Sandfly surveillance and investigation of Leishmania spp. DNA in sandflies in Kosovo

In the past decade, leishmaniasis seems to be re-emerging in Balkan countries. There are serious implications that Kosovo is a visceral leishmaniasis endemic region with autochthonous transmission; nevertheless, surveillance of vectors, reservoirs or the disease is not yet established. Gaining knowledge about sandfly vector species is a prerequisite for the development of a monitoring and control plan in the future. After a long gap in research of over 70 years, sandfly studies in Kosovo were resumed in 2014. During this presence/absence study, nine sandfly species were detected: Phlebotomus papatasi, Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. tobbi, Ph. neglectus, Ph. simici, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. alexandri, Ph. mascittii and Sergentomyia minuta. Three species are new with regard to the fauna of Kosovo - Ph. alexandri, Ph. balcanicus and Ph. mascittii. Besides increased diversity, changes in the number of collected specimens and distribution range of species were recorded, with Ph. neglectus being the most dominant species with the widest distribution. Testing of randomly chosen females for Leishmania spp. DNA resulted the in detection of L. tropica in a specimen of Ph. neglectus. The presence of numerous vector species in the sandfly fauna of Kosovo pose a threat for the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases. Therefore, continuous surveillance is recommended with regular updates on vector distribution and abundance.

Seroprevalence of bluetongue disease virus (BTV) among domestic ruminants in Kosovo and first record of BTV serotype 4 in sheep

The objective of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence and serotype of bluetongue virus (BTV) in domestic ruminants in different regions in Kosovo, in years 2014 and 2015. A total of 905 blood sera were analysed: 633 from sheep, 204 from cattle and 68 from goats, collected in 170 farms, 88 villages in 18 municipalities. All samples were analysed with c-ELISA for detection of BTV seroprevalence. From sheep with clinical signs samples were collected and were analysed with specific RT-PCR. Out of all 905 samples analysed with c-ELISA, 105 samples (11.6%) were seropositive (53 ovine, 39 bovine and 13 caprine). The 43 samples from sheep with clinical sings for bluetongue disease were confirmed by RT-PCR, and BTV-4 serotype was identified. The results indicated high seroprevalence of BTV in domestic ruminants, evidence of BTV-4 serotype in sheep, suggesting a need to strengthen national and regional scientific efforts and control strategy to meet the global challenge of this infectious disease.