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A new microsporidian Toguebayea baccigeri n. gen., n. sp., hyperparasite of Bacciger israelensis (Digenea, Faustulidae), parasite of Boops boops (Teleostei, Sparidae) is described by means of transmission electron microscopy. The phylogenetic analysis, based on the SSU rDNA gene, places the new species in the clade containing mainly crustacean-infecting microsporidia of the genus Cucumispora, within superclade V (Marinosporidia) sensu Vossbrinck et al., 2014. Mature spores of T. baccigeri are ovoid, uninucleated and measure 2.5 × 1.4 μm. The number of coils of the polar tube is 8-10. The polaroplast is composed of an external lamellar part and an internal vesicular or granular part. The main differences that distinguish the new genus and new species from the closely related microsporidia include hyperparasitism in a digenean host infecting a marine fish, the geographic distribution (coast of Tunisia), presence of one nucleus at all developmental stages, disporoblastic sporogony, and the absence of sporophorous vacuoles., (© J. Miquel et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2022.)

Simple Summary: It is well known that mammals can harbor various pathogens that can affect humans (known as zoonotic pathogens) including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Microsporidia are a group of pathogens related to fungi and parasites of several animals that can cause diarrhea or systemic infection in humans. Due to the limited knowledge about microsporidia infection in hedgehogs worldwide, this study aimed to analyze the presence and identity of microsporidia in a group of North African hedgehogs from the Canary Islands (Spain). Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, two zoonotic species of microsporidia, were identified. These results suggest that microsporidia species with zoonotic risk circulate in the archipelago. Microsporidia are unicellular eukaryotic obligate intracellular parasites with a wide range of hosts reported worldwide; however, little is known about the epidemiological data on microsporidia infection in animals from the Canary Islands. Since data on microsporidia infection in hedgehog species are scarce, the aim of this study was to analyze the presence and identity of microsporidia in a group of North African hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus) using microscopic and molecular methods. From December 2020 to September 2021, a total of 36 fecal samples were collected from naturally deceased hedgehogs from Tenerife and Gran Canaria. All samples showed spore-compatible structures (100%; 36/36) under microscopic analysis, of which 61.1% (22/36) were amplified via the nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and the partial sequence of the 5.8S rRNA gene. After Sanger sequencing and ITS analysis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 47.2% (17/36) of the samples, identifying two novel genotypes (AAE1 and AAE2), followed by the detection of an undetermined species in 8.3% (3/36) and Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype I in 5.6% (2/36) of the samples. This study constitutes the first report of microsporidia species in Atelerix algirus worldwide, highlighting the high prevalence of zoonotic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Anisakidae is a family in the phylum Nematode, which is probably the most prevalent family of parasites found in marine mammals. These nematodes are colonizers of the digestive system of marine vertebrates that use different crustaceans and fish species as intermediate or paratenic hosts and humans as accidental hosts. Human anisakidosis, an infection caused by some species of the family Anisakidae, occurs when shellfish, particularly fish, contaminated with the infectious stage (third-stage larvae [L3]) of this parasite are consumed raw or undercooked. Data on the species of Anisakis found in fish in the waters of the Canary Islands and epidemiological data in general from this archipelago on this parasitic nematode are scarce, so the aim of this study was to provide these data on fish with an interest in consumption in the Canary Archipelago. Five species of Anisakis were identified, of which two have health relevance to humans. These findings are valuable for the safe consumption of fish by the population and for the knowledge of health authorities when it comes to a better diagnosis in hospitals and for future epidemiological and biomedical research. The study aimed to perform the molecular identification of Anisakis larvae in commercial fish from the coast of the Canary Islands and to provide data on their infection level for the host and the species of this nematode parasite that we could find in several species of commercial interest in the Canary Archipelago. Fish specimens (n = 172) from the Canary coasts were examined for parasites. In total, 495 larvae were identified; PCR was carried out for the entire ITS rDNA and cox2 mtDNA region, obtaining sixteen sequences for the entire ITS rDNA region and fifteen for the cox2 mtDNA, this being the first contribution of nucleotide sequences of Anisakis species of fish caught from the Canary Islands. An overall prevalence of 25% was obtained in the fish analyzed, and five species of Anisakis were identified, these being Anisakis simplex (s.s.), Anisakis pegreffii, Anisakis physeteris, Anisakis nascettii and Anisakis typica and the hybrid Anisakis simplex x Anisakis pegreffii. The results obtained in this study have relevance for public health, since the pathology will depend on the species of Anisakis, so it is important to know the health status of fish in the waters of the Canary Islands to assure a safer consumption and take adequate measures, in addition to the provision of epidemiological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous efforts to date have been implemented in the control of avian coccidiosis caused by the Eimeria parasite. Since the appearance of anticoccidial chemical compounds, the search for new alternatives continues. Today, no product is available to cope with the disease; however, the number of products commercially available is constantly increasing. In this review, we focus on natural products and their anticoccidial activity. This group comprises fatty acids, antioxidants, fungal and herbal extracts, and immune response modulators with proven anticoccidial activity, many of which exist as dietary supplements. Additionally, we offer an overview of the poultry industry and the economic cost of coccidiosis as well as the classical strategies used to control the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]