Roost ectoparasites are believed to have a negative impact on fitness of their hosts as birds or mammals. Previous studies were mostly focussed on the synchronization between reproduction cycles of ectoparasites and hosts living in infested roosts. However, to date, it has not been examined how fast ectoparasites colonize new, non-infested roosts and thus increasing the impact on the local populations of hosts. The parasite-host model was studied, including bat bugs Cimex pipistrelli and soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus, where bat behaviour was observed which tended to reduce the parasite load in bat roosts. We investigated (1) whether bats change their roosting behaviour when we discontinued synchronization of their reproduction and the life cycle of the bat bugs and (2) how fast and which stages of bat bugs reoccupy cleaned roosts. In a 3-year field experiment, we removed all bat bugs from six bat boxes in each spring. Pipistrelles bred young in all non-infested boxes during these 3 years. In addition, 8 years of regular observations before this experiment indicate that bats avoided breeding in the same bat boxes at all. Bat bugs were found again in clean boxes in mid-May. However, their densities did not maximise before the beginning of June, before parturition. A re-appearance of bugs was observed after 21-56 days after the first bat visit. Adult bugs, mainly females, colonised cleaned boxes first though at the same time there were a lot of younger and smaller instars in non-manipulated roosts in the vicinity.

• MeSH
• Chiroptera parazitologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita * MeSH
• parazitární zátěž * MeSH
• sexuální chování zvířat MeSH
• štěnice růst a vývoj   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Leishmaniasis is a serious health problem in many countries, and continues expanding to new geographic areas including Europe and USA. This disease, caused by parasites of Leishmania spp. and transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, causes up to 1.3 million new cases each year and despite efforts toward its functional dissection and treatment it causes 20-50 thousands deaths annually. Dependence of susceptibility to leishmaniasis on sex and host's genes was observed in humans and in mouse models. Several laboratories defined in mice a number of Lmr (Leishmania major response) genetic loci that control functional and pathological components of the response to and outcome of L. major infection. However, the development of its most aggressive form, visceral leishmaniasis, which is lethal if untreated, is not yet understood. Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by infection and inflammation of internal organs. Therefore, we analyzed the genetics of parasite load, spread to internal organs, and ensuing visceral pathology. Using a new PCR-based method of quantification of parasites in tissues we describe a network-like set of interacting genetic loci that control parasite load in different organs. Quantification of Leishmania parasites in lymph nodes, spleen and liver from infected F2 hybrids between BALB/c and recombinant congenic strains CcS-9 and CcS-16 allowed us to map two novel parasite load controlling Leishmania major response loci, Lmr24 and Lmr27. We also detected parasite-controlling role of the previously described loci Lmr4, Lmr11, Lmr13, Lmr14, Lmr15, and Lmr25, and describe 8 genetic interactions between them. Lmr14, Lmr15, Lmr25, and Lmr27 controlled parasite load in liver and lymph nodes. In addition, Leishmania burden in lymph nodes but not liver was influenced by Lmr4 and Lmr24. In spleen, parasite load was controlled by Lmr11 and Lmr13. We detected a strong effect of sex on some of these genes. We also mapped additional genes controlling splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. This resulted in a systematized insight into genetic control of spread and load of Leishmania parasites and visceral pathology in the mammalian organism.

• MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• Leishmania major * MeSH
• leishmanióza viscerální genetika   parazitologie   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• parazitární zátěž * MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Parasitic infections elicit host defences that pose energetic trade-offs with other fitness-related traits. Bitterling fishes and unionid mussels are involved in a two-way parasitic interaction. Bitterling exploit mussels by ovipositing into their gills. In turn, mussel larvae (glochidia) develop on the epidermis and gills of fish. Hosts have evolved behavioural responses to reduce parasite load, suggesting that glochidia and bitterling parasitism are costly. We examined the energetic cost of parasitism on both sides of this relationship. We used intermittent flow-through respirometry to measure (1) standard metabolic rate (SMR) of individual duck mussels Anodonta anatina (a common bitterling host) before and during infection by embryos of the European bitterling Rhodeus amarus, and (2) SMR and maximum oxygen uptake (MO2max) of individual R. amarus before and during infection with glochidia of the Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (a mussel species that successfully infects bitterling). As predicted, we observed an increase in mussel SMR when infected by bitterling embryos and an increased SMR in glochidia-infected bitterling, though this was significantly mediated by the time post-infection. Contrary to our predictions, glochidia infection did not impair MO2max and the number of glochidia attached to gills positively (rather than negatively) correlated with MO2max. The results suggest that tolerance is the prevailing coping mechanism for both fish and mussels when infected, while resistance mechanisms appear to be confined to the behavioural level.

• MeSH
• Cyprinidae * MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• kyslík MeSH
• paraziti * MeSH
• spotřeba kyslíku MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Wormy mice in a hybrid zone have been interpreted as evidence of low hybrid fitness, such that parasites contribute to species separation. However, because of its natural heterogeneity, observations of parasite load must be numerous with good field area coverage. We sampled 689 mice from 107 localities across the Bavaria-Bohemia region of the European house mouse hybrid zone and calculated their hybrid indices using 1401 diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We tested whether hybrids have greater or lesser diversity and load of parasite helminths than additive expectations, performing load analyses on the four most common taxa. We found hybrids have significantly reduced diversity and load of each of the commonest helminths; rarer helminths further support reduced load. Although within-locality comparisons have little power, randomization tests show the repeated pattern is unlikely to be due to local parasite heterogeneity, and simulations show a patch of low parasite diversity is unlikely to fall by chance just so in the field area, such that it produces the observed effects. Our data therefore contradict the idea that helminths reduce hybrid fitness through increased load. We discuss a vicariant Red Queen model that implies immune genes tracking parasites will escape Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities, generating hybrid variants untargeted by parasites.

• MeSH
• biodiverzita MeSH
• cizopasní červi imunologie   MeSH
• hybridizace genetická * MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus MeSH
• myši genetika   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• parazitární zátěž * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši genetika   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Two genotypes of the intestinal parasite Ceratonova shasta infect Oncorhynchus mykiss: genotype 0 results in a chronic infection with low mortality while genotype IIR causes disease with high mortality. We determined parasite load and the relative expression of six immune factors (IgT, IgM, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFNG) in fish infected with either genotype over 29 days post-exposure. In genotype IIR infections the host responded with upregulation of inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. In contrast, genotype 0 infection did not elicit an inflammatory response and expression of IFNG and IL-10 was lower. Antibody expression was upregulated in both infections but appeared to have limited efficacy in the virulent genotype IIR infections. Histologically, in genotype 0 infections the parasite migrated through the tissue layers causing inflammation but minimal damage to the mucosal epithelium, which contrasts with the severe pathology found in genotype IIR infections.

• MeSH
• cytokiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• genotyp * MeSH
• imunoglobulin M krev   MeSH
• imunoglobuliny krev   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• Myxozoa genetika   patogenita   MeSH
• nemoci ryb imunologie   MeSH
• Oncorhynchus mykiss imunologie   MeSH
• parazitární nemoci u zvířat imunologie   MeSH
• parazitární zátěž MeSH
• pohyb buněk MeSH
• rybí proteiny krev   MeSH
• sliznice imunologie   MeSH
• virulence MeSH
• zánět imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH

BACKGROUND: Recently, human intervention enabled the introduction of Barbus barbus from the Rhône River basin into the Barbus meridionalis habitats of the Argens River. After an introduction event, parasite loss and lower infection can be expected in non-native hosts in contrast to native species. Still, native species might be endangered by hybridization with the incomer and the introduction of novel parasite species. In our study, we aimed to examine metazoan parasite communities in Barbus spp. populations in France, with a special emphasis on the potential threat posed by the introduction of novel parasite species by invasive B. barbus to local B. meridionalis. METHODS: Metazoan parasite communities were examined in B. barbus, B. meridionalis and their hybrids in three river basins in France. Microsatellites were used for the species identification of individual fish. Parasite abundance, prevalence, and species richness were compared. Effects of different factors on parasite infection levels and species richness were tested using GLM. RESULTS: Metazoan parasites followed the expansion range of B. barbus and confirmed its introduction into the Argens River. Here, the significantly lower parasite number and lower levels of infection found in B. barbus in contrast to B. barbus from the Rhône River supports the enemy release hypothesis. Barbus barbus × B. meridionalis hybridization in the Argens River basin was confirmed using both microsatellites and metazoan parasites, as hybrids were infected by parasites of both parental taxa. Trend towards higher parasite diversity in hybrids when compared to parental taxa, and similarity between parasite communities from the Barbus hybrid zone suggest that hybrids might represent "bridges" for parasite infection between B. barbus and B. meridionalis. Risk of parasite transmission from less parasitized B. barbus to more parasitized B. meridionalis indicated from our study in the Argens River might be enhanced in time as higher infection levels in B. barbus from the Rhône River were revealed. Hybrid susceptibility to metazoan parasites varied among the populations and is probably driven by host-parasite interactions and environmental forces. CONCLUSIONS: Scientific attention should be paid to the threatened status of the endemic B. meridionalis, which is endangered by hybridization with the invasive B. barbus, i.e. by genetic introgression and parasite transmission.

• MeSH
• biodiverzita * MeSH
• chiméra klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   parazitologie   MeSH
• Cyprinidae klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   parazitologie   MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice MeSH
• parazitární zátěž MeSH
• paraziti klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• řeky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Francie MeSH

Cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica is increasingly documented in Europe and the Middle East. Besides its specific vector, Phlebotomus sergenti, permissive Phlebotomus sand flies are suspected as potential vectors of L. tropica. We investigated the susceptibility of two widely distributed species, Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus tobbi. Laboratory-reared sand flies were infected experimentally with L. tropica strains differing in lipophosphoglycan epitopes, geographical distribution and epidemiology. High infection rates, heavy parasite loads and fully developed late-stage infections including colonization of the stomodeal valve were observed in all parasite-vector combinations. Our findings demonstrate that P. perniciosus and P. tobbi are susceptible to different L. tropica strains and may play a role in their circulation in endemic foci of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

• MeSH
• anatomické struktury zvířat parazitologie   MeSH
• hmyz - vektory parazitologie   MeSH
• hostitelská specificita * MeSH
• Leishmania tropica růst a vývoj   MeSH
• parazitární zátěž MeSH
• Phlebotomus parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The leishmaniases are globally important parasitic diseases for which no human vaccines are currently available. To facilitate vaccine development, we conducted an open-label observational study to establish a controlled human infection model (CHIM) of sand fly-transmitted cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania major. Between 24 January and 12 August 2022, we exposed 14 participants to L. major-infected Phlebotomus duboscqi. The primary objective was to demonstrate effectiveness of lesion development (take rate) and safety (absence of CL lesion at 12 months). Secondary and exploratory objectives included rate of lesion development, parasite load and analysis of local immune responses by immunohistology and spatial transcriptomics. Lesion development was terminated by therapeutic biopsy (between days 14 and 42 after bite) in ten participants with clinically compatible lesions, one of which was not confirmed by parasite detection. We estimated an overall take rate for CL development of 64% (9/14). Two of ten participants had one and one of ten participants had two lesion recurrences 4-8 months after biopsy that were treated successfully with cryotherapy. No severe or serious adverse events were recorded, but as expected, scarring due to a combination of CL and the biopsy procedure was evident. All participants were lesion free at >12-month follow-up. We provide the first comprehensive map of immune cell distribution and cytokine/chemokine expression in human CL lesions, revealing discrete immune niches. This CHIM offers opportunities for vaccine candidate selection based on human efficacy data and for a greater understanding of immune-mediated pathology. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04512742 .

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• Leishmania major * imunologie   MeSH
• leishmanióza kožní * imunologie   parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• parazitární zátěž MeSH
• Phlebotomus parazitologie   imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH

• MeSH
• Acari klasifikace   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• Argasidae klasifikace   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• Chiroptera parazitologie   MeSH
• infestace ektoparazity epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• infestace roztoči epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• roztoči klasifikace   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Polsko MeSH

In the present study, we determine the presence of parasites in fish larvae collected from nearshore waters along the northern and central coast of Chile. The parasites were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level based on morphological and molecular analyses. The fish sample was composed of 5 574 fish larvae. Of these, 3% harboured only larval ectoparasitic copepods whereas no endoparasites were found in the 1 141 fish evaluated for this group of parasites. The parasitic copepods collected were initially classified as 'morphotypes' according to differences in morphological characteristics. They were then analysed using molecular techniques based on the 28S and COI genes. Seven morphotypes of parasitic copepods (mostly at chalimus stages) were recognised: two of the morphotypes belonged to Pennellidae Burmeister, 1835, three to Caligidae Burmeister, 1835 and two were not identified. Only five morphotypes of copepods were analysed using molecular sequences, which confirmed the existence of six species: two pennellids of the genus Trifur Wilson, 1917 and two caligids of the genus Caligus Müller, 1785, plus two additional species that were morphologically different from these taxa. The pennellids were present in several fish species, being generally more prevalent than the caligids, in both the central and northern localities of Chile. Multispecies infections in larval fish were infrequent (< 1%). We conclude that fish larvae were rich in parasites, considering that these hosts exhibited small body sizes and were very young. We suggest that fish larvae could play a role, as intermediate hosts, in the life cycle of the parasitic copepods found.

• MeSH
• Copepoda anatomie a histologie   genetika   klasifikace   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• larva parazitologie   MeSH
• parazitární zátěž * MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• ryby * parazitologie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• statistika jako téma MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Chile MeSH