Sarkocistoza papkarske divljači u Slovačkoj

In this paper, we analyze the results of surveys of Sarcocystis spp. carried out on heart and skeletal muscles from 71 ex. of cloven-hoofed game hunted in Central and Eastern Slovakia between 2005 and 2007. Sarcocystis infection was determined among 91.5 % of the 71 cloven-hoofed game animals (deer, mouflon, chamois, wild boar): 100% in 13 roe deer, 10 mouflons, 8 fallow deer, and 6 chamois; 85.0 % in 20 wild boars, 78.6 % in 14 red deer. In examined cloven-hoofed game in Slovakia a high intensity of infection of Sarcocystis spp., was recorded. The highest intensity of infection was in wild boars (up to 1,495 microcysts per gram) and roe deer (903 microcysts per gram). Animals under one year of age showed low intensity of infection in comparison with adults: red deer (19/g), mouflon (19/g), chamois (19/g) and wild boar (52/g). Muscle samples of males had a significantly higher intensity of infection than females. Intensity of infection was statistically significant in red deer male versus calves p<0.05; chamois male versus lamb p<0.001, chamois female versus lamb p<0.001, chamois male versus female p<0.05, wild boar male versus female p<0.01, wild boar female versus piglet p<0.05. We also present the morphology of thin-walled microcysts of Sarcocystis spp. according to histological sections. Light microscopy showed typical features of Sarcocystis spp. microcysts in skeletal muscles and myocardium. Thin-walled microcysts were filled with numerous bradyzoites, which are situated inside chamber-like hollows in the cysts.U radu je istraživana prisutnost parazita Sarcocystis spp. u poprečno-prugastom srčanom i skeletnom mišićju 71 primjerka papkarske divljači odstrijeljene u razdoblju od 2005. do 2007. na području središnje i istočne Slovačke. Invazija sarkocistama je utvrđena u 91% pregledane divljači (jelenska divljač, muflon, divokoza, divlja svinja), i to u 100% od pregledanih 13 srna, 10 muflona, 8 jelena lopatara i 6 divokoza; 85.0% u 20 pregledanih divljih svinja; 78.6% u pregledanih 14 jelena običnih. Također je u pretražene papkarske divljači zabilježen i visoki intenzitet invazije, najviši u divljih svinja (do 1.495 mikrocista po gramu) i srna (903 mikrociste po gramu). Niži intenzitet invazije zabilježen je u mladunčadi u odnosu na odrasle životinje; jelen obični (19/g), muflon (19/g), divokoza (19/g) i divlja svinja (52/g). Statistički značajno jača invazija utvrđena je u mužjaka negoli u ženki. Nadalje, statistički značajne razlike uočene su u intenzitetu invazije kod mužjaka jelena običnog u odnosu na telad p<0.05; divojaraca u odnosu na janjad p<0.001, divokoza u odnosu na janjad p<0.001, divojaraca u odnosu na divokoze p<0.05, veprova u odnosu na krmače p<0.01 te krmača u odnosu na prasad p<0.05. U radu su također prikazane i morfološke osobitosti mikrocista parazita Sarcocystis spp. u poprečno-prugastom skeletnom i srčanom mišićju, prema histološkom prikazu. Mikrociste su bile ispunjene brojnim bradizoitima, smještenima unutar komorica

VectorNet Data Series 3: Culicoides Abundance Distribution Models for Europe and Surrounding Regions

This is the third in a planned series of data papers presenting modelled vector distributions produced during the ECDC and EFSA funded VectorNet project. The data package presented here includes those Culicoides vectors species first modelled in 2015 as part of the VectorNet gap analysis work namely C. imicola, C. obsoletus, C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, and C. newsteadi. The known distributions of these species within the Project area (Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Eurasia) are currently incomplete to a greater or lesser degree. The models are designed to fill the gaps with predicted distributions, to provide a) first indication of vector species distributions across the project geographical extent, and b) assistance in targeting surveys to collect distribution data for those areas with no field validated information. The models are based on input data from light trap surveillance of adult Culicoides across continental Europe and surrounding regions (71.8°N –33.5°S, – 11.2°W – 62°E), concentrated in Western countries, supplemented by transect samples in eastern and northern Europe. Data from central EU are relatively sparse.Peer reviewe

Blood meal analysis: host-feeding patterns of biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae, Culicoides Latreille) in Slovakia

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are vectors of important pathogens affecting domestic and wild animals and have played a major role in the re-emergence of new outbreaks of bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses in Europe. To determine vector-host specificity, trophic preference from blood meal analysis is of major importance in the surveillance of arthropod-borne diseases. Of 28,752 specimens collected, we identified 17 Culicoides species and investigated a total of 48 host sequences from the blood meals. Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, C. riethi, and C. furcillatus were found to feed on mammals (cattle, horses, and humans), birds (domestic chickens), small rodents (Apodemus flavicollis), and hares (Lepus europaeus). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating trophic preferences of Culicoides spp. in Slovakia. This study demonstrated that Culicoides species are able to feed on domesticated host vertebrates as well as birds, rodents, and humans

Blood meal analysis: host-feeding patterns of biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae,

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are vectors of important pathogens affecting domestic and wild animals and have played a major role in the re-emergence of new outbreaks of bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses in Europe. To determine vector-host specificity, trophic preference from blood meal analysis is of major importance in the surveillance of arthropod-borne diseases. Of 28,752 specimens collected, we identified 17 Culicoides species and investigated a total of 48 host sequences from the blood meals. Culicoides obsoletus/C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, C. riethi, and C. furcillatus were found to feed on mammals (cattle, horses, and humans), birds (domestic chickens), small rodents (Apodemus flavicollis), and hares (Lepus europaeus). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating trophic preferences of Culicoides spp. in Slovakia. This study demonstrated that Culicoides species are able to feed on domesticated host vertebrates as well as birds, rodents, and humans

Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as vectors of orbiviruses in Slovakia

In recent years, rapid spread of Culicoides-borne pathogens such as bluetongue (BT) and Schmallenberg viruses have been reported in Europe. In this study we examined the Culicoides populations in farms with wild and domestic ruminants in Eastern Slovakia with the aim to confirm the presence of biting midges serving as potential vectors of important pathogens. The main vector complexes were the Obsoletus complex (54%; n=4,209) and the Pulicaris complex (23%; n=1,796). To estimate the relative abundance of the cryptic species of the Obsoletus complex (Culicoides obsoletus, Culicoides scoticus and Culicoides montanus), we performed the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on ITS-2 and ITS-1 segments, on 125 midges randomly sampled. The relative abundance of C. obsoletus ranged from 5.26% in the farm with wild ruminants to 85.71% in another farm with cattle and sheep. A total of 112 pools of parous and gravid females belonging to the Obsoletus and Pulicaris complexes were tested for virus detection by the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for BT virus, as well as for the Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV), with negative results

Occurrence, Activity and Control Options Against Biting Midges (Diptera: Culicoides) in Horses

Biting midges are insects which annoy horses as they cause discomfort and by the sucking of blood, they cause painful lesions that, in certain cases, can trigger acute allergic reactions. They also act as potential vectors of many pathogens of bacterial, viral and parasitic origin. The aim of this study was to investigate seasonal dynamics, abundance and species composition of biting midges, and implementing protection options at the Equestrian centre of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice in the years 2021 and 2022. During this time period (of 2021 and 2022), we captured 4797 biting midges. Our results showed that in 2021 the most frequently captured species were C. obsoletus/C. scoticus (prevalence 86.6 %), followed by C. punctatus and C. pulicaris (prevalence 5.37 % and 3.86 %, resp.). In addition, C. lupicaris, C. newsteadi, C. furcillatus, C. festivipennis, C. slovacus, C. tauricus, C. clastrieri, C. dewulfi, C. fagineus and C. circumscriptus were identified as the minority species. In this year, the highest abundance of these insects (1758 biting midges) was observed at the end of June. In 2022, we detected a clear dominance of C. obsoletus/C. scoticus (prevalence 97.0 %) and the highest number of biting midges (655) was captured in mid-May). In this year, the minority species included, C. pulicaris, C. punctatus and C. lupicaris. The identification of the host blood showed that man (Homo sapiens) was the dominant host, namely of 80 % of the examined biting midges of species C. obsoletus/C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. punctatus and C. festivipennis. In one female of species C. fagineus we identified the host blood from horses (Equus caballusi). In 2022, we detected the blood of a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in the species of C. obsoletus/C. scoticus

Fatal toxoplasmosis in wild European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ) in tularaemia endemic areas of the Czech Republic: Poses risk of infection for humans?

International audienceToxoplasma gondii may cause fatal infection in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the role of this parasite in terms of mortality rate in tularaemia endemic areas, amount of parasites in affected organs and circulating genotypes, is still unknown. In total, 36 hares (killed or found dead) were submitted for pathomorphological examination as a part of the national tularaemia and brucellosis monitoring. Tissue samples (lung, heart, liver, spleen and kidney) were tested by quantitative real-time PCR targeting 529 bp region of T. gondii. Genotyping was performed by a 15 microsatellite markers method in a single multiplex PCR assay. The same tissues of hares were simultaneously used for the bacteriological cultivation. Toxoplasma gondii was detected by qPCR in the tissues of two hares. Spleen and lungs of one infected hare have been found harbouring up to ~7 millions of T. gondii parasites per gram of tissue. Both positive samples were characterized as T. gondii type II, one archetypal clonal type II and the other one a type II variant (W35 = 244). Bacteria Francisella tularensis was proved in pooled samples of three hares but without coinfection with T. gondii; all hares were negative for Brucella suis. Toxoplasma gondii has significant impact on mortality of European brown hares in tularaemia endemic areas and parasite load within the animal tissues may present high risk of human infection

Sarkocistoza papkarske divljači u Slovačkoj

In this paper, we analyze the results of surveys of Sarcocystis spp. carried out on heart and skeletal muscles from 71 ex. of cloven-hoofed game hunted in Central and Eastern Slovakia between 2005 and 2007. Sarcocystis infection was determined among 91.5 % of the 71 cloven-hoofed game animals (deer, mouflon, chamois, wild boar): 100% in 13 roe deer, 10 mouflons, 8 fallow deer, and 6 chamois; 85.0 % in 20 wild boars, 78.6 % in 14 red deer. In examined cloven-hoofed game in Slovakia a high intensity of infection of Sarcocystis spp., was recorded. The highest intensity of infection was in wild boars (up to 1,495 microcysts per gram) and roe deer (903 microcysts per gram). Animals under one year of age showed low intensity of infection in comparison with adults: red deer (19/g), mouflon (19/g), chamois (19/g) and wild boar (52/g). Muscle samples of males had a significantly higher intensity of infection than females. Intensity of infection was statistically significant in red deer male versus calves p<0.05; chamois male versus lamb p<0.001, chamois female versus lamb p<0.001, chamois male versus female p<0.05, wild boar male versus female p<0.01, wild boar female versus piglet p<0.05. We also present the morphology of thin-walled microcysts of Sarcocystis spp. according to histological sections. Light microscopy showed typical features of Sarcocystis spp. microcysts in skeletal muscles and myocardium. Thin-walled microcysts were filled with numerous bradyzoites, which are situated inside chamber-like hollows in the cysts.U radu je istraživana prisutnost parazita Sarcocystis spp. u poprečno-prugastom srčanom i skeletnom mišićju 71 primjerka papkarske divljači odstrijeljene u razdoblju od 2005. do 2007. na području središnje i istočne Slovačke. Invazija sarkocistama je utvrđena u 91% pregledane divljači (jelenska divljač, muflon, divokoza, divlja svinja), i to u 100% od pregledanih 13 srna, 10 muflona, 8 jelena lopatara i 6 divokoza; 85.0% u 20 pregledanih divljih svinja; 78.6% u pregledanih 14 jelena običnih. Također je u pretražene papkarske divljači zabilježen i visoki intenzitet invazije, najviši u divljih svinja (do 1.495 mikrocista po gramu) i srna (903 mikrociste po gramu). Niži intenzitet invazije zabilježen je u mladunčadi u odnosu na odrasle životinje; jelen obični (19/g), muflon (19/g), divokoza (19/g) i divlja svinja (52/g). Statistički značajno jača invazija utvrđena je u mužjaka negoli u ženki. Nadalje, statistički značajne razlike uočene su u intenzitetu invazije kod mužjaka jelena običnog u odnosu na telad p<0.05; divojaraca u odnosu na janjad p<0.001, divokoza u odnosu na janjad p<0.001, divojaraca u odnosu na divokoze p<0.05, veprova u odnosu na krmače p<0.01 te krmača u odnosu na prasad p<0.05. U radu su također prikazane i morfološke osobitosti mikrocista parazita Sarcocystis spp. u poprečno-prugastom skeletnom i srčanom mišićju, prema histološkom prikazu. Mikrociste su bile ispunjene brojnim bradizoitima, smještenima unutar komorica