Search Results (18)

Calicophoron daubneyi, a rumen fluke increasingly reported in European livestock, has emerged as a relevant parasitic threat in cattle. This study investigated the prevalence and seasonal dynamics of gastrointestinal endoparasites in 382 fecal samples from 40 beef cattle farms (26 extensive and 14 semi-extensive) in central Spain. Samples were analyzed using flotation, sedimentation, and modified McMaster techniques, complemented by PCR confirmation of trematodes and a 25-variable epidemiological survey. C. daubneyi was detected in 38.74% of samples and 77.5% of farms, surpassing Fasciola hepatica (13.09%), gastrointestinal nematodes (42.15%), and Eimeria spp. (16.75%). Mixed infections were frequent. Seasonal shedding patterns varied by parasite, with C. daubneyi peaking in spring and winter. Statistical analyses (Kruskal–Wallis, ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U) revealed significant seasonal differences and confirmed higher F. hepatica egg counts in extensive systems (p = 0.0012). Anthelmintic treatment was infrequent and mainly guided by coprological diagnosis; ivermectin, closantel, albendazole, and nitroxinil were the most used drugs, though none fully effective against C. daubneyi. Anthelmintic resistance was not evaluated in this study. These findings confirm the emergence of C. daubneyi in central Spain and highlight the need for targeted surveillance and seasonally adjusted control strategies. Full article

Feline parasitism affects animals’ health and welfare. Faeces from 472 client-owned cats from Greece were examined to provide updated data on the epizootiology of metazoan endo- and ectoparasites (namely, Toxocara cati, Ancylostomatidae, Dipylidium caninum, lungworms, Toxascaris leonina, Otodectes cynotis, fleas, ticks and Notoedres cati). All positive animals received a topical formulation containing esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel (NexGard^® Combo, Boehringer Ingelheim), and its efficacy was evaluated. The overall prevalence of parasitism was 22.9%, while that of multiparasitism was 16.3%. Toxocara cati (18.4%) was the most prevalent endoparasite, followed by Ancylostomatidae (10.8%), D. caninum (4.7%), lungworms (2.5%) and T. leonina (0.4%). Regarding ectoparasites, O. cynotis (3.2%), fleas (2.3%), ticks (0.6%) and N. cati (0.4%) were found. To estimate the efficacy of treatment, the geometric means of the number of parasitic elements before the first treatment and post-treatment, (i) 14 days for intestinal helminths, (ii) 28 and 56 days for lungworms and (iii) 28 days for O. cynotis and fleas, were estimated and compared. Following statistical analyses (paired t-test and McNemar’s test), an efficacy of 100% was recorded against the most commonly detected parasites (gastrointestinal helminths and mites) and a notable statistically significant effect against fleas and lungworms after one dose, while 100% efficacy against lungworms was achieved after two doses of the product. No adverse effects were reported. The prevalence of parasitism in owned cats in Greece remains high, highlighting the demand for targeted preventive antiparasitic schemes. This study demonstrated high-level efficacy and tolerance of NexGard^® Combo against common endoparasites and ectoparasites of household cats in Greece. Full article

Extensive anthelmintic (AH) use for endoparasitism prevention, especially gastrointestinal strongyle (GIS) infections, led to AH resistance (AR). This study assessed the internal parasitic profile and AR occurrence in goat herds. Five herds (H, n = 300) raised in household systems in Romania (2020–2021) were dewormed with eprinomectin in the fall (H1, H2) and albendazole in the spring (H3–H5). Fecal samples (n = 67) were collected pre- and 14 days post-AH administration. Coprological examinations, coprocultures, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed. Anthelmintic resistance was detected in H1, H2, and H5. Pre-AH administrations, Eimeria spp. was the most common parasite (95.5%), followed by GIS (91.0%), P. rufescens/M. capillaris (77.6%), Dyctiocaulus filaria (56.7%), and Moniezia spp. (43.3%). Teladorsagia circumcincta (4/5), Trichostrongylus colubriformis (4/5), Oesophagostomum venulosum (3/5), Haemonchus placei (3/5), Haemonchus contortus (2/5), and Cooperia oncophora (2/5) were identified by PCR. Mean OPG/EPG values for Eimeria spp. and GIS were <1000 eggs/gram feces, tending to be higher in young versus adult goats and in autumn versus spring. FECR (90%CI) values post-AH administration were 38.42 (23.4; 71.8), 54.71 (−4.1; 75.1) for eprinomectin, and 9.78 (−1.7; 64.8) for albendazole, suggesting AH ineffectiveness and AR presence in H1, H2, and H5, respectively. These findings highlight that specific management measures are needed. Full article

The growing popularity of reptiles has contributed to their reproduction in captivity. When subjected to stressful environments, such as the presence of a higher number of humans and animals, reptiles may become more susceptible to parasites. Endoparasites in captive animals may cause several clinical signs ranging from mild to severe: lethargy, anorexia, diarrhea, cloacal/penile prolapse, infertility, intestinal malabsorption syndrome, and weight loss, among others. This study aimed to assess the presence of gastrointestinal parasites in fecal samples of reptiles from a Portuguese zoo through two techniques: a fecal flotation test (using a saturated sodium chloride solution) and Mini-FLOTAC. Ninety-nine samples belonging to 22 different animal species were collected and analyzed. Parasites were identified in 53.5% of the samples. Chelonians had a higher frequency (100%), followed by lizards (56.8%) and snakes (47.4%). The eggs/oocysts found were oxyurids (36.4%), strongylids/Kalicephalus sp. (8.1%), Eimeria sp. (5.1%), Hymenolepis spp. (5.1%), ascarids (4.0%), and Isospora sp. (2.0%). Both techniques presented the same results for each sample. The high prevalence of oxyurids, as well as of other parasites, can be explained by possible environmental contamination as these reptiles are kept in captivity. This study indicated the importance of assessing parasitic infections in reptiles in zoos, where routine coprological examinations should always be considered, as well as adequate prophylaxis. Full article

The phylum Apicomplexa includes endoparasites of fish worldwide, which cause parasitic infections that can adversely affect productivity in aquaculture. They are considered bioindicators of water pollution. Piscine apicomplexan parasites can be divided into two major groups: the intracellular blood parasites (Adeleorina) and the coccidians (Eimeriorina), which can infect the gastrointestinal tract and several organs. This work aims to compile, as completely as possible and for the first time, the available information concerning the species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Conoidasida), which has been reported from freshwater fish. A comprehensive bibliographic search was performed using all available databases and fields, including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. In the freshwater fish found, there were 173 described species. This review demonstrates that freshwater fish’s eimeriid coccidia are better studied than adeleid coccidia. Studies of coccidian freshwater fish fauna indicate a high infection with Eimeria and Goussia species. The wealthiest coccidia fauna were found in the Cypriniformes, Perciformes, Siluriformes and Cichliformes fishes. Full article

Birds of prey can be parasitised by several endoparasites that can coexist without clinical signs of disease or occur in conjunction with stressful events. Because the number of birds of prey kept in captivity is copiously increasing due to their use for bird control, breeding programs, exhibition and falconry, the main endoparasites of 81 apparently healthy captive birds of prey from northern Italy were investigated by examining faecal and blood samples. Faeces were analysed by a quali-quantitative technique, i.e., the FLOTAC^® basic technique, employing potassium iodomercurate flotation solution, while blood smears were stained to detect haemoparasites. Risk factors were further assessed. Considering gastrointestinal parasites, an overall prevalence of 41.7% was recorded, and 50% of Accipitriformes, 43% of Falconiformes and 33.3% of Strigiformes tested positive for at least one parasite taxon. Moreover, age and diet were associated with an increased risk of infection. As for haemoparasites, a prevalence of 18.2% was evidenced, and none of the risk factors were associated with prevalence. The results of this study highlighted the importance of monitoring the endoparasites of captive birds of prey with a highly sensitive copromicroscopic technique to target medical treatments, improve housing conditions and conduct epidemiological studies aimed at wildlife conservation and management. Full article

Synanthropic rodents are species well adapted to coexisting in anthropogenically influenced environments. This coexistence raises concerns about the potential risks of pathogen’s transmission due to their close proximity to human habitats. This study presents an epidemiological survey of the gastrointestinal helminth fauna in synanthropic rodents (Mus musculus, Rattus rattus, and Rattus norvegicus) from the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy), aiming to provide updated data on the endoparasitic populations in these species. A total of 111 rodents, sampled from 2019 to 2021 during pest control programs, were examined for parasitic infections. Helminths were extracted through necropsy and microscopic analysis of gastrointestinal tracts and sediment, with species identification based on morphological characteristics. Overall, 72.1% of the rodents were found to be parasitized, with nematodes being the most prevalent. Syphacia muris, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, and Heterakis spumosa were the most frequently identified nematodes. Tapeworms, including Rodentolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta, were also detected, albeit in lower frequencies. The trematode Brachylaima recurva was recovered only in one R. rattus. Co-infection was common, particularly among rats, with 51.8% of black rats and 22% of brown rats harboring multiple parasitic species. Mice exhibited lower levels of polyparasitism, with only two individuals showing mixed infections. Interestingly, disparities between the detection of adult helminths and parasitic eggs were noted, especially in cases where no adults were observed, but eggs were found through sediment analysis. These findings suggest that traditional necropsy, especially with poorly preserved carcasses, may underestimate parasite prevalence. This highlights the importance of combining necropsy with microscopic techniques, such as flotation and sedimentation, for a more thorough assessment. Using these methods, nematodes with direct life cycles, such as Syphacia spp., Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, and Heterakis spumosa, have been confirmed as widespread and cosmopolitan among rodent populations. The detection of zoonotic parasites raises concerns about potential transmission to humans, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and high rodent densities. These findings underscore the need for integrated rodent control and environmental sanitation to reduce zoonotic risks. Full article

In this study, parasitological examinations were conducted from 2019 to 2023. Fecal samples were collected from 289 wild ruminants (158 red deer and 131 roe deer) from hunting grounds in Vojvodina, which belong to the public company Vojvodinašume. Using qualitative and quantitative coprological diagnostic methods, the presence of protozoa (coccidia and Buxtonella sulcata), nematodes (gastrointestinal strongyles, Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Dictyocaulus spp., and Muellerius spp.), cestodes (Moniezia spp.), and trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, Fascioloides magna, Paramphistomum spp., and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) in the form of single and mixed infections were confirmed. Coproculture was used to identify the infective larvae of gastrointestinal strongyles. The total prevalence of endoparasitic infections in hunting ground 1 was 89.77% in red deer and 92.85% in roe deer, while in hunting ground 2, it was 72.97% in red deer and 85.96% in roe deer. Knowledge of the prevalence and assessment of the intensity of parasitic infections in wild ruminants is necessary for designing health protection programs in hunting grounds and planning control strategies, which are significant for this branch of hunting and public health. Full article

Cat cafés have gained significant popularity worldwide, offering a unique interface between humans and cats. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of potentially zoonotic endoparasites and dermatophytes from cats living in cat cafés situated in the Bangkok metropolitan area in 2017–2018. Cat fecal samples were subjected to microscopic examination employing centrifugal flotation and centrifugal sedimentation techniques. The hair samples from every cat were cultured on a dermatophyte test medium and Sabouraud dextrose agar and subsequently confirmed by visualization of the typical colony and macroconidia morphology. Findings from 11 cat cafés indicated an 18.2% (2/11) prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, including Toxocara spp., Ancylostoma spp., Physaloptera spp., and Eucoleus aerophilus. Dermatophytes were prevalent in 16.2% (32/198) of the total number of cats tested, with Microsporum canis being the sole species identified. Notably, the presence of dermatophyte was significantly correlated with the presence of skin lesions and the cats’ origin. In summary, the findings of this study have provided evidence of potentially zoonotic endoparasites and dermatophytes in cats residing in cat cafés. Therefore, it is imperative to heighten awareness and encourage preventive measures among cat café owners and customers to halt the dissemination of these pathogens. Full article

The aim of the present work was to provide an overview of management and feeding practices, and the prevalence of endoparasite infections in captive Swiss reindeer. On two visits to eight farms or zoos, a standardized questionnaire was completed. A total of 67 reindeer were weighed, and fecal samples were collected. The primary management concerns voiced by owners/managers were feeding and successful breeding. All reindeer were fed roughage ad libitum and supplementary feed for reindeer or other browsers, with different compositions in each herd. Males over two years of age weighed from 60 kg up to 127.5 kg, whereas females had a body weight from 53.5 kg to 86.5 kg. The prevalence of gastrointestinal strongyles was 68.6% (46/67), with reindeer in zoos having a lower prevalence (36%; 9/25) than reindeer from private farms (88%; 37/42). Capillaria sp., Strongyloides sp., and Trichuris sp. were detected in lower prevalences (<24%) and were also more frequent in private farms. Intestinal protozoa, as well as fluke and tapeworms, were not detected in any herd. This study provides an overview on husbandry, feeding, and endoparasite prevalence in reindeer in Switzerland and should be of help for breeders and veterinarians dealing with this animal species. Full article

Various studies have shown that the transmission and passage of alien and native pathogens play a critical role in the establishment process of an invasive species and its further spread. Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) are neozotic birds on various continents. They live not only in the countryside near fresh water bodies but also in urban habitats in Central Europe with close contact to humans and their pets. Although their rapid distribution in Europe is widely debated, scientific studies on the anthropozoonotic risks of the population and studies on the present endoparasites in Egyptian geese are rare worldwide. In the present study, 114 shot Egyptian geese and 148 non-invasively collected faecal samples of wild Egyptian geese from 11 different Federal States in Germany were examined. A total of 13 metazoan endoparasite species in 12 different genera were identified. The main endoparasites found were Hystrichis tricolor, Polymorphus minutus, and, in lesser abundance, Cloacotaenia sp. and Echinuria uncinata. Adult stages of Echinostoma revolutum, an anthropozoonotic heteroxenic trematode, were found in 7.9% of the animals examined postmortem. This species was additionally identified by molecular analysis. Although Egyptian geese live in communities with native waterfowl, it appears that they have a lower parasitic load in general. The acquisition of generalistic parasites in an alien species and the associated increased risk of infection for native species is known as “spill-back” and raises the question of impacts on native waterfowl. Differences between animals from rural populations and urban populations were observed. The present study represents the first large-scale survey on gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging Egyptian geese. Full article

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a carnivore native to North and Central America, gradually introduced into Asia and Europe, including Italy. It is an important carrier of multiple endoparasites, both Protozoa and Helminths, some of them being zoonotic. The aim of this study was to investigate the endoparasites of the non-native raccoon population of Central Italy. Sixty-two raccoons were collected by local competent authorities (sixty trapped and euthanized, two found dead) and subjected to necroscopic examination. Carcasses underwent a broad parasitological investigation, including coprological techniques (macroscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, trachea, and heart, Flotac^®, Baermann test, and immunofluorescence for Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp.), research on respiratory/urinary capillariosis and artificial digestion for Trichinella spp. larvae, and a histopathological examination of the ileum. Ascarid parasites were further identified at the species level using a next-generation sequencing-based amplicon sequencing approach. The results showed the presence of different Protozoa and Nematodes: Baylisascaris procyonis (26/62; 41.9%), Pearsonema sp. (6/62; 9.6%), Capillariidae (6/62; 9.6%), Eimeria sp. (2/62; 3.2%), Cryptosporidium sp. (2/62; 3.2%), and Ancylostomatidae (2/62; 3.2%). B. procyonis is an emerging helminthic zoonotic agent considered a serious concern for public and animal health, given the possibility of its transmission to paratenic hosts, including humans and pets. The demonstrated role of the raccoon as a multi-parasite carrier should be an incentive to continuing the eradication/control of this alien species, and supports the need to implement related disease surveillance programs. Full article

Among the gastrointestinal nematodes affecting sheep, Haemonchus contortus is the most prevalent and virulent, resulting in health problems and production losses. Therefore, selecting sheep resistant to H. contortus is a suitable and sustainable strategy for controlling endoparasites in flocks. Here, 287 lambs of the native Brazilian Morada Nova hair sheep breed were subjected to two consecutive artificial infections with H. contortus and assessed for fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), and live weight (LW). Forty-four animals ranked as having extreme resistance phenotypes were genotyped using the Illumina OvineSNP50v3 chip. A case–control genome-wide association study (GWAS) detected 37 significant (p < 0.001) markers in 12 ovine chromosomes in regions harboring quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FEC, Trichostrongylus spp. adults and larvae, weight, and fat; and candidate genes for immune responses, mucins, hematological parameters, homeostasis, and growth. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; OAR1_rs427671974, OAR2_rs419988472, OAR5_rs424070217, and OAR17_rs401006318) genotyped by qPCR followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) were associated with FEC and LW. Therefore, molecular markers detected by GWAS for H. contortus resistance in Morada Nova sheep may support animal selection programs aimed at controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections in flocks. Furthermore, genotyping of candidate genes using HRM qPCR may provide a rapid and efficient tool for animal identification. Full article

The objectives of the study were to estimate the repeatability of health and welfare traits and investigate their association with performance in three breeds of dairy goats reared under low-input farming systems in Greece. A total of 1210 goats of Eghoria (n = 418), Skopelos (n = 429), and Damascus (n = 363) breeds were assessed. Udder health, parasitic resistance, welfare, milk yield and quality, and body condition score were recorded monthly for two milking periods. Udder health records included somatic cell count (SCC) and total viable count (TVC). Based on combinations of SCC and TVC and thresholds set at >10⁶ cells/mL and >2 × 10⁴ cfu/mL, respectively, additional udder health phenotypes were defined. Parasitism included myiasis, tick infestation, gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) and cestode faecal egg count (FEC), and lungworm faecal larval count (FLC). Infection with each of the endoparasites was defined based on FEC/FLC. Welfare assessment parameters included the presence of ear and horn injuries, ocular and nasal discharge, body and udder abscesses, injury and lesions on the skin of different regions, diarrhoea, hernias, overgrown hooves, arthritis, lameness, and udder asymmetry. Trait repeatability and animal correlations were estimated. Significant (p < 0.05) repeatability was reported for all udder health and most welfare traits in all breeds, GIN and cestode FEC, and GIN and lungworm infection in Eghoria, and myiasis in Skopelos. Correlations of health and most of welfare traits with performance were non-significant or favourable. Overall, results demonstrate potential to improve health and welfare of the studied breeds without compromising performance. Full article

This genome-wide association study (GWAS) aimed to identify sequence variants (SVs) and candidate genes associated with fertility and health in endangered German Black Pied cattle (DSN) based on whole-genome sequence (WGS) data. We used 304 sequenced DSN cattle for the imputation of 1797 genotyped DSN to WGS. The final dataset included 11,413,456 SVs of 1886 cows. Cow traits were calving-to-first service interval (CTFS), non-return after 56 days (NR56), somatic cell score (SCS), fat-to-protein ratio (FPR), and three pre-corrected endoparasite infection traits. We identified 40 SVs above the genome-wide significance and suggestive threshold associated with CTFS and NR56, and three important potential candidate genes (ARHGAP21, MARCH11, and ZNF462). For SCS, most associations were observed on BTA 25. The GWAS revealed 61 SVs, a cluster of 10 candidate genes on BTA 13, and 7 pathways for FPR, including key mediators involved in milk fat synthesis. The strongest associations for gastrointestinal nematode and Dictyocaulus viviparus infections were detected on BTA 8 and 24, respectively. For Fasciola hepatica infections, the strongest associated SVs were located on BTA 4 and 7. We detected 200 genes for endoparasite infection traits, related to 16 pathways involved in host immune response during infection. Full article