Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rebecca H. Hardman, Sawsan Ammar, Richard Gerhold, William Sutton, E. Davis Carter, Shawn Snyder, Jeronimo da Silva Neto, Meredith Tarkington, Matthew J. Gray, Debra L. Miller
Summary: Wildlife diseases pose a significant threat to species conservation, and it is crucial to implement comprehensive disease response programs for better identification of these diseases. Moribund and dead eastern newts in a pond in middle Tennessee were found to be infected with ranavirus and a previously undescribed Eimeria sp. These findings emphasize the importance of histopathologic evaluation and provide guidance for future outbreak investigations.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ines Dettwiler, Karin Troell, Guy Robinson, Rachel M. Chalmers, Walter Basso, Zaida Melina Renteria-Solis, Arwid Daugschies, Konrad Muhlethaler, Mariko Dale, Jyothi Basapathi Raghavendra, Marie-Therese Ruf, Sven Poppert, Mireille Meylan, Philipp Olias
Summary: This study reveals the value of using the bioinformatic program TIDE for analysis of gp60 chromatograms. By analyzing single oocysts and cloning, the within-sample parasite population diversity was confirmed. The study also identified the presence of polymerase stutter artifacts in all analyzed chromatograms, challenging the use of gp60 typing.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Krysta H. Rogers, David Arranz-Solis, Jeroen P. J. Saeij, Stephany Lewis, Asli Mete
Summary: The study identified Cooper's hawks and red-tailed hawks in North America as potential definitive hosts of Sarcocystis calchasi, expanding the known host range of the parasite in the region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Asfiha Tarannum, Cristian Camilo Rodriguez-Almonacid, Jorge Salazar-Bravo, Zemfira N. Karamysheva
Summary: This article provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms of protozoan parasite persistence in vertebrate hosts, including the function of persisters, their formation, and the specific molecular interactions between host and parasite during persistence. The study also examines the metabolic, transcriptional, and translational changes that protozoan parasites undergo during persistence in vertebrate hosts. Key findings suggest that protozoan parasites employ various strategies to evade host immune surveillance and sustain their persistence.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew G. Briscoe, Sarah Nichols, Hanna Hartikainen, Hazel Knipe, Rachel Foster, Andy J. Green, Beth Okamura, David Bass
Summary: Examination of bird faecal material has revealed the distribution patterns of a wide range of organisms, with particular focus on plant seeds and freshwater organisms. High-throughput sequencing methods now offer detailed insights into faecal contents, aiding in the understanding of parasite and pathogen transport. The study highlights the significant levels of bird-mediated dispersal of parasites and hidden biodiversity revealed through novel sequencing techniques.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Igor C. L. Acosta, Solange M. Gennari, Horwald A. B. Llano, Sebastian Munoz-Leal, Rodrigo M. Soares
Summary: Sarcocystidae is a family of apicomplexan protozoa highly prevalent in vertebrates, with definitive hosts eliminating oocysts or sporocysts that infect intermediate hosts and develop into mature tissue cysts. In 2017, DNA of a potentially new species of Sarcocystis was identified in Chilean skuas, indicating the need for further studies to understand the epidemiology and impact of the infection. Further investigations revealed that the genetic makeup of the parasite detected in skuas was closely related to species using birds as definitive hosts.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Pablo Oyarzun-Ruiz, Richard S. Thomas, Adriana M. Santodomingo, Juan E. Uribe, Marlon M. Ardila, Diana M. Echeverry, Sebastian Munoz-Leal, Maria C. Silva-de la Fuente, Marco Loyola, Cristina J. Palma, Carlos Landaeta-Aqueveque, AnaLia Henriquez
Summary: Sarcocystidae is a family of protozoa that infects two hosts, an intermediate or paratenic host and a definitive host. A study conducted in Chile on rodents found three individuals infected with Sarcocystidae, belonging to the genera Sarcocystis, Besnoitia, and Toxoplasmatinae. Although it is unclear whether these findings indicate parasitism or accidental encounters, the genetic relationship suggests they are parasites of rodents.
Article
Immunology
Teresa Cruz-Bustos, Marlies Dolezal, Anna Sophia Feix, Baerbel Ruttkowski, Karin Hummel, Ebrahim Razzazi-Fazeli, Anja Joachim
Summary: In this study, we identified 1,324 proteins in the in vitro developmental stages of C. suis through proteomic analysis. Our analysis revealed metabolic patterns of proteins related to macromolecule metabolism, DNA and RNA processes, and cell invasion in the lifecycle of C. suis. These findings are important for understanding the developmental biology of C. suis and can contribute to the study of other related coccidian parasites.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Petras Prakas, Josep Estruch, Roser Velarde, Mikas Ilgunas, Donatas Sneideris, Olga Nicolas-Francisco, Ignasi Marco, Rafael Calero-Bernal
Summary: By using histopathology and PCR-sequencing, researchers identified three Sarcocystis species infecting bearded vultures and black kites in Catalonia, Spain. The analysis showed that S. halieti was one of the infecting species in these raptors, with high similarity to previously identified S. halieti sequences. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of the complex epidemiology of Sarcocystis genus in avian hosts.
VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Miranda Carrisosa, Shanhao Jin, Brigid A. McCrea, Kenneth S. Macklin, Teresa Dormitorio, Rudiger Hauck
Summary: Backyard chicken flocks with low biosecurity are prone to infections with various pathogens, posing risks to nearby poultry and human health. This study found that coccidia were the most common parasite in backyard flocks, with some parasites capable of causing severe diseases. Detected parasites include those that can infect humans, such as Cryptosporidium spp. and Blastocystis spp.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Filippo Maria Dini, Monica Caffara, Joana G. P. Jacinto, Cinzia Benazzi, Arcangelo Gentile, Roberta Galuppi
Summary: This study describes a rare case of bovine eosinophilic myositis (BEM) associated with co-infection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Sarcocystis hominis (S. hominis). Through histological, molecular, and serological analyses, the first detection of T. gondii DNA in a BEM case was confirmed. The presence of both pathogens in the lesion, healthy muscle, and meat juice highlights the potential role of co-infection in evoking BEM lesions.
Article
Parasitology
Luciana Doria Ribeiro Cabral, Ana Paula Sato, Renato Silva de Sousa, Ana Paula Rossa, Adrien Wilhelm Dilger Sanches, Caroline Tomasi Bortoleto, Rosangela Locatelli Dittrich
Summary: Limited data is available about the presence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp., and Sarcocystis neurona in equine placental tissues and amniotic fluid. This study found evidence of Neospora spp. DNA in placentas and amniotic fluid of some mares, suggesting a potential transplacental transmission route for Neospora caninum infection.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Peter Halvarsson, Paulius Baltrusis, Petter Kjellander, Johan Hoglund
Summary: By investigating the community structure of parasitic intestinal nematodes in four wildlife hosts in Sweden, this study found that the majority of identified parasite species were specific to wildlife. The potential for cross-infections of nematodes between wildlife and domestic sheep appears to be relatively low, although not completely negligible.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Tina Wagner, Berit Bangoura, Stefanie Wiedmer, Arwid Daugschies, Ildiko Rita Dunay
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of plant hormones on the replication of asexual tachyzoites in human cells. The results showed that abscisic acid can significantly increase parasite replication, while gibberellic acid may potentially serve as a treatment for toxoplasmosis by inhibiting parasite growth depending on the culture medium composition.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Christen Rune Stensvold, Rebecca P. K. D. Berg, Jenny G. Maloney, Aleksey Molokin, Monica Santin
Summary: The genetic diversity and host specificity of Blastocystis and Entamoeba in Greenland were studied for the first time. Blastocystis was more common than Entamoeba and both were common colonizers of large herbivorous mammals in Greenland. Multiple subtypes/lineages were observed, including some novel ones.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Parnika Mukherjee, Gaetan Burgio, Emanuel Heitlinger
Summary: Through dual RNA sequencing and meta-analysis, this study identified common interactions between hosts and parasites, such as host immune response to the Plasmodium protein degradation system. Coexpression networks revealed known processes and individual protein associations between hosts and parasites, providing a foundation for prioritizing research in human malaria experiments.
Review
Ornithology
Marc Engler, Oliver Krone
Summary: The study analyzed GPS tracking data of juvenile White-tailed Sea Eagles in northeast Germany, revealing that post-fledging excursive behavior was influenced by the natal environment, with migration timing delayed by the quantity of excursive behavior and varying significantly among individuals.
Article
Parasitology
Manuela Merling de Chapa, Susanne Auls, Norbert Kenntner, Oliver Krone
Summary: The study showed that there is a higher strain diversity and prevalence of Trichomonas spp. in Northern goshawks compared to Eurasian sparrowhawks, but infected sparowhawks displayed more clinical signs of trichomonosis.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Deniz Mengulluoglu, Huseyin Ambarli, Axel Barlow, Johanna L. A. Paijmans, Ali Onur Sayar, Hasan Emir, Irfan Kandemir, Heribert Hofer, Joerns Fickel, Daniel W. Foerster
Summary: The study conducted a systematic analysis of the mtDNA of Eurasian lynx, revealing three major clades and at least five lineages, indicating an earlier diversification of the species than previously estimated. The results suggest that the Anatolian peninsula served as a glacial refugium for the Eurasian lynx, with previously unconsidered implications for the species' colonization of Europe.
Article
Parasitology
Victor Hugo Jarquin-Diaz, Alice Balard, Susana Carolina Martins Ferreira, Vivian Mittne, Julia Mari Murata, Emanuel Heitlinger
Summary: This study suggests that DNA-based quantification is a better predictor of host health outcomes than counting transmissive stages. DNA quantification should be considered as a complementary source of information with potential specific biological relevance for each host-parasite system.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Benhaiem, S. Kaidatzi, H. Hofer, M. L. East
Summary: Extensive bushmeat hunting poses a major threat to wildlife conservation. The use of wire snares can result in sublethal snare injuries and potential reproductive costs for the affected individuals.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Montan M. Kalyahe, Heribert Hofer, Marion L. East
Summary: The study investigates the relationship between livestock waste and predation on cattle, sheep, and goats by wild carnivores. The findings show that the likelihood of predation increases with the increase of waste from diseased and slaughtered cattle, and sheep deaths from starvation. However, the predation on goats is more likely in medium-sized villages, indicating a trade-off for predators between increased benefits of more livestock waste and the costs of higher human disturbance and diminishing natural prey abundance as village size category increases.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Hongwei Zhang, Lubomir Bednar, Emanuel Heitlinger, Susanne Hartmann, Sebastian Rausch
Summary: This study reports on cellular responses of wild house mice from northern Germany. Wild house mice naturally infected with the whipworm Trichuris muris showed robust Th1 responses, while mice infected with pinworms exhibited type-2 activity, elevated IgG1 levels, and high frequencies of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, suggesting distinct immune responses induced by natural whip- and pinworm infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Walter Jetz, Grigori Tertitski, Roland Kays, Uschi Mueller, Martin Wikelski
Summary: Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is providing fine-scale animal movement data at near-global scale. When combined with remotely sensed environmental data, it offers valuable insights into habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health, creating a global network of animal sentinels for environmental change.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Alice Balard, Emanuel Heitlinger
Summary: This article reviews the evidence for differences in parasite load between hybrid and parental mice, and the effects of parasites on health and fitness in promoting or preventing hybridization. Recent field studies have found hybrids to be more resistant to certain parasites, but the question of hybrid susceptibility to parasites remains controversial. The authors argue that previous studies have limitations in sample size, statistical analysis, and scope, and suggest the need for further research to assess the relationship between health and resistance.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ute Ziegler, Felicitas Bergmann, Dominik Fischer, Kerstin Mueller, Cora M. Holicki, Balal Sadeghi, Michael Sieg, Markus Keller, Rebekka Schwehn, Maximilian Reuschel, Luisa Fischer, Oliver Krone, Monika Rinder, Karolin Schuette, Volker Schmidt, Martin Eiden, Christine Fast, Anne Gunther, Anja Globig, Franz J. Conraths, Christoph Staubach, Florian Brandes, Michael Lierz, Ruediger Korbel, Thomas W. Vahlenkamp, Martin H. Groschup
Summary: This report summarizes the monitoring results of birds in different regions of Germany, identifying the circulation of USUV and WNV, as well as analyzing the seroprevalence of the viruses in different regions. The findings suggest that wild bird monitoring can serve as an early warning system for predicting human exposure risk.
Article
Ecology
Marion L. East, Dagmar Thierer, Sarah Benhaiem, Sonja Metzger, Heribert Hofer
Summary: Infanticide by adult females significantly affects male reproductive success and generates sexual conflict. In spotted hyenas, female infanticide occurs through violent attacks and maternal neglect, and males do not have effective counterstrategies.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Morgane Gicquel, Marion L. East, Heribert Hofer, Sarah Benhaiem
Summary: Studies have shown that encountering multiple sources of adversity in childhood increases the risk of poor long-term health and premature death. This study focuses on the spotted hyena and examines the cumulative effects of adversity during early life, including ecological, maternal, social, and demographic factors, on its performance and fitness. The results suggest that the combination of specific conditions in early life may matter more than the accumulation of adverse conditions as such.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ankur Midha, Victor Hugo Jarquin-Diaz, Friederike Ebner, Ulrike Lober, Rima Hayani, Arkadi Kundik, Alessio Cardilli, Emanuel Heitlinger, Sofia Kirke Forslund, Susanne Hartmann
Summary: The study compared the intestinal microbiome of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum with its host, revealing that the parasite has a less diverse microbiome than the host, and the host shows reduced microbiome diversity at the site of parasite infection. The microbiome composition of the host at the infection site significantly influences the microbiome composition of the parasite.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Michaela Wetzel, Alexandre Courtiol, Heribert Hofer, Susanne Holtze, Thomas B. B. Hildebrandt
Summary: The study investigates the determinants of early offspring survival in the naked mole-rat, a eusocial mammal. Factors such as pup body mass, maternal number of mammae, maternal body mass, and colony size significantly influence early pup survival. The influence of social factors on offspring survival in eusocial mammals is different from eusocial insects due to the level of sociality. The study contributes to a better understanding of the origin and maintenance of eusociality in mammals.
