Introduction The aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence – activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Material and Methods The study was based on 15 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis with anorexia, pyrexia, depression, pale mucous membrane, splenomegaly and dark red urine. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears and the results of PCR confirmed B. canis infection. Seven apparently healthy dogs brought in for either a check-up or vaccination were used for comparison. Results The levels of the erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes - SOD and CAT - were significantly higher in the infected dogs than in cytologically negative dogs. The levels of blood micronutrients were significantly lower in the infected dogs (0.478 μg of zinc per mL vs 1.241 μg/mL and 0.722 μg of copper per mL vs 1.392 μg/mL). Conclusion Oxidative stress can be posited as one of the mechanisms leading to anaemia in dogs with babesiosis, and therefore antioxidant biomarker and copper and zinc concentrations could be used as indicators of disease severity and prognostic markers.

The aim of this study was to assess cardiac disorders in dogs infected with B. canis. The study included 50 dogs with babesiosis and 20 healthy control animals. All the animals had haematological tests, ECG, echocardiography and serum troponin I and CK-MB levels checked. The haematology in the group of dogs with babesiosis confirmed thrombocytopaenia in 100% of dogs, decreased haematocrit in 52% and anaemia in 46%. The most common abnormalities in ECG and echocardiography in dogs infected with protozoa included: change in appearance and/or amplitude of the T-wave (34%), increased fractional shortening (24%), an increased sinus rhythm (14%) and heart axis deviation (10%). In 19 of the 50 dogs with babesiosis, the level of serum troponin I was elevated. In 2 dogs that died from babesiosis, the troponin level I was very high. The ECG confirmed sinus tachycardia and interpolated ventricular beat in these animals. In all dogs with babesiosis that were used in the study, the serum CK-MB was high or very high and was within limits of 23.17 U/L -369.62 U/L. The highest kinase concentration (367.33 U/L and 369.62 U/L) was observed in dogs that died due to the disease. The presented results prove that cardiac changes are common in canine babesiosis, but that most changes are nonspecific and appear to have little clinical significance. Cardiovascular assessment should be based on the assessment of the level of troponin I and CK-MB in the serum of sick animals. High concentrations of these factors might be indicators of poor prognosis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in a group of 120 wild bison (Bison bonasus) from the Bialowieza Primeval Forest in eastern Poland. The PCR technique revealed the presence of 16S RNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the blood of 16 out of 120 examined animals. DNA amplification by means of primers SC1 and SC2 gave a product with a size of 300-bp. The sequences of the PCR products obtained showed 100% homology with each other and 100% homology with B. burgdorferi s.l. 16S RNA gene DQ111061. Results of this study suggest that wild bison are important in maintaining agents of Lyme borreliosis, and that studies of reservoir competence of this species are indicated.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to carry out a genetic analysis of Babesia canis isolates detected in dogs in eastern Poland and to study the correlation of the protozoa variant with a specific geographical region. Material and Methods: PCR was used to identify strains of B. canis from naturally infected animals (240 dogs from four provinces: Mazowieckie, Lublin, Podlasie, and Podkarpacie) by amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Results: Sequencing the PCR products led to the identification of four variants of B. canis. Two previously described protozoa variants (18S rRNA-A and 18S rRNA-B) were observed in all provinces. Additionally, in the Mazowieckie and Lublin provinces a B. canis variant which contributed to the development of acute or atypical babesiosis was observed. The fourth variant of B. canis was detected only in dogs from the Lublin province, and the course of the disease was subclinical in all dogs infected with this variant. Conclusion: These results indicate the appearance of a new fourth B. canis genotype in Poland and confirm that it is still necessary to study the relationships between the genetic structure of protozoa, geographical distribution of the parasites, and clinical course of the disease.

Cattle babesiosis is a dangerous and economically important tick–borne disease caused by hemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. The vector of the disease are ticks from Ixodidae family. Symptoms of disease are fever, anorexia, lethargy, anemia, jaundice and hemoglobinuria.The purpose of this study was to investigate prevalence of Babesia spp. in cattle in Lublin region. The PCR technique revealed the presence of 18S RNA Babesia spp. genetic material in the blood of 20 from 192 examined animals (10.4%). Our study showed that the bovine babesiosis occur in Poland with asymptomatic form and does not reduce milk production significantly. The diagnosis depends only on the basis of detection of the genetic material of parasite, and the direct microscopic examination of blood smears is not useful in the identification of Babesia spp. in erythrocytes.The comparison of PCR products showed low homology level between isolates with present study and other Babesia sequences obtained around the world.Moreover, the study showed the prevalence of piroplasms in ticks from Lublin region is low (0,63%).

The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of FCoV Ab rapid serological tests in the diagnosis of the effusive form of FIP in cats. The cats included in the study were divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 40 cats with a strain of FCoV causing FIP (the presence of the M1058L mutation) in the abdominal fluid determined using PCR. The control group consisted of 15 cats with ascites caused by factors other than FCoV infection. Serological examination demonstrated the presence of antibodies to feline coronavirus in 28 out of 40 samples of the fluid collected from animals included in the study group, which constituted 70.0% of the tested samples. No antibodies to coronavirus were identified in any of the peritoneal fluid samples collected from the cats included in the control group using rapid immunochromatographic tests. The results obtained in our own studies demonstrated that the serological test ensured very high probability, especially in the detection of infected animals, as well as, although with a slightly lower probability, in the exclusion of the presence of FIP virus infection in the samples of fluid collected from the peritoneal cavity.

Summary Objective: Bovine piroplasmoses are tick-borne protozoan diseases caused by parasites of the genus Theileria and Babesia. The aim of this work was to study the epizootic situation of babesiosis in the cattle population in eastern Poland and possibly to determine which species of protozoa infects Polish cattle. Material, methods and results: Blood samples for molecular analysis (real time PCR) were collected from 192 dairy cattle from various farms located in eastern Poland. The infection was detected in 10.4 % of the samples. All animals were infected with Babesia occultans which sequence of the 18S RNA gene fragment showed a 92.8 % homology with the sequence of B. occultans EU 376017. Conclusion and clinical relevance: This is the first report about the detection of B. occultans DNA in asymptomatic cattle in eastern Poland. The results obtained indicate that the range of these parasites is increasing and that continuous monitoring of babesiosis in cattle in Europe and in Poland is necessary.

The aim of the study was a preliminary assessment of the anti-cancer efficacy of the capsaicin-containing habanero pepper extract in dogs. The study was conducted on a group of 50 dogs (33 females, and 17 males aged 6–18 years) diagnosed with different tumours, and 20 dogs (12 females and 8 males, aged 2-12 years) forming a control group. All animals were administered with a diet supplement based on habanero pepper extract containing capsaicin. Observations were conducted for a period of 6 months, during which time the general condition of the animals administered with the extract was monitored, and haematological as well as biochemical examinations were conducted at 2-week intervals in order to assess the tolerance of the animals to the extract. In the animals of the test group, tumour sizes were measured at monthly intervals. After the end of observations, the tumours were removed and subjected to histopathological tests. As a result of habanero pepper extract administration, the tumour size decreased by 5–50% in 15 dogs, the tumours size remained unchanged in 29 dogs, whereas tumour size increased by 10–30% in 5 animals despite the administration of the extract. The extract was well tolerated by the animals. Temporary undesirable symptoms in the form of vomiting or diarrhoea and licking of the anal region, which could stem from its administration, were observed in only nine dogs of the test group and 5 of the control group. An increase in asparagine aminotransferase (AST) activity was observed in 13 dogs of the test group, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was elevated in 11 dogs, whereas alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased its activity in 18 dogs. Increases in total bilirubin, urea and creatinine concentration were noted in the serum of 10, 9 and 9 dogs respectively. In the control group, the AST activity increased in 7 dogs, ALT in 5, ALP in 5, and total bilirubin concentration in 6. The preliminary clinical observations indicate that the capsaicin-containing habanero pepper extract exhibits favourable effects on different tumours in dogs and is well tolerated by the animals, thus the obtained results are a good sign for future studies on alternative medications used in dog oncology.