An international inter-laboratory study on Nosema spp. spore detection and quantification through microscopic examination of crushed honey bee abdomens.

Nosemosis is a microsporidian disease causing mortality and weakening of honey bee colonies, especially in the event of co-exposure to other sources of stress. As a result, the disease is regulated in some countries. Reliable and harmonised diagnosis is crucial to ensure the quality of surveillance and research results. For this reason, the first European Interlaboratory Comparison (ILC) was organised in 2017 in order to assess both the methods and the results obtained by National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in counting Nosema spp. spores by microscopy. Implementing their own routine conditions of analysis, the 23 participants were asked to perform an assay on a panel of ten positive and negative samples of crushed honey bee abdomens. They were asked to report results from a qualitative and quantitative standpoint. The assessment covered specificity, sensitivity, trueness and precision. Quantitative results were analysed in compliance with international standards NF ISO 13528 (2015) and NF ISO 5725-2 (1994). Three results showed a lack of precision and five a lack of trueness. However, overall results indicated a global specificity of 98% and a global sensitivity of 100%, thus demonstrating the advanced performance of the microscopic methods applied to Nosema spores by the NRLs. Therefore, the study concluded that using microscopy to detect and quantify spores of Nosema spp. was reliable and valid.

[Anisakiasis - a little-known parasitic zoonosis]. / Anisakoza- malo znama parazitarni zoonza.

Parasites of the family Anisakidae cause enteric parasitic zoonoses developing after consumption of inadequately cooked marine fish. Cases of such diseases are reported mainly from Japan or other countries where raw or uncooked fish are traditionally consumed. The presented short communication briefly reports detection of larvae of Pseudoterranova spp., parasites of the family Anisakidae, in a fresh chilled angler-fish (Lophius piscatorius) bought at a retail store in the Czech Republic.

[Monitoring of animal trichinellosis in the Czech Republic--the past and present]. / Monitoring trichinelózy zvírat v Ceské republice--historiea soucasnost.

The nematode Trichinella spp. is the etiological agent of trichinellosis, a zoonotic parasitic disease. Many carnivorous and omnivorous animal species may become infected with Trichinella spp., including humans. Trichinella spp. is transmitted orally through consumption of raw or undercooked meat. There is a general agreement that animals do not get sick following infection. However, the course of infection in humans includes disease that can range from subclinical to fatal. Because of its role in human disease, there are increasing global requirements for reliable diagnostic and control methods for Trichinella in food animals to ensure meat safety. This review article describes the biology and history of human and animal trichinellosis in the Czech Republic, and recommended test methods as well as modified and optimized procedures that are used in meat inspection programmes.

The effect of praziquantel applied per os on selected haematological and biochemical indices in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the anthelminthic, praziquantel, on the haematological and biochemical indices of the blood of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Fish were divided into six groups: two groups received 30 mg kg(-1) body weight (bw) of praziquantel, and two groups were given 50 mg kg(-1) bw of praziquantel mixed into the heat-treated amyloid vehicle. Fish in the remaining two groups were given only the amyloid vehicle and were used as controls. Fish were examined either 24 or 96 h after administration. Praziquantel treatment was characterised by a significantly lower erythrocyte count, haemoglobin level, packed cell volume and total protein at both dose levels after 24 h compared with the controls, but these parameters were similar to the control values at 96 h. The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly higher after 96 h in the treated groups, which could be attributed to slight hepatocyte damage caused by praziquantel. However, the differences between the treated and the control groups were not great, and we presumed that they were reversible.