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This study provides a comprehensive description of the clinical course of a fatal parvovirus infection in a vaccinated dachshund puppy, along with the first identification of a new CPV-2 variant in Slovakia, elucidated through molecular amino acid analysis of the VP2 gene. The dog exhibited clinical signs such as apathy, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. After confirming CPV-2 infection with a commercial snap test, intensive therapy was initiated. The dog succumbed within 48 h of admission. A rectal swab sample was collected, CPV-2 was examined using the PCR method, and sequenced. The virus detected in the patient was related to strains of CPV-2c of Asian origin and unrelated to European CPV-2b strains. The sequence had genetic signatures typical of Asian strains (VP2: 5Gly, 267Tyr, 324Ile, 370Arg, and 440Thr). Phylogenetic analysis classified this strain as similar to Asian strains of CPV-2c. It is believed to be derived from an Asian strain similar to CPV-2c that acquired the 426Asp mutation. With this finding, we present the first evidence of an Asian-like CPV-2b strain in the territory of Slovakia.

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Introduction: Feline panleukopenia is a contagious viral disease caused by the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). A closely related pathogen is canine parvovirus (CPV), and amino acid substitutions in this virus allow it to acquire a feline host range. In feline hosts, the disease induced by CPV manifests with similar symptoms to those caused by FPV or milder ones, leading to its underdiagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of CPV type 2 (CPV-2) in cats with clinical symptoms of panleukopenia and to assess the use of commercial CPV antigen tests for the clinical diagnosis of FPV. Material and Methods: Samples from 59 cats from central Slovakia were included in the study. Rectal swabs were collected and clinically tested for parvovirus infection using a commercial antigen test. Antigen-positive samples were confirmed by PCR targeting the viral VP2 gene. The sequences of the PCR products were established with the Sanger method. Results: Of 59 samples, 23 were revealed to be positive for parvovirus infection by both antigen and PCR test (38.9%). Analysis with the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLASTn application showed 99.78-100% pairwise identity with FPV. The mortality rate of parvovirus-infected cats included in this study was 8.69% (2/23). Conclusion: Although feline disease with CPV-2 was not confirmed, the CPV antigen test was able to detect FPV infection.

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Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis. It affects humans and several wild and domesticated mammals, including horses. The aim of our study was a preliminary survey of the occurrence of these re-emerging pathogens in horses in Slovakia. The sera from 200 animals of different ages and both sexes were tested for the presence of A. phagocytophilum antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Subsequently, detection of the 16S rRNA gene fragment of A. phagocytophilum was attempted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in each blood sample. Our results confirmed the presence of specific antibodies in 85 out of 200 individuals (42.5%), but no significant changes were found between the animals of different ages and sexes. However, the PCR analysis did not detect any positive animals. Our data represent one of the highest values of seropositivity to A. phagocytophilum in horses in Central Europe. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the circulation of A. phagocytophilum in this region, thus indicating a potential risk to other susceptible species.

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RESUMEN

The objective of the study was to determine the immunostimulatory effect of ß-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan in puppies. The effect exerted on the efficacy of vaccination, especially against canine parvovirus and rabies infection, was studied. The application of vaccine and glucan leads to significant increases in the nonspecific immunological parameters (phagocytic ability of leukocytes, blastogenic response of lymphocytes, metabolic and chemotactic activity of polymorphonuclear cells). The level of antibodies against canine parvovirus (Ab CPV) and rabies infection reached the most statistically significant values on the 28th day after the application of vaccine and a syrup containing ß-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan (Group GV) as compared to the control group (Group V, puppies receiving only vaccine). Dogs without glucan supplementation did not produce such significant levels of antibodies. We can conclude that glucan has relevant immunostimulatory effects in dogs with altered immunity. The glucan product tested in this study (PleraSAN V, PLEURAN, Bratislava, Slovakia) could be used in the small animal clinical practice.

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