M. Kudrnáčová

Competition for minerals (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu) and Cd between sheep tapeworm (Moniezia expansa) and its definitive host sheep (Ovis aries)

SummaryConcentrations of various essential and toxic elements (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu and Cd) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in the sheep tapeworm (Moniezia expansa) and in different tissues of its host Ovis aries. The element concentrations of the cestode parasites were compared to different organs (liver, kidney, and muscle) of sheep that were exposed to experimental amounts of Cd (0.2 g of CdCl2 added to 10 ml of distilled water and administered orally to the sheep every day for a period of 1 week). All sheep were randomly divided into four groups; the first group (Cd) contained uninfected, Cd exposed sheep, and its control (group C) were uninfected and unexposed to Cd; the second group (TCd) contained infected, Cd exposed sheep, and its control (group CT) contained infected, unexposed sheep. The experimental Cd exposure resulted in significantly higher Mn concentrations in sheep tapeworms (10.0 mg/kg) than in sheep muscle (0.6 mg/kg) and kidney (0.8 mg/kg). The experimental Cd exposure also significantly decreased the Cu concentrations in sheep liver and muscle. Moreover Cd exposure decreased the Fe concentrations in sheep kidney but caused it to increase in sheep liver and muscle. Zinc concentrations showed no differences between groups (Cd, TCd, C, T) in any monitored sheep tissues. The article also discuss the effect of tapeworm infection on a significant decrease of Fe in sheep muscle, liver and kidneys, as well as a decrease in Cu levels of the muscles and liver. This mineral imbalance may contribute to various health problems such as osteoporosis, metabolic processes disorder, antioxidant (SOD) dysfunction etc.

Treatment failure of ivermectin for Oxyuris equi in naturally infected ponies in Czech Republic

SummaryNine ponies (20 months of age) with naturally acquired cyathostome and pinworm infections were treated orally with ivermectin at a dosage of 400 μg /kg. Ivermectin was highly effective on the cyathostome infection. However, adult Oxyuris equi were present in six horses. In recent years, anthelmintic treatment with macrocyclic lactones have not appeared to deliver the expected efficacy against equine pinworms (Oxyuris equi) in the USA. This is the first European study to demonstrate anthelmintic resistance in Oxyuris equi to macrocyclic lactones in naturally infected ponies (Czech Republic).

Cyathostominae distribution in experimentally infected ponies

Summary Nine ponies were experimentally infected with third stage cyathostome larvae. These animals were examined post-mortem for small strongyle infections from October 2011 to January 2012. Seventeen species of the following Cyathostominae genera were identified: Coronocyclus, Cyathostomum, Cylicocyclus, Cylicostephanus, Gyalocephalus and Petrovinema. Of the 17 species of Cyathostominae recovered, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cyathostomum alveatum and Cylicocyclus nassatus were the most prevalent (100 %). From the entire population of Cyathostominae, 65.6 % were located in the caecum and only 34.4 % in the colon. Only 1,736 (24,6 %) females and 5,329 (75,4 %) males were observed. There was a significant difference between the number of males and females in the genus Cyathostomum, Cylicocyclus and Gyalocephalus.

Trichomonas spp. in Pigeons: Detection by OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test

SUMMARY The efficacy of the OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test (developed for rapid diagnosis of human Trichomonas vaginalis) in detection of Trichomonas spp. in pigeons (Columba livia) was investigated. Two oral cavity swabs were taken from 50 farm pigeons. Cultivation in Diamond Trichomonas medium was used as a reference method. According to a morphological determination, Trichomonas gallinae was the only protozoan found; however, no further molecular analysis was conducted. The OSOM Trichomonas test was positive in 39 oral swabs. In comparison with the cultivation method three samples were identified as false negative and one as false positive. Test specificity and sensitivity were established as 93% and 90%, respectively. Using Cohens Kappa, the concordance between the two testing methods was found to be strong (&kgr;  =  0.7506, 95% CI  =  0.5162–0.9850). The OSOM Trichomonas test is not able to distinguish between Trichomonas species; however, results suggest that the test is suitable for the rapid detection of Trichomonas spp. infection in pigeons. RESUMEN Nota de Investigación—Trichomonas spp. en Palomas: Detección por la prueba rápida de OSOM para Trichomonas. Se investigó la eficacia de la prueba rápida OSOM para Trichomonas (desarrollada para el diagnóstico rápido de Trichomonas vaginalis en humanos) en la detección de Trichomonas spp. en palomas (Columba livia). Se recolectaron dos hisopos de la cavidad oral de 50 palomas de granja. El cultivo en el medio de Diamond para Trichomonas se utilizó como un método de referencia. De acuerdo con una determinación morfológica, Trichomonas gallinae era el único protozoario que se encontró, sin embargo, no se realizó un análisis molecular posterior. La prueba OSOM para Trichomonas fue positiva con 39 hisopos orales. En comparación con el método de cultivo, se identificaron tres muestras como falsas negativas y una como falsa positiva. Se determinó que la especificidad y la sensibilidad del ensayo eran de 93% y 90%, respectivamente. Mediante la prueba Kappa de Cohen, se encontró una fuerte concordancia entre los dos métodos de prueba (&kgr;  =  0.7506, 95% CI  =  0.5162–0.9850). La prueba de Trichomonas OSOM no fue capaz de distinguir entre especies de Trichomonas, sin embargo, los resultados sugieren que la prueba es adecuada para la detección rápida de la infección por Trichomonas spp. en palomas.

The initial discovery of thorny-headed worms in sheep.

Acanthocephalans belonging to the species Acanthocephalus lucii were found in the colon of a lamb from ecological farms in the Czech Republic. The main determination features used for these acanthocephalans are the shape and size of the hooks as well as the number of hooks on the proboscis. Three immature specimens measured 5.0-13.2mm in length; the appearance of the acanthocephalan body (in the studied material) suggests that passage through this unusual host causes the cystacanths to slightly increase in length. In the case of the lambs examined, the infection may be acquired through the accidental ingestion of the intermediate host - waterlouse (Asellus aquaticus).