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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]

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]