Diana Žele

INTESTINAL PARASITES OF THE RED FOX (VULPES VULPES) IN SLOVENIA

In the present study, 428 foxes were collected and examined for intestinal helminths using the washing-out method. Parasites were found in 93.2% of the examined animals. The most frequently identified nematodes were Uncinaria stenocephala (58.9%), Toxocara canis (38.3%) and Molineus patens (30.6%). Other nematodes found were Pterygodermatites affinis (4.2%), Capillaria sp. (2.8%), Crenosoma vulpis (2.8%), Toxascaris leonina (2.5%), Trichuris vulpis (0.7%) and Physaloptera sp. (0.2%). Mesocestoides sp. (27.6%) and Taenia crassiceps (22.2%) were the most prevalent cestodes, followed by T. polyacantha (6.5%), Hymenolepis nana (2.1%), T. pisiformis (2.1%) and Dipylidium caninum (1.4%). The study also revealed four trematode species: Rossicotrema donicum (1.6%), Heterophyes heterophyes (1.1%), Metagonimus yokogawai (1.1%), Prohemistomum appendiculatum (0.4%) and two protozoan species: oocysts of Sarcocystis (2.8%) and Isospora (0.4%). This is the first extensive study on the intestinal parasites of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Slovenia. The 2.6% prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the same sample population as investigated herein has been reported previously (Vergles Rataj et al., 2010).

Evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in game animals from Slovenia

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne rickettsial pathogen responsible for granulocytic anaplasmosis in mammalian hosts including humans. Wild animals may play an important role in the epidemiology of this disease. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of infection with A. phagocytophilum among wildlife in Slovenia. Serum samples (n = 376) from the most important game species [red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and brown bear (Ursus arctos)] were examined by A. phagocytophilum-specific indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) and wild boar spleen samples (n = 160) were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A. phagocytophilum-specific antibodies were found in 72% of sera and A. phagocytophilum DNA was present in 6.2% of spleens. The data indicate that A. phagocytophilum is present and widespread in Slovenian game animals and that game species are involved in the natural life cycle of A. phagocytophilum.

Echinococcus multilocularis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Slovenia

Using the parasitological washing out method, we examined the intestines of 428 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) for the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis (Leuckart 1863) and found that the overall prevalence was 2.6% (confidence interval 95% 1.3–4.5%). This is the first extended research reporting on the presence of E. multilocularis in the Slovenian fox population.

Plasma pharmacokinetics of abamectin in fallow deer (Cervus dama dama) following subcutaneous administration

The pharmacokinetics of abamectin (ABM) following a single subcutaneous administration of 200 μg/kg was evaluated in adult fallow deer by following ABM concentration in blood plasma. A nonlinear mixed effects modelling procedure was used for pharmacokinetic analysis. The time course of ABM concentration was described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption. Abamectin absorption in fallow deer was rapid with a peak plasma concentration of 120.7 ± 33.2 ng/mL observed at 19.1 ± 7.7 h (mean ± SD). Half-lives of the distribution and terminal phase were 17.2 and 119.3 h, respectively. Typical apparent clearance of the bioavailable fraction (CL/F) was 0.795 L/h and was independent of animal weight. Considering the obtained pharmacokinetic parameters in our study, we may assume that effective parasite control in fallow deer is obtained using the usual recommended dose of 200 μg/kg.

Stichorchis subtriquetrus in two beavers (Castor fiber) from Slovenia

SummaryIntestines of two beavers (Castor fiber), one killed by a car accident and one drowned were examined for parasites. Examination revealed the presence of 1 and 14 adult trematodes, Stichorchis subtriquetrus in the caecum and colon, respectively. The flotation method revealed no ova from faecal material. The European beaver was present in the territory of Slovenia until the beginning of the 18th century. Recently, in 1998, the species reappeared in southeast of Slovenia as a result of the reintroduction of European beaver in Croatia. This is the first report of veterinary examination of beaver and the first evidence of S. subtriquetrus in Slovenia.

A case of hepatic carcinoid in a red deer hind (Cervus elaphus)

A carcinoid tumour in the liver of a red deer hind (Cervus elaphus) is described. Macroscopically, the liver was considerably enlarged with multifocal, firm, yellow and red nodular neoplastic masses, which were histopathologically diagnosed as hepatic carcinoids. The diagnosis was confirmed by modified Grimelius staining, which demonstrated numerous small argyrophilic granules in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells, and by immunohistochemistry. The neoplastic cells gave a strong positive reaction for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and synaptophysin and a weak positive reaction for chromogranin A. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a hepatic carcinoid in red deer.

Hypertrophic Osteopathy Associated with Mycotic Pneumonia in a Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Abstract:  Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most common Aspergillus species causing disease in individual animals but it rarely affects deer species. We report a case of A. fumigatus infection causing mycotic pneumonia and hypertrophic osteopathy in a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Detection of trace amounts of abamectin used as an antiparasitic agent in fallow deer tissues.

A sensitive and reliable method for the determination of trace amounts of abamectin in muscles, kidneys and fat tissue of fallow deer is presented. Abamectin was extracted from the tissues with acetonitrile and the extract was cleaned up on a C8 solid-phase extraction cartridge. Abamectin residue was derivatised with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride and 1-methylimidazole, and determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography under isocratic conditions and fluorescence detection. The recoveries of the method were high and consistent, ranging from 78% to 90%. The limit of detection of the method was below 1 microg/kg when analysing muscle, kidney and fat tissue. Matrix-matched calibration was used in order to obtain accurate values and to avoid matrix interference.