Udonellids are monopisthocotylan flatworms that occupy a unique epibiotic niche, attaching to parasitic copepods while parasitizing the fish host’s epithelial surface. Despite their broad distribution, species diversity within the genus Udonella Johnston, 1835 remains underexplored, particularly in South African marine environments, where new species discoveries are essential for refining its phylogeny. This study presents the integrative description of Udonella umgibeli n. sp., a new epibiotic monopisthocotylan collected from Caligus tetrodontis Barnard, 1948, parasitizing the evileye blaasop, Amblyrhynchote honckenii (Bloch), off the coast of South Africa. Twelve specimens were recovered from 3 copepods infecting a single fish host. Morphological analyses revealed distinct diagnostic features, including body proportions, haptor size, gonad arrangement and caudal gland configuration, separating the new species from all known congeners. Molecular characterization based on partial 18S and 28S rDNA sequences supported species delimitation, with U. umgibeli n. sp. most closely related to U. australis Carvajal & Sepúlveda, 2002. Although 18S rDNA divergence was low, this is consistent with the marker’s highly conserved nature. This study provides the first molecular characterization of an Udonella species from the southwestern Indian Ocean and the first COI mtDNA sequence for the genus, underscoring the importance of integrative taxonomy for resolving species boundaries in morphologically conservative parasites.

We discuss some of the major cerebral parasites responsible for neglected diseases affecting humanity, especially in low-income countries. The World Health Organization states that cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for over 20% of deaths, especially in paediatric age. In addition to microscopy and molecular techniques, diagnosis can also be made with fundus magnetic resonance imaging and retinal fluorescein angiography, which have recently proven useful for assessing and understanding the clinical status of brain malaria. Currently, the best available treatment is combination therapy with artemisinin derivatives. Experimental drugs that prevent the development of malaria and blood–brain barrier dysfunction will be discussed. Neurocysticercosis is the most common helminthic infection of the central nervous system and a major cause of acquired epilepsy in resource-limited countries. Imported cases are increasing in Europe. Neuroimaging supported by immunodiagnostic tests with purified parasite antigens is the most important diagnostic test. Clinical management includes antiparasitic treatment, antiepileptic drugs, anti-inflammatories and surgery for obstructive hydrocephalus. In cerebral hydatidosis, brain involvement occurs primarily in childhood. Diagnosis is usually made through clinical, laboratory and imaging tests. The opportunistic toxoplasmic encephalitis is due to reactivation and can still be observed in AIDS patients with low access to antiretroviral therapy. Less common cerebral parasitic diseases include schistosomiasis, toxocariasis and amoebiasis, of which primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (Naegleria fowleri) has a very high mortality rate and treatment remains challenging in the absence of new drugs. The modification of existing drugs using nanotechnology offers promising prospects in the development of therapeutic interventions against these parasitic diseases.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on histidine-rich protein (HRP) are widely used for malaria diagnosis. However, false-negative results from these RDTs, due to deletions in the Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) Pfhrp2/3 genes, are an obstacle to malaria control. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of deletions in the Pfhrp2/3 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Mossendjo. Blood samples were collected from patients with signs of uncomplicated malaria at the Integrated Health Center and the Base Hospital in Mossendjo, from January to December 2022. P. falciparum positive samples were selected based on msp1/2 genotyping. These positive samples were used for the screening of Pfhrp2/3 deletions by nested PCR, and negative samples were subsequently run by real-time PCR to confirm deletions in the Pfhrp2/3 genes. Of the 660 P. falciparum positive samples, 600 (90.9%) were positive for Pfhrp2 and Pfhrp3 genes, and 60 (9.1%) remained negative by nested PCR. Following real-time PCR, deletions in the Pfhrp3 gene were confirmed in 12 negative samples. No deletions were observed in the Pfhrp2 gene. Among the 12 Pfhrp3 deleted samples, 83.3% came from adults and 16.7% from children, and 66.7% from women compared to 33.3% from men. This study revealed a low prevalence of deletions in the Pfhrp3 gene and no deletions in the Pfhrp2 gene. Thus, HRP2-based RDTs can still be used reliably in Mossendjo. However, evaluation of their performance and regular monitoring of these genes remain necessary, as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Echinococcosis is a global zoonotic infection caused by larval stages of Echinococcus species. In sub-Saharan Africa, cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus is prevalent, but comprehensive data are limited. This study investigates the role of lions (Panthera leo) as potential hosts for Echinococcus species, particularly E. equinus and E. felidis, in Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Four lion intestinal samples were macroscopically examined. High burdens of Echinococcus spp. worms were observed in 2 lions, a low-level infestation was detected in 1 lion and no parasites were identified in the fourth lion due to advanced decomposition of the sample. PCR analysis identified E. equinus in 2 samples and E. felidis in 1. Morphological and scanning electron microscopy studies provided detailed descriptions of the adult form, confirming the presence of these parasites. The findings underscore the importance of lions in the sylvatic cycle of echinococcosis and suggest potential implications for the epidemiology of the disease in African wildlife ecosystems. This study contributes to the understanding of the transmission dynamics of Echinococcus species in southern Africa.

Schistosoma mansoni is a human-infecting blood fluke responsible for schistosomiasis, the world’s most significant waterborne parasitic disease and a leading cause of morbidity in marginalized communities. Despite mass drug administration campaigns using praziquantel, reinfection rates remain high and long-term control is hampered by limited chemotherapeutic options. The urgent need for an effective vaccine has driven focused research on S. mansoni. This review synthesizes past and present advances in S. mansoni vaccine development, highlighting key biological insights, challenges and emerging vaccine strategies. We discuss the parasite’s complex lifecycle, contemporary vaccine candidates and outline future directions for vaccine research that may ultimately contribute to global schistosomiasis control.

Entamoeba bovis is a common intestinal amoeba of ruminants, yet molecularly confirmed data from Europe remain limited. We investigated the occurrence, morphology and genetic variability of E. bovis in Italian domestic and wild ruminants and developed a rapid species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Faecal samples from calves (n = 45), goats (n = 26), sheep (n = 11) and Italian red deer Cervus elaphus italicus (n = 25) were examined by sediment microscopy and iodine staining. Amoebic stages were detected in 57% of bovine, 61.5% of caprine, 100% of ovine and 56% of red deer samples. Across hosts, cysts were consistently uninucleate and displayed typical E. bovis morphology, including frequent chromatoid bodies and an iodophilic glycogen mass. Representative positives were sequenced at the 18S rRNA locus (∼800 bp), confirming E. bovis (98.6–99.8% identity; 100% query coverage). Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis placed all Italian isolates within the E. bovis clade and indicated a shared lineage across domestic ruminants and red deer, with no segregation by host or ecological setting. A newly designed E. bovis-specific PCR (375 bp) consistently yielded a single amplicon in all sequenced positives, supporting its use for rapid screening without sequencing.

The genus Kalicephalus Molin, 1861 comprises hookworms parasitizing the gastrointestinal tract of reptiles, particularly snakes, and currently includes 34 recognized species worldwide. Despite their diversity, the taxonomy of the genus remains poorly resolved because most species have been described primarily from morphology and molecular data remain limited. During a helminthological survey of monocled cobras (Naja kaouthia) from central Thailand, large hookworms were recovered from the oesophagus that corresponded morphologically to the group traditionally assigned to Occipitodontus but differed from previously described species. Using an integrative taxonomic approach combining light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, morphometric analyses and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, Kalicephalus colossus sp. nov. is described herein. The new species is distinguished by its exceptionally large body size, posteriorly projecting buccal capsule, equal alate spicules, lobate copulatory bursa and oesophageal localization. Multivariate analyses revealed clear sexual dimorphism without evidence of discrete morphotypes. Phylogenetic analyses recovered K. colossus sp. nov. as a distinct lineage within Kalicephalus, with genetic divergences of 1.1–1.4% for 18S rRNA and 12–13% for COI relative to congeners. The parasite was detected in 18% of examined hosts, with infection intensities ranging from 1 to 48 individuals per cobra, and was recorded only from suburban localities surrounding Bangkok. No obvious gross pathological lesions were observed during necropsy. The discovery of K. colossus sp. nov. expands current knowledge of reptile hookworm diversity in Southeast Asia and highlights the importance of integrative taxonomy for resolving parasite biodiversity.