Neospora caninum, A potential cause of reproductive failure in dairy cows from Northern Greece.

Neospora caninum infection has been reported in a large number of intermediate hosts, such as ruminants, rabbits, mice, etc. but neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease in cattle and dogs worldwide. Abortions and other infertility issues have been reported in the infected cows, leading to great economic losses in farmers. The aim of our study was to assess N. caninum seroprevalence in dairy cattle from Northern Greece (region of Xanthi) by using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique. Blood samples were collected from 875 Holstein - Friesian dairy cows and tested for Neospora caninum antibodies. Among the cows that were studied, 184 (21.03%) were positive for N. caninum antibodies and concurrently their farms had a known previous history of infertility problems, such as abortions, increased number of artificial inseminations needed for conception, increased rate of returning to estrus and retention of fetal membranes.

Importance of colostrum IgG antibodies level for prevention of infection with Cryptosporidium parvum in neonatal dairy calves.

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most common zoonosis worldwide, causing intestinal infection to both humans and livestock. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the level of anti-C. parvum IgG antibodies transferred through colostrum from dams to newborn calves impacts the susceptibility to cryptosporidiosis. A number of 50 dams and their healthy newborns were included in the study. Colostrum samples were collected within 12 h after birth and anti-C. parvum IgG antibody levels were determined by single radial immunodiffusion. The health condition of the newborns was daily monitored, and fecal samples were collected at first diarrheic episode of a calf. In all dams, the anti-C. parvum IgG antibody concentration in colostrum varied between 570 and 4070 mg/dl; in dams who gave birth to calves with diarrhea and were C. parvum-positive, the antibody concentration in colostrum varied between 680 and 3680 mg/dl (Table 1). The point-biserial correlation showed a negative correlation between the levels of anti-C. parvum antibodies and manifestation of clinical cryptosporidiosis (r=-0.425). Our findings highlight the importance of IgG levels in colostrum received by neonatal calves during their first day of life for prevention of C. parvum infection.

Development of resistance to eprinomectin in gastrointestinal nematodes in a goat herd with pre-existing resistance to benzimidazoles.

We described a first case of resistance to eprinomectin in goat herd in Poland in which resistance to benzimidazoles had been previously reported. The herd was established in 2011 by purchasing several goats from a single herd in south-eastern Poland. Resistance to benzimidazoles in the herd was first reported in 2017. Shortly after the owner started to signal low effectiveness of the treatment with eprinomectin. In June 2018 the larval development test from pooled faecal sample was performed and the results indicated the presence of resistance to macrocyclic lactones and levamisole. In July 2018 a faecal egg count (FEC) reduction test was performed in 39 animals with levamisole, eprinomectin and one untreated control group. Drugs were used in doses recommended for goats. Three methods of calculation of FEC reduction were compared. After eprinomectin treatment, FEC reduction ranged from 0 to 20%, depending on the method of calculation. FEC reduction following levamisole treatment was 100%. Main species present in the faecal samples after treatment and in larvicidal concentrations in larval development test was Haemonchus contortus. This is the first report of anthelminthic resistance to macrocylic lactones (eprinomectin) in goats in Poland.

First evidence of Leishmania infection in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Greece: GIS analysis and phylogenetic position within the Leishmania spp.

Although the existence of a sylvatic transmission cycle of Leishmania spp., independent from the domestic cycle, has been proposed, data are scarce on Leishmania infection in wild mammals in Greece. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Leishmania infection in the European brown hare in Greece, to infer the phylogenetic position of the Leishmania parasites detected in hares in Greece, and to identify any possible correlation between Leishmania infection in hares with environmental parameters, using the geographical information system (GIS). Spleen samples from 166 hares were tested by internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1)-nested PCR for the detection of Leishmania DNA. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on Leishmania sequences from hares in Greece in conjunction with Leishmania sequences from dogs in Greece and 46 Leishmania sequences retrieved from GenBank. The Leishmania DNA prevalence in hares was found to be 23.49 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 17.27-30.69). The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the Leishmania sequences from hares in Greece belong in the Leishmania donovani complex. The widespread Leishmania infection in hares should be taken into consideration because under specific circumstances, this species can act as a reservoir host. This study suggests that the role of wild animals, including hares, in the epidemiology of Leishmania spp. in Greece deserves further elucidation.

Ectoparasite infestations of urban stray dogs in Greece and their zoonotic potential.

The presence of ectoparasites is very common in stray dogs worldwide. So far there are limited data on the spread of external parasites of dogs in Greece. Due to the potential risk of human infestation and/or transmission of zoonotic agents, knowledge of their abundance and distribution is essential in order to better define preventive measures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of external parasites of stray dogs from the area of Thessaloniki Greece. Out of a total of 242 stray dogs (85 males and 157 females) tested, the greatest percentages of infestation of 46.28% and 43.8% by fleas (Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis) and ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) respectively were observed. Moreover, 15 dogs (6.20%) were found infested by Sarcoptes scabiei var canis, 8 (3.31%), by Otodectes cynotis while 4 (1.65%) dogs were infested by Cheyletiella sp and Demodex canis. Finally, three dogs (1.24%) were found infested by lice (Trichodectes canis). A statistically significant higher percentage of external parasites was detected in young dogs compared to adults (P=0.0001) and in males compared to females (P<0.0001), while this difference was not statistically significant in short haired compared to long haired and in small size compared to large size dogs (P= 0.6938 and P=0.9934, respectively). The results of this study support the assumption that stray dogs constitute a considerable source of ectoparasites and their infestation is indicative of the presence and abundance of ectoparasites in an area.

Ectoparasite infestations of urban stray dogs in Greece and their zoonotic potential

The presence of ectoparasites is very common in stray dogs worldwide. So far there are limited data on the spread of external parasites of dogs in Greece. Due to the potential risk of human infestation and/or transmission of zoonotic agents, knowledge of their abundance and distribution is essential in order to better define preventive measures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of external parasites of stray dogs from the area of Thessaloniki Greece. Out of a total of 242 stray dogs (85 males and 157 females) tested, the greatest percentages of infestation of 46.28% and 43.8% by fleas ( Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis ) and ticks ( Rhipicephalus sanguineus ) respectively were observed. Moreover, 15 dogs (6.20%) were found infested by Sarcoptes scabiei var canis, 8 (3.31%), by Otodectes cynotis while 4 (1.65%) dogs were infested by Cheyletiella sp and Demodex canis . Finally, three dogs (1.24%) were found infested by lice ( Trichodectes canis ). A statistically significant higher percentage of external parasites was detected in young dogs compared to adults (P=0.0001) and in males compared to females (P<0.0001), while this difference was not statistically significant in short haired compared to long haired and in small size compared to large size dogs (P= 0.6938 and P=0.9934, respectively). The results of this study support the assumption that stray dogs constitute a considerable source of ectoparasites and their infestation is indicative of the presence and abundance of ectoparasites in an area.

First survey on hard ticks (Ixodidae) collected from humans in Romania: possible risks for tick-borne diseases.

The importance of studies on the diversity of ticks attacking humans resides mostly in the relatively highly-specific tick-pathogen associations. Human tick bites are commonly reported worldwide but removal of ticks from patients is rarely followed by specific identification of the ticks, leaving to some degree of hazard the preventive treatment of possible associated diseases. A total number of 308 ticks were collected between April and June 2010 from 275 human patients who voluntarily presented to a hospital from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The mean intensity of infection was 1.12 ± 0.46. Four species of ticks were identified Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, Haemaphysalis concinna and H. punctata. Ixodes ricinus was the most abundant species feeding on humans in the study area. A brief review of possible associated pathogen is provided.

Prevalence and intensity of Otodectes cynotis in kittens from Thessaloniki area, Greece.

From May 2007 to May 2008 we have examined by otoscopy a total number of 214 cats, aged between 0 and 6 months, brought in for their first veterinary examination to a private veterinary clinic. All cats were of urban origin. In all positive cats we performed a washing of the ear using warm paraffin oil in order to determine intensity of infection. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. A total number of 30 cats were found to be infected with Otodectes cynotis (prevalence 14.02%). Prevalence of infection was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cats aged between 3 and 6 months (17.58%) than in cats aged below 3 months (11.38). Intensity of infection ranged between 7 and 85 (mean intensity 35.60) mites per infected cat. The same age group of cats between 3 and 6 months had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean intensity (47.19) compared to cats aged under 3 months (22.36). No statistical significance was found between males and females for neither prevalence nor intensity. Differences and similarities with other studies are discussed.