Parasitic helminths in snakes from the global legal trade

Summary In recent years, the demand for snakes imported from different countries around the world has increased in Slovakia. However, such snakes can be infected with a wide variety of parasites. We have been focused on monitoring the prevalence of parasitic helminths of snakes imported to Slovakia. From 2015 to 2020, 205 samples were collected. We examined faecal samples of 185 live snakes, and a parasitological autopsy was performed on 20 carcasses. Out of a total of 205 snakes, parasitic helminths were found in 44 individuals (21.46 %). Coprological examination of live snakes confirmed positivity for the presence of helminths in 38 snakes (20.54 %). Through parasitological autopsy of all the dead snakes, we found helminths or their eggs in 6 carcasses (30.00 %). The genera of helminths found in the positive snakes were: Ophiotaenia spp., Kapsulotaenia spp., Strongyloides spp., Rhabdias spp., Ophidascaris spp., Ascaridia spp., f. Heterakidae, Kalicephalus spp., Capillaria spp., order Oxyurida and stages of the plerocercoid of an unidentifi ed species of tapeworm in the subcutaneous tissue.

Prevalence of Strongyle Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Horses and Donkeys in and around Mekelle City, Northern Part of Ethiopia

Background. In Ethiopia, equines serve in traction power, carting, recreation, festival packing, riding, transportation, and other activities since time immemorial. Strongyles are common equine health problems in Ethiopia though research based data on equine strongyles are limited particularly in the study areas, in and around Mekelle city. Therefore, the present study was intended to estimate the prevalence of common equine strongyles in and around Mekelle city from November 2018 to April 2019 and to assess risk factors associated with infection of strongyle parasites as well. Cross sectional design was used in this study, and the study population consisted of both donkeys and horses of all age and both sex groups. From randomly selected horses and donkeys, approximately 25 grams of faecal samples was drawn with gloved hands from rectum of study equines, labeled, and transported to laboratory for coprological examination. Flotation technique was employed to separate parasitic eggs from faeces, followed by microscopic examination for identification of strongyle eggs based on morphology. Pearson’s chi-square (χ2) was carried out to determine association between risk factors and parasitic infection. Moreover, both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were computed to assess the strength of association of those risk factors at 95% CI and P < 0.05 . Result. Out of 384 samples collected, 204 were found to be positive for strongyles with an overall prevalence of 53.13%. Prevalence of strongyle species in equines was also estimated to be 53% and 53.3% for donkeys and horses, respectively. Accordingly, of the six risk factors considered, only three factors (age, management type, and body condition scores) were found to influence the occurrence of strongyle infection and to be statistically significant as well. Conclusion. The higher prevalence of equine strongyles in the present study might be suggestive of urgent and coordinated actions to be in place.

Efficacy of Closantel, Ferula Asafetida and Common Dewormer Against Haemoncus Contortus in Small Ruminants

Background Haemonchosis caused by H. contortus has been recognized as one of the main limitations to the beneficial goat farming, worldwide. Albendazole, Oxfendazole, and Ivermectin are the most common drugs used against Haemonchosis, development of allopathic drugs resistance with time, availability, and price are another critical issues; these are absent in herbal drugs. It is important to establish a most effective protocol for the treatment of Haemonchosis. Closantel and herbal plant Ferula asafetida are reported to be effective against roundworms infestation. Methodology: The current study was conducted on goat and sheep farms of Tehsil Pattoki District Kasur, Pakistan. Coprological examination was performed and animals n = 720 (n = 360 caprines & n = 360 Ovines) positive Haemonchosis were selected, each breed animals were divided into six groups (A-F), n = 60 animals were assigned in each group for therapeutic trails. By oral route, Albendazole, Oxfendazole, Ivermectin, Closantel and Ferula asafetida were given to A-E groups while F served as control. All animals treated with single dose and EPG performed by McMaster technique at day 0 (pre-treatment), 7th, and 14th (post-treatment). Results Closantel and Ferula asafetida showed the highest efficacy in both caprines and ovines. Conclusion Allopathic drug Closantel and herbal drug Ferula asafetida proved as an efficient dewormer against Haemonchosis.

Pancreatitis: common but forgotten causes

Objective: to study the causes of pancreatitis. Materials and methods: a clinical case of acute pancreatitis during the treatment of ulcerative colitis with 5-aminosalicylic acid-containing drugs. Methods: clinical, laboratory and instrumental (biochemical blood analysis, standard coprological examination, Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy). Results: based on the data of the clinic, laboratory and instrumental studies, a diagnosis was made: drug-induced pancreatitis associated with mesalazine intake. Ulcerative colitis, total form, high degree of activity. Duodenal ulcer disease associated with Helicobacter pylori, unstable remission. Erosive bulbitis. The indicated therapy with polyenzyme drugs, proton pump inhibitors, antispasmodics, and glucocorticosteroids resulted in the resolution of clinical manifestations and the normalization of altered laboratory parameters. Conclusions: the use of 5-aminosalicylic acid preparations for the treatment of ulcerative colitis may be associated with the development of pancreatitis, which must be taken into account in clinical practice.

Risk Factors and Severity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Selected Small Ruminants from Malaysia

The productivity of smallholder sheep and goat flocks is constrained by high morbidity and mortality of young stock due to helminthosis and coccidiosis. We hypothesized that gastrointestinal parasites are prevalent and may cause severe infections amongst small ruminants in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and December 2019 to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and levels of infection with gastrointestinal strongyle and coccidia in selected smallholder goat flocks in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A total of 257 blood and fecal samples and management data were collected from four farms in Negeri Sembilan. Gastrointestinal parasites were detected by routine sodium chloride floatation, and the McMaster technique was used to quantify the fecal eggs/oocysts per gram outputs (EPG/OPG). The severity of infection was classified as mild (50–799), moderate (800–1200), or severe (>1200). The packed cell volume (PCV) was determined by microhematocrit centrifugation and classified as anemic or non-anemic. Coprological examination revealed an overall prevalence of 78.6% (CI = 72.74–83.44) and 100% flock level prevalence of strongyle and coccidia infection among goats from Negeri Sembilan with a higher infection in flock A-Lenggeng (95.6%) than B-Senawang (87.3%), D-Mendom (80.6%), or C-Seremban (60.0%). The co-infections of strongyle + Eimeria (50.6; CI = 44.50 to 56.64) were more common than single infections of either strongyle (16.7%; CI = 12.66 to 21.78) or Eimeria (4.3%; CI = 2.41 to 7.50). Quantitative analysis has revealed different (p < 0.05) patterns of EPG/OPG in various categories of goats. In total, there were 49.8% mild, 8.6% moderate, and 13.6% severe infections of strongyle and 40.1% mild, 6.6% moderate, and 19.8% severe infections of coccidia among goats. The mean PCV of goats with severe strongyle infection (24.60 ± 0.85) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the moderate (26.90 ± 1.15), or mild (28.23 ± 0.50) infections and the uninfected (30.4 ± 0.71). There were increased odds of infection with strongyle and coccidia among female (OR = 3.2) and adult (OR = 11.0) goats from smallholder flocks in Negeri Sembilan. In conclusion, gastrointestinal strongyles and coccidia occur at high frequency among smallholder goats, and there is a higher risk of infection amongst the adult and female stock.

Coprological Examination of Ovine Fasciolosis in Horro District Community Based Sheep Breeding Program, Horro Guduru Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to March 2018 to determine the prevalence of ovine fasciolosis in the Community Based Horro Sheep Breeding site at Horro district, Horro Guduru Wollega zone, Ethiopia. Coprological examination was performed on a total of 390 sheep at the study area. Age, sex, body condition score and peasant association were taken into consideration as rik factors. An overall prevalence of fasciolosis 45.4% 95% CI (40.41 50.36 was found on the basis of coprological examinations. The prevalence of fasciolosis findings according to PAs were (41.5%) in Laku Ingu and (48.2%) in Gitilo Dole. Statistical analysis of the prevalence among study site (PAs) showed insignificant difference P=0.102 (P>0.05), but significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between animal age groups (P=0.032, with a prevalence of 37.2% in young and 49.8% in adult) and body condition scores (P=0.001, with a prevalence of 57.9%, 43.5% and 29.9% in sheep with poor, medium and good body condition score, respectively. There was insignificance difference (P>0.05) in sex group of study animals in which the prevalence was 47.6% in female and 38.8% in male. Therefore further studies on the epidemiology, seasonal dynamic of the disease, the snail intermediate host and impacts of the infection in animal production with implementations of strategic intervention is necessary.

Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923, in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) from the Adriatic sea: first detection and molecular characterization

Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) is found worldwide in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Regarding the Mediterranean, C. carettae has been identified in the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Sea and a unique description of a Cucullanus sp. specimen in loggerheads from the Adriatic Sea has been reported in the literature so far. In the framework of a bio-monitoring project of the Abruzzo and Molise coasts, a parasitological survey was performed on stranded and by-caught sea turtles, at the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Abruzzo and Molise “G. Caporale.” During necropsy, the gastrointestinal system of 72 stranded loggerhead turtles was analyzed for the presence of endoparasites and fecal samples were collected for coprological examination. Adult C. carettae (n = 123) was found in the upper intestine of one loggerhead turtle, associated with chronic lymphoplasmocytic enteritis. Additionally, five stool samples (6.9%) were positive for Cucullanus sp. eggs. Molecular characterization of adult nematodes was carried out to study phylogenetic relationships among the Cucullanus species. To our knowledge, this is the first morphological and molecular identification of C. carettae in loggerhead turtles from the Adriatic Sea. Additional studies on the distribution of this parasite in the Mediterranean are encouraged.

THE FIRST STUDY OF THE ENDOPARASITIC FAUNA OF MUTE SWANS (CYGNUS OLOR) IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SERBIA

In the Northern part of Serbia, which is part of Pannonian Basin, mute swan (Cygnus olor) population has notably increased over the last few decades. Like other birds from Anatidae family, mute swans are a host of numerous endoparasite species. The aim of this study was to acquire the data on identification and prevalence of endoparasites in mute swans in the Republic of Serbia, as that information is lacking. Individual faecal samples of sixty-eight adult mute swans were examined for the presence of endoparasites. Coprological examination was performed using flotation and sedimentation technique with saturated ZnSO4 solution. The samples were collected from December 2016 to March 2017, during epizootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in the Republic of Serbia. Dead mute swans were collected from twelve different locations in the Northern part of Serbia. Altogether, 39.7% of the examined fecal samples contained different parasites. The endoparasitic fauna was divers and included 3 species of nematodes, 2 cestodes species, one trematode and one protozoan species. Nematodes were the most prevalent helminthes and among these the most frequent nematode species found was Heterakis dispar (17.6%), followed by Echinuria uncinata (5,8%) and Ascaridia spp. (4,4%). Four mixed infections were found, where double infection was the most prevalent. No endoparasites were found in faecal samples of mute swans collected from the locations Sombor and Titel. As this study covers a small population of mute swans, more detailed studies need to be carried out on a larger population in order to gain an insight into the diversity and prevalence of endoparasites in the Republic of Serbia.

About the Epizootic Situation on Major Helminthoses of Cattle Under Different Management Systems in Georgia

The purpose of the research is studying the epizootic situation on major helminthoses in cattle under different management systems in Georgia. Materials and methods. The epizootic situation in Georgia on major helminthoses in cattle subject to management systems and the altitudinal zonation of areas location was studied by coprological examination of animals. In 2014–2018, the cattle aged over 2 years held on pasture from March-April until November was studied in homesteads of 59 districts. Similar studies were performed at 19 farms owned by limited liability companies, homesteads and entrepreneurs. The livestock there is presented by Schwyz and Holstein; all processes of care, feeding and milking are mechanized. Results and discussion. Currently, the major helminthoses in pasture cattle in Georgia are paramphistomidosis, fasciolosis, dicrocoeliosis, gastrointestinal strongylatosis and dictyocaulosis which infect 67.5% of the examined cattle. Paramphistomidosis and fasciolosis are found in 59.7 and 21.5% of the examined cattle respectively. With increasing elevation of the altitudinal zonation, the paramphistomidosis and fasciolosis prevalence rates reduce. In case of paramphistomidosis, the infection ranges from 78.4% (low elevation from 0 to 200 m above sea level) to 23.9% (the subalpine area from 1901 to 2300 m above sea level), and in case of fasciolosis, 28.2–8.1% respectively. The rest species of helminths infected cattle to a lesser degree. Dicrocoelium sp. was found in 2.7% of animals, gastrointestinal Strongylata in 6.3%, and Dictyocaulus sp. in 3.9%. Paramphistomum spp., Fasciola sp. and gastrointestinal Strongylata infected 1.2% of the examined cattle in the farms with stabled cattle.