Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Diagnosis and Therapy

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Perspective - Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Diagnosis and Therapy (2025) Volume 10, Issue 3

Emerging Biomarkers in Parasitic Diseases: A Paradigm Shift in Diagnosis and Therapeutics

Elena Petrova*

Parasitology Research Center, Moscow State University, Russia

Corresponding Author:
Elena Petrova
Parasitology Research Center,
Moscow State University,
Russia
E-mail: elena.petrova@msu.ru

Received: 02-Aug-2025, Manuscript No. AAPDDT-25-166525; Editor assigned: 03-Aug-2025, AAPDDT-25-166525 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-Aug-2025, QC No. AAPDDT-25-166525; Revised: 22-Aug-2025, Manuscript No. AAPDDT-25-166525 (R); Published: 30-Aug-2025, DOI:10.35841/2591-7846.10.3.231

Citation: Petrova E. Emerging biomarkers in parasitic diseases: a paradigm shift in diagnosis and therapeutics, J Parasit Dis Diagn Ther. 2025; 10(3):231

Introduction

Parasitic diseases continue to impose a substantial burden on global health, particularly in low-resource settings. The diagnosis and management of these infections often suffer from nonspecific symptoms and inadequate detection methods. Biomarkers offer promising potential to revolutionize the landscape of parasitic disease control by providing accurate, early, and non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tools. miRNAs, small non-coding RNAs, are gaining attention as promising biomarkers in diseases like Leishmania and Toxoplasma gondii infections. Proteomic profiling has identified parasite-specific antigens that could improve vaccine and diagnostic development. Challenges in Biomarker Development Despite the promise, several hurdles impede the clinical adoption of biomarkers: Variability in host immune responses Limited validation in field conditions Cost and infrastructure barriers in endemic regions Cross-reactivity leading to false positives in serological assays Future Directions Point-of-care diagnostics integrating biomarker panels for real-time disease management Artificial intelligence and machine learning to refine biomarker interpretation Public-private partnerships for translational research in biomarker-based tools Personalized medicine approaches, where biomarkers guide individualized treatment plans Conclusion Biomarkers hold transformative potential in the fight against parasitic diseases. This perspective explores current advancements in parasitic disease biomarkers, challenges in their clinical translation, and future directions for integrative approaches in parasitology. Parasitic infections, including malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and trypanosomiasis [1, 2, 3, 4].

From early diagnosis to therapeutic monitoring, their role is expanding rapidly, driven by technological advancements and a growing understanding of host-parasite interactions. Interdisciplinary collaboration, validation in real-world settings, and equitable access to biomarker-based diagnostics are essential to realize their full impact in global health. Remain pervasive in many regions of the world. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as microscopy and serology, are often limited by sensitivity, specificity, and accessibility. The identification and application of reliable biomarkers have the potential to transform early diagnosis, monitor treatment efficacy, and guide therapeutic interventions [5, 6].

Types of Biomarkers in Parasitology Diagnostic Biomarkers: These biomarkers detect the presence of infection and are crucial for early intervention. Examples include: HRP2 protein in malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) K39 antigen in visceral leishmaniasis Circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) for schistosomiasis Prognostic Biomarkers: Indicate disease progression or severity. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) often correlate with severe disease states. Therapeutic Response Biomarkers: Used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. Parasite DNA clearance via PCR or reduction in specific antigen levels post-treatment serve this purpose. Predictive Biomarkers: These anticipate response to specific treatments. Genetic markers of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, such as Pfcrt and Pfmdr1, are vital examples [7, 8, 9, 10].

Conclusion

Molecular and Omics Approaches Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have accelerated the discovery of novel biomarkers. High-throughput technologies enable the identification of parasite-derived molecules or host responses indicative of infection.

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