Review
Microbiology
Anastasia Diakou, Roger K. Prichard
Summary: D. immitis infection is a severe parasitic disease in dogs, but prevention can be achieved through the use of MLs drugs. ML-resistant strains of D. immitis have been proven to exist in the Lower Mississippi region, USA, but not reported in Europe. The establishment and spread of resistance is challenging, highlighting the importance of monitoring ML resistance globally.
Article
Parasitology
Emily Curry, Roger Prichard
Summary: The study aimed to develop a minimally invasive rapid diagnostic in vitro biological assay for differentiating ML-susceptible from ML-resistant D. immitis isolates. The results showed that measuring changes in enzymatic activity and the in vitro TPI enzymatic assay may not be a reliable detection method for ML-resistance, but it may be useful for identifying fully susceptible isolates.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Emily Curry, Donato Traversa, Elena Carreton, Laura Kramer, Heinz Sager, Lisa Young, Roger Prichard
Summary: This study analyzed different isolates and clinical samples from the USA and Europe and found that European clinical samples showed no genomic evidence of resistance to macrocyclic lactone. The results of this study provide early indication of potential development of macrocyclic lactone resistance and aid in distinguishing clinical cases of heartworm infection due to resistance from those due to a lack of compliance with recommended treatments.
Article
Parasitology
Emily Curry, Roger Prichard, Anne Lespine
Summary: The genetic polymorphism of DimPgp-11 in Dirofilaria immitis is associated with macrocyclic lactone resistance. The expression of DimPgp-11 protein is lower in resistant isolates, and it is strategically located in the excretory-secretory ducts, pore cells, and excretory cells of microfilaria.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lucienne Tritten, Erica J. Burkman, Tobias Clark, Guilherme G. Verocai
Summary: Two novel miRNA candidates secreted by D. immitis larvae have been identified, which could serve as specific diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of infection.
Review
Parasitology
Molly D. Savadelis, Tom L. McTier, Kristina Kryda, Steven J. Maeder, Debra J. Woods
Summary: Heartworm disease remains a significant and pathogenic disease in dogs, despite the regular use of preventive products. Some strains of D. immitis have developed resistance to the only available drug class, macrocyclic lactones (MLs), for heartworm prevention in the United States. The optimization of dose and formulation of moxidectin provides a unique opportunity to improve efficacy against ML-resistant strains. Two new products, ProHeart (R) 12 and Simparica Trio (R), have demonstrated 100% preventive efficacy against recent field strains of heartworm, offering important advances in heartworm prevention for veterinarians and pet owners.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Erich W. Zinser, Tom L. McTier, Nicole S. Kernell, Debra J. Woods
Summary: Research has shown that cryopreserved microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis can develop into third-stage larvae in vector mosquitoes and are infectious to both dogs and ferrets, where they undergo normal development into adult worms and complete the heartworm lifecycle.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Martina Miterpakova, Daniela Antolova, Jana Rampalova, Miroslava Undesser, Tomas Krajcovic, Bronislava Vichova
Summary: The emergence and spread of Dirofilaria immitis in Europe highlights the critical need for proper diagnosis of infection.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Katharina Riebenbauer, Philipp B. Weber, Julia Walochnik, Franz Karlhofer, Stefan Winkler, Sonja Dorfer, Herbert Auer, Julia Valencak, Martin Laimer, Alessandra Handisurya
Summary: The incidence of human dirofilariosis cases has significantly increased over the past four decades in Austria, with a notable rise in cases after 1998. Most patients with the disease had a history of travel to regions endemic for Dirofilaria species, indicating changes in human behavior and travel activities as contributing factors to the rise in cases.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Laidoudi Younes, Helene Barre-Cardi, Samia Bedjaoui, Nazli Ayhan, Marie Varloud, Oleg Mediannikov, Domenico Otranto, Bernard Davoust
Summary: The study conducted in Corsica, France reveals that Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens have a potential transmission period and diversity, with mosquitoes as their vectors. Implementing preventive measures is suggested to reduce the infection risk in both human and animal populations.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Roger K. Prichard
Summary: Heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis and transmitted by mosquitoes, is a lethal disease in dogs and cats. Prevention primarily relies on macrocyclic lactones, with resistance to these drugs being an important issue that requires better testing methods for confirmation and surveillance of resistance levels. Additional research and development of new classes of heartworm preventives are needed to combat the spread of resistance and further disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lavinia Ciuca, Valeria Caruso, Sergio Illiano, Antonio Bosco, Maria Paola Maurelli, Laura Rinaldi
Summary: The number of autochthonous cases of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs has increased considerably in southern Italy, especially in coastal areas of the Campania region. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Dirofilaria spp. in a local dog shelter in Castel Volturno.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Remy Betous, Anthony Emile, Hua Che, Eva J. Guchen, Didier Concordet, Thavy Long, Sandra Noack, Paul M. Selzer, Roger Prichard, Anne Lespine
Summary: Nematode parasites enter their definitive host as infectious larvae and DAF-12 plays a role in their development to adulthood. The filarial nematodes' DAF-12 exhibit higher sensitivity to ligands and can be specifically activated by mammalian sera. These findings suggest that filarial nematodes have evolved to sense and adapt to their host environment to resume larval development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wanarit Jitsamai, Pimsiri Piromkij, Patchana Kamkong, Sudchit Chungpivat, Piyanan Taweethavonsawat
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of two mosquito-borne parasites in dogs in Thailand, as well as the effects of season and environmental parameters on their prevalence. The findings suggest that environmental parameters may not have a significant impact on the prevalence of these parasites, but the threat of B. pahangi and D. immitis should still be considered, especially in subtropical regions. Owners and veterinarians should prioritize filarial prevention and control measures for these parasites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katharina Klas, Anna S. Ondracek, Thomas M. Hofbauer, Andreas Mangold, Karin Pfisterer, Maria Laggner, Dragan Copic, Martin Direder, Daniel Bormann, Hendrik Jan Ankersmit, Michael Mildner
Summary: This study found that PBMCsec can significantly inhibit the formation of NETs, possibly through antioxidant activity and inhibition of protein arginine deiminase 4 activity. For the current lack of treatment options for excessive NET formation, this study provides a promising novel treatment option.
Review
Parasitology
Eric R. Morgan, Nor-Azlina A. Aziz, Alexandra Blanchard, Johannes Charlier, Claude Charvet, Edwin Claerebout, Peter Geldhof, Andrew W. Greer, Hubertus Hertzberg, Jane Hodgkinson, Johan Hoglund, Herve Hoste, Ray M. Kaplan, Maria Martinez-Valladares, Sian Mitchell, Harm W. Ploeger, Laura Rinaldi, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Smaragda Sotiraki, Manuela Schnyder, Philip Skuce, David Bartley, Fiona Kenyon, Stig M. Thamsborg, Hannah Rose Vineer, Theo de Waal, Andrew R. Williams, Jan A. van Wyk, Jozef Vercruysse
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Jane E. Hodgkinson, Ray M. Kaplan, Fiona Kenyon, Eric R. Morgan, Andrew W. Park, Steve Paterson, Simon A. Babayan, Nicola J. Beesley, Collette Britton, Umer Chaudhry, Stephen R. Doyle, Vanessa O. Ezenwa, Andy Fenton, Sue B. Howell, Roz Laing, Barbara K. Mable, Louise Matthews, Jennifer McIntyre, Catherine E. Milne, Thomas A. Morrison, Jamie C. Prentice, Neil D. Sargison, Diana J. L. Williams, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Eileen Devaney
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Julie Sanchez, Guha Dharmarajan, Melissa M. George, Cassan Pulaski, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, John S. Gilleard, Ray M. Kaplan
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Kelsey L. Paras, Ray M. Kaplan
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Abigail R. McCrea, Pablo D. Jimenez Castro, Ray M. Kaplan, Michael Povelones
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Umer Chaudhry, E. M. Redman, Ray Kaplan, Thomas Yazwinski, Neil Sargison, John S. Gilleard
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Pei-Tsz Shin, Rodrigo de Paula Baptista, Connor M. O'Neill, Connor Wallis, Barbara J. Reaves, Adrian J. Wolstenholme
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Melissa M. George, Adriano F. Vatta, Sue B. Howell, Bob E. Storey, Ciaran J. McCoy, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Elizabeth M. Redman, John S. Gilleard, Ray M. Kaplan
Summary: The study successfully replaced a population of Haemonchus contortus resistant to multiple anthelmintics with a susceptible isolate, but resistance re-emerged within a short period of time. Genetic changes may have contributed to this reversion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Natalie E. Wilson, Barbara J. Reaves, Adrian J. Wolstenholme
Summary: The study found that a single dose of ivermectin does not have a significant impact on the human immune system based on human volunteer experiments. This suggests that ivermectin, at the dose used in current filarial elimination programs, does not directly affect the human immune system.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
James B. Collins, Brian Jordan, Anand N. Vidyashankar, Pablo Jimenez Castro, Justin Fowler, Ray M. Kaplan
Summary: This study identified resistance to fenbendazole in the common intestinal helminth of turkeys, Ascaridia dissimilis. In turkeys, infection with resistant isolates significantly impacted feed conversion and weight gain. The presence of fenbendazole-resistant worms could have significant economic implications for turkey production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Cedric Neveu
Summary: Glutamate-gated chloride channels are crucial targets for ivermectin and related compounds in parasitic nematodes. Due to variations in gene family members, it is challenging to extrapolate from Caenorhabditis elegans to parasites. Recent advances in localisation data are helping to understand the mode of action of the drugs and the possible combinations of subunits that form their targets in vivo.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Marc P. Huebner, Simon Townson, Suzanne Gokool, Senyo Tagboto, Mary J. Maclean, Guilherme G. Verocai, Adrian J. Wolstenholme, Stefan J. Frohberger, Achim Hoerauf, Sabine Specht, Ivan Scandale, Achim Harder, Martin Glenschek-Sieberth, Steffen R. Hahnel, Daniel Kulke
Summary: This study evaluates the in vitro effects of emodepside against a range of filarial nematodes at various developmental stages. Emodepside showed broad-spectrum efficacy against different genera of filarial nematodes, suggesting it as a promising candidate for the treatment of human filariases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Alistair Antonopoulos, Stephen R. Doyle, David J. Bartley, Alison A. Morrison, Ray Kaplan, Sue Howell, Cedric Neveu, Valentina Busin, Eileen Devaney, Roz Laing
Summary: Haemonchus contortus is a parasitic nematode that infects small ruminants and causes health issues and economic losses in the livestock industry. The treatment for this parasite primarily relies on broad-spectrum anthelmintics, but resistance has emerged. Levamisole (LEV) is an important treatment option, as resistance to LEV is less common. Genetic variation at the acr-8 locus has been implicated in LEV resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Martin K. Nielsen, Ray M. Kaplan, Ghazanfar Abbas, Abdul Jabbar
Summary: Long-term intensive use of anthelmintics has led to widespread anthelmintic resistance, but it can also select for other biological traits. This study highlights examples of changing parasite dynamics that don't fit the definition of anthelmintic resistance, and explores cases where anthelmintic resistance has occurred along with coselection for other traits. Suggestions are made for collecting more information and addressing these knowledge gaps.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)