A serological study on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep of Lithuania.

In the present study the seroprevalence of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep was investigated in 6 regions of Lithuania. Blood samples were taken from 354 sheep and were tested using commercial ELISA method. The total seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep was 42.1%. Significant differences in seroprevalence were observed between age groups (P < or = 0.05). The results of this investigation suggest that the Toxoplasma gondii parasite is widely spread, and can be one of reasons of sheep abortion in Lithuania.

Prevalence and epidemiological features of ovine enzootic abortion in Lithuania.

The aim of performed study was to determine the level of enzootic abortion (EA) in sheep breeding farms in different districts of Lithuania, to determine differences in clinical signs and infection frequency between various age groups, and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of complement fixation test for antibodies detection and indirect immunofluorescence for antigen detection in sheep chlamydiosis. The clinical, serological and immunological tests in sheep farms were performed in 2004 and 2005. Comparing different age groups of sheep revealed that the lowest number of infected sheep was registered in animals younger than 18 months (23.1%, antibodies titre 3.191 log2, P<0.05) and highest in animals aged 18 to 24 months (53.8%, antibodies titre 4.224 log2, P<0.001). In sheep aged more than 3 years, titre of antibodies was significantly reduced. The majority of infected sheep which aborted (86.4%) was registered in 18-24 month age group. Furthermore, in sheep which aborted the infection level was 2.5-fold higher as compared to sheep which didn't abort. Analysis of smears from patological material by indirect FAT revealed that 54.5% of animals were positive to Chlamydophila abortus infection. The highest prevalence of chlamydia (66.7%) was registered in placentas of sheep which aborted.

[Surveillance of animal and human rabies in Lithuania from 1991 to 2001]. / Surveillance de la rage animale et humaine en Lituanie de 1991 à 2001.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology of rabies in Lithuania from 1991 to 2000. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data available from the reports of the Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service, of the Public Health centers, of the Veterinary Laboratories of counties, districts and cities, and from the reports of the Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment Protection Department were used to assess rabies both in domestic animals and wildlife. The situation of human rabies from 1991 to 2000 was evaluated using the medical records of patients with a diagnosis of rabies and the epidemiological follow-up of people receiving post-exposure treatment. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2000, 2,148 laboratories confirmed cases of rabies were diagnosed in animals in Lithuania. Domestic animals accounted for 44% of all cases whereas wild animals accounted for 56% of the cases. During the 10-year period of investigation, 5 human cases were reported and 44,710 bitten persons received post-exposure treatment. COMMENTS: A high incidence of rabies in wild animals in Lithuania had a direct influence on the increase human rabies infection. It is necessary to improve preventive measures against rabies - vaccination of domestic and wild animals, and spread information on rabies to the general public.

Evaluation of different laboratory methods for diagnosis of pig chlamydiosis in Lithuania.

Pig chlamydiosis is antrophozoonosis caused by Chlamydophila abortus. Chlamydias (C type) are widely found in nature and can infect humans, domestic and wild mammals, and 139 types of birds. The peculiar feature of chlamydias is the tropism to different tissues, organs and organisms. In 2502 pig blood sera tests from Lithuanian farms, anti-chlamydia complement binding (CB) antibodies were detected in 192 cases (7.7%). Serological tests showed the following (C type) chlamydia bearing regions: 22.0% Mazeikiai district, 17.2%--Kaisiadorys district, 13.5%--Panevezys district, 12.3%--Vilkaviskis district. Rare incidence of the disease was found in Siauliai district 1,2% and Klaipeda district 2.5% farms. The highest antibody titers in blood serum tests were found in Joint Stock Company (JSC) "Krekenava" and "Vejine", i.e. 1:128 and 1:64, respectively. The following methods for the study of pig chlamydiosis were used and comparatively evaluated: complement binding reaction (CBR), direct immunofluorescence (DIF), imunoenzyme assay (IEA), indirect immunofluorescense (IIF), micro immunofluorescense (MIF), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cell culture (CC) test. PCR method was found to be more sensitive and reliable compared to imunoenzyme assay, but the latter is more economic especially for screaning. In pigs with the clinically expressed symptoms, 108 pigs infected with chlamydia were detected. CB assay revealed the infection rate from 3.4% to 7.9% in piglets, sows and boars. The highest level of chlamydia infection was detected in fatteners (17.6%). Seroepizootic study of pig chlamydiosis revealed the different infection rate in the animals investigated. The highest chlamydia infection risk is in winter (10.4%) and the lowest--in summer (2.8%).

Epidemiological situation of rabies in Lithuania from 1990 to 2000.

The epidemiological situation of rabies was investigated in Lithuania. Over the last decade, 2277 cases of rabies were registered among wild and domestic animals (mean number of cases per districts was 44). The highest distribution of rabies was found in the districts of Lazdijai and Utena (116 and 81 cases, respectively), and the lowest in the Svencioniai and Zarasai districts (one and eight cases, respectively). It was found that rabies among wildlife comprised 54% with the majority of cases being registered in foxes (626 cases, 27%) followed by raccoon dogs (470 cases, 21%). Within the last 3 years, cases of rabies among foxes and raccoon dogs increased significantly (three and six times, respectively), compared with the period from 1990 to 1997. Among domestic animals, 46% cases of rabies were registered, with cattle comprising 27%, and the cases among cats and dogs at 9 and 8%, respectively. During the period from 1993 to 1997 in Lithuania, 11,385 of humans were attacked by domestic and wild animals, and 21,173 humans were vaccinated against rabies for prophylactic reasons. Our survey has shown that, during the period from 1997 to 2000, the number of people attacked has increased drastically-31,348 (60%), but only 8021 (18%) of them were vaccinated.