Analysis of the epidemiological factors influencing vulpine trichinellosis in ecologically different regions of Slovakia

Introduction. In the Slovak Republic, trichinellosis circulates almost exclusively in the sylvatic cycle, with main reservoir host red fox and wild boar and sporadic occurrence of human outbreaks. A detailed study was performed in five ecologically different regions of eastern Slovakia with more profound regard to eco-geographical and anthropogenic influences to natural fox habitat. Material and methods. In total of 689 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) hunted in selected regions in 2005/2006 was examined using artificial digestion method. Larvae obtained from infected samples were on the species level characterised using multiplex PCR analysis. Results. The study revealed a total prevalence of 15.6%, with most frequent occurrence of infected foxes in the mountain of the Volovské Vrchy (25.2%) where both human habitation and fox population are very dense. High prevalence rates were found in the Košická Kotlina Basin (19.6%) with urbanised landscape, concentrated human activities and low fox population and in national park of the High Tatras (15.8%) where the inhabitants and fox population are relatively low. In the remote localities of the Nízke Beskydy Highlands that represent ideal fox habitat free of any human impact, 14.2% of foxes harboured Trichinella larvae. The lowest occurrence of infected foxes (6.9%) was found in agrarian areas of the Východoslovenská Nížina Lowland, with relatively low inhabitants and fox population density. In all localities Trichinella britovi was the most important etiological agent of sylvatic trichinellosis

Toxoplasma gondii in protected wildlife in the Tatra National Park (TANAP), Slovakia

[i]Toxoplasma gondii[/i] is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite that infects a broad spectrum of warm-blooded vertebrate species. As a part of the food chain, farm animals play a significant role in transmission of [i]T. gondii [/i]to humans, while rats and mice serve as a main source of infection for free-living animals. The spread of toxoplasmosis in the human population is due to the interchange of the domestic and sylvatic cycles. During 2009–2011, a survey on toxoplasmosis distribution was conducted in wildlife of the Tatra National Park (TANAP) in Slovakia. A total of 60 animals were examined. The presence of [i]T. gondii[/i] was detected by means of molecular methods based on TGR1E gene analyses. The highest prevalence was recorded in birds (40.0%), followed by carnivores (30.8%) and rodents (18.2%). RFLP analyses of SAG2 locus confirmed in birds the genotype II and III, belonging to the avirulent strain; rodents exclusively had genotype I, characterised as a virulent train, and in carnivores all three genotypes were detected. These results present the first survey on the parasite’s occurrence in several species of free-living animals in the TANAP area. An epidemiological study confirmed the prevalence of 30.0%, implicitly referring to the level of environmental contamination with [i]T. gondii [/i]oocysts

Serological survey for canine angiostrongylosis in Slovakia

In recent years Angiostrongylus vasorum has become another important heart parasite of dogs besides Dirofilaria immitis, with intense spread into new areas of Europe. The first two cases of canine angiostrongylosis in Slovakia were observed in 2013, demonstrating that this life-threatening parasitic disease of dogs has expanded into this territory too. One year after the first A. vasorum findings, a serological survey was conducted to assess the current distribution of this parasitic infection in dogs from Slovakia. Serum samples from 225 dogs were collected from 29 veterinary practices situated in 22 districts of Slovakia and tested by ELISA for the presence of circulating A. vasorum antigens and additionally for the detection of specific antibodies against A. vasorum. Fourteen samples (6.22 %) were seropositive in at least one ELISA. Of these, 7 dogs (3.11 %) were only antibody-positive and 4 dogs (1.78 %) were positive only for circulating A. vasorum antigen. Three animals out of 225 examined (1.33 %) were positive in both ELISAs

Canine dirofilariosis under specific environmental conditions of the Eastern Slovak Lowland

The aim of the present study was to collect data from Eastern Slovak Lowland, southern Slovakia, to assess risk of the spread of canine dirofilariosis. Climate and environmental conditions in the Eastern Slovak Lowland are ideally suitable for the occurrence of vector-borne diseases. In the past, an endemic locality of dangerous mosquito transmitted malaria was found in this area. Today, another zoonotic parasitic disease threatens – dirofilariosis. The results of the first detailed study revealed a 34.44% prevalence in dogs harbouring dirofilariae. D. repens was diagnosed in all infected specimen, with 2 individuals being co-infected also with D. immitis