David Ferrer

Bovine piroplasms in Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain): a comparison of PCR-based and light microscopy detection.

The present study provides the first epidemiological data regarding infection by Theileria and Babesia piroplasms in cattle in Minorca. More than 94% of the studied animals were positive for the presence of Theileria sp., and of those, 41.3% were positive for the presence of Theileria annulata. These results indicate that the prevalence of Mediterranean theileriosis caused by T. annulata is very high in Minorcan dairy farms and that other Theileria sp. are also present in the area. The prevalence of infection was similar throughout the study indicating an endemic situation in this island. The use of PCR resulted in significantly higher efficacy of detection of Theileria sp. compared to microscopical observation (MO) of blood smears and allowed the specific discrimination between pathogenic and non-pathogenic theilerias which cannot be accomplished by traditional diagnosis by MO. Babesia infection in the area was mainly due to Babesia bigemina (6.0% of the studied animals were infected), while one animal (0.75%) was found to be infected by Babesia bovis. It was observed that 31% of animals infected with B. bigemina had a concurrent infection of T. annulata. PCR also resulted in a significantly higher efficacy of detection of Babesia sp. compared to MO when infection levels were higher, towards the end of the study period. The results clearly demonstrate that parasitic infection by piroplasms, especially Theileria sp. is common and endemic in the island of Minorca and that PCR is the optimal approach for the detection and discrimination of these important parasites.

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are a natural intermediate host of Neospora caninum

The present study was undertaken to determine if red foxes are natural intermediate and/or definitive host for Neospora caninum and to study the importance of infection of N. caninum in this species in North-eastern Spain. Faecal samples and brain tissues were obtained from 122 foxes from 21 rural areas of Catalonia. Faeces collected were examined for parasite eggs and coccidian oocysts using sucrose flotation. For PCR-based diagnosis of N. caninum in brain tissues, the specific genomic Nc5 region was selected as the target sequence for DNA amplification. To control for PCR failure and facilitate identification of truly negative samples, the competitor pNc5C molecule was added to all negative samples in a second round of PCR reactions. Of the 122 foxes analysed, 13 (10.7%) were positive by PCR for N. caninum. Signal intensities of all positive samples were relatively weak with the exception of one sample from a 3-month male animal, that also showed the highest repeatability. No differences were observed by sex, age or area of sampling analysis. Detection of stages of N. caninum in brain from naturally infected red foxes demonstrated that red foxes are a natural intermediate host for N. caninum. Faecal samples were analysed for the presence of N. caninum oocysts, however, no oocysts compatible with N. caninum were found. A widespread latent infection of red foxes in North-eastern Spain found in the present study indicates that red foxes could have a very important role in the epidemiology of neosporosis in our area.

Prevalence of haematozoa in birds of prey in Catalonia, north-east Spain.

Blood samples from birds of prey, 95 Strigiformes and 190 Falconiformes, were examined for the presence of haematozoan parasites. The birds had been admitted to a raptor recovery centre in Catalonia, north-east Spain. Parasites were counted in positive smears. A second blood sample was obtained from 99 birds at least seven days after their arrival at the centre. Haematozoa were detected in all seven species of Strigiformes and in nine of 19 species of Falconiformes. The overall prevalences in the two groups were significantly different, 30.5 per cent and 46.3 per cent in the noctumal and diumal raptors, respectively. Eleven species of haematozoan parasites were identified. The genus most commonly detected in members of the noctumal Strigiformes was Leucocytozoon, followed by Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Trypanosoma. In the diumal Falconiformes only Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus were detected. The highest infection rates were found in Accipiter nisus (sparrow hawks),Accipiter gentilis (goshawks) and Athene noctua (little owls). Relapses were detected in 9 per cent of the birds sampled twice. The highest intensity of infection (6.2 per cent) was observed in a Buteo buteo (buzzard) infected with Haemoproteus.

A Survey of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on Dairy Cattle on the Island of Menorca in Spain

A survey of ticks affecting dairy cattle under extensive management on Menorca island (off the Spanish Mediterranean coast) was performed through 1999–2000 on seven farms. The species collected were Rhipicephalus bursa, R. turanicus, Hyalomma m. marginatum, H. lusitanicum and Boophilus annulatus. The most abundant species were R. bursa and H. m. marginatum, with peaks of 10.7 (in summer) and 7.5 (in spring) ticks/cow, respectively. R. turanicus was scarcely encountered, while B. annulatus and H. lusitanicum were abundant only in a few localities. The mild climate and adequate vegetation on the island provide satisfactory habitat for extended periods of tick activity, as compared with other regions where these ticks have been collected. The competence of the ticks as vectors for pathogens and the difficulty of using acaricide treatments in the region are discussed.

Isolation of the trichomonad Tetratrichomonas buttreyi (Hibler et al., 1960) Honigberg, 1963 in bovine diarrhoeic faeces

A trichomonad was found in the faeces of a heifer with watery diarrhoea. It was classified as Tetratrichomonas buttreyi according to its morphology as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. This flagellate was successfully maintained in a cysteine-peptone-liver medium. It is, to our knowledge, the first report of Tetratrichomonas buttreyi in Spain. This trichomonad appears to be a nonpathogenic commensal which often proliferates in fluid faeces.

Prevalence of sarcoptic mange in fattening pigs sacrified in a slaughterhouse of northeastern Spain

A study was conducted in fattening pigs from NE Spain to determine the prevalence of sarcoptic mange. Pigs were sacrificed in a slaughterhouse in the province of Barcelona (Catalonia, NE Spain) in November 1990, April 1991, and October 1991. From 7906 pigs slaughtered on those dates, 818 ear scrapings were taken. The survey results indicate that 276 (33.7%) of 818 pigs sampled from 58 (86.6%) of 67 herds were positive for Sarcoptes scabiei (De Geer). The presence of Sarcoptes-induced skin lesions was examined in 816 pigs. Of the 660 pigs showing skin lesions, 244 (37.0%) were positive for mites. A sucrose flotation-concentration method was more effective than a direct examination technique to detect S. scabiei mites.

Helminths isolated from the digestive tract of diurnal raptors in Catalonia, Spain

The prevalence of parasitic helminths in the digestive tract of 119 diurnal raptors (Falconiformes), which had died in a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Catalonia, was studied. The birds belonged to 13 species, with 100 of them (84 percent) being kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), buzzards (Buteo buteo), sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and goshawks (Accipitergentilis). Ninety-five of the birds (79.8 percent) were infected with helminths. Nematodes were the most frequently found helminth (75.6 percent), followed by trematodes, cestodes and ancanthocephalans. All the buzzards and sparrowhawks and 92 per cent of the goshawks were infected, but only 59 percent of the kestrels were infected.

Seroprevalence of Babesia ovis in Mouflon Sheep in Spain

A serological survey detected antibodies against Babesia ovis in mouflon sheep (Ovis musimon) from two different reserves located in Catalonia in northeastern Spain. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was developed using a B. ovis isolate of ovine origin as the antigen. Of 50 sera tested, six (12%) showed titres between 1:160 and 1:640 and were considered positive. These results indicate that exposure of mouflon to Babesia ovis is common in this region.

Seroprevalence of Babesia ovis in sheep in Catalonia, northeastern Spain.

An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was developed in order to detect antibodies against Babesia ovis in different sheep flocks from Catalonia, northeastern Spain. Of the total 2174 sera included in the study, 133 (6.1%) were positive. Considerable differences in seroprevalence were detected depending on the geographical areas from which the animals originated. This must have been a consequence of the presence or absence of the vector tick, Rhipicephalus bursa, the distribution of which depends upon the bioclimate and vegetation present in the different areas studied. Even within those areas which afford suitable conditions for the presence of Rh. bursa ticks, and therefore in which positive titres were found, great differences in seroprevalence were detected among different flocks.

Seroprevalence of Babesia ovis in Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) in Catalonia, northeastern Spain

A serologic survey was carried out in order to detect antibodies against Babesia ovis in a large population of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) from a hunting reserve in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. For this purpose, an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was developed using a B. ovis isolate of ovine origin as antigen. Of the total 475 sera tested, 155 (32.6%) showed titres between 1:160 and 1:1280 and were considered positive. These results reveal that exposure of Spanish ibex to B. ovis is common in the studied area. No significant differences could be detected when comparing season or year of capture and age or sex of the animals in positive and negative samples. A high proportion of low titres was found in comparison to those reported by other researchers in sheep in Spain; this could be a consequence of the existence of some minor antigenic differences between B. ovis of domestic sheep and that found in Spanish ibex.