Articles tagged with Parasitic Diseases
A team of researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine has discovered that the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can shut down a key set of genes to avoid detection by the immune system. This finding suggests that asymptomatic adults may harbor undetectable parasites, making it more challenging to eliminate malaria.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, nanotechnology-based praziquantel formulation that increases efficacy and reduces dosage for treating worms. The new formulation, requiring only half the usual dose, demonstrates greater efficacy in eliminating schistosomes than the active ingredient alone.
A clinical trial finds that moxidectin is more effective than current treatment ivermectin for lymphatic filariasis, a disease affecting millions in Africa. Moxidectin has a persistent effect and may require fewer rounds of treatment, potentially accelerating its elimination.
A mysterious parasite is devastating fish farms globally, causing £50 million in losses annually. Researchers have discovered a new gene regulation process that could lead to the development of gene-based vaccines.
A study co-authored by an Iowa State University professor identified a single protein that triggers chemical signals called effectors in cyst nematodes, which hijack plant cells. Disrupting this protein could severely reduce nematode infections, making it a powerful method for reducing crop damage.
New research by a University of Virginia biologist aims to explore how organisms evolve to avoid parasites and the importance of movement in defending against infection. The study focuses on nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and challenges traditional focus on the immune system as the best defense strategy.
Researchers have discovered a new probiotic bacterial strain that is 15% more effective in treating giardiasis than the existing strain. The strain, Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-4884, has significant anti-Giardia activity and can transform conjugated bile salts into toxic compounds for the parasite.
Researchers found the UBeeO test can identify colonies resistant to several pests and pathogens that can decimate bee populations. The test mimics the pheromones emitted by sick or dying bees, allowing for a more selective and realistic assessment of hygienic behavior in honey bees.
A study from the University of Georgia used museum specimens to track the spread of Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, a parasite affecting millions of monarchs during their annual migration. The research found evidence of infection in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with limited species affected.
New study finds park entrances in Dublin, Ireland, to be heavily contaminated with infective Toxocara canis eggs, posing a risk of zoonotic infection. The researchers call for increased measures to prevent dog feces disposal at these locations.
UTEP researchers have developed a new diagnostic method that significantly enhances the sensitivity of parasite detection in blood samples, making it a more reliable indicator of parasites in the blood. The method uses magnetic beads to extract parasitic DNA from blood samples, outperforming traditional silica columns.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers have discovered a key process where malarial parasites take up human blood cell enzymes, which could provide a new approach for antimalarial treatment. The findings suggest that a human enzyme, acylpeptide hydrolase (APEH), is the major activating enzyme of multiple antimalarial prodrugs.
Researchers have identified novel mosquito repellents with high success rates from natural sources, including food and flavoring materials. The team's machine learning-based cheminformatics approach also pinpointed pyrethroid analogs up to 100 times more effective than existing industry standards.
Researchers used advanced molecular tools to survey health status of endangered Indiana bats, identifying microbiome changes resulting from parasitic infections. The analysis revealed that bats with high loads of a protozoan parasite had a corresponding proliferation of certain bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Liège uncover a mechanism regulating the immune response against parasites, where virtual memory T cells express CD22 to prevent excessive inflammation. This discovery opens new perspectives on controlling immune responses and mitigating autoimmune diseases.
A deadly ciliate parasite has decimated sea urchin populations in the Caribbean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean, with mortality rates reaching over 90%. The International team of researchers is working to track the disease and preserve sea urchins, which play a crucial role in maintaining coral reef health.
Children with severe malaria are at risk of serious health complications, higher mortality rates, and long-term cognitive impairment due to elevated uric acid levels. The study suggests that lowering uric acid may reduce hospital deaths and improve treatment strategies.
Researchers investigate how sex-specific immune responses affect disease outcomes in obesity and helminth infections, aiming to develop new treatments for metabolic disorders and parasitic infections. The study focuses on macrophage-eosinophil interactions and the role of RELMalpha protein.
Researchers discovered that skin-penetrating nematodes, like Strongyloides stercoralis, interact with human hosts through CO2-sensing pathways. The study found that infective larvae are repelled by CO2, while noninfective larvae and adults have a neutral reaction.
The review highlights seven zoonotic infections in people, including those transmitted through traditional diets and hunting practices. Climate change is affecting the local ecosystem, altering animal behavior and parasite life cycles, posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
A new tablet combining albendazole and ivermectin is safe and more effective than albendazole alone in treating Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths. The ALIVE clinical trial showed higher cure rates for T. trichiura, hookworms, and improved egg reduction rates compared to albendazole alone.
Researchers have discovered that climate change and tsetse fly control measures can drive molecular changes in African trypanosomes, enabling them to infect animals without flies. New strains with reduced life cycles have been detected in Asia, South America, and southern Europe.
Researchers found that Toxoplasma gondii parasites lacking the protein MYR1 can survive and proliferate when co-infected with normal parasites, thanks to supportive secreted proteins. This study highlights a limitation of pooled CRISPR screens in studying parasite biology in live hosts.
Climate change is enabling invasive tick species to establish themselves in new areas via migrating birds, potentially spreading novel tick-borne pathogens. The study found that some bird species carried more ticks than others, with certain bacteria types associated with specific tick species.
A recent study by Mizzou researchers found that infections are a significant problem for white-tailed deer on Missouri farms. The study identified the three most common types of bacteria causing pneumonia in farmed deer, providing actionable data for veterinarians and farmers to make informed decisions.
Research shows that animals, including humans, can become less sociable as they age to avoid diseases and parasites. This phenomenon, known as social ageing, may bring benefits, such as reduced competition and increased safety.
Researchers from Penn Vet discovered that a species of parasitic worms can evade the mammalian urge to scratch an itch by blocking the sensation, allowing it to enter the body undetected. The study found that activating specific neurons can block the entry of these parasites, preventing their dissemination through the body.
A new parasite, Pachysentis canicola, has been discovered on the Channel Island fox, causing severe intestinal damage and inflammation in infected individuals. The study highlights the importance of biosecurity in the Channel Islands National Park and underscores the impact of human activity on isolated ecosystems.
Histomonosis, a deadly parasite that decimates turkey flocks, is being studied for its transmission routes and potential treatments. Researchers aim to understand how the parasite survives and spreads, with a focus on fecal-oral transmission via contaminated feces or cecal droppings.
Researchers at IOCB Prague successfully isolated the proteasome enzyme complex of the T. vaginalis parasite, enabling them to develop new medicines that can target this parasite without harming humans. This breakthrough has critical implications for treating trichomoniasis and reducing HIV risk.
A new study found that babesiosis rates rose 9% annually between 2015 and 2022, with 42% of cases linked to other tick-borne illnesses. Co-infection with Lyme disease did not increase mortality risk, but patients received doxycycline treatment more frequently.
A new study published in Journal of Biogeography finds that malaria-like blood parasites increase in prevalence with the number of bird species present, highlighting the importance of host diversity. The research also shows that parasites can spread more rapidly when they specialize in closely related or functionally similar bird species.
A team of researchers has designed a new antimalarial drug called MED6-189, which is effective against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of human malaria parasites. The compound works by targeting the apicoplast organelle and vesicular trafficking pathways, making it a promising lead in the fight against malaria.
Researchers at the University of Washington have uncovered surprising details about mosquito mating, revealing that males can visually lock on to female targets in a crowded swarm. The team's findings could lead to the development of new mosquito traps specific to malaria-carrying species.
Researchers have created the first spatial map of malaria infection in the mouse liver using Spatial Transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing. This discovery sheds light on the parasite's lifecycle, revealing changes in host cell gene expression near infected areas.
A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
Researchers have found that the coevolution between water fleas and a parasitic bacterium has been ongoing for at least 15 million years, preserving genetic diversity. This process, known as balancing selection, ensures that multiple genetic variants for surface molecules are always preserved in the water flea without one ever prevailing.
A team of researchers from Stanford University and Brazil has developed models to predict the impact of environmental changes on schistosomiasis, a disease affecting over 200 million people worldwide. The collaboration has helped epidemiologists prioritize public health interventions and identify new transmission hotspots.
Researchers genetically engineered Toxoplasma gondii to produce and release therapeutic proteins in the human brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The method has potential implications for treating diseases caused by protein deficiencies or abnormal expression.
A recent study by University of California - Riverside researchers has discovered that lice are a significant threat to free-range chicken populations, causing skin lesions and disrupting healthy behaviors. The study's findings have implications for states like California, where all egg production is cage-free.
The study found that spotted fever group rickettsiae are the dominant pathogens in ticks from Yunpan and Menghun areas of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. The prevalence survey revealed a high rate of co-infection with other tick-borne bacteria.
Researchers identified a novel virus in pet trade zebrafish that causes hemorrhaging in laboratory fish, revealing a risk of viral transmission. The study found that viruses circulating in healthy pet trade zebrafish can transmit to laboratory animals and cause severe disease.
A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.
The Planetary Child Health & Enterics Observatory (Plan-EO) is developing an online tool to identify diarrheal disease transmission hotspots and accelerate treatment deployment. The dashboard will provide up-to-date epidemiological estimates and predictions, enabling public health communities to make informed decisions and save lives.
Researchers have found that a parasitic worm, Eleaophora schneideri, is likely contributing to the decline of moose populations in some regions. The study found microfilariae scattered throughout the brains of infected animals, leading to potential increased morbidity and mortality.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have found a family of natural compounds that stall the unique metabolic process used by parasites to survive in the human gut. The discovery offers potential as new and more effective treatments for parasitic worm infections, which cause debilitating symptoms and developmental defects.
Scientists have discovered a positive relationship between calcium concentrations and potato plant resistance to bacterial wilt. Calcium supplementation can significantly reduce the growth rate of the pathogen and negatively affect its ability to form biofilms and move.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London developed a novel analysis to explore the impact of parasite virulence and infection probability on species coexistence in a complex system. The study found that stochasticity plays a significant role in determining whether species coexist or go extinct.
A researcher will study how plants defend themselves against nematode infections, which could lead to novel drugs or antibiotics for humans and livestock. The project aims to increase food security in Africa and Asia by understanding the molecular mechanisms behind plant resistance.
Researchers mapped the distribution of lone star ticks, a dominant tick species in Georgia, to identify areas with high prevalence. The study found that these regions contain sweet spots for lone star ticks, including forested areas of mid-elevation and soils retaining moisture but not swampy.
Researchers are developing a flexible online tool to navigate information used in the fight against deadly diarrheal diseases. The Plan-EO dashboard will provide real-time data on pathogen dynamics, allowing infectious disease experts and local leaders to make smart decisions and save lives.
A microscopic pathogen found in the Caribbean is causing a devastating die-off of long-spined sea urchin populations and threatening coral reefs worldwide. The USF study reveals the same parasite, identified last year, has spread to new species in the Sea of Oman, putting global sea urchin populations at risk.
A newly developed compound is showing promise as a more effective treatment for human schistosomiasis, an understudied tropical disease caused by parasitic worms. The compound overcomes the limitations of current treatment praziquantel by being effective against the larval stage and resistant strains.
The study highlights the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens due to climate change. The medical community must update their education and training to combat global warming and its impact on disease behavior.
Researchers found that altering the starch, oil, and amino acid content of a broiler diet can help support healthy growth in coccidiosis-challenged birds. The optimal mix consists of 35.8% starch, 8.9% oil, and 101.3% recommended amino acids.
A new study finds that climate change is likely to alter the seasonal profile of disease transmission for parasitic worms, with temperature and humidity playing key roles. The research suggests that infection risk may shift towards northern regions as temperatures rise, while southern regions face more extreme conditions.
Research finds seaports facilitate the spread of MtrBTN2, a rare contagious cancer in mussels, through biofouling. The disease is threatening coastal ecosystems and argues in favor of mitigation policies to stem its spread.
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have identified 898 RNA-dependent proteins in the deadliest human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. These findings could lead to novel therapeutic targets against malaria and highlight the importance of RNAs in biological pathways in the parasite.
Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered a tiny worm species that can control crop pests in warm, humid environments. The new Steinernema adamsi nematode is nearly invisible and can kill insects with a low dose, making it a potential alternative to pesticides.
The strongyloidiasis disease, caused by a parasitic worm, affects remote Australian communities with the highest rates globally. The new $5 million grant project focuses on improving sanitation, funding allocation, and training to eliminate the disease.