Epizootiological investigation of the most important infectious equine diseases in Greece.

During the period 2001 to 2008, a total of 7,872 equine sera were tested at the Centre of Veterinary Institutes of Athens. Antibodies against seven infectious diseases of equids were determined: equine infectious anaemia (EIA), African horse sickness (AHS), equine viral arteritis (EVA), West Nile encephalitis (WNE), glanders, piroplasmosis and dourine. Tests for the four viral diseases found 4.

Distribution of Culicoides in Greece.

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were trapped between 1999 and 2004 at 122 locations in mainland Greece and on most of the larger Aegean and Ionian islands, using OVI light traps, in order to determine the distribution and seasonal activity of bluetongue virus vectors and other Culicoides species. Thirty-nine Culicoides species were identified, six of which (C. furcillatus, C.

Faunistic study of sandflies in Greece.

A faunistic study of phlebotomine sandflies was carried out on the mainland and on four islands in Greece between 1999 and 2004. Sandflies were collected in 18 areas, and the population structure was observed and recorded. A total of 10 species were identified; their distribution is presented here.

Culicoides imicola in Greece.

Culicoides imicola, the major vector of bluetongue virus in Africa and the Middle East, was recorded in Greece for the first time in 1982 following an outbreak of the disease on the island of Lesbos (October 1979). Since then, many hundreds of Culicoides trappings have been made and thousands of Culicoides have been collected from the islands and from mainland Greece. Culicoides imicola is now present on most of the eastern Aegean islands and in northern, central and south-eastern mainland Greece.

Phylogenetic status and matrilineal structure of the biting midge, Culicoides imicola, in Portugal, Rhodes and Israel.

The biting midge Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is the most important Old World vector of African horse sickness (AHS) and bluetongue (BT). Recent increases of BT incidence in the Mediterranean basin are attributed to its increased abundance and distribution. The phylogenetic status and genetic structure of C.