Prevalence of antibodies against Neospora caninum in dogs from urban areas in Central Poland

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite which causes abortion in cattle as well as reproduction problems and neurological disorders in dogs. To assess the prevalence of the parasite in urban dogs in the Mazovian Voivodeship, Central Poland, serum samples from 257 dogs were analyzed for the presence of specific IgG antibodies. The examined dogs visited three private veterinary clinics located in Warsaw due to control tests, vaccinations, or other reasons not directly connected with neosporosis. Using ELISA and Western blot, antibodies against the parasite were detected in 56 out of 257 dogs, giving a prevalence of 21.7%. A greater prevalence was observed in female dogs than in males, 28% and 17.3%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in seroprevalence of Neospora infection within the age groups (p > 0.05). This study indicates the presence of N. caninum in the Mazovian Voivodeship, in dogs which live in urban areas and exposure of these dogs to the parasite. The fact that seropositive dogs had no contact with cattle confirms the important role of dogs in the parasite’s epidemiology

Distribution of Trichinella species in Poland

At present, the genus Trichinella comprises eleven species of five encapsulated muscle larvae (T. spiralis, T. nativa, T. britovi, T. nelsoni and T. murrelli), three not encapsulated (T. pseudospiralis, T. papuae and T. zimbabwensis) and three genotypes of nonspecific status (T6, T8, T9). The diagnostic characteristics of these species are based on biological, biochemical and genetic criteria. In Poland two of these genotypes T. spiralis and T. britovi are present. The distribution in Poland of Trichinella species in wild animals, red foxes, wild boars, and domestic pigs is presented. Muscles, mainly diaphragm and forelegs, were collected from animals killed by hunters in different regions of Poland between 1996-2004, and Trichinella were collected after artificial digestion of muscles. and preserved in absolute alcohol until molecular identification. Of the 21 Trichinella isolates from domestic pigs 1 was obtained from T. britovi, 20 from T. spiralis. Of the 53 Trichinella isolates from red foxes 40 were obtained from T. britovi, 6 from T. spiralis, 4 were after mixed infection with two species and 3 from not identified ones. Of the 92 Trichinella isolates from wild boars 65 were obtained from T. spiralis, 18 from T. britovi, 2 after mixed infection and 6 were not identified. Additionally, 3 T. britovi isolates were from wolves from Bieszczady, 3 T. spiralis isolates were obtained from raccoon dogs and 1 T. spiralis isolate was from marten. Molecular techniques (DNA analysis) confirmed that two Trichinella species: T. spiralis and T. britovi are involved in the epidemiology of trichinellosis among humans in Poland