Preliminary research regarding the prevalence of digestive and respiratory parasitosis in meat cattle from the Hârtibaci Valley, Sibiu County

In Romania, the data regarding gastrointestinal and respiratory parasitism in cattle are scarce and incomplete. This study was undertaken on Angus breed cattle from an intensive-type exploitation in Nochrich, Sibiu County. The faeces samples were examined both through qualitative and quantitative methods. The most widespread type of parasitism was the one caused by the ciliate Balantidium coli (51.61%), followed in equal manner by Eimeria (32.25%) and Fasciola/Paramphistomum. The digestive strongyles (22.58%) were less representative. These were followed in a decreasing order by the infestation with Dictyocaulus viviparus (16.13%) and by Strongyloides spp. (12.90%)

Emergence of canine hepatozoonosis in western Romania supports the geographical expansion of the disease

Hepatozoonosis is an arthropod-borne disease caused by Apicomplexan protozoa from the family Hepatozoidae, genus Hepatozoon described in amphibians, reptiles, birds, marsupials and mammals. Transmission of Hepatozoon spp. in dogs occurs by ingestion of ticks that contains mature oocysts. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of H. canis in dogs from the west and south-west Romania by using non-molecular and molecular techniques and the relationship between infestation and some epidemiological factors. During study 260 symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs from eleven west and south-western Romania counties were investigated by Diff Quik stain and PCR for presence of Hepatozoon spp. Molecular surveillance of blood samples from dogs in the western and south- western Romania, showed a 9.3% prevalence of canine hepatozoonosis. No statistical differences were observed between prevalence reported in age, gender, race, habitat and provenance. Following amplification of 18S rDNA gene sequence Hepatozoon canis species was identified. The results demonstrate the expansion of this disease transmitted by vectors in non-endemic regions and is first screening in the canine population in Romania

Molecular identification of trichostrongylus axei on European brown hare (Lepus Europaeus) in Western Romania - case report

Trichostrongylosis is a cosmopolitan parasitic disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants, equines, and last but not least, leporids. Three species of strongyles commonly parasitize the digestive tracts of leporids, the most prevalent being Trichostrongylus retortaeformis. This paper describes the first case of Trichostrongylus axei infestation in a wild hare in western Romania. A female wild hare carcass found in Timis County was examined at the Parasiology Department of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Timisoara. A clinical, post-mortem and PCR examination was performed to establish a diagnosis, with molecular analysis confirming the presence of the nematode Trichostrongylus axei in European brown hare

Identification of Microsporum canis in cutaneous lesions of cats from Timis County

Dermatophytosis has a practical and medical importance both in the veterinary and human medicine due to its zoonotic potential causing economic problems worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the etiological agents involved in the appearance of cutaneous lesions. 43 cats were examined, from eight locations in the Timis County, with or without cutaneous lesions at the age of 1 month to 11 years. 37 cats belonged to the European breed, one Birmanese breed, three were Persian and two were British Shorthairs. Samples of hair, squamae and crusts were collected from every animal and placed in Petri plates. Direct microscopic examination of hairs, squamae and crusts was done using the slide and coverslip method, with lactophenol and it was examined using the x10 objective. The sample were cultivated on Sabouraud agar gel and DTM (Dermatophyte test). Microsporum canis was the only one species indentified in the cutaneous lesions (group 1) in 35% out of examinated cats (7/20). In group 2 (asymptomatic cats), the only species identified was Microsporum canis in one individual (1/23 respectively 4.37%)

Therapeutic efficacy testing of two topical products used in dry demodicosis lesions in dogs from Mehedinti County

Canine demodicosis is a serious dermatitis, difficult to treat, often recurrent, and the biology and pathogenesis of the aetiological agent prevent the action of drugs on skin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy in dry canine demodicosis of two products: Ointment Canider (containing formamidine) and Demosymcan - gel whose components are natural and fixed in fast absorbing gels. The results obtained were statistically interpreted from the clinical and parasitological healing point of view (erythema, alopecia, squamae, hyperseboree, microscopic examination of the cutaneous scraping) and were calculated: scores averages, medians, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values. The clinical signs remission and negative microscopic examination of skin scraping from lesions were reported at 9 and 15 weeks in group I treated with the product based on honey, propolis, apple vinegar and extracts plant and 12 and 16 weeks, respectively, in lot II, where the product was based on amitraz and neomycin. Exacerbation of clinical signs and presence of mite in microscopic slides were revealed in the control group, to which a gel containing no ingredient was applied

The First Identification of <i>Trichinella britovi</i> in the Raccoon Dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides)</i> in Romania

Trichinella spp. are nematodes distributed throughout the world that affect an impressive number of host animals (mammals, birds, and reptiles) involved in the evolution of two cycles, the domestic and the sylvatic. The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is an omnivorous mammal with great ecological plasticity. The expansion of the raccoon dog in Europe is associated with the risk of the introduction and spread of different pathogens, especially zoonotic ones (Trichinella, Echinococcus). Currently, the raccoon dog’s range in Romania is limited to the Danube Delta area, the Lower Danube Meadow, and the Prut Meadow. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscles of raccoon dog from six hunting funds of Giurgeni, Ialomița County, Romania. The muscle samples were examined via artificial digestion, and the obtained larvae were processed via multiplex PCR. The PCR-amplified ESV and ITS1 DNA fragments were then sequenced for species confirmation. The species Trichinella britovi, which is the most common species identified in wild carnivores in temperate zones, was confirmed. Although T. britovi has been reported in several host animals in Romania, this case report confirms its presence in the raccoon dog for the first time

Investigation on Descriptive Epidemiology, Geographical Distribution, and Genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus s.l. in Bovine from Romania

Bovine echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution, causing significant economic losses in the affected animals and important public health concerns. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence and geographical distribution of cystic echinococcosis, and molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus s.l. from slaughtered cattle in Romania. In the period 2020&ndash;2021, a total of 2693 cattle (aged 2&ndash;21 years) slaughtered from the breeds Bruna de Maramure&#537;, B&#259;l&#539;at&#259; Rom&acirc;neasc&#259;, and a mixed breed were examined to identify hydatid cysts. Cysts were identified in 66 cattle (2.45%). The predominant location of hydatid cysts was the lungs. Most cysts were non-fertile. By age categories, hydatidosis was reported in the age categories 2&ndash;12 years (6/2341; 0.25%), 13&ndash;16 years (11/244; 4.5%), 17&ndash;20 years (41/85; 48.23%), and over 21 years (8/23; 34.78%). Following the PCR analysis of 10 samples from the lungs (protoscoleces/proliferative membrane/hydatid liquid), DNA fragments were identified in 5 samples. Following sequencing, the identified species was Echinococcus granulosus&nbsp;sensu stricto (s.s.). The study results indicate that the disease is still present in several of the investigated regions of Romania, highlighting a potential public health risk

Deoxyribonucleic acid interactions specific to biochemical injury induced by some carcinogenic xenobiotics

At the origin of the neoplastic processes in which deoxyribonucleic acid is involved, one can mention as trigger factors a great number of xenobiotics which are present in the air, feedstuffs, foodstuffs and water having harmful effects on animals and humans. Xenobiotics of various sources : chemical (organic and inorganic compounds), physical (ionizing radiations, UV radiation) and biological (oncoviruses) can become carcinogenic agents.Submitted as a review the aim of this paper is to give data on the molecular mechanisms inducing biochemical injuries as a consequence of the interaction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with various chemical compounds. The interactions of DNA with the following organic compunds are discussed : aflatoxins (AF), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), aromatic amines and the following inorganic compounds : some metal ions (Mn+) with toxicogene potential; nitrates (NO3 and nitrites (NO These interactions are of interest for comparative medicine due to their pathobiochemical and pathophysiological aspects. All the above mentioned adducts are frequently discussed in pathology being at the origin of the biochemical injury which can evolve to a carcinogen process. Initially the nuclear DNA is damaged and further on the cell. If the pathological process develops the result is the formation and growth of a neoplasm

Seroprevalence of Anti-Theileria equi Antibodies in Horses from Three Geographically Distinct Areas of Romania

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an endemic tick-borne disease found in most countries around the world. It affects all species of Equidae, and it is caused by Theileria equi, Babesia caballi and T. haneyi. The research herein is the second study on the prevalence of piroplasms in Romania conducted in the past two decades. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Theileria equi antibodies and the geographical distribution of this disease in the southwest, west, and northwest regions of Romania in order to obtain a more thorough understanding of the parasitological status of horses in this country. This study included 522 apparently healthy, mixed-breed horses from three different counties. The serum samples were analysed using the cELISA Theileria equi Antibody Test Kit. The overall seroprevalence rate was 12.84%. From the total number of positive horses, 13.96% were females and 11.21% were males. Based on the distribution of positive cases into age groups, the following values were obtained: 0&ndash;60 months: 16.26%, 60&ndash;180 months: 10.03%, and &gt;180 months: 15.83%. There was no statistically significant difference between samples, based on age or gender. The positivity percentage in the localities included in the study ranged from 8.33 to 100%. In the population under study, the seroprevalence rate was high, indicating a possible exposure risk in this area of Romania, which could have severe effects on equids in the case of clinical manifestations of the disease. EP represents a serious threat for equine health in Romania; therefore, close and continuous monitoring of the situation is required

Epidemiological Surveillance of Hypodermosis in Cattle from Romania

Hypodermosis, or warble fly, is an endemic parasitic disease, common in countries from the northern hemisphere. The use of effective insecticides has decreased the frequency of this parasitic disease, with untreated cattle remaining to act as reservoirs. This study focused on assessing the status of hypodermosis in northwestern Romania by means of clinical examination (skin inspection and palpation performed in order to identify nodules) conducted on a number of 11.741 cattle. The study was carried out from March until June 2021. The identified larvae were subject to molecular assays for species identification and genotyping, followed by comparison with data available in the GenBank database. The average prevalence rate of parasitism caused by Hypoderma spp. was 0.31%, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.11% to a maximum of 1.32%. The dominant age group among positive animals was the 1–3 years old category and in terms of breed distribution, most positive cases were seen in cows belonging to an indigenous breed: Bruna de Maramures. April was the most prolific month in terms of nodule count/animal. The species identified in our study by means of molecular assays was H. bovis with two haplotypes: HB3 and HB8