Parasitology & Mycology March 2025 Journal Club

Keep informed about evolving science and clinical practice with our March 2025 compilation of the latest studies, guidelines, and perspectives in parasitology & mycology.

ANISAKIDOSIS

• Bellini I, Scribano D, Ambrosi C, et al. Anisakis extracellular vesicles elicit immunomodulatory and potentially tumorigenic outcomes on human intestinal organoids. Parasites Vectors. 2024;17, 393. doi:10.1186/s13071-024-06471-7 

ASPERGILLOSIS

• Aufiero MA, Hung L-Y, Herbert DR, et al. Perforin-2 is dispensable for host defense against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. mSphere. 2025;10(1):e0080324. doi:10.1128/msphere.00803-24
• Fan Y, Shang X, Wang Y, et al. Lateral-flow device for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis. 2025;25(1):388. doi:10.1186/s12879-025-10769-x
• Gali V, Al-Ghanamah R, Finnigan K, et al. Evaluating the clinical utility of Aspergillus, Mucorales, and Nocardia bronchoalveolar PCRs for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary infections in patients with hematological malignancies. J Clin Microbiol. 2025;63(2):e0135524. doi:10.1128/jcm.01355-24
• Lamberink H, Huygens S, Aerts R, et al. Multicenter validation of a galactomannan chemiluminescence immunoassay for the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis on serum of patients with hematological disease. J Clin Microbiol. 2025;63(2):e0105324. doi:10.1128/jcm.01053-24
• Trovato L, Calvo M, Palermo CI, et al. The Role of Quantitative Real-Time PCR in the Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Diagnosis: A Retrospective Study. Microorganisms. 2025;13(2):409. doi:10.3390/microorganisms13020409
• Tsang CC, Zhao C, Liu Y, et al. Automatic identification of clinically important Aspergillus species by artificial intelligence-based image recognition: proof-of-concept study. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2025;14(1):2434573. doi:10.1080/22221751.2024.2434573
• Winkler ML, Rhomberg PR, Fedler KA, et al. Use of voriconazole to predict susceptibility and resistance to isavuconazole for Aspergillus fumigatus using CLSI methods and interpretive criteria. J Clin Microbiol. 2025;63(2):e0120724. doi:10.1128/jcm.01207-24

CANDIDIASIS

• Arendrup MC, Lockhart SR, Wiederhold N. Candida auris MIC testing by EUCAST and clinical and laboratory standards institute broth microdilution, and gradient diffusion strips; to be or not to be amphotericin B resistant?. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2025;31(1):108-112. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2024.10.010
• Kim M-J, Mitchell AP. Strain-limited biofilm regulation through the Brg1-Rme1 circuit in Candida albicans. mSphere. 2025;10(1):e0098024. doi:10.1128/msphere.00980-24
• Winkler ML, Deshpande L, Kimbrough JH, et al. Anidulafungin is a useful surrogate marker for predicting in vitro susceptibility to rezafungin among five Candida species using CLSI methods and interpretive criteria. J Clin Microbiol. 2025;63(2):e0112924. doi:10.1128/jcm.01129-24

CHAGAS

• Alonso TS, Biéler S, Inocêncio da Luz R, et al. Retrospective clinical performance evaluation of the Abbott Bioline HAT 2.0, a rapid diagnostic test for human African trypanosomiasis based on recombinant antigens. Trop Med Int Health. 2025;30(2):135-142. doi:10.1111/tmi.14077
• Altcheh J, Grossmann U, Stass H, et al. Redefining the treatment of Chagas disease: a review of recent clinical and pharmacological data for a novel formulation of nifurtimox. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(2):e0012849. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012849
• Ardiles-Ruesjas S, Lesmo V, González-Romero V, et al. Prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of different diagnostic tests for Chagas disease in an indigenous community of the Paraguayan Chaco. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(2):e0012861. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012861
• Burdino E, Bernardi A, Cerutti F, et al. Invisible burden: Prevalence of Chagas disease in Latin American migrants in Turin, North-Western Italy – A STROBE compliant-cross-sectional study. Parasitol Int. 2025;104:102988. doi:10.1016/j.parint.2024.102988
• Freitas NEM, Campos DAA, Ferreira RQV, et al. Comparison of Four Chimeric Antigens and Commercial Serological Assays for the Diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024;112(1):89-95. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.24-0379
• Garg NJ. An Update on Vaccines Against Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas Disease. Pathogens. 2025;14(2):124. doi:10.3390/pathogens14020124
• Lopez-Albizu C, Cura CI, Ramirez JC, et al. Congenital Chagas disease: A cohort study to assess molecular diagnostic methods at the Chagas disease national reference center of Argentina. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012785. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012785
• Padilla-Valdez JM, Antonio-Campos A, Montes-Vergara Y, et al. Serological determination of Trypanosoma cruzi in northern region of the State of Mexico. Parasitol Res. 2025;124(2):23. doi:10.1007/s00436-025-08464-6

ECHINOCOCCOSIS

• Autier B, Robert-Gangneux F, Dion S. Chemotherapy for the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis: Where are we? Parasite. 2024;31:56. doi:10.1051/parasite/2024055

FASCIOLIASIS

• Cuervo PF, Bargues MD, Artigas P, et al. Global warming induced spread of the highest human fascioliasis hyperendemic area. Parasit Vectors. 2024;17,434. doi:10.1186/s13071-024-06514-z 
• Selim A, Marzok M, Gattan HS, et al. Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for Fasciola hepatica in sheep in Nile Delta of Egypt. Parasitol Int. 2025;104:102989. doi:10.1016/j.parint.2024.102989

FILARIASIS

• Bun K, Mode B, Susapu M, et al. Alternative approaches for monitoring and evaluation of lymphatic filariasis following mass drug treatment with ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012128. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012128
• Bytyqi A, Karas C, Pechmann K, et al. Oro-facial filariasis–A systematic review of the literature. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2024;18(11):e0012610. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012610
• Lawford HLS, Sartorius B, Mayfield HJ, et al. Sensitivity of anti-filarial antibodies for lymphatic filariasis surveillance: Insights from a serological survey in Samoa in 2018. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012835. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012835
• Mensah DA, Opoku VS, Boateng J, et al. Changes in circulating filarial antigen status in previously positive individuals: Lessons for treatment monitoring and pre-transmission assessment surveys. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012802

LEISHMANIASIS

• Da Rosa G, Ries AS, Cargnelutti JF, et al. Detection of DNA of Leishmania infantum in the brains of dogs without neurological signs in an endemic region for leishmaniasis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Parasitol Res. 2024;123,372. doi:10.1007/s00436-024-08395-8
• Fernández-Ruiz M, Cano-Pérez E, Torres-Pacheco J, et al. Epidemiological and Molecular Surveillance of Leishmania Species among Humans, Vectors, and Dogs in a Wildland-Urban Interface of Cartagena, Colombia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024;112(3):581-588. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.24-0590
• Kumari Y, Gunathilaka N, Amarasinghe D. A comprehensive review of biological and genetic control approaches for leishmaniasis vector sand flies; emphasis towards promoting tools for integrated vector management. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012795. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012795
• Sagaki P, Twa-Twa JM, Mulalu P, et al. Baseline infection prevalence, risk factors and treatment outcomes of visceral leishmaniasis in Northeastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012783. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012783
• Zhang H, Yan R, Liu Y, et al. Progress in antileishmanial drugs: Mechanisms, challenges, and prospects. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012735. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012735

SHISTOSOMIASIS

• Andrus PS, Standley CJ, Stothard JR, et al. Molecular xenomonitoring of Schistosoma mansoni infections in Biomphalaria choanomphala at Lake Victoria, East Africa: Assessing roles of abiotic and biotic factors. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012771. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012771
• Degarege A, Erko B, Brett-Major DM, et al. Performance of Urine Reagent Test Strips in Detecting Schistosoma haematobium Infection in Individual and Pooled Urine Samples. Microorganisms. 2025;13(3):510. doi:10.3390/microorganisms13030510
• Isaiah PM, Nyawanda B, Okoyo C, et al. Kato-Katz versus urine POC-CCA for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni in preschool-aged children in Homa Bay County, Kenya. Parasitol Res. 2025;124(2):25. doi:10.1007/s00436-025-08467-3
• Kildemoes AO, Veldhuizen T, Hilt ST, et al. Identification of a circulating carbohydrate antigen as a highly specific and sensitive target for schistosomiasis serology. J Clin Microbiol. 2025;63(2):e0100824. doi:10.1128/jcm.01008-24
• Kokubo-Tanaka M, Kildemoes AO, Chadeka EA, et al. Detection and analysis of Serpin and RP26 specific antibodies for monitoring Schistosoma haematobium transmission. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012813. Published 2025 Jan 24. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012813
• Lorenz E, Razafindrakoto R, Rausche P, et al. Detecting Schistosoma infections in endemic countries: a diagnostic accuracy study in rural Madagascar. Infect Dis Poverty. 2025;14(1):20. doi:10.1186/s40249-025-01292-x
• Ueberall ME, Berchthold M, Häberli C, et al. Merck Open Global Health Library in vitro screening against Schistosoma mansoni identified two new substances with antischistosomal activities for further development. Parasit Vectors. 2025;18(1):40. doi:10.1186/s13071-024-06648-0
• Zhong H, Fu Z, Liu J, Jin Y. Reassessing Schistosoma worms: the overlooked role in host pathology and disease elimination. Infect Dis Poverty. 2025;14(1):24. doi:10.1186/s40249-025-01298-5
• Zongo D, Tiendrebeogo JMA, Ouedraogo WM, et al. Epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis in 16 districts of Burkina Faso after two decades of mass treatment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(2):e0012858. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012858

STRONGYLOIDIASIS

• Arab-Mazar Z, Kanani T, Toulabi M, et al. Evaluation of strongyloidiasis prevalence in immunocompromised patients referred to hospitals: a case study of Iran’s capital. BMC Infect Dis. 2025;25(1):381. doi:10.1186/s12879-024-10431-y
• Zhao H, Koehler AV, Truarn C, et al. The fourth-stage autoinfective larva of Strongyloides stercoralis: redescription and diagnostic implications. J Clin Microbiol. 2025;63(1):e0102124. doi:10.1128/jcm.01021-24

TOXOPLASMOSIS

• Ahmed N, Rani NA, Robin TB, et al. Designing a multi-epitope subunit vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii through reverse vaccinology approach. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2024;260:111655. doi:10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111655
• Galal L, Fritz M, Becquart P, et al. Toxoplasma gondii from Gabonese forest, Central Africa: First report of an African wild strain. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012214. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012214
• Kent RS, Ward GE. Motility-dependent processes in Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoites: same same but different. mSphere. 2025;10(3):e0085524. doi:10.1128/msphere.00855-24
• Thaprawat P, Wang F, Chalasani S, et al. Toxoplasma gondii PROP1 is critical for autophagy and parasite viability during chronic infection. mSphere. 2025;10(3):e0082924. doi:10.1128/msphere.00829-24
• Uchida A, Tanimura K, Shirai K, et al. Discrepancies in the Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasma gondii Infection Between B1 Gene Semi-Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction and Serological Analyses. Microorganisms. 2025;13(3):601. doi:10.3390/microorganisms13030601

TOXOCARIASIS

• Winterfeld DT, Schauer B, Globokar M, et al. Comparison of different diagnostic protocols for the detection of Toxocara spp. in faecal samples of cats and dogs. Parasit Vectors. 2024;17,436. doi:10.1186/s13071-024-06524-x

OTHER

• Brindley PJ, Hotez PJ, Kamhawi S. Revisiting What Constitutes a Neglected Tropical Disease? PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(2):e0012794. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012794
• Edgar RCS, Hanna J, Novotná M, et al. SPPIRIT: a network connecting Scottish early-career researchers in parasitology. Trends Parasitol. 2025;41(1):8-12. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2024.11.009
• Hu P. mSphere of Influence: Rapid evolution of pathogenesis and drug resistance in human pathogenic fungi. mSphere. 2025;10(3):e0057024. doi:10.1128/msphere.00570-24
• The Lancet Global Health. Climate change and NTDs: a perfect storm. Lancet Glob Health. 2025;13(2):e172. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00014-2
• Pilotte N, Omballa V, Voss M, et al. Development and validation of a high-throughput qPCR platform for the detection of soil-transmitted helminth infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025;19(1):e0012760. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012760