Wildlife parasitic diseases represent an important field of investigation as they may have a significant impact on wild animals' health and fitness, and may also have zoonotic implications. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of endoparasites in wild mammals admitted to wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centres in Greece. Sixty-five animals belonging to 17 species and originated from various areas of continental and insular Greece were included in the survey. The most numerous animal species examined were hedgehogs (n = 19), red foxes (n = 16), and European roe deer (n = 6). Faecal samples were collected individually and examined by floatation and sedimentation method. Parasites were found in 46 (70.7%) of the animals. Most parasites found in canids, felids, and ruminants are of great relevance to the domestic animals' health and some of them are also of zoonotic importance. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of endoparasites in hedgehogs, roe deers, fallow deers, badgers, and bats, and the first report of the pulmonary nematode Troglostrongylus brevior in a wild cat in Greece. The significance of the parasites found in each animal species in regard to their health and their relevance to domestic animals and human health is discussed.
This study aimed at investigating the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in diarrheic goat kids in Greece and the risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis. Altogether, 292 diarrheic 4–15-day-old goat kids from 54 dairy goat herds of Northern Greece were examined. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 223 of 292 (76.4%) goat kids and the intensity of infection was scored as “high” in 142 samples, “moderate” in 45 samples, and “low” in 36 samples. Larger herds (>200 animals) had higher infection rates than smaller ones, although this difference was not statistically significant. Significantly higher infection rates were observed in herds during late kidding season (1 January to 30 April) compared to the early one (1 September to 31 December). These results suggest that cryptosporidiosis is very common in diarrheic goat kids in Greece, especially in large herds during the late parturition season.
We describe cases of collyriclosis in apodiform and passeriform birds in Portugal, Switzerland, and Germany. We extend the host range of Collyriculm faba to include apodiform birds ( Apus apus , Apus melba , and Apus pallidus ) and the passerine Sitta europaea (Eurasian Nuthatch). Infections varied in severity from an incidental finding to severe debilitation and death. The infection route remains unclear with the apparent absence from Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland of the first intermediate host of C. faba, the aquatic gastropod Bythinella austriaca, implying that other organisms might be involved in the parasite's life cycle. Furthermore, the detection of C. faba cysts in very young passerine birds may indicate an infection during the nestling stage and a rapid development of parasite-containing subcutaneous cysts. This series of cases highlights an increased geographic range into Portugal and the potential debilitating nature of a parasite of migratory birds in Europe. However, given the rarity of cases, collyriclosis does not seem to present an important threat to migratory species preservation.
Predicting survival in dogs with parvoviral enteritis with urine biomarkers Discussion: So far only two studies have been published regarding urinary protein excretion in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (van den Berg et al 2018, Oikonomidis et al 2019), and none regarding fractional excretion of electrolytes and ferritin concentrations.The study of Oikonomidis et al (2019) focused on urine albumin and albumin/Creatinine ratio, and that of van den Berg et al ( 2018) included urinary immunoglobulin G, C-reactive protein, RBP and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, all of which including UPC were significantly higher in infected dogs compared to healthy controls, however the value of these parameters regarding outcome was not investigated.In a group of dogs with SIRS due to varying pathologies, it was shown that UPC and RBP/Creatinine ratios were higher compared to healthy controls (Schaefer et al 2011), and in a group of dogs with AKI it was found that nonsurvivors had increased FE of electrolytes (Troia et al 2018).Further studies are required in order to evaluate the predictive value of the parameters in our study in parvoviral enteritis and sepsis, however results seem promising regarding RBP/Creatinine ratio and FE. Objectives:The aim of this prospective study was to predict survival to discharge in dogs with parvoviral enteritis by measuring certain biomarkers in urine.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection with global distribution caused by the protozoon Toxoplasma gondii. The present study is divided into the preliminary and the basic research. In the preliminary research, 413 serum samples (184 sheep and 229 goats) from organic farms of Péloponnèse and Western Sterea Hellas were tested for IgG antibodies against Τ gondii, by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood sampling took place during spring of 2005 and samples were taken from male animals and female that had aborted during the reproductive period of 2004-2005. Significant prevalence of antibodies was the reason that further research of toxoplasmosis in organic farms was conducted. For the basic research, small ruminants' blood samples from organic farms of Péloponnèse, Western Sterea Hellas and the county of Ioannina, were collected during summer of 2006. Blood samples were collected from flocks with cases of abortions during the reproductive period of 2005-2006. Animals were separated into 3 groups: males, females that had abortions during the reproductive period of 2005-2006 and females that did not have abortions during the same period. A total number of 182 sheep sera and 167 goat sera were tested by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that antibodies were detected in 38.46% of male sheep, 60.87% of female sheep that had abortions during the reproductive period 2005-2006 and in 54.21% of female sheep that did not have abortions during the same period. Significant difference was determined only between male and female animals (p<0.05). In addition, antibodies were detected in 12.12% of male goats, 14.29% of female goats that had abortions and in 22.35% of female goats that did not have abortions in the reproductive period 2005-2006. There was no significant difference between the results (p>0.05). Seroprevalence in goats was significandy lower than that of the sheep (p<0.05). In animals, aged less than 4 years old, seroprevalence was significantly lower (39.58% for sheep and 13.04% for goats) than that for animals aged more than 4 years old (61.97% for sheep and 24% for goats) (p<0.05). The results of the survey suggest that there is high prevalence of toxoplasmosis both in animals that had aborted and in animals that had not aborted and that there are different species and gender susceptibility. Results also indicate that toxoplasmosis is more common in older animals.
The prevalence of canine leishmaniosis in mediterranean countries varies from 0.2% to 67% and annually, 1.4-300 cases of human infection are reported in each country. In Greece, 0.7-48.7% of dogs, 3.9% of cats, 1.2% of rodents (Citellus citellus) and 3.9-9.2% of inhabitants are seropositive, whereas 25 cases (mean annual rate) of visceral leishmaniosis are reported each year. As vector of the visceral leishmaniosis in Greece is considered the sand fly P. neglectus (0.12% infected by L. infantum) and additionally, as possible vectors the species P. sergenti, P.balcanicus and P.simici. No proven vector for the transmission of canine leishmaniosis has been found in Greece. As possible vectors are suspected P. perfìliewi and P. tobbi. No direct relation has been found between the incidence of canine leishmaniosis and the cases of the human infection in Greece. The sand flies and its preferable hosts in Greece are: P. neglectus (catde, horse, swine, rat, rarely human and never the dog), P. perfìliewi (dog, fox, catde, sheep, horse, swine, hare, rabbit, rodents), P. tobbi (sheep, dog, rabbit), P. balcanicus (bat, human), P. simici (rabbit, bat, human), P. papatasi (human), P. sergenti (human, rabbit, bat), P. similis (bat, rarely the human), P. alexandri (human, rodents), P. mascittii (dog, fox, human), Sergentomyia minuta (lizard, probably the fowls) and S. dentata (lizard, probably the fowls). The outcome of the disease is determined by a Th2 pattern (while Thl pattern results an effective cellular response and the self limitation of the disease) and the rupture of monocytes/ macrophages (multiplication of parasite), which is resulting in the lessions and the disfunction of spleen, bone marrow, liver, skin, lymphnodes, intestine, eye, membrane e.t.c, through the chronically high concentrations of immunocomplexes and the activation of complement (classic way) e.t.c. Mostly, diagnosis is established by the detection of the parasite and the detection of anti-leishmanial antibodies. The commonly used drugs to treat canine leishmaniosis are leishmanicids (meglumine antimoniate, aminosidine sulphate), leishmaniostatics (allopurinol, ketoconazole), immunostimmulants e.t.c. Repellents and insecticids (collars, shampoos, sprays) should be used to protect the dogs from May to November, while the infected dogs should be early diagnosed and treated.
Canine Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBDs) are widespread in Europe and enzootic in many other countries. Though severe illnesses may occur, dogs living in enzootic areas often show vague or no clinical signs of CVBDs. Undiagnosed infections/co-infections in subclinically infected animals favor the spread of CVBDs and increase the risk of transmission to other animals and, in some cases, humans. This study has evaluated the exposure of dogs living in key enzootic countries, i.e., Italy and Greece, to major CVBDs via the use of in-clinic diagnostic kits. Overall, 300 privately owned dogs without/with single mild clinical signs living in different regions of Italy (n. 150) and Greece (n. 150) were included in the study. As part of a clinical examination, a blood sample was collected from each dog and subjected to two serological rapid tests, i.e., the SNAP® 4Dx®Plus (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) for the detection of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Dirofilaria immitis antigen and the SNAP®Leishmania (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) for the detection of antibodies against Leishmania infantum. In all, 51 dogs (17%; 95% CI 12.9-21.7) were seropositive to at least 1 pathogen, i.e., 4 in Italy (2.7%; 95% CI 1.4-13.1) and 47 in Greece (31.3%; 95% CI 24-39.4). Dirofilaria immitis antigens were found in 39 dogs (13%; 95% CI 9.4-17.3), while antibodies against Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Leishmania were detected in 25 (8.3%; 95% CI 5.5-12.1), 8 (2.7%; 95% CI 1.2-5.2) and 5 (1.7%; 95% CI 0.5-3.8) dogs, respectively. None of the dogs tested seropositive for B. burgdorferi s.l. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate associations between exposure to CVBDs and possible risk factors. The present results indicate that dogs living in enzootic areas may be seropositive for one or more CVBDs in absence of clinical signs. Rapid kits are among first line tools for the detection of CVBDs in clinical settings, as they are cost-effective, straightforward and quick to use. Also, in-clinic tests used herein allowed detection of co-exposure to CVBDs investigated.
Cats and dogs are treated as family members by most pet owners. Therefore, a high quality of veterinary care and preventive medicine is imperative for animal health and welfare and for the protection of humans from zoonotic pathogens.
