First report on parasites of European beavers in the Slovak Republic.

European beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758) is the biggest rodent living in Europe. It is a semi-aquatic animal known for building dams and burrows. European beaver is a potential host for a wide range of parasites and other infectious diseases. In Slovakia, there is an increasing number of beavers but the data about their parasitic fauna are missing. Our work is the first documentation about the beaver's parasitofauna in Slovakia. In a 1-year study, we collected and examined 19 beaver fecal samples from the vicinity of beaver burrows inhabiting three particular localities at the Danube, Topla, and Laborec rivers in Slovakia. In these fecal samples, 4 different species of intestinal endoparasites were detected as follows: oocysts of Cryptosporidium, cysts of Giardia, eggs of Stichorchis subtriquetrus, and eggs and larvae of Travassosius rufus. Parasites were confirmed only in samples collected at river Topla. Based on our results, we can conclude that European beaver can be an important source of parasitic contamination of surface waters especially in the localities shared by people.

Parasitic infection of Cobitis elongatoides Bacescu & Mayer, 1969 by zoonotic metacercariae Clinostomum complanatum (Rudolphi, 1814).

An infection of zoonotic Clinostomum complanatum metacercariae with potential human transmission was recorded close to fish farms in the Tisa River Basin of Slovakia and Ukraine. The prevalence varied from 19.4% to 81.3%, and the intensity of infection varied from 7 to 41. The results of a generalized linear model predicted a positive trend for the Cobitis elongatoides host and a standard length and intensity of infection, with females having a higher number of parasites. However, no significant impact was found of the intensity of infection on Clark's condition of the host. The metacercariae were primarily located in the anterior part of the host's body. Our study also showed significant evidence that water velocity affects the number of C. complanatum metacercariae, regardless of the host's (Cobitis) microhabitat.

Molecular detection of Setaria tundra (Issaitshikoff & Rajewskaya, 1928) and Setaria cervi (Rudolphi, 1819) in red deer in Slovakia.

Filaroid nematodes Setaria tundra (Issaitshikoff & Rajewskaya, 1928) and Setaria cervi (Rudolphi, 1819) are internal parasites from family Onchocercidae with occurrence in the northern hemisphere. They have a considerably wide range of final host, including many species of family Cervidae. Intermediate hosts and vectors at the same time, are represented by the several mosquito species, mostly of genus Aedes. Infection of Setaria is relatively harmless and especially in wild cervids usually pass unnoticed. Although in some cases it can induce peritonitis which might be a life threatening condition.This study was determined to reveal the presence of helminths Setaria tundra and Setaria cervi in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Slovakia. The parasites were identified morphologically and genetically, based on the sequences of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. For this purpose we used partial results of our longer parasitological monitoring realized in one particular hunting area located in eastern Slovakia, near the city of Kosice. A total of 60 red deer individuals were tested, of which one was found to be infected with Setaria tundra (prevalence of 1.7%) and four were detected to be infected with Setaria cervi (prevalence 6.7%). The intensity of infection was very low, only one specimen of Setaria spp. in each positive animal.

Morphological and molecular identification of adult Stichorchis subtriquetrus in beaver in Slovakia.

The European beaver (Castor fiber) was a fully eradicated species in Slovakia. Thanks to year-round protection and several different reintroduction programs the population is now increasing. However, there are limited reports about their health status.A 2-year-old female European beaver, was found dead by road near town Hanusovce nad Toplou in eastern Slovakia in 2021. Necropsy was carried out at the Department of Breeding and Diseases of the Game, Fish and Bees, Ecology and Cynology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice. Necropsy revealed a total of 13 trematodes, collected from the caecum and colon. Based on morphological and molecular analysis digenean trematode Stichorchis subtriquetrus (Rudolphi, 1814) was identified. This is the first record of adult helminth Stichorchis subtriquetrus in beaver in Slovakia.

The first report of Setaria tundra (Issaitshikoff & Rajewskaya, 1928) in Slovakia by using of molecular methods.

Setaria tundra is a filarioid parasite occurring in the northern hemisphere. Adult forms of helminths are located free in the peritoneal cavity of its definitive host - cervids, while microfilariae are presented in the host's bloodstream. Intermediate hosts are represented by several mosquito species, mainly of the genus Aedes.Nematode S. tundra is well adapted to roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and therefore is the infection usually asymptomatic. In this study we present the first report of S. tundra in Slovakia. During a period 2022 a total of 6 roe deer coming from eastern Slovakia (Trebisov district) were examined. Nematodes were found during the evisceration process in the abdominal cavity of 3 specimens Intensity of infection was in range from 5 to 38 helminths per host. Mean intensity of infection reached 18.3 parasites per host. The helminths were identified as S. tundra by morphological examination and molecular typing of the COI gene. This study is the first report of S. tundra in Slovakia.

Neglected Diseases-Parasitic Infections among Slovakian Children from Different Populations and Genotypes of Giardia duodenalis.

Children are most prone to parasitic infections. The objectives of the study were to examine the occurrence of parasitic infections in children from different populations and to perform molecular characterization of human Giardia duodenalis isolates. We examined 631 stool samples from Roma and non-Roma children for the presence of parasitic developmental stages. Samples were collected from three eastern Slovakia districts. The ages of the children ranged from 1 months to 17 years. Subsequently, the molecular characterization of human G. duodenalis isolates by PCR detected triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) and beta-giardin (bg) genes was performed. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 19.8%. Ascaris lumbricoides eggs were the most frequent, with an occurrence of about 13.8%. G. duodenalis cysts were present in 6.3% of samples. G. duodenalis isolates obtained from 13 children were subjected to DNA sequencing with tpi and bg genes. Five isolates were categorized as bearing subassemblage BIII, the three isolates as subassemblage BIV, one person was infected with a mixture of subassemblages BIII and BIV, four children had subassemblage AII, and one isolate revealed a structure corresponding with subassemblage AI. Our work is proof that poverty and poor hygiene contribute the most to public health problems associated with neglected parasitic diseases.

The occurence of endoparasites in Slovakian household dogs and cats.

Pets play a pivotal role as definitive or reservoir hosts for many zoonotic parasites. Dogs and cats without any clinical signs may be a carrier for the infection. In a one-year study, collected fecal samples of 257 dogs and 50 cats were examined coproscopically for endoparasite infections. Out of 307 investigated fecal samples, 107 (34.9%) were positive for the presence of the propagative stages of endoparasites In 257 dogs fecal samples, following 12 different species of endoparasites were detected: Giardia duodenalis, Cystoisospora spp., Sarcocystis spp., Hammondia/Neospora-like eggs, Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae, Capillaria aerophila, Crenosoma vulpis, Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Strongyloides stercoralis, and eggs from the family Ancylostomatidae. Only 4 different parasitic species were found in 50 domestic cat fecal samples - G. duodenalis cysts Cystoisospora spp., T. cati, and larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. It was confirmed that significant differences were found concerning age for G. duodenalis, T. canis, S. stercoralis, and family Ancylostomatidae. Close and frequent contact between pets and people increases the risks for the transmission of zoonotic diseases.