A Study of Oribatid Mites as Potential Intermediate Hosts of Anoplocephalid Tapeworms of Tatra chamois and Tatra marmots from the Tatra Mountains, Central Europe, and Report of a New Intermediate Host for Andrya cuniculi, the Parasite of Leporidae.

Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica (Blahout 1972)) and Tatra marmot (Marmota marmota latirostris (Kratochvíl 1961)) are significant endemic subspecies of the subalpine and alpine ranges of the Tatra Mountains in Central Europe. In four studied localities in the range of their typical biotopes in Slovakia and Poland, we investigated intestinal parasites of Tatra chamois and Tatra marmots, with an emphasis on anoplocephalid tapeworms. We also studied the occurrence, species diversity, and abundance of oribatid mites as intermediate hosts thereof, and the prevalence of cysticercoid larval stages of anoplocephalid tapeworms in collected oribatids using morphological and molecular methods. Coprological analyses revealed the average positivity of Moniezia spp. in chamois faeces at 23.5% and Ctenotaenia marmotae in marmot samples at 71.1%, with significant differences between the localities under study. Morphological analyses determined the presence of cysticercoids in five oribatid species: Ceratozetes gracilis, Edwardzetes edwardsi, Scheloribates laevigatus, Trichoribates novus, and Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis. This is the first record of T. v. sarekensis as an intermediate host of anoplocephalid tapeworms, as well as the first report of Andrya cuniculi occurrence in the territory of the Tatra Mountains, confirmed also by molecular methods.

Pilot research on gastrointestinal parasites of the Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) is a significant representative of the High Tatra Mountains endemic fauna species. In terms of health hazards for these animals, an important role is played by parasitic infections that can lead to a significant depletion of the entire population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites of Tatra chamois in the current environmental and climatic conditions of the High Tatra Mountains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the pilot project in 2014 - 2017, a total of 494 chamois faecal samples were collected from the Slovak High Tatra and 114 samples in the Polish part of the mountain and examined using standard coprological methods. RESULTS: The results revealed that the overall positivity for gastrointestinal parasites in chamois of the Slovak High Tatra reached 74.7%. Most frequent were protozoa - Eimeria spp. (42.7%), helminths were represented by Moniezia spp. tapeworms (23.5%), eggs of GIS-strongylids (7.1%), and sporadically Capillaria spp. (1.4%). The chamois from the Polish Tatra Mts. were infected with Eimeria spp. (43.9%), GIT-strongylids (9.6%), and Moniezia spp. (6.1%). Parasitic infection was determined in 59.6 % of faecal samples from the Polish part of the mountains. Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference in Moniezia spp. occurrence in different Slovak Tatra Mts. Regions, as well as between Slovak and Polish Tatra Mts. CONCLUSIONS: Initial research on the gastrointestinal parasites of the Tatra chamois revealed one indisputable finding - a relatively high prevalence of the genus Moniezia, which is closely linked to the climate and microclimate conditions of the mountains. Further intensive research on parasite composition and distribution in Tatra chamois is needed in broader temporal, ecological, and zoological contexts.

Mosquito surveillance of West Nile and Usutu viruses in four territorial units of Slovakia and description of a confirmed autochthonous human case of West Nile fever, 2018 to 2019.

BackgroundDespite the known circulation of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in Slovakia, no formal entomological surveillance programme has been established there thus far.AimTo conduct contemporaneous surveillance of WNV and USUV in different areas of Slovakia and to assess the geographical spread of these viruses through mosquito vectors. The first autochthonous human WNV infection in the country is also described.MethodsMosquitoes were trapped in four Slovak territorial units in 2018 and 2019. Species were characterised morphologically and mosquito pools screened for WNV and USUV by real-time reverse-transcription PCRs. In pools with any of the two viruses detected, presence of pipiens complex group mosquitoes was verified using molecular approaches.ResultsAltogether, 421 pools containing in total 4,508 mosquitoes were screened. Three pools tested positive for WNV and 16 for USUV. USUV was more prevalent than WNV, with a broader spectrum of vectors and was detected over a longer period (June-October vs August for WNV). The main vectors of both viruses were Culex pipiens sensu lato. Importantly, WNV and USUV were identified in a highly urbanised area of Bratislava city, Slovakias' capital city. Moreover, in early September 2019, a patient, who had been bitten by mosquitoes in south-western Slovakia and who had not travelled abroad, was laboratory-confirmed with WNV infection.ConclusionThe entomological survey results and case report increase current understanding of the WNV and USUV situation in Slovakia. They underline the importance of vector surveillance to assess public health risks posed by these viruses.

Temporal and seasonal changes in mercury accumulation in Tatra chamois from West Carpathians.

The main aim of this study was to determine the concentration of total mercury (T-Hg) in different tissues, hair, and faeces from a long-lived animal that actively lives in the subalpine and alpine zone within temperate climate zone throughout the year. Levels of T-Hg in samples from naturally deceased Tatra chamois (n = 72) from the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) were determined using direct mercury analyses on the basis of dry weight. The mercury concentrations in hair samples were compared over the last three decades. Seasonal changes in mercury concentration and differences in the amounts of mercury in various tissues, hairs, and faeces between age and sex groups were also studied. The highest mercury concentrations in organs were found in the kidneys of Tatra chamois, with mean values of 0.45 ± 0.07 µg/g (dry weight) for adults (n = 18) and 0.39 ± 0.12 µg/g (dry weight) for juveniles (n = 6). These values are considerably high compared to expected Hg levels in wild ungulates from foothill and mountain areas in the temperate zone. Juveniles had higher levels of T-Hg in their muscles (0.011 ± 0.001 µg/g dry weight, n = 10) and faeces (0.189 ± 0.025 µg/g dry weight, n = 7) when compared to adults that had 0.007 ± 0.001 µg/g dry weight of T-Hg in muscles (n = 29) and 0.113 ± 0.015 µg/g dry of T-Hg weight in faeces (n = 19). T-Hg concentrations in individual tissues (heart, kidney, liver, lungs, spleen, tongue, muscle, bone), hairs, and faeces were not significantly different between males and females. Mercury levels in the hair of Tatra chamois have increased significantly since the 1990s (median value of T-Hg: 0.025 µg/g dry weight) with the highest values presenting during the 2000s (0.029 µg/g dry weight). Since 2010 (0.016 µg/g dry weight), levels have declined when compared to those observed during the 1990s and 2000s. Therefore, we can conclude that T-Hg deposition in alpine areas of the Tatra Mountains shows a declining trend since the 2010s. T-Hg concentrations in the heart, muscle, and hair were higher in summer compared to winter. Seasonal changes in mercury concentrations are likely most related to the seasonal availability of food, but may also be related to moulting periods, and this correlation must be explored further.

Ashworthius sidemi Schulz, 1933 (Trichostrongylidae: Haemonchinae) in mountain ecosystems - a potential risk for the Tatra chamois Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica (Blahout, 1971/1972).

The Asian native Ashworthius sidemi is now in Europe, and several dozen years after its introduction, it is a widespread parasite of all wild cervids. For bovids, the nematode is a significant threat to the European bison (Bison bonasus) population and has also been found in mouflon (Ovis aries musimon). Our study aimed to assess the risk of infection for the endemic subspecies of northern (Alpine) chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) - the Tatra chamois (R. r. tatrica), which has a critically endangered status. We conducted the investigation in the mountainous areas of Slovakia and Poland occupied by Tatra chamois (R. r. tatrica), Alpine chamois (R. r. rupicapra), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Animals (n = 93) shot during licensed hunting and killed in road accidents (roe deer, red deer), or which had died of natural causes (chamois) were post-mortem examined for the presence of Haemonchinae. The investigation confirmed the expansion of Ashworthius sidemi to high mountain regions via Cervidae. A. sidemi affected all of the examined roe deer and 90.0% of the red deer. As for the chamois, A. sidemi was found in one R. rupicapra originating from the Low Tatras, but not in any pure R. r. tatrica individuals living in the High and Western Tatras. Our work is the first confirmation of northern chamois infection with this alien and highly pathogenic blood-sucking nematode. Due to the important health hazard of A. sidemi infection for the Tatra chamois (R. r. tatrica), appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the possibility of parasite transmission between various cervid species living in the Tatra region, as well as the affected population of chamois and the pure Tatra chamois population inhabiting the higher parts of the mountains, constituting their natural habitat.

Fifteen years since the first record of Trichinella pseudospiralis in Slovakia: What's new?

The presence of Trichinella pseudospiralis has been increasingly reported in Europe in the last decade. The parasite was recorded for the first time in Central Europe in 2003-2004, in eastern Slovakia, in pigs, rats and a cat from a pig breeding farm. In the following years, it was also repeatedly diagnosed in co-infection with T. britovi in sylvatic animals from this area. Molecular analyses revealed a distinctive genetic relationship of the Slovak isolate with those from Finland and Sweden, suggesting the potential role of migratory birds of prey in the transmission of the parasite. Thus, potential host species, including mammals and birds, were investigated for the presence of T. pseudospiralis. During 2006-2018, a total of 360 carcasses of raptorial, carrion-feeding and scavenging birds were collected and examined using artificial digestion of pectoral muscle samples. Muscle larvae were detected in muscle of one golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), two common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and one peregrine falcon (F. peregrinus). Molecular analyses confirmed the presence of T. pseudospiralis. These findings in diurnal raptorial species represent new host records for Trichinella spp. In 2017, a mandatory examination of pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) revealed one wild boar from the central part of territory to be infected with T. pseudospiralis. Our data confirm that the parasite has already established itself in Slovakia, and thus adequate veterinary measures and public education are needed to prevent its transmission to the food chain and the risk of human infection.

Host specificity and species diversity of the Ostertagiinae Lopez-Neyra, 1947 in ruminants: a European perspective.

BACKGROUND: Nematodes of the subfamily Ostertagiinae appear to be rather specific to a species or family of hosts, but some are observed in a wide variety of hosts. The nematode Ostertagia leptospicularis draws special attention due to its presence or absence among the same host species in different European countries. Therefore, this paper focuses mainly on the host specificity among nematodes of the subfamily Ostertagiinae. The second aim of this study is to assess the possibility of treating O. leptospicularis as an Ostertagia species complex. METHODS: Data were gathered from post-mortem examinations of domestic and wild ruminants (n = 157), as well as bibliographical references (n = 96), which were pooled and discussed. The research area was limited to European countries, hence the studied ostertagiine species are limited to native ones; likewise, the host species. Special emphasis was placed on the mean abundance values that allowed a typical host or hosts for each nematode species to be specified. Correspondence analysis was performed to confirm the stated host specificity. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that nematodes of this subfamily tend to use ruminants from a particular subfamily as their principal host. The results indicate that Ostertagia leptospicularis, similar to Teladorsagia circumcincta, may represent a potential species complex. This nematode, as the sole member of the subfamily Ostertagiinae, occurs in almost all representatives of the Bovidae subfamily, as well as in the Cervidae. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the stated narrow host specificity, the results obtained may suggest that O. leptospicularis is not strongly connected to any host or is comparably associated with a very wide and diverse group of hosts (Cervidae, Bovidae). The Ostertagia complex may have particular cryptic species or strains typical for any individual host or group of hosts. Such a conclusion requires further investigations on a wider scale.

Endoparasites of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) in protected areas of Slovakia

Although the grey wolf was on the brink of extinction in Central Europe in the last century, it never became extinct in Slovakia and nowadays its population is considered stable. The wolf population in Slovakia is estimated to be around 400 individuals with seasonal variations, and due to these small numbers, studies on the parasite fauna of wolf are scarce. Of the 35 parasitic species recorded worldwide in grey wolves in temperate and mountain zones of the Palearctic region, 15 were detected in Slovakia. In our study, 256 grey wolf faeces samples taken from three protected areas in Slovakia were examined using the modified flotation method with a zinc sulphate solution. In total,169 samples (66%) displayed propagative stages belonging to ten parasitic taxa (Isospora spp., Alaria alata, Taenia spp., Strongyloides stercoralis, Ancylostomatidae, Trichuridae, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Spirocerca lupi, Angiostrongylus vasorum). The Trichuridae was the most prevalent group, with a prevalence of 17.7­60.3%. The parasitic species Isospora spp. (3.5%) and A. vasorum (0.8%) are reported for the first time in wolves in Slovakia. Considering the zoonotic potential of some parasites, and the increasing co-existence of human and wildlife in protected areas, the present study provides important findings for further epidemiology research in the grey wolf population.