Identification keys for nymphae and larvae of the ixodid species Ixodes ricinus

rpelji šikare obligatni su, hematofagni ektoparaziti koji su biološki i mehaničkih vektori uzročnika zaraznih i parazitskih bolesti. Rezervori su raznih virusa, bakterija, protista i oblića, koji uzrokuju bolesti životinja i ljudi. Unutar porodice krpelja šikare (Ixodidae) na području palearktičke regije vrsno je najbrojniji rod Ixodes, kojemu pripada 59 vrsta krpelja koje se međusobno morfološki razlikuju. Vrsta Ixodes ricinus na europskom je području najraširenija vrsta i sposobna je prenijeti mnoge uzročnike bolesti, što je čini najvažnijim vektorom mnogih krpeljno-prenosivih bolesti. Stoga je cilj ovog stručnog rada bio slikovno prikazati morfološke ključeve kako bismo olakšali identifikaciju te vrste krpelja te potrebitim ekspertima omogućili pravodobno postavljanje sumnje na bolesti koje ona prenosi.Hard ticks are obligate, hematophagous ectoparasites that are biological and mechanical vectors. They are reservoirs of numerous viruses, bacteria, protists and helminths that cause infectious diseases in animals and humans. Within the Ixodidae family in the Palearctic region, the genus Ixodes is most numerous and includes 59 hard tick species which are morphologically different. The Ixodes ricinus species is the most widespread hard tick species in Europe which makes it the most notable vector of many tick-borne diseases. Therefore, the aim of this professional paper was to present morphological keys to facilitate the identification of this species, and thus allows on time the necessary experts and laypersons to suspect and diagnose certain diseases whose causative agents can be transmitted by this species

Parasitic diseases of dog and cat neonates: diseases caused by protists from Eimeriida order

Parazitarne bolesti u mladunčadi pasa i mačaka usko su povezane prije svega s prisutnošću uzročnika bolesti u kuje i mačke, dok ih je manji dio povezan s prisutnošću uzročnika u okolišu ili je ovisan o prisutnosti vektora. Iznimno su važne one bolesti koje se prenose direktnim kontaktom s kujom, tj. mačkom te parazitarne bolesti do kojih dolazi dijaplacentalnim i galaktogenim prijenosom. Ovaj rad obuhvaća odabrane endoparazitarne bolesti koje se veoma često klinički očituju u mladunčadi pasa i mačaka, a uzrokovane su protistima reda Eimeriida kao što su izosporoza, neosporoza i toksoplazmoza. Izosporoza se smatra važnom za mladunčad pasa i mačaka jer se kod njih bolest češće klinički očituje, dok je kod odraslih pasa i mačaka ta bolest najčešće asimptomatska. Važan je dijaplacentalni prijenos neosporoze jer često rezultira pobačajem te rođenjem avitalne ili kongenitalno invandirane štenadi u koje poslije dolazi do teške kliničke slike obilježene simptomima središnjeg i perifernog živčanog sustava. Važan je i dijaplacentalni prijenos toksoplazmoze, do kojega može doći i u mačaka koje su nositelji i u posrednika, odnosno različitih vrsta toplokrvnih životinja, uključujući i čovjeka. Toksoplazmoza, iako u većine invadiranih jedinki prolazi nezapaženo, može rezultirati ozbiljnom kliničkom slikom, osobito u imunosuprimiranih osoba, osim toga je iznimno opasna za trudnice zbog mogućnosti vertikalnog prijenosa i invazije ploda. Uloga veterinara, osim dijagnosticiranja i liječenja slučajeva toksoplazmoze u životinja, jest i edukacija šire javnosti o prevenciji toksoplazmoze.Parasitic diseases of dog and cat neonates are primarily closely related to the presence of pathogens in bitches or queens, while a smaller proportion is related to the presence of pathogens in the environment or depends on the vector’s presence. The diseases that are transmitted through direct contact with the bitch, i.e. the queen, and the parasitic diseases occuring as a result of diaplacental and galactogenic transmission, are of great importance. Also, this work covers selected endoparasitic diseases that are very often clinically manifested in the puppies and kittens, of dogs and cats, and are caused by protists from Eimeriida order, such as isosporosis, neosporosis, and toxoplasmosis. Isosporosis is considered a significant disease in puppies and kittens, given the fact that they are more likely to develop clinical manifestations, while in adult dogs and cats the disease is usually asymptomatic. The importance of neosporosis is based on diaplacental transmission which often results in abortion, and the birth of avital puppies or congenitally invaded puppies which later develop a severe clinical picture characterized by central and peripheral nervous system symptoms. The significance of toxoplasmosis is based on diaplacental transmission, which can occur in both, cats as final hosts, and intermediate hosts, i. e. different species of warm blooded animals including humans. Toxoplasmosis, although unnoticed in most invaded individuals, can result in serious clinical signs, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. In addition, it is of great danger to pregnant women due to the possibility of vertical transmission and consequent fetal invasion. The role of veterinarians, in addition to diagnosing and treating toxoplasmosis cases in animals, is also to educate the general public for a better prevention of toxoplasmosis

Identification keys for nymphae and larvae of the ixodid species Ixodes ricinus

rpelji šikare obligatni su, hematofagni ektoparaziti koji su biološki i mehaničkih vektori uzročnika zaraznih i parazitskih bolesti. Rezervori su raznih virusa, bakterija, protista i oblića, koji uzrokuju bolesti životinja i ljudi. Unutar porodice krpelja šikare (Ixodidae) na području palearktičke regije vrsno je najbrojniji rod Ixodes, kojemu pripada 59 vrsta krpelja koje se međusobno morfološki razlikuju. Vrsta Ixodes ricinus na europskom je području najraširenija vrsta i sposobna je prenijeti mnoge uzročnike bolesti, što je čini najvažnijim vektorom mnogih krpeljno-prenosivih bolesti. Stoga je cilj ovog stručnog rada bio slikovno prikazati morfološke ključeve kako bismo olakšali identifikaciju te vrste krpelja te potrebitim ekspertima omogućili pravodobno postavljanje sumnje na bolesti koje ona prenosi.Hard ticks are obligate, hematophagous ectoparasites that are biological and mechanical vectors. They are reservoirs of numerous viruses, bacteria, protists and helminths that cause infectious diseases in animals and humans. Within the Ixodidae family in the Palearctic region, the genus Ixodes is most numerous and includes 59 hard tick species which are morphologically different. The Ixodes ricinus species is the most widespread hard tick species in Europe which makes it the most notable vector of many tick-borne diseases. Therefore, the aim of this professional paper was to present morphological keys to facilitate the identification of this species, and thus allows on time the necessary experts and laypersons to suspect and diagnose certain diseases whose causative agents can be transmitted by this species

Introduction to next generation sequencing technologies

Sekvenciranje genoma važan je korak u određivanju korelacije između genotipa i obilježja fenotipa. Tehnologije sekvenciranja važne su u mnogim područjima prirodnih i biomedicinskih znanosti. Razdoblje razvoja sekvenciranja podijeljeno je na četiri generacije. Sekvenciranje prve generacije uključuje sekvenciranje sintezom (Sangerovo sekvenciranje) i sekvenciranje cijepanjem (Maxam-Gilbertovo sekvenciranje). Sangerovo sekvenciranje omogućilo je potpuno određivanje sekvencija različitih genoma, uključujući i ljudski, te je pružilo temelj razvoju tehnologija druge, treće i četvrte generacije, poznatih pod zajedničkim nazivom sekvenciranja novih generacija, pomoću kojih su prevladana određena ograničenja Sangerove metode. No unatoč mnogim prednostima poput brzine, cijene i paralelnosti, točnost i duljina očitanja Sangerova sekvenciranja i dalje ih nadmašuje te im ograničava upotrebu najčešće na postupak resekvenciranja. Zbog toga se pojavljuje stalna potreba za razvojem poboljšanih tehnologija sekvenciranja u stvarnom vremenu. Slijedom bibliografskih izvora dani su podaci u ovom radu kratak povijesni pregled razvoja tehnologija sekvenciranja novih generacija (engl. next generation sequencing, NGS).Genome sequencing is a significant step in determining the correlation between genotype and phenotype traits. Sequencing technologies are important in many fields in the life and biomedical sciences. The era of sequencing development is divided into four generations. First generation sequencing includes sequencing by synthesis (Sanger sequencing) and sequencing by cleavage (Maxam-Gilbert sequencing). Sanger sequencing enabled the complete sequencing of various genomes, including human, and provided the foundation for the development of second, third and fourth-generation technologies, collectively known as “new-generation sequencing,” that overcame certain limitations of Sanger method. But despite many advantages in terms of speed, cost and parallelism, the accuracy and read length of Sanger sequencing still surpasses them and limits their use mainly to resequencing procedure. Consequently, there is a constant need to develop improved real time sequencing technologies. Following the bibliographic sources, the data given in this paper are a brief historical overview of the development of next generation sequencing technologies (NGS)

Parasitic diseases of dog and cat neonates: diseases caused by protists from Eimeriida order

Parazitarne bolesti u mladunčadi pasa i mačaka usko su povezane prije svega s prisutnošću uzročnika bolesti u kuje i mačke, dok ih je manji dio povezan s prisutnošću uzročnika u okolišu ili je ovisan o prisutnosti vektora. Iznimno su važne one bolesti koje se prenose direktnim kontaktom s kujom, tj. mačkom te parazitarne bolesti do kojih dolazi dijaplacentalnim i galaktogenim prijenosom. Ovaj rad obuhvaća odabrane endoparazitarne bolesti koje se veoma često klinički očituju u mladunčadi pasa i mačaka, a uzrokovane su protistima reda Eimeriida kao što su izosporoza, neosporoza i toksoplazmoza. Izosporoza se smatra važnom za mladunčad pasa i mačaka jer se kod njih bolest češće klinički očituje, dok je kod odraslih pasa i mačaka ta bolest najčešće asimptomatska. Važan je dijaplacentalni prijenos neosporoze jer često rezultira pobačajem te rođenjem avitalne ili kongenitalno invandirane štenadi u koje poslije dolazi do teške kliničke slike obilježene simptomima središnjeg i perifernog živčanog sustava. Važan je i dijaplacentalni prijenos toksoplazmoze, do kojega može doći i u mačaka koje su nositelji i u posrednika, odnosno različitih vrsta toplokrvnih životinja, uključujući i čovjeka. Toksoplazmoza, iako u većine invadiranih jedinki prolazi nezapaženo, može rezultirati ozbiljnom kliničkom slikom, osobito u imunosuprimiranih osoba, osim toga je iznimno opasna za trudnice zbog mogućnosti vertikalnog prijenosa i invazije ploda. Uloga veterinara, osim dijagnosticiranja i liječenja slučajeva toksoplazmoze u životinja, jest i edukacija šire javnosti o prevenciji toksoplazmoze.Parasitic diseases of dog and cat neonates are primarily closely related to the presence of pathogens in bitches or queens, while a smaller proportion is related to the presence of pathogens in the environment or depends on the vector’s presence. The diseases that are transmitted through direct contact with the bitch, i.e. the queen, and the parasitic diseases occuring as a result of diaplacental and galactogenic transmission, are of great importance. Also, this work covers selected endoparasitic diseases that are very often clinically manifested in the puppies and kittens, of dogs and cats, and are caused by protists from Eimeriida order, such as isosporosis, neosporosis, and toxoplasmosis. Isosporosis is considered a significant disease in puppies and kittens, given the fact that they are more likely to develop clinical manifestations, while in adult dogs and cats the disease is usually asymptomatic. The importance of neosporosis is based on diaplacental transmission which often results in abortion, and the birth of avital puppies or congenitally invaded puppies which later develop a severe clinical picture characterized by central and peripheral nervous system symptoms. The significance of toxoplasmosis is based on diaplacental transmission, which can occur in both, cats as final hosts, and intermediate hosts, i. e. different species of warm blooded animals including humans. Toxoplasmosis, although unnoticed in most invaded individuals, can result in serious clinical signs, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. In addition, it is of great danger to pregnant women due to the possibility of vertical transmission and consequent fetal invasion. The role of veterinarians, in addition to diagnosing and treating toxoplasmosis cases in animals, is also to educate the general public for a better prevention of toxoplasmosis

Morfološka karakterizacija krpelja šikare roda Dermacentor, važnih vektora uzročnika bolesti na području Republike Hrvatske

Krpelji šikare su obligatni, hematofagni ektoparaziti koji prenose uzročnike bolesti na ljude i životinje (viruse, bakterije, protozoe i obliće) te mogu sadržajem svoje sline direktno uzrokovati ozbiljne toksikoze, paralize, iritacije i alergijske reakcije. S obzirom da su samo određene vrste krpelja vektori određenih uzročnika bolesti na području Republike Hrvatske i na složenost morfološke determinacije, cilj ovog istraživanja je bio prikazati morfološke karakteristike samo nekih vrsta krpelja. Prikazane su vrste Dermacentor reticulatus i D. marginatus. Krpelji su determinirani pomoću produciranih vlastitih fotografija

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

Morphology of Lung Parasites of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Adriatic Sea

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi morfološke značajke i rod kojemu pripadaju plućni paraziti pronađeni u dobrih dupina iz hrvatskog dijela Jadranskoga mora. Istraživanje je provedeno na arhivskim uzorcima parazita koji su tijekom postmortalne obrade prikupljeni iz dišnog sustava dobrih dupina uginulih u razdoblju od 1990. do 2018. godine. Pojedinačni oblići, parazitski čvorovi u parenhimu pluća te oblići zajedno s parenhimom pluća pohranjeni su u 4 %-tnu vodenu otopinu formaldehida. Mikroskopska identifikacija provedena je uz pomoć mikroskopa Olympus BX-51 pod, po potrebi, svim povećanjima suhih objektiva (40 x, 100 x, 200 x, 400 x). Paraziti su fotografirani digitalnom mikroskopskom kamerom te su morfološki identificirani do razine roda prema postojećoj literaturi. Utvrđeno je da plućni oblići dobrog dupina hrvatskog dijela Jadranskog mora pripadaju rodovima Stenurus i Skrjabinalius.The aim of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics and genera of lung parasites in bottlenose dolphins from the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Samples of lung parasites were collected during postmortem examinations of bottlenose dolphins that were found stranded in the period between 1990 and 2018. Lung nematodes and parasitic nodules from the lung parenchyma were stored in 4 % water diluted formaldehyde. Microscopic identification was performed using an Olympus BX-51 microscope, with magnification of 40x, 100x, 200x, and 400x. The parasites were photographed with a digital microscope camera, and their taxonomic genus was morphologically identified according to the guidelines from the most recent literature. It was found that the lung nematodes of bottlenose dolphins from the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea belong to the genera Stenurus and Skrjabinalius

Morphological characterization of hard ticks from the genus Ixodes, important vectors of infectious diseases in Croatia

Krpelji šikare pripadaju koljenu člankonožaca (Arthropoda), razredu paučnjaka (Arachnida), podrazredu grinja (Acari) i porodici Ixodidae. Oni su obligatni, hematofagni ektoparaziti te važni vektori uzročnika bolesti u ljudi i životinja (virusa, bakterija, protista i oblića). Dugotrajan akt hranjenja te čvrsto prihvaćanje za nositelja otežava uklanjanje i osigurava dovoljno vremena za prenošenje uzročnika bolesti na novog nositelja. Mnogi krpelji šikare nakon krvnog obroka obvezni su zamijeniti svog nositelja novim, pri čemu mogu gladovati dulje vrijeme. Pritom uzročnici bolesti isto tako preživljavaju unutar njih. S obzirom na to da su samo neke vrste krpelja vektori određenih uzročnika bolesti na području Republike Hrvatske, cilj ovog istraživanja bio je opisati samo one najvažnije. Nadalje, trenutačno ne postoje opisane morfološke karakteristike krpelja šikare popraćene fotografijama. S obzirom na brojnost vrsta krpelja i kompleksnost morfološke identifikacije, ovo je istraživanje usmjereno na vrste krpelja iz roda Ixodes.Hard ticks belong to the phylum Arthropoda, class Arachnida, subclass Acari and the family Ixodidae. They are obligatory haematophagous ectoparasites and important causative agent vectors in humans and animals (viruses, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes). Long term feeding and strong host attachment complicate removal and therefore ensures sufficient time for the causative agent to transfer into the new host. Many hard tick species are obliged to switch hosts after feeding on blood, and survive a long period of starvation. At the same time, the causative agents survive along with the hard ticks. Since only certain hard tick species can transmit causative agents in Croatia, the aim of this study was to describe only the most important. Furthermore, there are no data on their morphological characteristics supported by photographs. Because of the large number of tick species present and complexity of morphological identification, this survey was focused on the hard tick species from the Ixodes genus