library_construction_protocol: RNA was extracted from 12 samples (cysts) of each of the seven groups (NC, PRE TA+, PRE TA-, EV TA+, EV TA-, POST TA+, POST TA-; n=84 cysts) using the Quick-RNA Miniprep Plus Kit (Zymo Research, R1058). Briefly, samples were independently embedded in 600 µL of DNA/RNA Shield (Zymo Research, R1058) and admixed with a tissue homogenizer tip (Omni International, Kennesaw, GA) on ice, followed immediately by a 30-min treatment with 60 mg of Proteinase K (Zymo Research, D3001-2-60). RNA was isolated following the manufacturer's protocol, with an extra washing step with 400 µL of RNA Wash Buffer (Zymo Research, R1058) before final RNA isolation. The protocol included DNAse I treatment (Zymo Research, E1009-A (250 U)). As recommended by the manufacturer, a mix of 5 µL of DNase I (1 U/µL) and 75 µL of DNA Digestion Buffer (Zymo Research, R1058) was added directly to the silica column matrix (Zymo-Spin™ IIICG Columns) containing processed samples, for a 15-min incubation at room temperature (20-30°C). A total of 21 libraries were constructed, three for each one of the seven groups (NC, PRE TA+, PRE TA-, EV TA+, EV TA-, POST TA+, POST TA-). Each library was made from four cysts, pooling 125 ng each of independently extracted RNA, for a total of 500 ng/library. Following the manufacturer's instructions, the Illumina® Stranded mRNA Prep Ligation Kit (Illumina, 20040532) was used to construct libraries indexed with the IDT for Illumina RNA Unique dual (UD) Indexes. Briefly, polyA selection for ribosomal RNA depletion was performed using Oligo(dT) RNA purification magnetic beads (RPBX, Illumina, 20040532). Fragmentation of purified mRNA, cDNA synthesis of the first and second strands, and ligation of the Illumina RNA UD Indexes Set A followed. Thirteen PCR cycles were performed for library amplification.