Ectoparasites enhance survival by suppressing host exploration and limiting dispersal

Pengbo Liu, Dongsheng Ren, Guichang Li, Xiaoming Xu, Luca Presotto, Wei Liu, Ning Zhao, Dongmei Li, Min Chen, Jun Wang, Xiaobo Liu, Chunchun Zhao, Liang Lu () and Qiyong Liu ()
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Pengbo Liu: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Dongsheng Ren: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Guichang Li: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Xiaoming Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Luca Presotto: University of Milano-Bicocca
Wei Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ning Zhao: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Dongmei Li: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Min Chen: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Jun Wang: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Xiaobo Liu: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Chunchun Zhao: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Liang Lu: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Qiyong Liu: Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Parasites enhance their fitness by manipulating host dispersal. However, the strategies used by ectoparasites to influence host movement and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that ectoparasites alter metabolic activity in specific brain regions of mice, with evidence pointing to a potential role for microglial activation in the prefrontal cortex. This activation appears to contribute to synaptic changes and altered neuronal differentiation, particularly in GABAergic neurons. Consequently, exploratory behavior decreases—an effect likely mediated through the skin–brain axis. In both indoor and field experiments with striped hamsters, ectoparasites reduce host exploration and modify their dispersal patterns. This behavioral shift ultimately restricts the host’s distribution, enabling parasites to avoid environmental pressures. Our findings reveal that ectoparasites limit host dispersal to improve their own fitness, offering key insights for parasite control strategies that promote health and preserve ecological stability within the One Health framework.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59601-9

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