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Simply Summary: Anaplasmosis is a widely spread emerging tick-borne disease, generally transmitted by the Ixodes tick species. Two members of the Anaplasma genus—A. phagocytophilum (infecting neutrophils) and A. platys (infecting platelets)—cause granulocytic anaplasmosis and thrombocytopenia in some animals and humans. Our case report describes granulocytic anaplasmosis in two dogs routinely tested for blood donation. The blood smear was negative for tick-borne pathogens, and the haematology findings indicated thrombocytopenia in both dogs. The dogs were mildly positive in the ELISA tests for the detection of antibodies for Anaplasma spp. The qRT-PCR result was negative for A. platys but positive for A. phagocytophilum. In conclusion, the molecular test is mandatory for confirmation of Anaplasma spp. infection, and we suggest it should be implemented in all blood donors. This study describes granulocytic anaplasmosis in two dogs naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The 3-year-old dogs (male and female) came from the same household and were referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Iasi for blood donation. They were subject to standard routine tests: haematology blood test, blood smear, and serological tests (VETSCAN® FLEX4 and IDEXX SNAP 4Dx Plus). The female dog had no medical problems, while the male dog experienced joint pain. The blood smear was negative for tick-borne pathogens, and the haematology findings indicated thrombocytopenia in both dogs, with the male dog also displaying eosinophilia. The two dogs were mildly positive in the ELISA tests for the detection of Anaplasma spp. antibodies; therefore, the blood samples were tested using the qRT-PCR method for Anaplasma platys and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The qRT-PCR result was negative for A. platys, but it was positive for A. phagocytophilum. The treatment consisted of the administration of doxycycline for 28 days. In conclusion, the high number of cases with non-specific clinical signs, the different sensitivity and specificity of the immunochromatographic serological tests, as well as the possibility of confusing the morula during the cytological examination, make the molecular test mandatory for precise diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Romanian Journal of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacology is the property of Innovation in Health Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Romanian Journal of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacology is the property of Innovation in Health Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Romanian Journal of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacology is the property of Innovation in Health Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As a result of global warming, the change in the biological cycle of vectors and the increase in intercontinental travels, we are now facing an increase in the number of cases of vector-borne diseases. Among these, heartworm disease has escalated in recent years in Romania, with cases increasing in many parts of our country. Our study was carried out in the South-Eastern part of Romania, with the aim of establishing the prevalence of heartworm disease in dogs, with the identification of the two species Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. Blood samples were collected during the period May - July 2022 and January - July 2023, from 220 dogs with and without an owner from Tulcea county, from places such as Tulcea, Murighiol, Somova, Mineri, Niculițel. The blood samples were tested through the Knott method, which is considered as the reference method in the diagnosis of dirofilariosis in dogs. The results show a prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. infection of 11.36% in dogs. Of the 220 samples examined by the Knott test, 25 were positive for circulating microfilariae, of which 21 showed infestations with Dirofilaria immitis and 4 with co-infection with Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. The study underlines the importance of introducing monitoring and control programs for heartworm disease in dogs in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in shelter dogs from Constanța, a southeastern county from Romania. In order to assess, in 2022 and 2023, individual and pooled fecal samples, were collected from 611 dogs from 9 shelters. Fecal samples were examined using standard flotation and sedimentation methods. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 74.63%. Eggs of hookworms (Ancylostoma sp. and Uncinaria sp.) were the most frequently detected (55.97%), followed by Cystoisospora sp. (31.91%), Trichuris vulpis (27.33%), Toxocara canis (21.27%), %), Capillaria sp. (2.78%) and Toxascaris leonina (1.96%). Cases of single infestation were found in 217 (35.51%) of the tested dogs. Mixed infestations with two or more species of parasites were observed in 239 samples, representing 39.11% of the total samples analyzed. These results will be useful for establishing health care programs in dog shelters and for implementing effective strategies in controlling the intestinal parasites, in order to restrain the spread of zoonotic parasites and to raise awareness of their impact on public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen that represents a threat to both human and animal health. It is difficult to estimate the impact of WNV in the future, although many of the climatic factors influencing its spread have been identified. In this study, we used bioclimatic indices to estimate those periods that favour the growth of vector mosquito populations and the incubation periods for the virus. To this end, we studied the climatic changes in the Romanian regions where cases of WN infection have been reported. Simulations were carried out for 2100 based on long-term scenarios. Identifying the bioclimatic conditions which can cause WNV outbreaks in Romania is necessary to anticipate and thereby prevent future epidemics. However, no extraordinary weather events were registered in the years with WNV outbreaks which could explain such a high number of cases. Thus, in the High Scenario (which will occur if actions to control (GHG) gas emissions are not taken or implemented effectively), the hatching period is extended until November, with the risk that adult mosquitoes are active throughout the year, ensuring a high survival rate of the virus within mosquitoes. In addition, in the High Scenario, the transmission period of the virus is extended from April to October, which underlines the need to establish monitoring and control programmes for both mosquito populations and the spread of the virus among the animal and human populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is a relatively new diagnostic technique that has revolutionised clinical microbiology by accurately identifying species of bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts. Recently, new applications to identify parasites and arthropods of medical interest have been developed, but few have developed MALDI-TOF analysis protocols for characterizing arthropod species. Thus, there is a need for a standardization in terms of the anatomical part(s) to be used according to arthropod families (head, thorax, legs) and the steps for protein extraction and homogenization. In this study we created a bank of 47 specimens including the following species: Aedes caspius, Anopheles hyrcanus, Anopheles maculipennis, Coquillettidia richiardii, Culiseta annulata, Culex pipiens. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the quality of spectra and of results in the identification between different anatomical parts of mosquitoes, head, thorax (with wings) and legs, in order to optimize the use of the MALDI-TOF spectrometry tool. We evaluated the bank using the "bank versus bank" test (database provided by the laboratory of parasitology and mycology of Paris, Sorbonne University), each specimen had 4 deposits of protein extracts and the identification threshold log(score) was set to 1.7. Identifications were confirmed by morphological identification keys. There were differences in the protein profiles between each anatomical part. Leg spectra had the lowest number of high intensity peaks compared to those of the head or thorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases differs geographically, and transmission times may change in response to the interaction between pathogens, vectors, hosts and the environment. In the context of global warming there is a need to monitor the risk of emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in Romania. The forecast made in this study shows an increase in temperature until 2050 by 0.78°C, which demonstrated the possibility of extending the transmission period of Plasmodium protozoa until November, of West Nile virus until October and of Dengue fever from June to the first half of September. The results underline the need to introduce vectors and vector-borne disease monitoring and control programmes in Romania in the context of global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infestation in domestic cats are limited, both for Europe and globally. Diagnosis is quite laborious and often the infestation is not included in the differential diagnosis of respiratory diseases, a fact which leads to a late diagnosis that endangers the life of the animal, even causing its death. In case of massive infestation, respiratory symptoms are complemented by a diarrhoeal syndrome and anorexia. In June 2023 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Iasi, Romania, a cat (common breed, male, aged 1 year and 4 months) came with respiratory symptoms, chronic cough, shortness of breath, mucopurulent nasal discharge, accelerated breathing and loss of appetite. The cat had previously been treated for chronic bronchitis. Radiological interpretation was of an intensified interstitial lung pattern with nodular and bronchial appearance, compatible with chronic micro-bronchitis. The first diagnosis was pneumonia, but following symptomatic treatment the results were not satisfactory. Following coproparasitological examination the result was infestation with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and antiparasitic treatment was instituted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results regarding the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in humans in the city of Iasi during one year, show a rate of 6,6% of cases detected with positive IgM, and 32.7% of cases detected with positive IgG, compared to the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in cats which shows a rate of 0.7% of positive cases detected with positive IgM; which denotes that toxoplasmosis is underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. A very important role is played by the diagnostic method used. The article deals with a case study, a 1,8-year-old cat with cerebellar ataxia, dysmetria and hypermetria, with moderate opacification of the entire corneal surface, panuveitis, chorioretinitis and corneal edema. Following the paraclinical investigations, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was made, using the Welltest Toxoplasma IgG/IgM immunochromatographic test, confirming the acute phase of the disease with positive IgM and negative IgG. Using the molecular detection techniques through qRT PCR, the result was negative, emphasizing the fact that the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii uses the blood as a way of spreading in the body, the relatively short phase that can induce a negative result, despite the presence of severe symptoms. The conclusions emphasize the importance of using a correct diagnostic method, molecular techniques, despite their high sensitivity, are not always recommended. In toxoplasmosis, the recommended diagnostic method is the serological one to detect IgG/IgM antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs and cats play an important role in the spread of tick species and in the transmission of pathogens. Dermacentor reticulatus occurs in areas by varied types of climate, vegetation and a high availability of potential hosts, while Ixodes ricinus follows a similar seasonal pattern each year. This study was carried out between 2017 and 2021, where we examined 189 canine patients of different breeds, aged between 2 months and 18 years. We collected 435 ticks which were placed individually according to the animal in eppendorf tubes in ethyl alcohol and numbered, until morphological identification. The collected ticks were predominantly adults with different feeding status, belonging to the species: Ixodes ricinus (41.6%), Dermacentor reticulatus (57.7%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex (0.69%). Dermacentor reticulatus was predominant, with two peaks of activity in spring and autumn. We also found 2 specimens of D. reticulatus males, in January, outside the normal period of activity. The second species identified, Ixodes ricinus, shows three peaks of activity, having the most intense period of activity in the spring months. The second peak is observed in summer, and the third in autumn. The prevalence of the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex is low, of only 0.69% of the total ticks collected from dogs.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of tick infestations collected from canine patients, in order to assess a possible change in the activity periods of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine babesiosis is one of the most important vector-borne diseases worldwide that affects dogs regardless of age, breed or gender. The aim of this study was to corroborate the clinical signs of canine patients confirmed with babesiosis, the results of paraclinical investigations, as well as the choice of the therapeutic protocol. The present study was performed on 42 dogs referred to the Clinic of Parasitic Diseases from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi with similar symptoms to canine babesiosis. After recording data regarding age, breed and gender of all dogs and the clinical examination of the patients, two peripheral blood samples were collected from each patient for the following investigations: Diff-quick stained blood smears and blood tests (hematological, biochemical, serologic). After analysis of blood smear, all the dogs (42/42) were positive for Babesia spp. and the most common clinical signs identified were: fever - 37/42 (88,1%), pale mucous membrane - 31/42 (73,8%) and hemoglobinuria - 31/42 (73,8%). The results of hematologic tests revealed thrombocythopenia - 40/42 and moderate to severe anemia. Further serological tests detected Babesia gibsoni antibodies in 2/42 blood samples. Depending on the results of the blood tests, the therapeutic dose of imizole was administered in a single dose or divided into two doses, administered within a maximum of 12 hours. In conclusion, the present study emphasizes the importance of paraclinical investigations in order to identify possible co-infections and adjust treatment in infected dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper aims to outline the most common fish diseases that affect farmed cyprinids in ponds from the Prut river basin, in order to better understand and reduce fish health risks. After 2 field work expeditions to Rompescaris farm -Podu-Iloaiei from Iasi county and to Dracșani fish farm from Piscicola-Botoșani county, biological samples were collected, in May 2021. Using net fishing the following fish species were harvested: carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio var. specularis). the biological material, the moribund specimens with visible lesions were isolated and the apparently healthy specimens were released. The collected specimens were subjected to a clinical, a parasitological and a bacteriological investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing number of dogs is a determining factor in the occurrence of toxocarosis in humans, as they are the source of environmental contamination with Toxocara sp. eggs. During a single year, 2018-2019, the number of stray dogs increased from 0.068 to 0.0709 per capita. Contamination of dogs with Toxocara canis in the conditions of our country has increased in recent years from 21.4% to 50.2% and is identified as the most common parasitosis in these animals. For the study of Tococara spp. infection in dogs, the period 2017-2020 was considered, representing cases present at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi. Thus, more than 75% of infections are recorded in young dogs under one year old, while 89% of them are males. The study on the prevalence of Toxocara canis cases at the Animal shelters in Tomești showed a prevalence of Toxocara sp. of 60% of the total samples analysed; the study on toxocarosis in humans was carried out during 2020, the information being provided by the Praxis medical tests laboratory. Result on the presence of specific IgG antibodies to Toxocara canis/cati. It included a group of 95 cases during one year, of which 3, namely 3.25% were under 3 years old and 14.8% were over 35 years old. Of the total samples, only 2 were positive in the male gender, which represents 2.1% of the total samples. Fifteen cases were positive in females, representing 15.8% of all samples analysed. Considering that we are talking about a parasite specific to dogs, the presence of such a large number of cases during a single year reveals a very high load of Toxocara eggs in the environment, which raises an alarm about the distribution of this parasite in nature and the high risk of human contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections produced by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii are widespread in humans and animals. Due to its lack of host specificity, this parasite is able to infect a large number of hosts as well as different cell types. Although toxoplasmosis is the most reported parasitic zoonosis in Europe, the incidence of the disease in humans and the presence of the parasite in animals, food and water is underestimated. If acquired as an acute infection during pregnancy, Toxoplasma gondii infection can have serious adverse effects on mothers, foetuses and newborns. Latent toxoplasmosis also causes a variety of pathologies and has been linked to serious adverse effects on pregnancy. The study was conducted over a 2-year period, 2019-2020, in the Parasitology Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, following the prevalence of reported cases of toxoplasmosis in cats. Thus, out of 33 tests worked, no case of toxoplasmosis was recorded in cats, all serological tests being done upon request. During 2020, 226 AB. ANTI TOXOPLASMA GONDII- IgM (ELISA) tests were performed in the Praxis laboratory, of which only 15 were positive. All positive tests were identified only in women, of which 10 in the age category 25-34 years, 4 in the age category 35-44 years and 1 case in the age category 15-19 years. In the Praxis laboratory during 2020, 220 more AB. ANTI TOXOPLASMA GONDII- IgG (ELISA) tests were performed, out of which 72 positive cases were identified, 5 being positive in males in the age categories 0-12 months, 1 year and 15-19 years, and the remaining 67 were identified in women in the following age categories: 0-12 months, 15-19 years, 20-24 years, 25-34 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years and 55-64 years. The lack of positive cases in animals during the 2-year study, but the high number of positive cases in humans during a single year, shows the major public health importance of the study, as this very serious disease in pregnant women and immunosuppressed people is under-diagnosed in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoptic mange in dog is a common parasitic dermatitis, especially in non-controlled, stray dogs that develop evocative clinical signs. The present study includes 48 dogs, with different backgrounds, both privately owned and dogs from shelters. We searched for predisposing factors for contacting sarcoptic mange, such as: age, sex, breed, source of contamination. Their age ranged from 1.15 months to 12 years (with more than a half being under 1 year old), they were mostly common or cross-breed dogs, and the sex ratio was almost equal, with 25 females and 23 males. All dogs were naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei, as confirmed by identification on the microscope of skin scrapings from different body areas. Furthermore, we aimed to have a general idea concerning the severity of infection with Sarcoptes scabiei in the dogs we studied. The dogs received a clinical score based on the evaluation of typical signs that appear in sarcoptic mange such as alopecia, erythema, scales/crusts and the extent of mange on the cutaneous surface on different body parts (head, trunk, legs, tail). The most affected body part was the head, followed by the trunk and the most scored sign was the extent of affected skin and alopecia. The treatment consisted in the administration of either afoxolaner (Nexgard®), twice at a monthly interval (2.7-6.9 mg/kg), either sarolaner (Simparica®), twice at a monthly interval (2-4 mg/kg), or doramectin (Dectomax®) 0.2 mg/kg, twice at 14 days interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]