RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Data on gastrointestinal infections in horses in Southeastern Europe are limited; thus, this study aimed to add to the existing knowledge on this topic by reporting on the prevalence of intestinal parasites of horses in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. METHODS: In the period from April 2017 to December 2018, parasitological examination of 548 samples from horses of different breed, age and sex from four regions and 18 districts of the country was performed. Coprological diagnostic was done by using qualitative methods without concentration and qualitative methods with concentration of parasitic elements. Quantification of the obtained results was performed using semi-qualitative faecal egg count. RESULTS: Four helminthoses were detected in the examined samples: P. equorum (8.57%), O. equi (3.65%), strongylid eggs (71.17%) and Anoplocephala spp. (0.91%). The total prevalence of helminthoses was 77.19%. Monoinfections were significantly more present 70.07% compared to coinfections (7.12%). The highest prevalence of helminthoses was detected in free-ranging horses (93.10%-27/29), in autumn 86.67% (117/135) and winter 79.71% (165/207), in Sumadija and West Serbia region (100%), and in the youngest category (100%). Significant difference (p < 0.001) was detected in the prevalence of monoinfections by strongylids and O. equi and also coinfections by strongylid/P. equorum between horses of different age categories. CONCLUSION: Obtained results are of great contribution to clinical parasitology and pathology, especially from the aspect of animal health, welfare and preservation of horse population.
Asunto(s)
Coinfección , Helmintiasis , Helmintos , Enfermedades de los Caballos , Animales , Caballos , Prevalencia , Serbia/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/parasitología , Heces/parasitología , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinariaRESUMEN
This study is a retrospective analysis of social, economic, political, and cultural events on the annual incidence of trichinellosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It highlights the importance of specific regulations, which have been incorporated into developing preventive protection against this human disease for the last 61 years since it has been monitored by law. In the period, 1961-2021, 3828 people became infected. The first outbreak of trichinellosis was documented in 1965, and the incidence peaked during the war and post-war period at the end of the twentieth century. At that time, outbreaks with hundreds of cases and five deaths were recorded. In the first decade of the twenty-first century, the incidence decreased, and at the end of the second decade, two consecutive years without trichinellosis cases were finally registered. The analysis shows that a significantly higher incidence rate was recorded between the two political entities of BiH, the Republic of Srpska (4.97% 000) versus the Federation of BiH (0.9% 000) and that the occurrence of trichinellosis in humans in BiH is related to the presence of Trichinella spp. in animals, of a degree of biosecurity on pig farms, population's awareness of safe food, the impact of tradition and religion on eating habits, doctors' awareness of the symptomatology, and the Trichinella spp. larva detection method in muscle samples. The spread risk of trichinellosis requires meat inspection for Trichinella spp. larvae to be mandatory in BiH.
Asunto(s)
Trichinella , Triquinelosis , Animales , Porcinos , Humanos , Triquinelosis/veterinaria , Bosnia y Herzegovina/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Carne , Factores de Riesgo , Brotes de Enfermedades , LarvaRESUMEN
Data on endoparasitic infections in dogs from dog shelters in Southeastern Europe are limited; thus, this study aimed to add to the existing knowledge on this topic by reporting on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs from public dog shelters in the Republic of Serbia. In 2017 and 2018, individual and pooled fecal samples, were collected from 1267 dogs from six shelters. All samples were qualitatively examined for parasites using flotation tests. Seven taxa of intestinal parasites were identified: Cystoisospora spp., ascarids: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina, hookworms, Trichuris vulpis, taeniids and Dipylidium caninum. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 58. 3 % (78. 1 % in young dogs and 53.1 % in adult dogs). The parasites detected in both young (<1 year old) and adult dogs (>1 year old) were Cystoisospora spp. (20 % and 4.9 %), T. canis (33.5 % and 14.7 %), T. leonina (7.7 % and 2.3 %), and hookworms (16.9 % and 15 %), respectively. However, T. vulpis (9.6 %), taeniids (1.3 %), and D. caninum (5.4 %) were detected only in adult dogs. In the Belgrade shelter, young dogs had a higher prevalence of endoparasitic infections (18.9 %, 49/260) than adult dogs (14.8 %, 149/1007). In the Subotica, Jagodina and Nis shelters, young dogs had significantly higher (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) prevalence of endoparasitic infections (10 %, 12.3 % and 14.6 %) than adult dogs (5.3 %, 8 % and 7.2 %). These results will be useful for establishing health care programs in dog shelters and implementing effective strategies for the control of intestinal parasites.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Perros , Parasitosis Intestinales , Parásitos , Animales , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Perros , Heces , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Prevalencia , Serbia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the presence of C. plica in red foxes and to point out the possibilities of different diagnostic methods, that could be used for diagnosis of urinary capillariosis in domestic carnivores. METHODS: Seventeen red foxes from hunting grounds in the Kolubara District, Republic of Serbia, were examined in February 2019. Animals to be shot were selected based on the criteria of gamekeepers and the permission of the competent Ministry. After hunting, the foxes were examined by ultrasound and autopsied. After the necropsy, biochemical and sediment analysis of urine morphological identification of isolated adult parasites, and macroscopic/microscopic examination of the urinary bladder and kidney tissue were performed. RESULTS: Adults of C. plica were detected in 3/17 foxes (17.6%) by ultrasound imaging and in 6/17 foxes (35.3%) by necropsy examination. Parasite eggs were found in the urinary sediment of 9/17 foxes (52.9%). The predominant histopathologic changes were amyloid degeneration of the renal glomeruli and proximal tubules (8/17 foxes-47%) as well as acute cystitis (7/17 foxes-41.2%). The occurrence of C. plica was determined in 12/17 (70.6%) of the examined foxes. DISCUSSION: This study is the first record of the C. plica in red foxes in the Republic of Serbia. Diagnostic methods used in this study could make possible the early revealing of capillariosis in domestic carnivores and could provide reliable clinical and parasitological screening of suspect animals. CONCLUSION: The study presents the first report of urinary capillariosis in a fox population in Serbia. The established high prevalence of C. plica in foxes could presume its higher prevalence in domestic and wild carnivores in the future.
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Capillaria , Infecciones por Enoplida , Animales , Infecciones por Enoplida/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Enoplida/epidemiología , Infecciones por Enoplida/veterinaria , Zorros , Serbia/epidemiología , Vejiga UrinariaRESUMEN
We report two cases of bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia divergens in a region of central Bosnia and Herzegovina. The cases were detected in June 2017 and July 2018 from two small backyard farms. Routine clinical assessments, including physical examination and haematology, revealed lethargy, fever, anaemia, leukopenia and haemoglobinuria in the affected animals. Serum alterations included an elevation of aspartate aminotransferase and a decrease of serum phosphate or hypophosphatemia. Thrombocytopenia was detected in the first clinical case. Microscopic examination of blood smears revealed intracytoplasmic protozoan parasites from the genus Babesia. Molecular screening of both animals confirmed the presence of Babesia divergens, the causative agent of bovine babesiosis. B. divergens DNA was also detected in two engorged female Ixodes ricinus ticks removed from these animals. In addition, Mycoplasma wenyonii DNA was identified by molecular screening in the animal examined in June 2017, and in I. ricinus ticks feeding on this animal. This study provides molecular confirmation of B. divergens as a cause of piroplasmosis in cattle in South-East Europe. The detection of M. wenyonii DNA ain I. ricinus also provides the first evidence of this bacterium in ticks in Europe.
Asunto(s)
Babesia/genética , Babesiosis/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/veterinaria , Mycoplasma/genética , Animales , Aspartato Aminotransferasas/sangre , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/parasitología , Bosnia y Herzegovina , Bovinos , ADN Bacteriano/genética , ADN Bacteriano/aislamiento & purificación , ADN Protozoario/genética , ADN Protozoario/aislamiento & purificación , Europa (Continente) , Granjas , Femenino , Hipofosfatemia/sangre , Ixodes/microbiología , Ixodes/parasitología , Mycoplasma/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/diagnóstico , Trombocitopenia/sangreRESUMEN
This report represents the prevalence of endoparasitic infections of birds in zoological gardens in Serbia. Coprological examination conducted during 2015 and 2016, involved samples from 318 individual birds belonging to 112 species, in three zoo gardens (Belgrade, Palic and Bor). Individual faeces samples were analysed by the flotation method in salt solution. The presence of endoparasites was established in 51.96% (Belgrade), 46.16% (Palic) and 16.66% (Bor) of the tested birds. We diagnosed coccidian oocysts, eggs of Capillaria spp, Heterakis spp, Trichostrongylus spp, Ascaridia spp, Syngamus trachea and eggs of yet unidentified trematode. There were no detection of parasites from the class of cestodes. Prevalence of infection with coccidia, depending on location, was in the ranges between 8.33% and 32.84%, capillariosis 2.77% and 29.41%, heterakiosis 2.56% and 12.74%, trichostrongylidosis 5.55% and 25.64%, askaridiosis 10.25% and 10.78%, syngamosis 2.94% and trematodes of unknown etiology 2.45%. Coinfections with two or three parasitic species were detected in Belgrade and Palic Zoo Gardens, while quadruple infection was established in birds of Belgrade Zoo Garden. Obtained results can be used in establishing programs for health protection of endangered bird species.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de las Aves/epidemiología , Enfermedades de las Aves/parasitología , Heces/parasitología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Parásitos/clasificación , Parásitos/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Animales de Zoológico , Aves , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/parasitología , Prevalencia , Serbia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Wild canides have a high epizootiological - epidemiological significance, considering that they are hosts for some parasites which spread vector born diseases. Increased frequency of certain interactions between domestic and wild canides increases the risk of occurrence, spreading and maintaining the infection of parasitic etiology in domestic canides. The research was conducted in 232 wild canides (172 red foxes and 60 golden jackals). The examined material was sampled from foxes and jackals, which were hunted down between 2010 and 2014, from 8 epizootiological areas of Serbia (North-Backa, West-Backa, Southern-Banat, Moravicki, Zlatiborski, Raski, Rasinski and Zajecarski district). On completing the parasitological dissection and the coprological diagnostics, in wild canides protozoa from the genus Isospora were identified, 3 species of trematoda (Alaria alata, Pseudamphistomum truncatum and Metagonimus yokogawai), cestods from the genus Taenia and 5 species of nematodes (Toxocara canis, Ancylostomatidae, Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria aerophila). The finding of M. yokogawai in golden jackals were, to the best of our knowledge, one of the first diagnosed cases of metagonimosis in golden jackals in Serbia. The continued monitoring of the parasitic fauna of wild canides is needed to establish the widespread of the zoonoses in different regions of Serbia, because they present the reservoirs and/or sources of these infections.
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Zorros/parasitología , Chacales/parasitología , Parásitos/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/parasitología , Animales , Parásitos/clasificación , Serbia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The study presents the results of a two-year research of protozoan infections of cattles from the Northern-Backa district (VoÑvodina, Serbia). The research was conducted on cow-farms and in private cattle-breeding households, with variuos levels of hygenie. The study included 224 specimens (71 calves, 48 hifers and 105 cows). 22.91% of examined heifers and 15.23% of cows were infected with the ciliate Buxtonella sulcata. The presence of coccidiosis was detected in 45.07% of the calves, 14.58% of the heifers and 6.67% of the cows. The clinical signs of diarrhoea were established in all of the specimens which had more than 1,500 cysts of B.sulcata in 1g of faeces. In the examined calves the number of oocysts was less than 1500 in 1g of faeces, so the coccidiosis did not influence the incidence of the diarrhoea. The results show the first diagnostic record of the ciliate B.sulcata of bovines in Serbia, and this finding contributes to the existing knowledge about the etiopathogenesis of protozoan disease of cattle in this area.
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Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Cilióforos/aislamiento & purificación , Coccidios/aislamiento & purificación , Diarrea/veterinaria , Infecciones por Protozoos/epidemiología , Infecciones por Protozoos/parasitología , Animales , Bovinos , Diarrea/epidemiología , Diarrea/parasitología , Heces/parasitología , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos , Prevalencia , Serbia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The cause of the most significant helminth diseases in swine - Ascaris suum, can also causes infections in humans. The use of swine manure in agriculture renders the eggs of this ascaridida an accessible source of infection, thus posing a significant risk factor for human health. With the objective of proving the prevalence of infection with A. suum nematodes in the territory of Serbia, investigations were carried out in the period between 2007-2011 in the territories of five districts: North Backa, South Banat, Branicevo, Zlatibor and Nisava. The investigations covered coprological examinations of 1031 feces samples of swine originating from farms owned by individual breeders. The samples were examined using the standard flotation method with a saturated water solution of NaCl. The established prevalence of ascariasis infection amounted to 47.62% (1031/491). The biggest prevalence of infection was determined in the territory of the Branicevo District, 65.78% (301/198), and the smallest in the territory of the Nisava District, 32.24% (183/59). In spite of its prevalence and vast economic importance, there is still insufficient information about the key aspects of the biology and epidemiology of A. suum. Viewed from the aspect of epizootiology, it is very important to know the prevalence of swine infections with Ascaris because of the possible infection of humans by its migrating larvae.
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Ascariasis/veterinaria , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles/métodos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/prevención & control , Animales , Ascariasis/epidemiología , Ascariasis/prevención & control , Ascaris suum/aislamiento & purificación , Heces/parasitología , Estudios de Seguimiento , Prevalencia , Serbia/epidemiología , PorcinosRESUMEN
In 2009 canine filarial infections were investigated in two northern areas of Serbia (Pancevo and Veliko Gradiste), applying morphometry, biochemical staining, and immunological kit to detect Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and two home-made ELISAs to detect antibodies to D. repens and D. immitis somatic/metabolic polyproteins. Moreover, molecular tools were applied to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the isolates. The microfilariae detected in 21/122 dogs (17.2%) were identified as D. repens (n=21) and D. immitis (n=2). D. immitis antigens were found in another 13 animals with occult infection. All of the 15 heartworm-positive dogs also had antibodies to this parasite, which were detected in another 13 subjects, indicating an overall D. immitis seroprevalence rate of 22.9%. Serology for D. repens revealed evidence of antibodies in 42.6% of the dogs, but was negative for 4 microfilaremic dogs. As for the two different areas, the prevalence of microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens, mainly due to D. repens microfilaremic animals, was not significantly higher in Veliko Gradiste (33.3%) than in Pancevo (22%). However, serology showed a different epidemiological picture. Heartworm infection occurred more often in both areas, and antibodies to dirofilarial nematodes were detected in 72.9% of dogs living in Pancevo, a rate higher than in those living in Veliko Gradiste (57.1%). No risk factors for infection were found, confirming the uselessness of prophylactic drugs against D. repens, and suggesting the presence in these areas of sunrise- or sunset-biting mosquitoes as important vectors. The results indicate the need for both appropriate entomological studies and further research on the intra-species variability shown by D. repens.
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Anticuerpos Antihelmínticos/sangre , Antígenos Helmínticos/sangre , Dirofilaria immitis/aislamiento & purificación , Dirofilaria repens/aislamiento & purificación , Dirofilariasis/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Animales , ADN de Helmintos/química , ADN de Helmintos/genética , Dirofilaria immitis/genética , Dirofilaria immitis/inmunología , Dirofilaria repens/genética , Dirofilaria repens/inmunología , Dirofilariasis/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Perros , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Microfilarias/aislamiento & purificación , Filogenia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Serbia/epidemiología , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , ZoonosisRESUMEN
To identify areas of risk for canine-related zoonoses in Serbia, the aim of this study was to provide baseline knowledge about intestinal parasites in 151 dogs (65 household pets, 75 stray and 11 military working dogs) from Belgrade. The following parasites, with their respective prevalences, were detected: Giardia duodenalis (14.6%), Ancylostomatidae (24.5%), Toxocara canis (30.5%), Trichuris vulpis (47.0%) and Taenia-type helminths (6.6%). Of all examined dogs, 75.5% (114/151) were found to harbour at least one parasite species. Of these, mixed infections with up to four species per dog occurred in 44.7% (51/114). Infections with all detected species were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in military working (100%) and stray dogs (93.3%) versus household pets (50.8%). Among all parasites, agents with zoonotic potential including Giardia, Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara were detected in 58.3% (88/151) of all examined dogs with a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the subgroups (100%, 62.7% and 46.2% for military working dogs, stray dogs and household pets, respectively). The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites registered in the dog population from a highly urban area in south-eastern Europe indicates a potential risk to human health. Thus, veterinarians should play an important role in helping to prevent or minimise zoonotic transmission.
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Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Helmintiasis Animal/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/veterinaria , Salud Pública , Animales , Enfermedades de los Perros/prevención & control , Perros , Heces/parasitología , Femenino , Helmintiasis Animal/prevención & control , Humanos , Parasitosis Intestinales/epidemiología , Parasitosis Intestinales/prevención & control , Masculino , Recuento de Huevos de Parásitos/veterinaria , Prevalencia , Yugoslavia/epidemiología , ZoonosisRESUMEN
In 2006 and 2007, a total of 193 blood samples were collected from privately owned dogs housed predominantly outdoors, resident in four provinces in Vojvodina, Serbian Republic. Circulating microfilariae of Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria immitis and Acanthocheilonema reconditum were found in 49.2%, 7.2% and 2.1% of dogs, respectively. Two additional occult heartworm infections were revealed with an antigen test of 90 amicrofilaraemic dogs. Prevalence values were not influenced by sex and breed, but D. repens was significantly more prevalent in dogs > or =6 years old, and differences were observed between provinces. This is the first detailed survey on canine dirofilariasis in the continental part of the Balkans. Vojvodina is shown to have the northernmost limit of heartworm infection in the Balkan area and one of the zones in Europe with the highest prevalence of canine subcutaneous dirofilariasis. Chemoprophylaxis should be considered for resident dogs and dogs visiting this region.