Maria Monica Florina Moraru

Gastrointestinal endoparasites represent an important aspect of the health of both wild and captive pheasants, with the potential to influence survival and population management. The common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is a game species of interest in Romania; however, data on gastrointestinal endoparasites in wild populations remain limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of gastrointestinal parasites in wild pheasants originating from hunting grounds in Romania. A total of 30 wild pheasants from four hunting grounds located across three Romanian counties were examined. For each individual, faecal samples were analysed using the flotation technique, while the digestive tract was examined macroscopically and parasitologically, with each digestive segment evaluated separately. Following coproparasitological examination, Eimeria spp. oocysts were detected in 6 of the 30 examined pheasants (20.0%; 95% CI: 9.5–37.3%). Examination of the digestive tract revealed adult nematodes morphologically consistent with Heterakis spp. in the caeca of 5 of the 30 pheasants (16.7%; 95% CI: 7.3–33.6%). These results indicate the presence of gastrointestinal endoparasites in wild pheasants from the investigated hunting grounds and provide the first data on the parasitological status of this species in Romania. Further studies involving larger sample sizes, broader geographical coverage, and molecular characterisation are needed to clarify parasite species identity and better understand the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in wild pheasants in Romania.

Toxoplasma gondii, one of the most important zoonotic agents, usually evolves asymptomatically in the definitive hosts, domestic and wild felids, while in intermediate hosts it may cause significant economic losses, abortions, or even death. The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of this protozoan infection is widely recognized. The aim of the present study was to evaluate exposure to T. gondii in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Romania by determining the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using the HSDA method. Cardiac fluid samples were collected from the hearts of 49 red foxes between January and July 2024, during the regular annual harvest, in four Romanian counties: Timiș, Arad, Tulcea, and Iași. The results revealed a seroprevalence of 57.1%, suggesting substantial exposure to the parasite in the investigated fox population. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in seroprevalence according to sex or age category (p > 0.05), although subadults presented higher antibody titers compared to adults, suggesting recent exposure and active circulation of the protozoan among young individuals. The study supports the role of red foxes as useful sentinel animals for monitoring T. gondii exposure in wildlife. The high prevalence identified highlights the need for continuous monitoring of toxoplasmosis in wildlife within the One Health framework and considering the associated zoonotic risk.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is an important reproductive disorder in dairy cows and may be influenced by nutritional and metabolic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between nutritional parameters (fiber, crude protein, and dry matter content) and the incidence of ovarian cysts in dairy cows. A total of 579 cows were evaluated between July and October on a high-producing dairy farm in northwestern. Cows were examined by transrectal ultrasonography as part of reproductive monitoring, and farm reproductive records, monthly feed analyses, and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) values were reviewed. The proportion of cows diagnosed with ovarian cysts among examined cows varied across months, reaching its highest value in September. During the same period, fiber levels (ADF and NDF) decreased markedly, dry matter content increased, and MUN values declined. The monthly distribution of COD diagnoses differed significantly between months (chi-square test, p = 0.0017). Reduced fiber intake reduces rumen stimulation and saliva production while increased dry matter content can limit energy intake. In combination with insufficient metabolizable protein these factors may contribute to negative energy balance (NEB) during the early stages of lactation. This disrupts metabolic and hormonal homeostasis, increasing the risk of ovarian cyst formation.

Trichinellosis is an important parasitic zoonosis caused by nematodes of the genus Trichinella, affecting numerous carnivorous and omnivorous mammal species. In Europe, wildlife represents the main reservoir of Trichinella spp., contributing to the maintenance of the sylvatic cycle and acting as a potential source of infection for domestic animals and humans. In Romania, Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella britovi, and Trichinella pseudospiralis have been reported in domestic animals and wildlife, with T. britovi being frequently associated with the sylvatic cycle and wild carnivores. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and molecular characterization of Trichinella larvae isolated from muscle tissues of European badgers (Meles meles) originating from different areas of Romania. Overall, muscle samples collected from 24 European badgers from six Romanian counties were examined using the artificial digestion method. Recovered larvae were subjected to PCR-based species discrimination by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Trichinella larvae were detected in one of the 24 examined European badgers, originating from Arad County, Western Romania. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of T. britovi, the species most commonly identified in wild carnivores from temperate regions. Although T. britovi has previously been reported in the European badger in Romania in a specimen from Central Romania, the present finding represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first detection of this parasite–host association in Western Romania. The low infection prevalence and the detection of T. britovi in the European badger indicate circulation within the sylvatic cycle and highlight the need for continued wildlife monitoring, given the zoonotic potential of this parasite.

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is an apex predator and an important sentinel for trophically transmitted helminths acquired via predation on wild ungulates. On 2 March 2022, an adult male lynx that was road-killed in the Apuseni Mountains (Surducel hunting ground, Bihor County) was collected, frozen for biosafety, and a necropsy was performed. Taeniid cestodes were detected, with a total intestinal burden of nine adult specimens. Genetic analyses confirmed Taenia lynciscapreoli, and the obtained sequences were deposited in GenBank (PV843597, PV855065, PV844409). Phylogenetic inference based on cox1 assigned the Romanian isolate within the European cluster, distinct from the Chinese isolate, while showing genetic proximity to Taenia sp. (MW846305) that have been reported from a lynx in China. This study represents the first molecular identification of T. lynciscapreoli in the Eurasian lynx in Romania and, to our knowledge, the first record from Southeastern Europe.

The pelvis is an anatomically and functionally complex bone that contributes to locomotion and obstetrics. Pelvis anatomy is very important during parturition because it must be large enough to allow the passage of the foetus. A common complication of parturition in animal is dystocia, resulting in the inability to deliver a fetus through the birth canal and is caused by various complications, such as a narrow birth canal, foetal malpresentation, oversized foetuses and/or foetal monstrosities. In dogs, dystocia occurs at an overall incidence of 5% but can reach 95% in brachycephalic breeds. One of the breeds with the higher incidence of dystocia are English Bulldogs, being suspected that the dystocia is a result of o foetal-pelvic disproportion caused by a small, narrow pelvic canal and deep position of the pregnant uterus in combination with large foetal head and shoulders. Pelvimetry is a valuable method used in evaluation of the pelvis size by measuring its capacity and diameters. Pelvimetry has been found to be a useful technique for assessing the pelvic diameter in correlation to dystocia in animals but also in humans. Specific measurements, such as the superior bi-iliac diameter (SBID) and the sacro-pubic diameter (SPD), can be taken from ventro-dorsal radiograph to assess pelvic size and identify potential parturition complications. The aim of this paper is to correlate existing information to improve the ability of researchers and clinicians to understand and interpret pelvimetric study results in different breed dogs and understand the importance of pelvis anatomy in parturition. This will make the information more accessible and will highlight gaps in knowledge on this subject. This study will cover pelvic morphology in the female dog and breed-related variations, as well pelvimetry, including dog-appropriate measurements techniques and obstetrically relevant pelvic dimensions.

The wolf (Canis lupus) is an apex predator with high mobility and trophic plasticity, serving as a valuable indicator of helminth transmission at the wildlife–livestock interface. Given the ecological overlap between wolves and both wild and domestic ungulates in Romania, we aimed to identify and molecularly characterize cestodes from wolves’ small intestines. Between November 2022 and June 2025, small intestines from nine wolves were collected across four Romanian counties, frozen, and examined using classical parasitology (macroscopic and microscopic) and molecular methods (PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of mitochondrial cox1, nad1, and 12S rRNA fragments). Taeniids were detected in three (33.33%) out of nine tested individuals. Genetic analyses confirmed the presence of Taenia krabbei and Taenia hydatigena—species not previously reported in wolves from Romania. This study provides the first molecular evidence of T. krabbei and T. hydatigena in wolves from Romania, and likely Eastern Europe, indicating active transmission and underscoring the need for broader surveillance of hosts to clarify their ecology and regional dynamics within a One Health context.

Fascioloidosis is a parasitic disease of primary wild and domestic ruminants, caused by giant liver fluke, Fascioloides magna. The definitive host of the liver fluke in its area of origin (North America) is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In Europe, the red deer (Cervus elaphus) and European fallow deer (Dama dama) are definitive hosts and the most sensitive hosts to F. magna infection, on which the parasite exerts serious pathogenic effects. In this study, we analyzed fecal samples and livers of 72 D. dama from 11 hunting grounds in Arad County, Romania. Of the 72 fecal samples and livers from D. dama, trematodes of the genus Fascioloides were identified in four (5.56%). Sequencing revealed that the trematodes identified in the samples were similar to the sequence of F. magna (GenBank no. EF534992.1, DQ683545.1, KU232369.1). The sequence obtained from the molecular analysis has been deposited in GenBank^® under accession number OQ689976.1. This study describes the first report of giant liver fluke (F. magna) infection in D. dama in Romania.

Due to its adaptive versatility to numerous types of habitats, extremely diverse both in terms of composition and specificity, developed in various areas of the Western Plains of Romania, the European fallow deer (Dama dama) is a species with high ecological plasticity. In this area, the D. dama interacts with other species of wild fauna but also with numerous domestic animals, an important aspect in terms of the sanitary-veterinary status of animal populations, as well as the existence of a potential risk of infection with various species of parasites that can cause the D. dama specimens to obtain certain diseases and even zoonoses. A total of 133 esophagi from D. dama have been examined for helminths. Of the 133 esophagus samples from D. dama, nematodes of the genus Gongylonema were identified in 25 (18.80%). Sequencing revealed that the nematode identified in the samples was 99% similar to the sequence of Gongylonema pulchrum (GenBank no. LC026018.1, LC388754.1, AB646061). The present research is the first report of the nematode G. pulchrum from D. dama in Romania.

Demodicosis is one of the most important external parasitic diseases found in carnivores. Three species of the Demodex mite inhabit the skin of dogs and related species, D. canis being the most prevalent. This paper describes the first case of infestation with D. injai in a golden jackal in Romania. An emaciated golden jackal female body found in Timiș County, western Romania, was examined at Parasitology Department of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Timișoara. The gross lesions were present on different regions of the body: feet, tail, axillary and inguinal areas, and skin folds as well, consisting of erythema, extensive severe alopecia with lichenification, seborrhea, and scaling. In order to establish diagnosis, microscopic examination of skin scrapes, trichogram (hair plucking), acetate tape test (impression), fungal culture, and PCR were performed. Both microscopic measurements and PCR analysis have confirmed the presence of D. injai.