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BACKGROUND: Parasitic diseases remain a serious public health problem in China. Health education aimed at disseminating health-related knowledge and promoting healthy behaviours, plays a crucial role in the prevention and control of parasitic diseases. This study aims to develop a tool to measure the parasitic disease health literacy of residents in China. METHODS: Scale development was based on qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative method included focus group discussions and Delphi consultations. A methodological design with multistage sampling and a pilot study was used to evaluate the questionnaire. The scale's reliability was tested using Cronbach's α and split-half reliability, while its construct validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. The scale's passing score was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six districts of the prefecture of Jiangsu and residents aged 14-69 years in the participating townships were randomly selected based on their location. RESULTS: The health literacy indicator system for parasitic diseases included 3 first-level, 9 s-level and 23 third-level indicators. The 23-item questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.774) and split-half reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficient = 0.778). The questionnaire's passing score was 60. A total of 990 valid questionnaires were collected from participants in three cities. The percentage of participants with health literacy regarding parasitic diseases was 15.8%. Their scores were influenced by age, income, employment, and educational level. CONCLUSIONS: Health literacy of parasitic diseases is an integrated indicator rather than just knowledge or behavior information. The correlation between knowledge and behavior is weak. The capacity for healthy behavior of parasitic disease is associated with the location and culture of the city. For neglected diseases, it is important for people to talk positively about their behaviors with a doctor.

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Phtheirospermum japonicum, a member of the Orobanchaceae family, is a facultative root parasitic plant that can survive without parasitizing the host. In contrast, obligate root parasitic plants such as Striga and Orobanche, which are also members of the Orobanchaceae family, cannot survive in the absence of the host. The germination of obligate root parasitic plants is typically induced by host root-derived strigolactones (SLs) at very low concentrations. The KAI2/HTL family proteins have been found to be involved in the perception of karrikin (KAR), a smoke-derived germination inducer and unidentified endogenous ligand, in non-parasitic plants. Obligate root parasitic plants possess uniquely diverged KAI2 clade genes, which are collectively referred to as KAI2d. Many of those have been shown to function as SL receptors. Intriguingly, the KAI2d clade genes are also conserved in P. japonicum, even though this plant does not require SLs for germination. The biochemical and physiological functions of the KAI2d proteins in P. japonicum remain unclear. Here, we report that some of these proteins can function as SL receptors in P. japonicum. Moreover, we found that one of them, PjKAI2d4, is highly sensitive to SLs when expressed in Arabidopsis, and it is similar to the sensitive SL receptors found in Striga and Orobanche. These results suggest that the KAI2d clade SL receptors play a crucial role not only in obligate parasites but also in facultative parasitic plants.

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Results of previous research on chemigated imazamox for control of branched broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa) in processing tomatoes suggested potential soil-type differences in imazamox availability. Over two years, there were differences in crop-injury between two sites less than 30-km apart: imazamox-treated tomatoes in the Davis location had relatively minor early season injury while tomatoes at the Woodland location were severely injured or killed. The following study was conducted to investigate imazamox sorption in four California soils to determine if differences in herbicide adsorption played a role in variable crop-injury observed in the field trials. To determine the sorption capacity of imazamox of each soil, a batch-equilibrium study was conducted. There were significant differences in sorbed imazamox: the clay soil had the highest adsorption (Robert's Island: 742.5 pg µL-1 sorbed), followed by the sandy loam soil (Ripon: 723.9 pg µL-1 sorbed), while the loam soils from both trial sites (Davis: 704.2 pg µL-1 sorbed; Woodland: 699.9 pg µL-1 sorbed) had the lowest adsorption and were not significantly different from one another. Results from this study illustrate only minor differences in imazamox adsorption among the soils tested which suggests that soil type was likely not a major factor contributing to differences in crop-injury.

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This study assessed the levels of Cd, Cu and Pb in the sentinel bivalve Donax trunculus collected from two touristic Moroccan sandy beaches, namely Agadir and Taghazout, in Morocco. The results revealed higher metal contamination in D. trunculus specimens collected from Taghazout compared to those from Agadir. Among the metals analyzed, Pb was found to pose the greatest risk to human health, followed by Cd and Cu. The study also investigated the presence of the trematode parasite Bacciger bacciger in D. trunculus specimens. The parasite was found only in female D. trunculus from Taghazout, with infection rates ranging from 11% to 46%. Furthermore, significantly higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers were observed in specimens from Taghazout, where positive correlations were observed between Cu, Cd, Glutathione S-Transferase, and parasite prevalence, as well as between Pb and Catalase. In the case of D. trunculus collected from Agadir, Malondialdehyde levels were positively correlated with Cd and negatively correlated with Pb, while Catalase levels were negatively correlated with Cu. Complex interactions emerged between metal pollution, parasitic infection, and oxidative stress biomarkers in D. trunculus from two Moroccan coastal sites. Evaluating biotic stress synergies with biomarkers shows promise for integrating biological implications of coastal contamination.

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A survey of plant-parasitic nematode genera associated with roots of mature date palm trees was conducted in central Iraq to study the occurrence, population density and geographical distribution. This study in Baghdad, Babil, Diyala, Karbela, Najaf, and Wasit governorates was conducted from 2019 to 2023, during the months from October to April. A total of 150 soil and root samples were gathered from 46 fields, and plant parasitic nematodes were extracted and morphologically identified to genus level. Eleven genera of plant parasitic nematodes were detected in the declining order of frequency: Tylenchorhynchus spp. (20%) in Baghdad, Babil, Diyala, Karbala, and Najaf; Meloidogyne spp., (17.3%) in Baghdad, Babil, Diyala, Najaf, and Wasit; Paratylenchus spp. (16%) in Diyala and Najaf; Helicotylenchus spp. (12%) in Baghdad, Diyala, Najaf, and Wasit; Tylenchus spp. (12%) in Baghdad, Babil, Diyala, Najaf, and Wasit; Aphelenchoides spp. (6.7%) in Babil, Diyala, Karbala, and Wasit; Pratylenchus spp. (4%) in Baghdad, Diyala, Najaf, and Wasit; Ditylenchus spp. (3.3%) in Babil and Najaf; Hoplolaimus spp. (1.3%) in Diyala; and Heterodera spp. and Scutellonema spp. (0.7% each) in Diyala. Population density was low in Baghdad. High population density was recorded for Meloidogyne spp., (37625 J2 /1000 cm3 soil) and lowest population density occurred with Paratylenchus spp. (20 nematodes /1000 cm3 soil) in Diyala (Al-Jadidah). This appears to be the first report of occurrences of plant-parasitic nematodes of date palm in central Iraq.

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Syngamid worms (Nematoda: Syngamidae) parasitizing birds of prey are considered cosmopolitan, but the efforts to understand their biology and systematics are restricted to the Holarctic region. However, in the Neotropical region there is only one recent record with no data about its molecular characterization or its significance to the health of its hosts. Thus, this study aimed to identify through an integrative approach the Syngamid worms parasitizing a native owl, and to describe its pathological consequences. A total of 14 barn owls (Tyto alba) were dissected between 2015 and 2021, from which one bird was found to be parasitized by a high parasitic burden (i.e. 185 worms). Considering light microscopy and SEM, these nematodes were morphologically identified as Cyathostoma americana, and then supported through molecular analyses of nuclear loci ITS and LSU. The pathological changes were described as severe airsacculitis and pneumonia, which probably were the cause of death of the bird. This study represents the first effort to characterize the parasitism by this nematode in a nocturnal bird of prey from the Neotropics, with a lethal outcome. Additional studies are required from other geographical areas and Neotropical countries to better understand the dynamics of this parasite and their hosts, considering both diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey.

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A parasitic leiomyoma has no connection with the uterus itself and obtains its blood supply from the surrounding tissues. A parasitic leiomyoma that develops iatrogenically is called an iatrogenic parasitic leiomyoma. Clinical reports on parasitic leiomyoma are common in gynecology but not in plastic surgery. We report a rare case of an iatrogenic parasitic leiomyoma in a 46-year-old woman who was referred to our plastic surgery department. She presented with the main complaint of a subcutaneous mass in the lower right abdomen and had a history of laparoscopic myomectomy eight years ago. Magnetic resonance imaging showed two masses in the subcutaneous tissue of the lower right abdomen and the posterior rectus abdominis. The excision of these masses was performed through an abdominal wall incision. Histopathological examination revealed that the extracted mass was a leiomyoma. Plastic surgeons must keep in mind the appropriate management of rare cases of parasitic leiomyoma.

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The practice of hybridization is carried out globally in fish farms. Here, we present the first record of the parasitic fauna of hybrids among genus Colossoma and Piaractus in natural environments. We identified a total of 48 hybrids, nine F1 hybrids (nuclear DNA from both species present in the cross) and 38 advanced hybrids (nuclear DNA from one species), both from crosses between Piaractus brachypomus and Piaractus mesopotamicus, and one F1 "tambacu" corresponding to cross between Colossoma macropomum and Piaractus mesopotamicus. This is the first record of Anacanthorus penilabiatus, Anacanthorus toledoensis, Mymarothecium viatorum, Mymarothecium ianwhittington, Haementeria sp., Dadaytrema oxycephala, Rondonia rondoni, and Echinorhynchus gomesi parasitizing hybrids collected in a natural environment. With this, we expand knowledge about the diversity of fish and parasites in the upper Paraná River and warn about the risk that fish escapes can cause in the basin.

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The ability of parasitic wasps to manipulate a host's metabolism is under active investigation. Components of venom play a major role in this process. In the present work, we studied the effect of the venom of the ectoparasitic wasp Habrobracon hebetor on the metabolism of the greater wax moth host (Galleria mellonella). We identified and quantified 45 metabolites in the lymph (cell-free hemolymph) of wax moth larvae on the second day after H. hebetor venom injection, using NMR spectroscopy and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. These metabolites included 22 amino acids, nine products of lipid metabolism (sugars, amines and alcohols) and four metabolic intermediates related to nitrogenous bases, nucleotides and nucleosides. An analysis of the larvae metabolome suggested that the venom causes suppression of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, an increase in the number of free amino acids in the lymph, an increase in the concentration of trehalose in the lymph simultaneously with a decrease in the amount of glucose, and destructive processes in the fat body tissue. Thus, this parasitoid venom not only immobilizes the prey but also modulates its metabolism, thereby providing optimal conditions for the development of larvae.

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BACKGROUND: Baryscapus dioryctriae (Chalcidodea: Eulophidae) is a parasitic wasp that parasitizes the pupae of many Pyralidae members and has been used as a biological control agent against Dioryctria pests of pinecones. RESULTS: This B. dioryctriae assembly has a genome size of 485.5 Mb with a contig N50 of 2.17 Mb, and scaffolds were assembled onto six chromosomes using Hi-C analysis, significantly increasing the scaffold N50 to 91.17 Mb, with more than 96.13% of the assembled bases located on chromosomes, and an analysis revealed that 94.73% of the BUSCO gene set. A total of 54.82% (279.27 Mb) of the assembly was composed of repetitive sequences and 24,778 protein-coding genes were identified. Comparative genomic analysis demonstrated that the chemosensory perception, genetic material synthesis, and immune response pathways were primarily enriched in the expanded genes. Moreover, the functional characteristics of an odorant-binding protein (BdioOBP45) with ovipositor-biased expression identified from the expanded olfactory gene families were investigated by the fluorescence competitive binding and RNAi assays, revealing that BdioOBP45 primarily binds to the D. abietella-induced volatile compounds, suggesting that this expanded OBP is likely involved in locating female wasp hosts and highlighting a direction for future research. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, this work not only provides new genomic sequences for the Hymenoptera systematics, but also the high-quality chromosome-level genome of B. dioryctriae offers a valuable foundation for studying the molecular, evolutionary, and parasitic processes of parasitic wasps.

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The focus of current studies was to fabricate dose flexible printlets of dapsone (DDS) for pediatric patients by selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing method, and evaluate its physicochemical, patient in-use stability, and pharmacokinetic attributes. Eight formulations were fabricated using Kollicoat® IR, Eudragit® L-100-55 and StarCap®as excipients and evaluated for hardness, disintegration, dissolution, amorphous phase by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction, in-use stability at 30 oC/75% RH for a month, and pharmacokinetic study in Sprague Dawley rats. The hardness, and disintegration of the printlets varied from 2.6±1.0 (F4) to 7.7±0.9 (F3) N and 2.0±0.4 (F2) to 7.6±0.6 (F3) sec, respectively. The drug was partially present as an amorphous form in the printlets. The drug was completely (>85%) dissolved in 20 min. No change in drug form or dissolution extent was observed after storage at in use condition. Pharmacokinetic profiles of both formulations (tablets and printlets) were almost superimposable with no statistical difference in pharmacokinetic parameters (Tmax, Cmax, and AUC0-¥)between formulations (p>0.05). Values of EC50 (half maximal effective concentration) and EC90 (maximal concentration inducing 90% maximal response) were 0.50±0.15 and 1.32±0.26 mM, 0.41±0.06 and 1.11±0.21, and 0.42±0.13 and 1.36±0.19 mM for DDS, printlet and tablet formulations, respectively, and differences were statistically insignificant (p>0.05). In conclusion, tablet and printlet formulations are expected to be clinical similar, thus clinically interchangeable.

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Caligus minimus Otto, 1821 has been known for over two centuries and it is the second oldest of the approximately 275 species of Caligus O. F. Müller, 1985. Despite the numerous records of this species from European waters, it has never been fully described to modern standards. The lack of a comprehensive modern description has resulted in numerous misidentifications, even in recently published reports, and this is especially problematic for a species that is known to have a significant economic impact in aquaculture. This study presents a detailed description of both sexes and documents newly observed features of C. minimus collected from the buccal cavity of farmed European Sea Bass (ESB), Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758). The morphology of C. minimus was examined using light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), and new details are revealed regarding the structure and ornamentation of the marginal membrane of the cephalothorax, maxilliped, antenna, sternal furca, abdomen, and legs 1, 3, 4, and 6. The ornamentation of the marginal membrane of the cephalothorax is unique and its impact on the functioning of the cephalothoracic sucker requires further investigation. Additionally, partial COI gene region sequences were obtained from four individuals of C. minimus and provided for future references. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted in conjunction with Caligus sequences available in the NCBI GenBank database.

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Human sparganosis, a parasitic infection prevalent in Asia, can progress to cerebral sparganosis, a severe condition with significant neurological symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging due to its clinical similarity to other infections, highlighting the need for improved detection and management strategies. The aim of this study was to observe research trends, key contributors, gaps in the existing knowledge, diagnosis challenges, effective treatment options, and prevention strategies, providing recommendations for future research directions and clinical practice improvements on cerebral sparganosis. A bibliometric analysis was conducted by extracting 139 documents from the Scopus database in June 2024. The retrieved data were analyzed using the R package's Bibliometrix (Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer. Spanning 97 different sources, the research exhibited an annual growth rate of 2.5%. Annual scientific production revealed fluctuating research activity with peaks in 2010 and 2011 and notable citation peaks in 1996 and 2005, indicating pivotal studies that significantly influenced subsequent research. Early studies focused on diagnosis and specific parasites, while recent studies (2010-2024) have increasingly addressed clinical outcomes, treatment strategies, and advanced diagnostic techniques. Trends revealed a shift towards clinical and diagnostic advancements, with recent emphasis on diagnostic imaging, immunoassays, and the relationship between cerebral sparganosis and brain tumors. In conclusion, the studies on cerebral sparganosis underscore the potential for enhancing clinical practice by improving diagnostic accuracy, informing treatment decisions, and implementing targeted screening efforts based on epidemiology and risk factors. Recommendation to further study needs to notify the cerebral sparganosis in high-risk countries with similar socioeconomic and cultural characteristics to endemic regions, including Indonesia.

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Rhizocephala is a group of endoparasitic barnacles, the morphological characteristics of which are degenerated, and which has recently undergone active molecular identification. Despite several recent studies of Korean rhizocephalans, a comprehensive analysis of rhizocephalan fauna has not yet been conducted. In this study, we analyzed morphological and molecular characteristics of 64 rhizocephalan samples from 15 decapod hosts sampled across the Korean coast. We found 16 Rhizocephala species of six genera from four Rhizocephala families, i.e., Peltogasterellidae, Peltogastridae, Polyascidae, and Sacculinidae. Combining morphological examination and molecular analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I revealed three new species candidates, i.e., Peltogasterella sp., Peltogaster sp., and Parasacculina sp. 1, and three rhizocephalans that have expanded their distribution range to the Korean coast, i.e., Parasacculina oblonga, Sacculina angulata, and Sacculina gracilis, whose expanded their distribution range to Korean coast. A synthetic update of Korean Rhizocephala fauna including a species checklist and remarks regarding distribution and taxonomy is also presented.

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Common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) can link multiple plants and distribute nutrients among them. However, how parasitic plants regulate the carbon and nutrient exchange between CMNs and the linked plants is unknown. Thus, we conducted a container experiment with two Trifolium pratense grown in two plastic cores and connected only by CMNs using a 25-µm nylon fabric in each container. Host T. pratense was parasitized or not parasitized by Cuscuta gronovii. CMNs were left intact or broken by rotating the cores with the host or neighboring T. pratense. The dual 15N and 13C labeling method was used to evaluate the N distributed by CMNs to the host and neighboring T. pratense and the recently fixed C from the host and neighboring T. pratense to CMNs. The results showed that CMNs distributed more 15N to unparasitized neighboring T. pratense than the parasitized host T. pratense. Moreover, the unparasitized neighboring T. pratense provides more recently fixed C to CMNs than the parasitized host T. pratense. These results revealed that the parasite regulated C and nutrient exchange between CMNs and the linked plants following the reciprocal rewards rule. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of parasitic plants in the regulation of mutualistic interactions in ecological webs.

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The symbiosis between microorganisms and host arthropods can cause biological, physiological, and reproductive changes in the host population. The present study aimed to survey facultative symbionts of the genera Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Rickettsia, and Nosema in Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and evaluate the influence of infection on the fitness of these hosts. For this purpose, 16S rDNA primers were used to detect these facultative symbionts in the host species, and the hosts' biological and morphological features were evaluated for changes resulting from the infection caused by these microorganisms. The bacterial symbionts studied herein were not detected in the D. saccharalis samples analysed, but the endosymbiont Wolbachia was detected in C. flavipes and altered the biological and morphological aspects of this parasitoid insect. The results of this study may help to elucidate the role of Wolbachia in maintaining the quality of populations/lineages of C. flavipes.

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BACKGROUND: Parasitic leiomyoma (PL) consists of uterine fibroids separate from the uterus that grow in extrauterine tissues such as the peritoneum and mesenterium. The diagnosis of PL requires a thorough medical history of laparoscopic myomectomies using a morcellator and the identification of typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as uterine fibroids. Imaging diagnosis of PL is occasionally difficult when PL degenerates in various ways, owing to atypical findings on computed tomography (CT) and MRI. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old woman with a history of laparoscopic myomectomy visited a local hospital with lower abdominal pain. A mesenteric tumor on the sigmoid mesentery was suspected on MRI, and she was referred to our hospital. CT scan showed strong early contrast uptake in the center of the tumor, and MRI T2-weighted images showed high signals at the tumor margins and low signals in the center, suggesting a schwannoma. PL was also part of the differential diagnosis because of the patient's history of laparoscopic myomectomy. With a preoperative diagnosis of a sigmoid colon mesenteric tumor undeniably of malignant origin, laparoscopic resection of the sigmoid mesenteric tumor was performed. Histopathological examination revealed it to be a PL. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of PL of the sigmoid mesentery with schwannoma-like findings on imaging that was treated laparoscopically. PL is sometimes difficult to distinguish from schwannomas because of the variety of imaging findings, such as uterine fibroids. PL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mesenteric tumors following laparoscopic myomectomies, even if it does not show typical imaging findings, such as uterine fibroids.

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There is increasing evidence that host-parasitoid interactions can have a pronounced impact on the microbiome of host insects, but it is unclear to what extent this is caused by the host and/or parasitoid. Here, we compared the internal and external microbiome of caterpillars of Pieris brassicae and Pieris rapae parasitized by Cotesia glomerata or Cotesia rubecula with nonparasitized caterpillars. Additionally, we investigated the internal and external microbiome of the parasitoid larvae. Both internal and external bacterial densities were significantly higher for P. brassicae than P. rapae, while no differences were found between parasitized and nonparasitized caterpillars. In contrast, parasitism significantly affected the composition of the internal and external microbiome of the caterpillars and the parasitoid larvae, but the effects were dependent on the host and parasitoid species. Irrespective of host species, a Wolbachia species was exclusively found inside caterpillars parasitized by C. glomerata, as well as in the corresponding developing parasitoid larvae. Similarly, a Nosema species was abundantly present inside parasitized caterpillars and the parasitoid larvae, but this was independent of the host and the parasitoid species. We conclude that parasitism has pronounced effects on host microbiomes, but the effects depend on both the host and parasitoid species.

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TOPIC: To provide an overview on the incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although being a sight-threatening cause of infectious keratitis, a comprehensive assessment of the incidence of AK is lacking. METHODS: Incidence of AK was computed as the number of eyes with AK per health care center, per year (annualized center incidence [ACI]). Two meta-analytical ratios also were calculated: (1) the ratio of eyes with AK to the count of eyes with nonviral microbial keratitis (MK) and (2) the ratio of eyes with AK to the overall population (i.e., the total number of people in a nation or region, as indicated by the authors in each study). Center was defined as the health care facility where the study took place. Actual and projected estimates of the number of eyes with AK in years were calculated multiplying the ratio of eyes with AK to the total population and the corresponding population estimates, sourced from the United Nations Population Prospects. RESULTS: Overall, 105 articles were included, published between 1987 and 2022. The total number of eyes identified was 91 951, with 5660 eyes affected by AK and 86 291 eyes affected by nonviral MK. The median ACI was 1.9 eyes with AK per health care center per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-2.6 eyes), with no statistically significant differences among continents. The ratio of eyes with AK to the total number of eyes with MK was 1.52% (95% CI, 1.03%-2.22%), whereas the ratio of eyes with AK in relationship to the entire population was estimated at 2.34 eyes per 1 000 000 people (95% CI, 0.98-5.55 per 1 000 000 people). The projected increase in the numbers of eyes with AK indicated an increase of 18.5% (n = 15 355 eyes with AK) in 2053 and 25.5% (n = 16 253 eyes with AK) in 2073, compared with the baseline of 2023 (n = 12 953 eyes with AK). DISCUSSION: Acanthamoeba keratitis emerged as a relatively low-incident disorder, and no significant differences in terms of its incidence were found among different continents. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.