Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Croatia.

Canine vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are a group of globally distributed and rapidly spreading microorganisms transmitted by arthropods. In the present survey, we investigated Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia canis, Dirofilaria immitis and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato seroprevalence between three groups of dogs (asymptomatic, suspected and deceased) from continental and coastal regions of Croatia with the commercial point-of-care SNAP®4Dx®Plus for VBPs. The overall prevalence for tested pathogens in dogs was 6.1% with the highest prevalence detected for Anaplasma spp. (4.5%), while the remaining pathogens were found at a prevalence of less than 1% (E. canis 0.6%, B. burgdorferi s.l. 0.4%, D. immitis 0.6%). No statistically significant differences in VBP detection between dog cohorts could be found with the exception of D. immitis in the deceased group. Interestingly, no evidence of D. immitis could be found in the hearts of dogs in this group at necropsy, however. This study provides the first data on the seroprevalence of selected VBPs between dogs of different health statuses in Croatia. The results demonstrate that serological evidence of VBPs alone or in combination with co-infections were found just as frequently in asymptomatic dogs as those with suspected or confirmed evidence of VBP disease, raising questions about the pathogenic potential of these organisms in domesticated dogs.

First detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in Croatia.

Echinococcus multilocularis has been spreading through Europe but has not yet been reported in Croatia. We report the results of a surveillance programme to detect E. multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in different parts of Croatia. PCR-based screening of faecal samples from 238 red foxes in 2015 and 150 in 2016 indicate prevalences of 7.5% in 2015 and 6.6% in 2016 (overall 7.2%, CI 4.9 to 10.3). Positive samples were confirmed by sequencing parts of the nad1 gene and the gene encoding mitochondrial 12S rRNA. Geographic locations of all examined and positive cases were mapped to provide data on the distribution of E. multilocularis. Our results provide the first detection of E. multilocularis in Croatia and extend the southern boundary of this parasite's endemic area.

A review of leishmaniasis in Dalmatia (Croatia) and results from recent surveys on phlebotomine sandflies in three southern counties.

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a re-emerging disease in the Mediterranean area. A historical review on human and canine leishmaniasis in Croatia documents the presence of stable disease foci in coastal and insular territories of central and southern Dalmatia since the beginning of the 20th century. We report on a 3-year entomological investigation (2002-2004) aimed to study the current species composition and seasonality of phlebotomine sandflies in 10 localities of Dalmatia. Standard blacklight traps employed for sampling Culicoides midges in the frame of bluetongue disease surveillance were used for the first time in phlebotomine monitoring. A total of 2917 sandflies were collected and five species were identified, Phlebotomus tobbi, Phlebotomus neglectus, Phlebotomus perfiliewi, Phlebotomus mascittii and Sergentomyia minuta. Among the species, which may act as Leishmania infantum vectors, P. tobbi and P. neglectus were the most abundant.

Bluetongue virus in Oryx antelope (Oryx leucoryx) during the quarantine period in 2010 in Croatia.

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral infectious non­contagious disease of domestic and wild ruminants. Insect species of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) serve as biological vectors that transmit bluetongue virus (BTV) to susceptible hosts. The infection is present in the Mediterranean region. Recently, it has also been reported in Central, Western, and Northern Europe where BTV­8 was recognised as the causative serotype. In the meantime, BTV­14 has appeared in the North­Eastern part of Europe. In the present study, BTV serotype 16 (BTV­16) was detected by virus neutralisation (VNT)­assay and real­time reverse transcription­PCR (rRT­PCR) in 1 antelope and BTV­1 in 3 of 10 Oryx antelopes (Oryx leucoryx) imported in Croatia from the Sultanate of Oman. No BTV vectors were collected during the antelope quarantine on the Veliki Brijun Island. Also, no BTV antibodies were detected in sheep, cattle, and deer on the Island. Entomological studies did not reveal any new vector species that may have been introduced with the infected antelopes on their transportation. It was the first time that BTV was demonstrated in animals imported in Croatia. It involved BTV­1, which had never been demonstrated before and BTV­16, which had been previously recorded in domestic ruminants.