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Križman M, Švara T, Šoba B, Rataj AV. Alveolar echinococcosis in nutria (Myocastor coypus), invasive species in Slovenia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 18:221-224. [PMID: 35783071 PMCID: PMC9241068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The present report describes a case of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in nutria (Myocastor coypus) culled in the central area of Slovenia. Post-mortem exam showed multiple cystic lesions in the liver. Gross examination, as well as parasitological and histopathological examinations, revealed numerous cysts of various sizes, filled with yellow clear fluid and displacing most of the liver parenchyma. The cyst lumina contained numerous protoscolices approximately 100 μm in diameter and calcareous corpuscles. The protoscolices had two visible suckers and a rostellum with birefringent hooks. The lesions were consistent with an E. multilocularis cyst. Molecular analysis confirmed that the nutria was infected with E. multilocularis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of echinococcosis in nutria in Slovenia that presents gross, parasitological, and histological lesions and the result of molecular analysis. Nutrias in Slovenia are dangerous invaders but can also be a relevant bioindicator of the presence of the parasite in the environment.
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Kotnik T, Rataj AV, Šoba B. Dirofilaria Repens in Dogs and Humans in Slovenia. J Vet Res 2022; 66:117-123. [PMID: 35582489 PMCID: PMC8959679 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2022-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in dogs in countries bordering Slovenia ranges from 1.5% to 47.3%. The aim of this study was to estimate its prevalence in Slovenian dogs and to present the cases of dirofilariasis diagnosed in humans from 2010 to 2020. Material and Methods Epidemiological data were collected and blood samples were taken from 465 dogs older than one year and born in Slovenia. A real-time PCR was performed on all samples to detect filarioid DNA, and a D. repens-and D. immitis-specific real-time PCR was performed on positive samples. Blood samples from 446 dogs were tested for Dirofilaria spp. using a modified Knott's test. Human cases were diagnosed from histological sections of excised subcutaneous nodules. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the samples. The one-sample nonparametric chi-squared test was used to assess whether categories of a variable were equally distributed. Results Three dogs' samples tested positive for D. repens using the species-specific real-time PCR, while D. immitis DNA was not detected. The modified Knott's test was positive in two of the three PCR-positive dogs, two of which had never travelled outside Slovenia's borders. Four human patients with D. repens dirofilariasis were diagnosed. Since their travel history was unknown, autochthonous transmission could not be confirmed. Conclusion Our study demonstrated a 0.64% prevalence of D. repens infection in dogs in Slovenia. Two cases could be autochthonous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Kotnik
- Small Animal Clinic, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Šoba
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Ježek J, Mirtič K, Rešetič N, Hodnik JJ, Vergles Rataj A. The effect of pumpkin seed cake and ground cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) supplementation on gastrointestinal nematode egg shedding in sheep. Parasite 2021; 28:78. [PMID: 34870589 PMCID: PMC8647689 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed additives (pumpkin seed cake and cloves) on the egg excretion of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in sheep. Thirty ewes naturally infected with GIN were randomly selected from a flock and assigned to the following groups of 10 animals each: clove group (received 1.8 g ground cloves/ewe/day, for 7 days), pumpkin seed cake group (200 g pumpkin seed cake/ewe/day, for 7 days) and control group. Before starting the study, on day 0, and 5 days after the 7-day supplementation, on day 12, the body condition and FAMACHA scores were assessed and individual faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed. The mean body condition and the FAMACHA scores did not change significantly between day 0 and 12 with the exception of a significantly deteriorated FAMACHA score in the clove group. The percentage reduction of FEC was 40.7% on day 12 in the clove group and 52.9% in the pumpkin seed cake group. In the control group, FEC increased by 8.7%. A coproculture of faecal samples from four of the most infected animals on day 0 revealed Trichostrongylus spp. larvae L3 in all four selected ewes, Ostertagia spp. and Cooperia spp. in three and Haemonchus contortus in one ewe. These results are promising and encourage further studies aimed to evaluate the possibility that these plant supplements could be a complementary method for parasite control, thus reducing the need for chemotherapy.
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Bandelj P, Vengušt DŽ, Blagus R, Vergles Rataj A, Krt B. High Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Slovenian Wild Boars ( Sus scrofa). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113139. [PMID: 34827871 PMCID: PMC8614481 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can cause serious disease in humans, especially in pregnant women. This parasite is found in many animals and people can be infected by eating raw or undercooked meat. Wild boar are known to harbor this parasite; populations and habitats have increased in the past decade, as it also increased the consumption of venison. The European population of wild boar has a mean prevalence of 26%. In our study, we found that the prevalence in the Slovenian wild boar population is 62%, the highest in the world to date. The prevalence was influenced by age and weight, but not by gender. In conclusion, the hunting community should be made aware of the high risk of parasite exposure when dealing with wild boar meat. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of great public health concern. Wild boars could be considered an emerging source of toxoplasmosis in humans due to the popularity of venison and their increasing population. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the Slovenian wild boar population and evaluate risk factors for human infection. Of 353 samples, 62% were positive for T. gondii using ELISA tests. This is the highest T. gondii seroprevalence reported to date in wild boar worldwide. The increase in prevalence with increasing age (p = 0.003) and weight (p = 0.002) were statistically significant, whereas gender was not (p = 0.781). Odds for being T. gondii-positive increased with age with the largest difference being between 2–3-year-old and 1–2-year-old animals (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.03–6.85). Animals weighing 20–40 kg had a higher risk than animals weighing 0–20 kg (OR = 2.74, 95%CI: 1.21–6.20), whereas a further increase in the weight was not associated with increasing the odds. Due to the high Toxoplasma prevalence, the study concluded that the risk of exposure to T. gondii from handling raw or undercooked wild boar meat is high. Surveillance protocols should be established at the national level together with increased awareness within the hunting community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Bandelj
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, SI-1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.Ž.V.); (A.V.R.); (B.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Diana Žele Vengušt
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, SI-1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.Ž.V.); (A.V.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Rok Blagus
- Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1104 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Faculty of Sports, University of Ljubljana, Gortanova ulica 22, SI-1104 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, SI-1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.Ž.V.); (A.V.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Branko Krt
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, SI-1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.Ž.V.); (A.V.R.); (B.K.)
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Fuehrer HP, Morelli S, Unterköfler MS, Bajer A, Bakran-Lebl K, Dwużnik-Szarek D, Farkas R, Grandi G, Heddergott M, Jokelainen P, Knific T, Leschnik M, Miterpáková M, Modrý D, Petersen HH, Skírnisson K, Vergles Rataj A, Schnyder M, Strube C. Dirofilaria spp. and Angiostrongylus vasorum: Current Risk of Spreading in Central and Northern Europe. Pathogens 2021; 10:1268. [PMID: 34684217 PMCID: PMC8537668 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, the relevance of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, causing cardiopulmonary and subcutaneous dirofilariosis in dogs and cats, and of Angiostrongylus vasorum, causing canine angiostrongylosis, has steadily increased in Central and Northern Europe. In this review, a summary of published articles and additional reports dealing with imported or autochthonous cases of these parasites is provided for Central (Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Luxemburg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland) and Northern (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) Europe. Research efforts focusing on Dirofilaria spp. and A. vasorum have varied by country, and cross-border studies are few. The housing conditions of dogs, pet movements, the spread of competent vectors, and climate change are important factors in the spread of these nematodes. Dogs kept outside overnight are a major factor for the establishment of Dirofilaria spp. However, the establishment of invasive, diurnal, synanthropic, competent mosquito vectors such as Aedes albopictus may also influence the establishment of Dirofilaria spp. The drivers of the spread of A. vasorum remain not fully understood, but it seems to be influenced by habitats shared with wild canids, dog relocation, and possibly climatic changes; its pattern of spreading appears to be similar in different countries. Both Dirofilaria spp. and A. vasorum merit further monitoring and research focus in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.S.U.); (K.B.-L.)
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Maria Sophia Unterköfler
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.S.U.); (K.B.-L.)
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (D.D.-S.)
| | - Karin Bakran-Lebl
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.S.U.); (K.B.-L.)
| | - Dorota Dwużnik-Szarek
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (D.D.-S.)
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Giulio Grandi
- Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mike Heddergott
- Department of Zoology, Musée National d’Historire Naturelle, 25, Rue Münster, 2160 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark;
| | - Tanja Knific
- Institute of Food Safety, Feed and Environment, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Michael Leschnik
- Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, Department/Universitätsklinik für Kleintiere und Pferde, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Martina Miterpáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic;
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Praha-Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Heidi Huus Petersen
- Centre for Diagnostic, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Karl Skírnisson
- Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland;
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Christina Strube
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
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Rose Vineer H, Morgan ER, Hertzberg H, Bartley DJ, Bosco A, Charlier J, Chartier C, Claerebout E, de Waal T, Hendrickx G, Hinney B, Höglund J, Ježek J, Kašný M, Keane OM, Martínez-Valladares M, Mateus TL, McIntyre J, Mickiewicz M, Munoz AM, Phythian CJ, Ploeger HW, Rataj AV, Skuce PJ, Simin S, Sotiraki S, Spinu M, Stuen S, Thamsborg SM, Vadlejch J, Varady M, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Rinaldi L. Increasing importance of anthelmintic resistance in European livestock: creation and meta-analysis of an open database. Parasite 2020; 27:69. [PMID: 33277891 PMCID: PMC7718593 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections are ubiquitous in grazing ruminant production systems, and are responsible for significant costs and production losses. Anthelmintic Resistance (AR) in parasites is now widespread throughout Europe, although there are still gaps in our knowledge in some regions and countries. AR is a major threat to the sustainability of modern ruminant livestock production, resulting in reduced productivity, compromised animal health and welfare, and increased greenhouse gas emissions through increased parasitism and farm inputs. A better understanding of the extent of AR in Europe is needed to develop and advocate more sustainable parasite control approaches. A database of European published and unpublished AR research on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) was collated by members of the European COST Action "COMBAR" (Combatting Anthelmintic Resistance in Ruminants), and combined with data from a previous systematic review of AR in GIN. A total of 197 publications on AR in GIN were available for analysis, representing 535 studies in 22 countries and spanning the period 1980-2020. Reports of AR were present throughout the European continent and some reports indicated high within-country prevalence. Heuristic sample size-weighted estimates of European AR prevalence over the whole study period, stratified by anthelmintic class, varied between 0 and 48%. Estimated regional (country) prevalence was highly heterogeneous, ranging between 0% and 100% depending on livestock sector and anthelmintic class, and generally increased with increasing research effort in a country. In the few countries with adequate longitudinal data, there was a tendency towards increasing AR over time for all anthelmintic classes in GIN: aggregated results in sheep and goats since 2010 reveal an average prevalence of resistance to benzimidazoles (BZ) of 86%, macrocyclic lactones except moxidectin (ML) 52%, levamisole (LEV) 48%, and moxidectin (MOX) 21%. All major GIN genera survived treatment in various studies. In cattle, prevalence of AR varied between anthelmintic classes from 0-100% (BZ and ML), 0-17% (LEV) and 0-73% (MOX), and both Cooperia and Ostertagia survived treatment. Suspected AR in F. hepatica was reported in 21 studies spanning 6 countries. For GIN and particularly F. hepatica, there was a bias towards preferential sampling of individual farms with suspected AR, and research effort was biased towards Western Europe and particularly the United Kingdom. Ongoing capture of future results in the live database, efforts to avoid bias in farm recruitment, more accurate tests for AR, and stronger appreciation of the importance of AR among the agricultural industry and policy makers, will support more sophisticated analyses of factors contributing to AR and effective strategies to slow its spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Rose Vineer
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE UK
| | - Eric R. Morgan
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, Biological Sciences 19 Chlorine Gardens Belfast BT9 5DL UK
| | | | - David J. Bartley
- Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan Penicuik, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Antonio Bosco
- University of Naples Federico II, Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1 80137 Napoli Italy
| | | | | | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University B9820 Merelbeke Belgium
| | - Theo de Waal
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin Dublin D04 W6F6 Ireland
| | | | - Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, Vetmeduni Vienna Veterinärplatz 1 1210 Vienna Austria
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology P.O. Box 7036 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Jožica Ježek
- Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary faculty, University of Ljubljana Gerbičeva 60 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno 611 37 Czech Republic
| | - Orla M. Keane
- Animal Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93 Ireland
| | | | - Teresa Letra Mateus
- CISAS – Centre for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Àlvares 4900-347 Viana do Castelo Portugal
- EpiUnit – Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto Rua das Taipas, nº 135 4050-091 Porto Portugal
| | - Jennifer McIntyre
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate Glasgow G61 1QH UK
| | - Marcin Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences Nowoursynowska 159c 02-776 Warsaw Poland
| | - Ana Maria Munoz
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária – Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias Av. Campo Grande 376 1749-024 Lisbon Portugal
| | - Clare Joan Phythian
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
| | - Harm W. Ploeger
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Yalelaan 1 3584 CL Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana Gerbičeva 60 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Philip J. Skuce
- Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan Penicuik, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Stanislav Simin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad 21101 Novi Sad Republic of Serbia
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Section for Parasitology, HAO-DEMETER, Thermi 57001 Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Marina Spinu
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca 400372 Romania
| | - Snorre Stuen
- Institute for Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Sandnes 4325 Norway
| | - Stig Milan Thamsborg
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen DK-1870 Frederiksberg C Denmark
| | - Jaroslav Vadlejch
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Kamycka 129 165 00 Prague Suchdol Czech Republic
| | - Marian Varady
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Kosice 040 01 Slovakia
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7–13 14163 Berlin Germany
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- University of Naples Federico II, Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1 80137 Napoli Italy
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7
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Laranjo-González M, Devleesschauwer B, Trevisan C, Allepuz A, Sotiraki S, Abraham A, Afonso MB, Blocher J, Cardoso L, Correia da Costa JM, Dorny P, Gabriël S, Gomes J, Gómez-Morales MÁ, Jokelainen P, Kaminski M, Krt B, Magnussen P, Robertson LJ, Schmidt V, Schmutzhard E, Smit GSA, Šoba B, Stensvold CR, Starič J, Troell K, Rataj AV, Vieira-Pinto M, Vilhena M, Wardrop NA, Winkler AS, Dermauw V. Epidemiology of taeniosis/cysticercosis in Europe, a systematic review: Western Europe. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:349. [PMID: 28732550 PMCID: PMC5521153 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2280-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are zoonotic parasites of public health importance. Data on their occurrence in humans and animals in western Europe are incomplete and fragmented. In this study, we aimed to update the current knowledge on the epidemiology of these parasites in this region. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of scientific and grey literature published from 1990 to 2015 on the epidemiology of T. saginata and T. solium in humans and animals. Additionally, data about disease occurrence were actively sought by contacting local experts in the different countries. RESULTS Taeniosis cases were found in twelve out of eighteen countries in western Europe. No cases were identified in Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. For Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the UK, annual taeniosis cases were reported and the number of detected cases per year ranged between 1 and 114. Detected prevalences ranged from 0.05 to 0.27%, whereas estimated prevalences ranged from 0.02 to 0.67%. Most taeniosis cases were reported as Taenia spp. or T. saginata, although T. solium was reported in Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Portugal and the UK. Human cysticercosis cases were reported in all western European countries except for Iceland, with the highest number originating from Portugal and Spain. Most human cysticercosis cases were suspected to have acquired the infection outside western Europe. Cases of T. solium in pigs were found in Austria and Portugal, but only the two cases from Portugal were confirmed with molecular methods. Germany, Spain and Slovenia reported porcine cysticercosis, but made no Taenia species distinction. Bovine cysticercosis was detected in all countries except for Iceland, with a prevalence based on meat inspection of 0.0002-7.82%. CONCLUSIONS Detection and reporting of taeniosis in western Europe should be improved. The existence of T. solium tapeworm carriers, of suspected autochthonous cases of human cysticercosis and the lack of confirmation of porcine cysticercosis cases deserve further attention. Suspected cases of T. solium in pigs should be confirmed by molecular methods. Both taeniosis and human cysticercosis should be notifiable and surveillance in animals should be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Laranjo-González
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Alberto Allepuz
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, HAO-DEMETER, Campus Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Annette Abraham
- Centre for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Centre for Global Health, Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mariana Boaventura Afonso
- Divisão de Proteção Veterinária e Pecuária, Direção de Serviços de Alimentação e Veterinária, Direção Regional de Agricultura, Secretaria Regional de Agricultura e Pescas, Av. Arriaga, 21 Edifício Golden, 3° Andar, 9000-690, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Joachim Blocher
- Institute for Acute Neurology and Stroke, Academic Teaching Hospital Feldkirch, Feldkirch, Austria
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - José Manuel Correia da Costa
- Center for Parasite Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Rua Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055, Porto, Portugal.,Center for the Study of Animal Science (CECA), Institute for Agricultural and Agro-Alimentary Science and Technology (ICETA), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jacinto Gomes
- National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Fungi & Parasites, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark.,Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Miriam Kaminski
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Brane Krt
- Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, section for Parasitology and Aquatic Diseases, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lucy J Robertson
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, 0033, Oslo, Norway
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Centre for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Centre for Global Health, Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erich Schmutzhard
- Department of Neurology, NICU Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - G Suzanne A Smit
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Barbara Šoba
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christen Rune Stensvold
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Fungi & Parasites, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Jože Starič
- Clinic for reproduction and large animals - section for ruminants, Veterinary faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Karin Troell
- National Veterinary Institute, SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Madalena Vieira-Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.,CECAV - Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Manuela Vilhena
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas (ICAAM), Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Nicola Ann Wardrop
- Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, England, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Andrea S Winkler
- Centre for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Centre for Global Health, Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450, Oslo, Norway
| | - Veronique Dermauw
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Dovč A, Gregurić Gračner G, Tomažič I, Vlahović K, Pavlak M, Lindtner Knific R, Kralj K, Stvarnik M, Vergles Rataj A. Control of Hymenolepis nana infection as a measure to improve mouse colony welfare. Acta Vet Hung 2017; 65:208-220. [PMID: 28605969 DOI: 10.1556/004.2017.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
After cannibalism had appeared in the reproductive units of a white mouse colony, treatment against confirmed Hymenolepis nana, a tapeworm with zoonotic potential, was performed on 67 mice in the reproductive and nursery units. Faecal droppings were evaluated by flotation and sedimentation methods. The sedimentation method revealed a higher number of positive results before, during and after the treatment, but the flotation method yielded some additional positive cases. In the reproductive unit, H. nana eggs were confirmed in 50% of the tested mice by the flotation and in 70% by the sedimentation method. In the nursery units, H. nana eggs were detected in 10.5% of the tested mice by the flotation and in 24.6% by the sedimentation method. A colony of mice was treated against the tapeworm H. nana with praziquantel and emodepside in doses of 2.574 mg praziquantel/100 g body mass and of 0.642 mg emodepside/100 g body mass. The content of the original pipettes (Profender®) was applied as a spot-on on the back of the neck in the area between the shoulders. The application was repeated three times at 14-day intervals. Seven days after the third therapy no H. nana was found in any of the tested mice in the reproductive or the nursery units. After the treatment, cannibalism was no longer observed. This treatment represented one of the steps aimed at improving animal welfare and preventing potential zoonotic disease. The public health significance of this cestode should receive more attention, especially among people who take care of mice, have them as pets, or feed them to reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Dovč
- 1Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gordana Gregurić Gračner
- 2Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Welfare, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iztok Tomažič
- 3Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ksenija Vlahović
- 4Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Pavlak
- 5Department of Veterinary Economics and Epidemiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Renata Lindtner Knific
- 1Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klemen Kralj
- 6 Veterinary Clinic Max-Lavrica, Škofljica, Slovenia
| | - Mateja Stvarnik
- 7Unit for Administrative Legal Affairs, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- 8Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Bandelj P, Blagus R, Briski F, Frlic O, Vergles Rataj A, Rupnik M, Ocepek M, Vengust M. Identification of risk factors influencing Clostridium difficile prevalence in middle-size dairy farms. Vet Res 2016; 47:41. [PMID: 26968527 PMCID: PMC4788955 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-016-0326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Farm animals have been suggested to play an important role in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in the community. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with C. difficile dissemination in family dairy farms, which are the most common farming model in the European Union. Environmental samples and fecal samples from cows and calves were collected repeatedly over a 1 year period on 20 mid-size family dairy farms. Clostridium difficile was detected in cattle feces on all farms using qPCR. The average prevalence between farms was 10% (0–44.4%) and 35.7% (3.7–66.7%) in cows and calves, respectively. Bacterial culture yielded 103 C. difficile isolates from cattle and 61 from the environment. Most C. difficile isolates were PCR-ribotype 033. A univariate mixed effect model analysis of risk factors associated dietary changes with increasing C. difficile prevalence in cows (P = 0.0004); and dietary changes (P = 0.004), breeding Simmental cattle (P = 0.001), mastitis (P = 0.003) and antibiotic treatment (P = 0.003) in calves. Multivariate analysis of risk factors found that dietary changes in cows (P = 0.0001) and calves (P = 0.002) increase C. difficile prevalence; mastitis was identified as a risk factor in calves (P = 0.001). This study shows that C. difficile is common on dairy farms and that shedding is more influenced by farm management than environmental factors. Based on molecular typing of C. difficile isolates, it could also be concluded that family dairy farms are currently not contributing to increased CDI incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Bandelj
- Veterinary faculty, University of Ljubljana, cesta v Mestni log 47, 1115, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Rok Blagus
- Institute for biostatistics and Medical informatics, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1104, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Olga Frlic
- , Vinharje 6, 4223, Poljane nad Skofjo Loko, Slovenia
| | | | - Maja Rupnik
- National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, Prvomajska ulica 1, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia.,Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaz Ocepek
- Veterinary faculty, University of Ljubljana, cesta v Mestni log 47, 1115, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Modest Vengust
- Veterinary faculty, University of Ljubljana, cesta v Mestni log 47, 1115, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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10
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Bandelj P, Blagus R, Trilar T, Vengust M, Rataj AV. Influence of phylogeny, migration and type of diet on the presence of intestinal parasites in the faeces of European passerine birds (Passeriformes). Wildlife Biology 2015. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Abstract
In the present study, 428 foxes were collected and examined for intestinal helminths using the washing-out method. Parasites were found in 93.2% of the examined animals. The most frequently identified nematodes were Uncinaria stenocephala (58.9%), Toxocara canis (38.3%) and Molineus patens (30.6%). Other nematodes found were Pterygodermatites affinis (4.2%), Capillaria sp. (2.8%), Crenosoma vulpis (2.8%), Toxascaris leonina (2.5%), Trichuris vulpis (0.7%) and Physaloptera sp. (0.2%). Mesocestoides sp. (27.6%) and Taenia crassiceps (22.2%) were the most prevalent cestodes, followed by T. polyacantha (6.5%), Hymenolepis nana (2.1%), T. pisiformis (2.1%) and Dipylidium caninum (1.4%). The study also revealed four trematode species: Rossicotrema donicum (1.6%), Heterophyes heterophyes (1.1%), Metagonimus yokogawai (1.1%), Prohemistomum appendiculatum (0.4%) and two protozoan species: oocysts of Sarcocystis (2.8%) and Isospora (0.4%). This is the first extensive study on the intestinal parasites of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Slovenia. The 2.6% prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the same sample population as investigated herein has been reported previously (Vergles Rataj et al., 2010).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- 1 University of Ljubljana Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty Gerbičeva 60 1115 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Janez Posedi
- 1 University of Ljubljana Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty Gerbičeva 60 1115 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Diana Žele
- 2 University of Ljubljana Institute for Breeding and Health Care of Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Gorazd Vengušt
- 2 University of Ljubljana Institute for Breeding and Health Care of Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty Ljubljana Slovenia
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Abstract
Exotic reptiles originating from the wild can be carriers of many different pathogens and some of them can infect humans. Reptiles imported into Slovenia from 2000 to 2005, specimens of native species taken from the wild and captive bred species were investigated. A total of 949 reptiles (55 snakes, 331 lizards and 563 turtles), belonging to 68 different species, were examined for the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. Twelve different groups (Nematoda (5), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (4)) of endoparasites were determined in 26 (47.3%) of 55 examined snakes. In snakes two different species of ectoparasites were also found. Among the tested lizards eighteen different groups (Nematoda (8), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (6)) of endoparasites in 252 (76.1%) of 331 examined animals were found. One Trombiculid ectoparasite was determined. In 563 of examined turtles eight different groups (Nematoda (4), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1) and Protozoa (2)) of endoparasites were determined in 498 (88.5%) animals. In examined turtles three different species of ectoparasites were seen. The established prevalence of various parasites in reptiles used as pet animals indicates the need for examination on specific pathogens prior to introduction to owners.
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Dovc A, Zorman-Rojs O, Vergles Rataj A, Bole-Hribovsek V, Krapez U, Dobeic M. Health status of free-living pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in the city of Ljubljana. Acta Vet Hung 2004; 52:219-26. [PMID: 15168753 DOI: 10.1556/avet.52.2004.2.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the year 2000 an epidemiological research was undertaken on the health status of free-living pigeons in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. A total of 139 pigeons were captured and examined for the most common bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases. Serum samples, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs as well as samples of droppings and feathers were taken from the captured birds. Antibodies to paramyxovirus type 1 were found in 84.2% of the sera examined, and 23.7% of birds were serologically positive to Chlamydophila psittaci. Antibodies to avian influenza virus were not detected. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 5.7% of the cloacal swabs. Trichomonas gallinae was clinically suspected and then microscopically confirmed using oropharyngeal swabs in 7.9% of examined birds. Eimeria spp. was identified in 71.9%, Capillaria sp. in 26.6% and Ascaridia columbae in 4.3% of droppings samples examined. Of the ectoparasites, Columbicola columbae and Campanulotes bidentatus compar were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Dovc
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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