Address: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Kamycka 957, 165 21 Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
The eland is a large African antelope that can be bred in a temperate climate, under similar cond... more The eland is a large African antelope that can be bred in a temperate climate, under similar conditions and production systems as cattle. However, knowledge of parasites in farmed elands outside the area of their native habitat is still limited, and information concerning factors that influence these parasites is lacking. Therefore, faecal samples from an entire herd of elands, including calves and adult females and males, were examined monthly over a one year period. Almost 84% of the animals were found to be positive for gastrointestinal nematodes. Strongyle-type eggs were most frequently detected (prevalence 75%), followed by Capillaria sp., Nematodirus sp. and Trichuris sp. eggs. Following culturing eggs to infec-tive larvae, Teladorsagia sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Nematodirus sp., Cooperia sp. and Oesophagostomum sp. were identified. Following necropsy of two calves that died during the study one abomasal nematode (Teladorsagia circumcincta), five small intestinal nematode species (Nematodirus helvetianus, N. spathiger, Cooperia oncophora, C. curticei and Capillaria bovis) and two large intestinal nematodes (Oesophagostomum venulosum and Trichuris ovis) were recovered. From these findings, it is evident that the eland harbours nematodes that are typical for domestic cattle and small ruminants. Morphological and morphometric analyses of recovered nematodes revealed that these parasites do not require any special morphological adaptation to establish infection in elands. The faecal output of strongyle-type and Nematodirus sp. eggs was seasonal, with the highest egg production taking place during spring and summer. Calves had higher faecal egg counts (for all the monitored nematode species) than adults did. Lactation in females was significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with higher strongyle nematode egg shedding. Social dominance also affected faecal egg count patterns. The lower the hierarchical position among adults (regardless of sex), the higher the risk of nematode infection. This effect was evident for strongyles (P < 0.0001) and Capillaria sp. nematodes (P = 0.0065). The results of our study suggest that control measures applicable in domestic cattle and small ruminants might be similarly applicable for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections in captive farmed elands.
The effect of moxidectin against natural Muellerius capillaris infection in goats was evaluated i... more The effect of moxidectin against natural Muellerius capillaris infection in goats was evaluated in this study. Long-acting moxidectin at a single dose of 1 mg kg −1 body weight was administered to an entire flock (n = 10) of goats. The individual faecal larval count reduction was applied as an indicator of treatment efficacy. A significant reduction (>98%) in larval counts was observed in all surveyed animals 14 days after drug administration. Moxidectin demonstrated persistent activity in this study; the mean faecal larval count reduction was 99.1% ± 1.8 on day 77 of the treatment. Macroscopic abnormalities and his-tological changes in the lungs of two infected goats were evident during the post-mortem examination. The pathological consequences of M. capillaris infection were observed even three months after parasite elimination. The results of this study indicate that moxidectin is a highly effective anthelmintic agent for the control of muelleriosis in goats. This drug provides animals with fifteen weeks of protections against M. capillaris reinfection.
Introducing an animal into a new location could be hazardous in the form of disease transmission,... more Introducing an animal into a new location could be hazardous in the form of disease transmission, especially with respect to infections that are often overlooked. Such introduced infectious agents, including parasitic ones, then pose potential danger to the native animal population. Within the conservation program, the European bison was introduced into many European countries. However, this largest European herbivore was recognized as a new host for an invasive parasitic nematode, Ashworthius sidemi, in Poland in 1998. Since then, the prevalence of this non-native parasite in Poland has increased not only in bison but also in other wild ruminants. In 2011 five European bison individuals were transported from Poland to the Czech Republic. In the current study, we examined the gastrointestinal tracts of two European bison and two red deer culled in the Z ˇ idlov game reserve. A. sidemi was identified in all investigated animals using both morphological and molecular methods; infection intensity was higher in bison than in deer. Our findings represent the first record of this invasive parasite in European bison at the Czech territory. The results of this study indicate changes in epidemiological patterns of Ashworthius infections in the climatic condition of Central Europe as well as the need to verify the reliability of ashworthiosis intravital diagnostics. One can expect A. sidemi to spread gradually in the Czech Republic and colonize other native ruminant hosts.
Forty-eight tracer lambs were killed in 2004–2007. The abomasum, duodenum, small intestine (jejun... more Forty-eight tracer lambs were killed in 2004–2007. The abomasum, duodenum, small intestine (jejunum and ileum), colon and caecum were collected and processed for parasites enumeration and identification—mucosal scrapings of both abomasums and intestines were digested. Out of 48 gastrointestinal tracts examined, all were found to be positive for nematode infection. Seventeen species of gastrointestinal nematodes were recovered: Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Cooperia curticei, Haemonchus contortus, Chabertia ovina, Nematodirus battus, Nematodirus filicollis, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, Strongyloides papillosus, Trichuris ovis, Trichuris globulosa, Trichuris skrjabini and Skrjabinema ovis. All species were searched for in the entire gastrointestinal tract. Six species of nematodes were recovered from abnormal sites, naturally in small numbers of lambs as well as in small amounts: Nematodirus battus in the abomasums (6.67% of lambs), N. filicollis in the caecum and in the colon (%4 and 8%, respectively), T. axei in the colon (9.52%), T. colubriformis in the colon (13.89%), T. vitrinus in the caecum (16.67%), in the colon (20.00%) and in the abomasum (3.33%). T. ovis was found in one case in the small intestine.
The present work describing both laboratory and field experiments was performed to assess the eff... more The present work describing both laboratory and field experiments was performed to assess the effects of desiccation and UV radiation on the development and survival of free-living stages of equine cyathostomins. Cyathostomin larvae in horse faeces did not develop to the infective stage when faecal humidity levels dropped below 23 %, nonetheless solitary preinfective larvae were still recovered after 151 days (humidity 19.5 %). The development to infective stage after remoistening occurred for the last time after 54 days following desiccation. Preinfective stages are susceptible to the effects of the direct desiccation stage. The preinfective larvae were rapidly killed within one minute, the cyathostomin eggs within 5 hours. The numerous normal mobile infective larvae were encountered after 35 days of the desiccated period. The preinfective stage of cyathostomins also showed very little tolerance to direct sun radiation: most eggs were killed by the exposure within 3 hours and the preinfective larvae within 1 hour. The survival of infective larvae was, on the other hand, unaffected by sun radiation after 7 days (P < 0.05). However, desiccated infective larvae were then found to be susceptible to UV radiation, resulting in total mortalities after 5 days.
The differences in protein and enzymatic profiles of infective larvae (L3) of Trichostrongylus co... more The differences in protein and enzymatic profiles of infective larvae (L3) of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, both induced and non-induced to hypobiosis, have been evaluated by means of SDS-PAGE and densitometric analysis as well as by semiquantitative micromethod API-ZYM (Bio-Mérieux, France). Quantitative differences were identified in protein levels between the induced and non-induced larvae, where the amount of two polypeptides (200–220 kDa) decreased in range 32.3–35.4 % and the amount of six polypeptides (20–28 kDa) increased in range 20.0–27.0 % in the samples of induced larvae. In contrast to non-induced larvae, on gelatin-substrate gel in L3in vitro released (IVR) proteases from larvae conditioned to hypobiosis, zones of proteolysis were observed between 21 and 34 kDa.
Tracer tests conducted over a 3-year period were aimed at measuring the level and species nematod... more Tracer tests conducted over a 3-year period were aimed at measuring the level and species nematode composition of survival on pastures with a special focus on winter months. The survival of infective larvae in chilly conditions is not significantly affected by Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Chabertia ovina. On the contrary, the number of Teladorsagia circumcincta and Nematodirus filicollis significantly increased in milder winter conditions. The results confirmed an epidemiological strategy of overwintering in the arrested stage for Teladorsagia circumcincta and Nematodirus filicollis; the epidemiological strategy of genus Trichostrongylus used both strategies—in particular the tolerance of free-living stages to cold conditions. Part of the population overwintered in the arrested stage as well.
Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) was performed on the cistron ... more Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) was performed on the cistron of rDNA in the two groups of infective larvae Trichostrongylus colubriformis—the population with and without ability to undergo arrested development. General primers designed by Caenorhabditis elegans rDNA were used for the amplification of the rDNA cistron between genes 18S and 28S. Amplified fragments were digested by using a series of restriction endonucleases. Hinc II restriction profiles unique for each T. colubriformis populations were observed, and therefore enzyme Hinc II appears to be useful for the determination of populations with and without the ability to undergo arrested development. Molecular markers of arrested development ability have not been studied on this part of rDNA before.
This study focuses on the comparison of three selected modifications of the McMaster counting tec... more This study focuses on the comparison of three selected modifications of the McMaster counting technique, namely the McMaster method modified by Wetzel (W) and Zajíček (Z), as well as the concentration McMaster technique according to Roepstorff and Nansen (R&N). These modifications differ in the weights of faeces examined (W, 2 g/Z, 1 g/R&N, 4 g), flotation solutions (W, NaCl/Z, MgSO4 + Na2S2O3/R&N, NaCl + glucose), centrifugation (W, none/Z, 2,000 RPM for 2 min and 2,000 RPM for 1 min/R&N, 1,200 RPM for 5 min), number of McMaster chambers investigated (W, 3/Z, 2/R&N, 2), and multiplication factors used (W, 67/Z, 33/R&N, 20). To investigate the sensitivity and reliability of these methods, nematode eggs (Teladorsagia circumcincta) were used. Parasite elements are distributed through negative binomial distribution in naturally infected host faeces, and the number of parasite elements in a given amount of faeces sample is unknown to man. Therefore, we decided to prepare the exact number of eggs which were added to the parasite negative faeces; the faecal sample was then investigated. From this perspective, this is the first time a comparison of the McMaster methods has been so accurately investigated. This approach allows us to evaluate the real sensitivity and reliability of the tested method. As the findings of this study indicate, the highest sensitivity and reliability were obtained using the Roepstorff and Nansen modification. This McMaster modification is able to detect 20 eggs per sample (in 70% of samples). Concentrations of 200 and 500 eggs can be found in almost 100% of samples. Moreover, this method is simple, cheap and fast. For these reasons, we can recommend this method for routine veterinary practice.
Two tracer tests were conducted between August 2004 and March 2007 at an ecological farm in weste... more Two tracer tests were conducted between August 2004 and March 2007 at an ecological farm in western Bohemia. The first tracer test was performed for the summer–autumn grazing period (onset of arrested development), the second for spring (resumption of arrested development). In the first tracer test, the percentage of nematodes arresting development over the winter months reached 87.7% for Teladorsagia circumcincta, 66.7% for Haemonchus contortus, 89.9% for Nematodirus filicollis, 21.6% for Trichostrongylus axei, and 23.9% for both Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. None of the arrested larvae were observed with species Cooperia curticei, Nematodirus battus, and Oesophagostomum venulosum. In the second tracer test, a significant increase of adult worms was discovered in March of species T. circumcincta and N. filicollis and Trichostrongylus spp. in February. Redundancy analysis and generalized linear models analyses have confirmed that environmental conditions play a crucial role in hypobiosis of sheep strongyles in the Czech Republic. The analysis of influences of various environmental factors revealed that the number of arrested larvae was negatively influenced by light—day length, sunshine, or daylight decrease (p < 0.01).
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2011
Lead concentrations in the tissues of perch and its parasites were determined as mg/kg dw. Lead w... more Lead concentrations in the tissues of perch and its parasites were determined as mg/kg dw. Lead was found at higher concentrations in the acanthocephalans (11.56) than in different tissues (liver, gonads and muscle with skin and bone) of perch. With respect to fish tissues, the highest concentrations of lead were present in the liver (1.24), followed by the gonads (0.57) whereas the lowest concentrations were in the muscle with skin and bone (0.21). The bioconcentration factors for lead indicated that parasites accumulate metals to a higher degree than fish tissues—lead concentrations in acanthocephalans were 9.32, 19.27 and 55.05 higher than in liver, gonads and muscles of host, respectively.
In this study, infrared thermography (IRT) was assessed as a means of detecting the changes in bo... more In this study, infrared thermography (IRT) was assessed as a means of detecting the changes in body temperature in rabbit coccidiosis, as well as determining IRT used in imaging and measuring the regional changes in skin temperature that occur in the rabbits during this infection. Rabbits were inoculated with 5 × 104 or 1 × 105 oocysts of Eimeria intestinalis, respectively. The group of control animals remained non-inoculated throughout the study. All measured temperatures (rectal, ocular surface and auricle pavilion temperatures) dropped significantly (P < 0.05) in rabbits infected with 1 × 105 oocysts. This group of rabbits also showed a medium negative correlation in rectal temperature (r = −0.49), ocular surface temperature (r = −0.49) and auricle pavilion temperature (r = −0.49) and a small negative correlation in live body weight gain (r = −0.22) depending on the number of days elapsed from the time of infection exposure.
The eland is a large African antelope that can be bred in a temperate climate, under similar cond... more The eland is a large African antelope that can be bred in a temperate climate, under similar conditions and production systems as cattle. However, knowledge of parasites in farmed elands outside the area of their native habitat is still limited, and information concerning factors that influence these parasites is lacking. Therefore, faecal samples from an entire herd of elands, including calves and adult females and males, were examined monthly over a one year period. Almost 84% of the animals were found to be positive for gastrointestinal nematodes. Strongyle-type eggs were most frequently detected (prevalence 75%), followed by Capillaria sp., Nematodirus sp. and Trichuris sp. eggs. Following culturing eggs to infec-tive larvae, Teladorsagia sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Nematodirus sp., Cooperia sp. and Oesophagostomum sp. were identified. Following necropsy of two calves that died during the study one abomasal nematode (Teladorsagia circumcincta), five small intestinal nematode species (Nematodirus helvetianus, N. spathiger, Cooperia oncophora, C. curticei and Capillaria bovis) and two large intestinal nematodes (Oesophagostomum venulosum and Trichuris ovis) were recovered. From these findings, it is evident that the eland harbours nematodes that are typical for domestic cattle and small ruminants. Morphological and morphometric analyses of recovered nematodes revealed that these parasites do not require any special morphological adaptation to establish infection in elands. The faecal output of strongyle-type and Nematodirus sp. eggs was seasonal, with the highest egg production taking place during spring and summer. Calves had higher faecal egg counts (for all the monitored nematode species) than adults did. Lactation in females was significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with higher strongyle nematode egg shedding. Social dominance also affected faecal egg count patterns. The lower the hierarchical position among adults (regardless of sex), the higher the risk of nematode infection. This effect was evident for strongyles (P < 0.0001) and Capillaria sp. nematodes (P = 0.0065). The results of our study suggest that control measures applicable in domestic cattle and small ruminants might be similarly applicable for controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections in captive farmed elands.
The effect of moxidectin against natural Muellerius capillaris infection in goats was evaluated i... more The effect of moxidectin against natural Muellerius capillaris infection in goats was evaluated in this study. Long-acting moxidectin at a single dose of 1 mg kg −1 body weight was administered to an entire flock (n = 10) of goats. The individual faecal larval count reduction was applied as an indicator of treatment efficacy. A significant reduction (>98%) in larval counts was observed in all surveyed animals 14 days after drug administration. Moxidectin demonstrated persistent activity in this study; the mean faecal larval count reduction was 99.1% ± 1.8 on day 77 of the treatment. Macroscopic abnormalities and his-tological changes in the lungs of two infected goats were evident during the post-mortem examination. The pathological consequences of M. capillaris infection were observed even three months after parasite elimination. The results of this study indicate that moxidectin is a highly effective anthelmintic agent for the control of muelleriosis in goats. This drug provides animals with fifteen weeks of protections against M. capillaris reinfection.
Introducing an animal into a new location could be hazardous in the form of disease transmission,... more Introducing an animal into a new location could be hazardous in the form of disease transmission, especially with respect to infections that are often overlooked. Such introduced infectious agents, including parasitic ones, then pose potential danger to the native animal population. Within the conservation program, the European bison was introduced into many European countries. However, this largest European herbivore was recognized as a new host for an invasive parasitic nematode, Ashworthius sidemi, in Poland in 1998. Since then, the prevalence of this non-native parasite in Poland has increased not only in bison but also in other wild ruminants. In 2011 five European bison individuals were transported from Poland to the Czech Republic. In the current study, we examined the gastrointestinal tracts of two European bison and two red deer culled in the Z ˇ idlov game reserve. A. sidemi was identified in all investigated animals using both morphological and molecular methods; infection intensity was higher in bison than in deer. Our findings represent the first record of this invasive parasite in European bison at the Czech territory. The results of this study indicate changes in epidemiological patterns of Ashworthius infections in the climatic condition of Central Europe as well as the need to verify the reliability of ashworthiosis intravital diagnostics. One can expect A. sidemi to spread gradually in the Czech Republic and colonize other native ruminant hosts.
Forty-eight tracer lambs were killed in 2004–2007. The abomasum, duodenum, small intestine (jejun... more Forty-eight tracer lambs were killed in 2004–2007. The abomasum, duodenum, small intestine (jejunum and ileum), colon and caecum were collected and processed for parasites enumeration and identification—mucosal scrapings of both abomasums and intestines were digested. Out of 48 gastrointestinal tracts examined, all were found to be positive for nematode infection. Seventeen species of gastrointestinal nematodes were recovered: Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Cooperia curticei, Haemonchus contortus, Chabertia ovina, Nematodirus battus, Nematodirus filicollis, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, Strongyloides papillosus, Trichuris ovis, Trichuris globulosa, Trichuris skrjabini and Skrjabinema ovis. All species were searched for in the entire gastrointestinal tract. Six species of nematodes were recovered from abnormal sites, naturally in small numbers of lambs as well as in small amounts: Nematodirus battus in the abomasums (6.67% of lambs), N. filicollis in the caecum and in the colon (%4 and 8%, respectively), T. axei in the colon (9.52%), T. colubriformis in the colon (13.89%), T. vitrinus in the caecum (16.67%), in the colon (20.00%) and in the abomasum (3.33%). T. ovis was found in one case in the small intestine.
The present work describing both laboratory and field experiments was performed to assess the eff... more The present work describing both laboratory and field experiments was performed to assess the effects of desiccation and UV radiation on the development and survival of free-living stages of equine cyathostomins. Cyathostomin larvae in horse faeces did not develop to the infective stage when faecal humidity levels dropped below 23 %, nonetheless solitary preinfective larvae were still recovered after 151 days (humidity 19.5 %). The development to infective stage after remoistening occurred for the last time after 54 days following desiccation. Preinfective stages are susceptible to the effects of the direct desiccation stage. The preinfective larvae were rapidly killed within one minute, the cyathostomin eggs within 5 hours. The numerous normal mobile infective larvae were encountered after 35 days of the desiccated period. The preinfective stage of cyathostomins also showed very little tolerance to direct sun radiation: most eggs were killed by the exposure within 3 hours and the preinfective larvae within 1 hour. The survival of infective larvae was, on the other hand, unaffected by sun radiation after 7 days (P < 0.05). However, desiccated infective larvae were then found to be susceptible to UV radiation, resulting in total mortalities after 5 days.
The differences in protein and enzymatic profiles of infective larvae (L3) of Trichostrongylus co... more The differences in protein and enzymatic profiles of infective larvae (L3) of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, both induced and non-induced to hypobiosis, have been evaluated by means of SDS-PAGE and densitometric analysis as well as by semiquantitative micromethod API-ZYM (Bio-Mérieux, France). Quantitative differences were identified in protein levels between the induced and non-induced larvae, where the amount of two polypeptides (200–220 kDa) decreased in range 32.3–35.4 % and the amount of six polypeptides (20–28 kDa) increased in range 20.0–27.0 % in the samples of induced larvae. In contrast to non-induced larvae, on gelatin-substrate gel in L3in vitro released (IVR) proteases from larvae conditioned to hypobiosis, zones of proteolysis were observed between 21 and 34 kDa.
Tracer tests conducted over a 3-year period were aimed at measuring the level and species nematod... more Tracer tests conducted over a 3-year period were aimed at measuring the level and species nematode composition of survival on pastures with a special focus on winter months. The survival of infective larvae in chilly conditions is not significantly affected by Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Chabertia ovina. On the contrary, the number of Teladorsagia circumcincta and Nematodirus filicollis significantly increased in milder winter conditions. The results confirmed an epidemiological strategy of overwintering in the arrested stage for Teladorsagia circumcincta and Nematodirus filicollis; the epidemiological strategy of genus Trichostrongylus used both strategies—in particular the tolerance of free-living stages to cold conditions. Part of the population overwintered in the arrested stage as well.
Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) was performed on the cistron ... more Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) was performed on the cistron of rDNA in the two groups of infective larvae Trichostrongylus colubriformis—the population with and without ability to undergo arrested development. General primers designed by Caenorhabditis elegans rDNA were used for the amplification of the rDNA cistron between genes 18S and 28S. Amplified fragments were digested by using a series of restriction endonucleases. Hinc II restriction profiles unique for each T. colubriformis populations were observed, and therefore enzyme Hinc II appears to be useful for the determination of populations with and without the ability to undergo arrested development. Molecular markers of arrested development ability have not been studied on this part of rDNA before.
This study focuses on the comparison of three selected modifications of the McMaster counting tec... more This study focuses on the comparison of three selected modifications of the McMaster counting technique, namely the McMaster method modified by Wetzel (W) and Zajíček (Z), as well as the concentration McMaster technique according to Roepstorff and Nansen (R&N). These modifications differ in the weights of faeces examined (W, 2 g/Z, 1 g/R&N, 4 g), flotation solutions (W, NaCl/Z, MgSO4 + Na2S2O3/R&N, NaCl + glucose), centrifugation (W, none/Z, 2,000 RPM for 2 min and 2,000 RPM for 1 min/R&N, 1,200 RPM for 5 min), number of McMaster chambers investigated (W, 3/Z, 2/R&N, 2), and multiplication factors used (W, 67/Z, 33/R&N, 20). To investigate the sensitivity and reliability of these methods, nematode eggs (Teladorsagia circumcincta) were used. Parasite elements are distributed through negative binomial distribution in naturally infected host faeces, and the number of parasite elements in a given amount of faeces sample is unknown to man. Therefore, we decided to prepare the exact number of eggs which were added to the parasite negative faeces; the faecal sample was then investigated. From this perspective, this is the first time a comparison of the McMaster methods has been so accurately investigated. This approach allows us to evaluate the real sensitivity and reliability of the tested method. As the findings of this study indicate, the highest sensitivity and reliability were obtained using the Roepstorff and Nansen modification. This McMaster modification is able to detect 20 eggs per sample (in 70% of samples). Concentrations of 200 and 500 eggs can be found in almost 100% of samples. Moreover, this method is simple, cheap and fast. For these reasons, we can recommend this method for routine veterinary practice.
Two tracer tests were conducted between August 2004 and March 2007 at an ecological farm in weste... more Two tracer tests were conducted between August 2004 and March 2007 at an ecological farm in western Bohemia. The first tracer test was performed for the summer–autumn grazing period (onset of arrested development), the second for spring (resumption of arrested development). In the first tracer test, the percentage of nematodes arresting development over the winter months reached 87.7% for Teladorsagia circumcincta, 66.7% for Haemonchus contortus, 89.9% for Nematodirus filicollis, 21.6% for Trichostrongylus axei, and 23.9% for both Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. None of the arrested larvae were observed with species Cooperia curticei, Nematodirus battus, and Oesophagostomum venulosum. In the second tracer test, a significant increase of adult worms was discovered in March of species T. circumcincta and N. filicollis and Trichostrongylus spp. in February. Redundancy analysis and generalized linear models analyses have confirmed that environmental conditions play a crucial role in hypobiosis of sheep strongyles in the Czech Republic. The analysis of influences of various environmental factors revealed that the number of arrested larvae was negatively influenced by light—day length, sunshine, or daylight decrease (p < 0.01).
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2011
Lead concentrations in the tissues of perch and its parasites were determined as mg/kg dw. Lead w... more Lead concentrations in the tissues of perch and its parasites were determined as mg/kg dw. Lead was found at higher concentrations in the acanthocephalans (11.56) than in different tissues (liver, gonads and muscle with skin and bone) of perch. With respect to fish tissues, the highest concentrations of lead were present in the liver (1.24), followed by the gonads (0.57) whereas the lowest concentrations were in the muscle with skin and bone (0.21). The bioconcentration factors for lead indicated that parasites accumulate metals to a higher degree than fish tissues—lead concentrations in acanthocephalans were 9.32, 19.27 and 55.05 higher than in liver, gonads and muscles of host, respectively.
In this study, infrared thermography (IRT) was assessed as a means of detecting the changes in bo... more In this study, infrared thermography (IRT) was assessed as a means of detecting the changes in body temperature in rabbit coccidiosis, as well as determining IRT used in imaging and measuring the regional changes in skin temperature that occur in the rabbits during this infection. Rabbits were inoculated with 5 × 104 or 1 × 105 oocysts of Eimeria intestinalis, respectively. The group of control animals remained non-inoculated throughout the study. All measured temperatures (rectal, ocular surface and auricle pavilion temperatures) dropped significantly (P < 0.05) in rabbits infected with 1 × 105 oocysts. This group of rabbits also showed a medium negative correlation in rectal temperature (r = −0.49), ocular surface temperature (r = −0.49) and auricle pavilion temperature (r = −0.49) and a small negative correlation in live body weight gain (r = −0.22) depending on the number of days elapsed from the time of infection exposure.
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Papers by Jaroslav Vadlejch
parasitic nematode, Ashworthius sidemi, in Poland in 1998. Since then, the prevalence of this non-native parasite in Poland has increased not only in bison but also in other wild ruminants. In 2011 five European
bison individuals were transported from Poland to the Czech Republic. In the current study, we examined the gastrointestinal tracts of two European bison and two red deer culled in the Z ˇ idlov game reserve. A. sidemi was identified in all investigated animals using both morphological and molecular methods; infection intensity was higher in bison than in deer. Our findings represent the first record of this invasive parasite in European bison at the Czech territory. The results of this study indicate changes in epidemiological patterns of Ashworthius infections in the climatic condition of Central Europe as well as the need to verify the reliability of ashworthiosis intravital diagnostics. One can expect A. sidemi to spread gradually in the Czech Republic and colonize other native ruminant hosts.
parasitic nematode, Ashworthius sidemi, in Poland in 1998. Since then, the prevalence of this non-native parasite in Poland has increased not only in bison but also in other wild ruminants. In 2011 five European
bison individuals were transported from Poland to the Czech Republic. In the current study, we examined the gastrointestinal tracts of two European bison and two red deer culled in the Z ˇ idlov game reserve. A. sidemi was identified in all investigated animals using both morphological and molecular methods; infection intensity was higher in bison than in deer. Our findings represent the first record of this invasive parasite in European bison at the Czech territory. The results of this study indicate changes in epidemiological patterns of Ashworthius infections in the climatic condition of Central Europe as well as the need to verify the reliability of ashworthiosis intravital diagnostics. One can expect A. sidemi to spread gradually in the Czech Republic and colonize other native ruminant hosts.