Objective The aim of this study was to characterize the basic molecular and biochemical parameters for a cyclophilin protein in Cryptosporidium parvum called CpCyP1. Methods CpCyP1 expression patterns during the parasite life cycle were evaluated using qRT-PCR with total RNA isolated from different developmental stages of C. parvum. Native CpCyP1 protein in sporozoites was detected using western blot. The localization of CpCyP1 was performed using the immunofluorescence assay, with an affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal antibody against a synthetic peptide. The peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity of His-tagged recombinant CpCyP1 was evaluated using absorbance colorimetry, and the effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) on the activity of CpCyP1 was determined. Results CpCyP1 was expressed in all parasite developmental stages, whereas CpCyP1 was present mainly in the cytosol of sporozoites, meronts, and gamonts. CpCyP1 displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics towards N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide for its PPIase activity (K_m = 456.4 μmol/L; V_max = 1.981 U). CsA inhibited PPIase activity, showing lower micromolar inhibitory activity and binding affinity (K_d = 5.122 μmol/L; IC₅₀ = 1.004 μmol/L). Conclusions These results imply that CpCyP1 in the parasite may be the target for the previously reported anti-cryptosporidial efficacy of CsA and suggest that C. parvum cyclophilins could be evaluated as candidate drug targets.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gold chromatographic strip assay (GICA) in diagnosingclonorchiasis through a meta-analysis of diagnostic tests. Methods Relevant databases, including CNKI, the Wan Fang Database, VIP, and PubMed, were searched according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Literature quality was assessed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18, and funnel plots, forest plots, and SROC curves were generated. Results A total of 50 articles met the inclusion criteria. Deeks′funnel plot analysis indicated no significant publication bias among the three methods. The combined effect size analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA for detecting clonorchiasis were 0.93 (0.89-0.95) and 0.94 (0.92-0.96), respectively, with an area under the SROC curve of 0.98. For PCR, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.93 (0.84-0.97) and 0.92 (0.80-0.97), respectively, yielding an area under the SROC curve of 0.97. The sensitivity and specificity of the GICA method for detecting clonorchiasis were 0.91 (0.83-0.96) and 0.95 (0.87-0.98), respectively, with an area under the SROC curve of 0.97. Conclusions In the diagnosis of clonorchiasis, ELISA, PCR and GICA have high diagnostic value, but their ranges differ from each other.

Objective To establish a rapid, sensitive, and specific multiplex PCR detection method for the simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, and bovine parvovirus. Methods Specific primers targeting the SSU rRNA genes of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria, as well as the VP2 gene of bovine parvovirus were designed and the corresponding recombinant plasmid standards were constructed. To establish the multiplex PCR method, the reaction conditions were optimized using temperature gradient PCR and single-variable control methods. The sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and clinical application of the protocol were evaluated. Results The optimal annealing temperature was found to be 60.5℃, and the forward and reverse primer concentrations were determined to be 0.2 μmol/L for Eimeria, and 0.4 μmol/L for Cryptosporidium and bovine parvovirus. The assay demonstrated high sensitivity, with detection limits of 243, 260, and 3 110 copies for the recombinant plasmid standards of Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, and bovine parvovirus, respectively. Specificity testing showed no cross-reactivity with ten common bovine pathogens, including Salmonella, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine rotavirus. Consistent intra- and inter-batch results confirmed the strong reproducibility of the method. Clinical application to 81 diarrhea samples from various regions in the Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan, revealed positivity rates of 18.52% (15/81) for Cryptosporidium, 34.57% (28/81) for Eimeria, and 18.52% (15/81) for bovine parvovirus, with a mixed infection rate of 3.7% (3/81). Conclusions The multiplex PCR method established in this study offers a reliable tool for differential diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of the three common diarrheal pathogens in yaks.

Objective Aedes albopictus is the primary vector of the dengue virus. Screening and the analysis of immune-related genes in DENV2-infected Ae. albopictus provides a scientific basis for further research on blocking the extrinsic incubation period of the dengue virus. Methods Through the approach of literature mining, thirty-three potential immune-related genes were screened from species such as Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae, which have a close genetic relationship with Ae. albopictus. The protein—protein interaction (PPI) analysis is employed to explore the interaction relationship of the proteins encoded by genes. The alterations in mRNA expression levels of the relevant genes in DENV2-infected Ae. albopictus midgut were detected using the qRT-PCR method. Results The PPI results indicates that TLR and Spz of Ae. albopictus; Rel1, Rel2, DefC, Spz, PIWI, Ago2, DOME and HOP of Ae. aegypti; and Rel1, Rel2, CACT, STAT and DOME of An. gambiae exhibit PPI relationships. After Ae. albopictus was infected with DENV2, 10 genes showed significant difference in expression. Ago3 (7.39, P < 0.05), DOMEa (1.63, P < 0.01), DOMEb (21.29, P < 0.001), and TLRb (1.61, P < 0.05) were significantly up-regulated. Rel1 (0.62, P < 0.001), CACTl (0.65, P < 0.001), Rel2a (0.65, P < 0.01), Rel2b (0.24, P < 0.001), GATAa (0.64, P < 0.01) and DefC (0.28, P < 0.05) were significantly down-regulated. Conclusions The concordance of Ae. albopictus with Ae. aegypti was higher than that with An. gambiae. DOMEb, Ago3, Rel2b and DefC, can serve as the preferred target genes for subsequent studies on DENV2 immune blockade.

Objective This study aimed to investigate natural infection of rodents with Ehrlichia and Neoehrlichia at major Chinese land-border ports along the "Belt and Road". Methods In 2022, rodents were monitored in 10 ports in northern and southern China and identified based on diagnostic morphological characteristics. The 16S rRNA genes of Ehrlichia and Neoehrlichia were detected by PCR using universal primers from rodent samples and phylogenetic analysis was performed based on the sequences of the detected positive pathogens. Results A total of 356 rodents were sampled, including 2 orders, 5 families, 15 genera, and 20 species. Predominantly, 73, 61, 56, and 58 were Meriones unguiculatus (20.51%), Rattus norvegicus (17.13%), Apodemus agrarius (15.73%), and Microtus gregalis (16.29%). Only one Microtus fortis from Suifenghe Port was infected with Ehrlichia sp. Moreover, 12 rodents were infected with Neoehrlichia spp. (overall positivity rate: 3.37%). Conclusions Natural infections with Ehrlichia spp. and Neoehrlichia spp. were demonstrated in rodents at important Chinese land-border ports. The positivity rate of Neoehrlichia spp. was high in some ports, indicating that surveillance for ticks and their prevention and control measures should be intensified in these regions.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Compound Fipronil Spot-on Solution in repelling canine ticks. Methods A total of 140 dogs infested with ticks were randomly selected from regions in southern and northern China and assigned to four groups: southern test drug group, southern control drug group, northern test drug group, and northern control drug group. Each group comprised 35 dogs. Each dog was administered the prescribed dose.The number of ticks was counted on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 following the administration. The negative conversion and average reduction rates of the tick population were then subjected to statistical analyse. Results The mean efficacy of the test drug was 100% in both the southern and northern cohorts, 28 days post-treatment. The control drug showed comparable efficacy, reaching a mean reduction of 100% in both regions by the same time point. No additional clinical manifestations or adverse events were observed across all treated dogs. Conclusions Compound Fipronil Spot-on Solutions effectively treats and prevents ticks in dogs in different regions of China. A single dose remains effective for up to 28 days, thus providing a convenient, effective solution.

Objective The density and species composition of cockroaches in Suzhou, China as well as their seasonal fluctuations were investigated to provide a theoretical basis for their scientific control. Methods The sticking trap method was used to survey the population of cockroaches in the city. The chi-square test was used to compare the rates of adhesion to the sticky sheets, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the density of cockroaches. Results From 2019 to 2023, a total of 27 576 sticky sheet traps were placed in various areas of Suzhou. Of these, 2 248 yielded positive captures of 15 963 cockroaches in total, with an adhesion rate of 8.15% and density of 0.58 insects per sheet. Blattella germanica predominated, accounting for 95.76% of the cockroach species in Suzhou. The adhesion rate and density of cockroaches decreased from 2019 to 2023, with the difference between the years being statistically significant (χ²=96.913, P<0.001). The highest adhesion rate and density (25.89% and 2.36 insects per sheet, respectively) were found in farm product markets. The adhesion rates differed significantly among different habitats (χ²=2 458.309, P < 0.001). Cockroaches were active throughout the year, and the month of peak density differed in different years, with the overall peak density being 0.66 insects per sheet in November. Additionally, the seasonal fluctuation in cockroach density differed significantly among the different years (H=23.976, P<0.001). Conclusions The survey results showed that the adhesion rate and density of cockroaches in Suzhou have been decreasing annually. Cockroaches were active throughout the year, being mainly present in farm product markets. The seasonal fluctuations in cockroach density in different years differed significantly. Therefore, the characteristics of each habitat should be considered to effectively reduce the cockroach population density.

Hypereosinophilia is the term given to a group of highly heterogeneous diseases that are characterized by an increase in the absolute count of peripheral eosinophils, which can accumulate in one or more organs. Although parasitic infection is one of the common causes of eosinophilia, it is often ignored. So far, no clear diagnostic guideline for hepatic sparganosis exists worldwide, and only scattered cases have been reported. We reported a case of a patient with hypereosinophilia induced by hepatic sparganosis, with multiple organ involvement, and discussed the clinical characteristics and treatment plan. This report will help clinicians better understand the differential diagnosis of hepatic sparganosis and the diagnosis and treatment of hypereosinophilia.

Ticks are medically significant arthropods with a global distribution and the ability to transmit a wide range of pathogens to human and animal. Their medical significance is second only to that of mosquitoes. In recent years, factors such as urbanization, international trade, and climate change have led to a notable increase in both the incidence and emergence of tick-borne diseases. Since different tick species carry or transmit different pathogens, accurate and rapid identification of tick species is essential before implementing strategies to prevent and control ticks and tick-borne diseases. This review summarizes the research progress in molecular identification technologies for tick species, providing a valuable reference for related research.