Prevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in European hares (Lepus europaeus)

[b]Introduction and objectives.[/b][i] Encephalitozoon cuniculi[/i] is an obligate intracellular parasite infecting especially domestic rabbits; however, spontaneous infections have been documented in other mammalian species such as dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, cows and sheep all over the world. Encephalitozoonosis is a chronic and latent disease leading to renal failure, encephalitis, disorders of brain and urinary tract, and may lead to death. There are limited reports on encephalitozoonosis in wildlife, which is why the aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of antibodies to [i]E. cuniculi[/i] in European hares. [b]Materials and methods. [/b]Samples of blood sera from 701 wild hares from the Czech Republic (n = 245), the Slovak Republic (n = 211) and Austria (n = 245) were examined by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT); samples with titer ≥ 40 were marked as positive. [b]Results[/b]. The total seroprevalence of E. cuniculi antibodies was 1.42% with titres in the range 40–640. Antibodies to [i]E. cuniculi[/i] were detected in 2.9% (7/245), 0.8% (2/245) and 0.47% (1/211) hares from the Czech Republic, Austria and the Slovak Republic, respectively. [b]Conclusions[/b]. This is the first detection of antibodies to [i]E. cuniculi[/i] in hares from Europe showing that hares could be exposed to[i] E. cuniculi[/i] infection, however with a low rate

Realization of social services community plan in administrative district of municipality with extended competences Dačice

The goal of my Bachelor Thesis consists in summarizing the implementation of community planning of social services of ORP Dačice. The first part of the text is devoted to the history of community planning, to the methods applied in community planning and to basic concepts closely related to the topic in question, specifically to the concepts of community and community planning. The next chapter presents the individual steps of planning of the development of social services in more detail. I mention particularly the rules, principles, goals and starting points. I speak about the historical development, not only of the community planning in the Dačice area, but also the history of planning in the South Bohemian Region and individual development stages. The second part of my thesis assesses the implementation and fulfillment of the set goals of the community plan in SO ORP Dačice and its interconnection with the medium-term plan of social services in the South Bohemian Region. I used the document analysis as the adequate method for processing of the second part. I discuss in detail the participation of the individual local governments in the actual planning process and their approach to funding of social services from municipal budgets. The chapter includes also observations from practice and from structured interviews with representatives of individual municipalities on their awareness of community planning and knowledge of the needs, as well as of the use of specific social services in their municipalities, respectively. Finally, my thesis shows a summary of the social services currently provided in SO ORP Dačice and the proportion of the local governments in funding of the individual services

Eating disorders from the perspective of the general public

This thesis deals with the influence of a vegetarian diet on dental status in adults. The importance of nutrition on dental status in adults is controversial and therefore this thesis seeks to shed light on the issue of nutrition with regard to dental status. A major role is played by the possibility of enjoying quality of life in older age based on early prevention and experience-those habits from the time before the age of fifteen years of one's life. The theoretical part focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity and the influence of diet on dental status. The text lists the possible causes, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of disease in follow-up on the diet of an individual company. It goes on to discuss ways of improving the state of the teeth when receiving a vegetarian diet. The practical part is to determine how the vegetarian diet is reflected in the state of adult teeth, how many individuals are consuming, so if there is a demonstrable impact on the dental status when receiving a vegetarian diet. The practical part was carried out using questionnaires, interviews with specialists in dental hygiene and a vegetarian diet. The questionnaires were processed in the graphics section

Prevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in European hares (Lepus europaeus)

[b]Introduction and objectives.[/b][i] Encephalitozoon cuniculi[/i] is an obligate intracellular parasite infecting especially domestic rabbits; however, spontaneous infections have been documented in other mammalian species such as dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, cows and sheep all over the world. Encephalitozoonosis is a chronic and latent disease leading to renal failure, encephalitis, disorders of brain and urinary tract, and may lead to death. There are limited reports on encephalitozoonosis in wildlife, which is why the aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of antibodies to [i]E. cuniculi[/i] in European hares. [b]Materials and methods. [/b]Samples of blood sera from 701 wild hares from the Czech Republic (n = 245), the Slovak Republic (n = 211) and Austria (n = 245) were examined by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT); samples with titer ≥ 40 were marked as positive. [b]Results[/b]. The total seroprevalence of E. cuniculi antibodies was 1.42% with titres in the range 40–640. Antibodies to [i]E. cuniculi[/i] were detected in 2.9% (7/245), 0.8% (2/245) and 0.47% (1/211) hares from the Czech Republic, Austria and the Slovak Republic, respectively. [b]Conclusions[/b]. This is the first detection of antibodies to [i]E. cuniculi[/i] in hares from Europe showing that hares could be exposed to[i] E. cuniculi[/i] infection, however with a low rate

Molecular Detection of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, <i>Neospora caninum</i> and <i>Encephalitozoon</i> spp. in Vespertilionid Bats from Central Europe

Bats may carry various viruses and bacteria which can be harmful to humans, but little is known about their role as a parasitic source with zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to test wild bats for the presence of selected parasites: Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and microsporidia Encephalitozoon spp. In total, brain and small intestine tissues of 100 bats (52 Myotis myotis, 43 Nyctalus noctula and 5 Vespertilio murinus) were used for the DNA isolation and PCR detection of the abovementioned agents. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected by real-time PCR in 1% of bats (in one male of M. myotis), while all bats were negative for N. caninum DNA. Encephalitozoon spp. DNA was detected by nested PCR in 25% of bats, including three species (twenty-two M. myotis, two N. noctula and one V. murinus). Positive samples were sequenced and showed homology with the genotypes Encephalitozoon cuniculi II and Encephalitozoon hellem 2C. This is the first study on wild vespertilionid bats from Central Europe and worldwide, with a relatively high positivity of Encephalitozoon spp. detected in bats

Wild Small Mammals and Ticks in Zoos—Reservoir of Agents with Zoonotic Potential?

Wild small mammals and ticks play an important role in maintaining and spreading zoonoses in nature, as well as in captive animals. The aim of this study was to monitor selected agents with zoonotic potential in their reservoirs and vectors in a zoo, and to draw attention to the risk of possible contact with these pathogens. In total, 117 wild small mammals (rodents) and 166 ticks were collected in the area of Brno Zoo. Antibodies to the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. were detected by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 19% (19/99), 4% (4/99), and 15% (15/99) of rodents, respectively. Antibodies to Leptospira spp. bacteria were detected by the microscopic agglutination test in 6% (4/63) of rodents. Coinfection (antibodies to more than two agents) were proved in 14.5% (15/97) of animals. The prevalence of C. burnetii statistically differed according to the years of trapping (p = 0.0241). The DNAs of B. burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia sp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected by PCR in 16%, 6%, and 1% of ticks, respectively, without coinfection and without effect of life stage and sex of ticks on positivity. Sequencing showed homology with R. helvetica and A. phagocytophilum in four and one positive samples, respectively. The results of our study show that wild small mammals and ticks in a zoo could serve as reservoirs and vectors of infectious agents with zoonotic potential and thus present a risk of infection to zoo animals and also to keepers and visitors to a zoo

Biosurveillance of selected pathogens with zoonotic potential in a zoo

Monitoring of infectious diseases is one of the most important pillars of preventive medicine in zoos. Screening for parasitic and bacterial infections is important to keep animals and equipment safe from pathogens that may pose a risk to animal and human health. Zoos usually contain many different animal species living in proximity with people and wild animals. As an epidemiological probe, 188 animals (122 mammals, 65 birds, and one reptile) from a zoo in Slovenia were examined for selected pathogens. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were detected by ELISA in 38% (46/122) and 3% (4/122) of mammals, and in 0% (0/64) and 2% (1/57) of birds, respectivelythe reptile (0/1) was negative. A statistically significant difference in T. gondii prevalence was found in Carnivora compared to Cetartiodactyla and primate antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected by IFAT in 44% (52/118) of mammals and 20% (11/56) of birds, respectivelythe reptile (0/1) was negative. Herbivores had a higher chance of being infected with E. cuniculi compared to omnivores. Antibodies to Chlamydia abortus and Coxiella burnetii were not detected in any of the 74 tested zoo animals. The sera of 39 wild rodents found in the zoo were also examinedthey were negative for all three parasites. The parasite T. gondii was detected by PCR in the tissue of two mute swans (Cygnus olor), three eastern house mice (Mus musculus), one yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), and one striped field mouse (A. agrarius). Positive samples were genotyped by a single multiplex PCR assay using 15 microsatellite markersone sample from a mute swan was characterized as type II. This micro-epidemiological study offers a better understanding of pathogens in zoo animals and an understanding of the role of zoos in biosurveillance

Vyhodnocení a návrh doplnění ekonomických nástrojů využitelných pro oblast ochrany přírody a krajiny s ohledem na transpozici práva EU

Cílem projektu je dle zadávací dokumentace vyhodnotit stávající a navrhnout doplnění ekonomických nástrojů včetně možných zdrojů, využitelných k zabezpečení povinností vyplývajících ze směrnic č. 92/43/EEC a č. 79/409/EEC a na základě výsledků analýzy kvantifikovat náklady a navrhnout systém ekonomických nástrojů k zabezpečení povinností naplnit cíle obou směrnic