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• Helminths cause impacts on dog breeding and pose a significant zoonotic risk. • Chemical products generate waste that impacts animal, human and environmental health. • Alternative methods are needed to control helminthiasis. • Helminthophagous fungi are potential tools for controlling helminths. • A. robusta and M. thaumasium are suitable candidates for helminth control. Helminths are a major challenge in dog breeding, particularly affecting young animals and posing a significant zoonotic risk. The widespread use of anthelmintics to treat gastrointestinal helminth infections in companion animals is common. However, these chemical products generate residues that can have adverse effects on animal, human and environmental health. In addition to the challenge of parasite resistance to treatment, there is an urgent need to explore and discuss complementary and sustainable methods of controlling helminthiases in these animals. In this context, nematophagous or helminthophagous fungi have emerged as a potential tool for the control of environmental forms of helminths. The purpose of this review is to emphasize the importance of these fungi in the control of free-living forms of helminth parasites in companion animals by highlighting the research that has been conducted for this purpose. In vitro experiments demonstrated the efficacy of fungi like Pochonia chlamydosporia, Arthrobotrys robusta , and Monacrosporium thaumasium in trapping and reducing helminth infective forms. These findings, along with soil contamination studies, suggest the feasibility of using helminthophagous fungi as a sustainable and effective strategy for environmental control. The current literature supports the potential of these fungi as an environmentally friendly solution for managing helminthiasis in dogs, benefiting both animal health and public welfare. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to increase the information on the entero-parasitism in Holocene carnivores, by examining coprolites found in Patagonia. Molecular analysis was conducted following the Authenticity Criteria to Determine Ancient DNA sequences. The nucleotide sequences showed 99% of identity with the Control Region sequences of Lycalopex culpaeus (culpeo fox). Coprolites were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The presence of Alaria sp. and Clonorchis sp. represents the first record for pre-Columbian America. The parasitological findings suggest the importance of these carnivores for the dissemination of their own parasites and those to their prey in rockshelters, areas with high re-use of space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multimammate mice were trapped in Morogoro (Tanzania) and checked for pathogens • Helminths, Bartonella, Anaplasma and Hepatozoon were detected and linked to host factors • Infection probability of Anaplasma and Bartonella was higher in adults than juveniles • Less explorative mice had a higher infection probability with Bartonella • Mice infected with Bartonella are more likely to be co-infected with helminths Advances in experimental and theoretical work increasingly suggest that parasite interactions within a single host can affect the spread and severity of wildlife diseases. Yet empirical data to support predicted co-infection patterns are limited due to the practical challenges of gathering convincing data from animal populations and the stochastic nature of parasite transmission. Here, we investigated co-infection patterns between micro- (bacteria and protozoa) and macroparasites (gastro-intestinal helminths) in natural populations of the multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis). Fieldwork was performed in Morogoro (Tanzania), where we trapped 211 M. natalensis and tested their behaviour using a modified open-field arena. All animals were checked for the presence of helminths in their gastro-intestinal tract, three bacteria (Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Borrelia) and two protozoan genera (Babesia and Hepatozoon). Besides the presence of eight different helminth genera (reported earlier), we found that 19% of M. natalensis were positive for Anaplasma, 10% for Bartonella, and 2% for Hepatozoon species. Hierarchical modelling of species communities was used to investigate the effect of the different host-related factors on these parasites' infection probability and community structure. Our results show that the infection probability of Bartonella increased with the host's age, while the infection probability of Anaplasma peaked when individuals reached adulthood. We also observed that less explorative and stress-sensitive individuals had a higher infection probability with Bartonella. Finally, we found limited support for within-host interactions between micro-and macroparasites, as most co-infection patterns could be attributed to host exposure time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Digestion techniques uncover cryptic parasitic helminths (A. cantonensis) in mammalian brains. • Early parasite detection helps establish epidemiological status. • The adapted digestion protocol could be easily adopted by wildlife hospitals for enhanced nematode surveillance. Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an invasive nematode parasite that causes eosinophilic meningitis in many vertebrate hosts, including humans. This parasite is spreading rapidly through the six continents, with Europe being the final frontier. Sentinel surveillance may be a cost-effective strategy to monitor the pathogen's arrival to new geographical regions. Necropsy, followed by tissue digestion, is often used to recover helminth parasites from vertebrate host tissues, however, to detect brain parasites, this protocol is poorly utilized. Our brain digestion protocol is easily performed and 1) reduces false positivity and negativity, 2) provides accurate estimates of parasite burden and 3) helps establish a more precise prevalence. Early detection of A. cantonensis increases the efficacy of prevention, treatment, and disease control strategies for susceptible animal populations and humans. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Toxocara canis larvae secrete excretory-secretory products (TESPs). • TESPs contain immunomodulatory molecules. • TESPs molecules interact with the host proteins. • TESPs modulate the innate and the adaptive immunity. • TESPs have immune evasion strategies. Toxocara canis larvae invade various tissues of different vertebrate species without developing into adults in paratenic host. The long-term survival of the larvae despite exposure to the well-armed immune response is a notable achievement. The larvae modulate the immune response to help the survival of both the host and the larvae. They skew the immune response to type 2/regulatory phenotype. The outstanding ability of the larvae to modulate the host immune response and to evade the immune arms is attributed to the secretion of Toxocara excretory-secretory products (TESPs). TESPs are complex mixture of differing molecules. The present review deals with the molecular composition of the TESPs, their interaction with the host molecules, their effect on the innate immune response, the receptor recognition, the downstream signals the adaptive immunity and the repair of tissues. This review also addresses the role of TESPs molecules in the immune evasion strategy and the potential effect of the induced immunomodulation in some diseases. Identification of parasite components that influence the nematode-host interactions could enhance understanding the molecular basis of nematode pathogenicity. Furthermore, the identification of helminths molecules with immunomodulatory potential could be used in immunotherapies for some diseases. The molecules of the excretory-secretory products of Toxocara larvae interact with the host molecules, the immune receptors and signals leading to immunomodulation and immune evasion. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Emerging parasites and vectors thrive in our rapidly changing world • Highly invasive arthropod vectors are reported in several geographical regions • Parasites of veterinary and public health concern are herein assessed • Effective, sustainable and accessible strategies are needed for the control of endo- and ectoparasites • Delusional parasitosis is an updated topic deserving major attention Global changes have influenced our societies in several ways with both positive (e.g., technology, transportation, and food security), and negative impacts (e.g., mental health problems, spread of diseases, and pandemics). Overall, these changes have affected the distribution patterns of parasites and arthropod vectors with the introduction and spreading of alien species in new geographical areas, eventually posing new challenges in public health. In this framework, the Acta Tropica Special Issue "Emerging parasites and vectors in a rapidly changing world: from ecology to management" provides a focus on the biology, ecology and management of emerging parasites and vectors of human and veterinary importance. Herein we review and discuss novel studies dealing with interactions of parasites and vectors with animals in changing environmental settings. In our opinion, a special focus on the implementation of management strategies of parasitic diseases to face anthropogenic environmental changes still represent a priority for public health. In the final section, key research challenges in this rapidly changing scenario are outlined. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A possible Strongyloides stercoralis transmammary transmission in dogs is described • Four puppies possibly acquired Strongyloides stercoralis from the milking dam • Actual circulation of this neglected zoonotic parasite in Central Italy is reported Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted helminth with an unusual life cycle, causing canine and human strongyloidiasis, mainly endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. Following percutaneous or oral transmission of infective third-stage larvae in the vertebrate host, the parasite can cause autoinfection, leading to life-long infection. At present, the transmammary transmission was only assessed in experimentally infested dogs. Here, we provide observational evidence of S. stercoralis transmammary transmission in puppies suckling from a truffle dog from Central Italy, from where its presence was neglected. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study was aimed at carrying out a cross-sectional copromicroscopic survey of helminths and intestinal protozoa in immigrants in Naples (southern Italy). Between October 2008 and November 2009, a total of 514 immigrants were tested comparing the FLOTAC dual technique and the ethyl acetate concentration technique. Combined results of the two techniques served as a diagnostic ‘gold’ standard and revealed an overall prevalence of parasitic infections of 61.9% (318/514). The ethyl acetate concentration technique detected a low number of positive results (49.0%) and this was confirmed for each helminth/protozoa species detected. Among helminths, Trichuris trichiura (3.9%), hookworms (3.7%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (1.4%) were the most prevalent. Strongyloides stercoralis (0.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.4%), Schistosoma mansoni (1.0%), Hymenolepis nana (1.6%) and Taenia spp. (0.2%) were also found, as well as zoonotic helminths, as Trichostrongylus spp. (0.8%) and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.8%). As regard to pathogenic protozoa, Blastocystis hominis was the most commonly detected (52.7%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar/Entamoeba moshkovskii (11.9%) and Giardia duodenalis (4.5%). Several issues concerning diagnosis, epidemiology and public health impact of parasitic infections in immigrants are offered for discussion. In conclusion, the present paper pointed out the need of better diagnosis and cure of the immigrants population in order to improve access to health care of this neglected and marginalised population group, for its own protection and care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An essential component of any helminth control programme is its monitoring and evaluation. These activities provide opportunities to adjust programme implementation, to resolve issues that are problematic, to reinforce personnel satisfaction, to ensure programme quality, and to document the impact of the programme on health and other outcomes. A set of core indicators is proposed to be able to compare the impact of control programmes in different jurisdictions or countries. By ensuring regular programme performance appraisal through monitoring and evaluation activities, future programme implementation can be sustained and cost-effectiveness can be optimized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• DNA extracted from 250 to 500 stool samples is used for test comparisons. • Commercial and in-house real-time PCRs targeting intestinal parasites are compared. • Evaluation is performed without a gold standard applying Latent Class Analysis. • The tested commercial and in-house PCR assays show comparable performance. • Agreement of the diagnostic assays assessed varies for different parasites. A test comparison of in-house and commercial real-time PCR (qPCR) kits for the detection of human parasites and microsporidia in stool samples was conducted without a gold standard. Three different commercial kits were included in the comparison, with a range of 3–15 different PCR targets, while 14 targets were covered by in-house testing, so not all 16 target pathogens were covered by all assays. Residual materials from nucleic acid extractions of stool samples with very high likelihood of being colonized or infected by at least one enteric parasite species or microsporidia were tested. In all, 500 DNA samples were analyzed, but due to limited sample volume, only 250 of the 500 samples were tested per assay. Each sample was assessed with the qPCR platforms being compared and cycle threshold (Ct) values were included in a descriptive comparison. Depending on the assay applied, qPCR detected per 250 tested samples Giardia duodenalis (184–205), Blastocystis spp. (174–183), Trichuris trichiura (118–120), Ascaris lumbricoides (79–96), Necator americanus (78–106), Hymenolepis nana (40–42), Cryptosporidium spp. (27–36), Dientamoeba fragilis (26–28), Schistosoma spp. (13–23), Enterobius vermicularis (8–14), Entamoeba histolytica (7–16), Strongyloides stercoralis (6–38), Cyclospora spp. (6–13), Taenia spp. (1–4), microsporidia (1–5), and Ancylostoma spp. (1–2). Inter-assay agreement kappa was almost perfect (0.81–1) for Dientamoeba fragilis, Hymenolepis nana, Cryptosporidium spp., and Ascaris lumbricoides , substantial (0.61–0.8) for Necator americanus, Blastocystis spp., Ancylostoma spp., Giardia duodenalis, Schistosoma spp., Trichuris trichiura , and Enterobius vermicularis , moderate (0.41–0.6) for Entamoeba histolytica , fair (0.21–0.4) for microsporidia, slight (0–0.2) for Cyclospora spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis , and poor (<0) for Taenia spp. Varying inter-assay agreement makes interpretation of microsporidia and parasite PCR in stool samples challenging. Intra-assay agreement had been controlled during the developing of the assays. Future studies, e.g., with optimized nucleic acid procedures and including microscopically characterized samples, are advisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]