Neosporosis is caused by infection with the protozoa Neospora caninum. It manifests as various neurological symptoms and is considered as one of the main causes of abortion in cattle, and induces uncommon congenital infection in sheep. The standard diagnosis is based on indirect immunofluorescence (IFI); however, cross-reactivity with other protozoa proteins is common. Aiming a more specific diagnosis

The present study investigated the genetic profile of the cosmopolitan cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) from Malaysia and the reference data available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank. A set of sequences of 100 Malaysian samples aligned as 550 characters of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and 706 characters of the II (cox2) genes

Fasciola hepatica is a common parasite of livestock in Ireland, causing significant economic losses and affecting animal welfare. A previous abattoir study of 200 horses led to an estimated 9.5 % prevalence of infection in horses slaughtered in Ireland. However, the epidemiology and pathogenic significance of this infection in this species is not well-described. The objectives of this study were to

Cryptosporidiosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium spp., is an important zoonotic disease and is considered a global public health concern. Dogs are suggested as one of potential reservoirs for transmitting the Cryptosporidium infection to humans. However, there is a paucity of information about global patterns of occurrence of Cryptosporidium in dogs. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Onchocerca lupi is an emerging zoonotic parasite of dogs, endemic to the southwestern USA and areas of the Old World. Currently, there are no specific serological diagnostic tests able to detect O. lupi infection. Recent literature has demonstrated that commercially available heartworm antigen tests, despite being highly sensitive, may cross-react with infections by other filarid nematodes. There is

The aim of the present study was to test the in vitro acaricidal activity of saturated fatty acids (hexanoic, octanoic, decanoic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, octadecanoic, eicosanoic, docosanoic and tetracosanoic) against Rhipicephalus microplus and select a candidate compound for the subsequent determination of its clinical safety for mice and bovines as well as its in vivo efficacy (ethical clearance

Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens are endemic throughout Europe and southern eastern regions of Asia and reported with increasing frequency in Africa. Nevertheless, the increased awareness of veterinary practitioners, even in countries where the prevalence is low, has led to a decrease D. immitis prevalence in dogs, especially in previously endemic/hyper-endemic areas. Prevalence has significantly

In Europe, Dirofilaria immitis persists mainly in the southern countries with a Mediterranean climate. Because spreading of heartworms from these countries towards the northern ones could be observed in the past decades, necropsy records of 4076 Hungarian dogs were reviewed for heartworm infections. The first autochthonous canine D. immitis case was detected on the Great Hungarian Plain in 2007. Until

The clinical manifestations most frequently observed in cats with leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum are cutaneous alterations, which suggest a high parasitic load in the skin and the possibility of infecting a vector. This study evaluated the infectiousness of to phlebotomine sand flies cats infected with L. infantum. A total of 12 cats with infection by L. infantum from the city of Teresina

Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) is a hemoflagellate parasite that affects a broad range of mammalian hosts and that causes a disease called surra. Diagnosis of surra based on clinical symptoms alone is inaccurate. Therefore, a variety of serological and molecular diagnostic tests are used to assist in the detection of T. evansi infections. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance

The Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick is the main ectoparasite of cattle in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Resistance to chemical acaricides has become widespread affirming the need for new drugs to tick control. Terpenes have become a promising alternative for cattle tick control, however the mechanism of action of these compounds is still controversial. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

Mixed grazing of breeding goats and cattle (goats to cattle ratio: about 50%, based on metabolic weight) was monitored for 2 years on a rotational pasture with the two species grazing together, then for 5 years with cattle grazing immediately after goats. For both modalities, the level of goat parasite infection was not significantly different from that of the control groups. Nevertheless, the association

Trichinellosis caused by Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) is an important public health problem. DNase II is an acidic endonuclease that catalyzes the degradation of DNA into oligonucleotides. DNase II-7 has been detected at the adult stage of T. spiralis and has been examined in excretory/secretory products. Previous studies have indicated that the DNase II-7 recombinant protein has a high rate

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a species native to North America, but which is now spreading throughout Europe. Raccoons have been found to host various Trichinella species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using immunological testing of meat juice for determining the occurrence of Trichinella in raccoons. The studies were carried out on 139 animals from three European

Lice are ectoparasites capable of affecting birds, and can result in direct and indirect damage to their host. Afoxolaner is an isoxazoline that has been shown to be effective against these ectoparasites without known adverse effects. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of afoxolaner on lice in pheasants and plain chachalacas. A total of 29 pheasants of different genera and species

The scientific basis that led to the development of a multispecies concept within the Trichinella genus originated in the 1950s, when scientists began reporting an increasing number of host-specific peculiarities among different geographic isolates. This led to speculation that important geographic variability existed within Trichinella spiralis, the only species in the genus at that time. Comparative

Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum are parasitic nematodes that mainly parasitize the small intestines of people and pigs, respectively. Ascariasis seriously endangers human health and causes huge economic losses in the pig industry. A. lumbricoides and A. suum have similar morphologies and genetic structures, and occasionally these organisms cross-infect the alternate host. Therefore, their taxonomies

The entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae is highly pathogenic toward arthropods. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a commercial formulation of M. anisopliae against P. ovis var. cuniculi in vivo and in vitro and explored the acaricidal mechanism of M. anisopliae by determining the antioxidant/detoxification-related enzymes activities including glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase

Gastrointestinal nematodes are a major constraint in sheep production. Breeding for resistance has proven to be an effective and feasible approach to address this problem. The use and investigation of genetic markers for resistance traits could accelerate genetic progress and lead to a better understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if five single

Filarial nematodes are tissue-dwelling parasitic worms that can cause a range of disfiguring pathologies in humans and potentially lethal infections of companion animals. The bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, is present within most human and veterinary filarial pathogens, including the causative agent of heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis. Doxycycline-mediated drug targeting of Wolbachia leads

This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of Haemonchus contortus and Haemonchus placei infections and hybridization between these species in grazing sheep without contact with cattle. On January 14, 2014, sixteen young sheep were infected with 4000 infective H. placei third-stage larvae L3; 11 days later, another group n = 16 was infected with 4000 H. contortus L3. The establishment rates of H. contortus

Trichinella nematodes still circulate in various hosts in both domestic and sylvatic environments. Recently, in Europe, the transmission of Trichinella spp. to humans has been attributed more to wild animals than to domestic animals. However, domestic animals could still be a source of human infections in some regions. Therefore, our aim was to determine the species composition of Trichinella and the

Haemonchus contortus transthyretin domain-containing protein (HcTTR) with 136 amino acids belongs to a transthyretin-like (TTL) family member. In our previous study, it was reported that HcTTR was a novel antagonist of the goat cytokine Interleukin 4 (IL-4), and was involved in the regulation of host immune responses, implying that it might be applied for therapeutic strategies or vaccine development

Ctenocephalides felis infestations outbreak is documented as a welfare and production limiting disease in neonatal calves in eastern New South Wales, Australia. Due to the calves' discomfort, the first objective was to relieve the calves from the large burden of fleas. The affected neonatal 0-4 week old calves showed dull and quiet demeanour, with the geometric mean of body condition score (BCS) 2

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens are one of the major threats to livestock production worldwide. The aim of present study is to specify the molecular epidemiology and its associated risk factors of two well-distributed tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma marginale and Theileria annulata in cattle population from North-western Pakistan. Blood samples were Collected from 60 (32.6 %) local breed cattle, 101

Dermacentor marginatus is one of the main tick species in northwestern China, and is a vector of various tick-borne pathogens. Tick control method largely depends on chemical agents, but the disadvantages of using such approach would cause environmental damage and the risk of developing tick resistance to acaricides. Vaccination of tick protective antigen is an eco-friendly approach which is an alternative

This study aimed to assess in vitro acaricidal activity of essential oil (EO) and alcoholic extracts (AE) of Ajowan against D. gallinae. Using contact and spraying bioassays, different doses of EO and AE were tested. Cypermethrin and thymol (positive controls), and ethanol and distilled water (negative controls) were also tested. The results indicated that effects were method and dose dependent. Statistical

Haemonchus contortus is one of the most important gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants around the world, seriously hampering the healthy development of the sheep industry. The control of this parasite mainly depends on anthelmintics, however, drug resistance of H. contortus has become a serious problems worldwide. Previous studies demonstrated that the E198A (GAA to GCA), a single nucleotide

Species of Strongyloides infect a wide range of hosts worldwide. Due to their complex life cycle, it is hard to control the transmission of these parasites. Several species show evidence of vertical transmission; however, the impact of this transmission route on the susceptibility of the offspring has been poorly investigated. Herein, we used Strongyloides venezuelensis infected mice to evaluate transplacental

Thirty-two Friesian cattle under a leaders/followers four-day rotation and passing eggs of trematodes and gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) were studied in two trials for the integrated control of these helminths over two years. In the first trial, the effect of rotational pasturing was assessed on a group of leaders (milking cows, G-L1) and followers (dried-off cows and heifers, G-F1) supplemented

Amblyomma sculptum is a tick of medical-veterinary importance. Areas with high infestations need to be monitored, and parasitized hosts treated accordingly. Carbon dioxide (CO2) traps and acaricides are commonly deployed as control measures, although with some disadvantages such as high costs, challenging logistics and vertebrate intoxication. Semiochemicals have the potential to improve tick attraction

Ovine babesiosis is an endemic tick-borne disease of small ruminants in the Middle East, European, and some African and Asian countries, including Turkey. This study assessed whether the endemic status of this disease was stable or instable, which is important for disease control efforts. For this aim, 4115 sheep blood samples were collected from 81 cities in the seven geographical regions of Turkey

Fasciolosis is a foodborne trematodosis characterised by a worldwide distribution. Various approaches have been developed for the study of the causative agents of this parasitic infection: Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica and the aspermic intermediated forms (hybrid and introgressed). In the present study, novel and common molecular markers (pepck and pold, ITS, CO1, ND1 and CO1-trnT-rrnL) were

The neuromuscular system of parasitic nematodes has proven to be an efficient pharmacological target for antihelmintics. Some of the most frequently used antiparasitic drugs are agonists or antagonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The antinematodal mechanism of action of carvacrol involves the inhibition of parasite muscle contraction. We have examined the interaction of carvacrol

In Australia, Cooperia spp. are often overshadowed by parasites believed to be more pathogenic production-limiting nematodes. A rise in anthelmintic resistance and reports of reduced growth rates attributed to infection with Cooperia spp. in Europe increases the need to be able to monitor the presence of C. pectinata, C. punctata and C. oncophora in Australian cattle. Here, we present the first molecular

Eimeria tenella, belonging to protozoon, is the causative agent of cecal coccidiosis in chicken and causes enormous impacts for poultry industry. The surface antigens of apicomplexan parasites function as attachment and invasion in host-parasite interaction. Meanwhile, host immune response is triggered as a result of parasitic invasion. Immunogenicity and potency as a vaccinal candidate antigen of

Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis, a parasitic zoonosis of global distribution causing significant economic losses in animal production and a human public health problem in low-income countries. Hosts are infected by ingestion of aquatic plants carrying metacercariae. Once ingested, the juvenile parasites excyst in the small intestine and, after crossing it, they follow a complex

Post-translational modifications of histones and histone modifying enzymes play important roles in gene regulations and other physiological processes in parasites. Inhibitors of such modifying enzymes could be useful as novel therapeutics against parasitic diseases or as chemical probes for investigation of epigenetics. Development of parasitic histone modulators has got rapid expansion in the last

This study identified the optimal age of Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae (L3) under tropical conditions for the in vitro evaluation of plant extracts using the larval exsheathment inhibition test (LEIT). Two T. colubriformis isolates with different anthelmintic (AH) susceptibility status were used for this study. The L3 of both isolates were maintained on refrigeration (4-5 °C) until use. For

Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) is a widespread parasite infection of livestock in Victoria, South-eastern Australia, where high rainfall and a mild climate is suitable for the main intermediate host Austropeplea tomentosa. The aims of this study were to quantify the prevalence and intensity of F. hepatica in dairy cattle in the irrigated dairy regions of Victoria and determine if triclabendazole resistance

Trypanosoma cruzi is a zoonotic protozoan parasite transmitted by triatomines that infects a wide range of mammals. South Texas is a hotspot for triatomines, T. cruzi-infected dogs and wildlife, and local transmission to humans also occurs. However, little is known about the infection of domestic cats (Felis catus) in the United States. Given the role cats play in the ecology of T. cruzi in Mexico

Absence of an effective high-throughput drug-screening system for Babesia parasites is considered one of the main causes for the presence of a wide gap in the treatment of animal babesiosis when compared with other hemoprotozoan diseases, such as malaria. Recently, a simple, accurate, and automatic fluorescence assay was established for large-scale anti-Babesia (B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens

In a context of nematodicidal resistance, anthelmintic combinations have emerged as a reliable pharmacological strategy to control gastrointestinal nematodes in grazing systems of livestock production. The current work evaluated the potential drug-drug interactions following the coadministration of two macrocyclic lactones (ML) ivermectin (IVM) and abamectin (ABM) to parasitized cattle using a pha

Livestock in general and dairy sector in particular plays a vital role in the Indian economy and in the socio-economic development of millions of people. Rhipicephalus microplus, a one-host and the most prevalent cattle tick in various agro climatic zones of India. This tick species is responsible for severe economic losses to livestock owners both through the direct effects of blood sucking, injection

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite (Phylum Apicomplexa) that has been recently suggested as a relevant cause of reproductive disorders in small ruminants. The aim of the present study is to develop and validate a new serological test based on time resolved fluorescency using N. caninum GRA7 recombinant antigen (GRA7-TRFIA) for the detection of N. caninum antibodies in sheep. A total of 346 serum

Eimeria tenella, an obligate intracellular parasite, can actively invade the cecal epithelial cells of chickens and cause severe enteric disease. Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) plays a major role in protein synthesis and cell survival. This study aims to explore the exact mechanisms underlying diclazuril inhibition in second-generation merozoites of E. tenella. The eEF2 cDNA of the second-generation

Neospora caninum infection is an important cause of neuromuscular disease in dogs and abortion in cattle, leading to significant economic losses in beef and dairy industries. The protective immunity against apicomplexan parasites, specifically Toxoplasma gondii and N. caninum, is typically achieved by inducing an IL-12-driven Th1 immune response. IL-12 stimulates IFN-γ production, which activates Inducible

Glutathione peroxidases (GPx), major antioxidant enzymes, secreted by Fasciola spp., are important for the parasite evasion and protection against the host's immune responses. In the present study, a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) against recombinant F. gigantica glutathione peroxidase (rFgGPx) was produced by hybridoma technique using spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with rFgGPx. This MoAb (named

The aims of this study were to monitor the change in Theileria orientalis Ikeda type infection intensity, haematocrit, milk production and reproduction on three New Zealand spring calving dairy herds, over the 2014-2015 milking season. Three spring calving dairy farms, A, B and C, from high risk (endemically stable), low risk (endemically unstable), and zero risk (disease-free) tick areas respectively

A controlled clinical trial was carried out to assess the mortality and repellency of a new topical combination of fipronil-permethrin (Effitix® Virbac, Mexico) against Rhodnius prolixus in dogs. Ten medium-size dogs (10-15 kg) with short hair were used. The dogs were exposed to 8 adult triatomines once weekly for 7 weeks. On the control day (D0), the dogs were exposed to the insects without treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the larval expulsion, larvicidal effect, retention rate of dead larvae and overall efficacy of sarolaner on the treatment of myiasis caused by New World screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax in naturally infested dogs. Eight Beagle dogs received a single dose of saroalner 40 mg, with dosage ranging from 2.7 mg/kg to 3.7 mg/kg. Evaluations occurred every 15 min in the

Spirocerca lupi is a parasitic and carcinogenic nematode of canids distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The excretion-secretion proteins (PES) of S. lupi have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of its infection. We aimed to identify the PES of different stages of S. lupi and search for proteins that would be useful for diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccination

The suitability of acetic acid as a safer alternative to formalin in the modified Knott test was evaluated for the diagnosis of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). Microfilaria concentration was measured by both methods and found to agree within reasonable limits (-5.84 % bias; -88.1-76.4 % limits of agreement). The level of agreement was lower when samples were prepared with a 24 h delay, but

Cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL) is a parasitic disease in animals and human with no satisfactory treatments and vaccination. Rapamycin is a potent inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) with various applications. Here, the effect of rapamycin alone or in combination with two other drugs, namely amphotericin B (AmB) and glucantime, was investigated against Leishmania tropica infection. In vitro