Endoparasites of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Germany and their zoonotic potential: proposed Capillaria ovoreticulata genetically identified as Capillaria putorii.

Background: European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are frequently infected with a variety of endoparasites. The hedgehogs' synanthropic lifestyle results in frequent contact with pets and humans, posing the risk of parasite spillover from a One Health perspective.

Methods: The present study assessed the endoparasite fauna and excretion intensity of 531 European hedgehogs presented at wildlife rehabilitation centres in Germany.

Tick hazard in a Central European country: Mapping Europe's principal tick-borne disease vector across Germany.

The most common European tick species, Ixodes ricinus, is the principal vector of Borrelia and tick-borne encephalitis virus and several other pathogens of public health relevance in Europe. Comprehensive data on tick abundance and the underlying ecological drivers are crucial for developing awareness and control strategies and to assess future changes in tick-borne disease risk. We aimed to provide a Germany-wide map of I.

Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ruminant ticks - Borrelia prevalence declines only in female, but not nymphal ticks feeding on cervids.

Tick-borne pathogen epidemiology involves vectors, in Europe mainly Ixodes ricinus, and vertebrate hosts. Ruminants are reservoirs for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, but not for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.

Breed-dependent associations of production characteristics with on-farm seropositivity for Ostertagia ostertagi in dairy cows.

Background: Pasture-borne parasites like Ostertagia ostertagi have a negative effect on dairy cow health and productivity. The aim of the present study was to assess potential breed-dependent associations of O. ostertagi seropositivity with dairy cow production traits, i.

Attachment sites of Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus/Ixodes canisuga and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks and risk factors of infestation intensity and engorgement duration in dogs and cats.

Background: Over the last decades, climatic and environmental changes have led to an expanding seasonal activity pattern and increasing distribution of ticks across Europe. In particular, Dermacentor reticulatus is now commonly found on dogs in central Europe. The present study compared attachment sites between Ixodes spp.

Myiasis in European hedgehogs ().

Myiasis due to parasitic fly larvae (maggots) can have major consequences for animal health and welfare. The European hedgehog is frequently presented in rehabilitation centres and veterinary practices due to health problems, including myiasis. In the present study, 557 hedgehogs presented at wildlife rehabilitation centres in Northern Germany during 2018-2021 were examined for the presence of dipteran eggs and larvae.

[Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA): Case description and overview of the epidemiological situation with focus on Germany].

Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) is a tick-borne disease caused by (.) . In Central, Northern, Western, and Eastern Europe, ticks of the (.

Ixodes ricinus ticks survive flooding.

Climate-change induced weather extremes like floods are increasing in frequency and intensity, with potential consequences for disease vector ecology. We report on a flooding event during the winter of 2023/2024 in Hanover city, Germany. Our observations demonstrate that I.

Endoparasites of peritoneal organs and skeletal muscles of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in Germany.

Background: For several decades, the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) has gradually been returning to the forests of Germany, mainly in the central and southwestern regions. To increase the knowledge about this threatened species, the endoparasite status of dead found specimens from Germany was surveyed.

Methods: A total of 118 wildcats were examined for endoparasites in peritoneal organs and skeletal muscles.

Temporal dynamics in gastrointestinal helminth infections of sympatric mouse lemur species ( and ) in Northwestern Madagascar.

Madagascar's lemur populations are declining in dwindling habitats due to anthropogenic expansion and changing climatic conditions. Gastrointestinal parasites can be important indicators to assess the health status of threatened species. However, parasites, hosts and the environment are connected in complex interactions.

Endemisation and management of on a beef production farm.

The hard tick transmits a variety of zoonotic pathogens, including , the most common cause of bovine babesiosis in northern Europe. In endemic areas, cattle are rarely clinically affected, as animals up to the age of nine months are resistant against relevant clinical disease and develop protective premunity. However, outbreaks in immunologically naïve herds may lead to considerable losses.

Molecular and Serological Detection of Vector-Borne Pathogens Responsible for Equine Piroplasmosis in Europe between 2008 and 2021.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by (.) and/or (.) .

Frequency of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia spp., and coinfections in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from dogs and cats in Germany.

Background: Changing geographical and seasonal activity patterns of ticks may increase the risk of tick infestation and tick-borne pathogen (TBP) transmission for both humans and animals.

Methods: To estimate TBP exposure of dogs and cats, 3000 female I. ricinus from these hosts were investigated for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia species.

Molting incidents of Hyalomma spp. carrying human pathogens in Germany under different weather conditions.

Background: Hyalomma marginatum and H. rufipes are two-host tick species, which are mainly distributed in southern Europe, Africa to central Asia but may also be found in Central and Northern Europe through introduction by migratory birds.

Methods: Ticks were collected while feeding or crawling on animals and humans, or from the environment, in different regions in Germany, between 2019 and 2021 in a citizen science study and from 2022 to 2023 in the wake of this study.

Exotic ticks removed from German travelers.

We report the finding of five nymphs and three adult ticks attached to German tourists while traveling the American continents. All eight specimens were morphologically identified and confirmed genetically using the 16S rRNA gene and screened for Rickettsia spp. infections.

Ectoparasites of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Germany and their health impact.

Background: The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is known for high levels of ectoparasitism that not only represents a health risk for the animals themselves, but also for pet animals and humans as hedgehogs are frequently taken into human care. In the present study, patterns of ectoparasite infestation were assessed in hedgehogs taken into care at northern German animal rehabilitation centres.

Methods: Ectoparasites (ticks, fleas and mites) of 498 hedgehogs were collected over a period of 3 years from July 2018 to May 2021.

Random forest classification as a tool in epidemiological modelling: Identification of farm-specific characteristics relevant for the occurrence of Fasciola hepatica on German dairy farms.

Fasciola hepatica is an internal parasite of both human and veterinary relevance. In order to control fasciolosis, a multitude of attempts to predict the risk of infection such as risk maps or forecasting models have been developed. These attempts mainly focused on the influence of geo-climatic and meteorological features.

Associations of production characteristics with the on-farm presence of Fasciola hepatica in dairy cows vary across production levels and indicate differences between breeds.

Fasciola hepatica is one of the economically most important endoparasites in cattle production. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relevance of production level on the associations of on-farm presence of F. hepatica with farm-level milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein in Holstein cows, a specialised dairy breed, and in Simmental cows, a dual purpose breed.