Evidence: Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) clinical cases
Source: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01. Queries covered clinical case reports and case series for Meriones unguiculatus. The cluster returns 12 representative clinical cases with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each case is traceable by PMID.
Studies
- PMID 41541648 (2026, International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife) — <i>Hydatigera krepkogorski</i> from Asiatic wild cat (<i>Felis silvestris</i> ornata) in Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, northwestern China: a case report.. Abstract (opening): To date, there has been no report on <i>Hydatigera</i> species (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) in Asiatic wild cat (<i>Felis silvestris ornata</i>). In this study, we reported a case: a total of 99 tapeworms were found in a nature-killed Asiatic wild cat in Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR, northwestern China). Based on morphological characteristics and two genetic markers, the cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase subunit I (cox1) and <i>16S</i> rDNA genes, ten representative tapeworms were identified as <i>Hydatigera krepkogorski</i>. Furthermore, phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that the tapeworms in an Asiatic wild cat was the closest to H. krepkogorski in wild rodents in Turpan region, XUAR. This work firstly describes H. <i>krepkogorski</i> in the Asiatic wild cat.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41541648/
- PMID 42121721 (2026, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — Tiletamine-Zolazepam Use in Exotic Pets and Wildlife Anesthesia: A Narrative Review Towards Practical Guidelines.. Abstract (opening): This narrative review examines the clinical application of tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) in exotic pet and wildlife anesthesia, addressing the complexities inherent in managing a broad taxonomic spectrum with diverse physiological profiles and temperaments. As a fixed-dose combination, TZ is a cornerstone of multimodal protocols designed to achieve balanced anesthesia. Its lyophilized formulation permits reconstitution with various sedative solutions, facilitating low-volume administration, a critical requirement for the immobilization of wildlife and small exotic patients. Given the significant variability in species-specific responses and environmental influences, selecting and adapting appropriate TZ-based protocols remain a challenge for practitioners. By synthesizing heterogeneous data into expert-validated guidance, this review provides specialized and general veterinarians with practical considerations for the judicious use of TZ. Emphasis is placed on integrating TZ within multimodal protocols to mitigate arousal risks, ensure consistent immobilization, and facilitate rapid recovery. This approach seeks to optimize anesthetic outcomes and promote animal welfare across these physiologically diverse populations.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42121721/
- PMID 42180791 (2026, Infectious medicine) — Hepatitis E virus and renal injury: A review of pathogenesis, pathology, and clinical management.. Abstract (opening): Hepatitis E virus (HEV), particularly <i>Orthohepevirus</i> A genotypes 1-4, is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis, with genotypes 3 and 4 also recognized as important zoonotic pathogens and increasingly associated with extrahepatic renal manifestations, which have emerged as a critical clinical challenge. Despite the growing body of case reports, a comprehensive synthesis of the biological mechanisms and standardized management for HEV-related kidney disease is still lacking. Biologically, HEV demonstrates distinct renal tropism, capable of completing its replication cycle within renal tubular epithelial cells and excreting infectious virions via urine. This review systematically explores the relationship between HEV and renal impairment, detailing the diverse renal pathologies ranging from acute kidney injury to immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, such as IgA nephropathy, which manifests with greater frequency and severity in immunocompromised individuals. The underlying mechanisms are multifaceted, primarily involving the deposition of immune complexes containing the HEV open reading frame 2 capsid protein and host antibodies, which activate complement and drive glomerular injury, as well as potential direct cytopathic effects. Consequently, this article summarizes current clinical management, centering on antiviral therapy with ribavirin and the careful modulation of immunosuppressive regimens to provide a theoretical framework for clinicians.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42180791/
- PMID 42166495 (2026, PLoS neglected tropical diseases) — Zoonotic leishmaniasis in China: Current status and challenges to elimination.. Abstract (opening): Leishmaniasis is expanding worldwide along with sand fly vectors. In China, particular challenges arise from its broad climatic and ecological gradients, the diversity of phlebotomine sand fly species, and numerous potential mammalian and reptilian hosts. Two ecological types of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are recognized: anthroponotic VL (AVL) caused by Leishmania donovani and zoonotic VL (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum, which is subdivided into mountain-type (MT-ZVL) where dogs are the main reservoir, and desert-type (DT-ZVL) with uncertain reservoirs. Over the last decade, VL has re-emerged in central and northern regions of China, with increasing MT-ZVL notifications and evidence of canine infections in geographical areas where transmission had not previously been reported. This review synthesizes three decades of literature on canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and its vectors in China, focusing on domestic and wild reservoirs in the maintenance of zoonotic VL. Molecular studies reveal substantial genetic heterogeneity within the L. donovani complex and frequent discordance between single-locus markers (e.g., ITS1, cytb) and higher-resolution approaches (MLST/MLMT). Leishmania infection in dogs is most common in western foci, with high detection rates ranging from 24.8% to 77.2%, especially in Gansu and Sichuan Provinces, where subclinical infections predominate. Also, evidence of co-circulating unclassified Leishmania lineages related to Sauroleishmania complicates diagnosis and surveillance. Vector ecology, including the endophilic/exophilic behavior of Phlebotomus chinensis and the role of P. sichuanensis at high altitudes, overlaps with environmental change, dog management, and increasing stray dog populations, thereby amplifying transmission risk. Based on available data, dog culling is ineffective for long-term control of CanL due to poor diagnostics, rapid replacement of culled dogs, and ecological complexity. Conversely, vector control and bite prevention, using topical pyrethroid repellents (collars, spot-on pipettes) and possibly oral isoxazolines, should be implemented in dogs as control measures after appropriate field evaluation. Key gaps include insufficient canine surveillance and validation of diagnostic tools, as well as incomplete characterization of wildlife reservoirs. Strengthened One Health surveillance, integrating genomics, vector studies, and reservoir investigations, is essential to guide targeted control and predict future spread.<h4>Methods</h4>The PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were searched from 1950 to 2025 for peer-reviewed publications reporting the genetic diversity of Leishmania species, the epidemiology and prevalence of zoonotic VL and CanL, and trends in their spatial and temporal distribution in China for this narrative review. Three search strings were employed in these databases to; (1) identify reservoir host and sand fly vectors for leishmaniasis in China, (2) identify the epidemiology (risk factors, re-emergence, trends) and control and prevention of leishmaniasis in China, (3) identify the diversity of Leishmania species in China. The protocols for database searches are provided in the Supporting Information. The China National Knowledge Infrastructure database was additionally searched to obtain Leishmania prevalence data in animals. Data were extracted from articles published in English and Chinese. After removal of duplicates, abstracts of 865 articles were screened for relevance, from which 279 full-text articles were reviewed to extract relevant information. Articles were included for final review (n = 129) if they contained data on molecular and/or serological Leishmania infection-rate data in dogs, the genetic diversity of Leishmania species in China, computational trends in VL, reservoir hosts for Leishmania species and, sand fly vectors in China.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42166495/
- PMID 42116386 (2026, Medicine) — Karimabad virus: A neglected sandfly-borne pathogen.. Abstract (opening): Karimabad virus (KARV), a member of the Phlebovirus genus within the Phenuiviridae family, is primarily transmitted through the bites of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae). KARV has a wide geographic distribution, spanning the Mediterranean region, Africa, Central Asia, and West Asia, with recent studies identifying its presence in the Xinjiang region of China. Despite its potential public health significance, there is currently a paucity of research focusing on KARV. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of KARV's molecular biological characteristics, epidemiological features, cross-host transmission potential, and research methods to enhance understanding and guide future research endeavors. Serological studies have detected KARV-specific antibodies in wild and domestic animals, as well as in human populations residing in endemic areas. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that KARV exhibits genetic diversity, which may be associated with the biological characteristics and immune responses of its hosts. KARV represents a virus with potential public health significance that requires enhanced research focus. Current knowledge gaps exist regarding this understudied phlebovirus, highlighting the need for future research endeavors to better understand its characteristics and implications.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42116386/
- PMID 42329967 (2026, PLoS neglected tropical diseases) — Amebiasis as a neglected tropical disease: Current knowledge gaps and future directions.. Abstract (opening): Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that causes amebic colitis, a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease worldwide, and amebic liver abscess, the most common extraintestinal manifestation of infection. The disease burden is highest in resource-limited settings but remains clinically important in travelers and men who have sex with men in non-endemic regions. Although most infections are asymptomatic, severe and fulminant disease is associated with high mortality, particularly among individuals exposed to corticosteroids or other forms of immunosuppression. The increasing use of molecular diagnostic tools has improved understanding of the epidemiology of E. histolytica and enabled distinction from morphologically identical but nonpathogenic Entamoeba species; however, these diagnostics remain underutilized in many endemic settings due to cost and infrastructure limitations. Treatment options remain limited, with nitroimidazoles constituting the only drug class available for symptomatic invasive disease, leaving few alternatives for patients who cannot tolerate therapy or in the event of emerging resistance. Despite advances in understanding parasite pathogenesis and the application of high-throughput technologies, no licensed vaccine exists, and progress toward vaccine development has been minimal. These persistent gaps highlight the need to reprioritize amebiasis as a neglected tropical disease and to accelerate investment in diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventive strategies.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42329967/
- PMID 41739359 (2026, Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology : JARO) — Neural Hearing Loss: Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment Horizons.. Abstract (opening): Neural hearing loss, characterized by dysfunction of the auditory nerve, including the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and/or their synaptic connections, is increasingly recognized as a critical contributor to auditory deficits across diverse conditions, including Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD), presbycusis, and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). It is possible that neural hearing loss is underdiagnosed, due to the lack of clinical tools with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect poor neural health. Current interventions, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants (CIs), primarily target sensory deficits and offer limited benefit in cases of significant neural compromise. Therapeutically, there is a growing shift towards biologically driven strategies aimed at restoring neural function. Recent developments in novel therapies, including pharmacological, gene-based, neurotrophic, and cell-based approaches, have opened new possibilities demonstrating the potential to protect, repair, and/or replace damaged SGNs, and re-establish auditory pathways. This perspectives article explores the evolving understanding of neural hearing loss, emphasizing its complex pathophysiology and the limitations of current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, while highlighting how a diverse range of emerging solutions are moving closer to clinical application.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41739359/
- PMID 42294389 (2026, Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience) — A holistic review of fatherhood in humans and non-human animals: mechanisms of fatherhood, effects on fathers themselves, and interactions of fathers with others.. Abstract (opening): Fathers are often the forgotten parent in mammals; due to the necessity of lactation for the survival of infants, mothers and motherhood are by far the better studied sex (a rather unusual phenomenon among most topics). However, the study of fathers has experienced a recent surge in interest. Here we review literature from a neuroscience, endocrine, and psychological perspective, on the mechanisms of fatherhood and roles of fathers across species, including the ways that fathering affects mental health, interactions with others, and partner relationships in humans and animals. Limitations and fundamental gaps remaining in the literature on fatherhood are identified.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42294389/
- PMID 40331266 (2025, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene) — Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Afghanistan.. Abstract (opening): Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (OWCL) is a sand fly-transmitted skin infection caused by Leishmania species that extends from West Africa to China. Afghanistan probably has the highest burden of OWCL and is home chiefly to Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major, which cause anthroponotic and zoonotic CL, respectively. Although data on the species distribution in Afghanistan are patchy, L. tropica predominates over L. major, reflecting its concentration in large cities. CL prevalence in Afghanistan increases with increasing age to peak at 5-10 y, depending on the local epidemiology. Clinically, there is a spectrum of lesions common to both main species with nodules, ulcerated nodules and papules accounting for the majority (50-80%) of lesions at presentation. When healed, CL lesions leave pale scars that often have deleterious psychosocial effects. Leishmania control involves vector control and treating patients, but these are severely challenged by decades of war and disruption to the health system. In the public sector, only injectable antimonials, sodium stibogluconate or meglumine antimoniate, are available and, anecdotally, efficacy remains high. Few clinical trials have been conducted in Afghanistan and data support antimonial efficacy; small clinical series suggest good efficacy of oral miltefosine against the two main species. Herein, we focus our review on the epidemiological and clinical aspects of CL in Afghanistan and suggest avenues of future research.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40331266/
- PMID 40805076 (2025, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — Quantitative Variables Derived from the Electroencephalographic Signal to Assess Depth of Anaesthesia in Animals: A Narrative Review.. Abstract (opening): Accurately assessing the depth of anaesthesia in animals remains a challenge, as traditional monitoring methods fail to capture subtle changes in brain activity. This review aimed to systematically map and critically evaluate the range of quantitative variables derived from electroencephalography (EEG) used to monitor sedation or anaesthesia in live animals, excluding laboratory rodents, over the past 35 years. Studies were identified through comprehensive searches in major biomedical databases (PubMed, Embase, CAB Abstract). To be included, studies had to report EEG use in relation to anaesthesia or sedation in living animals. A total of 169 studies were selected after screening and data extraction. Information was charted by animal species and reported EEG-derived variables. The most frequently reported variables were spectral edge frequencies, spectral power metrics, suppression ratio, and proprietary indices, such as the Bispectral Index. Methodological variability was high, and no consensus emerged on optimal EEG measures across species. While EEG-derived quantitative variables provide valuable insights, their interpretation remains highly context-dependent. Further research is necessary to refine these methods, explore variable combinations, and improve their clinical relevance in veterinary medicine.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40805076/
- PMID 40310464 (2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America) — Antiviral resistance and barrier integrity at the maternal-fetal interface restrict hepatitis E virus from crossing the placental barrier.. Abstract (opening): Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 1 (HEV-1) infection in pregnant women is associated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy including fulminant hepatic failure, fetal loss, premature birth, and neonatal mortality, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we first demonstrated that HEV-1 robustly infects pregnant gerbils and causes pregnancy-associated adverse outcomes, which were recorded in 4/6 HEV-1-infected but only 1/5 in PBS-inoculated pregnant gerbils. However, vertical transmission of HEV-1 from mothers to newborns is not evident, as HEV-1 RNA was not detected in uterus tissues or in newborn pups. To further determine whether HEV-1 can cross the placental barrier, we established an in vitro blood-placental barrier by coculturing human placental trophoblast cells (BeWo) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in Transwell inserts. By using the placental barrier under the conditions in this study, we showed that quasi-enveloped or nonenveloped HEV-1, HEV-3, or HEV-4 virions do not readily cross the barrier prior to 4 d postinoculation when it has high barrier integrity. Importantly, we demonstrated that the placental barrier induces local antiviral resistance at the maternal-fetal interface, that interactions between maternal- and fetal-derived cocultured cells are important for induction of antiviral resistance, and that anti-HEV resistance can be transferred to nonplacental HepG2 liver cells. We also revealed that the main effectors of antiviral resistance at the placental barrier are type III interferons (IFN-λ1, λ2/3) and the chemokine CXCL10. The findings have important implications in understanding the mechanisms leading to HEV-1-associated maternal and fetal adverse outcomes in pregnant women.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40310464/
- PMID 40438238 (2025, Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology) — A critical review on <i>In Vivo</i> and <i>Ex Vivo</i> models for the investigation of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection.. Abstract (opening): <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> is a stomach-dwelling bacterium with a crude global prevalence of nearly 45% in adults and 35% in children and adolescents. Chronic <i>H. pylori</i> infection and the resulting inflammation are major causes of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Since its discovery in 1982, various animal models have been proposed to recreate the specific pathophysiological interactions between <i>H. pylori</i> and the human host. These infection models have been instrumental in dissecting the key drivers of <i>H. pylori</i> colonization, persistence and mediators of host immune responses. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular triggers for malignant transformation of the gastric mucosa is still lacking. Vaccine development in this area has stalled, as promising candidates identified through animal studies have failed in advanced human clinical trials. Currently, <i>H.</i> pylori eradication is heavily reliant on different antimicrobial agents. As with other bacterial pathogens, the growing antimicrobial resistance in <i>H. pylori</i> remains a major challenge, making eradication therapy increasingly complex and prolonged, over time. Recent drug approvals have mostly been for newer combinations of conventional antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. Thus, the development of novel treatments and innovative models are crucial for advancing the drug development pipeline. This review encompasses the development and recent advances in animal and non-animal models of <i>H. pylori</i> gastric infection and its applications in investigating novel therapeutics and vaccine candidates.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40438238/
Source text: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_gerbil_clinical_2026-08-01.txt (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).