Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in pet cats, dogs and rabbits from urban areas of Poland.

BACKGROUND: Neospora caninum (N. caninum) has a broad intermediate host range and might cause multisystemic lesions in various species of animals. Dogs are both intermediate and definitive hosts of the parasite and play a crucial role in the horizontal transmission of this protozoan to other animals. Cats and rabbits could be sensitive to infection with N. caninum, however, clinical symptoms and the exact route of infection in these species are unknown. The epidemiology of N. caninum in cats and rabbits has been barely researched, and there is no published record of the seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in these species in Poland. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the frequency of seroreagents for N. caninum within pet dogs, cats and rabbits from urban areas of Poland and to identify possible risk factors for these animals. RESULTS: In total, serum samples from 184 cats (Felis catus), 203 dogs (Canis familiaris) and 70 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used in the study. The seroprevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in dogs and cats reached 1.0% (2/203; 95% CI: 0.3-3.5) and 3.3% (6/184; 95% CI: 1.5-6.9), respectively. No significant differences in seroprevalence regarding age group, gender, symptoms or sampling location were found. All 70 samples from pet rabbits were negative for anti-N. caninum antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence rates of N. caninum in dogs and cats in the present study were low, however, our results confirmed N. caninum circulates among dog and cat populations in Poland, and neosporosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of neuro-muscular disorders in these species. This is the first serological survey of N. caninum in European pet cats and rabbits. The role of pet rabbits in N. caninum epidemiology and circulation in Poland is marginal.

No evidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among pet cats and dogs, and low seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus among pet rabbits in Poland.

The seroprevalence of Paslahepevirus balayani genotype 3 (hepatitis E virus genotype 3 - HEV-3; Hepeviridae family, genus Paslahepevirus) in pet cats, dogs and rabbits was evaluated. Samples from cats and dogs were collected from three veterinary practices from various parts of Poland: Poznan (wielkopolskie voivodeship), Przemysl (podkarpackie voivodeship) and Lublin (lubelskie voivodeship). Samples from rabbits were collected in Poznan. In total, serum samples from 90 cats, 82 dogs and 71 rabbits were selected and tested for specific anti-HEV-3 immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies using a commercial ELISA test. Pathogen seroprevalence among rabbits was calculated at a 95% confidence interval (CI) for each gender, age (up to 12 months, 1-3 years, 4-7 years and over 8 years), symptoms group (healthy, gastrointestinal disorders, other disorders) and compared with a chi-squared test. No anti-HEV-3 IgG antibodies were detected in any of the samples from cats and dogs. Anti-HEV-3 IgG antibodies were detected in 2.82% of the serum samples from rabbits (2/71; 95% CI: 0.78-9.70). No significant correlations between seropositivity and gender, age, and symptoms (p > 0.05) were observed in rabbits. Our findings indicate that pet rabbits in Poland are exposed to HEV-3, develop humoral response due to infection and might constitute a source for HEV-3 transmission to humans.

Cerebral arterial vascularization of the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah).

The Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah) is a large terrestrial mammal native to Africa. Since the year 2000, it is classified as extinct in the wild. It is a subject of various conservation projects. The aim of this study was to describe the arterial vascularization of the brain in this species of oryx. Three different anatomical methods were used to obtain a complete arterial pattern - latex injection, corrosion cast, and computed tomography. The arterial vascularization of the brain was described. The main components of the cerebral arterial circle were the rostral cerebral arteries and the caudal communicating arteries. These vessels were created from the intracranial part of the internal carotid artery, that emerged from the rostral epidural rete mirabile. In the juvenile specimen, the whole internal carotid artery was observed. The anatomical pathways of the blood supply to the brain are important during medical procedures in cases of congestion and fainting caused by inadequate brain blood perfusion.

Arterial Blood Supply to the Cerebral Arterial Circle in the Selected Species of Carnivora Order from Poland.

Carnivores are a wide, diverse group of mammals whose representatives live all over the world. The study presents the results of the analysis of the arterial vascularization of the blood supply to the cerebral arterial circle of selected species in the Caniformia suborder living in Poland. The selected group consists of wild and farm animals-105 animals in total. Three different methods were used-latex preparation, corrosion cast, and cone-beam computed tomography angiography. The main source of blood for encephalon in the described species is the internal carotid artery, and the second one is the vertebral artery. The results were discussed in relation to the current knowledge of this field of research. Information on the potential physiological meaning of such vascular pattern has been provided.

Cerebral Vascularization and the Remaining Area Supply of the Internal Carotid Artery Derivatives of the Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus).

The red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) is a member of Macropidideae superfamily. It is one of the four kangaroo species living nowadays, and it is the biggest one. It is native to Australia, where it is an abundant species living across the whole continent in stable populations. Outside its natural habit, the red kangaroo is a common species found in zoos and as patients in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Reports on kangaroo anatomy are scarce. Describing detailed anatomy is a base for establishing diagnostic and treatment protocols for different species of animals. Cardiovascular diseases and pathological changes suggestive of hypertension have been previously described in kangaroos. This creates a necessity for detailed studies on species' vascular anatomy. New reports in the field of detailed vascular anatomy can bring considerable information that complements numerous studies on the evolution or biology of individual species. In this article, we describe the arterial vascularization of the brain and nearby regions of the cranial cavity using various anatomical techniques. The vascularization of the brain is discussed and compared with different mammalian species.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats, dogs and rabbits from Poland.

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats, dogs and rabbits was evaluated. Samples from cats and dogs were collected from five veterinary practices from various parts of Poland - Poznan (wielkopolskie voivodeship), Przemysl (podkarpackie voivodeship), Kluczbork (opolskie voivodeship), Lublin (lubelskie voivodeship) and Deblin (lubelskie voivodeship). Moreover, the samples from rabbits were collected in Poznan. In total, serum samples from 193 cats, 204 dogs and 71 rabbits were randomly selected and tested for specific antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial ELISA test. Pathogen seroprevalence among cats and dogs was calculated at a 95% confidence interval (CI) for each sex and age category (up to 12 months, 1-3 years, 4-7 years and over 8 years) and compared with a chi-squared test. The highest seroprevalence of T. gondii was noted in cats - 49.74% (96/193; 95% CI: 42.76-56.73). In dogs, it reached 28.92% (59/204; 95% CI: 23.13-35.49). Only 1 rabbit (3-year-old male) was seropositive, and the seroprevalence in rabbits was 1.41% (1/71; 95% CI: 0.25-7.56). A statistically significant correlation between seropositivity and age (p < 0.05) was observed in cats and dogs. No statistically significant difference in seroprevalence concerning gender or location was found in cats and dogs. Our findings indicate that cat and dog serum samples had a high frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies, while rabbit serum samples had low frequency and that these species are exposed to T. gondii in Poland and develop humoral response due to infection.

Crossed renal ectopia with fusion in a pelvic inlet area, atypical portal vein and coccygeal deformation in a young female cat.

BACKGROUND: The case report describes a rare congenital anomaly, crossed fused renal ectopia (CFRE), with coexistence of two other abnormalities - atypical portal vein and coccygeal vertebrae malformation in a domestic cat. The concomitance of those 3 congenital defects has not been described previously. CASE PRESENTATION: An 8-month-old female, domestic cat suffering from chronic diarrhea was referred to the diagnostic imaging unit. The patient showed no other clinical symptoms. An abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed in order to evaluate the condition of abdominal organs, particularly the gastrointestinal tract. The ultrasound examination showed an ectopic duplex kidney at instead of kidneys in their typical location. Computed tomography (CT) with angiographic phase and excretory urography was requested to evaluate the condition of the kidneys and ureters. The final diagnosis was CFRE, atypical portal vein and coccygeal deformation in an asymptomatic cat with no changes in renal function and normal blood parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly and is easily detectable by an abdominal ultrasonographic examination and CT, which allows more complete assessment of both anatomical relations and secretory function of the kidney. The occurrence of CFRE, abnormal portal vein and spinal malformation in a clinically healthy patient is the evidence that congenital malformations may simultaneously involve various, not directly related structures and systems, without significant influence on blood and urine parameters. Thus the most useful tool in the evaluation of the morphological and functional changes is the diagnostic imaging, especially contrast enhanced CT. Our results show that renal fusions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of caudal abdominal masses.