Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 5.4% of the world population. Among its pathogenic factors is infestation by Demodex spp. Standardized skin surface biopsy (SSSB) and direct microscopic examination (DME) are widely used methods to measure Demodex spp density (Dd); however, there is no agreement on the method of choice, nor the prevalence of infestation in rosacea patients. This study compared both techniques in rosacea patients. A prospective study was conducted with 61 patients diagnosed with rosacea by dermatologists from two dermatology centres. Dd was evaluated using SSSB and DME in each patient. Results, median sampling time and reported pain were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The median Dd was significantly higher with SSSB (11 mites/cm2) compared to DME (1 mites/cm2; P < 0.001). Infestation (>5 mites/cm2) was detected in 64% of patients with SSSB and in 28% with DME (P < 0.001). The median sampling time was longer for SSSB (60 s) than for DME (30 s; P < 0.001). Both methods were associated with mild pain, slightly lower with DME (P = 0.033). SSSB proved more effective than DME for detecting Demodex spp. in rosacea, identifying a greater total number of mites and a higher percentage of infestation. Up to 64% of rosacea patients showed infestation with Demodex spp. using the SSSB technique. The results reinforce the use of SSSB as the standard technique for diagnosing Demodex spp. infestation in rosacea patients.

Risk factors for Eimeria infections are well documented in farm and pet animals, but studies focusing on wildlife species are less common. This research aimed to investigate the impact of selected demographic and environmental factors on the prevalence of Eimeria in the European hare (Lepus europaeus). Additionally, we analysed whether Eimeria infection affected the behaviour of hares by examining the relationship between infection status and the likelihood of a hare being killed by a vehicle at a hotspot for road mortality. Between 11 February 2022 and 24 June 2024, we collected 22 hare carcasses that had been killed in traffic along an 83.9 km monitoring route in central Bohemia, Czech Republic, to evaluate Eimeria prevalence in relation to factors such as age, hare density, distance to the nearest water source and rainfall over the previous 3 months. Contrary to our expectations, we found a higher prevalence of Eimeria in adult hares compared to juveniles. We propose that this outcome may be due to the high mortality rates among leverets and juvenile hares, which removes susceptible individuals from the population early on. The effects of the other factors examined were not significant. In conclusion, our study revealed that Eimeria infection did not contribute to the clustering of hare–vehicle collisions. We emphasize the importance of studying risk factors in wildlife species across different ecological contexts. Our findings challenge the general assumption that age negatively influences Eimeria prevalence.

Hookworms are common parasites of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles), typically identified as Uncinaria criniformis. The taxonomic distinction from Uncinaria stenocephala, a species found in dogs and foxes, has long been debated. In this study, we molecularly characterized U. criniformis from a Eurasian badger in Romania using genome skimming. We assembled the complete mitochondrial genome and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region from 2 adult hookworms morphologically consistent with U. criniformis. Phylogenetic analysis of 12 mitochondrial protein-coding genes demonstrated strongly supported clade of U. criniformis with Ancylostoma spp. ITS rDNA and cox1 sequence comparisons revealed only 92.4–92.8% and 88.0–88.5% identity, respectively, between U. criniformis and U. stenocephala, confirming their molecular distinctiveness. In contrast, our sequences showed >99% identity to sequences from Arthrostoma leucurus, a hookworm recently described from the Asian badger (Meles leucurus), suggesting conspecificity. These findings support the validity of U. criniformis as a distinct species parasitizing M. meles, and we propose A. leucurus as a junior synonym of U. criniformis. Our results highlight the polyphyly of the genus Uncinaria and point to the need for broader mitogenomic sampling of hookworms. The molecular markers generated here provide a reference for future parasitological surveys and wildlife disease studies.

Accurate species identification is essential for biodiversity research, especially in the field of parasitological systematics. In particular, the incorporation of DNA-based methods in the study of Digenea has transformed taxonomy by allowing for precise species delimitation, clarification of life cycles, and the identification of cryptic diversity. However, to prevent taxonomic misidentification, a growing concern in public sequence databases, these molecular techniques must be supplemented with high-quality morphological data. This study provides an integrative assessment (combining both morphological and molecular data) of Cotylurus brandivitellatus, based on adult specimens obtained from naturally infected mute swan (Cygnus olor) in Gdańsk Pomerania. The observed morphological characteristics are consistent with the original description of C. brandivitellatus and align with the established description of the genus Cotylurus. Phylogenetic analysis, utilizing concatenated LSU rDNA and COI mtDNA markers, confirms the distinct taxonomic status of C. brandivitellatus. It forms a sister clade with C. strigeoides, which is clearly separate from other species within the Cotylurus genus. These findings validate the existence of C. brandivitellatus and offer new insights into species delineation and evolutionary relationships within Cotylurus, highlighting the importance of integrative approaches in trematode systematics.

Molecular analyses of geographically dispersed Fasciola spp. isolates based on ribosomal, mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers have revealed high levels of genetic diversity within liver fluke populations. To investigate the Fasciola population substructure across Pakistan 4 molecular markers were compared (fatty acid binding protein, fabp; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, pepck; random amplified polymorphic DNA, RAPD; mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase, mt-nd1). Adult parasites (n = 595) were collected from buffalo and cattle across 4 provinces in Pakistan (Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab). Species classification of all 595 parasites was confirmed by the 3 gel-based markers (pepck, fabp and RAPD) as F. gigantica, except for the fabp marker which unexpectedly could not be amplified in 274 parasites (46%). Analysis of a subset of samples indicates the potential for mis-priming due to multiple genomic loci that match the fabp primer sequences resulting in negative PCR products in some cases. Sequence analysis of the mt-nd1 PCR products identified 29 haplotypes within the samples from Pakistan, the majority of which are unique to this study. None of the 29 haplotype sequences were identified in samples from Africa, highlighting the genetic diversity between geographically disparate liver fluke populations. Inconsistencies between Fasciola spp. molecular markers in this study highlights the need for multiple markers, validated on large numbers of geographically disparate parasites, to generate robust analyses of liver fluke genetic diversity. This study echoes other Fasciola spp. population studies and highlights the genetic diversity of F. gigantica populations in Pakistan that is comparable to observations of diversity throughout Asia.

Eimeria species, the causative agents of avian coccidiosis, are major pathogens in poultry, resulting in substantial economic losses and welfare concerns worldwide. Understanding their complex life cycle, including different developmental stages and host interactions, is essential for advancing control strategies. Traditional cultivation systems, such as primary cell cultures and immortalised cell lines, have provided valuable insights, but they present limitations in supporting complete parasite development, host–pathogen interactions and immune response evaluation. Recent advances in intestinal organoids offer a promising alternative for Eimeria research. Initially developed in human models, intestinal organoids have been successfully adapted to avian systems, replicating the architecture, cellular diversity and physiological functions of the chicken gut epithelium. These 3D models provide now a physiologically relevant platform for studying parasite development, host–pathogen interactions, immune responses and drug screening in vitro. Complementary tools, such as intestinal explants, could further enhance the experimental repertory available for investigating Eimeria species. Additionally, insights from studies on related apicomplexan parasites support the translational value of these systems. These innovative systems could support significant advances in Eimeria cultivation, enabling more robust and ethical research while reducing the use of experimental animals.

We analysed the early results of a screening and management protocol of imported female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) among migrant women from endemic countries. In total we screened 136 women, from which 39 had suspicion of FGS (serology-positive test and clinical signs and symptoms compatible). Median age was of 42.7 years [interquartile range (IQR 35–45)], median time living in the Europe (EU) was of 14 years (IQR 10–19) and all of them were coming from a West African country, mainly Senegal (17 out of 39; 43.6%). All of them had 1 or more clinical genitourinary findings [median 5 (IQR 2–6)], being the most prevalent pelvic pain, vaginal discharge and menstrual disorders. According to the protocol, colposcopy and cytology examination was performed in 11 participants, from whom 7 had findings compatible with FGS and 5 had low-grade cervical dysplasia with human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative results. After specific treatment with praziquantel (PZQ), we observed a high rate of resolution of clinical signs and symptoms, serology clearance at the 12th month of follow-up. Colposcopy lesions of 3 women assessed at the end of follow-up were fully resolved. Our findings and previous research support the implementation of management protocols of FGS in non-endemic countries, in spite of the knowledge gaps that still remain. Clinical trials need further assessment to determine the efficacy of PZQ, new diagnostic tools and the interaction between FGS, HPV and cervical cancer.

Strongyloides stercoralis has historically dominated research and control efforts for strongyloidiasis in both medical and veterinary fields. This has obscured the significance of other Strongyloides species infecting humans and their closest companions, dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus). This review synthesized clinical and epidemiologic evidence on these neglected agents of human and companion animal strongyloidiasis and outlined priorities for future research. Our aim is to raise awareness of these understudied species and promote research to clarify their medical and veterinary public health significance. Targeted species-specific surveillance using molecular-genomic and advanced morphological tools is essential to uncover the true burden of these infections and inform strategies for their control and eventual elimination.