[Selenium level in the sera of dogs and cats in West Pomerania and WestUkraine]. / Selengehalt im Serum von Hunden und Katzen in Westpommern und der Westukraine.

OBJECTIVE: Main function of the trace element selenium is the protection of the body against free radicals by means of the selenium-containing enzyme glutathione peroxidase acting as an intracytoplasmatic antioxydant. This study determined serum selenium concentration in dogs and cats from West Pomerania, Poland, and West Ukraine (Lviv region). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 74 dogs and 42 cats. 49 dogs and 20 cats were from West Pomerania, and 25 dogs and 22 cats from West Ukraine. Selenium concentrations were determined with a spectrofluorometric method according to Watkinson (1966), modified by Grzebula et al. (1977). RESULTS: The mean selenium concentrations in dog and cat serum in animals from West Pomerania were 2.927 and 6.169µmol/l, respectively and exceeded the serum selenium concentration in dogs and cats from West Ukraine by 0.687 and 2.053µmol/l, respectively. Statistically significant differences in selenium concentration were observed between healthy animals (3.842µmol/l) and those with symptoms of allergy (3.240µmol/l) or dogs with neoplasias (1.749µmol/l). No statistical differences in serum selenium concentration were related to age and to sex. CONCLUSION: This research shows that in dogs with neoplasias, serum selenium concentration was about 45% lower than in healthy dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In patients with selenium deficiency supplementation of selenium might have a positive impact on the course of diseases like neoplasia, heart insufficiency, liver necrosis, myopathy, and pancreatitis.

Selenium supplementation enhances the protective response to Toxocara canis larvae in mice.

The effect of oral and intraperitoneal supply of sodium selenite on the immune response to, and the course of T. canis larvae infection in mice were determined. The number of worms in the host tissue was reduced but the migratory route of larvae was not affected. Selenite (Se) supplementation influences Se retention in the liver, enhanced IL-5 and eosinophil responses and evoked IL-6 production in mice infected with T. canis. The enhanced protection in mice given Se intraperitoneally was associated with high levels of parasite-specific IgE, and enhanced concentration of Th1-related cytokines such IL-12p70, TNF-α and IFN-γ. In mice given Se orally, the predominant cytokines produced were IL-10, MCP-1 and IL-6 and these mice had lower protection. In conclusion, Se supplementation increases production of specific cytokines in mice infected with T. canis and increases protection against infection.

[Prevalence of Trichinella spp. in red foxes and wild boars in the northwestern part of Poland]. / Prävalenz von Trichinella spp. bei Rotfüchsen und Schwarzwild im nordwestlichen Teil Polens.

The aim of the study was to establish in which degree wild boars and red foxes are reservoir of Trichinella spp. in North-West Poland. Research was carried out between 1997 and 2004 on 505 foxes and 56,462 wild boars in muscle samples. The muscle samples were examined using the digestion method. The average prevalence rate of Trichinella spp. infection of foxes was 4.4 %. Large differences of the infection rate in wild boars were observed. In the years 1999-2001 Trichinella spp. larvae were observed in 58 animals (0.2 %) and between 2002 and 2004 the Trichinella spp. prevalence in 227 wild boars was 0.9 %, demonstrating that the animals were 5.1 times more often infected than in 1999-2001. The growth of red fox population after the oral vaccination against rabies was probably the cause of this phenomenon.

Epidemiological studies on Trichinellosis among swine, wild boars and humans in Poland.

The introduction of the digestion method (the magnetic stirrer type) resulted directly in the reduction of Trichinella sp. infection among people in Poland. Pork and its products are still the main cause of human trichinellosis in Poland. However, epidemics caused by eating wild boar meat suggested that this way of the transmission of Trichinella sp. larvae to humans might be of considerable importance.

[Studies on usefullness of imidasol preparations for treatment of pulmonary and air sacks aspergillosis in geese]. / Badania nad przydatnoscia preparatów imidazolowych w leczeniu aspergilozy pluc u gesi.

The studies were carried out in two geese farms with a total number of 11.143 - 4 weeks old birds. Two imidazol preparations--5 per cent Miconazole powder and 2 Clotrimazole solution were used in these studies. Miconazole was applied as feed additive for 200 with aspergillosis infected geese, in a dosis of 10 mg of active substance on one kg of body weight. Clotrimazole was administered in a form of inhalation in a dose of 1,5 1 of 2 per cent solution per geese house of 3000 m3. Spraying was performed using gas-pipes of steam ganerator joined to the air compressor of the type 3 JW - 60 (6hp). In this way 5 - 10 microm partiches were obtained. The preparation was sprayed twice ad 2 - 4 days intervals. After Miconazole administration the recovery of sick birds and inhibition of the disease in geese were observed. The Clotrimazole preparations may be also administered prophylactically in geese houses, were stationary aspergillosis has been observed.

Trichinellosis in swine and wild boars in Poland from 1993 to 1998.

The prevalence of Trichinella sp. among 97, 193, 480 swine and 309,040 wild boars was determined by artificial digestion method. Pork meat was about 6 times less infected with Trichinella sp. in the years 1997-1998 than in the years 1993-1994. In the years 1993-1994 894 positive Trichinella sp. cases (prevalence--0.0029%) in pork meat were established. The prevalence of Trichinella larvae infection in pork meat in the years 1997-1998 was 0.00030%--larvae were found in 141 cases, only.

Studies on coccidiosis in goats in Poland.

The study was carried out in a flock consisting of 110 goats. Nine species of coccidia were found: Eimeria christenseni, E. arloingi, E. jolchijev, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. alijevi, E. apsheronica, E. caprina, E. caprovina and E. hirci. Eighty-one percent of adults and 100% of kids were infected. Number of oocysts per gram of feces in kids ranged form 1200 to 202000. Clinical symptoms in about 50% of kids were observed. Toltrazuril (Baycox, Bayer), 20 mg/kg of body weight was highly efficacious in therapy of goat coccidiosis.

[Epidemiological studies on giardiosis in inhabitants of Szczecin]. / Epidemiologiczne badania nad giardioza u mieszkanców Szczecina.

The aim of the studies was to establish the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in Szczecin population. The studies were carried out in 1991 - 1996. In this period 46,584 persons--22,371 adults and 24,213 children were examined. Faecal samples were examined with two methods--coprological and immunoenzymatic (ELISA) test. A total of 356 persons (0.78%) were found to be infected with G. intestinalis. No statistically significant differences between the infection rate of adults and children were observed. The adults were infected in 0.73% and the children in 0.80%. The analysis of the annual dynamics of G. intestinalis infection shows twice as large infection rate in September - October (1.18%) as in the remaining months (0.66%).

[Epidemiological studies on Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes in north-west Poland]. / Epidemiologiczne badania nad Echinococcus multilocularis u Lisów rudych w Polsce pólnocno-zachodniej.

The studies were carried out in 15 provinces of North-West part of Poland in the years 1994 - 1997 under a regime of strict laboratory safety regulation. The intestine of 1909 red foxes were examined for the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis according to the method of Eckert et al (1991). The intestines were divided finto four to six sections and fifteen smears were prepared from each animal under study. Foxes infected with E. multilocularis were detected in 8 provinces. The average prevalence rate in these provinces was 1.20 per cent. Of special interest fis the finding in Slupsk and Gdafisk regions, where 9.6 per cent of foxes were infected with E. multilocularis. In comparison with some other European endemic regions the prevalence rates of E. multilocularis in Poland was low, except for the Stupsk-Gdansk area.

[Economical consequences of intestinal nematodes infection in pigs]. / Ekonomiczne konsekwencje inwazji nicieni przewodu pokarmowego u trzody chlewnej.

The studies wers carried out in ZZD Kolbacz on 14 sows. The experimental groups control and treated consisted of 7 sows each. The sows were treated with Dectomax - 1 ml/33 kg of body weight. The efficacy of sows treatment's was verified with the Wllis-Schlaaf and McMaster method. The studies indicate, that subclinical infection of intestinal nematodes could influence the swine production. The piglets from treated with Dectomax sows were infected in 8% only; when all piglets from non treated sows were infected with nematodes. From treated sows 0.8 more piglet were obtained and the weight gain of litter was after 6 weeks 24.4 kg higher comparing with the control group.

[The usefulnes of baycox (bayer) for coccidiosis control of lambs]. / Przydatnosc preparatu baycox (bayer) w profilaktyce kokcydiozy u jagniat.

The aim the studies was to establish the usefulness of Baycox for control of coccidiosis and ITS influence on production results (efficiency) in lambs. The studies were carried out on 200 lambs, naturally infected with coccidia, divided in 2 groups -control and experimental, 100 animals in each, after separation from ewes selected in respect of sex, type, date of birth and weight. Toltrazuiril (Baycox) was used the first time for control of sheep coccidiosis in Poland. Toltrazuril was applied individual, twice at 110 and 117 day of life in a doses of 20 mg/kg body weight. The extensity and intensity of coccidia infection was ascertained by the Willis-Schlaaf and McMaster methods. The weight gain of lambs was stated once a month on the basis of individual weight. It was established that toltrazuril show a high efficiency against the protozoa of the genus Eimeria and drug could be used for coccidia control in lambs. This preparation is very active against all intracellular stages - schisogony and gamogony and it could be used for treatment of clinical coccidiosis. It was established profitable influence on the weight gain of lambs.

[The influence of coccidiostats on the course of coccidiosis and production results in an industrial rabbit farm]. / Wplyw kokcydiostatyków na przebieg kokcydiozy i efekty produkcyjne w przemyslowej fermie królików.

The study was carried out on material consisting of 3375 rabbits of the White New Zealand breed. The total number of 9 species of coccidia were found, 8 of which were intestinal (E. perforans, E. media, E. magna, E. irresidua, E. coecicola, E. flavescens, E. piriformis oraz E. intestinalis) and E. stiedai inhabiting the liver. Three specirs - E . irresidua, E. coecicola and E. flavescens have been found in Poiand for the first time. Three of four coccidiostats examined i.e. Sacox, Cycostat and Baycox may be used to prevent coccidiosis in rabbit farm. Activity of Vetrocox is less effective and it should not be used in the prevention of coccidia infection. At the age of 90 days the best results were obtained by treatment of Sacox (257 g of increase body weight and 9 per cent lower mortality comparing with the control group), the second test result was after two doses of Baycox and after Cycostat treatment.

[The influence of treatment on the course of experimental Fasciola hepatica infection and weight gains in sheep]. / Wplyw odrobaczania na przebieg doswiadczalnej inwazji Fasciola hepatica oraz przyrosty masy ciala u owiec.

The course of Fasciola hepatica infection was studied by the coproscopical methods in two farms of Southern Poland. The extensity of infection reached between 84 to 94 per cent. The experimental studies has been done on 54 lambs at the average weight of 21.50 kg. The lambs were divided in 3 groups with 18 lambs in each. In the first group were non-infected animals; second group was infected with 200 metacercaria and treated with Fasinex (10 mg/#kg body weight) 6 weeks after infection. The third group was infected with 200 metacercaria, but has not been treated with Fasinex. The best results were obtained in the first group. In this group the weight gain was about 4 kg (14.7 per cent) higher comparing with the group third (infected, non-treated) group. The weight gain of group two (infected and treated) was 2.42 kg (11.0 per cent) higher as in group third group.

Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda), the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis in humans: first record in Poland.

Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis, was found for the first time in Poland in 2 of 20 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), originating from the area of Gdansk (northern Poland). This finding supports the hypothesis that the endemic area of this parasite in central Europe (Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Austria) is not an isolated focus as previously anticipated but is connected with the large endemic zone in Russia.

[Control of fly larvae in a pig farm by oral administration of thuridan to pigs]. / Zwalczanie larw much w chlewni przez stosowanie doustne tucznikom preparatu Thuridan.

The studies were carried out in an experimental pig farm on 402 animals with Thuridan (spore of delta-endotoxin complex of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki). It was applied orally, as feed additive in a concentration of 0.1 and 0.5% for three current days. The efficacy of Thuridan was established with the use of fly-catchers which were hung in the same places--once before and three times after Thuridan had been used. After 3 application of Thuridan the number of flies decreased by 88%.