Pathobiology, Infection Biology and Control of Protozoan Parasites—the ONE HEALTH Approach

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2024 | Viewed by 760

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Centre for the Study in Animal Science (CECA), University of Porto, Praça do Coronel Pacheco 42, 4050-083 Porto, Portugal
2. Centre for Parasite Biology and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Rua Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal
Interests: parasitology; water/foodborne parasites; toxoplasma gondii; nanobiomedicine; immunology; host-parasite interactions

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Centre for the Study in Animal Science (CECA), University of Porto, Praça do Coronel Pacheco 42, 4050-083 Porto, Portugal
2. Centre for Parasite Biology and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Rua Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal
Interests: carcinogenesis; helminth-associated carcinogenesis; combine therapy; immunotherapy; protein recombinant; parasites; schistosoma; opisthorchis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Centre for the Study in Animal Science (CECA), University of Porto, Praça do Coronel Pacheco 42, 4050-083 Porto, Portugal
2. Centre for Parasite Biology and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Rua Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal
Interests: protein/peptide adsorption; ECM proteins; nanohydroxyapatite/collagen; controlled release of pharmaceuticals; bone infection; metastization to bone; prostate cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Protozoan parasites are responsible for a spectrum of diseases affecting both human and animal hosts. This Special Issue intends to delve into the molecular and cellular intricacies that regulate host–parasite interactions, unraveling the complex pathogenesis associated with protozoan infections while embracing the ONE HEALTH concept.

An insightful examination of the host immune response and the sophisticated evasion strategies employed by protozoans provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interplay between host defenses and parasitic adaptations. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to contribute to the elucidation of the life cycles and transmission dynamics of these parasites, emphasizing critical stages essential for successful infection. Furthermore, this issue also intends to explore contemporary strategies for parasite control, encompassing advancements in drug development and innovative approaches to vector management. The evolving landscape of diagnostic tools and ongoing efforts toward developing effective vaccines will also be examined, addressing the multifaceted challenges inherent in mitigating the impact of protozoan infections.
By welcoming research articles, reviews and short communications, this issue will gather a comprehensive overview, serving as a vital resource for researchers engaged in understanding and controlling protozoan parasites, fostering advancements in the fields of pathobiology, infection biology and disease control from the ONE HEALTH perspective.

Dr. Cláudia Marques
Dr. Maria João Gouveia
Dr. Susana R. Sousa
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • protozoan parasites
  • host–parasite interactions
  • pathobiology
  • disease control
  • ONE HEALTH

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1984 KiB  
Article
Ciliated Epibionts Modify the Cardiac Stress Reaction to Perceived Predation in Daphnia
by Andrew K. Davis and Helen Gloege
Microorganisms 2024, 12(6), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061219 - 18 Jun 2024
Viewed by 533
Abstract
When animals perceive an acute stressor like a predator, they typically undergo a suite of physiological changes that function to improve survival during the encounter, such as elevation in cardiac output, to supply more energy to muscles. If bodily energy is limited, such [...] Read more.
When animals perceive an acute stressor like a predator, they typically undergo a suite of physiological changes that function to improve survival during the encounter, such as elevation in cardiac output, to supply more energy to muscles. If bodily energy is limited, such as by parasites or infections, these functions could become less efficient and lessen host survival. In the aquatic world of microorganisms, individuals can become colonized by other organisms on their surface (epibionts), which could sap energy from their host from their weight, or even compete with the host for food. Here, we tested if one epibiont (a ciliated protozoan, Vorticella spp.) affects its hosts’ ability to mount a physiological stress reaction. We collected wild daphnia (Daphnia ambigua) that had varying burdens of these on their bodies and exposed them to a simulated stressor (crushed daphnia, to simulate nearby predation) under a microscope while monitoring for changes in their heart rates in real time. Out of 121 daphnia, those with no Vorticella epibionts showed no meaningful changes in their heart rate after exposure, but those with light or heavy burdens showed immediate elevations (within 5 min). Moreover, the heart rates of heavily burdened daphnia continued to rise for 1.5 h thereafter, to as much as 17% higher than at baseline. These patterns were unexpected, as they suggest that the ciliated epibionts act to elevate their hosts’ physiological reaction, rather than dampen it, perhaps by churning the water column around the host, thereby enhancing the chemical alarm cue. The procedures used in this study may be useful for future investigations into the acute stress reactions of daphnia or other microorganisms. Full article
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