Parasites and Host Interactions

Screening of the Pathogen box reveals novel anti blood-feeding compounds

This study screens compounds from the MMV Pathogen Box against a rodent hookworm model to identify anti-blood-feeding agents, finding five compounds effective in vitro and well-tolerated in vivo.

Abundant genetic variation is retained in many laboratory schistosome populations

This study finds that laboratory Schistosoma mansoni populations retain abundant genetic variation, with implications for drug resistance studies and GWAS.

Tissue-specific distribution of eggs in the definitive host drives transcriptomic and behavioral differences in Schistosoma mansoni miracidia

The paper compares miracidia from liver and intestine-derived eggs of Schistosoma mansoni, finding transcriptomic and behavioral differences that highlight the impact of egg source on experimental outcomes.

Dopamine signaling drives skin invasion by human-infective nematodes

This study identifies dopamine signaling as critical for skin penetration by nematodes and suggests potential drug targets to prevent infection.

TRPV1+ neurons promote cutaneous immunity against Schistosoma mansoni.

This study shows that TRPV1+ neurons promote cutaneous immunity against Schistosoma mansoni by regulating immune cell responses and limiting parasite dissemination.

The anti-inflammatory potential of helminth-derived peptides/polypeptides: A systematic review in cellular models of inflammation

This review evaluates helminth-derived peptides' effects on inflammation in cellular models, finding they reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory ones, suggesting therapeutic potential.

Comparative transcriptome profiles of first-stage larvae and adult female Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm)

This study compares the transcriptomes of adult female and first-stage larvae of Dracunculus medinensis to identify molecular adaptations and potential diagnostic markers.

Global diversity of soil-transmitted helminths reveals population-biased genetic variation that impacts diagnostic targets

The paper assesses genetic diversity of soil-transmitted helminths across regions and evaluates its impact on molecular diagnostic targets using low-coverage genome sequencing and in vitro assays.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 2α promotes protective Th2 cell responses during intestinal helminth infection

This study identifies HIF2 as a key regulator of Th2 cell differentiation and function in the small intestine during helminth infection.

The immunomodulatory p43 secreted protein of Trichuris whipworm parasites is a lipid carrier that binds signalling lipids and precursors

This paper identifies p43 as a lipid-binding protein secreted by Trichuris whipworms that modulates host immune responses by interacting with signaling lipids.

Quantitative ethology of schistosome miracidia characterizes a conserved snail peptide that inhibits penetration

This study develops a system to track schistosome miracidia behavior and identifies a snail peptide that inhibits their penetration.

SOX9 plays an essential role in myofibroblast driven hepatic granuloma integrity and parenchymal repair during schistosomiasis-induced liver damage

This study shows that SOX9 is critical for maintaining granuloma structure and ECM barrier formation in schistosomiasis, which protects the liver from damage.

Dietary fibre promotes chronic whipworm infection through direct and time-dependent modulation of innate immunity

This study shows dietary fibre promotes chronic whipworm infection in mice through direct modulation of innate immunity, independent of the microbiome.

A secreted fatty acid- and retinol- binding protein from Heligmosomoides polygyrus suppresses host macrophage polarization

This study identifies Hp-FAR-2, a secreted fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein from H. polygyrus, which suppresses macrophage polarization by modulating both M1 and M2 markers, potentially aiding parasite persistence.

Pre-clinical studies of Schistosoma mansoni vaccines: a scoping review

This paper reviews pre-clinical Schistosoma mansoni vaccine studies, finding that only two antigens achieved over 90% efficacy, but most vaccines fall short of required thresholds due to variable formulations and study designs.

Repeat Ascaris challenge reduces worm intensity through gastric cellular reprograming

This study shows that repeated Ascaris challenge induces gastric cellular changes that reduce worm intensity in the liver, independent of adaptive immunity.

Metabolic and ribosomal dysregulation drive developmental arrest of Schistosoma japonicum in non-permissive rats

This study identifies metabolic and ribosomal dysregulation as key factors causing developmental arrest of Schistosoma japonicum in non-permissive rats.

Schistosomiasis parasite enhance transmission rates via interfacial swimming

This study shows schistosomiasis cercariae enhance transmission by swimming at the air-water interface, improving host-encounter efficiency through physics-based behavior.

Host microbiome determines host specificity of the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura

This study shows that the human whipworm's host specificity is driven by the host microbiome, using a humanized-microbiota mouse model and metagenomic analysis.

Vaccination against helminth IL-33-modulators permits immune-mediated parasite ejection

This paper shows that vaccinating against helminth IL-33-modulators can protect against infection by reversing immunosuppression and enhancing Th2 immunity.

Genomic data reveal a north-south split and introgression history of blood fluke (Schistosoma haematobium) populations from across Africa

The paper analyzes genomic data from Schistosoma haematobium populations across Africa, revealing a north-south genetic split and ancient introgression events with S. bovis, with some genes approaching fixation and sex chromosomes showing introgression resistance.

Transcriptional phenotype of the anti-parasitic benzodiazepine meclonazepam on the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni

This study investigates the transcriptional effects of meclonazepam on Schistosoma mansoni, showing it causes tegument damage and apoptosis, with gene expression patterns similar to but distinct from praziquantel.

Improving eDNA filtration and purification for qPCR detection of Schistosoma mansoni in lakes Albert and Victoria

This paper evaluates eDNA filtration and purification methods for detecting Schistosoma mansoni in lake water using qPCR, finding that certain filters and extraction protocols improve DNA yield and detection rates.

A Kruppel-like factor establishes cellular heterogeneity during schistosome tegumental maintenance

The paper identifies klf4's role in maintaining tegumental cell heterogeneity in schistosomes through bulk and single-cell RNAseq, showing its necessity for lineage maintenance and molecular balance.

A secreted helminth microRNA suppresses gastrointestinal cell differentiation required for innate immunity

The paper identifies a helminth miRNA that suppresses host immune responses by targeting key factors involved in cell differentiation and signaling pathways.

Cracking the egg: Isolation and discovery of distinct nonvesicular extracellular particles from Schistosoma mansoni eggs

This study isolates and characterizes nonvesicular extracellular nanoparticles from Schistosoma mansoni eggs using tangential flow filtration, showing improved recovery and purity compared to differential ultracentrifugation.

Hatching of whipworm eggs induced by bacterial contact is serine-protease dependent

This study identifies serine proteases as key mediators of whipworm egg hatching induced by bacterial contact, revealing bacterial and larval enzyme interactions.

Schistosoma mansoni-induced host immunopathology is gut microbiota dependent

This study shows that gut microbiota influences liver pathology caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice, but not ileum inflammation.

Environmental surveillance of soil-transmitted helminths and other enteric pathogens in settings without networked wastewater infrastructure

The paper evaluates sampling strategies for detecting soil-transmitted helminths and other enteric pathogens in non-networked sanitation settings using wastewater and soil samples.

Two-Photon NAD(P)H-FLIM reveals unperturbed energy metabolism of Ascaris suum larvae, in contrast to host macrophages upon artemisinin derivatives exposure

This study uses two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM to show that artemisinin derivatives do not affect the metabolism of Ascaris suum larvae but alter macrophage metabolism, suggesting indirect effects on helminth infection.