Publications by authors named "Bao Quan Fu"

Natural infection by sp. has been reported in humans and more than 150 species of animals, especially carnivorous and omnivorous mammals. Although the presence of sp.

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  • Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogen that affects warm-blooded vertebrates and can cause serious illness in immunocompromised individuals, but the interactions between its proteins and the host's immune system, especially cGAS-STING signaling, are not well understood.* -
  • The study discovered that the ROP5 protein from the PRU strain enhances cGAS-STING immune responses by interacting with the STING protein and promoting specific post-translational modifications.* -
  • Additionally, ROP5 deficiency in the PRU strain led to weaker immune responses and faster replication in immune cells, highlighting its role in regulating toxoplasmosis and offering potential strategies for prevention and control.*
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  • Taenia multiceps is a neglected parasite important for both veterinary and public health, particularly affecting the brain and subcutaneous tissues of hosts.
  • The study aimed to analyze the global population structure of T. multiceps using gene sequences from NCBI, leading to the identification of 30 haplotypes with notable genetic diversity.
  • Results showed high diversity indices and negative but insignificant neutrality values, with the highest haplotype diversity found in isolates from Saudi Arabia and cattle, suggesting an increasing global population diversity of the parasite.
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  • Toxoplasma gondii relies on an intracellular parasitophorous vacuole (PV) for nutrient acquisition and protein trafficking, which is vital for its survival and growth.
  • The study identifies GRA47 as a key protein that helps maintain the PV's structure and function, impacting parasite growth and virulence, and reveals that it interacts with another protein, GRA72.
  • Experiments showed that manipulating the genes of various GRA proteins affected the PV's morphology and function, suggesting they work together in distinct ways to optimize nutrient uptake, which is critical for the parasite's adaptability in diverse host environments.
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Background: To successfully replicate within the host cell, Toxoplasma gondii employs several mechanisms to overcome the host cell defenses and mitigate the harmful effects of the free radicals resulting from its own metabolic processes using effectors such as thioredoxin proteins. In this study, we characterize the location and functions of a newly identified thioredoxin in T. gondii, which was named Trx4.

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Sexual development in Toxoplasma gondii is a multistep process that culminates in the production of oocysts, constituting approximately 50% of human infections. However, the molecular mechanisms governing sexual commitment in this parasite remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the transcription factors AP2XI-2 and AP2XII-1 act as negative regulators, suppressing merozoite-primed pre-sexual commitment during asexual development.

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Protein phosphatases are post-translational regulators of Toxoplasma gondii proliferation, tachyzoite-bradyzoite differentiation and pathogenesis. Here, we identify the putative protein phosphatase 6 (TgPP6) subunits of T. gondii and elucidate their role in the parasite lytic cycle.

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Pathogenicity of the zoonotic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii largely depends on the secretion of effector proteins into the extracellular milieu and host cell cytosol, including the dense granule proteins (GRAs). The protein-encoding gene TGME49_299780 was previously identified as a contributor to parasite fitness. However, its involvement in parasite growth, virulence and infectivity in vitro and in vivo remains unknown.

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  • Researchers identified sheep as an unusual intermediate host for the Echinococcus multilocularis parasite, which causes alveolar echinococcosis, in Gansu Province, China.
  • The study involved collecting cyst-like samples from sheep and performing genetic analysis to confirm their identity as E. multilocularis, showing high genetic similarity to known sequences.
  • This finding highlights the need for increased monitoring and surveillance of the parasite in the region due to its high zoonotic potential.
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  • Fasciola hepatica is a parasitic worm that causes significant economic losses in livestock, and its genetic variation is studied through mitochondrial DNA analysis.
  • * Researchers analyzed cox1 and nad1 gene sequences from the NCBI GenBank database, revealing 46 and 98 unique haplotypes, respectively, and indicating high genetic diversity.
  • * The results suggest a recent population expansion for F. hepatica, with regional differences in genetic variation, highlighting the importance of understanding its molecular ecology globally.*
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Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by (). The parasite affects a wide range of livestock and wild animals. In this study, the population diversity of the species was investigated based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (b) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (5) genes.

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The larval forms of taeniid cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus are the source of the zoonotic infection known as echinococcosis. Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis are caused by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus (s. s), respectively.

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The identification of additional Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) complex species/genotypes in recent years raises the possibility that there might be more variation among this species in China than is currently understood.

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Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease of livestock having serious economic setbacks. The etiological agents of the disease belong to Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Despite of worldwide distribution of the disease, the molecular studies mainly employ amplification of cox1, nad1 and nad5 genes.

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  • Parasitic infestations, particularly from Paramphistomes, pose a significant threat to the livestock industry in Pakistan, adversely affecting the productivity of domesticated ruminants.
  • This study aimed to fill the gap regarding mitochondrial DNA characterization of Paramphistomes in Pakistan by analyzing samples obtained from small ruminants at an abattoir in Faisalabad, using various molecular and statistical methods.
  • Findings revealed a high prevalence of infection correlated with factors like deworming practices, seasonality, and grazing habits, indicating a need for further research on the distribution and population dynamics of these parasites in livestock.
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Minks and brown rats are reservoir hosts for many endoparasites including those of the genus Trichinella, a group of parasite nematodes with a worldwide distribution. However, little is known about the prevalence of Trichinella sp. infection in the American mink (Neovison vison) and rats (Rattus norvegicus) in China.

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  • Cysticercosis tenuicollis, caused by the larval stage of Taenia hydatigena, poses significant challenges to global livestock production, especially in ruminants.
  • The study aimed to analyze mitochondrial genetic variations in Cysticercus tenuicollis isolates from sheep entering China from Mongolia, using PCR-RFLP and specific mitochondrial genes (nad4 and nad5).
  • Results showed nine mitochondrial subclusters and highlighted that haplogroup A1 was the most prevalent, contributing valuable insights into the molecular epidemiology of T. hydatigena in both China and Mongolia.
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Echinococcosis is a serious public health issue that affects people and livestock all over the world. Many synthetic and natural products have been examined in vitro and in vivo on Echinococcus species but only a few are used clinically, however, they may cause some complications and side effects. To overcome these limitations, new horizons of herbal drugs to cure echinococcosis are opening with every passing day.

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In the present study, a new species of the genus species is described taxonomically in the mitochondrial genomic context. The parasite was found in a plateau zokor captured in a high-altitude area of Xiahe County of Gansu Province, China. The mitochondrial () genome length of this new species was 14,066 bp comprising 36 genes and 2 additional non-coding regions (SNR and LNR), without 8.

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Organ or tissue tropism/preference in many parasites is essential for their establishment, survival and pathogenesis. In protozoan parasites e.g.

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The Cyclophyllidea comprises the most species-rich order of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda) and includes species with some of the most severe health impact on wildlife, livestock, and humans. We collected seven Cyclophyllidea specimens from rodents in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and its surrounding mountain systems, of which four specimens in QTP were unsequenced, representing "putative new species." Their complete mitochondrial () genomes were sequenced and annotated.

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Background: Tapeworm infections are among the tropical neglected parasitic diseases endemically occurring in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims at estimating the pooled prevalence and distribution of Taenia and Echinococcus infections in humans and animals from reports from Ethiopia.

Methods: The systematic search was conducted in four bibliographic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Africa Journal Online and Science Direct).

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Introduction: Cystic echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a neglected zoonosis that affects humans and livestock. This sero-survey was designed for the first time in Pakistan to assess the exposure of butchers to E. granulosus as there was no previous report in the country for this occupational group.

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Taenia hydatigena is a widespread tapeworm of canids (primarily dogs) that causes cysticercosis in ruminants (domestic and wild) and manifests as depression and weakness secondary to various hepatic damages and sometimes mortality in young animals, although, commonly encountered cases are asymptomatic. In most taeniids, genetic polymorphism has been found to impact host preferences, distribution, disease epidemiology and management. Recently, we identified two main mitochondrial lineages of T.

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Hydatigera taeniaeformis formerly referred to as Taenia taeniaeformis is a cestode of cats (definitive hosts) and rodents (intermediate hosts). The prevalence of the metacestode larval stage has been reported in rodents in many parts of the world even though the genetic polymorphisms or intraspecies variation is still understudied. Here, we report a prevalence of 22.

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