Article
Parasitology
Luciana Catalina Panait, Angela Monica Ionica, Cristina Daniela Cazan, Mircea Coroian, Ana Maria Diacu, Ana Maria Boncea, Cosmin Mateescu, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: This study aimed to assess the occurrence of Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. in domestic cats in Romania using molecular tools. The results showed that 19.4% of the sampled cats were positive for piroplasmids, with 15.1% being positive for Babesia spp. and 0.5% for Hepatozoon spp. The study highlights the importance of mitochondrial genes as targets for molecular protocols.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Maya Shofa, Yasuyuki Kaneko, Kazuki Takahashi, Tamaki Okabayashi, Akatsuki Saito
Summary: Hepatitis B is a globally concerning infectious hepatocellular disease caused by HBV, while a similar virus to HBV, DCH, has been discovered in multiple countries, calling for further research on its impact and epidemiological data.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Maria Magdalena Alcover, Asier Basurco, Antonio Fernandez, Cristina Riera, Roser Fisa, Ana Gonzalez, Maite Verde, Ana Maria Garrido, Hector Ruiz, Andres Yzuel, Sergio Villanueva-Saz
Summary: The study revealed the existence of asymptomatic L. infantum infection in apparently healthy stray cats in Zaragoza, Spain using serological tests and qPCR. The overall infection rate was 15.6%, with a significant association found between male cats and positive qPCR results. Fair agreements were found between blood qPCR and IFAT, blood qPCR and ELISA, WB and ELISA, and WB and IFAT.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ingo Schaefer, Axel Peukert, Katharina Kerner, Elisabeth Mueller
Summary: Bacterial, protozoal, and viral vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) can cause infections in cats. There is little information on feline VBP prevalence in Germany. Stray cats are frequently exposed to vectors but receive no veterinary care. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected VBPs in stray cats. Overall, 11/50 (22%) and 32/50 (64%) cats tested positive for at least one VBP by direct and indirect detection methods, respectively.
Article
Microbiology
Barbara Tuska-Szalay, Sandor A. Boldogh, Robert Farkas, Luca Rompos, Nora Takacs, Viktor Beresnyak, Adam Izso, Jeno Kontschan, Jozsef Lanszki, Sandor Hornok
Summary: Among vector-borne protozoa, Hepatozoon felis and Cytauxzoon europaeus are emerging species in felids in Europe. This study investigated the presence of these two protozoa in domestic cats and wildcats in Hungary, and found that H. felis genogroup II can emerge in free-roaming domestic cats in regions where this protozoan parasite is endemic in wildcats.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcela Correa Scalon, Christine Souza Martins, Gabriel Ginani Ferreira, Franciele Schlemmer, Ricardo Titze de Almeida, Giane Regina Paludo
Summary: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition characterized by cysts in the kidneys. Research has shown that the upregulation of serum miR-20a may serve as a potential biomarker for PKD, aiding in disease monitoring.
Article
Parasitology
Domenico Otranto, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Josephus J. Fourie, Vincenzo Lorusso, Marie Varloud, Luigi Gradoni, Jason Drake, Thomas Geurden, Ronald Kaminsky, Anja R. Heckeroth, Bettina Schunack, Matthias Pollmeier, Frederic Beugnet, Peter Holdsworth
Summary: These guidelines aim to provide a thorough review of the efficacy of parasiticides in reducing transmission of vector-borne pathogens to dogs and cats, offering detailed recommendations for planning and implementation of related studies. Currently, prevention of VBP transmission in companion animals is achieved through products that repel or kill arthropods, with guidelines emphasizing the need for further basic research on VBP transmission times.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
DeAnna J. Friedman-Klabanoff, Megan Birkhold, Mara T. Short, Timothy R. Wilson, Claudio R. Meneses, Joshua R. Lacsina, Fabiano Oliveira, Shaden Kamhawi, Jesus G. Valenzuela, Sally Hunsberger, Allyson Mateja, Gregory Stoloff, Olga Pleguezuelos, Matthew J. Memoli, Matthew B. Laurens
Summary: This study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a mosquito salivary peptide vaccine in healthy adults. The results showed that the vaccine had a favorable safety profile and induced robust immune responses. Further research will determine if the vaccine translates into clinical efficacy against mosquito-borne diseases.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Erin Lashnits, Ricardo Maggi, Fredrik Jarskog, Julie Bradley, Edward Breitschwerdt, Flavio Frohlich
Summary: In this study, it was found that individuals with central nervous system symptoms were more likely to have Bartonella spp. DNA in their bloodstream compared to healthy volunteers. However, there was no significant difference in the severity of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder symptoms between individuals with and without evidence of Bartonella spp. infection.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Eman A. A. Hassanen, Dennis N. Makau, Mohamed Afifi, Omar A. Al-Jabr, Mohammed Abdulrahman Alshahrani, Ahmed Saif, Reham G. A. Anter, Wafaa M. El-Neshwy, Doaa Ibrahim, Rasha M. M. Abou Elez
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of hygienic and cat management practices on the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats and their owners in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate T. gondii infection in 80 pregnant women and 29 domestic cats. Drinking raw milk and contacting stray and pet cats were significantly associated with higher odds of T. gondii infection. Not washing hands after contact with cats increased the likelihood of T. gondii infection by 6 times.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Anelia Dietmann, Eugenie Colin-Benoit, Gerd Tinkhauser, Thomas Raphael Meinel, Olivier Scheidegger
Summary: This case report presents a cat owner with neuralgic amyotrophy caused by cat scratch disease. The patient initially presented with hand swelling, followed by lymphadenopathy and fever, and subsequently developed bilateral neuralgic amyotrophy. After thorough examination and treatment, the patient showed an excellent response to intravenous immunoglobulin.
Editorial Material
Biology
Robert T. Jones, Thomas H. Ant, Mary M. Cameron, James G. Logan
Summary: Mosquito-borne diseases pose a growing global health challenge, with a need for innovative and diverse control technologies. Various technologies are currently under development, ranging from genetic modifications to alterations in housing design.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Simone Morelli, Anastasia Diakou, Donato Traversa, Elisa Di Gennaro, Giulia Simonato, Mariasole Colombo, Dimitris Dimzas, Marika Grillini, Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono, Frederic Beugnet, Lenaig Halos, Barbara Paoletti, Angela Di Cesare
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. in domestic cats from various regions in Greece, finding high infection rates in different areas. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis supports the idea of a species-complex classification for H. felis, highlighting the need for further research on the genetic makeup and geographic distribution of Hepatozoon populations. Continuous epidemiological monitoring is crucial for implementing preventative and control measures to protect the health of cats in enzootic areas.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ingo Schaefer, Barbara Kohn, Elisabeth Mueller
Summary: Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection should be considered in cats with tick infestation, lethargy, fever, and thrombocytopenia. The clinical signs and laboratory findings are consistent with published case reports in cats. Ectoparasite prophylaxis in cats is recommended throughout the entire year.
JOURNAL OF FELINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Marie Edvinsson, Camilla Norlander, Kenneth Nilsson, Andreas Martensson, Elisabet Skoog, Bjorn Olsen
Summary: Antibodies to Bartonella were more common in Swedish patients than in healthy Swedish blood donors, but lower than in blood donors from southern Europe. Positive Bartonella serology was not linked to any specific symptom, nor to suspected tick-bite exposure.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Aron Peter, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Attila D. Sandor
Summary: This study presents a checklist of bat flies in Romania, including new records, and updates the host-parasite associations for several species.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andrei Ungur, Cristina Daniela Cazan, Luciana-Catalina Panait, Mircea Coroian, Cornel Catoi
Summary: This study analyzed the correlation between African swine fever outbreaks in Romania and geoclimatic factors such as altitude, humidity, temperature, and distance from forests, lakes, and rivers. The results showed that these geoclimatic factors play a significant role in the frequency of outbreaks, providing important insights for understanding the transmission of the African swine fever virus.
Article
Microbiology
Angela Monica Ionica, Georgiana Deak, Radu Boncea, Calin Mircea Gherman, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: This study provides evidence of the presence of Dirofilaria immitis, a canine heartworm, in Romania, and reports new host species, the European badger and the raccoon dog.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marieta Braks, Francis Schaffner, Jolyon M. Medlock, Eduardo Berriatua, Thomas Balenghien, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Guy Hendrickx, Cedric Marsboom, Wim Van Bortel, Renate C. Smallegange, Hein Sprong, Celine M. Gossner, Ewelina Czwienczek, Sofie Dhollander, Olivier Briet, William Wint
Summary: Public and animal health authorities face challenges in surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases. VectorNet, a joint project of EFSA and ECDC, collects and shares distribution data for pathogens carried by ticks, mosquitoes, sand flies, and biting midges, facilitating risk assessments and providing free distribution maps and raw data.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mircea Coroian, Cornelia Silaghi, Birke Andrea Tews, Emanuel Stefan Baltag, Mihai Marinov, Vasile Alexe, Zsuzsa Kalmar, Horvath Cintia, Mihaela Sorina Lupse, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: In a study conducted in the South-Eastern region of Romania, antibodies against West Nile and Usutu viruses were found in migratory and resident birds. These viruses, mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, pose a potential threat to human health as birds serve as the main reservoir.
Article
Parasitology
Vlad-Dan Cotutiu, Angela Monica Ionica, Menelaos Lefkaditis, Cristina Daniela Cazan, Alina Diana Hasas, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: This study assessed the presence, prevalence, and distribution of Thelazia lacrymalis in horses in Romania. The results showed a low prevalence rate of the infection, which may be attributed to the widespread use of macrocyclic lactones.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Luciana Catalina Panait, Angela Monica Ionica, Cristina Daniela Cazan, Mircea Coroian, Ana Maria Diacu, Ana Maria Boncea, Cosmin Mateescu, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: This study aimed to assess the occurrence of Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. in domestic cats in Romania using molecular tools. The results showed that 19.4% of the sampled cats were positive for piroplasmids, with 15.1% being positive for Babesia spp. and 0.5% for Hepatozoon spp. The study highlights the importance of mitochondrial genes as targets for molecular protocols.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jonno Jorn Stelder, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Ann Sofie Olesen, Lene Jung Kjaer, Anette Ella Boklund, Thomas Bruun Rasmussen, Mihai Marinov, Vasile Alexe, Oana Maria Balmos, Rene Bodker
Summary: Mosquitoes can transmit various vector-borne pathogens affecting pigs, and different mosquito species have different preferences and behaviors towards hosts. The feeding preferences of mosquitoes on pigs were observed to vary, and the abundance of certain mosquito species could contribute to pathogen transmission.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Roland Eric Yessinou, Cristina Daniela Cazan, Luciana Catalina Panait, Eyabana Mollong, Abel S. S. Biguezoton, Sarah Irene Bonnet, Souaibou Farougou, Martin H. H. Groschup, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of zoonotic pathogens in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo, revealing the presence of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. This information is important for raising awareness among physicians and veterinarians, monitoring the spread of these pathogens, and implementing necessary measures to control the transmission of tick-borne diseases.
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
O. M. Balmos, A. Supeanu, P. Tamba, C. Horvath, L. C. Panait, A. D. Sandor, C. D. Cazan, A. Ungur, M. Motiu, F. A. Manita, B. C. Ancuceanu, F. Barbuceanu, S. Dhollander, A. D. Mihalca
Summary: African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease of swine that causes significant economic damage. The presence of vectors in summer and river areas may contribute to the transmission of the virus. In this study, the risk factors associated with ASFV DNA in hematophagous dipterans were evaluated, and the relevance of Ct values in ASF outbreaks in Romania was analyzed. The results showed a higher viral load in farms with live pigs, in stable flies compared to biting midges, and in commercial farms and type A farms compared to backyard farms.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Jie Feng, Tao Lin, Andrei D. Mihalca, Qingli Niu, Marinda C. Oosthuizen
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Mohammed Lamine Bendjeddou, Farouk Khelfaoui, Awatef Abiadh, Noureddine Mechouk, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Attila D. Sandor
Summary: This study aims to identify the distribution and host-parasite associations of bat ectoparasites in the Grand Maghreb region. The research revealed 43 ectoparasite species, including ticks, mites, bat flies, bugs, and fleas. Several new country records were also documented. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiological implications and highlight the ecological and public health importance of bat ectoparasites.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Georgiana Deak, Luciana Catalina Panait, Stefan Rabei, Frederic Beugnet
Summary: The efficacy of a topical formulation for treating natural chewing lice infestation in domestic cats was evaluated in this study. The results demonstrated high efficacy and safety of the treatment.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Talida Ivan, Ioana Adriana Matei, Cristiana Stefania Novac, Zsuzsa Kalmar, Silvia-Diana Borsan, Luciana-Catalina Panait, Calin Mircea Gherman, Angela Monica Ionica, Ionel Papuc, Andrei Daniel Mihalca
Summary: This study evaluated the diversity of spotted fever Rickettsiae in ticks collected in Romania. Five Rickettsia species were identified through PCR amplification and DNA sequence analysis. The findings of this study provide further insights into tick-borne diseases in Romania.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)