Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep and goats are important economically and for public health for many countries, including Romania. In this study, seroprevalence and associated risk factors for T. gondii infection were determined in 2500 sheep and 500 goats from three counties in the Banat region of Romania. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 1266 of 2500 (50.64%) sheep and in 375 (75%) of 500 goats, by using a commercial (IDEXX) ELISA. To evaluate the epidemiological status of the infection, some risk factors for ovine and caprine T. gondii infections were assessed. The main risk factors associated with T. gondii infections were breed, age, and the presence of cats in the farm. Seroprevalence was higher in animals older than three years and in purebred versus mixed breed animals. This is the first detailed study of risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence in sheep and goats in Romania.

Amongst ruminant livestock diseases, the gastrointestinal (GIT) helminths and protozoan parasite infections result in a significant socioeconomic concern worldwide. During the period between October 2017 and November 2018, a total of 788 fresh fecal specimens from cattle (n = 303) and sheep (n = 485) were screened for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths and protozoan parasites in two historical regions (Crisana and Banat) of western Romania. Laboratory processing of fecal samples with the simple salt flotation (Willis) and sedimentation techniques, followed by microscopic analysis revealed that 86.1% of cattle and 92.6% of sheep were found to be positive for at least one parasitic stage of GIT helminths and/or protozoa. Five endoparasites were identified in both cattle (C) and sheep (S), and their prevalence was as follows: Eimeria spp. 24.1% (C), 43.7% (S); Balantidium spp. 10.2% (C), 1% (S); Fasciola/ Paramphistomum spp. 55.8% (C), 75% (S); Dicrocoelium spp. 14.2% (C), 3.2% (S); and Strongylid eggs 46.9% (C), 71.3% (S). In addition, Toxocara spp. (0.3%) genera were found in cattle, while Nematodirus spp. (24.5%) and Moniezia spp. (3.5%) were observed only in sheep. The strongylid infections were significantly more prevalent (P < 0.05) in cattle older than 8 years, while the coccidial ones were positively associated (P < 0.05) with sheep younger than 2 years. The study provides useful information for veterinary practitioners in order to develop effective prevention and control strategies against gastrointestinal parasitic infections in the studied regions.

The European hare (Lepus europaeus) is widely spread throughout Europe, however, their numbers are declining in some countries, with parasites bearing some responsibility for this population decrease, due to their role as favouring factors. The aim of this study was to determine the gastrointestinal parasitic populations of hares (Lepus europaeus) from Romania. The study took place during the hunting seasons (November-February) of the years 2020-2022. Gastrointestinal tracts from 72 hares were subjected to a macro- and microscopic examination in order to determine the presence of endoparasites. Each intestinal segment was individualised and examined by standard methods. The faeces were subsequently examined using the flotation method (Willis) with suprasaturated NaCl solution. Fifty one (70.8%) animals were parasitized by one or several parasite species. The following helminths were found through necropsy: Trichostrongylus spp. (76.5 %), Passalurus ambiguus (15.7 %) in the digestive tract, Dicrocoelium dendriticum (9.8 in the liver and Cysticercus pisiformis (2 %) on the abdominal serosae. Additionally, Linguatula serrata nymphs were also found in 3.9 % animals. Coproscopy revealed a prevalence rate of 100% for Eimeria spp. Multiparasitism was more frequent than parasitism involving a single species. Although the identified parasites can play an important role in the health status of rabbits.

Metabolomics is an advanced technology, still under development, with multiple research applications, especially in the field of health. Individual metabolic profiles, the functionality of the body, as well as its interaction with the environment can be established using this technology. The body&#039;s response to various external factors, including the food consumed and the nutrients it contains, has increased researchers&#039; interest in nutrimetabolomics. Establishing correlations between diet and the occurrence of various diseases or even the development of personalized nutrition plans, could contribute to advances in precision medicine. The interdependence between humans, animals and the environment are of particular importance today, with the dramatic emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases, food, water and soil contamination, and the degradation of resources and habitats. All these events have led to an increase of risk factors for functional diseases, burdening global health. Thus, this study aimed to highlight the importance of metabolomics, in particular of nutrimetabolomics, as a technical solution for a holistic, collaborative, and precise approach for the advancement of the One Health strategy.

No abstract

Metabolomics is an advanced technology, still under development, with multiple research applications, especially in the field of health. Individual metabolic profiles, the functionality of the body, as well as its interaction with the environment, can be established using this technology. The body’s response to various external factors, including the food consumed and the nutrients it contains, has increased researchers’ interest in nutrimetabolomics. Establishing correlations between diet and the occurrence of various diseases, or even the development of personalized nutrition plans, could contribute to advances in precision medicine. The interdependence between humans, animals, and the environment is of particular importance today, with the dramatic emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases, food, water and soil contamination, and the degradation of resources and habitats. All these events have led to an increase in risk factors for functional diseases, burdening global health. Thus, this study aimed to highlight the importance of metabolomics, and, in particular, nutrimetabolomics, as a technical solution for a holistic, collaborative, and precise approach for the advancement of the One Health strategy.

Both domestic and wild rabbits are susceptible to an increased number of parasites, however, only few are of economic importance. The aim of this study was to identify the endoparasite species present in domestic and wild leporidae from Caras-Severin county, between April 2021 and March 2022. A total of 157 leporids, 111 domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and 46 wild rabbits (Lepus europaeus) were included in the study. The rabbits were grouped into three age categories: 4 months, 4 months - 1.6 years, 1.6 years. Coproscopic tests (Willis method) carried out on the 111 domestic rabbits taken into study resulted in the identification of eggs from the following parasites: Eimeria spp. (52.3%), Passalurus ambiguus (4.4%), Trichocephalus leporis (4.5%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (13.5%), respectively (15.3%) of the studied leporids were negative. The identification of parasite species present in wild hares was carried out by employing two coproparasitological methods: the Willis method and the sedimentation method. The Willis method revealed Eimeria spp. oocysts 45.7%, Trichostrongylus spp. eggs 23.9% and Trichocephalus leporis 13%. Out of a total of 46 samples, 8 were negative (17.4%). No parasitic elements were detected using the successive washing method.