Cardiopulmonary parasitic nematodes of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Serbia.

Among the wild canids, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is recognised as an important reservoir species for a range of parasites, including cardiopulmonary nematodes of public health and veterinary importance. As cross-host transmission between the red fox and domestic carnivores can play an important role in the epizootiology of cardiopulmonary parasitic diseases, the aim of the present investigations was to obtain data on the geographical distribution of cardiopulmonary nematodes of the red fox. The material for examination consisted of 83 foxes which were legally hunted at different locations during a three-month period from December 2017 to February 2018. The presence of four emerging species in Europe (Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Dirofilaria immitis and Eucoleus aerophilus) was revealed in red foxes of Serbia. Crenosoma vulpis and E. aerophilus were detected in foxes in both the plain and the mountainous areas across the country. Dirofilaria immitis is distributed in red foxes near alluvial rivers in Vojvodina province (northern Serbia). Angiostrongylosis caused by A. vasorum was demonstrated to exist in two enzootic foci with a high percentage of infected foxes in a plain area of northern Serbia. To the best of our knowledge, C. vulpis and A. vasorum were discovered for the first time in red foxes in central Serbia. The results provide strong evidence for veterinarians to take into consideration the parasitic nematodes discovered in red foxes in the differential diagnosis of diseases of companion animals. In the context of the 'One Health' approach the results related to the distribution of the zoonotic species E. aerophilus and D. immitis can be useful for medical epidemiology.

Loss of LasR function leads to decreased repression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PhoB activity at physiological phosphate concentrations.

While the Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR transcription factor plays a role in quorum sensing (QS) across phylogenetically-distinct lineages, isolates with loss-of-function mutations in lasR (LasR- strains) are commonly found in diverse settings including infections where they are associated with worse clinical outcomes. In LasR- strains, the transcription factor RhlR, which is controlled by LasR, can be alternately activated in low inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentrations via the two-component system PhoR-PhoB. Here, we demonstrate a new link between LasR and PhoB in which the absence of LasR increases PhoB activity at physiological Pi concentrations and raises the Pi concentration necessary for PhoB inhibition. PhoB activity was also less repressed by Pi in mutants lacking different QS regulators (RhlR and PqsR) and in mutants lacking genes required for the production of QS-regulated phenazines suggesting that decreased phenazine production was one reason for decreased PhoB repression by Pi in LasR- strains. In addition, the CbrA-CbrB two-component system, which is elevated in LasR- strains, was necessary for reduced PhoB repression by Pi and a Δcrc mutant, which lacks the CbrA-CbrB-controlled translational repressor, activated PhoB at higher Pi concentrations than the wild type. The ΔlasR mutant had a PhoB-dependent growth advantage in a medium with no added Pi and increased virulence-determinant gene expression in a medium with physiological Pi, in part through reactivation of QS. This work suggests PhoB activity may contribute to the virulence of LasR- P. aeruginosa and subsequent clinical outcomes.

Alaria alata mesocercariae in domestic pigs and wild boars in South Banat, northern Serbia.

Alaria alata (Diplostomidae, Trematoda), a potentially zoonotic pathogen, is the only Alaria species in Europe. In recent years, increasing reports of mesocercariae of A. alata in wild boars have been recorded in European countries; however there have been no described cases in domestic pigs over the past decades. Out of 272 diaphragm samples from wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), from Serbia, included in the present investigations, mesocercariae of A. alata were found in six (3%) samples from wild boars and in two (2.77%) samples from domestic pigs. Due to the lack of sensitivity of artificial digestion with a magnetic stirrer which was applied in the study, the true prevalence is estimated to be considerably higher in the area of investigation. Confirming the infection in domestic pigs and a wide distribution in wild boars in the area of investigation, the present paper should influence the growing awareness of alariosis as a potential human disease. The meat from free-range domestic pigs and game meat as a potential source of alariosis should always be adequately thermally treated before consumption.

First report of pneumonia caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum in a golden jackal.

Angiostrongylosis caused by metastrongyloid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum is an emerging parasitic disease in Europe and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is considered as a main reservoir species for this parasite. Little is known about the role of other wild canids in the epidemiology of angiostrongylosis. The present paper provides the first description of pathomorphological lesions caused by A. vasorum in a golden jackal (Canis aureus). The paper describes a case of co-infection with A. vasorum and Dirofilaria immitis in a one-year-old female golden jackal, legally hunted near the City of Kovin, South Banat, Serbia. The postmortem examination revealed severe pneumonia, proliferative endarteritis, the presence of two adult males of D. immitis in the right atrium, and the presence of 15 adult forms of A. vasorum (11 females and 4 males) in the pulmonary arteries. Native microscopy of an impression smear of the lung tissue found numerous larvae compatible with the A. vasorum first larval stage. This paper provides the first evidence that angiostrongylosis exists in the golden jackal in Serbia and confirms that the golden jackal should be considered as a very suitable definitive host for A. vasorum. The results suggest the possibility that the golden jackal may act as reservoir species and as an important transmitter of A. vasorum larvae.