Stichorchis subtriquetrus in European beaver from Croatia: first report

Since 1996, European beavers (Castor fiber) have been reintroduced from Germany to Croatia. However, little is known about the health status of the established population. Necropsy of a 2-year-old female European beaver, which died from a car accident, revealed 28 adult trematodes in the preserved fragments of the colon and in the peritoneal cavity. All of them were identified as Stichorchis subtriquetrus. The typical location of these parasites is the large intestine, and the finding of several specimens in the peritoneal cavity can be explained by the severe trauma. We assume that the trematode was introduced to Croatia along with the beavers. Furthermore, it is very probable that the life cycle can be completed as the intermediate hosts are part of the local fauna. This is the first record of S. subtriquetrus in Croati

Seroprevalencija i mogući rizični čimbenici za zarazu nametnikom Neospora caninum u mliječnih goveda u Hrvatskoj

Neospora caninum, a cyst forming coccidian parasite, is an important cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. The present work aims to update knowledge of the presence of Neospora in cattle from Croatia. The survey was carried out on dairy cows in the Bjelovar-Bilogora County in northwest Croatia (2652 km2). The cows were selected by simple randomization from county dairy producer records. Cows were tested for the presence of N. caninum antibodies with the Neospora-Ab iscom enzyme-linked immunoassay kit (SVANOVIR). N. caninum antibodies were detected in 23 from 395 (5.6%, confifi dence interval (CI); CI 95%; 3.5 to 8.1) lactating cows. Epidemiological studies of potential risk factors, such as the presence of a dog, cat, swine, free range poultry and management practices, such as silage processing and pasture practising showed that none of these factors was associated with N. caninum antibodies. Seropositivity of cows was associated to abortion (odds ratio (OR); OR = 8.307, P = 0.002) and to purchasing of replacement animals from other sources (OR = 5.27, P = 0.0002). A strong correlation was also found between antibodies, history of abortion and origin (imported animals) of heifers or cows (OR = 5.52; P = 0.001).Neospora caninum, cistotvorna kokcidija, značajan je uzročnik pobačaja u goveda u čitavom svijetu. U radu su prikazani novi podatci o prisutnosti protutijela za neosporu u goveda u Hrvatskoj. Istraživanje je provedeno na mliječnim kravama na području Bjelovarsko-bilogorske županije (2652 km2). Životinje su odabrane metodom slučajnoga odabira iz registra proizvođača. Krave su bile pretražene na prisutnost protutijela za N. caninum imunoenzimnim testom (SVANOVIR). Protutijela su bila dokazana u 23 od 395 pretraženih krava u laktaciji (5,6%, interval povjerenja (CI) 95%: 3,5 do 8,1). Epidemiološko istraživanje s ciljem određivanja mogućih rizičnih čimbenika kao što su prisutnost pasa, mačaka, svinja, slobodno držane peradi te menadžment farme koji uključuje pripremu i skladištenje silaže te načine ispaše pokazala su da niti jedan od prije navedenih čimbenika nije povezan s prisutnošću protutijela protiv N. caninum. Seropozitivnost krava bila je povezana s pobačajima (odds (OR) = 8,307, P = 0,002) i s uvođenjem u stado životinja iz drugih stada (OR = 5.27, P = 0.0002). Također je dokazana snažna povezanost između seropozitivnosti, pobačaja i podrijetla (uvezene životinje) junica ili krava (OR = 5,52; P = 0,001

Guidelines for the Detection of Babesia and Theileria Parasites.

The genera Babesia and Theileria (phylum Apicomplexa, order Piroplasmida) are mainly transmitted by Ixodid ticks in which the sexual part of their life cycle followed by sporogony takes place. They include protozoan parasites that infect erythrocytes of a variety of vertebrate hosts, including domestic and wild animals, with some Babesia spp. also infecting humans. Babesia sporozoites transmitted in the tick's saliva during the bloodmeal directly infect erythrocytes, where they asexually multiply to produce pear-shaped merozoites in the process of merogony; whereas a pre-erythrocytic schizogonic life stage in leukocytes is found in Theileria and precedes merogony in the erythrocytes. The wide spectrum of Babesia and Theileria species and their dissimilar characteristics with relation to disease severity, transmission, epidemiology, and drug susceptibility stress the importance of accurate detection of babesiosis and theileriosis and their causative agents. These guidelines review the main methods currently used for the detection of Babesia and Theileria spp. for diagnostic purposes as well as epidemiological studies involving their vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors. Serological methods were not included once they did not indicate current infection but rather exposure.Peer reviewe

Molecular survey of vector-borne diseases in two groups of domestic dogs from Lisbon, Portugal

Research Areas: Parasitology ; Tropical MedicineABSTRACT - Background: Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods. They have been an issue of growing importance in recent years; however, there is limited information about the vector-borne pathogens circulating in Portugal. The aim of the present study was to detect canine vector-borne bacteria and protozoa of veterinary and zoonotic importance using molecular methods. Methods: One hundred and forty-two dogs from Lisbon, southern Portugal, were tested: 48 dogs from a veterinary hospital clinically suspected of vector-borne diseases and 94 apparently healthy dogs from shelters. Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Mycoplasma spp. infections were detected by PCR from blood samples and examined under light microscopy. Other information including clinical status and diagnostic test results were collected for each animal. Results: Infections were detected by PCR in 48 (33.80%) dogs. Single infections were found in 35 dogs (24.64%), and co-infections were found in 13 (9.15%) dogs. Twenty-nine (20.42%) dogs were positive for Hepatozoon spp., 15 (10.56%) for Mycoplasma spp., 11 (7.75%) for Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., and six (4.21%) for Babesia spp. DNA sequencing was used to identify Babesia vogeli (2.81%), Babesia canis (1.40%), Hepatozoon canis (20.42%), Mycoplasma haematoparvum (2.11%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (8.45%), Anaplasma platys (7.04%), and Ehrlichia canis (0.70%). Conclusions: This is the frst molecular identifcation of B. canis and M. haematoparvum in dogs from southern Portugal. This study highlights the importance of molecular methods to identify CVBD pathogens in endemic areas and helps to guide the clinical approach of veterinarians in practice.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vpliv zauživanja doba (Quercus robur) na število jajčec v blatu črnih slavonskih prašičev, rejenih na prostem

Chemical composition of the acorn (Quercus robur), tannin content and its ability to influence the faecal egg count output reduction in the Black Slavonian Pig reared in outdoor production system were investigated. A total of 20 Black Slavonian Pigs with naturally acquired parasite were randomly divided into experimental (E) and control (C) group. The pigs in experimental group were fed an acorn Ad libitum and the pigs of the control group were given only 2 kg of concentrate. The faecal egg count (FEC) was assessed by individual pig before and after acorn consumption. Faecal egg count reduction percentage (FECR%) was calculated separately for large roundworm (Ascaris suum) and other gastrointestinal parasites (Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides and Hyostrongylus sp.). The results demonstrate that acorn is tannin rich forage (65.6 g kg–1) which can reduce FEC output of pigs parasitised with gastrointestinal nemathodes. The reduction in total faecal egg count output in acorn fed pigs was 96.01%. FECR% for A. suum and other nematodes of the gastrointestinal tract (Oesophagostom spp., Strongyloides and Hyostrongylus sp.) was 96.56% and 93.55%, respectively. These results would imply that the gastrointestinal nematode population was highly sensitive and responsive to the effect of acorn tannin in feed. Therefore, the acorn grazing has the potential of aiding in the control of the gastrointestinal parasites in the outdoor reared Black Slavonian Pig and consequently results in reduced need for anthelmintic treatment.Proučevali smo kemično sestavo doba (Quercus robur), vsebnost tanina in njegovo sposobnost zmanjševanja izločenih jajčec z blatom pri črnih slavonskih prašičih, rejenih na prostem. Skupno 20 črnih slavonskih prašičev, okuženih s zajedavci, ki se običajno pojavljajo, smo naključno razdelili v poskusno (E) in kontrolno (C) skupino. Prašiči v poskusni skupini so bili krmljeni po volji z dobom, medtem ko so prašiči v kontrolni skupini dobivali le 2 kg koncentratov na dan. Število jajčec v blatu (FEC) smo določili pri vsakem prašiču pred in po zauživanju doba. Zmanjšanje števila jajčec v blatu (FECR%) smo izračunali ločeno za gliste (Ascaris suum) in druge želodčne in črevesne zajedavce (Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides and Hyostrongylus sp.). Rezultati so pokazali, da je dob s tanini bogata krma (65,6 g kg–1), ki lahko zmanjša izločanje FEC pri prašičih, okuženih z želodčnimi in črevesnimi zajedavci. FECR% pri prašičih, krmljenih z dobom, je znašalo 96,1 %. FECR% za A. suum in druge zajedavce prebavnega trakta (Oesophagostom spp., Strongyloides and Hyostrongylus sp.) je bilo 96,56% oziroma 93,55%. Ti rezultati kažejo, da je populacija zajedavcev v prebavnem traktu zelo občutljiva na vpliv dobovega tanina v krmi. Tako predstavlja paša doba veliko možnost pri kontroli zajedavcev prebavnega trakta pri reji črnih slavonskih prašičev na prostem in zmanjšuje uporabo antihelmentikov

Use of ELISA for detection of Trichinella spiralis during veterinary-sanitary inspection of meat of pigs

Epizootiološka situacija s trihinelozom svinja u Republici Hrvatskoj, posebice u njezinim istočnim županijama nije povoljna. Službena metoda pretrage mesa svinja umjetnom probavom, s obzirom na svoju osjetljivost, može spriječiti oboljenje ljudi, ali je nedostatna u uspješnom suzbijanju lanca širenja trihineloze. ELISA kao osjetljiva metoda pretrage, mora pronaći svoje mjesto u epidemiološkim istraživanjima i monitoringu uzgoja svinja nekih područja Republike Hrvatske, pa i pojedinačnih farmskih uzgoja, radi određivanja epizootiološkog statusa promatrane populacije svinja. Na ovaj se način za života mogu izdvojiti sve sumnjive svinje (pozitivne, lažno pozitivne, ali i lažno negativne), a preostali dio populacije se zatim može klati bilo u registriranim klaonicama, bilo u obiteljskim gospodarstvima, bez bojazni da će se previdjeti svinje s trihinelozom ispod detekcije mogućnosti klasične trihineloskopije. Uvođenje imunoenzimnog testa na liniji klanja svinja kao jedine metode pretrage nije moguće, i to prvenstveno radi pojave manjeg broja lažno negativnih životinja, koje u epidemiološkom smislu predstavljaju veliki rizik u lancu širenja ove bolesti, a u određenim okolnostima mogu dovesti i do oboljenja ljudi.Epizootiological situation with trichinellosis of pigs in the Republic of Croatia, especially in its Eastern counties, is not favourable. The currently prescribed officialmethod of classical trichinelloscopy, with respect to its sensibility, can prevent the infection of people, but it is definitely insufficient for an efficient prevention of the spreading chain of trichinellosis. ELISA, as a more sensitive method of inspection, has to find its place in epidemiological researches and monitoring of pig breeding in some regions of Croatia, as well as in individual farm breeding, in order to determine the epizootiological status of the pig population that is being monitored. In this way it would be possible to separate all suspicious pigs while alive (positive, false-positive, but false- negative, too), and the remaining part of the population could be then slaughtered in the registered slaughter-houses, as well as on family farms, without fear that the infected pigs would be overlooked because it is beyond the detecting possibilities of classical trichinelloscopy. The introduction of ELISA on a range of pig slaughters as the only method of inspection is not possible, firstlybecause of the occurrence of a smaller number of falsely negative animals, which, in epidemiological sense, represent a great risk in the spreading chain of this disease, which can lead in certain circumstances to infection of people

Invazija psa parazitom Dirofilaria repens.

This work presents the finding of Dirofilaria repens microfilariae after necropsy on a dog in Croatia. The cause of death was peritonitis caused by perforation of the intestinal diverticula. Necropsy revealed severe cachexia with a phlegmonous subcutaneous inflammation in the cubital, coxal and carpal regions. The liver cirrhosis with icterus was also seen. Histopathological examination showed numerous microfilariae in all examined organs located predominantly intravascularly, but in the phlegmone, liver, lymph node and lungs they were located in the tissue of the haemorrhage area. Two otherwise healthy dogs which had lived in cohabitation with the necropsied one had been found positive by modified Knott’s test for D. repens microfilariae and were successfully treated with ivermectin.U radu je prikazan nalaz invazije psa parazitom Dirofilaria repens koja je utvrđena razudbom. Uzrok smrti bio je peritonitis uzrokovan rupturom crijevnog divertikula. Razudbom je utvrđena teška kaheksija, flegmonozna upala potkožja u lakatnom, koksalnom i karpalnom području te jetrena ciroza praćena žuticom. Histopatološkom pretragom uočene su mnoge mikrofilarije u svim pregledanim organima, pretežito intravaskularno, u flegmoni, jetri, limfnom čvoru i plućima. U druga dva, inače zdrava psa, koji su držani zajedno s razuđenom životinjom, utvrđena je dirofilarioza Knottovim testom, koja je bila izliječena ivermektinom