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Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo) is a snake fungal pathogen that causes ophidiomycosis. The disease manifests as dermatomycosis and/or systemic mycosis, and can be fatal. It occurs in free-ranging snakes in Asia, Europe and the USA and has also been demonstrated in captive snakes. We tested for the presence of Oo in free-ranging snake populations in the Czech and Slovak Republics (n = 420) between 2019 and 2022, focusing mainly on grass snakes (Natrix natrix) and dice snakes (Natrix tessellata), as well as various captive exotic species (n = 207). After collecting skin swabs, we tested for Oo using the qPCR method. We confirmed fragmented occurrence of Oo in the Czech Republic (total prevalence 15%) and recorded Oo in the Slovak Republic for the first time (total prevalence 33.9%). The highest prevalence was observed in N. tessellata (20.2%), which appears to be the most susceptible species. The pathogen was not detected in captive snakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of tick‐borne diseases (TBDs) in Europe focus on pathogens with principal medical importance (e.g. Lyme disease and tick‐borne encephalitis), but we have limited epidemiological information on the neglected pathogens, such as the members of the genera Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Babesia and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Here, we integrated an extensive field sampling, laboratory analysis and GIS models to provide first publicly available information on pathogen diversity, prevalence and infection risk for four overlooked zoonotic TBDs in the Czech Republic. In addition, we assessed the effect of landscape variables on the abundance of questing ticks at different spatial scales and examined whether pathogen prevalence increased with tick density. Our data from 13,340 ticks collected in 142 municipalities showed that A. phagocytophilum (MIR = 3.5%) and Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis (MIR = 4.0%) pose geographically uneven risks with localized hotspots, while Rickettsia (MIR = 4.9%) and Babesia (MIR = 1.1%) had relatively homogeneous spatial distribution. Landscape variables had significant effect on tick abundance up to the scale of 1 km around the sampling sites. Questing ticks responded positively to landscape diversity and configuration, especially to forest patch density that strongly correlates with the amount of woodland–grassland ecotones. For all four pathogens, we found higher prevalence in places with higher densities of ticks, confirming the hypothesis that tick abundance amplifies the risk of TB infection. Our findings highlight the importance of landscape parameters for tick vectors, likely due to their effect on small vertebrates as reservoir hosts. Future studies should explicitly investigate the combined effect of landscape parameters and the composition and population dynamics of hosts on the host–vector–pathogen system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean region, consisting of, amongst other areas, three main southern European peninsulas (the Iberian, Apennine, and Balkan) is known as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The Iberian Peninsula was the first place in Europe where amphibians were confirmed to be infected by the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Whereas the Iberian and Apennine peninsulas have been subject to intensive chytridiomycosis research, this study represents the first large-scale Bd survey in the Balkans. Over a two-year period, 454 skin swab samples of amphibians were collected in Montenegro, Albania, and the Republic of Macedonia of which 65 samples (14.3%) were Bd-positive. Bd was detected in 5 out of 11 sampled species (Bombina variegata, Hyla arborea, Lissotriton vulgaris, Pelophylax sp., and Triturus macedonicus) at 13 out of 38 localities. Infection rates did not differ between countries but varied greatly between species with a maximum in Pelophylax sp. (> 30%). Within positive Pelophylax samples, infection loads were constant across areas and age groups. Considering the Balkans' biodiversity and the potential threat to local endemics and genetic richness, future monitoring is vital for assessing Bd presence, prevalence and infection trends in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the presence of Batrachochytrium denderobatidis (Bd), a fungus causing the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, in Asia where huge areas remain unsampled. Samples were collected in the far eastern part of the Russian Federation where no amphibians were detected to be positive for Bd. The results of the study correspond with presumptions of low prevalence in the north of Asia where Bd-free areas and potentially susceptible populations are still to be found.

The article discusses a study which investigated the presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in amphibian populations in the lowlands of the Congo Basin in Cameroon. Bd is a fungal pathogen which causes the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis. Different frogs species were caught and swabbed to detect the presence of Bd. The study found a low proportion of Bd infection. No clinical symptoms were also seen in the frogs. The low Bd prevalence and low infection intensity may indicate host-pathogen co-evolution which resulted to partial resistance.

The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a zoonotic metastrongyloid nematode currently considered an emerging pathogen. Originating in Southeast Asia, this nematode has spread to tropical and subtropical parts of the world via its invasive rodent and gastropod hosts.On the island of Tenerife in the Canary archipelago, the A. cantonensis invasion was recognized more than a decade ago. The endemic lizard Gallotia galloti has been identified as a paratenic host of this nematode in the Canary Island ecosystem. Because this lizard species is the most abundant reptile in Tenerife, we tested its suitability as a possible sentinel for A. cantonensis presence. Lizards were captured alive in nine localities, spanning an environmental gradient across the island. Tail muscle tissue was obtained by provoked caudal autotomy and tested for the nematode infection by a species-specific qPCR. Infection intensities were assessed by detecting A. cantonensis DNA quantities based on a calibrated standard curve. Of the 129 samples tested, 31 were positive. The prevalence varied among localities, with the highest (63.6%) recorded in a humid laurel forest. Even though the prevalence in Valle San Lorenzo was the lowest, this is the first record of A. cantonensis from the arid south of Tenerife. Variation in prevalence at different localities was significantly and positively correlated with increasing vegetation cover and negatively correlated with seasonal variability of precipitation, as determined by Spearman correlation coefficients. Fisher's exact test was used to determine the variation in the prevalence of A. cantonensis among adult males, females, and juveniles and showed no significant difference. Also, there was no significant difference in infection intensity between males and females (as determined by GEE-g). We demonstrated that provoking caudal autotomy can be an effective non-lethal method of A. cantonensis mapping in island ecosystems with abundant lizard species, particularly those with a sharp climatic and vegetation gradient, from xeric to humid conditions.

Background: Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Ac), or the rat lungworm, is a major cause of eosinophilic meningitis. Humans are infected by ingesting the 3rd stage larvae from primary hosts, snails, and slugs, or paratenic hosts. The currently used molecular test is a qPCR assay targeting the ITS1 rDNA region (ITS1) of Ac., Methods: In silico design of a more sensitive qPCR assay was performed based on tandem repeats predicted to be the most abundant by the RepeatExplorer algorithm. Genomic DNA (gDNA) of Ac were used to determine the analytical sensitivity and specificity of the best primer/probe combination. This assay was then applied to clinical and environmental samples., Results: The limit of detection of the best performing assay, AcanR3990, was 1 fg (the DNA equivalent of 1/100 000 dilution of a single 3rd stage larvae). Out of 127 CDC archived CSF samples from varied geographic locations, the AcanR3990 qPCR detected the presence of Ac in 49/49 ITS1 confirmed angiostrongyliasis patients, along with 15/73 samples previously negative by ITS1 qPCR despite strong clinical suspicion for angiostrongyliasis. Intermediate hosts (gastropods) and an accidental host, a symptomatic horse, were also tested with similar improvement in detection observed. AcanR3990 qPCR did not cross-react in 5 CSF from patients with proven neurocysticercosis, toxocariasis, gnathostomiasis, and baylisascariasis. AcanR3990 qPCR failed to amplify genomic DNA from the other related Angiostrongylus species tested except for Angiostrongylus mackerrasae (Am), a neurotropic species limited to Australia that would be expected to present with a clinical syndrome indistinguishable from Ac., Conclusion: These results suggest AcanR3990 qPCR assay is highly sensitive and specific with potential wide applicability as a One Health detection method for Ac and Am., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is an emerging fungal pathogen of salamanders. Despite limited surveillance, Bsal was detected in kept salamanders populations in Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and in wild populations in some regions of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. According to niche modelling, at least part of the distribution range of every salamander species in Europe overlaps with the climate conditions predicted to be suitable for Bsal. Passive surveillance is considered the most suitable approach for detection of Bsal emergence in wild populations. Demonstration of Bsal absence is considered feasible only in closed populations of kept susceptible species. In the wild, Bsal can spread by both active (e.g. salamanders, anurans) and passive (e.g. birds, water) carriers; it is most likely maintained/spread in infected areas by contacts of salamanders or by interactions with anurans, whereas human activities most likely cause Bsal entry into new areas and populations. In kept amphibians, Bsal contamination via live silent carriers (wild birds and anurans) is considered extremely unlikely. The risk-mitigation measures that were considered the most feasible and effective: (i) for ensuring safer international or intra-EU trade of live salamanders, are: ban or restrictions on salamander imports, hygiene procedures and good practice manuals; (ii) for protecting kept salamanders from Bsal, are: identification and treatment of positive collections; (iii) for on-site protection of wild salamanders, are: preventing translocation of wild amphibians and release/return to the wild of kept/temporarily housed wild salamanders, and setting up contact points/emergency teams for passive surveillance. Combining several risk-mitigation measures improve the overall effectiveness. It is recommended to: introduce a harmonised protocol for Bsal detection throughout the EU; improve data acquisition on salamander abundance and distribution; enhance passive surveillance activities; increase public and professionals' awareness; condition any movement of captive salamanders on Bsal known health status., (© 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)