the risk factors of Theileria infection among sheep in Haryana province, north India. Blood samples were collected from March 2020 to September 2021, and Theileria spp. infection was detected through light microscopy and nested PCR. Molecular characterization revealed the dominance of T. ovis, followed by T. lestoquardi, T. luwenshuni, and T. annulata. Mixed infection and significant hematological changes were observed. Age, sex, and zone were found to be associated with Theileria infection. This study provides important insights for developing control strategies against these haemoparasitic infections.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Elisa P. Badas, Amaia Autor, Javier Martinez, Juan Rivero-de Aguilar, Santiago Merino
Article
Immunology
Manuel Enrique Avila-Blanco, Tania Martin-Perez, Javier Ventura-Juarez, Jorge Perez-Serrano
PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Maria Sanchez-Milla, Rafael Gomez, Jorge Perez-Serrano, Javier Sanchez-Nieves, F. Javier de la Mata
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cristina Verdu-Exposito, Juan Romanyk, Juan Cuadros-Gonzalez, Abraham TesfaMariam, Jose Luis Copa-Patino, Jorge Perez-Serrano, Juan Soliveri
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Irene Heredero-Bermejo, Tania Martin-Perez, Jose Luis Copa-Patino, Rafael Gomez, Francisco Javier de la Mata, Juan Soliveri, Jorge Perez-Serrano
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Irene Heredero-Bermejo, Natalia Gomez-Casanova, Sara Quintana, Juan Soliveri, Francisco Javier de la Mata, Jorge Perez-Serrano, Javier Sanchez-Nieves, Jose Luis Copa-Patino
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Marina Garcia-del-Rio, Rebecca Sancho, Javier Martinez, Santiago Merino
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Tania Martin-Perez, Irene Heredero-Bermejo, Cristina Verdu-Exposito, Jorge Perez-Serrano
Summary: Studies have shown that tea tree oil and dimethyl sulfoxide have a certain killing effect on Acanthamoeba trophozoites in vitro, with better results when used in combination. However, these compounds showed toxicity to human corneal epithelial cells at low concentrations and cannot be recommended as an alternative for AK treatment.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Rodrigo Megia-Palma, Rafael Barrientos, Manuela Gallardo, Javier Martinez, Santiago Merino
Summary: Studies on lizards have shown that there is a negative relationship between pigment content and spectral brightness of their color patches, with more pigmented patches appearing darker. Additionally, a review of 18 studies with 24 intraspecific tests of the Hamilton-Zuk hypothesis revealed that a majority (58%) did not support the hypothesis.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Natalia Gomez-Casanova, Alba Torres-Cano, Alba Xiaohe Elias-Rodriguez, Tania Lozano, Paula Ortega, Rafael Gomez, Jorge Perez-Serrano, Jose Luis Copa-Patino, Irene Heredero-Bermejo
Summary: In this study, the efficacy of dendritic wedges with cationic charges on the surface against Candida glabrata biofilms was explored, and synergistic effects were observed when combined with amphotericin B. This research highlights the urgent need for new antifungal drugs to combat the emergence of Candida glabrata as a major pathogen in hospital settings.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Irene Molina-de la Fuente, Mulat Yimar, Luz Garcia, Vicenta Gonzalez, Arancha Amor, Melaku Anegagrie, Agustin Benito, Javier Martinez, Marta Moreno, Pedro Berzosa
Summary: This study characterizes the deletion, genetic patterns, and diversity of genes pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The study finds that the deletions and high amino acidic variation in these genes could impact the effectiveness of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in this region. The high genetic diversity of these genes may be associated with a diversifying selection in Ethiopia.
Article
Parasitology
Rodrigo Megia-Palma, Javier Martinez, Patrick S. Fitze, Jose J. Cuervo, Josabel Belliure, Octavio Jimenez-Robles, Carlos Cabido, Jose Martin, Santiago Merino
Summary: This study collected blood samples from 23 lizard species in the western Mediterranean, North Africa, and Macaronesia, and molecularly detected multiple blood parasites including Karyolysus. The results supported the taxonomic validity of the genus and suggested that Karyolysus is less host-specific than other lizard parasites in the region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jose Luis Perez-Diaz, Tania Martin-Perez, Cristina del alamo, Juan Sanchez-Garcia-Casarrubios, Jose Luis Copa-Patino, Juan Soliveri, Jose M. Orellana-Muriana, Jorge Perez-Serrano, Francisco Jose Llerena-Aguilar
Summary: This study experimentally tested different types of disinfecting fogs against Bacillus thuringiensis spores, a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, both in the air and on various surfaces. The fog technology successfully removed spores from the air in just 20 minutes with a 1-minute application. The dynamics and characteristics of the fog were critical for optimal decontamination.