We analyze through a climatic model the influence of regional warming on the geographical spreading and potential risk of infection of human dirofilariosis in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet states from 1981 to 2011 and estimate the situation by 2030. The model correctly predicts the spatiotemporal location of 97.10% of 2154 clinical cases reported in the area during the studied period, identified by a retrospective review of the literature. There exists also a significant correlation between annual predicted Dirofilaria generations and calculated morbidity. The model states the progressive increase of 14.8% in the potential transmission area, up to latitude 64°N, and 14.7% in population exposure. By 2030 an increase of 18.5% in transmission area and 10.8% in population exposure is expected. These findings strongly suggest the influence of global warming in both geographical spreading and increase in the number of Dirofilaria generations. The results should alert about the epidemiological behavior of dirofilariosis and other mosquito-borne diseases in these and other countries with similar climatic characteristics.

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Alternative sources to the scientific literature could be necessary to assess the epidemiological situation regarding HSOD in some areas where it has become an emerging condition. There is an urgent need for uniform criteria for reporting and retrieving human cases of dirofilariasis.

The trial was carried out with the objective of quantifying the effect of horse rearing in orange tree plantations on fruit production and the soil, as well as determining the productive performance of the horses integrated to this system regarding their meat production potential. For this purpose 58 newly weaned fillies were used, which were randomly distributed in two treatments: (A) continuous grazing with irrigation and (B) continuous grazing without irrigation, in addition to (C) traditional method of weed control (control without animals). The stocking rate used was one animal/ha and the weight gains differed significantly (P<0.001), favouring the treatment with irrigation (0.569 vs 0.431 kg), which was favoured by a higher availability of DM and nutrients in the pasture. Fruit yield and quality were slightly higher in the control, while the best soil indicators corresponded to irrigation. The possibility of integrating horse production to orange tree plantations is demonstrated.