Research Project: Detection and Characterization of Zoonotic and Emerging Parasites Affecting Food Safety and Public Health

Location: Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Blastocystis occurrence and subtype diversity in European wild boar (Sus scrofa) from the Iberian Peninsula - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Establishing the performance of next generation amplicon sequencing for detection of Giardia duodenalis in ready-to-eat packaged leafy greens - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Nichols, H., Santin, M., Maloney, J.G. 2024. Establishing the performance of next generation amplicon sequencing for detection of Giardia duodenalis in ready-to-eat packaged leafy greens. Journal of Food Protection. 87(10): P100355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100355.

Zoonotic intestinal protists: A cross-sectional survey of non-human primates and caregivers in zoos - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Šejnohová, A., Koutenská, M., Jirku, M., Brožová, K., Pavlícková, Z., Kadlecová, O., Cinek, O., Maloney, J.G., Santin, M., Petrželková, K.J., Jirku, K. 2024. Zoonotic intestinal protists: A cross-sectional survey of non-human primates and caregivers in zoos. One Health. 19. Article e100862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100862.

Molecular identification of zoonotic Microsporidia in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Avalos, G., Caballero-Gomez, J., Matas-Mendez, P., Castro-Scholten, S., Jimenez-Martin, D., Köster, P.C., Santin, M., Bailo, B., Cano-Terriza, D., González-Barrio, D., Mateo, M., García-Bocanegera, I., Dashti, A., Najera, F., Carmena, D. 2024. Molecular identification of zoonotic Microsporidia in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Medical Mycology. 62(4): Article emyae027. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myae027.

Molecular detection and characterization of Blastocystis in herbivore livestock species in Portugal - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Figueiredo, A.M., Santin, M., Köster, P.C., Dahsti, A., Maloney, J.G., Torres, R.T., Fonseca, C., Mysterud, A., Carvalho, J., Hipólito, D., Rossa, M., Palmeira, J.D., González-Barrio, D. 2024. Molecular detection and characterization of Blastocystis in herbivore livestock species in Portugal. International Journal for Parasitology. 327: Article e110147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110147.

The first Cyclospora cayetanensis lineage A genome from an isolate from Mexico - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Santin, M., Molokin, A., Orozco-Mosqueda, G.E., Almeria, S., Maloney, J.G. 2024. The first Cyclospora cayetanensis lineage A genome from an isolate from Mexico. Veterinary Parasitology. 25: Article e246. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10163-y.

Widespread distribution of human-infective Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in small rodents in northeast China and phylogeny and zoonotic implications revisited - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jiang, S., Yu, S., Feng, Y., Zhnag, L., Santin, M., Xiao, L., Li, W. 2024. Widespread distribution of human-infective Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in small rodents in northeast China and phylogeny and zoonotic implications revisited. ACTA TROPICA. 253: Article e107160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107160.

Editorial for the Special Issue: Cyclospora cayetanensis and cyclosporiasis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Almeria, S., Santin, M. 2024. Editorial for the Special Issue: Cyclospora cayetanensis and cyclosporiasis. Microorganisms. 12(2): Article e281. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020281.

First report of Enterocytozoon bieneusi after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in a pediatric patient from Argentina - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mena, C.J., Pérez Garófalo, M., Perazzo, J., Epelbaum, C., Castro, G., Sicilia, P., Barnes, A., Guasconi, L., Burstein, V.L., Beccacece, I., Almeida, M.A., Cervi, L., Santin, M., Chiapello, L.S. 2024. First report of Enterocytozoon bieneusi after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in a pediatric patient from Argentina. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 30(3): 613-616. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3003.231580.

Identification and molecular characterization of four new Blastocystis subtypes designated ST35-ST38 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Maloney, J.G., Molokin, A., Seguí, R., Maravilla, P., Martínez-Hernández, F., Villalobos, G., Tsaousis, A.D., Gentekaki, E., Carmena, D., Santin, M., Muñoz-Antolií, C., Klisiowicz, D.R., Oishi, C.Y., Toledo, R. 2023. Identification and molecular characterization of four new Blastocystis subtypes designated ST35-ST38. Microorganisms. 11:43. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11010046.

Iberian wild leporidae as hosts of zoonotic enteroparasites in Mediterranean ecosystems of Southern Spain - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rego, L., Castro-Scholten, S., Cano, C., Jimenez-Martin, D., Koster, P.C., Caballero-Gomez, J., Bailo, B., Dashti, A., Hernanadez-Castro, C., Cano-Terriza, D., Vioque, F., Maloney, J.G., Santin, M. 2023. Iberian wild leporidae as hosts of zoonotic enteroparasites in Mediterranean ecosystems of Southern Spain. Zoonoses and Public Health. 70(3):223-237. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.13018.

Cyclospora cayetanensis: A perspective (2020–2023) with em-phasis on epidemiology and detection methods - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Almeria, S., Chacin-Bonilla, L., Maloney, J.G., Santin, M. 2023. Cyclospora cayetanensis: A perspective (2020–2023) with em-phasis on epidemiology and detection methods. Microorganisms. 11(9):2171. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092171.

Division of Blastocystis ST10 into three new subtypes: ST42-ST44 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Santin, M., Figueiredo, A., Molokin, A., George, N.S., Koster, P.C., Dahsti, A., Gonzalez-Barri, D., Carmena, D., Maloney, J.G. 2023. Division of Blastocystis ST10 into three new subtypes: ST42-ST44. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 71(1): e12998. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeu.12998.

Cryptosporidium mortiferum n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae), the species causing lethal cryptosporidiosis in Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tumova, L., Jezkova, J., Prediger, J., Holubova, N., Sak, B., Konecny, R., Kvetonova, D., Hlaskova, L., Rost, M., Mcevoy, J., Xiao, L., Santin, M., Kvac, M. 2023. Cryptosporidium mortiferum n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae), the species causing lethal cryptosporidiosis in Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Microorganisms. 16(1):235. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05844-8.

Identification and validation of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hernández-Castro, C., Maloney, J.G., Agudelo-López, S.P., Toro-Londoño, M.A., Botero-Garcés, J.H., Orozco, M.C., Quintero-Quinchia, Y.C., Correa-Cote, J.C., Múnera-Duque, A., Ricaurte-Ciro, J.C., Londoño-Álvarez, L.I., Escobar, R.M., Köster, P.C., Carmena, D., Santin, M. 2023. Identification and validation of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 70. Aricle e12978. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeu.12978.

Molecular characterization of Blastocystis and Entamoeba of muskoxen and sheep in Greenland - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stensvold, C.R., Berg, R.P., Maloney, J.G., Molokin, A., Santin, M. 2023. Molecular characterization of Blastocystis and Entamoeba of muskoxen and sheep in Greenland. International Journal for Parasitology. 53(11-12):673-685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.05.005 .

A longitudinal study of Blastocystis in dairy calves from birth through 24 months demonstrates dynamic shifts in infection rates and subtype prevalence and diversity by age - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Santin, M., Molokin, A., Maloney, J.G. 2023. A longitudinal study of Blastocystis in dairy calves from birth through 24 months demonstrates dynamic shifts in infection rates and subtype prevalence and diversity by age. Parasites & Vectors. 16(1):177. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05795-0.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites among schoolchildren in rural Ecuador, with emphasis on the molecular diversity of Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tapia-Veloz, E., Gozalbo, M., Guillen, M., Dashti, A., Bailo, B., Koster, P.C., Santin, M., Carmena, D., Trelis, M. 2023. Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites among schoolchildren in rural Ecuador, with emphasis on the molecular diversity of Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 17(5). Article e0011339. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011339.

Exploring Blastocystis genetic diversity in rural schoolchildren from Colombia using next-generation amplicon sequencing reveals signifcant associations between contact with animals and infection risk - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hernández, P.C., Maloney, J.G., Molokin, A., George, N.S., Morales, L., Chaparro-Olaya, J., Santin, M. 2023. Exploring Blastocystis genetic diversity in rural schoolchildren from Colombia using next-generation amplicon sequencing reveals signifcant associations between contact with animals and infection risk. Parasitology Research. 122(7):1451-1462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-023-07841-3.

Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in developed countries: Potential endemic foci - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chacin-Bonilla, L., Santin, M. 2023. Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in developed countries: Potential endemic foci. Microorganisms. 11(3):540. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030540.

Occurrence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in wild and domestic animal species in Portugal - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Figueiredo, A.M., Dahsti, A., Santin, M., Koster, P.C., Torres, R.T., Fonseca, C., Mysterud, A., Carvalho, J., Sarmento, P., Neves, N., Hipólito, D., Palmeira, J.D., Teixeira, D., Lima, C. 2023. Occurrence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in wild and domestic animal species in Portugal. Medical Mycology. 6(12). Article myad018. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myad018.

Co-infection by Cryptosporidium meleagridis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in an HIV+ Colombian patient - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hernández-Castro, C., Martínez-Rosado, L.L., Dashti, A., Köster, P.C., Bailo, B., Orozco, M.C., Santin, M., González-Barrio, D., Carmena, D. 2023. Co-infection by Cryptosporidium meleagridis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in an HIV+ Colombian patient. Parasitologia. 3:48-52. https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia3010006.

Zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dashti, A., Santin, M., Koster, P.C., Ballo, B., Ortega, S., Imana, E., Habela, M.A., Rivero-Juarez, A., Vicente, J., We&H, G., Arnal, M.C., Morrondo, P., Armenteros, J.A., Balseiro, A., Cardona, G.A., Martinez, C., Ortiz, J.A., Calero-Bernal, R., Gonzalez-Barrio, D., Carmena, D. 2022. Zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain. Medical Mycology. 60(9). Article myac070. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac070.

Diversity of Blastocystis subtypes in horses in Colombia and identification of two new subtypes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Baek, S., Maloney, J.G., Molokin, A., George, N.S., Cortes Vecino, J.A., Santin, M. 2022. Diversity of Blastocystis subtypes in horses in Colombia and identification of two new subtypes. Microorganisms. 10:1693. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10091693.

Sympatric recombination in zoonotic Cryptosporidium leads to emergence of populations with modified host preference - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, T., Guo, Y., Roelling, D.M., Li, N., Santin, M., Lombard, J., Kvac, M., Naguib, D., Zhang, Z., Feng, Y., Xiao, L. 2022. Sympatric recombination in zoonotic Cryptosporidium leads to emergence of populations with modified host preference. Nature Microbiology. 39(7). Article e150msac150. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msac150.

Wild micromammal host spectrum of zoonotic eukaryotic parasites in Spain. Occurrence and genetic characterization - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Vioque, F., Dashti, A., Santin, M., Ruiz-Fons, F., Koster, P.C., Hernandez-Castro, C., Garcia, J.T., Bailo, B., Ortega, S., Olea, P., Arce, F., Chicharro, C., Nieto, J., Gonzalez, F., Vinuela, J., Carmena, D., Barrios, D. 2022. Wild micromammal host spectrum of zoonotic eukaryotic parasites in Spain. Occurrence and genetic characterization. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.14643.

Enhanced detection of Giardia duodenalis mixed assemblage infections in pre-weaned dairy calves using next generation sequencing - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hublin, J.S., Maloney, J.G., George, N.S., Molokin, A., Lombard, J.E., Urie, N.J., Shivley, C., Santin, M. 2022. Enhanced detection of Giardia duodenalis mixed assemblage infections in pre-weaned dairy calves using next generation sequencing. Veterinary Parasitology. 304:109702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109702.

A hybrid sequencing and assembly strategy for generating culture free Giardia genomes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Maloney, J.G., Molokin, A., Solano Aguilar, G., Dubey, J.P., Santin, M. 2022. A hybrid sequencing and assembly strategy for generating culture free Giardia genomes. Current Research in Microbial Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2022.100114.

Diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs ( Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part II: Association with Hepatitis E virus susceptibility - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rivero-Juarez, A., Dashti, A., Santin, M., Köster, P.C., Lopez-Lopez, P., Risalde, M.A., Garcia-Bocanegra, I., Gomez-Villamandos, J., Caballero-Gomez, J., Frias, M., Ballo, B., Ortega, S., Muadica, A.S., Calero-Bernal, R., Gonzalez-Barrio, D., Rivero, A., Briz, V., Carmena, D. 2021. Diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part II: Association with Hepatitis E virus susceptibility. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.14408.

Diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part I: Prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dashti, A., Rivero-Juarez, A., Santin, M., George, N.S., Köster, P.C., Lopez-Lopez, P., Rosalde, M.A., Garcia-Bocanegra, I., Gomez-Villamandos, J., Caballero-Gomez, J., Frias, M., Bailo, B., Ortega, S., Maudica, A.A., Calero-Bernal, R., Gonzalez-Barrio, D., Rivero, A., Briz, V., Carmena, D. 2021. Diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part I: Prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.14388.

Molecular detection and characterization of Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cattle in Northern Spain - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abarca, N., Santin, M., Maloney, J.G., George, N.S., Molokin, A., Cardona, G., Sashti, A., Köster, P., Bailo, B., Hernández-De-Mingo, M., Muadica, A.S., Calero-Bernal, R., Carmena, D. 2021. Molecular detection and characterization of Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cattle in Northern Spain. Veterinary Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8090191.

Identification of multiple Blastocystis subtypes in domestic animals from Colombia using amplicon-based next generation sequencing - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Higuera, A., Herrera, G., Jimenez, P., Garcia, D.J., Pulido, M., Bulla, D.M., Pinilla, J.C., Moreno, A., Maloney, J.G., Santin, M., Ramirez, J.D. 2021. Identification of multiple Blastocystis subtypes in domestic animals from Colombia using amplicon-based next generation sequencing. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.732129.

Wide genetic diversity of Blastocystis in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Maryland, USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Maloney, J.G., Jang, Y., Molokin, A., George, N.S., Santin, M. 2021. Wide genetic diversity of Blastocystis in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Maryland, USA. Microorganisms. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9061343.

Mind the gap: new full-length sequences of Blastocystis subtypes generated via Oxford Nanopore Minion sequencing allow for comparisons between full-length and partial sequences of the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Maloney, J.G., Santin, M. 2021. Mind the gap: new full-length sequences of Blastocystis subtypes generated via Oxford Nanopore Minion sequencing allow for comparisons between full-length and partial sequences of the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene. Microorganisms. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9050997.

Next-generation sequencing reveals wide genetic diversity of Blastocystis subtypes in chickens including potentially zoonotic subtypes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Maloney, J.G., Da Cunha, M.J., Molokin, A., Cury, M.C., Santin, M. 2021. Next-generation sequencing reveals wide genetic diversity of Blastocystis subtypes in chickens including potentially zoonotic subtypes. Parasitology Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07170-3.

Occurrence and genetic diversity of protist parasites in captive non-human primates, zookeepers, and free-living sympatric rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, southern Spain - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Koster, P., Dashti, A., Bailo, B., Muadica, A.S., Maloney, J.G., Santin, M., Chicharro, C., Miguelanez, S., Nieto, F.J., Cano-Terriza, D., Garcia-Bocanegra, I., Guerra, R., Ponce-Gordo, F., Calero-Bernal, R. 2021. Occurrence and genetic diversity of protist parasites in captive non-human primates, zookeepers, and free-living sympatric rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, southern Spain. Animals. 11(3):700. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030700.