Biology and molecular biology

Dogs are very popular pets that can be infected with a wide diversity of endo- and ectoparasites, some of which have zoonotic potential. The aim of the present study was to determine the diversity and prevalence of helminths in rural and urban dogs in Tashkent, Samarkand and Karakalpakstan regions of Uzbekistan. A total of 399 dogs from rural and urban areas were examined by necropsy between November 2016 and March 2022. All helminth species were morphologically identified. A total of 31 species belonging to the classes Trematoda (3), Cestoda (9), Nematoda (18) and Acanthocephala (1) were identified in 378 dogs (94.7%). Twenty-one species are indicated for the helminth fauna of urban dogs and 31 species for rural dog populations. From the 31 species of helminths identified 18 species are zoonotic and four of them (Echinicoccus granulosus, Dipylidium cani-num, Toxocara canis, Dirofilaria repens) have a significant epidemiological importance. The study showed that the prevalence and d...

Dirofilaria repens is a zoonotic mosquito-borne filarioid that parasitizes in the subcutaneous tissues of carnivores, that has been incriminated in the great majority of human dirofilariasis cases reported throughout the Old World. From the Republic of Uzbekistan, recent data showed that this parasite is endemic in domestic and wild carnivores. In contrast, information regarding human infection is scarce and mostly outdated, with a single case report being published during the last decades. The present paper reports a case of recurrent autochthonous infection with D. repens in a patient living in the rural area of the Sirdaryo Region of Uzbekistan and having no international travel history. The first diagnosis was in 2019, when the patient presented with what was suspected to be a tumour of the left breast. Three years later, in 2022, she presented for a consultation after experiencing redness, occasional swelling and persistent itching in the umbilical region of the abdomen. The ultrasound indicated the presence of a living, motile nematode. Following anthelmintic therapy, the parasite was surgically removed and identified as a female D. repens. The present report highlights the possibility of human re-infection with D. repens and further underlines the necessity of raising public awareness and implementing of solid control strategies in carnivores.

Background: Ectoparasites are known to transmit various pathogens that can cause numerous diseases in livestock, leading to detrimental effects such as skin damage, weight loss, anemia, reduced meat and milk production, and even mortality. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the species composition and prevalence of ectoparasites in domestic (dogs and cats) and wild predatory mammals (jackals, wolves, foxes, and reed cats) in Uzbekistan through regular parasite collections. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive surveillance was conducted to calculate the prevalence of ectoparasites in carnivorous mammals. Data on ectoparasite prevalence, including area, host, breed, species diversity, age, and seasonal infestation rate, were recorded and analyzed. This research represents the first investigation of ectoparasites in carnivorous mammals in Uzbekistan and encompassed 12 regions (Andijan,

worms, are a group of organisms that can infect various animal species, including humans. In Uzbekistan, previous studies on the helminth fauna of mammals have focused mainly on domestic animals and some wildlife species, with little attention paid to carnivorous mammals. Th is study aims to provide the fi rst comprehensive survey of the