High winter loads of Oestrid larvae and are associated with emaciation in wild reindeer calves.

The Oestrid flies and and the nematode are important parasites of spp. The larvae of Oestrid flies develop in the throat () and skin () of their host during winter while develop in the CNS. Oestrid pupation, and development of larvae from first- (L1) to infective third- stage in the environment during summer are highly temperature dependent.

Distribution, prevalence and intensity of moose nose bot fly () larvae in moose () from Norway.

High host density combined with climate change may lead to invasion of harmful parasites in cervid (host) populations. Bot flies (Diptera: Oestridae) are a group of ectoparasites that may have strong impact on their hosts, but data on the current distribution, prevalence and intensity of the moose nose bot fly () in Scandinavia are lacking. We estimated prevalence and intensity of nose bot fly larvae in 30 moose from southern and 79 moose from central Norway.

Bartonella spp. detection in ticks, Culicoides biting midges and wild cervids from Norway.

Bartonella spp. are fastidious, gram-negative, aerobic, facultative intracellular bacteria that infect humans, and domestic and wild animals. In Norway, Bartonella spp.

Modelling the monthly abundance of Culicoides biting midges in nine European countries using Random Forests machine learning.

Background: Culicoides biting midges transmit viruses resulting in disease in ruminants and equids such as bluetongue, Schmallenberg disease and African horse sickness. In the past decades, these diseases have led to important economic losses for farmers in Europe. Vector abundance is a key factor in determining the risk of vector-borne disease spread and it is, therefore, important to predict the abundance of Culicoides species involved in the transmission of these pathogens.

Developing an experimental necrotic enteritis model in turkeys - the impact of Clostridium perfringens, Eimeria meleagrimitis and host age on frequency of severe intestinal lesions.

Background: Necrotic enteritis is a significant problem to the poultry industry globally and, in Norway up to 30% of Norwegian turkey grow-outs can be affected. However, despite an awareness that differences exist between necrotic enteritis in chickens and turkeys, little information exists concerning the pathogenesis, immunity, microbiota or experimental reproduction of necrotic enteritis in turkeys. In particular, it is important to determine the appearance of the gross lesions, the age dependency of the disease and the role of netB toxin of Clostridium perfringens.

Identification and epidemiological analysis of infestation in Irish badgers.

Background: The lungworm, Perostrongylus (fomerly known as ) has been identified in badgers () in Britain, the Russian Federation, Italy, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, Bosnia Herzegovina and Romania, while has been reported from badgers in Spain.

Results: Pulmonary tissue from 1580 Irish badgers was examined and an estimated prevalence of 32.09% (95% CI: 29.

Monthly variation in the probability of presence of adult Culicoides populations in nine European countries and the implications for targeted surveillance.

Background: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are small hematophagous insects responsible for the transmission of bluetongue virus, Schmallenberg virus and African horse sickness virus to wild and domestic ruminants and equids. Outbreaks of these viruses have caused economic damage within the European Union. The spatio-temporal distribution of biting midges is a key factor in identifying areas with the potential for disease spread.

Field evaluation of anticoccidial efficacy: A novel approach demonstrates reduced efficacy of toltrazuril against ovine Eimeria spp. in Norway.

Ovine Eimeria spp. infections cause reduced welfare, increased mortality, and substantial economic losses, and anticoccidials are crucial for their control. Recent reports of toltrazuril resistance in pigs, and anecdotal reports of reduced anticoccidial efficacy in lambs, necessitate evaluation of anticoccidial efficacy.

Spatial and temporal variation in the abundance of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in nine European countries.

Background: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV), African horse sickness virus and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Outbreaks of both BTV and SBV have affected large parts of Europe. The spread of these diseases depends largely on vector distribution and abundance.

Molecular identification of n. sp., and in the intestine of a white-tailed sea eagle () in Norway.

An emaciated white-tailed sea eagle () from Western Norway was found and nursed briefly before it died. The necropsy revealed that the principal cause of death was an inflammation and occlusion of the bile ducts. A secondary finding was the presence in the intestinal mucosa of numerous sporulated oocysts measuring 21.

Cross-border transport of rescue dogs may spread rabies in Europe.

Harmonisation of regulations in the European Union and the European Economic Area, as of January 1, 2012, has led to an increase in the number of rescue dogs imported to Norway from Eastern European countries, in particular Romania. Today the only requirements for dogs entering Norway are rabies vaccination and prophylactic Echinococcus multilocularis treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibody levels to rabies virus in vaccinated rescue dogs and to examine if the dogs had sufficient antibody response according to the recommended titre ≥0.

Illegal wildlife imports more than just animals--Baylisascaris procyonis in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Norway.

In autumn 2011, 11 illegally imported animals were seized from a farm in southern Norway. These included four raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), four raccoons (Procyon lotor), and three South American coatis (Nasua nasua), all considered alien species in Norway. An additional two raccoons had escaped from the farm prior to seizure.

Arctic parasitology: why should we care?

The significant impact on human and animal health from parasitic infections in tropical regions is well known, but parasites of medical and veterinary importance are also found in the Arctic. Subsistence hunting and inadequate food inspection can expose people of the Arctic to foodborne parasites. Parasitic infections can influence the health of wildlife populations and thereby food security.

First report of epizootic trichomoniasis in wild finches (family Fringillidae) in southern Fennoscandia.

Forty-one outbreaks of mortality in wild finches were reported in southern Norway, Sweden, and Finland in the second half of 2008 (n = 40) and in February 2009 (n = 1). Greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) and occasional chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) primarily were affected. Forty-eight greenfinches, eight chaffinches, one hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes), and one blue tit (Parus caeruleus) from 22 incidents were examined postmortem.

Enteropathogens and risk factors for diarrhea in Norwegian dairy calves.

The aims of the current study were to estimate the prevalence of enteropathogens in calves in Norwegian dairy herds, evaluate the clinical consequences of protozoal infections, and identify risk factors for diarrhea. The 135 participating herds were randomly selected from those in The Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System that had at least 15 cow-years. Each herd was followed for 1 yr.

Giardia duodenalis cysts isolated from wild moose and reindeer in Norway: genetic characterization by PCR-rflp and sequence analysis at two genes.

There are few genotyping studies of Giardia duodenalis isolates from cervid hosts, although a previous study suggested that cervids may be a source of infection for humans and cattle. Giardia duodenalis isolates collected from wild moose (Alces alces) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Norway during 2002 and 2003 were characterized by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fraction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) at the beta-giardin gene, and sequence analysis at both the beta-giardin and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. All results suggested that these isolates (n=25) belonged to assemblage A.

A longitudinal study on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in dogs during their first year of life.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to obtain more knowledge about the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in young dogs in Norway. The occurrence of these parasites was investigated in a longitudinal study by repeated faecal sampling of dogs between 1 and 12 months of age (litter samples and individual samples). The dogs were privately owned and from four large breeds.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in suckling piglets in Norway.

Faecal samples from 684 litters of suckling piglets from 100 indoor swine herds from all regions of Norway were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia, using sucrose gradient flotation concentration and immunofluorescent staining. Thirty-one (31%) herds and 57 (8.3%) litters tested positive for Cryptosporidium, while 10 (1.

Occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Norwegian red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).

Faecal samples from 269 Norwegian wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) shot during the hunting season (October-April) in 2002-2004 were examined for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in samples from 6 (2.2%) of the foxes, and Giardia cysts in 13 (4.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in free-ranging wild cervids in Norway.

Faecal samples were collected from 1,190 wild cervids in Norway and analyzed for cysts/oocysts of the protozoan parasites Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Samples were from calves, yearlings and adults of moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) shot during the hunting season. Cryptosporidium was found in 15 (3.

Prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in dairy calves in three areas of Norway.

A study was undertaken to determine the prevalences of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in dairy calves less than 6 months of age in Norway. Faecal samples were collected from a total of 1386 calves, between 3 and 183 days of age, in 136 dairy farms from three different areas of Norway. Faecal samples were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts after concentration and immunofluorescent staining.