Risk Factors Associated with Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Dog Feces That Contaminate Public Areas of Warsaw, Poland.

A constant increase in dog numbers, especially in large towns, has been observed recently. The presence of dogs in urban spaces increases the risk of pollution by dogs' feces, which may contain growth forms of parasites including canine, soil-transmitted helminths (cSTHs), most of which have a proven zoonotic potential. This study assessed the frequency of occurrence and estimated the potential risk associated with the presence of cSTHs in dogs' feces left uncollected in urban areas. The study material consisted of 200 fecal samples obtained from city and dog parks situated in selected Warsaw districts. Each fecal sample was processed using the flotation technique. Eggs of cSTHs, including Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, and hookworms from the Ancylostomatidae family were found in 23 (11.5%) of the examined fecal samples. The most prevalent species were hookworms from the family Ancylostomatidae (8%). The presence of parasites was confirmed in 14 out of 20 studied locations (70%), including eight city parks (72.7%) and six dog parks (66.7%). City and dog parks did not differ significantly in the frequency of parasite occurrence. This study indicated that dogs' feces, left uncollected, may cause environmental contamination with cSTHs. It also indicated that the presence of dogs' feces in public areas and the associated presence of parasites is still a problem.

Tick-borne pathogens in questing adults Dermacentor reticulatus from the Eastern European population (north-eastern Poland).

Dermacentor reticulatus is tick species with an expanding geographical range in Europe, which creates the possibility of spreading microorganisms of significant veterinary and medical importance. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in adult D. reticulatus ticks from the Eastern European population in the urban and the natural biotopes of north-eastern Poland. Microorganisms were detected by PCR and identified by DNA sequencing. The overall infection rate of at least one of the pathogens was 29.6%. The predominantly was Rickettsia spp. (27.1%) (with R. raoultii-9.1%) followed by Babesia spp. (2.4%) with B. canis (1.5%) as the most frequent. Based on 18S rRNA gene sequence, three B. canis genotypes were revealed. The prevalence of R. raoultii and B. canis was significantly higher in ticks from natural biotopes. The infection rates of B. afzelii and A. phagocytophilum were determined at 0.9% and 0.3%, respectively. Co-infections were detected in 3.8% of infected ticks. In diagnosing tick-borne diseases in humans, tick-borne lymphadenopathy should not be excluded. The prevalence of different genotypes of B. canis suggests differences in the clinical picture of canine babesiosis in the area.

Infection of Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Northern Poland with Gastrointestinal Parasites as a Potential Threat to Human Health.

The aim of the study was to determinate the prevalence and intensity of infection of raccoon dogs with internal parasites, with a particular emphasis on particular species of helminths known to be dangerous to humans. A total of 96 raccoon dogs were obtained from hunters from September 2018 to October 2021. The digestive tract was taken for examination. The parasitological examination was performed using the dissection methods. The extensity of infection with all internal parasites was 60.3%. The following parasites were found in the tested animals: Echinococcus multilocularis (in 10.42% of animals), Toxocara canis (18.75%), Alaria alata (25.0%), Taenia spp. (19.79%), Uncinaria stenocephala (27.08%), Mesocestoides spp. (54.17%) and Dipylidium caninum (6.25%). The highest mean intensity of infection was demonstrated by A. alata and E. multilocularis then by Mesocestoides spp. This study showed that the raccoon dog from northern Poland is a reservoir host of zoonotic pathogens, such as E. multilocularis, Toxocara canis and Alaria alata. Although the role of the racoon dog as a final host of the life cycle of E. multilocularis is considered of less importance than that of the red fox, this species may increase the risk of echinococcosis in humans, mainly due to its growing population in northern Poland.

The prevalence of intestinal nematodes among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in north-western Poland.

BACKGROUND: The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. The presence of nematode-infected foxes in urbanized areas increases the risk of transmission of nematodes to domestic dogs and thus, to humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and species composition of intestinal nematodiasis in red foxes in Western Pomerania, a province in north-western Poland. The intestinal contents of 620 red foxes killed during a government reduction shooting programme were examined for adult nematodes using the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). RESULTS: Intestinal nematodes, including Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria stenocephala and Trichuris vulpis, were found in 77.3% (95% CI 73.8-80.4%) of the examined foxes with a mean infection burden of 20.1 nematode per animal. Male and female foxes had similar infection burdens. CONCLUSIONS: The nematodes are present in high prevalence and intensity among foxes in north-western Poland. Furthermore, this high prevalence of nematodes in foxes may likely constitute a health risk to humans and domestic animals due to increasing fox densities in urban and periurban areas.

Presence of Tapeworms (Cestoda) in Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes) in North-western Poland, with Particular Emphasis on Echinococcus Multilocularis.

INTRODUCTION: Foxes are a reservoir of parasites that are dangerous to humans. The aim of the study was to determine the parameters associated with the occurrence of tapeworms in red foxes in north-western Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Parasitological sections were taken from 620 red foxes using IST and SCT methods in 18 districts of West Pomerania Province. RESULTS: The extensity of fox infection with tapeworms was 61%. Echinococcus multilocularis, Mesocestoides spp., Dipylidium caninum, and specimens of the genus Taenia were identified. E. multilocularis was found in 11 districts. Mesocestoides spp. demonstrated the highest prevalence (41.3%), while E. multilocularis demonstrated the lowest prevalence (2.9%); however, it infected foxes with the greatest mean intensity (235.6 tapeworms per fox). The most common co-occurrence in a single host organism was observed for Mesocestoides spp. and tapeworms of the genus Taenia; however, no examples were found of coinfection by E. multilocularis and D. caninum. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of tapeworms in foxes was high in West Pomerania Province and was often higher than observed in previous years. For this reason, the risk of parasite transmission to humans and domestic animals is mounting. The risk of infection is also amplifying due to the growth of the fox population.

Selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum of cows at different stages of lactation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the concentration of selenium in Holstein-Friesian cows at different stages of lactation. Selenium was determined spectrofluorimetrically and GSH-Px activity using a Sigma CGP1 Glutathione Peroxidase Cellular Activity Assay kit. Mean serum selenium concentration was highest in early-lactation multiparous cows (0.18 µg/ml) and the lowest in dry cows (0.111 µg/ml). In early lactation, serum selenium concentration was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher in multiparous cows than in cows from the other groups. Mean GSH-Px activity in the serum of dry cows was over twice lower than in late-lactation cows (P ≤ 0.01) and over four times lower than in first-calving heifers and multiparous cows in early lactation (P ≤ 0.01). The coefficients of Spearman's rank correlation between GSH-Px activity and selenium concentration in the cows at different stages of lactation were not significant. A significant (P ≤ 0.01) mean positive correlation (0.46) was found between GSH-Px activity and serum selenium concentration for all the cows analysed together. The highest Se concentration and GSH-Px activity found in the serum of cows during the first stage of lactation may suggest that the generation of reactive oxygen species and their derivatives was higher during this period compared to the other stages, thus placing the cows at a greater risk of oxidative stress. It is therefore essential to give particular attention during this period to meeting the cows' requirement for selenium and other feed components that increase, directly or indirectly, the capacity of the body's antioxidant system.

Gastrointestinal helminths of dogs in Western Pomerania, Poland.

A total of 763 fecal samples were collected from dogs in Western Pomerania during 2006-2007 to determine the gastrointestinal parasite fauna of dogs in this region. In the city of Szczecin, 648 fecal samples were collected every month in the annual cycle from nine city areas and analysed. Six fecal samples were taken at each collection time from each site. A total of 115 fecal samples from rural areas were investigated. Each fecal sample was dissected with a needle, checked for tapeworm segments and adult forms of nematodes, and examined for parasite eggs using Willis-Schlaff flotation method. The mean prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection among dogs in Western Pomerania was 34.84%. The greatest number of samples containing parasites came from the Chociwel commune (46.67%), and the smallest number from the city of Szczecin (23.92%). The greatest number of samples containing parasites from the city of Szczecin originated from the Sloneczne estate (34.72%), and the smallest number from the Kasprowicz Park (13.89%). Dogs' feces were found to contain segments of Dipylidium caninum (4.07%) and Taenia sp. (3.45%) tapeworms and eggs of five species of gastrointestinal nematodes: Uncinaria stenocephala (11%), Toxocara canis (20.62%), Toxascaris leonina (2.91%), Ancylostoma sp. (4.61%), and Trichuris vulpis (0.27%). The highest prevalence of endoparasite infection among dogs was found in July (42.60%) and the lowest in February (5.56%). Both single- and multi-species infections were observed. In the area of Szczecin, single-species infections were the most common (18.83%).