Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) of small ruminants is an escalating global threat to livestock health and productivity, one that demands urgent, evidence-based diagnostic strategies. Benzimidazole (BZ) resistance, typically the first to emerge, is now alarmingly prevalent in Haemonchus contortus populations worldwide, including India, where resistant alleles have been documented across a significant proportion of treated flocks. This study evaluated resistance against three major anthelmintic classes i.e. benzimidazoles, macrocyclic lactones, and salicylanilides using multiple Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) formulas, alongside three molecular diagnostic approaches for detecting BZ resistance via β-tubulin isotype 1 genotyping in adult H. contortus worms from sheep and goats. Allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR (RFLP-PCR), and direct sequencing were compared for sensitivity and practical utility in identifying the F200Y resistance mutation. FECRT results revealed widespread multiple anthelmintic resistance, with egg count reductions falling below efficacy thresholds for albendazole, ivermectin, and closantel. Post-treatment larval cultures confirmed H. contortus as the dominant surviving species across all treatments. Molecularly, BZ-resistant alleles were detected in 47% of samples by AS-PCR and 48% by RFLP-PCR. Critically, RFLP-PCR and direct sequencing both identified heterozygous resistant genotypes that AS-PCR missed, demonstrating superior sensitivity for detecting mixed-resistance populations. These findings make a compelling case for integrating RFLP-PCR into routine resistance surveillance, offering a reliable, cost-effective, and technically accessible complement to FECRT, particularly in resource-limited settings where sequencing infrastructure remains out of reach.

A Japanese man in his 50s who had lived in high-altitude rural areas, including the Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province and western Sichuan Province in China, Mongolia, and northern India, for more than 25 years presented with abdominal distension. Imaging studies revealed a cystic lesion in the left hepatic lobe with a 15-cm diameter and water lily sign consistent with cystic echinococcosis (CE) stage CE3a according to the World Health Organization Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis classification. Serum Western blotting detected antigen bands (7 kDa and 17 kDa), thus supporting the diagnosis of CE. Laparoscopic left hepatectomy was performed after initiation of albendazole therapy. Histopathological findings were compatible with a hydatid cyst. An analysis of mitochondrial genes extracted from cyst wall tissue identified Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto genotype G3, thus confirming the diagnosis of CE. This case highlights the importance of integrating a detailed travel history, imaging studies, serological testing, and molecular analysis when diagnosing imported CE in nonendemic countries such as Japan.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of combining albendazole with gold and silver nanoparticles on the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, specifically the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, in BALB/c mice with hydatidosis. Sixty healthy female BALB/c mice (6-8 weeks old, 25-35 g) were infected with 1,500 live Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces and sorted into six groups: albendazole (200 mg/kg), nanosilver (25 mg/kg), ABZ-loaded silver nanoparticles (100 mg/kg), nanogold (25 mg/kg), ABZ-loaded gold nanoparticles (100 mg/kg), and a control group (not treated). After a five-month incubation and 12-week treatment, IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were measured in sera from euthanized mice. Analysis showed that the silver nanoparticles and ABZ-loaded silver nanoparticles groups had significantly higher IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios than controls (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the albendazole-only and gold nanoparticles groups. The study indicates that the use of albendazole loaded onto silver nanoparticles appears to exert the most pronounced effect on the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, driving the Th0 response toward a state that diminishes parasite survival. This immunological shift potentiates the Th1 subset, thereby further activating innate and adaptive immune responses against the parasite.

Trichinellosis, caused by Trichinella spiralis, remains an important foodborne zoonosis. Current benzimidazoles such as Albendazole mainly target intestinal stages and show limited efficacy against migratory and encysted larvae, highlighting the need for alternative therapies. This study evaluated the This study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of methanolic Deverra triradiata stem extract (DTSE) against adult T. spiralis worms, together with its antibacterial potential using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling, network pharmacology, molecular docking, ADMET prediction, and in vitro bioassays. GC-MS analysis identified furanocoumarins and related phytochemicals among the annotated constituents. Network pharmacology analysis using STITCH suggested a polypharmacological profile involving cytochrome P450, β-tubulin, thymidylate synthase, and cathepsin L. Molecular docking identified isolated prenyloxy furanocoumarins, considered as pure compounds, as promising lead scaffolds with favorable predicted target engagement across multiple parasite-associated proteins. These computational findings should be interpreted as a compound-level lead-prioritization framework rather than evidence that crude DTSE is intrinsically more potent than albendazole. ADMET predictions revealed significant CYP3A4 interaction liabilities, elevated DILI probabilities, and moderate mutagenicity risks; however, lead optimization and experimental safety validation would be required before preclinical development. In vitro assays demonstrated that DTSE exhibited dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic activity against adult T. spiralis, achieving 100% mortality within 24-48 h at higher concentrations and reduced LD50 over time. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed structural damage in treated worms. Overall, DTSE-derived furanocoumarins represented T. spiralis adult-stage anthelmintic with exploratory antibacterial activities. Additionally, DTSE-derived furanocoumarins represent exploratory lead scaffolds that warrant isolation, target validation, pharmacological characterization, and safety optimization before further development.

Echinococcosis in pregnancy represents a complex clinical condition in terms of diagnosis and treatment with potential risk to both maternal and fetal health. There are limited clinical data on the nature and consequences of echinococcosis during pregnancy. This systematic review summarizes the current evidence on the clinical presentation, management, complications, and outcomes of echinococcosis during pregnancy. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases from 1990 to 2025 were queried. Sixty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria, and a total of 120 pregnant patients with echinococcosis were studied, of whom 118 were diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis (CE) and 2 were diagnoses with alveolar echinococcosis. Among patients with CE, the mean maternal age was 28 years old, and the liver was the most commonly affected organ (69%). Successful delivery of healthy infants was reported in 73% of the CE patients. Embryonic/fetal death was reported in 18% of cases, whereas preterm delivery was reported in 28% of pregnancies with available delivery data. The most common management strategy during pregnancy was the watch-and-wait approach (50%) followed by surgery (18%), percutaneous interventions (12%), albendazole therapy (9%), combined surgery and benzimidazole therapy (8%), and percutaneous interventions combined with albendazole (2%). Given the potential for serious maternal and fetal complications in pregnancy and the paucity of high-quality evidence in this area, there is a clear need for further well-designed clinical studies to improve our understanding of diagnostic approaches, clinical management, therapeutic strategies, and maternal and fetal long-term outcomes.

Cystic echinococcus (CE) is an important health problem affecting societies living especially in rural areas. Our patient was a 64-year-old male who received PAIR treatment and albendazole treatment for CE at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey between 2022 and 2025. The patient was first operated on for lung cancer. After treatment, the patient continues to live asymptomatically in the 36-month follow-up. We observed and followed up that the paxlitaxel and carboplatin treatments received by our patient caused regression in the CE lesions. We think that the effectiveness of this situation should be evaluated first with experimental studies.

We present a case of a 31-year-old rural Iranian man with no prior medical history who developed sudden-onset dyspnea, generalized urticaria, and hypotension. Based on clinical findings and unstable vital signs, anaphylactic shock was suspected and immediate treatment with oxygen, intravenous fluids, and intramuscular epinephrine was initiated. Following stabilization, a spiral chest CT scan revealed a large hydatid cyst with lower lobe collapse, inner membrane detachment near the pericardium, pericardial effusion, and hydropneumothorax. The patient was referred for thoracic surgery, which was successfully performed. He was discharged in stable condition with albendazole therapy and follow-up. Although rare, anaphylactic shock due to hydatid cyst rupture should be considered in endemic regions. In the emergency setting, prompt differentiation from other acute conditions such as asthma, angioedema, or pulmonary embolism is essential to avoid delays in life-saving interventions. Prompt administration of epinephrine and surgical management are essential for favorable outcomes.

Belitung district, Indonesia, is endemic for lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by zoophilic Brugia malayi. The district received 5 rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) with diethycarbamazine and albendazole (DA) between 2006 and 2010 and passed three transmission assessment surveys (TAS). Post-TAS-3 surveillance in 2021 revealed a prevalence of microfilariae (Mf) of 2.1%. This led to district-wide resumption of MDA with co-administered ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole (IDA). The impact of two rounds of IDA MDA was assessed using a modified IDA Impact Survey design. At baseline survey in 2022, we tested 5,161 adults in 30 clusters drawn from 26 villages. The overall Mf prevalence was 1.57% (95% CI 1.25 - 1.95), although Mf-positive individuals were only detected in 16 villages. Based on geospatial predictions, follow-up surveys were conducted in 12 villages including 1 village that was previously not chosen in the baseline randomization. Further analysis focused on the 11 villages that were surveyed three times. The overall Mf prevalence in adults at the baseline was 2.51% (95% CI 1.99 - 3.14). Prevalence of Mf carriers after one and two rounds of MDA was significantly decreased compared to the baseline (0.86% (95% CI 0.59 - 1.21) and 1.10% (95% CI 0.78 - 1.49)) respectively. Follow-up surveys showed that IDA was effective for clearing Mf, and more than 90% of the individuals in the follow-up surveys reported consumption of at least one IDA treatment. However, we detected new Mf-positive individuals during each of the follow-up surveys. In this setting, two rounds of IDA were insufficient to eliminate B. malayi. Areas with zoophilic B. malayi may need to be designated by WHO as special intervention zones for LF elimination that require additional MDA and more intense post MDA surveillances.

Loiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the filarial nematode Loa loa, endemic to Central and West Africa. Its occurrence in non-endemic regions such as Morocco is rare and may pose a diagnostic challenge. We report the case of a Moroccan patient presenting with an intermittent sensation of a mobile foreign body in the eye, associated with redness and photophobia. The patient reported no recent travel to endemic regions but had close contact with individuals originating from Cameroon, a loiasis-endemic area, raising questions regarding possible indirect or remote exposure. Following several consultations, spontaneous exteriorization of a subconjunctival worm was observed. The diagnosis was supported by clinical observation of the subconjunctival worm, blood parasitological testing demonstrating microfilaremia, and the presence of Calabar swellings. The patient was treated with ivermectin followed by albendazole, resulting in complete clinical recovery without recurrence during follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering loiasis in the differential diagnosis of atypical ocular symptoms, even in non-endemic settings, and underscores the value of multidisciplinary collaboration for timely diagnosis and appropriate management.

Capillaria philippinensis (recently renamed Paracapillaria philippinensis [P. philippinensis]) is a nematode infection endemic to Southeast Asia and Egypt and is rarely reported in India. This disease can be fatal if it is not diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Four cases of P. philippinensis infection identified over a decade from a single center in India are reported. All patients presented with diarrhea and reported symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and pedal edema, suggesting malabsorption. Hypoalbuminemia was noted in three patients. In all cases, the diagnosis was confirmed via the detection of P. philippinensis ova during stool examination. Three patients responded well to albendazole; mebendazole was prescribed to the other patient, who was subsequently lost to follow-up. In the present report, the authors suggest considering Paracapillaria infection as a differential diagnosis for chronic diarrhea with an unclear etiology and aim to raise awareness among healthcare providers working in regions where Paracapillaria infections are infrequently reported.