Short communication: prevalence of Eimeria spp. infection in domestic rabbits of Polish farms

[EN] Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. infection can be a serious problem and a significant cause of economic losses in rabbit farms. The aim of the study was to identify the coccidian species and evaluate the variability in prevalence and OPG (oocysts/gram of faeces) number of Eimeria infections in small meat rabbit farms in Poland. To this end, individual faecal samples were collected from animals from 14 different backyard farms and quali-quantitatively analysed by a flotation method (Willis-Schlaaf) and a McMaster technique to assess the presence and the number of Eimeria oocysts per gram of faeces, respectively. In addition, Eimeria oocysts were identified at species level following sporulation. Ten coccidian species were identified, including nine intestinal Eimeria species (E. exigua, E. perforans, E. media, E. magna, E. irresidua, E. coecicola, E. flavescens, E. piriformis, E. intestinalis) and one liver species (E. stiedai). The OPG number showed large fluctuations throughout the year. The highest Eimeria spp. OPG mean number (21100 OPG) was observed in mid-May. The result obtained revealed that the prevalence of rabbit coccidiosis in Poland backyard farms is high and may contribute to the development of effective control programmes.The financial support and facilities provided by Department of Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction and Environment Hygiene,West Pomerania University of Technology, Szczecin Poland, Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin, Poland.Balicka-Ramisz, A.; Laurans, Ł.; Pohorecki, K.; Batko, M.; Ramisz, A. (2020). Short communication: prevalence of Eimeria spp. infection in domestic rabbits of Polish farms. World Rabbit Science. 28(4):181-185. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2020.10758OJS18118528

Gastrointestinal nematodes and the deworming of mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) from Goleniowska Forest in West Pomerania province, Poland

Ruminants often live in environments where the natural balance has been disturbed by humans. As a result, there is a transfer of parasitosis to domestic animals and sometimes humans. The aim of the study was to determine the annual species composition and level of gastrointestinal nematode infection of mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) from the half-open breeding colonizing areas of the Goleniowska Forest, and to assess the effectiveness of deworming. The course of the parasitic infection of mouflon depends largely on geoclimatic and breeding factors. These diseases are caused by more than 17 species of nematodes with varying degrees of pathogenicity. Due to the high degree of parasitic infections in deer, both in Poland and abroad, it is necessary to develop specific preventive programs using preparations with a broad spectrum of action

Hepatotropic Properties of SARS-CoV-2—Preliminary Results of Cross-Sectional Observational Study from the First Wave COVID-19 Pandemic

Liver injury—expressed as elevated liver enzymes—is common in patients with COVID-19. Little is known about the potential mechanisms of liver damage by SARS-CoV-2. A direct cytopathic effect on hepatocytes as well as injury related to hypoxia or hepatotoxicity are being considered. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical characteristic of COVID-19 disease in patients with normal and abnormal liver enzymes activity. A group of 150 patients with COVID-19, hospitalized in our center, was analyzed. Patients with the known liver comorbidities were excluded (n = 15). Clinical features and laboratory parameters were compared between patients with normal and abnormal aminotransferase values. Liver injury expressed as any alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation was noted in 45.6% of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. The frequencies of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation were lower. It was noted that elevated ALT/AST unfavorably affected other parameters related to liver function such as albumin level; gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP); and partly, ALP activity and influenced inflammation-related parameters. The most probable cause of mild hepatitis during COVID-19 was anoxia and immune-mediated damage due to the inflammatory response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. A direct cytopathic effect of SARS-CoV-2 on hepatocytes, albeit less probable, can be considered as well. The use of potentially hepatotoxic drugs may contribute to liver damage