Geographic distribution of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in stray dogs of eastern Romania.

A survey was conducted in the eastern part of Romania to assess the prevalence and geographical distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs. Plasma samples were collected from 458 stray dogs hosted in shelters in 8 counties and tested serologically for the presence of heartworm. In addition, 45 blood samples from dogs of a shelter in Galati city were examined by the modified Knott and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The immmunological assay showed a heartworm infection prevalence of 8.9% in the dogs. Optical density results for positive samples ranged between 0.217 and 2.683. Geographical information systems (GIS) were used to produce overlays of distribution maps of D. immitis prevalence and predictive maps based on temperature suitability. High prevalence of D. immitis was found in the central East up to the northern border of the country, i.e. Galati county (60%), followed by the counties of Vaslui (12.0%) and Iasi (7.7%). Out of 45 samples examined using the Knott test, 23 were positive for circulating microfilariae (51.1%), while 19 dogs were positive for D. immitis and 4 for both D. immitis and D. repens with the multiplex PCR test. The high prevalence for D. immitis shown in dogs in the Southeast (Galati, 42.2%) also by multiplex PCR gave strong support to the results achieved by the serological tests. The present study confirms the ability of GIS to predict the distribution and epidemiology of dirofilariosis in different geographical territories as has been already demonstrated by the empirical epidemiological data obtained at the continental, national and intraregional levels

Epidemiology and clinical presentation of dogs infected with sarcoptic mange

Sarcoptic mange in dog is a common parasitic dermatitis, especially in non-controlled, stray dogs that develop evocative clinical signs. The present study includes 48 dogs, with different backgrounds, both privately owned and dogs from shelters. We searched for predisposing factors for contacting sarcoptic mange, such as: age, sex, breed, source of contamination. Their age ranged from 1.15 months to 12 years (with more than a half being under 1 year old), they were mostly common or cross-breed dogs, and the sex ratio was almost equal, with 25 females and 23 males. All dogs were naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei, as confirmed by identification on the microscope of skin scrapings from different body areas. Furthermore, we aimed to have a general idea concerning the severity of infection with Sarcoptes scabiei in the dogs we studied. The dogs received a clinical score based on the evaluation of typical signs that appear in sarcoptic mange such as alopecia, erythema, scales/crusts and the extent of mange on the cutaneous surface on different body parts (head, trunk, legs, tail). The most affected body part was the head, followed by the trunk and the most scored sign was the extent of affected skin and alopecia. The treatment consisted in the administration of either afoxolaner (Nexgard®), twice at a monthly interval (2.7-6.9 mg/kg), either sarolaner (Simparica®), twice at a monthly interval (2-4 mg/kg), or doramectin (Dectomax®) 0.2 mg/kg, twice at 14 days interval

Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

A Roadmap for HEP Software and Computing R&D for the 2020s

Particle physics has an ambitious and broad experimental programme for the coming decades. This programme requires large investments in detector hardware, either to build new facilities and experiments, or to upgrade existing ones. Similarly, it requires commensurate investment in the R&D of software to acquire, manage, process, and analyse the shear amounts of data to be recorded. In planning for the HL-LHC in particular, it is critical that all of the collaborating stakeholders agree on the software goals and priorities, and that the efforts complement each other. In this spirit, this white paper describes the R&D activities required to prepare for this software upgrade.Peer reviewe

A Roadmap for HEP Software and Computing R&D for the 2020s

Particle physics has an ambitious and broad experimental programme for the coming decades. This programme requires large investments in detector hardware, either to build new facilities and experiments, or to upgrade existing ones. Similarly, it requires commensurate investment in the R&D of software to acquire, manage, process, and analyse the shear amounts of data to be recorded. In planning for the HL-LHC in particular, it is critical that all of the collaborating stakeholders agree on the software goals and priorities, and that the efforts complement each other. In this spirit, this white paper describes the R&D activities required to prepare for this software upgrade