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Baz-González E, Martin-Carrillo N, García-Livia K, Abreu-Acosta N, Foronda P. Molecular Detection of Microsporidia in Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121796. [PMID: 36552305 PMCID: PMC9775083 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. are microsporidia with zoonotic potential that have been identified in humans, as well as in a large group of wild and domestic animals. Several wildlife species have been studied as reservoirs of zoonotic microsporidia in mainland Spain, including the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Due to a lack of data on microsporidia infection in wildlife on the Canary Islands, the aim of this work was to analyze the prevalence and identify the species of microsporidia in rabbits in Tenerife. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 50 fecal samples were collected from rabbits in eight municipalities of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Seven of the fifty samples (14%) were amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and the partial sequence of the 5.8S rRNA gene. Sanger sequencing reveals the presence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype I in two samples (4%), and undescribed microsporidia species in five samples (10%). This study constitutes the first molecular detection and genotyping of E. cuniculi in rabbits in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Baz-González
- Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Natalia Martin-Carrillo
- Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Katherine García-Livia
- Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Néstor Abreu-Acosta
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Nertalab S.L., 38008 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Pilar Foronda
- Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Doboși AA, Bel LV, Paștiu AI, Pusta DL. A Review of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Domestic Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus)-Biology, Clinical Signs, Diagnostic Techniques, Treatment, and Prevention. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121486. [PMID: 36558820 PMCID: PMC9785705 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a eukaryote, unicellular, spore-forming, obligate intracellular microorganism of the phylum Microsporidia, with domestic rabbits as its main host. Another important species in which this pathogen has been identified are humans, the infection being therefore called a "zoonosis". The transmission takes place via the horizontal route or the vertical route, and cell-mediated immunity plays the biggest role in the infected hosts' protection. Encephalitozoonosis can manifest itself as an acute infection, with neurological signs, renal signs, and ocular lesions, or as a chronic or subclinical infection, which is usually the case for asymptomatic carriers. The diagnostic techniques usually carried out are histological examination, serological tests, and molecular genetic techniques. The treatment of encephalitozoonosis is usually symptomatic, with unrewarding results, and prevention methods include periodical serological screening, prophylactic administration of fenbendazole, and maintenance of a clean environment. The purpose of this article is to review the current data regarding the pathogenesis, host immunity, clinical signs, diagnostic methods, treatment, and prevention methods of encephalitozoonosis in the domestic rabbit, as well as to analyze the prevalence of this disease in different countries of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca-Alexandra Doboși
- Department of Genetics and Hereditary Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- New Companion Animals Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lucia-Victoria Bel
- New Companion Animals Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anamaria Ioana Paștiu
- Department of Genetics and Hereditary Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Dana Liana Pusta
- Department of Genetics and Hereditary Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Magalhães TR, Pinto FF, Queiroga FL. A multidisciplinary review about Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a One Health perspective. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2463-2479. [PMID: 35840730 PMCID: PMC9286959 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07562-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite mostly associated with its natural host, the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). However, other animals can be infected, like other mammals, birds, and even humans. Although it usually causes subclinical infection, it can also lead to encephalitozoonosis, a clinical disease characterized by neurological, ocular, and/or renal signs that can be even fatal, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, this multidisciplinary review contributes with updated information about the E. cuniculi, deepening in its molecular and genetic characterization, its mechanisms of infection and transmission, and its prevalence among different species and geographic locations, in a One Health perspective. Recent information about the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the main host species and the prophylaxis and infection control measures currently suggested are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Rodrigues Magalhães
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Filipe Fontes Pinto
- HIPRA, Malveira, Portugal
- Cytology Diagnostic Services, Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Felisbina Luisa Queiroga
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Center for the Study of Animal Sciences, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Rodríguez-Tovar LE, Villarreal-Marroquín A, Nevárez-Garza AM, Castillo-Velázquez U, Rodríguez-Ramírez HG, Navarro-Soto MC, Zárate-Ramos JJ, Hernández-Vidal G, Trejo-Chávez A. Histochemical study of Encephalitozoon cuniculi spores in the kidneys of naturally infected New Zealand rabbits. J Vet Diagn Invest 2017; 29:269-277. [DOI: 10.1177/1040638716668559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an important microsporidian pathogen that is considered an emergent, zoonotic, and opportunistic. It infects both domestic and laboratory rabbits, generating severe chronic interstitial and granulomatous nephritis with fibrosis and granulomatous encephalitis. Encephalitozoonosis is diagnosed in paraffin-embedded sections by examining the spores in the host tissues. The spores are difficult to observe when the samples are stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), particularly when there is an inflammatory reaction and tissue damage. The spores are easily mistaken for other microorganisms, such as fungi (yeasts), protozoa, and bacteria. In our study, we used kidney samples from E. cuniculi–positive rabbits and employed 14 recommended histologic stains for detecting microsporidia spores: alcian blue, calcofluor white, Giemsa, Gram, Grocott, H&E, Luna, Luxol fast blue, Masson trichrome, modified trichrome stain (MTS), periodic acid–Schiff reaction (PAS), Van Gieson, Warthin–Starry (WS), and Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN).We concluded that MTS and Gram stain, detected by light microscopy, and calcofluor white stain, detected by ultraviolet light microscopy, are the best stains for detecting spores of E. cuniculi in paraffin-embedded tissues from infected rabbits. These stains were superior to WS, ZN, Giemsa, and PAS for identifying spores without background “noise” or monochromatic interference. Also, they allow individual spores to be discerned in paraffin-embedded tissues. MTS allows observation of the polar tube, polaroplast, and posterior vacuole, the most distinctive parts of the spore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E. Rodríguez-Tovar
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Villarreal-Marroquín
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Alicia M. Nevárez-Garza
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Uziel Castillo-Velázquez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Heidi G. Rodríguez-Ramírez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Magda C. Navarro-Soto
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Juán J. Zárate-Ramos
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Hernández-Vidal
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Armando Trejo-Chávez
- Cuerpo Académico de Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (Rodríguez, Villarreal, Nevárez, Castillo, Rodríguez, Navarro, Trejo), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Epidemiología Veterinaria (Zarate), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Cuerpo Académico de Patobiología (Hernández), Department of Immunology, FMVZ-UANL, Campus de Ciencias Agropecuarias, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico
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Maestrini G, Ricci E, Cantile C, Mannella R, Mancianti F, Paci G, D'Ascenzi C, Perrucci S. Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits: Serological screening and histopathological findings. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 50:54-57. [PMID: 28131379 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 11/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Serological prevalence of E. cuniculi infection was assessed in 183 rabbits from central Italy. In seropositive deceased rabbits, histopathological lesions were also evaluated. Sera from 118 rabbits from 6 intensive farms, 10 rabbits from 6 family farms, 16 rabbits from a zoo, 30 rabbits from 5 research laboratories and 9 pet rabbits from 9 different owners, were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were statistically analysed. Tissue samples from brain and kidney of 10 deceased rabbits were formalin-fixed and subsequently analysed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Anti-E. cuniculi antibodies were found in 129/183 (70.5%) analysed sera. At statistical analysis, E. cuniculi seropositivity was significantly higher (p<0.05) in industrial and zoo rabbits. At histology, different degrees of pathological lesions were found in serological positive (9) deceased animals. In three rabbits deceased after showing neurological signs, the severity of the lesions was interpreted as a likely cause for their death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Maestrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2- 56124 Pisa Italy.
| | - Emanuele Ricci
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Carlo Cantile
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2- 56124 Pisa Italy.
| | - Riccardo Mannella
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Enrico Fermi", Università di Pisa, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo, 3-56127 Pisa Italy.
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2- 56124 Pisa Italy.
| | - Gisella Paci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2- 56124 Pisa Italy.
| | - Carlo D'Ascenzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2- 56124 Pisa Italy.
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2- 56124 Pisa Italy.
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Hinney B, Sak B, Joachim A, Kváč M. More than a rabbit's tale - Encephalitozoon spp. in wild mammals and birds. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2016; 5:76-87. [PMID: 28560162 PMCID: PMC5439460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Within the microsporidian genus Encephalitozoon, three species, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon hellem and Encephalitozoon intestinalis have been described. Several orders of the Class Aves (Passeriformes, Psittaciformes, Apodiformes, Ciconiiformis, Gruiformes, Columbiformes, Suliformes, Podicipediformes, Anseriformes, Struthioniformes, Falconiformes) and of the Class Mammalia (Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Primates, Artyodactyla, Soricomorpha, Chiroptera, Carnivora) can become infected. Especially E. cuniculi has a very broad host range while E. hellem is mainly distributed amongst birds. E. intestinalis has so far been detected only sporadically in wild animals. Although genotyping allows the identification of strains with a certain host preference, recent studies have demonstrated that they have no strict host specificity. Accordingly, humans can become infected with any of the four strains of E. cuniculi as well as with E. hellem or E. intestinalis, the latter being the most common. Especially, but not exclusively, immunocompromised people are at risk. Environmental contamination with as well as direct transmission of Encephalitozoon is therefore highly relevant for public health. Moreover, endangered species might be threatened by the spread of pathogens into their habitats. In captivity, clinically overt and often fatal disease seems to occur frequently. In conclusion, Encephalitozoon appears to be common in wild warm-blooded animals and these hosts may present important reservoirs for environmental contamination and maintenance of the pathogens. Similar to domestic animals, asymptomatic infections seem to occur frequently but in captive wild animals severe disease has also been reported. Detailed investigations into the epidemiology and clinical relevance of these microsporidia will permit a full appraisal of their role as pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Kváč
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 13, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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