Investigative study of planar array ambiguities based on "hyperhelical" parameterization

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Pulmonary Lesions caused by the Nematode Rhabdias fuscovenosa in a Grass Snake, Natrix natrix

In June 2005, a free-ranging grass snake, Natrix natrix infected with Rhabdias fuscovenosa was collected for histologic examination of the lungs. Gross lesions were not noted; however, histologic examination revealed vacuolar degeneration of the respiratory epithelium, hemorrhage, smooth muscle degeneration, faveolae necrosis and obstruction, and intralesional nematodes. Eosinophils were the most common inflammatory cell observed in the areas of necrosis and interstitium. Herein we describe histopathologic changes due to R. fuscovenosa in a free-ranging grass snake

Thelazia lacrymalis in horses from Romania: epidemiology, morphology and phylogenetic analysis

Background: Equine thelaziosis is a neglected vector-borne parasitic disease in modern veterinary medicine, lacking recent reports. It is transmitted by Musca autumnalis, and potentially other Muscidae species, by ingesting the lachrymal secretions of its equine host. The distribution of both Thelazia lacrymalis and its intermediate hosts remains largely unknown throughout Europe, with most studies dating back 20 years. The aim of this study was to assess the presence, prevalence and distribution of T. lacrymalis in horses from Romania. Methods: The eyes of 273 horses, slaughtered at two abattoirs from the Northwestern and Western regions of Romania, were examined for the presence of T. lacrymalis between March and November 2021. Upon detection, the nematodes were collected and morphologically identified using the keys from literature. Following identification, one specimen from each animal was selected for molecular analysis while the rest underwent detailed morphometric measurements. Mapping and distribution, according to ecoregions, was done using the QGis 3.20 software, while sequences obtained were compared to those available in GenBank through BLAST analysis using the MEGA X software. Results: Of the 273 animals sampled, 12 (4.39%) were positive for Thelazia spp. infection. Eighty-seven nematodes were recovered, all morphologically identified as T. lacrymalis. The intensity of infestation varied between one and 33 nematodes/animal while five animals presented a bilateral infestation and seven a unilateral one. The highest prevalence was encountered in Pannonian ecoregion (12.12%) while the lowest was in the Alpine ecoregion (0%). Seventy-five intact specimens underwent detailed morphometric analysis, of the 18–20 parameters, resulting in notable differences in striation lengths compared to the data available in other reports. BLAST analysis identified a 96.46–98.60% similarity to the only other COI gene sequence available for T. lacrymalis. Conclusions: The current study represents the first report of T. lacrymalis in horses in Romania. The low prevalence rates are probably linked to the wide use of macrocyclic lactones. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2022, The Author(s)

Prevalence of Swine Gastrointestinal Parasites in Two Free-Range Farms from Nord-West Region of Romania

Parasitic diseases cause significant economic losses in swine, including free-range swine farms, the number of which in Romania has increased in the last decades. The current study aimed to identify the parasitic profile of swine raised on two free-range (low-input) farms from Transylvania. Nine hundred sixty samples collected from weaners, fatteners, and sows were investigated by flotation, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained fecal smear, modified Blagg technique, and oocyst/egg cultures. The number of oocysts (OPG), cysts (CPG), and eggs (EPG) were counted per gram of fecal matter. The examination revealed parasitic infections with Balantidium coli, Eimeria spp., Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi and Cryptosporidium spp. Prevalence (P) and the mean intensity (MI) of the infections varied according to age, swine category, farm, and season. The overall prevalence in both free-range farms according to the age category was 63.2%—Eimeria spp., 70.31%—B. coli, 9.38%—Oesophagostomum spp., 3.75% S. ransomi, and 18.12% Cryptosporidium spp. in weaners. In fatteners Eimeria spp. revealed a prevalence of 50.93%, B. coli—72.5 %, A. suum—63.13%, T. suis—39.06%, and in sows Eimeria spp.—39.06%, B. coli—62.19%, A. suum—34.06%, Oesophagostomum spp.—27.19%, S. ransomi—1.56% and Cryptosporidium spp.—9.38%. The study revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences between age groups, seasons, and farms for all diagnosed parasites. Further research is required to better understand the epidemiology of these infections in swine from Transylvania. © 2022 by the authors

Helminth burden in stray cats from Thessaloniki, Greece

To get an overview on the prevalence of intestinal helminths, between 2010 and 2012, fecal samples from 215 stray cats from area of Thessaloniki, Greece, were tested by coprological methods. From the total number of fecal samples examined, 55.8 % were infected with at least one intestinal parasite and 16.3 % had co-infection. Five different parasite species were found. The most prevalent helminth was Dipylidium caninum (39.53 %), followed by Toxocara cati (18.14 %), Ancylostoma spp. (11.63 %), Taenia taeniaeformis (8.37 %) and Toxascaris leonina (0.93 %). The results showed that A. tubaeforme and T. taeniaeformis were more prevalent in males, while D. caninum, T. cati and T. leonina in female cats, without statistical significance. The prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. and T. cati were significantly higher in young cats ( 1 year old). The most common association was between D. caninum and T. cati

Antiparasitic Action of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 and Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM Strains in CD-1 Mice Experimentally Infected with Trichinella britovi

Nematodes of the genus Trichinella are among the most widespread parasites of domestic and wild omnivores and predatory animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiparasitic effect of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 (original) and L. paracasei CNCM in CD-1 mice experimentally infected with Trichinella britovi. Four groups of 20 mice (10 females and 10 males/group) were used, with two control (C) groups and two experimental (E) groups, in which each animal received a daily oral dose of 100 µl of 105 CFU/ml probiotics in Ringer’s solution. On day 7, all mice (except the negative control group) were infected orally with Trichinella (100 larvae/animal) as well as the two probiotics. On day 9 post-infection (p.i.), 10 mice/group were euthanized, and the presence of adult parasites in the intestinal content and wall was tested. On day 32 p.i., 10 mice/group were eu-thanized, then trichinoscopy and artificial digestion were performed to assess the muscle infection with T. britovi. On day 9 p.i., the experimental group pretreated with L. casei ATCC 393 (6.3 ± 3.03) showed a significantly lower number of adult parasites in the intestinal wall compared with the positive control group (24.6 ± 4.78). Additionally, a significantly lower adult parasite count in the intestinal wall was registered in female mice pretreated with L. paracasei CNCM (7.4 ± 4.71) compared to female mice from the positive control (29.0 ± 5.17). No statistically relevant results were obtained concerning the male mice or the data obtained at 32 days p.i., irrespective of mice gender. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Zoonotic pathogens associated with Hyalomma aegyptium in endangered tortoises: evidence for host-switching behaviour in ticks?

Background: Hyalomma aegyptium is a hard-tick with a typical three-host life cycle. The main hosts are Palearctic tortoises of genus Testudo. However, other hosts can be used by immature ticks for feeding in natural conditions. Given this complex ecology and multiple host use, the circulation of pathogens by H. aegyptium between various hosts can be important from epidemiological point of view. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of H. aegyptium as natural carrier of four important zoonotic pathogens. Methods: From 2008 to 2011, 448 H. aegyptium ticks were collected from 45 Spur-thighed tortoises, Testudo graeca in Romania. DNA was extracted individually from each tick using a commercial kit. DNA was examined for the presence of specific sequences of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis and Coxiella burnetii by PCR, according to previously described protocols. Results: PCR analysis of H. aegyptium revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum (18.8%), E. canis (14.1%) and C. burnetii (10%). 32.4% of the ticks were infected with at least one pathogen and 9.8% had co-infections. The stages most frequently infected were nymphs (50%) followed by males (33.9%) and females (27%). The number of tortoises which harboured infected ticks was 27/45 examined (60%). From all tested T. graeca, 40% harboured ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum, 46.7% had ticks infected with E. canis and 33.3% had ticks with C. burnetii. This study reports for the first time the presence of A. phagocytophilum and E. canis in H. aegyptium. Conclusions: The presence and relatively high prevalence of three important zoonotic pathogens in H. aegyptium raises the question of their epidemiologic importance in disease ecology. As tortoises are unlikely to be reservoir hosts for A. phagocytophilum and E. canis and both these pathogens are common in H. aegyptium, this is an important indication for (1) a possible increased host-switching behaviour of these ticks to competent reservoir hosts (i.e. hedgehogs) and (2) transstadial transmission. Furthermore, if we consider also the presence of C. burnetii, we conclude that T. graeca and its ticks should be evaluated more seriously when assessing the eco-epidemiology of zoonotic diseases

Urban stray cats infested by ectoparasites with zoonotic potential in Greece

A large population of stray cats is encountered in many urban areas sharing the same environment with people, usually being in a close direct contact with them. A variety of ectoparasites can infest such cats, causing mild dermatological abnormalities to more severe systemic disorders. In order to determine the extent of which stray cats carry ectoparasites, particularly those of zoonotic potential, 341 stray cats originating from the urban area of Thessaloniki, Greece, were examined between 2012 and 2014. The signalment of each cat such as gender, hair length, and roughly estimated age were recorded. From a total of 341 examined stray cats, 127 (37.24 %; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 32.14-42.64) were infested with at least one of the following ectoparasites: mites-Otodectes cynotis (15.8 %), Notoedres cati (2.35 %), Cheyletiella blakei (2.05 %); fleas-Ctenocephalides felis (24.3 %); ticks-Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.88 %); and lice-Felicola subrostratus (0.59 %). A significantly higher prevalence of ectoparasites was observed in long-haired individuals (p < 0.00001). The above ectoparasites may either cause or transmit diseases not only in cats but also in humans Therefore, antiparasitic control should be included in stray cat neutering campaigns while public health education for taking preventive measures will decrease the risk of transmission to humans