The potential risk of Dirofilaria immitis becoming established in the Czech Republic by imported dogs.

We examined 110 dogs, imported or born to imported females or living together with imported dogs in kennels, for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis, and assessed the climatic conditions in the Czech Republic that may promote spread of the disease. Relevant techniques were used to detect specific antigen, specific antibodies and microfilariae. The presence of antigen was detected in one imported dog, microfilariae were not found and antibodies were detected in 30.5% of the imported dogs. No heartworm was found in dogs, which did not travel outside of the Czech Republic. The evaluation of temperature charts showed that it was possible for at least one heartworm generation to develop under climatic conditions in the Czech Republic.

Reproducibility of radial pulse wave analysis in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reproducibility of parameters estimated by pulse wave analysis (PWA), mainly of central systolic blood pressure in the aorta (CSP), central systolic pressure-time index (CSPTI, area under the systolic part of the curve in the pressure-time graph per minute), and central augmentation index (CAI, pressure peak caused by wave reflection divided by pressure peak caused by ventricular ejection). METHODS: In 88 healthy subjects, aged 19-53 years, radial pulse wave was registered by two investigators on separate visits in a random sequence, twice during each visit RESULTS: Variability within and among subjects was significantly different for peripheral systolic pressure (PSP) and for all the above-mentioned parameters (P < 0.0001 by ANOVA for all). Variability within and between observers was tested by Bland-Altman plots; they did not show any trend for the variability to be dependent on the underlying mean value. PSP, CSP and CSPTI decreased significantly during one visit (by 4.6, 4.7 and 4.2%, respectively), PSP and CSP were higher at the first than at the second visit (by 2.2, 2.2%, respectively, and not significant for CSPTI), and there were also significant interobserver differences in all the three parameters as one observer measured higher values (by 2.4, 3.2 and 6.0%, respectively). CAI did not change within and between visits; the same applied to the difference between PSP and CSP since these pressures always changed in parallel. CONCLUSIONS: PWA gives estimates of several parameters characterizing the pressure load of central circulation and the wave reflection. The reproducibility of CSP and CSPTI is similar to that of PSP. CAI and the difference between PSP and CSP is not influenced by order of measurement, of visit or by investigator. Therefore, CAI is a more stable parameter than PSP measured by an oscillometric device. Since these parameters may contribute to a better assessment of cardiovascular risk, PWA might be used in prospective studies.

Toxoplasmosis and iodine deficiency in Angora goats.

Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in two goat herds in the Czech Republic. The 1996 outbreak in the herd of Angora goats was associated with abortions and births of weak kids. No apparent signs of toxoplasmosis were observed in the herd of White Short-Haired (WSH) goats reared under similar conditions. Seroprevalences of 60% and 66% tested by complement fixation and indirect fluorescent antibody tests, respectively, were found in the herd of Angora goats during the outbreak of clinical toxoplasmosis. Significantly lower values were recorded in this herd in years 1994 and 1997 and in the herd of WSH goats between years 1994-1996. Iodine deficiency was also demonstrated in the herd of Angora goats in 1996. Goitre was detected by clinical examination in 39% of animals and mean urinary iodine concentration was 8.0+/-4.65 microg per 11. This concentration rose significantly to 15.7+/-5.02 microg per 11 in the subsequent year. Effects of iodine deficiency on clinical manifestation of toxoplasmosis in Angora goats were discussed.

Prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii in cats.

IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii were determined simultaneously by IFAT in cats. Group 1 included 357 cats with various diagnoses, but negative for FeLV and FIV. Specific IgG antibodies in titres ranging from 10 to 2560 (mean 247) were detected in 61.3% animals, specific IgM antibodies were found only in one cat (0.28%) in titre 1:40 showing an IgG titre of 160. Oocyst shedding was demonstrated in one cat (0.28%) showing an IgG titre of 1:40. Group 2 included 33 cats positive for FeLV or FIV. IgG antibodies in titres ranging from 10 to 640 (mean 101) were found in 63.6% cats. Neither IgM antibodies nor shedding of T. gondii oocysts were detectable. Clinically unapparent toxoplasmosis, manifested by the presence of IgG antibodies is frequent in cats; the opportunistic character of the infection is important.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism and virulence of Czech Toxoplasma gondii strains.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of chromosomal DNA from 22 strains of Toxoplasma gondii were characterised using SalI and PstI restriction endonucleases and the TGR1E specific repetitive sequence as a probe. Two virulent strains, RH and P-CZ, had previously been isolated from humans, the remaining 20 strains were isolated from animals in the Czech Republic in 1994 and 1995. Among the 20 recently isolated strains, 19 belonged to an avirulent lineage and only one strain from the wild cat Felis silvestris belonged to a virulent lineage.

Secondary immunodeficiency in dogs with enteric, dermatologic, infectious or parasitic diseases.

A group of 238 dogs with various infectious and parasitic disease, in which suppressed activity of the immune system could e presumed, was examined using a set of immunological methods. The frequency and depth of immunosuppression and its association with certain infectious or parasitic disease were determined. Marked immunosuppression was found 62 (26%) of the dogs examined. Dogs with distemper, parvovirosis and German Shepherd dog pyoderma (GSP) were the most severely impaired. Dogs in acute phases of distemper or parvovirosis had decreased numbers and activity of lymphocytes and decreased immunoglobulin levels. Dogs with GSP had some of the following immunologic symptoms: inhibition of phagocytosis, reduced activity of lymphocytes, decreased levels of haemolytic complement and increased levels of immunoglobulin and lysozyme. A persistent immunosuppression was found in 12 dogs. These dogs were diagnosed with deep pyoderma, giardiasis, dermatophytosis or neoplasms. Although samples were not taken before the clinical diseases appeared, it can be presumed that some diseases caused immunosuppression (distemper or parvovirosis), and for other diseases immunosuppression was a predisposing factor (dermatophytosis, giardiasis and possibly GSP).

Prevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors in the Czech Republic.

Blood donors (n = 663) from the Nový Jicín district, Czech Republic, were examined for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to simultaneously detect IgM and IgG antibodies. Titres > or =20 were considered positive. The seroprevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies was 2.4% and 32.1%, respectively. Periods, for how long the blood donors were infected, are discussed.

Anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin against Syngamus trachea and Capillaria spp. in pheasant.

Ivermectin (IVM) was perorally administered in dosage schemes 1 x 0.8 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.), 1 x 1.6 mg/kg h.w., 3 x 0.8 mg/kg b.w., and 3 x 1.6 mg/kg b.w. to pheasants infected by Syngamus trachea and Capillaria spp. The samples of faeces were coprologically examined. The clinical state of pheasant was controlled. In all of the used therapeutical schemes the helminthostatic or partially helminthocide effect against adults of worms was reached. The clinical signs of helmithoses were reduced only. IVM in tested doses is not possible to recommend as an effective drug of pheasant syngamosis and capillariosis.

[Comparison of the detection of Giardia intestinalis cysts with the presence of specific antibodies in dogs and cats]. / Srovnání prukazu cyst Giardia intestinalis s výskytem specifických protilátek u psu a kocek.

We investigated giardiosis of dogs and cats with a view to cysts in fecal samples and antibodies in the blood serum. Cysts were found in 25 fecal samples (5.5%) out of 458. Cysts were excreted frequently in puppies and adolescent dogs. In 15 cases giardiosis was diagnosed together with canine distemper or parvovirosis as an opportunic infection. Indirect immunofluorescence was used for detection of specific antibodies. We tested sera of 588 dogs and specific antibodies were detected in 156 cases (36.5%) in titres 10-160. In basic dilution 1:10 antibodies were detected in 61% positive samples. Titres 20-160 were found in 39% of the positive sera. In cats cysts were found only in 1 fecal sample out of 135 due to the difficulties in obtaining fecal samples for repeated examinations. Specific antibodies were detected in 107 cats (56.9%) out of 188 at titres 10-320. In basic dilution 1-10 antibodies were detected only in 30% of the positive sera but on the other hand in 70% we detected higher titres, i.e. 20-320. We did not consider titre 10 as significantly positive in both dogs and cats because cross-parasitic infections frequently occur. The number of serological positive dogs and cats grew with their age because they acquired giardiosis in the course of their life mostly as asymptomatic infection. The detection of specific antibodies cannot be used for the diagnosis because their level in blood serum persists for months. We must tread every dog and cat excreting cysts in fecal samples to stop transmission to other animals and humans-zoonosis.

[Giardiasis in dog and cat owners]. / Problematika giardiózy u chovatelu psu a kocek.

In subjects with positive giardiasis tests examinations of contacts were made not only in all members of the family but also in dogs and cats living with them in the same household. Attention was paid to the possible transmission of giardias. A total of 174 families were examined, i.e. 1140 subjects incl. 156 positive ones. Of 123 examined dogs 9 were positive and of 56 cats 8 were positive. Forty-three dog keepers were negative, of their 222 dogs 60 were positive. Although no association was proved between the infection of domestic animals and humans in the examined group, it is recommended to treat not only humans but also domestic animals.

[Diagnosis of sarcocystosis in sheep using the indirect fluorescence test and ELISA]. / Diagnostika sarkocystózy ovcí metodami NFR a ELISA.

The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was compared with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of specific antibodies to Sarcocystis sp. A set of 275 ovine blood samples was examined by both reactions. Cystozoites of Sarcocystis gigantea were used as the corpuscular antigen for the IFAT. For the diagnostics of sarcocystosis by the ELISA technique used the sandwich test of the antibody titration with a soluble antigen which was also prepared from S. gigantea macrocysts. Our studies confirmed that this antigen did not cross-react with Toxoplasma gondii. Titre 40 was determined as the limit one for the IFAT and titre 80 for the ELISA; which was confirmed by the direct detection of cysts in the muscles (Svobodová, 1989). The results of both methods are shown in Table I. 76.7% of the blood samples reacted positively in the IFAT and 83.6% in the ELISA. These methods were found to be suitable and can be utilized for the intravital routine diagnostics.

[Sarcocystosis in lambs]. / Sarkocystóza jehnat.

We studied the problems of sarcocystosis of lambs in regard to the transfer of antibodies over ewes to lambs. Antibodies in the blood serum of 26 ewes found out by help of indirect immunofluorescent reaction (NFR) varied within the range from 640 to 5120 titres, while in six cases their level was higher than in blood. In none of new-born lambs there were proved antibodies to the sarcocystosis before the drinking of colostrum but three days later we already detected antibodies in the dilution 1:4 to 1:128. Then we studied the titre dynamics of antibodies in weaned lambs. In the age of 10-18 weeks we proved only low titres of antibodies, from the 20th to the 24th weeks the titres gradually increased and from the 26th to the 30th weeks the level of antibodies increased significantly (5120 titres) with its maximum on about the 28th week. Animals had no clinic symptoms of disease. In the other part of the work we examined the muscular substance of 342 lambs, killed in the slaughter house, by a digestive method and we carried out the blood serologic examination (NFR). Microcysts were found out in 35.67% of lambs while macrocysts were so in none of them. Specific antibodies of sarcocystosis were detected in 94.44% of young animals. A high discrepancy of the both methods (61.69%) in young animals is a result of a significant antibody reaction at still undeveloped muscular cysts.

Use of ELISA for the diagnostics of ovine sarcocystosis.

A modification of micro ELISA was used for the detection of specific antibodies in the diagnostics of ovine sarcocystosis. The results of ELISA compared to those of indirect fluorescence reaction (IFR) were identical in 94.7%. The titres of specific antibodies were higher in 70.8% of samples if ELISA was used. The coincidence of the two tests is statistically highly significant (P less than 0.005). ELISA can be recommended for both experimental and routine examinations for ovine sarcocystosis.

[Relation between the occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and clinical findings in cats]. / Vztahy mezi výskytem protilátek proti Toxoplasma gondii a klinickými nálezy vysetrených kocek.

Within a three-year period, 178 clinically healthy and 442 sick cats (patients of the Clinic for Small Animal Diseases of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Brno) were examined for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 34.8% of the animals without clinical signs of the disease and in 54.3% of the sick cats (P less than 0.01). Compared with the group of clinically healthy cats, the specific antibodies occurred significantly more frequently in the cats suffering from diseases of the digestive tract (P less than 0.01), particularly in those with acute gastroenteritis, and in those having liver disorders (P less than 0.01; P less than 0.05). A statistically significantly higher occurrence of antibodies to T. gondii was also recorded in the cats with disorders of the nervous system (P less than 0.05; P less than 0.01), particularly in those with symptoms of extraordinary aggressivity at the age span from four months to three years. Enlarged lymph nodes were found out in 44% of the cats having antibodies to T. gondii. This is 15% more than the average for the investigated set of animals, which is a statistically significant dependence (P less than 0.01).

[Diagnosis and prevention of feline toxoplasmosis]. / Diagnostik und Prophylaxe der Katzentoxoplasmose.

At the "Small Animal Clinic of the University of Veterinary Science" in Brno during four years 442 sick and 178 clinically normal cats were examined in regard to incidence and diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Using the Sabin-Feldman reaction, antibodies against T.gondii were found in 40.3% of the cats (titer 4-128), whereas by means of complement fixation reaction and microprecipitation in agar gel, antibodies were found in 23.2% (titer 5-80) and 17.1% of the cats, respectively. Eight cats (1.3%) excreted T.gondii oocysts. The number of animals having specific antibodies increased statistically significant with age (P less than 0.01) and with particular hunting habits: it was higher in cats which were usually catching small rodents (P less than 0.01). A lower toxoplasmosis incidence was observed in indoor-cats (P less than 0.005) and in cats fed with boiled food only (P less than 0.005). In 35% of the cats showing no clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis, there were found antibodies against T.gondii. Comparison of clinically normal and sick cats revealed that antibodies against T.gondii occurred significantly more often in cats with enlarged lymph nodes (P less than 0.01), with a disease of the digestive tract (P less than 0.01), of the liver (P less than 0.01), and of the nervous system (P less than 0.01). Several recommendations for diagnosis and prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis in cats are given.

[Incidence of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in cat feces]. / Výskyt oocyst Toxoplasma gondii v trusu kocek.

Within two years and a half, the faeces of 620 cats coming from Brno and the area around the city were subjected to parasitological examination with special regard to the occurrence of the oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Sucrose solution at the specific weight of 1,150 was used as flotation medium. Oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii were eliminated by eight cats (1.29%) at the age from 16 days to 1.5 years. Six of the eight cats were younger than seven months. The Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were eliminated by the cats for 1-16 days while exhibiting signs of short-term scours and swelling of lymph nodes. In all cases the oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii were produced in the summer and autumn seasons (June-December). During the patent period, other coccidia (Isospora felis and Isospora rivolta) were also present in the cats.

[Sarcocystosis in slaughterhouse sheep]. / Sarkocystóza jatecných ovcí.

The occurrence of sarcocystosis was studied in the sheep produced in the vicinity of Brno and killed in the slaughterhouse. Adspection, the homogenization method and the digestion method were used for the detection of muscular cysts. Antibodies to sarcocystosis were determined in the blood serum by the indirect fluorescence method. The total number of sheep examined was 157; sarcocysts were detected in the muscle of 102 sheep (64.9%). The highest incidence was recorded in ewes: 60 ewes (80%) out of 75 were positive. Out of the 157 blood serum samples examined by the indirect fluorescence method, antibodies were found in 105 samples (66.9%). The antibody response was 77.3% in ewes, 63.4% in lambs and 46.6% in rams. The highest titres (640-10 240) were obtained in 16 lambs and 26 ewes.