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Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in pet cats, dogs and rabbits from urban areas of Poland
AbstractBackgroundNeospora caninum(N. caninum) has a broad intermediate host range and might cause multisystemic lesions in various species of animals. Dogs are both intermediate and definitive hosts of the parasite and play a crucial role in the horizontal transmission of this protozoan to other animals. Cats and rabbits could be sensitive to infection withN. caninum, however, clinical symptoms and the exact route of infection in these species are unknown. The epidemiology ofN. caninumin cats and rabbits has been barely researched, and there is no published record of the seroprevalence ofN. caninuminfection in these species in Poland. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the frequency of seroreagents forN. caninumwithin pet dogs, cats and rabbits from urban areas of Poland and to identify possible risk factors for these animals.ResultsIn total, serum samples from 184 cats (Felis catus), 203 dogs (Canis familiaris) and 70 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used in the study. The seroprevalence of anti-N. caninumantibodies in dogs and cats reached 1.0% (2/203; 95% CI: 0.3–3.5) and 3.3% (6/184; 95% CI: 1.5–6.9), respectively. No significant differences in seroprevalence regarding age group, gender, symptoms or sampling location were found. All 70 samples from pet rabbits were negative for anti-N. caninumantibodies.ConclusionsThe seroprevalence rates ofN. caninumin dogs and cats in the present study were low, however, our results confirmedN. caninumcirculates among dog and cat populations in Poland, and neosporosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of neuro-muscular disorders in these species. This is the first serological survey ofN. caninumin European pet cats and rabbits. The role of pet rabbits inN. caninumepidemiology and circulation in Poland is marginal.
No evidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among pet cats and dogs, and low seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus among pet rabbits in Poland
AbstractThe seroprevalence of Paslahepevirus balayani genotype 3 (hepatitis E virus genotype 3 – HEV-3; Hepeviridae family, genus Paslahepevirus) in pet cats, dogs and rabbits was evaluated. Samples from cats and dogs were collected from three veterinary practices from various parts of Poland: Poznan (wielkopolskie voivodeship), Przemysl (podkarpackie voivodeship) and Lublin (lubelskie voivodeship). Samples from rabbits were collected in Poznan. In total, serum samples from 90 cats, 82 dogs and 71 rabbits were selected and tested for specific anti-HEV-3 immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies using a commercial ELISA test. Pathogen seroprevalence among rabbits was calculated at a 95% confidence interval (CI) for each gender, age (up to 12 months, 1–3 years, 4–7 years and over 8 years), symptoms group (healthy, gastrointestinal disorders, other disorders) and compared with a chi-squared test. No anti-HEV-3 IgG antibodies were detected in any of the samples from cats and dogs. Anti-HEV-3 IgG antibodies were detected in 2.82% of the serum samples from rabbits (2/71; 95% CI: 0.78–9.70). No significant correlations between seropositivity and gender, age, and symptoms (p > 0.05) were observed in rabbits. Our findings indicate that pet rabbits in Poland are exposed to HEV-3, develop humoral response due to infection and might constitute a source for HEV-3 transmission to humans.
Grass awn in the urinary bladder of a 5-months old mixed-breed dog – a case report
Grass awn foreign body-related disease is common in dogs throughout Poland, typically affecting the ears and subcutaneous tissue, but the presence of grass awns in the urinary bladder is a rare pathology in veterinary medicine. The diagnosis of foreign bodies in the urinary tract is challenging because their signs overlap with those of urinary tract infections. Hence, patients with grass awns in the urethra or urinary bladder can easily be misdiagnosed and mistreated. It is worth considering the potential presence of a plant foreign body in the urinary tract in the case of sudden hematuria and abdominal discomfort, especially in the spring and summer. Quick diagnosis and surgery treatment are essential to protect the patient from severe complications. The purpose of this report is to present the diagnosis and treatment of a dog with hematuria and abdominal discomfort which was diagnosed with a foreign body (a grass awn) in the urinary bladder.