Although intranuclear coccidiosis was first identified in chelonians less than 30 years ago, it is now considered an important emerging disease. Symptoms include anorexia, weakness and weight loss, potentially leading to death of the infected animal. The use of molecular tools has led to improved diagnosis and has also led to an increase in known host species. Here we report a putative intranuclear coccidium in Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger), from Morocco, based on 18S rDNA sequence analysis. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of this parasite from a freshwater terrapin species.

• Klíčová slova
• 18s rRNA, Coccidia, freshwater turtles,
• MeSH
• Coccidia genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• kokcidióza parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA genetika   MeSH
• sladká voda parazitologie   MeSH
• želvy parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Maroko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ribozomální DNA MeSH

Cats are important hosts for different zoonotic parasites that can be hazardous to human health. To date, few studies have attempted to identify the factors affecting parasitic infections in shelter animals. This study aims to analyse the presence of endoparasites in shelter cats in Tartu, Estonia, and identify factors affecting endoparasite prevalence and intensity. The risk factors considered were age, location (urban vs rural cats) and time spent in shelter. In total, 290 faecal samples were collected from cats at an animal shelter in 2015-2016 and investigated for endoparasites using the concentration flotation technique. In total, 138 shelter cats (47.6%) were infected with endoparasites and their overall prevalence was: Toxocara cati (36.6%), Cystoisospora spp. (12.4%), Taeniidae gen. sp. (4.1%), Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia hammondi (3.4%), Eucoleus aerophilus (2.1%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.1%), Ancylostoma sp. (0.7%) and Giardia sp. (0.7%). Coinfections occurred in 38 cats (13.1%) most frequently of T. cati and Cystoisospora spp. (4.5%), Cystoisospora spp. and T. gondii/H. hammondi (2.1%). Where species identification of cestode and nematode samples was not possible according to morphology, genetic analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene was carried out. DNA was successfully analysed for 6 out of 13 samples that required genetic identification, revealing Ancylostoma tubaeforme in one nematode sample and Hydatigera taeniaeformis in five cestode samples. Cats from rural areas had significantly higher endoparasite prevalence than cats from urban areas. Helminth prevalence decreased to some extent due to anthelmintic treatment in cats available for adoption (held ≥15 days in the shelter), whereas the prevalence of infection with protists increased significantly in these animals. It is important to note that the analysis revealed lower infection intensity for quarantine cats (held 1-14 days in the shelter) compared with cats available for adoption. The relatively high prevalence of endoparasites (including zoonotic) in shelter cats ready for adoption suggests that current anthelminthic procedures require improvements.

• Klíčová slova
• Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Toxocara cati, rural cats, shelter cats, shelter management, urban cats,
• MeSH
• Ancylostoma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Cestoda izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• cizopasní červi MeSH
• Coccidia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Cryptosporidium izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• geny helmintů MeSH
• Giardia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• giardiáza MeSH
• hlístice izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• kočky parazitologie   MeSH
• paraziti * klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• respirační komplex IV genetika   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• Toxocara izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Toxoplasma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zoonózy parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Estonsko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• respirační komplex IV MeSH

The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a host to internal and external parasites. A heavy parasite burden indicates poor immunological status and a pathogen-contaminated environment. The present study describes the macroscopic and microscopic examination of isolated intestines and gizzards of 130 mallard ducks from birds kept in the breeding farm. Scrapings of intestinal mucosa were examined by flotation and with the sedimentation method. The results of the flotation method indicate the presence of coccidia oocysts in the ileum scrapings from one of five male mallards aged six weeks, one out of five aged 10 weeks and three out of five aged 12 weeks. In female mallards, oocysts were found in two of five birds aged 12 weeks and in two of five aged 16 weeks. No macroscopic lesions were found in the intestinal mucosa. Adult forms of the nematode Amidostomum anseris were found in the gizzards of six mallards aged 20 weeks and in two aged 22 weeks. The relatively low prevalence of parasitic infections reflects the purity of the environment, good immunity status of the birds and good management of the farm.

• MeSH
• Coccidia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• kachny * MeSH
• kokcidióza parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Blood parasites of the genus Karyolysus Labbé, 1894 (Apicomplexa: Adeleida: Karyolysidae) represent the protozoan haemogregarines found in various genera of lizards, including Lacerta, Podarcis, Darevskia (Lacertidae) and Mabouia (Scincidae). The vectors of parasites are gamasid mites from the genus Ophionyssus. METHODS: A total of 557 individuals of lacertid lizards were captured in four different localities in Europe (Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) and blood was collected. Samples were examined using both microscopic and molecular methods, and phylogenetic relationships of all isolates of Karyolysus sp. were assessed for the first time. Karyolysus sp. 18S rRNA isolates were evaluated using Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses. RESULTS: A total of 520 blood smears were examined microscopically and unicellular protozoan parasites were found in 116 samples (22.3% prevalence). The presence of two Karyolysus species, K. latus and K. lacazei was identified. In total, of 210 samples tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the presence of parasites was observed in 64 individuals (prevalence 30.5%). Results of phylogenetic analyses revealed the existence of four haplotypes, all part of the same lineage, with other parasites identified as belonging to the genus Hepatozoon. CONCLUSIONS: Classification of these parasites using current taxonomy is complex - they were identified in both mites and ticks that typically are considered to host Karyolysus and Hepatozoon respectively. Furthermore although distortions to the intermediate host erythrocyte nuclei were observed, the defining characteristic of Karyolysus, the haplotypes were nearly identical to those reported from lizards in the Iberian Peninsula, where such distortions were not reported and which were thus identified as Hepatozoon. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, neither vertebrate host, nor geographical patterns of the studied blood parasites could be established.

• MeSH
• Coccidia cytologie   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• DNA helmintů chemie   genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• ještěři parazitologie   MeSH
• krev parazitologie   MeSH
• mikroskopie MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• protozoální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• shluková analýza MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA helmintů MeSH
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which has a significant economic impact on poultry production. Multiple species infecting the turkey have been described; however, due to the general lack of unambiguous description, their identification and taxonomy is debatable. In this work, a systematic approach was taken to isolate, characterise and compare coccidian species in the turkey. Individual species were tracked according to their unique 18S ribosomal DNA sequence. The single-oocyst isolation technique and passaging of mixed species field isolates in selectively immunised birds enabled the derivation of pure species. Six distinct strains representing five eimerian species that infect the turkey were obtained. It appears highly probable that these species represent all species described in the past with the exception of Eimeria subrotunda. The species were analysed using both traditional methods and DNA sequencing. For each strain the oocyst morphology, prepatent period, gross pathology, pathogenicity, host specificity and endogenous cycle were studied. Antigenic similarity was investigated in multiple cross-immunity experiments. For identification and quantification of each individual species or strain, quantitative real-time PCR markers were also developed. Parallel characterisation of pure strains allowed comprehensive comparison with the original descriptions and assignment of correct species names. The species Eimeria meleagridis, Eimeria dispersa, Eimeria gallopavonis, Eimeria meleagrimitis and Eimeria innocua were identified. Comparison of our data with those of previous studies indicates that Eimeria adenoeides is most probably a synonym for either E. meleagridis or E. gallopavonis, or a description based on a mixture of these species, and thus nomen dubium. The species E. dispersa and E. innocua were also found to infect Bobwhite Quail. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on 18S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences showed that these two species form a distinct clade unrelated to other turkey coccidia and point to a polyphyletic origin of the species infecting the turkey.

• Klíčová slova
• Coccidiosis, Eimeria, Turkey,
• MeSH
• Coccidia * genetika   izolace a purifikace   parazitologie   MeSH
• Eimeria klasifikace   cytologie   izolace a purifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• hostitelská specificita MeSH
• kokcidióza diagnóza   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• krocani parazitologie   MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• nemoci drůbeže parazitologie   MeSH
• oocysty MeSH
• protozoální DNA analýza   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH

The generic name Hemolivia has been used for haemogregarines characterized by morphological and biological features. The few molecular studies, focused on other haemogregarine genera but involving Hemolivia samples, indicated its close relationship to the genus Hepatozoon. Here we analyze molecular data for Hemolivia from a broad geographic area and host spectrum and provide detailed morphological documentation of the included samples. Based on molecular analyses in context of other haemogregarines, we demonstrate that several sequences deposited in GenBank from isolates described as Hepatozoon belong to the Hemolivia cluster. This illustrates the overall difficulty with recognizing Hemolivia and Hepatozoon without sufficient morphological and molecular information. The close proximity of both genera is also reflected in uncertainty about their precise phylogeny when using 18S rDNA. They cluster with almost identical likelihood either as two sister taxa or as monophyletic Hemolivia within paraphyletic Hepatozoon. However, regardless of these difficulties, the results presented here provide a reliable background for the unequivocal placement of new samples into the Hemolivia/ Hepatozoon complex.

• Klíčová slova
• Apicomplexa, Hemolivia, Hepatozoon, haemogregarines, host specificity, phylogeny.,
• MeSH
• Coccidia klasifikace   cytologie   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• mikroskopie MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• protozoální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• shluková analýza MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH

Dogs are competent reservoir hosts of several hemopathogens including zoonotic agents and can serve as readily available source of nutrition for many blood-feeding arthropods. Three hemopathogens had been detected for the first time in Jordan. The PCR prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Hepatozoon canis, and piroplasmid DNA were 39.5%, 28.9%, and 7.9% (n=38) respectively. Sequencing of amplicons of PCR with universal primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene of piroplasmids shows the highest similarity to equine piroplasmids species Theileria equi from two dogs and Babesia caballi from a single dog. Ticks of two genera Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis, were detected in this study (n=268). The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the most abundant species (95.1%, n=255), followed by Haemaphysalis erinacei (3%, n=8) and Haemaphysalis parva (1.9%, n=5). The two Haemaphysalis species were detected for the first time from dogs in Jordan. Regarding its high prevalence, we expect R. sanguineus being a possible vector of detected pathogens.

• MeSH
• Anaplasma phagocytophilum genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Babesia genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Coccidia genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• infestace ektoparazity parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• Ixodidae klasifikace   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• krev mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• nemoci přenášené klíšťaty mikrobiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci psů mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• psi MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• Theileria genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• zdroje nemoci * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Jordánsko MeSH

• MeSH
• Coccidia růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Eimeria růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• fluorescence MeSH
• kokcidióza parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• mořská voda MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• Perciformes parazitologie   MeSH
• ryby parazitologie   MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH

Two new species of Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described from European accipitrid raptors (Falconiformes: Accipitridae). Oöcysts of Carvospora aquilae n. sp. found in faeces of the gold eagle Aquila chrysaetos are subspherical to broad ellipsoidal and measure 43 (40-49) x 37.5 (34-39) microm. Polar granule, oöcyst residuum and micropyle are absent. Each oöcyst contains one spherical to subspherical slightly polygonal sporocyst measuring 23.8 (23-25) x 23.3 (22-25) microm. Stieda and substieda bodies are absent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of numerous small granules less than 0.5 microm in diameter dispersed randomly among the sporozoites. Sporulated oöcysts of Carvospora circi n. sp. from faeces of the marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus are widely oval, measuring 24.5 (23-25) x 21.8 (21-24) microm. A polar granule, oöcyst residuum and micropyle are absent. Each oöcyst contains one spherical to subspherical sporocyst measuring 16.2 (15-17) x 15.6 (15-17) microm. A compact granular, spherical to subspherical sporocyst residuum, 10.4 (10-11) x 8.5 (7-9), was present in 76% of measured sporocysts. In 24% of sporocysts the granules of sporocyst residuum were scattered among the sporozoites.

• MeSH
• Accipitridae parazitologie   MeSH
• Coccidia klasifikace   růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• dravci parazitologie   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• kokcidióza parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

• MeSH
• Coccidia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• dlouhověkost MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• kapři parazitologie   MeSH
• kokcidióza přenos   veterinární   MeSH
• mikrobiologie vody MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• Oligochaeta parazitologie   MeSH
• plankton parazitologie   MeSH
• půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH