Pathomorphological changes in the tissues of chickens, experimentally infected with biting lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera)

A study into the death rate and pathomorphological changes in the tissues of chickens experimentally infected with biting lice from the species Eomenacanthus stramineus Nitzsch (1818), Menacanthus cornutus Schömmer (1913), Menopon gallinae L. (1758) and Goniocotes gallinae DeGeer (1778) is presented. Five of 20 infected birds died (25% death rate). Following necropsy of dead birds and after histological investigation of skin, muscle, spleen, liver, lungs and kidney specimens, multiple wounds and haemorrhages were macroscopically observed on skin surface, while histologically in all cutaneous layers, as well as in the other studies, tissue hyperaemia, haemorrhages, haemosiderosis, pseudoeosinophilic and hystiocytic infiltration were present. Inflammation of the small intestines was also noticed. The evidenced changes were of both local and systemic character. Local lesions were due to the direct aggression of Mallophaga. The systemic changes were manifestations of the sensitization and intoxication that occurred in the avian organism following the biting lice infestation

Demodex cati and feline immunodeficiency virus co-infection in a cat

A case of co-infection due to Demodex cati and feline immunodeficiency virus in a cat is described. A 5 year-old neutered male cat was presented to the Small Animal Clinic at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University with lethargy, diarrhoea, pyrexia, anorexia, adipsia, skin lesions, intense itching and alopecia. Parasitological, mycological and serological examinations were carried out. Adult D. cati mites and antibodies against FIV were detected. A proper therapy with an endectocide, antibiotic and antihistamine drug was prescribed. The improvement of the general condition was ob-served after a month of treatment. Later, the disease recurred twice and the animal was humanely euthanased for medical reasons and at the owner’s request

Effects of temperature and desiccation on survival rate of haemonchus contortus infective larval stage

Small ruminants are among the most commonly farmed livestock in Bulgaria. The climate and geographic conditions and pastoral way of growing lead to higher infestation of herds by variety of soil-transmitted helminths. The most spread nematodes are gastro-intestinal strongylids (GIS) causing various diseases of sheep and goats. Abomasal parasite Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda, Trichostrongylidae) constitutes a major part of gastro-intestinal helminthic fauna of small ruminants and is one of the most pathogenic members of this family causing serious economic losses of sheep and goat farms. Pre-parasitic period of H. contortus consisting of segmented eggs, non-infective larvae first and second stage (L1, L2) and infective larvae (L3). This development is also known as exogenous phase and takes place only in environment. Presence of viable and infective L3 on pastures is fully depended on climate conditions, solar radiation, grass and soil type etc. However, temperature and humidity are the most important factors exerting a marked effect on survival of H. contortus L3 on pastures. Resistance of L3 to some atmospheric variables e.g. temperature and humidity could be used to predict occurrence of haemonchosis among small ruminants. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of temperature and desiccation on L3 vitality of H. contortus under laboratory conditions. Experimental infection in lambs by H. contortus was reproduced. Feces were collected after beginning of the patent period of infection. Fecal samples were cultivated for 10 days at 27ºC for developing infective L3 which were then obtained by routine Baermann technique. Acquired L3 were placed under various temperatures (-4ºC; -18ºC; 40ºC; 45ºC; 50ºC) and desiccation. The results clearly showed that L3 were more resistant to desiccation, -4º and 40ºC and less to -18ºC, 45ºC and 50ºC

Clinical study of acute haemonchosis in lambs

In this study are presented clinical approaches in lambs with experimentally induced haemonchosis. Eighteen lambs aged about 3 months were included in the investigation. The animals were divided into 3 groups and were inoculated by Haemonchus contortus infective larvae (L3) in following order: G1 - 6000 L3; G2 - 4000 L3 and G3 served as a noninfected control group. Clinical signs were observed weekly for 77 days. Simultaneously, we also studied the changes in bodyweight and egg shedding from the lambs. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of infective dose on degree of clinical manifestation and bodyweight, and also a rate of egg excretion by feces. The results showed that the most common clinical signs in haemonchosis are weakness, lethargy, lack of appetite, thirst, increased heart rate and breathing, pale conjunctiva and gingiva and mushy stools. Those signs started at 21st day after infection and were most pronounced about 35th day in G2 and 49th day in G1