Feline straelensiosis: Clinical and histopathological description of a case and first genetic characterisation of Straelensia cynotis.

Straelensia cynotis is a trombidioid mite that causes painful, usually nonpruritic nodular dermatitis mainly in the dorsal region of dogs. This case report describes the first observation of feline straelensiosis in Europe with clinicopathological findings. Molecular characterisation of the parasite was performed and compared with mites collected from dogs.

Straelensia cynotis est un acarien trombidioïde qui provoque une dermatite nodulaire douloureuse, généralement non prurigineuse, principalement dans la région dorsale des chiens. Ce cas constitue la première observation de straelensiose féline en Europe avec des données clinicopathologiques. L'identification moléculaire du parasite a été réalisée et comparée à celle d'acariens prélevés sur des chiens.

Straelensia cynotis es un ácaro trombidioide que causa dermatitis nodular dolorosa, generalmente no pruriginosa, principalmente en la región dorsal de los perros. Este informe de caso describe la primera observación de estraelensiosis felina en Europa con hallazgos clínico-patológicos. Se realizó la caracterización molecular del parásito y se comparó con ácaros recolectados de perros.

Straelensia cynotis é um ácaro trombiculídeo que causa dermatite nodular dolorosa e geralmente não pruriginosa principalmente na região dorsal de cães. Este relato de caso descreve a primeira observação de stralensiose felina na Europa com achados clinicopatológicos. A caracterização molecular do parasita foi realizada e comparada com ácaros coletados de cães.

Metabolic and tissular effects of artemisinin supplemented diets in broiler chicken.

Artemisinin is a powerful antimalarial drug, useful in the treatment of many diseases, including chickens coccidiosis. Its toxic effects have been well studied in humans and experimental animals, but not sufficiently in broiler chickens. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess the side effects of artemisinin in chickens, by measuring the serum level of proteins and enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, CK), by histopathological examination and by the evaluation of relative weight of organs (liver, kidney, heart). Artemisinin was administered in the standard feed for chickens in three different concentrations: 5, 50 and 500 ppm. Each concentration of artemisinin increased the total serum proteins, gamma-globulins and the serum activity of CK and decreased the serum ALP level. The values of ALT and GGT were higher in the chickens treated with 50 and 500 ppm of artemisinin. Multifocal liver necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate were detected in the chickens that received the 50 and 500 ppm dosage of artemisinin. Minimal tubular necrosis, renal tubular epithelium vacuolation, multifocal interstitial nephritis and mild uric nephrosis were detected in chickens treated with the drug. Artemisinin administration produced no significant changes in the organs relative weight. Artemisinin, at a concentration of 5 mg/kg of feed is well tolerated by broiler chickens, but the concentrations of 50 and 500 mg/ kg feed can produce toxic effects.

A historical review on vector distribution and epidemiology of human and animal leishmanioses in Eastern Europe.

Many canine diseases, infectious or parasitic, have been newly reported as autochthonous in the last few years in Eastern Europe. This is notably evident for vector-borne diseases. The mechanisms behind the particular epidemiological pattern of infectious and parasitic diseases of pets in Eastern Europe are complex. Most countries from Eastern Europe are regarded as non-endemic for leishmaniosis, with sporadic cases only in both humans and dogs. However, recently, new imported or autochthonous cases are reported every year. The aim of the current review is to synoptically review and critically analyse the epidemiological situation of leishmaniosis and the distribution of the sand fly vectors in Eastern Europe, namely in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus.

Rhipicephalus rossicus, a neglected tick at the margin of Europe: a review of its distribution, ecology and medical importance.

Rhipicephalus rossicus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is a three-host tick with a broad host spectrum that includes wild animals, pets, livestock and humans. Despite its local abundance in certain areas, most of the available information on R. rossicus was published decades ago, mainly by former soviet authors. Its distribution largely overlaps the Eurasian steppe. However, its range may be more extensive than is currently known because this species may have been misidentified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, principally in areas where the latter species is present. Although R. rossicus has been occasionally reported to feed on people, little attention has been given to its medical importance. It has been shown to have a vectorial role in the transmission of Francisella tularensis, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus and West Nile virus. However, the vectorial importance of R. rossicus may be significantly greater, mainly as the closely related species R. sanguineus s.l. is known to transmit a very wide spectrum of pathogens. The probably underestimated vectorial role of R. rossicus may represent a hidden public health threat.

Ixodes ricinus is the dominant questing tick in forest habitats in Romania: the results from a countrywide dragging campaign.

In 2010 and 2011, questing ticks were collected from 188 forested locations in all the 41 counties of Romania using the dragging method. The total of 13,771 ticks collected belonged to eleven species: Ixodes ricinus (86.9 %), Dermacentor marginatus (9.5 %), Haemaphysalis punctata (2.6 %), H. concinna (0.6 %), H. sulcata (0.3 %), H. parva (0.1 %), Hyalomma marginatum (0.02 %), D. reticulatus (0.02 %), I. crenulatus (0.007 %), I. hexagonus (0.007 %) and I. laguri (0.007 %). Ixodes ricinus was present in 97.7 % (n = 180) of locations, occurring exclusively in 41.7 % of the locations, whereas it was the dominant species in 38.8 % of the other locations, accounting for over 70 % of the total tick community. The following most common questing ticks were D. marginatus, H. punctata and H. concinna. Ixodes ricinus co-occurred with one, two or three sympatric species. The occurrence of D. reticulatus in forested habitats from Romania was found to be accidental.

Synopsis of the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of Romania with update on host associations and geographical distribution.

The current paper is a synoptic review of the distribution and host associations of the 25 species of hard tick fauna (family Ixodidae) in Romania. In addition to a full literature survey, original data is presented, based on eight years of occasional or targeted sample collection. The literature data on geographical distribution was transposed digitally to the decimal degree coordinate system. For each species, an updated distribution map is given together with all historical data and new host associations. Overall, our paper records 58 new tick-host associations for Romania: 20 for Ixodes ricinus, 1 for I. apronophorus, 6 for I. arboricola, 2 for I. hexagonus, 9 for I. redikorzevi, 1 for I. trianguliceps, 2 for I. vespertilionis, 2 for Haemaphysalis punctata, 1 for H. sulcata, 2 for H. concinna, 1 for D. marginatus, 4 for Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, 1 for R. bursa and 6 for Hyalomma marginatum.

Hard ticks (Ixodidae) in Romania: surveillance, host associations, and possible risks for tick-borne diseases.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases represent a great concern worldwide. Despite this, in Romania the studies regarding this subject has just started, and the interest of medical personnel, researchers, and citizens is increasing. Because the geographical range of many tick-borne diseases started to extend as consequences of different biological and environmental factors, it is important to study the diversity of ticks species, especially correlated with host associations. A total number of 840 ticks were collected between 1 April and 1 November 2010, from 66 animals, from 17 species in 11 counties, spread all over Romania. Four Ixodidae species were identified: Dermacentor marginatus (49.2%), Ixodes ricinus (48.3%), Hyalomma marginatum (2.4%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.1%). The obtained results indicate that D. marginatus is the most abundant tick species and I. ricinus is the most prevalent. As both of them are important vectors for human and animal diseases, the present paper discusses the associated risks for tick-borne diseases.