Gastrointestinal parasites in Przewaslki’s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii), in Pentezug Wild horse reserve, Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina VeterináriaEquus ferus przewalskii, currently assumed as subspecies of E. ferus, is considered as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The ex situ conservation has been crucial for the continued preservation of this subspecies, once considered extinct in the wild. The Pentezug Wildhorse Reserve, located in the Hortobágy National Park, in Hungary, has one of the biggest ex situ populations of Przewalski’s horses and it’s aimed to preserve its typical landscape and to study wild horses in a semi-wild habitat, making part of this subspecies reintroduction plan. Currently, this population comprises almost 280 Przewalski's horses, sharing the area with a population of domestic cattle (Bos primigenius taurus), carefully bred to reconstructed aurochs (Bos primigenius). In this study, 79 faecal samples were collected and the coprological methods (McMaster, Willis floatation, natural sedimentation, Baermann and coproculture) and corresponding microscopic identification were performed in all the samples. Results show an average level of 1286.7 Eggs per Gram (EPG), which is considered a high level of parasitism. All the 79 samples analysed were positive for strongylid-type eggs (100% prevalence) (79/79), with a dominance of the cyasthostominae, when compared to strongylinae and tricostrongylidae. Moreover, a total of 15 different morphological L3 types and/or species identified of the order Strongylida. Additionally, 27.8% (22/79) were positive to Parascaris sp. and 2.5% (2/79) contained Oxyuris equi in their expelled faeces. By the sedimentation method, we could only evidence a Trematoda egg (1/79). In the subfamily Cyathostominae, L3 of cyathostomins type A showed 100% prevalence. In Strongilinae, Strongylus vulgaris is the most prevalent (40.5%), followed by Triodontophorus serratus (12.7%). These results are consistent with the other studies performed in the same subspecies and represent the first survey of gastrointestinal parasites performed with this level of detail in this population of Przewalski’s horses. Statistically, this study revealed that animals infected by Parascaris spp. tend to be positive in association with cyathostomins type C. In the same way, animals infected by T.serratus tend to be positive for Poteriostomum spp., possibly due to the propensity of juveniles for these two parasites revealed in this study. Furthermore, males have more S. vulgaris infections than females and animals infected by S. vulgaris tend to have lower levels of EPG. These results reveal the importance of parasite monitoring in wild ex situ populations, especially those that can be part of a reintroduction program, to better-knowing their pathogenic potential, possible parasite associations, predisposition factors and consequences for the subspecies conservation.RESUMO - Parasitas gastrointestinais em cavalos de Przewalski (Equus ferus przewalskii), na reserva de cavalo selvagem do Pentezug, Parque Nacional de Hortobágy, Hungria - Equus ferus przewaslkii é classificada como uma subespécie de E. ferus. Presentemente, encontra-se em perigo, segundo a União Internacional para a Conservação da Natureza (IUCN), apesar de já ter assumido o estatuto de Extinta na Natureza. Por este motivo, a conservação ex situ tem tido um papel crucial na conservação desta subespécie. A reserva de cavalo selvagem do Pentezug, inserida no parque nacional de Hortobágy, na Hungria, tem uma das maiores populações ex situ de cavalo de Przewalski, com os principais propósitos de conservar a paisagem característica da região e aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre a subespécie, fazendo parte do seu programa de reintrodução. Atualmente, esta população é composta por cerca de 280 cavalos de Przewalski, que partilham a pastagem com uma população de bovinos domésticos (Bos primigenius taurus), selecionada de forma a apresentar um fenótipo semelhante ao auroque (Bos primigenius). Foram colhidas 79 amostras fecais e os métodos coprológicos (McMaster, flutuação de Willis, sedimentação natural, Baermann e coprocultura) e a respetiva identificação microscópica foram executados para todas as amostras. Os resultados demonstraram um nível de parasitismo médio de 1286,7 ovos por grama (OPG), o que representa um valor elevado. Todas as amostras foram positivas para ovos do tipo estrongilídeo (100% de prevalência) (79/79), com uma dominância dos ciatosmíneos, comparando com estrongílideos e tricostrongilídeos, e revelaram uma diversidade de 15 espécies ou morfotipos de L3 dentro da ordem Strongylida. Adicionalmente, 27,8% (22/79) foram positivas para Parascaris sp., 2,5% (2/79) dos animais continham Oxyuris equi nas fezes expelidas e numa amostra foi detetado um ovo de trematode (1/79). As L3 de ciatostomíneos de tipo A revelaram uma prevalência de 100%. Na subfamília Strongilinae, Strongylus vulgaris foi o mais prevalente (40.5%), seguido de Triodontophorus serratus (12,7%). Estes resultados são consistentes com outros estudos efetuados na espécie e representam o 1º estudo parasitológico na população de Pentezug, realizado com este nível de detalhe. Estatisticamente, este estudo revelou que animais positivos a Parascaris spp. tendem a ser positivos para ciatostomíneos do tipo C. O mesmo acontece entre T. serratus e Poteriostomum spp., possivelmente devido à predisposição dos juvenis para estes dois parasitas revelada neste estudo. Do mesmo modo, os machos têm mais infeções por S. vulgaris do que as fêmeas e os animais positivos para este parasita tendem a ter níveis mais baixos de OPG. Estes resultados demonstram a importância da monitorização parasitológica em populações ex situ, especialmente as que fazem parte de um programa de reintrodução, com o objetivo de aprofundar o conhecimento sobre o poder patogénico dos agentes, possíveis coinfeções, fatores de risco e consequências para a conservação da subespécie.N/

Fármacos antineoplásicos: suas características e aplicabilidade em oncologia veterinária

Uma neoplasia maligna pode ser definida como um conjunto de células cujos mecanismos de controlo de proliferação e de apoptose estão comprometidos. As células integrantes de uma neoplasia maligna têm a capacidade de se multiplicar de modo descontrolado, de se evadir à apoptose e de invadir outros tecidos e originar metástases, comprometendo o normal funcionamento dos órgãos nos quais se multiplicam

Patohistološke lezije u običnog jelena (Cervus elaphus) iz mjesta Idanha-a-Nova i Lousã (Portugal): preliminarni rezultati

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is a wild ungulate and game species with a broad distribution in Portugal. In Idanha-a-Nova (Castelo Branco) there is a particular interest in studying these populations due to the importance of the hunting industry to the regional economy, and the recognised role of ungulates as reservoirs of infectious agents to livestock and humans. This histopathology survey aimed to compare deer lesions from Idanha-a-Nova (n=16) and Lousã (n=4). Samples from the lung, liver and kidney of animals were collected during the hunting season. The results reveal a high prevalence of parasitic bronchitis (13/20; 65%), especially in Idanha-a-Nova (11/16; 68.8%). Moreover, many animals presented non-purulent nephritis (8/20; 40%). No statistically significant differences were found between regions or genders for any lesion. This survey provides an overview of the health status of the red deer populations in these regions. Further studies are crucial to better know the sanitary situation of these populations and under the One Health perspective, to apply protective measures for animal, hunter and consumer health.Obični je jelen (Cervus elaphus) divlji kopitar i vr- sta divljači koja je vrlo raširena u Portugalu. U mjestu Idanha-a-Nova (Castelo Branco) postoji poseban in- teres za istraživanje ovih populacija uslijed važnosti lovne industrije za regionalnu ekonomiju, uz pre- poznatu ulogu kopitara kao rezervoara uzročnika infekcija stoke i ljudi. Ovaj smo patohistološki pre- gled pisali s ciljem usporedbe lezije jelena iz mjesta Idanha-a-Nova (n=16) i Lousã (n=4). Tijekom sezone lova prikupljeni su uzorci iz pluća, jetre i bubrega svih životinja. Rezultati su otkrili veliku prevalenciju bronhitisa prouzročenog parazitima (13/20; 65 %), posebno u mjestu Idanha-a-Nova (11/16; 68,8 %), a brojne životinje su imale i negnojni nefritis (8/20; 40 %). Nisu otkrivene nikakve statistički značajne raz- like između regija i spolova za bilo koju leziju. Ova studija daje pregled zdravstvenog statusa populacije običnog jelena u tim regijama. Dodatne studije su ključne za bolje poznavanje zdravstvenih prilika tih populacija, iz perspektive Jednog zdravlja, u svrhu poduzimanja mjera zaštite zdravlja potrošča, lovaca i životinja

Animal models in pharmacology: a brief history awarding the Nobel Prizes for Physiology or Medicine

Background: The Nobel Prize of Physiology or Medicine (NPPM) has recognized the work of 222 scientists from different nationalities, from 1901 until 2020. From the total, 186 award researchers used animal models in their projects, and 21 were attributed to scientists and projects directly related to Pharmacology. In the most recent years, genetics is a dominant scientific area, while at the beginning of the 20th century, most of the studies were more related to anatomy, cytology, and physiology. Summary: Mammalian models were used in 144 NPPM projects, being rodents the most used group of species. Moreover, 92 researchers included domestic species in their work. The criteria used to choose the species, the number of animals used and the experimental protocol is always debatable and dependent on the scientific area of the study; however, the 3R’s principle can be applied to most scientific fields. Independently of the species, the animal model can be classified in different types and criteria, depending on their ecology, genetics, and mode of action. Key-Messages: The use of animal models in NPPM awarded projects, namely in Pharmacology, illustrates their importance, need and benefit to improve scientific knowledge and create solutions. In the future, with the contribute of technology, it might be possible to refine the use of animal models in pharmacology studies

First morphological and molecular isolation of Talaromyces marneffei in beech marten (Martes foina) in Portugal

Talaromyces marneffei is a zoonotic fungus that mostly infects immunocompromised individuals. For the first time, this fungus was isolated in an adult beech marten (Martes foina) hit by a car, found dead in Penamacor, Portugal. During the necropsy, different samples (skin, fur, lymph nodes, lung, spleen, kidneys, and brain) were collected and processed for microbiology (including mycology) and molecular biology. T. marneffei was identified through its mycological characteristics and confirmed by PCR in hair samples. No other lesions or alterations were reported, except a concomitant presence of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in lung, kidney and brain samples. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of this fungus beech marten, as well as the first case of co-infection with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in wildlife fauna. These results suggest a sylvatic lifecycle of T. marneffei, involving beech martens, in Portugal.This work was funded by the project UID/CVT/00772/2019 supported by the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology - Fundaçao ˜ para a Ciˆencia e Tecnologia (FCT). This work was also supported by FCT under the grant 2021.04520.BD. The authors of the research unit CITAB received funding from FCT; reference of the project UIDB/04033/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hedgehogs and Biomonitoring Heavy Metal(loid)s

Trace elements pollution is a current One Health problem, affecting the health of all living beings (including humans and animals) and the environment itself. Metal(loid)s (as As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, and others) represent hazardous substances with implications in different organs and organic functions, in both acute or chronic exposures. The use of animal species as biomonitoring tools has been pointed out as an essential piece to correctly monitor and evaluate this pollution worldwide. Hedgehogs have been used for this purpose although in very few locations, despite the notable potential they have, due to several biological and ecological characteristics. Their food regiment (mainly insectivorous), distribution, resilience, trophic level and adaptability represent some examples of those positive aspects. This review intends to briefly summarize these hedgehogs’ attributes and critically analyse them as positive aspects that turn this species into a suitable bioindicator of exposure and effects of heavy metal(loid) pollution

Can the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) Be a Sentinel for One Health Concerns?

Erinaceus europaeus is a cosmopolitan mammalian species broadly distributed in Europe, from natural to suburban areas. Due to its ecological role and susceptibility to distinct zoonotic agents, E. europaeus could be a suitable sentinel candidate for many global problems that negatively affect human and animal health. Hedgehogs can work as bioindicators to environmental contamination and can be hosts for multiple tickborne zoonotic agents. Thus, people who directly or indirectly make physical contact with this species are exposed to a variety of threats. Moreover, it has also been studied as an indicator for antibiotic resistance, which was already confirmed for tetracyclines. Additionally, it was also reported as a reservoir for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). More recently, hedgehogs have been recently recognised as potential reservoirs of MERS-CoV-like strains. Among other animals, this species can possibly represent an intermediate reservoir for SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this review is to briefly expose the scientific attainments about hedgehog health, namely agents, diseases, and threats that significantly affect general health concerns and that contribute to achieve One Health principles

Wild Boars (<i>Sus scrofa</i>, L. 1758) from Castile and Leon Region (Spain): A Histopathology Survey

Wild boars are wild ungulates with a wide distribution in Europe, with a relevant role in wildlife and public health. In Spain, high (and sometimes artificial) densities of wild boars are responsible for several health problems. Regular surveys, with hunters’ collaboration, are crucial to monitor these diseases. Histological analyses were performed for lung, liver, and kidneys from 72 wild boars (58 from Zamora, 16 from Palencia). Lungs were the most affected organs, mainly revealing parasitic pneumonia (34.7%). Hydropic, vacuolar, and other cellular changes (33.3%) and congestion (16.7%) were found in the liver, and only 30.6% of the wild boars presented no alterations in this organ. Regarding the kidney, non-purulent nephritis (22.2%) was the most common lesion. This study gives an overview of the health status of wild boar populations in Castile and León. Other laboratory analyses are needed to obtain definitive diagnoses of these lesions, reach other conclusions, or apply any mitigation strategies to protect animals’ or consumers’ health