Search

The host switching of Hypoderma actaeon (Diptera: Oestridae), a specific parasite of red deer (Cervus elaphus), towards roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) has been recently reported in Spain. To provide information about the temporal and spatial spreading of H. actaeon infection in roe deer, 244 serum samples from animals hunted in Spain between 2013 and 2018 were analysed by an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The overall seropositivity was 13.9%. Seropositivity was higher in continental (27.7%) and mountainous (12%) areas from central Spain, followed by southern‐Mediterranean (11.2%) and northern‐oceanic regions (3.5%). Differences were significant between central‐continental and northern‐oceanic regions (P = 0.003). No differences were found according to the sex and age of roe deer (P > 0.05). In 2013, all seropositive animals were concentrated in two distant areas in central and southern Spain, suggesting that the host switch could have occurred independently in both regions. Changes in the pattern of distribution of red deer and roe deer could have favoured the spreading of this myiasis towards roe deer, indicating that roe deer may become infested by H. actaeon in areas where both cervids coexist at high densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the in vitro modulatory effects of interferon-γ ( IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 ( IL-4) on both proliferative bovine T cell responses and IL-10 production induced by different antigens [crude larval extract and the purified fractions hypodermin A, B and C ( HyA, HyB, HyC)] obtained from first instars of Hypoderma lineatum ( Diptera: Oestridae), alone or in the presence of the mitogen concanavalin A. Incubation with the different parasitic antigens resulted in significant inhibition of T cell proliferation and IL-10 production, which, in general, did not revert after the addition of IFN-γ and IL-4. In the absence of antigens, IL-4 induced significant inhibition of mitogen-induced T cell responses. Exogenous IFN-γ exhibited an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation in the presence of the purified fractions HyB and HyC. These in vitro data suggest that far from neutralizing the effects of larval antigens, the addition of IFN-γ potentiates their anti-proliferative activity; by contrast, IL-4 had no consistent effects on proliferative responses to Hypoderma. IL-4 provoked an increment of IL-10 levels in supernatants of HyB-stimulated cells. In conclusion, exogenous IFN-γ and IL-4 were unable to counteract the suppressor effects of H. lineatum antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myiasis caused by Hypodermatinae flies is an economically important disease affecting domesticated and wild ruminants in countries of the Mediterranean and Indian subcontinent. The adult flies have a short life span of 1 week, and they spread disease by laying their eggs on the coat of animals. Hypoderma spp. primarily lay their eggs on cattle, buffalo, roe deer, red deer and reindeer, while Przhevalskiana spp. lay eggs on the coat of goats. The larvae live as tissue parasites, inducing myiasis in the host, and have a major impact on the productivity and welfare of infested animals. Diagnosis of myiasis is mainly based on clinical examination of the animal and immunodiagnosis using serum and milk samples. Chemical control of this pest is considered the best treatment option. Treatment with microdoses of ivermectin (2μg/kg body weight) combined with immunosurveillance strategies has led to the eradication of bovine hypodermosis in a few countries; however, these flies are still prevalent throughout the northern hemisphere. This paper reviews the current status, diagnosis and control measures for Hypodermatinae myiasis of domestic and wild ruminants in the Indian subcontinent and Mediterranean region., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objective: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are protozoans involved in reproductive failure especially in ruminant livestock. The objective was to estimate the seroprevalence of both parasites in goats from north-western Spain and to study the influence of some factors on seropositivity., Materials and Method: Blood samples from 638 goats were collected in 50 farms. Presence of T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies were detected by direct agglutination and competitiveELISA techniques, respectively. The risk factor analysis was performed using a mixed-effects logistic regression., Results: Individual (48%) and herd-level (74%) T. gondii seroprevalence values were high; the within-herd prevalence was 53%. In contrast, 6% of animals tested positive to N. caninum and 38% of the herds had at least one positive animal, with a true within-herd prevalence of 10%. Mixed infections were limited; 91% of N. caninum seropositive goats were also positive to T. gondii. The risk factor analysis showed that T. gondii seroprevalence is influenced by the presence of sheep in the farm (OR=4.9) and the seropositivity to N. caninum (OR=16.5); goats from the Central-coastal area, more humid and warm, had a 15.7-fold probability of being seropositive to T. gondii than those from the Mountainous area. Cross-breed goats (OR=4.5) and the seropositivity to T. gondii (OR= 9.5) were factors associated with N. caninum seropositivity., Conclusions: The high T. gondii seroprevalence in goats constitute a noticeable zoonotic risk. The consideration of the risk factors identified in designing T. gondii and N. caninum control programs in goat herds should allow the implementation of more efficient measures, avoiding the appearance of outbreaks of reproductive disorders by both protozoans in goats.