OCCURRENCE OF FASCIOLOIDOSIS IN RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS) IN BARANJA REGION IN EASTERN CROATIA

Fascioloidosis is a parasitic disease caused by the giant American liver fluke Fascioloides magna (Bassi, 1875). In Croatia, the first report of this disease was in January 2000, in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) from the Tikveš Forestry in Baranja region (east Croatia). The aim of this survey was to determine the geographical distribution of fascioloidosis and the infection prevalence in deer. The survey was carried out in six state hunting grounds that manage with deer game in Baranja region during 2001 – 2004. Parasitological examinations were carried out by qualitative and quantitative faecal exams. The highest prevalence’s (35 – 60%) were found in epizootic focuses of two hunting grounds at flooding – bog land area in east Baranja, Danube forestry. The mean intensity of infection, determined on the basis of the number of eggs per gram (EPG) was 30 – 33 EPG (range 1 – 300). High 86% of examined samples was in category to 50 EPG. The highest prevalence and the biggest EPG number too, were determined during the first year of survey. In the Baranja area fascioloidosis represents a potential danger for other game species, mainly roe deer and wild boars, as for domestic animals

Validation of a Western Blot for the detection of anti- Trichinella spp. antibodies in domestic pigs

Trichinellosis is a zoonotic disease in humans caused by Trichinella spp. According to international regulations and guidelines, serological surveillance can be used to demonstrate the absence of Trichinella spp. in a defined domestic pig population. Most enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests presently available do not yield 100% specificity, and therefore, a complementary test is needed to confirm the diagnosis of any initial ELISA seropositivity. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a Western Blot assay based on somatic Trichinella spiralis muscle stage (L1) antigen using Bayesian modeling techniques. A total of 295 meat juice and serum samples from pigs negative for Trichinella larvae by artificial digestion, including 74 potentially cross-reactive sera of pigs with other nematode infections, and 93 meat juice samples from pigs infected with Trichinella larvae were included in the study. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the Western Blot were ranged from 95.8% to 96.0% and from 99.5% to 99.6%, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that the model outcomes were hardly influenced by changes in the prior distributions, providing a high confidence in the outcomes of the models. This validation study demonstrated that the Western Blot is a suitable method to confirm samples that reacted positively in an initial ELIS

The efficacy of flubendazole against Trichinella spiralis in swine

A trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of flubendazole against experimentally induced trichinellosis in pigs when given mixed with food at different dose rates. At the start of the experiment, 48 pigs were infected with approximately 35,000 larvae of Trichinella spiralis, afterwhat the animals were distributed in six groups. The first three groups were used to test the activity of the drug against adult stages. Other three groups served to define the efficacy against muscle larvae. The dose rate of flubendazole varied according to the purpose of the experiment (from 8 mg/kg up to 62 mg/kg). At the end of the trial, the pigs were necropsied and the number of adults and larvae in predilection muscles were determined. At a dose rate of 8 mg/kg flubendazole supplied with food during eight days was 100 % effective against adults. At a dose rate of 31 mg/kg flubendazole administered for 14 days was 72.35 % effective. Treatment with higher dosages of flubendazole (62 mg/kg) resulted in increased efficacy (87.77 %) against the parasites. The biological assay performed with larvae from the muscle samples originating from the pigs treated with 62 mg/kg showed that at least half of the larvae were not infective

Indigenous sheep breeds in organic livestock production in karst areas of Croatia

Organic sheep breeding in Croatia is based on indigenous breeds, which are well adapted to their environment. This practice eliminates most of the problems usually encountered when imported foreign breeds have to be adjusted to the new conditions. Karst areas, encompassing about 50% of Croatian territory, are the natural habitat to eight of nine indigenous sheep breeds. These areas are nearly free from pollution, which makes them ideal for organic production. These facts were the foundations for the onset of the projects “Organic lamb production in Croatia” and “Standardisation of some health parameters of Croatian indigenous sheep breeds”. Their goal is to promote and support the development of organic sheep production in Croatian karst areas. In the course of two years, we monitored housing conditions, feeding regime and general health status of animals from five organic flocks. We took blood and faeces samples to determine normal ranges of key physiological and biochemical parameters, since no such previous data existed. They will provide the basis for health monitoring as an aid to veterinarians and sheep breeders in organic production. The development of organic livestock production in the karst areas of Croatia is aimed at accelerating the economic growth of this underdeveloped region by providing a framework for creating a competitive product, while preserving the traditional way of life and protecting the environment

The efficacy of flubendazole against

A trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of flubendazole against experimentally induced trichinellosis in pigs when given mixed with food at different dose rates. At the start of the experiment, 48 pigs were infected with approximately 35,000 larvae of Trichinella spiralis, afterwhat the animals were distributed in six groups. The first three groups were used to test the activity of the drug against adult stages. Other three groups served to define the efficacy against muscle larvae. The dose rate of flubendazole varied according to the purpose of the experiment (from 8 mg/kg up to 62 mg/kg). At the end of the trial, the pigs were necropsied and the number of adults and larvae in predilection muscles were determined. At a dose rate of 8 mg/kg flubendazole supplied with food during eight days was 100 % effective against adults. At a dose rate of 31 mg/kg flubendazole administered for 14 days was 72.35 % effective. Treatment with higher dosages of flubendazole (62 mg/kg) resulted in increased efficacy (87.77 %) against the parasites. The biological assay performed with larvae from the muscle samples originating from the pigs treated with 62 mg/kg showed that at least half of the larvae were not infective

Epidemiology of swine trichinellosis in the Republic of Croatia

In order to study the epidemiology of trichinellosis with special emphasis on swine a detailed study was performed. The goals of the study were to define the prevalence of trichinellosis in swine and rats and to determine the etiological agents of the disease with special emphasis on sylvatic species, Trichinella britovi. Considering the obtained data it can be concluded that the risk of Trichinella infection for swine in endemic areas in Croatia is rather high today. On the contrary, a sharp decline in human cases is registered what is certainly a result of obligatory trichinelloscopy even for private purposes. The parasite was found to be prevalent in rats too. Studies on genotypes suggest that Trichinella spiralis is the most prevalent etiological agent of domestic trichinellosis in Croatia, even so the sylvatic species Trichinella britovi can be also present in the domestic habitat suggesting a link between the sylvatic and domestic cycle

Epidemiology of swine trichinellosis in the Republic of Croatia

In order to study the epidemiology of trichinellosis with special emphasis on swine a detailed study was performed. The goals of the study were to define the prevalence of trichinellosis in swine and rats and to determine the etiological agents of the disease with special emphasis on sylvatic species, Trichinella britovi. Considering the obtained data it can be concluded that the risk of Trichinella infection for swine in endemic areas in Croatia is rather high today. On the contrary, a sharp decline in human cases is registered what is certainly a result of obligatory trichinelloscopy even for private purposes. The parasite was found to be prevalent in rats too. Studies on genotypes suggest that Trichinella spiralis is the most prevalent etiological agent of domestic trichinellosis in Croatia, even so the sylvatic species Trichinella britovi can be also present in the domestic habitat suggesting a link between the sylvatic and domestic cycle