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Canine dirofilarioses are mosquito-borne zoonotic diseases with a continuous expansion of their geographical distribution, as a consequence of different climatic and ecological factors. Dirofilaria immitis , the aetiological agent of heartworm disease, has gained a major veterinary interest, mainly due to its severe clinical implication. In the last decades, D. repens , despite of being regarded as a less pathogenic species, regained attention due to its recognized zoonotic potential. Romania has been traditionally regarded as a non-endemic country, but recent epidemiological surveys are highlighting the presence of both D. repens and D. immitis . The present case report describes the clinical and pathological features of a natural co-infection with D. repens and D. immitis in 5 year old male Boxer from north-western Romania. Based on clinical and laboratory investigations, a diagnosis of kidney failure and chronical cystitis was established. The parasites were identified by morphology and confirmed by PCR and sequencing. To the best of our knowledge this is the first worldwide report of the ectopic presence of D. repens adults in the pelvic cavity and mesentery by natural infection and first report of the ocular localization of this parasite for Romania. The clinical and paraclinical findings suggest the implication of D. repens microfilariae in the aetiology of histopathological lesions. Further investigations are needed in order to establish the actual pathogenic potential of D. repens , a frequently neglected parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The purpose of this study was to monitor the benefits provided by Olive leaf extract in rats which present symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Methods 48 male Wistar rats were randomized into two series (n=24): rats fed for 15 weeks with standard chow (Control) and rats fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat diet (HCHF). In each series, a group of rats (n=12) was treated daily, orally with Olea europaea leaf extract, dissolved in drinking water (0.8ml vegetal extract/60ml H 2 O/4 rats), within 12 weeks. Body weight, glycemia and systolic blood pressure were being monitored throughout the study. At the end of the study a pulsed-wave Doppler velocity profile of the carotid artery was also recorded. After 12 weeks of diet and treatment, there were assessed: plasma lipoproteins, transaminase activities and the C reactive protein (CRP). Plasma oxidative stress was determined by the measurement of hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl groups. Results During the study the HCHF-diet induced a loss of body weight as compared with Control group. The glycaemia and the systolic blood pressure have significantly (p<0.05) increased in the HCHF-fed rats since the 3 weeks of diet. The 12 weeks of hypercaloric diet, have induced a significant (p<0.01) increase in total cholesterol (x1.81 times), triglycerides (x1.65 times), transaminase activities (x2.33 times) and CRP. Also, the plasma hydroperoxides (x1.53 times) and lipid and protein oxidation end-products were significantly higher. The continuous treatment with the Olea europaea leaf extract has significantly reduced the glycemia (with 22%), systolic blood pressure (with 6%), plasma lipoprotein profile, transaminase activities and plasma oxidative stress without influencing the velocity profile of the carotid artery. Conclusions In our experimental conditions, the metabolic disorders and the oxidative stress associated were ameliorated by Olea europaea leaf extract which could open the new perspectives in the adjuvant treatment of the cardiometabolic syndrome The author hereby declares no conflict of interest [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]