Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports最新文献

{"title":"Prevalence of and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites in dogs from two Nunavik (Québec) communities","authors":"Carol-Anne Villeneuve,&nbsp;Hélène Déry,&nbsp;Brent Dixon,&nbsp;Marie-Christine Frenette,&nbsp;Géraldine G. Gouin,&nbsp;Temitope U. Kolapo,&nbsp;Harriet Merks,&nbsp;Patrick A. Leighton,&nbsp;Emily Jenkins,&nbsp;Juliette Di Francesco","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dogs in Nunavik (northern Québec, Canada) play an important role in local communities and may act as sentinels for zoonotic, food-borne, and environmentally transmitted parasites. This study assessed the prevalence, diversity, and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in two communities, Kuujjuaq and Inukjuak. Fecal samples were collected from individual, owned dogs (<em>n</em> = 61) in Kuujjuaq accompanied by owner questionnaires, and unidentified individual canid fecal samples were collected from the environment in both communities (<em>n</em> = 55) in 2016 and 2017. Samples were kept frozen until analysis using fecal flotation and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for protozoans <em>Giardia</em> and <em>Cryptosporidium.</em> Quantitative PCR was used to screen all 2017 samples for taeniid cestode speciation, and conventional PCR was used for the detection and genotyping of <em>Giardia</em> spp. in a subset of samples positive on IFA. <em>Echinococcus canadensis</em> was detected in dogs in Kuujjuaq and Inukjuak, and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> Assemblage B was detected in dogs in Kuujjuaq, both of which are zoonotic. Parasite richness was higher in environmental samples from Inukjuak than in those from Kuujjuaq. The prevalence of the non-zoonotic northern ascarid, <em>Toxascaris leonina</em>, and parasites acquired by dogs from consumption of fish and wildlife such as cestodes (<em>Dibothriocephalus</em> spp. and <em>Taenia</em> spp.) and protozoans (<em>Sarcocystis</em> spp.) was also higher in Inukjuak. <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. and <em>Cystoisospora</em> spp. (intestinal coccidia specific to dogs) were detected at low prevalence in owned dogs in Kuujjuaq. Notably, we did not detect other parasites of significance for canine and human health, such as <em>Toxocara canis</em> and <em>Echinococcus multilocularis</em>. Working status, intact reproductive status, outdoor feeding, and contact with ravens (possibly at the local landfill) were associated with higher GIP presence, while deworming was protective. These findings provide baseline data to guide future surveillance and intervention efforts in Nunavik communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149154527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological and molecular characterization of Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Dicrocoelium chinensis in small ruminants from Inner Mongolia, China","authors":"Luyang Tang,&nbsp;Penglong Wang,&nbsp;Gaowa Gong,&nbsp;Liangliang Lv,&nbsp;Fengying Bao,&nbsp;Lei Qiao,&nbsp;Wenbin Yang,&nbsp;Guoyu Shao,&nbsp;Wei Ni,&nbsp;Xiaoping Luo,&nbsp;Lei Xiu,&nbsp;Yan Nie,&nbsp;Junyan Li,&nbsp;Wei Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101608","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101608","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dicrocoeliosis is a parasitic liver disease of domestic and wild ruminants and can also affect humans, resulting in animal-production losses and potential public health concerns. This study aimed to identify <em>Dicrocoelium dendriticum</em> and <em>Dicrocoelium chinensis</em> in small ruminants from Inner Mongolia using integrated morphological and molecular approaches. Liver samples from 80 sheep and 280 goats were collected at slaughterhouses, and recovered flukes were subjected to morphometric examination and acetocarmine staining. Molecular identification based on ITS-2 and COX-1 sequences confirmed <em>D. dendriticum</em> in goats from Ordos and <em>D. chinensis</em> in sheep from Hinggan League. The prevalence was 5.0% for <em>D. dendriticum</em> in goats and 26.25% for <em>D. chinensis</em> in sheep. The testes were arranged in tandem in <em>D. dendriticum</em> and were opposed in <em>D. chinensis</em>. The sampled <em>D. chinensis</em> population had a greater maximum body width and larger oral and ventral suckers, whereas the distance from the anterior end to the point of maximum body width was greater in the sampled <em>D. dendriticum</em> population. ITS-2 and COX-1 sequences formed two well-supported species-specific clades. COX-1 analysis identified six haplotypes in <em>D. chinensis</em>, dominated by Hap_30 (67.4%), and 29 haplotypes in <em>D. dendriticum</em>, dominated by Hap_2 (23.2%).</div><div>ITS-2 was useful for discriminating <em>D. dendriticum</em> and <em>D. chinensis</em> but showed limited resolution for intraspecific variation, whereas COX-1 provided greater resolution for haplotype analysis. Because host species and geographic region were confounded in the sampling design, differences between the sampled populations should not be attributed solely to host or geography. These findings provide baseline data for molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity assessment, and surveillance of <em>Dicrocoelium</em> spp. in Inner Mongolia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101608"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149200111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zoonotic parasites of dogs and associated knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dog owners in Calabar, Nigeria","authors":"Edema Enogiomwan Imalele,&nbsp;Ubleni Ettah Emanghe,&nbsp;Anok Ukam Usang,&nbsp;Helina Clement Nku,&nbsp;Philemon Izeosabo Akenuwa,&nbsp;Chinwendu Vivian Eriama,&nbsp;Happiness Moses Cobham,&nbsp;Vincent C. Duru","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dog ownership can facilitate transmission of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites, particularly where poor hygiene, inadequate veterinary care, and low public awareness exist. This study assessed the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in dogs and the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of dog owners concerning zoonotic diseases. The study was conducted in Calabar, Nigeria, from August 2025 to January 2026 using a multistage cross-sectional sampling design. Data covering respondents' sociodemographic characteristics and KAP regarding gastrointestinal zoonotic parasites in pets were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Dog faecal samples were collected, analyzed and processed using centrifugation-flotation technique. Among 468 dogs examined, 188 (40.2%) were infected with at least one gastrointestinal parasite. Infection was significantly higher in peri-urban than urban dogs (67.7% vs. 33.6%; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), in dogs aged &gt;24 months (47.6%; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), and in dogs not dewormed within the previous 3 months compared with recently dewormed dogs (45.1% vs. 30.1%; <em>p</em> = 0.002). Hookworm egg was the most prevalent parasite (12.6%). Co-infections observed include hookworm egg <em>and Strongyloides stercoralis</em> (1.9%), hookworm egg and <em>Dipylidium caninum</em> (2.1%), and <em>Toxocara canis</em> and hookworm egg (0.4%). Most respondents demonstrated high knowledge of zoonotic parasites (67.8%). Overall, 43.4% of respondents exhibited negative attitudes towards zoonotic parasitic infections in dogs. Knowledge was significantly associated with gender, marital status, and religion. Attitude was associated with gender, age, marital status, religion, and location while practice with significantly linked with age and religion. The findings highlight the public health importance of canine gastrointestinal parasites in Nigeria and support integrated One Health interventions to reduce zoonotic transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101612"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149282281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surveillance of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) during the 2020 African horse sickness outbreak in Thailand: Species identification and African horse sickness virus detection","authors":"Rungrat Saiyasombat,&nbsp;Juntra Wattanamethanont,&nbsp;Kittichai Unjit,&nbsp;Montakan Jiratanh,&nbsp;Arunrat Thepparat","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>During African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak in Thailand in 2020, <em>Culicoides</em> vector surveillance was conducted to determine <em>Culicoides</em> species associated with the disease transmission. Ultraviolet light traps were set up to collect <em>Culicoides</em> midges at 17 affected and 2 vaccinated sites. A total of 28,226 <em>Culicoides</em> were collected and morphologically identified into 15 species from 6 subgenera and 1 species group. The most abundance species was <em>C. oxystoma</em> (37.37%), followed by <em>C. imicola</em> (24.09%), the main vector of AHS, and <em>C. innoxius</em> (15%). Molecular identification by DNA barcoding of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) confirmed 11 species, including an additional species<em>, C. similis</em>. AHS virus RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 8 of 280 pools tested (6 pools of <em>C. oxystoma</em> and 2 pools of <em>C. imicola</em> collected from zebra farms). This study provides a comprehensive, multi-site characterization of <em>Culicoides</em> species composition and abundance during the 2020 African horse sickness outbreak in Thailand, combining morphological and molecular (<em>COI</em>) identification. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first entomological survey of <em>Culicoides</em> species associated with zebra in Thailand, and additionally reports the first <em>COI</em> reference sequence for <em>C. similis</em> collected from horse farms in this country.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101605"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149200112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First reports on autochthonous cases of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in non-travelling dogs in Lithuania: from chronic respiratory to a fatal cardiopulmonary disease","authors":"Tomas Kupčinskas,&nbsp;Vytautas Sabūnas,&nbsp;Jurgita Milerytė,&nbsp;Vida Kisielevskytė,&nbsp;Gytis Gagelis,&nbsp;Inga Stadalienė,&nbsp;Saulius Petkevičius,&nbsp;Manuela Schnyder,&nbsp;Mindaugas Šarkūnas","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Angiostrongylus vasorum</em> is an emerging cardiopulmonary nematode of dogs with an expanding distribution across Europe, but its occurrence in the Baltic region remains poorly documented. This study reports the first canine cases of autochthonous <em>A. vasorum</em> infection in Lithuania and provides retrospective evidence of earlier parasite circulation. Three canine cases were investigated using clinical examination, thoracic imaging, and complementary diagnostic methods. These included faecal Baermann examination in all clinical cases, serological antigen detection in one case and realtime PCR from blood for confirmation in one case. Archived serum samples from 73 asymptomatic shelter dogs in central Lithuania collected in 2017 were retrospectively analysed for <em>A. vasorum</em> antigen and specific antibodies using validated ELISAs. Clinical manifestations ranged from chronic respiratory disease to rapidly progressive fatal cardiopulmonary disease. Thoracic imaging revealed pulmonary abnormalities consistent with angiostrongylosis in all three dogs, and one died following extensive pulmonary haemorrhage. Retrospective serological analysis identified evidence of exposure in 2/73 dogs (2.7%; 95% CI: 0.8–9.5%), including one antigen-positive and one antibody-positive animal. Although confirmatory parasitological or molecular testing was unavailable for archived samples, the findings suggest that <em>A. vasorum</em> may have circulated in Lithuania several years before recognition of the first clinical cases. Increased veterinary awareness and inclusion of <em>A. vasorum</em> in the differential diagnosis of compatible respiratory, haemorrhagic, neurological or non-specific signs are warranted to improve detection and understanding of its distribution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101610"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149200089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro evaluation of the acaricidal activity of linalool alone and in association with ivermectin against Rhipicephalus microplus larvae","authors":"Ana Maria Santos Lima,&nbsp;Larissa Claudino Ferreira,&nbsp;Ana Caroline Dantas Amorim,&nbsp;João Victor Inácio Santos,&nbsp;Thais Ferreira Feitosa,&nbsp;Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em> is one of the important ectoparasites affecting cattle production and is responsible for significant economic and health losses, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The intensive use of synthetic acaricides, such as ivermectin, has favored the selection of resistant populations, reinforcing the need for alternative control strategies. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the acaricidal activity of linalool, alone and in association with ivermectin, against ivermectin-resistant <em>R. microplus</em> populations. Four field populations from three municipalities in the semiarid region of Paraíba, Brazil, were evaluated. The bioassays were performed using the larval packet test, with determination of the lethal concentrations for 50% and 90% of the larvae (LC50 and LC90). As a result, linalool tested alone showed acaricidal activity in all evaluated populations, with LC50 values ranging from 0.941% to 1.865% and LC90 values ranging from 1.244% to 4.850%. Ivermectin, when tested alone, showed high levels of resistance, with LC50 values ranging from 345.637 ppm to 14,622.967 ppm and resistance ratios ranging from 13.70 to 579.70 in relation to the POA strain. On the other hand, when associated with the LC50 of linalool, ivermectin showed a marked reduction in its lethal concentrations, suggesting a possible synergistic effect between the compounds in all tested populations, with LC50 values ranging from 0.643 to 8.998 and a potentiation factor (PF) ranging from 1.625 and 537.53. These results demonstrate that the association between linalool and ivermectin represents a promising strategy for the control of resistant <em>R. microplus</em> populations and may contribute to the development of more sustainable management methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101602"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149154453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic characterization of Taenia multiceps causing cardiac coenurosis in a goat from Iran","authors":"Sara Larki,&nbsp;Alireza Alborzi,&nbsp;Fatemeh Madankan,&nbsp;Shirin Jalilian,&nbsp;Amirhossein Homayounkhah,&nbsp;Shahram Shoghi","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coenurosis is an economically important parasitic disease of small ruminants resulting in significant livestock losses in endemic regions. This study reports a pericardial coenurus cyst found during routine post-mortem examination at a commercial abattoir in Ahvaz, southwestern Iran. The cyst measured 1 × 1.3 cm in diameter and contained 0.4 ml of clear fluid and numerous white protoscolices. This unilocular <em>Taenia multiceps</em> cyst (<em>Coenurus gaigeri</em>) was identified on the pericardial surface of a one-year-old male goat. Protoscolices were armed with a double crown of 26–28 rostellar hooks arranged in large and small rows, from four of the 26 protoscolices recovered from the cyst. Morphometric parameters of large and small hooks are reported descriptively (mean ± SD, range). Molecular identification by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene showed a 418-bp sequence (GenBank: PV442129.1) sharing 99.72–100% identity with Iranian <em>T. multiceps</em> isolates. Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolate within a monophyletic clade of cerebral and non-cerebral <em>T. multiceps</em> forms, consistent with previous reports of a close genetic relationship between <em>C. gaigeri</em> and <em>C. cerebralis</em>. This case adds to the limited reports of extra-cerebral <em>T. multiceps</em> localization, underscoring the value of continued surveillance given the species' zoonotic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101603"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149154529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patho-morphological and molecular characterization of Leucocytozoon caulleryi (Apicomplexa: Leucocytozoidae) infection in White Leghorn layer chickens from Cauvery delta region of southern India","authors":"Latchumikanthan Annamalai,&nbsp;Tamileniyan Elangovan,&nbsp;Karuppaiyan Thilagavathi,&nbsp;Babu Prasath Natarajan,&nbsp;Vijayasarathi Matheri Kanniyappan,&nbsp;Mariappan Asok Kumar,&nbsp;Veeraselvam Muthusamy,&nbsp;Pavankumar Pesingi,&nbsp;Velusamy Rangasamy","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Leucocytozoon caulleryi</em> is a vector-borne haemosporidian parasite of poultry associated with haemorrhagic lesions and mortality, but molecular evidence from South India is limited. The study aimed to investigate the cause of mortality in White Leghorn layers and to confirm and molecularly characterize L. <em>caulleryi</em> infection in the Cauvery Delta region of Tamil Nadu. A flock of 1000 layers showing anorexia, dullness and drooping wings, with mortality of 18 birds within three days, was investigated. Necropsy of birds submitted in September 2023 to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, VCRI, Orathanadu revealed nodular lesions in the intestine, heart, kidneys and other visceral organs, along with haemorrhagic muscle spots. Nodules and blood samples from suspected and healthy birds were examined microscopically and subjected to DNA extraction using a Qiagen DNA kit. PCR targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome <em>b</em> gene was performed, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and the fly vector collected from the farm were identified morphologically as <em>Culicoides</em> spp. Microscopy demonstrated megaloschizont stages of <em>Leucocytozoon</em> sp., and PCR amplified a 391 bp fragment showing 98% sequence homology with L. <em>caulleryi</em> in NCBI-BLAST, clustering with reference sequences on phylogenetic analysis. The combined pathological and molecular findings support L. <em>caulleryi</em> infection as a major contributor to the observed disease and mortality in the affected layer flock. This study provides an integrated description of the gross pathological, histopathological and molecular characteristics associated with L. <em>caulleryi</em> infection in White Leghorn layers from the Cauvery Delta region of Tamil Nadu.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101599"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149154531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroepidemiological survey of Neospora caninum infection in dairy goats from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil","authors":"Igor Falco Arruda,&nbsp;Patricia Riddell Millar,&nbsp;Mario Felipe Alvarez Balaro,&nbsp;Fernanda da Silva Lopes,&nbsp;Caroline Martins da Costa,&nbsp;Lucas Almeida Zangirolami,&nbsp;Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101607","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101607","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Neosporosis is a significant veterinary parasitosis caused by coccidian species <em>Neospora caninum</em>. Parasitism by <em>N. caninum</em> can lead to important reproductive changes, such as abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal death in domestic ruminants like goats. Considering the foregoing, the aims of the current study are to determine the seroprevalence of <em>N. caninum</em> infection in dairy goats bred in farms in Rio de Janeiro State, and to identify possible risk factors for these animals. Blood samples were collected from 460 dairy goats bred in dairy farms in Niterói, Nova Friburgo, Sapucaia, Tanguá, Valença and Vassouras cities, Rio de Janeiro State, between October 2020 and December 2022. Serum samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to investigate anti-<em>N. caninum</em> IgG antibodies based on using this protozoan's total soluble antigen. Producers answered a semi-structured questionnaire comprising data about epidemiological variables associated with the geographic features of their farm and with the zootechnical features of their herd, as well as with reproductive, nutritional and health management processes, and with milk production and offspring suckling, to assess risk factors for <em>N. caninum</em> infection. In total, 28% (129/460) of all assessed samples were seroreactive to IgG against <em>N. caninum</em> in ELISA test. Seropositivity frequency recorded for <em>N. caninum</em> ranged from 12.5% (25/200) to 81.1% (30/37) among the analyzed farms. The final logistic regression models have evidenced association between <em>N. caninum</em> seropositivity and sex, type of sheepfold floor, underweight offspring birth, veterinary care frequency and time spent suckling (<em>p-value</em> ≤ 0.05). Overall, high <em>N. caninum</em> infection seroprevalence in dairy goats bred in Rio de Janeiro State appears to be mainly determined by management practices. More specific prevention and control measures aimed at interrupting neosporosis epidemiological chain are extremely important to help reducing both economic and animal health impacts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report <em>N. caninum</em> infection seroprevalence in goats bred in Rio de Janeiro State.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101607"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149154528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating body condition score change as a potential targeted selective treatment indicator for gastrointestinal nematode infections in first-season grazing Simmental heifers on alpine pastures","authors":"Jan-Philip Hahn,&nbsp;Yury Zablotski,&nbsp;Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer,&nbsp;Andreas W. Oehm","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2026.101611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Targeted selective treatment (TST) strategies aim to reduce anthelmintic use while maintaining animal health and performance. However, practical and reliable on-farm indicators for identifying first-season grazing (FSG) cattle at risk of parasitic burden are limited. This longitudinal field study during one grazing season in 20 FSG heifers managed on alpine pasture in southern Germany investigated associations between faecal egg counts (FEC), body condition score (BCS) change, coat type, and faecal consistency. Animals were examined on eight occasions. At each visit, BCS, coat type, and faecal consistency were recorded, and individual FEC were determined. Associations between BCS change and FEC were analysed using zero-inflated negative binomial mixed-effects models. Increasing BCS showed a tendency towards lower FEC in the count component of the model (IRR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.23–1.06, <em>p</em> = 0.071) and was associated with higher odds of zero detectable FEC (OR = 9.69; 95% CI = 2.32–40.44, <em>p</em> = 0.002). Exploratory interaction analyses indicated numerical variation in subgroup-specific estimates according to coat type and faecal consistency. Overall, improvements in body condition were associated more consistently with the probability of zero detectable egg shedding than with the magnitude of positive FEC. These findings support further investigation of BCS change as a potential candidate indicator for TST rather than establishing it as a validated treatment criterion. Prospective studies in which treatment decisions are explicitly based on BCS change and evaluated against parasitological, health, and performance outcomes are required to determine its practical utility within TST strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 101611"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149200091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}