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Climate change has a significant impact on human and animal health around the world, from the tropics to the temperate zones, confronting us with an increase in vector-borne diseases and the population of vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. Among other things, Romania has registered a significant increase in the number of filariosis cases in recent years, with a continuous expansion in many regions of our country. Currently, Dirofilaria spp. infections are diagnosed using several laboratory methods, such as microscopy, serology and molecular biology methods. In the context of climate changes and the influence on vector-borne diseases, the aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of heartworm disease in dogs using comparative diagnostic methods. Thus, we also introduced a serological method of detecting antibodies using a test from veterinary medicine designed to identify antibodies specific to Dirofilaria infection in cats, the Anigen Rapid FeliCheck-3 test kit. An update on the prevalence of heartworm disease in dogs in the south-eastern part of Romania was followed. For the study, 45 samples collected both from dogs with an owner and from dogs from the public shelter were used, between April and May 2024. The samples were collected from 4 locations in Tulcea county: Niculitel, Be?tepe, Sabangia and Tulcea. Of the samples used for the qualitative detection of antibodies against Dirofilaria immitis in dogs, 6 samples (13%) out of a total of 45 samples tested were positive, establishing a 13% prevalence of heartworm disease. This study underlines the importance of implementing heartworm surveillance and control programs in dogs in Romania, also using serological screening, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Anigen Rapid FeliCheck-3 test kit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan with considerable pathology in animals and humans. The parasite is found in various ecosystems and is defined as a zoonosis. Usually this parasitosis is asymptomatic and the clinical forms depend on the immunity of the host, the mode of transmission and the sources of Toxoplasma gondii (Rosangela Aparecida Muller de Barroset al., 2022) . The definitive host is cat which has on important role in the spread of the disease because approximately several milion unsporulated oocysts are eliminated through the feces. Emphasis is placed on quick and clear diagnosis to prevent the consequences of this parasitosis that plays an important role worldwide (Mohammad T. Rahimi et al., 2015). The diagnosis and treatment differ depending on the specificity of each organism, thus they are particulatized depending on which system or organ is affected. The diagnosis consists of parasitological, immunological and molecular methods. Fist time, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is based on a complet anamnesis and identification of IgM, IgG and IgA. Toxoplasma is expressed most often through ocular and nervous system diseases (Christelle Pornares, Jose G. Montoya, 2016). The form of contamination is represented by oocysts eliminated through the feces of infected cats. To date, no specific treatment against toxoplasmosis in cats has been approved. Drugs such as clindamycin, pyrimethamine, sulfonamides or trimethoprim but also anti-inflammatory are used individually or in combination to treat parasitosis, but the effectiveness differs depending on the patient (Mohammad T. Rahimi et al., 2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of vector-borne disease transmission has been increasing due to climate changes observed in recent decades. While most studies on vector-borne diseases focus on identifying their etiological agents, fewer address the vectors responsible for transmission. These vectors are typically arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, or sandflies. In the case of sandflies, information about these often-overlooked vectors is limited and difficult to find. Sandflies are the primary vectors of leishmaniasis, a widespread zoonotic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. However, they are also responsible for transmitting other diseases, such as viral infections (e.g., Toscana virus infection, Pappataci fever) and bacterial infections (e.g., bartonellosis). In Romania, eight species of sandflies have been reported in various regions, contributing to an increased risk of disease transmission within the country. These species include Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. neglectus, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. papatasi, Ph. alexandri, Ph. sergenti, Ph. longiductus, and Sergentomyia minuta. Regarding the pathogenicity of sandfly species in Romania, indigenous cases of Toscana virus infection, sandfly fever, and leishmaniasis have been identified in the country. Among the listed species, those responsible for transmitting leishmaniasis are Ph. neglectus, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. papatasi, Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. alexandri, and Ph. sergenti. Ph. perfiliewi is responsible for transmitting Toscana virus, while Ph. papatasi is responsible for transmitting the phleboviruses that causes sandfly fever. This review highlights the pathogenic potential of sandfly species identified in Romania, their ecology, and their significance for both public and animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vector-borne pathogens impact both humans and animals; once established in a specific region, vector-borne diseases are considerably more challenging to control, particularly when wild animals serve as the natural reservoir. Prevention and control of vector-borne diseases are significantly affected by global warming. Therefore, rising temperatures will lead to a higher incidence of vector-borne diseases as well as the distribution of vectors. The processed data were taken from the National Institute of Public Health - National Centre for Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control of, as well as from the national literature. Therefore, 5 diseases of medical importance were introduced into the study. According to INSP-CNSCBT data, from 2009 to 2023, the most confirmed cases were for: Lyme Disease - 5.654, West Nile Encephalitis - 827, Malaria - 369, Dengue Fever - 80 and Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) - 22. West Nile encephalitis entered into the national surveillance program in 1997. However, the highest prevalence was reported in 2018, when 277 cases of West Nile encephalitis were confirmed in humans in Romania. Cases of West Nile Encephalitis, as well as those of Dengue Fever, were increasing during 2018-2019, followed by a decrease, possibly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessing the risk of the most significant vector-borne diseases should be a priority, because climate is a crucial factor in their spread. Understanding the dynamics of the vector-borne diseases and preventing epidemics in the upcoming years require the support of local multidisciplinary research programs for integrated human, animal, and vector epidemiologic surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of global warming, the change in the biological cycle of vectors and the increase in intercontinental travels, we are now facing an increase in the number of cases of vector-borne diseases. Among these, heartworm disease has escalated in recent years in Romania, with cases increasing in many parts of our country. Our study was carried out in the South-Eastern part of Romania, with the aim of establishing the prevalence of heartworm disease in dogs, with the identification of the two species Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. Blood samples were collected during the period May - July 2022 and January - July 2023, from 220 dogs with and without an owner from Tulcea county, from places such as Tulcea, Murighiol, Somova, Mineri, Niculițel. The blood samples were tested through the Knott method, which is considered as the reference method in the diagnosis of dirofilariosis in dogs. The results show a prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. infection of 11.36% in dogs. Of the 220 samples examined by the Knott test, 25 were positive for circulating microfilariae, of which 21 showed infestations with Dirofilaria immitis and 4 with co-infection with Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. The study underlines the importance of introducing monitoring and control programs for heartworm disease in dogs in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases differs geographically, and transmission times may change in response to the interaction between pathogens, vectors, hosts and the environment. In the context of global warming there is a need to monitor the risk of emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in Romania. The forecast made in this study shows an increase in temperature until 2050 by 0.78°C, which demonstrated the possibility of extending the transmission period of Plasmodium protozoa until November, of West Nile virus until October and of Dengue fever from June to the first half of September. The results underline the need to introduce vectors and vector-borne disease monitoring and control programmes in Romania in the context of global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is a relatively new diagnostic technique that has revolutionised clinical microbiology by accurately identifying species of bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts. Recently, new applications to identify parasites and arthropods of medical interest have been developed, but few have developed MALDI-TOF analysis protocols for characterizing arthropod species. Thus, there is a need for a standardization in terms of the anatomical part(s) to be used according to arthropod families (head, thorax, legs) and the steps for protein extraction and homogenization. In this study we created a bank of 47 specimens including the following species: Aedes caspius, Anopheles hyrcanus, Anopheles maculipennis, Coquillettidia richiardii, Culiseta annulata, Culex pipiens. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the quality of spectra and of results in the identification between different anatomical parts of mosquitoes, head, thorax (with wings) and legs, in order to optimize the use of the MALDI-TOF spectrometry tool. We evaluated the bank using the "bank versus bank" test (database provided by the laboratory of parasitology and mycology of Paris, Sorbonne University), each specimen had 4 deposits of protein extracts and the identification threshold log(score) was set to 1.7. Identifications were confirmed by morphological identification keys. There were differences in the protein profiles between each anatomical part. Leg spectra had the lowest number of high intensity peaks compared to those of the head or thorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infestation in domestic cats are limited, both for Europe and globally. Diagnosis is quite laborious and often the infestation is not included in the differential diagnosis of respiratory diseases, a fact which leads to a late diagnosis that endangers the life of the animal, even causing its death. In case of massive infestation, respiratory symptoms are complemented by a diarrhoeal syndrome and anorexia. In June 2023 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Iasi, Romania, a cat (common breed, male, aged 1 year and 4 months) came with respiratory symptoms, chronic cough, shortness of breath, mucopurulent nasal discharge, accelerated breathing and loss of appetite. The cat had previously been treated for chronic bronchitis. Radiological interpretation was of an intensified interstitial lung pattern with nodular and bronchial appearance, compatible with chronic micro-bronchitis. The first diagnosis was pneumonia, but following symptomatic treatment the results were not satisfactory. Following coproparasitological examination the result was infestation with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and antiparasitic treatment was instituted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results regarding the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in humans in the city of Iasi during one year, show a rate of 6,6% of cases detected with positive IgM, and 32.7% of cases detected with positive IgG, compared to the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in cats which shows a rate of 0.7% of positive cases detected with positive IgM; which denotes that toxoplasmosis is underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. A very important role is played by the diagnostic method used. The article deals with a case study, a 1,8-year-old cat with cerebellar ataxia, dysmetria and hypermetria, with moderate opacification of the entire corneal surface, panuveitis, chorioretinitis and corneal edema. Following the paraclinical investigations, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was made, using the Welltest Toxoplasma IgG/IgM immunochromatographic test, confirming the acute phase of the disease with positive IgM and negative IgG. Using the molecular detection techniques through qRT PCR, the result was negative, emphasizing the fact that the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii uses the blood as a way of spreading in the body, the relatively short phase that can induce a negative result, despite the presence of severe symptoms. The conclusions emphasize the importance of using a correct diagnostic method, molecular techniques, despite their high sensitivity, are not always recommended. In toxoplasmosis, the recommended diagnostic method is the serological one to detect IgG/IgM antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs and cats play an important role in the spread of tick species and in the transmission of pathogens. Dermacentor reticulatus occurs in areas by varied types of climate, vegetation and a high availability of potential hosts, while Ixodes ricinus follows a similar seasonal pattern each year. This study was carried out between 2017 and 2021, where we examined 189 canine patients of different breeds, aged between 2 months and 18 years. We collected 435 ticks which were placed individually according to the animal in eppendorf tubes in ethyl alcohol and numbered, until morphological identification. The collected ticks were predominantly adults with different feeding status, belonging to the species: Ixodes ricinus (41.6%), Dermacentor reticulatus (57.7%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex (0.69%). Dermacentor reticulatus was predominant, with two peaks of activity in spring and autumn. We also found 2 specimens of D. reticulatus males, in January, outside the normal period of activity. The second species identified, Ixodes ricinus, shows three peaks of activity, having the most intense period of activity in the spring months. The second peak is observed in summer, and the third in autumn. The prevalence of the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex is low, of only 0.69% of the total ticks collected from dogs.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of tick infestations collected from canine patients, in order to assess a possible change in the activity periods of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine babesiosis is one of the most important vector-borne diseases worldwide that affects dogs regardless of age, breed or gender. The aim of this study was to corroborate the clinical signs of canine patients confirmed with babesiosis, the results of paraclinical investigations, as well as the choice of the therapeutic protocol. The present study was performed on 42 dogs referred to the Clinic of Parasitic Diseases from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi with similar symptoms to canine babesiosis. After recording data regarding age, breed and gender of all dogs and the clinical examination of the patients, two peripheral blood samples were collected from each patient for the following investigations: Diff-quick stained blood smears and blood tests (hematological, biochemical, serologic). After analysis of blood smear, all the dogs (42/42) were positive for Babesia spp. and the most common clinical signs identified were: fever - 37/42 (88,1%), pale mucous membrane - 31/42 (73,8%) and hemoglobinuria - 31/42 (73,8%). The results of hematologic tests revealed thrombocythopenia - 40/42 and moderate to severe anemia. Further serological tests detected Babesia gibsoni antibodies in 2/42 blood samples. Depending on the results of the blood tests, the therapeutic dose of imizole was administered in a single dose or divided into two doses, administered within a maximum of 12 hours. In conclusion, the present study emphasizes the importance of paraclinical investigations in order to identify possible co-infections and adjust treatment in infected dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoptic mange in dog is a common parasitic dermatitis, especially in non-controlled, stray dogs that develop evocative clinical signs. The present study includes 48 dogs, with different backgrounds, both privately owned and dogs from shelters. We searched for predisposing factors for contacting sarcoptic mange, such as: age, sex, breed, source of contamination. Their age ranged from 1.15 months to 12 years (with more than a half being under 1 year old), they were mostly common or cross-breed dogs, and the sex ratio was almost equal, with 25 females and 23 males. All dogs were naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei, as confirmed by identification on the microscope of skin scrapings from different body areas. Furthermore, we aimed to have a general idea concerning the severity of infection with Sarcoptes scabiei in the dogs we studied. The dogs received a clinical score based on the evaluation of typical signs that appear in sarcoptic mange such as alopecia, erythema, scales/crusts and the extent of mange on the cutaneous surface on different body parts (head, trunk, legs, tail). The most affected body part was the head, followed by the trunk and the most scored sign was the extent of affected skin and alopecia. The treatment consisted in the administration of either afoxolaner (Nexgard®), twice at a monthly interval (2.7-6.9 mg/kg), either sarolaner (Simparica®), twice at a monthly interval (2-4 mg/kg), or doramectin (Dectomax®) 0.2 mg/kg, twice at 14 days interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of a veterinary drug, Diminazene aceturate (4,4'-(1-Triazene- 1,3-dyil)-bis-(benzenecarboximidamide), in an inclusion complex with ß-cyclodextrin as a suitable treatment for parasitic diseases caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in farmed carp. The efficacy was determined by the reduction in the infection intensity. The complexes were prepared by the coevaporation method and were characterized by DSC and FTIR. The selected stoichoimetry for the chosen drug was 1:1. Administration of Diminazene aceturate and complex was carried out by including appropriate doses in animal feed. Our studies suggest that the Diminazene-ß-cyclodextrin complex results in a reduction in the infection degree and decrease in the trophont size in the treated fish. The oral treatment of Diminazene aceturate in inclusion complexes may be an alternative to bath treatments in carp farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histophagous ciliate Ichthyophthyrius multifiliis can cause lethality in farmed carp brood (Cyprinus carpio) as well as other representatives. In the present study, an antiparasitic substance (diminazene aceturate) and its complex with a cyclodextrin were tested for its activity against this pathogen in vitro. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the therapeutic potential of diminazene and the enhancement by the ß-cyclodextrin. Of these, the complex proved to be more effective (i.e., killed all parasites in a test period of 6-8 hours). Administration in filtered water suggests that these compounds can not be effective in bathing. In view of these findings, we will discuss the potential utility of chemotherapy as a strategy for controlling ciliatosis in farmed fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]