Age-Related Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Dutch Wild Boar Inconsistent with Lifelong Persistence of Antibodies

Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen that is best known as a cause of abortion or abnormalities in the newborn after primary infection during pregnancy. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in wild boar to investigate the possible role of their meat in human infection and to get an indication of the environmental contamination with T. gondii. The presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was determined by in-house ELISA in 509 wild boar shot in 2002/2003 and 464 wild boar shot in 2007. Most of the boar originated from the “Roerstreek” (n = 673) or the “Veluwe” (n = 241). A binormal mixture model was fitted to the log-transformed optical density values for wild boar up to 20 months old to estimate the optimal cut-off value (−0.685) and accompanying sensitivity (90.6%) and specificity (93.6%). The overall seroprevalence was estimated at 24.4% (95% CI: 21.1–27.7%). The prevalence did not show variation between sampling years or regions, indicating a stable and homogeneous infection pressure from the environment. The relation between age and seroprevalence was studied in two stages. Firstly, seroprevalence by age group was determined by fitting the binary mixture model to 200 animals per age category. The prevalence showed a steep increase until approximately 10 months of age but stabilized at approximately 35% thereafter. Secondly, we fitted the age-dependent seroprevalence data to several SIR-type models, with seropositives as infected (I) and seronegatives as either susceptible (S) or resistant (R). A model with a recovery rate (SIS) was superior to a model without a recovery rate (SI). This finding is not consistent with the traditional view of lifelong persistence of T. gondii infections. The high seroprevalence suggests that eating undercooked wild boar meat may pose a risk of infection with T. gondii

Toxocariasis: a silent threat with a progressive public health impact

Background: Toxocariasis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis that afflicts millions of the pediatric and adolescent populations worldwide, especially in impoverished communities. This disease is caused by infection with the larvae of Toxocara canis and T. cati, the most ubiquitous intestinal nematode parasite in dogs and cats, respectively. In this article, recent advances in the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and pharmacotherapies that have been used in the treatment of toxocariasis are reviewed. Main text: Over the past two decades, we have come far in our understanding of the biology and epidemiology of toxocariasis. However, lack of laboratory infrastructure in some countries, lack of uniform case definitions and limited surveillance infrastructure are some of the challenges that hindered the estimation of global disease burden. Toxocariasis encompasses four clinical forms: visceral, ocular, covert and neural. Incorrect or misdiagnosis of any of these disabling conditions can result in severe health consequences and considerable medical care spending. Fortunately, multiple diagnostic modalities are available, which if effectively used together with the administration of appropriate pharmacologic therapies, can minimize any unnecessary patient morbidity. Conclusions: Although progress has been made in the management of toxocariasis patients, there remains much work to be done. Implementation of new technologies and better understanding of the pathogenesis of toxocariasis can identify new diagnostic biomarkers, which may help in increasing diagnostic accuracy. Also, further clinical research breakthroughs are needed to develop better ways to effectively control and prevent this serious disease

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boars [Sus scrofa] in the Slovak Republic

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite of great medical and veterinary importance. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in wild boars hunted in the Slovak Republic in 2003. Examination of 320 wild boars revealed a seroprevalence of 8.1%. The majority of seropositive wild boars came from the north-western and southern regions of Slovakia. This study indicates that T. gondii infection is common in wild boars in the Slovak Republic, underlines its zoonotic potential and the importance of high standards of hygiene during the handling of game

Niestateczne skarpy na prawym przyczółku zapory zbiornika wodnego Liptowska Mara

Construction of the water reservoir Liptovska Mara required remediation of two landslides, Velkomarsky and Vlastiansky landslides, which are located on a right-side end of the dam body of the water reservoir. The effectiveness of the remediation methods has been monitored by monitoring system since 1974. Partial reactivation of the landslides in spring 2006 and especially a fact that the monitoring network is already not in good physical condition have called for proposal of complex monitoring system of the two landslides. The mentioned proposal of the new monitoring system is the main content of the presented article.Konstrukcja zbiornika wodnego Liptowska Mara wymaga zabezpieczenia dwóch osuwisk (Velkomarsky i Vlastiansky), zlokalizowanych przy prawym przyczółku zapory. Skuteczność zastosowanych zabezpieczeń jest monitorowana za pomocą systemu założonego w 1974 r. Częściowa ponowna aktywacja osuwiska wiosną 2006 r. oraz zły stan techniczny dotychczasowego systemu monitoringu stanowiły przesłanki do przedstawienia kompleksowego systemu monitoringu obu osuwisk. Artykuł przedstawia koncepcję tego systemu

Atlas osuwisk na Słowacji

The paper presents the results of a unique geological project "Atlas of slope stability maps of Slovak Republic in the scale 1:50 000". The atlas includes 132 map sheets compiled by method of engineering geological zoning and covers the whole territory of Slovakia. Totally 21 190 slope deformations with the area of 2 575,912 km2 was registered in the atlas. The area damaged by the slope deformations takes 5,25% of the total area of Slovak Republic. Each slope deformation has its own passport with 28 different data types enabling detail analyses of the deformations in relation to geological and geomorphologic environment. The maps are now available on internet to anybody interesting in geological hazards in particular localities of Slovakia.W artykule zaprezentowano wyniki unikalnego projektu geologicznego pt. "Atlas map stateczności skarp Słowacji w skali 1:50 000". Atlas zawiera 132 arkusze map stref oraz całego terytorium Słowacji zestawione metodami geologii inżynierskiej. W Atlasie zarejestrowano w sumie 21 190 osuwisk obejmujących 2 575,912 km2. Powierzchnia zniszczeń osuwiskowych zajmuje 5,25% całego terytorium Słowacji. Każde osuwisko posiada własną dokumentację, zawierającą 28 różnych danych umożliwiających szczegółową analizę deformacji w zależności od czynników geologicznych i geomorfologicznych. Mapy są dostępne w Internecie dla każdego, kto interesuje się zagrożeniami geologicznymi, w szczególności zlokalizowanymi na Słowacji

Trichinellosis in Slovakia - epidemiological situation in humans and animals (2009–2018)

Introduction. Trichinella spp. are zoonotic parasitic nematodes with almost worldwide distribution. The infection can be transmitted through the foodborne route and can cause serious health problems in infected human patients. It is also an economically important issue due to the high financial cost connected with prevention of the disease. Objective. The study aimed to discover trends in the epidemiological situation in people and animals in Slovakia in 2009–2018. Materials and method. Data on human trichinellosis originated from the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic, and data on Trichinella infection in animals from the State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic. A seroepidemiological study on 655 voluntary respondents was performed. Results. Altogether, 29 human cases were reported between 2009–2018, with a maximum of 13 cases in 2011. Males were affected more often (19 cases) than females (10 cases); the average age of patients was 45.1 years. Antibodies to Trichinella were detected in two sera (0.3%): in a serum from one hunter and one veterinarian. In the monitored period, the average prevalence of Trichinella infection was 9.6% in 2,295 red foxes, and 0.04% in 165,643 wild boars. Three (1.7%) of 178 surveyed brown bears were positive. Within the compulsory monitoring of trichinellosis in domestic pigs, none from a total of 1,632,688 pigs were positive. The presence of three species, Trichinella britovi, T. spiralis and T. pseudospiralis, was documented, with T. britovi representing 93.9% of identified isolates. Conclusions. The study indicates that the prevalence of Trichinella infection has not changed considerably with time in Slovakia, and the risk of human infection outbreaks is connected mainly with the consumption of wild boar meat

Canine dirofilariosis under specific environmental conditions of the Eastern Slovak Lowland

The aim of the present study was to collect data from Eastern Slovak Lowland, southern Slovakia, to assess risk of the spread of canine dirofilariosis. Climate and environmental conditions in the Eastern Slovak Lowland are ideally suitable for the occurrence of vector-borne diseases. In the past, an endemic locality of dangerous mosquito transmitted malaria was found in this area. Today, another zoonotic parasitic disease threatens – dirofilariosis. The results of the first detailed study revealed a 34.44% prevalence in dogs harbouring dirofilariae. D. repens was diagnosed in all infected specimen, with 2 individuals being co-infected also with D. immitis