The first record of Culicoides deltus as a putative vector of Onchocerca flexuosa in Slovak red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Within the research conducted in the years 2016-2022 in the area of Volovsky Mountains in Slovakia, 63,950 biting midges were collected during 74 trapping sessions. The aim of the study was to identify species composition of biting midges, their host preference and potential transmission of parasites by these insects under natural conditions. The collected biting midges fell into 29 species and the most common were the Culicoides (C.

First detection of Africa 4 lineage in a population of carnivores from South Africa.

Introduction: There have only been a few molecular studies conducted on the detection of in tissues of carnivores in South Africa, with no data on the genetic diversity of this parasite. That is why the aim of this study was to detect and genotype DNA in tissues of selected wild and domestic carnivores in South Africa.

Methods: Samples were collected from 80 animals of 20 species (mainly road-killed) in the four provinces of Limpopo (n=57), Mpumalanga (n=21), Gauteng (n=1) and Free State (n=1) during the period 2014-2018.

Detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in animals from three zoos in Slovakia.

The aim of this study was to detect antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in exotic animal species kept in three zoos in Slovakia. Antibodies to T. gondii and N.

Blood meal analysis: host-feeding patterns of biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae, Culicoides Latreille) in Slovakia.

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are vectors of important pathogens affecting domestic and wild animals and have played a major role in the re-emergence of new outbreaks of bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses in Europe. To determine vector-host specificity, trophic preference from blood meal analysis is of major importance in the surveillance of arthropod-borne diseases. Of 28,752 specimens collected, we identified 17 Culicoides species and investigated a total of 48 host sequences from the blood meals.

Fatal toxoplasmosis in wild European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in tularaemia endemic areas of the Czech Republic: Poses risk of infection for humans?

Toxoplasma gondii may cause fatal infection in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the role of this parasite in terms of mortality rate in tularaemia endemic areas, amount of parasites in affected organs and circulating genotypes, is still unknown. In total, 36 hares (killed or found dead) were submitted for pathomorphological examination as a part of the national tularaemia and brucellosis monitoring.

First Documented Cases of (syn. ) Infections in Dogs from Western Slovakia.

Three clinical cases of dogs with infection were detected in the western part of Slovakia. All cases were detected within five months. Infections were confirmed after positive findings of capillarid eggs in the urine sediment in following breeds.

Description of Culicoides (Culicoides) bysta n. sp., a new member of the Pulicaris group (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Slovakia.

Background: Species of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are mainly known as vectors of arboviruses such as bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV). Among the known vectors, few species within the subgenus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 have been implicated in the transmission of BTV and SBV. Nevertheless, phylogenetic studies had revealed the presence of cryptic and undescribed species in Europe, raising questions about their vectorial role.

First record of Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii in Slovakia.

A large-scale entomological survey was carried out in summer 2016 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It revealed, for the first time, the presence of the phlebotomine sand fly Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908 (Diptera: Phlebotominae) in south-western Slovakia. Species identification of a captured female was confirmed by both morphological and sequencing (COI) analyses.

First insights into indoor and outdoor Culicoides activity related to the risk period for Bluetongue virus transmission in Eastern Slovakia.

The epizootic of Bluetongue virus (BTV) throughout Europe in 2006 revealed insufficient knowledge regarding seasonal activities, endo/exophilic and endo/exophagic behaviour of the species of the Culicoides genus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Although several studies have been carried out in Western Europe, bringing new knowledge of the above mentioned topics, there was still a gap to fill in Central Europe. Therefore, this study investigated seasonal variations in the indoor/outdoor Culicoides activity observed in the south-eastern Slovakia from 2012 to 2014, using a light-trapping method.

Potential mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae) vector of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis in urban areas of Eastern Slovakia.

This paper follows the study from 2013 focused on the molecular screening of mosquitoes as vectors of Dirofilaria spp. which provided the information on Aedes vexans as a potential vector of Dirofilaria repens in Slovakia. Current entomological and molecular research indicates that Ae.

Morphological and molecular analysis of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Slovakia with five new records.

The biodiversity of Culicoides from eastern Slovakia was investigated by light trapping. An integrative taxonomy approach combining DNA barcode sequence and morphological analyses was used to accurately identify specimens. Five species were newly recorded from Slovakia: Culicoides picturatus Kremer & Deduit, C.

Culicoides midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as vectors of orbiviruses in Slovakia.

In recent years, rapid spread of Culicoides-borne pathogens such as bluetongue (BT) and Schmallenberg viruses have been reported in Europe. In this study we examined the Culicoides populations in farms with wild and domestic ruminants in Eastern Slovakia with the aim to confirm the presence of biting midges serving as potential vectors of important pathogens. The main vector complexes were the Obsoletus complex (54%; n=4,209) and the Pulicaris complex (23%; n=1,796).

First record of Aedes albopictus in Slovakia.

During a routine inspection of the mosquito fauna in the Košická Basin (Eastern Slovakia), in one of the monitored locations we have caught 4 females of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus, using the CO2 baited CDC traps. Occurrence of this particular mosquito has already been reported in many European countries; in Slovakia, however, this is the first finding ever. The finding of Ae.

Dirofilaria repens microfilariae in Aedes vexans mosquitoes in Slovakia.

In this study, we screened field-caught mosquitoes for presence of Dirofilaria spp. by using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Potential occurrence of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae was examined in 3,600 mosquitoes of eight species (Aedes vexans, Aedes cinereus, Aedes rossicus, Culex pipiens, Culiseta annulata, Ochlerotatus sticticus, Ochlerotatus cantans and Ochlerotatus caspius) collected from five locations in two districts (Kosice and Trebisov) of Eastern Slovakia, endemic region of canine dirofilariasis.

First detection and genotyping of human-associated microsporidia in wild waterfowl of Slovakia.

A total of 47 avian faecal samples of wild waterfowl (great cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo, great crested grebe - Podiceps cristatus, white stork - Ciconia ciconia) trapped in the eastern Slovakia were screened for the presence of human pathogenic microsporidia by microscopy and real-time SYBR Green PCR method using species primers and sequenced. Microscopic analysis showed presence in 32 samples (29 cormorants, 3 dippers). Microsporidial DNA (Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype I) was identified in 19 faeces samples (40.

Evaluation of bendiocarb cytotoxicity in mammalian and insect cell cultures.

There is an increasing need for rapid and easily interpreted in vitro assays to screen for possible cytotoxicity of pesticides. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the carbamate insecticide bendiocarb on mammalian and insect cell cultures. The cytotoxicity of this insecticide was evaluated by cell proliferation and cellular damage was assessed by evaluation of the cytopathic effect and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage.

Possibilities of long-term protection against blood-sucking insects and ticks.

Insecticidal and repellent properties and residual action of permethrin and deltamethrin and two commercial preparations Peripel 55 and Permanone were investigated under laboratory and field conditions. The tests were conducted on ticks, mosquitoes and houseflies. Permethrin in concentrations of 0.

[Survival of microscopic filamentous fungi under various temperature conditions].

Time required for devitalization of Mucor fragillis, Fusarium moniliforme, Penicillium glabrum and Aspergillus niger germs at temperatures of 22, 37, 60 degrees C was determined under laboratory conditions. All of the tested strains withstood the temperature 22 degrees C during the period of 42 days in Sabouraud agar. At the temperature of 37 degrees C devitalization appeared in the following order: F.

[Effectiveness of azamethiphos-based insecticides against the housefly (Musca domestica L.)].

The insecticidal baits Muscalik-AZA (dust formulation) and Snip (granulated formulation) contained the active ingredient azamethiphos--1% and special fly attractant Z-9-tricosen--0.2%. Toxicity of these baits was monitored in 4 wild resistant strains of M.

[Inhibition of growth of microscopic fungi with organic acids].

Fungicidal effects of five selected organic acids (lactic, acetic, formic, oxalic, and propionic) in concentrations 3, 5, 10, 20 and 50 ml/l on nine selected species of moulds were tested. Lactic and oxalic acids did not prove the satisfactory fungicidal activity in any of the chosen concentrations. The antifungal effect of the other three acids, manifested by the growth inhibition of the tested moulds is shown in Tab.