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.

Emerging Trichinella britovi infections in free ranging pigs of Greece.

Trichinella infections in humans and pigs have been documented in Greece since 1945 and a high prevalence of infection in pigs occurred in the 1950s. Up to 1984 only sporadic infections in humans were documented, and this zoonosis was not considered as a public health problem until 2009 when a human outbreak caused by the consumption of pork from an organic pig farm occurred. In the present study, we describe the re-emergence of Trichinella spp. infections in free-ranging pigs from organic farms of 3 counties (Dramas, Evros and Kavala) in Northern-Eastern Greece during the period 2009-2012. Totally 37 out of 12,717 (0.29%) free-ranging pigs which were tested during the period in question, were positive for Trichinella spp. larvae. The etiological agent was identified as Trichinella britovi. The average larval burden was 13.7 in the masseter, 6.2 in the foreleg muscles and 7.5 in the diaphragm. The 37 positive animals originated from seven free range pig farms. The practice of organic pig production systems in Greece has grown in popularity over the last years due to the increasing interest of consumers for products considered as traditional. However, this type of pig production increases the risk for Trichinella spp. infections, since animals can acquire the infection by feeding on carcasses or the offal of hunted or dead wild animals. The awareness and education of hunters and farmers is extremely important to reduce the transmission among free ranging pigs and the risk for humans.

Epizootiological investigation of the most important infectious equine diseases in Greece.

During the period 2001 to 2008, a total of 7,872 equine sera were tested at the Centre of Veterinary Institutes of Athens. Antibodies against seven infectious diseases of equids were determined: equine infectious anaemia (EIA), African horse sickness (AHS), equine viral arteritis (EVA), West Nile encephalitis (WNE), glanders, piroplasmosis and dourine. Tests for the four viral diseases found 4.5% seropositivity for EIA, 0% for AHS, 3.3% for EVA and 4% for WNE. All sera tested for glanders antibodies were negative. Tests for piroplasmosis detected antibodies against T. equi and B. caballi in 12.9% and 1.3% of the sera, respectively. No sample tested positive for dourine. The results of this epidemiological survey provide strong evidence that Greece is free from the diseases of AHS, glanders and dourine.

Detection and zoonotic potential of Trichinella spp. from free-range pig farming in Greece.

Trichinellosis is a serious parasitic zoonosis, which is widely distributed around the world. Pork meat is still the predominant source of outbreaks of human trichinellosis in many countries. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of Trichinella spp. as an important risk factor on the free-range pig farming sector in Greece. In 2009, during routine testing for the detection of Trichinella larvae at slaughterhouses and the National Reference Laboratory for Parasites (NRL), a total of 826,426 pigs were tested with the magnetic stirrer method for Trichinella spp. at slaughterhouses, including 2,892 samples from free-range pigs. Two positive samples were detected: one positive for Trichinella britovi and one positive for Trichinella spp. (unspecified) in the samples from wild farmed free-range pigs. It is alarming that one of these cases was connected with clinical signs of trichinellosis in five persons of the same family in northeastern Greece, who consumed undercooked pork meat from a free-range pig farm. During 2010, a total number of 1,295,034 pigs were tested with same method, including 4,159 samples from free-range pig farms. Five positive samples for Trichinella spp. (unspecified) were detected from 4,159 free-range pigs tested by the Greek NRL. Moreover, 363 serum samples from free-range pigs were serologically tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, 363 serum samples from farmed free-range pigs were serologically tested with ELISA, and 15 samples were found positive. Finally, the present study is the first report of detection of T. britovi in Greece. In conclusion, based on the results of the present study, Trichinella spp. is a high-risk factor for the free-range pig farming in Greece.

Serologic evidence of mixed infection involving the zoonoses leishmaniasis and leptospirosis in Greek dogs.

Leishmaniasis, an important zoonosis, was serologically found to coexist with leptospirosis, another important zoonosis. The proportion of dogs positive to leishmaniasis was approximately 36%. Significant differences were observed between dogs located in greater Athens and those from rural Greece. Although dogs from either of the groups had a similar chance to be infected, rural dogs had significantly (p<0.01) higher titers (1/1,600) than dogs from greater Athens. Thirty two of the 344 dog serum samples examined had positive antibody titers against Leptospira spp., but only 13 of them had titers of 1/400 or over to both of the infectious agents. Whilst noted differences in the antibody titers of samples with evidence of leishmaniasis and leptospirosis were not observed their coexistence may complicate the clinical outcome of cases of mixed infection.