Rashikj, LJubica

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Rashikj, LJubica
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Rashikj, LJubica

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    Seroprevalence of canine leishmaniosis in asymptomatic dogs in Kosovo
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2022-12-20)
    Xhekaj, Betim
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    Sherifi, Kurtesh
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    Rexhepi, Agim
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    Bizhga, Bejo
    Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania spp. Leishmania infantum is the species responsible for the zoonotic form of the disease where dogs are reservoir hosts. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of CanL in asymptomatic dogs in Kosovo. Blood samples were collected from 285 dogs in all seven regions in Kosovo (35-50 samples per region) from summer 2021 to spring 2022. Sera were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the presence of anti-Leishmania IgG was confirmed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The true overall seroprevalence of CanL of asymptomatic dogs in Kosovo with ELISA was 4.21% (95% CI: 2.42-7.21) while with IFAT was 3.51% (95% CI: 1.92-6.34). The highest rates were found in the Prishtina region to be 8.0% (4/50) by ELISA and 6.0% (3/50) by IFAT, and in the Mitrovica region, the prevalence was 0% (0/40). There were no significant differences among the different regions, gender, age, health status, and breed. These findings highlight the presence of CanL in most regions of Kosovo and underline the veterinary relevance of clinically asymptomatic dogs infected with Leishmania.
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    First report of Bartonella henselae infection in a cat in North Macedonia
    (Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2023-09-28)
    Shikoska, Ivana
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    Hristovska, Zagorka Popova
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    Janevski, Aleksandar
    The genus <jats:italic>Bartonella</jats:italic> are fastidious, Gram-negative intracellular vector-borne bacteria with zoonotic potential. Cats have a crucial epidemiological role in the transmission of <jats:italic>Bartonella henselae</jats:italic>, the primary causal agent of cat-scratch disease in humans. Here we describe the first report of <jats:italic>B. henselae</jats:italic> infection in a cat in North Macedonia after a suspected <jats:italic>Bartonella</jats:italic> infection in a 7-year-old boy. A combination of cultural and molecular methods for detecting <jats:italic>B. henselae</jats:italic> in the asymptomatic cat was used. A blood sample was cultured on a blood agar plate, where colonies became visible after nine days of incubation. The DNA of a single colony was extracted, and the isolate was confirmed as <jats:italic>B. henselae</jats:italic> by sequencing the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene and performing a <jats:italic>Bartonella</jats:italic> - specific PCR. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated 100% similarity with <jats:italic>B. henselae</jats:italic> sequences, clustering on a single branch and establishing a distinct group. This finding indicates that <jats:italic>B. henselae</jats:italic> infection in cats circulates in North Macedonia and may affect feline and human health.
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    Distribution and Genotyping of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus in Farmed Rainbow Trout and Autochthonous Salmonids in North Macedonia
    (Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2024-02-20)
    Traјchovski, Aleksandar
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    Hristovska, Zagorka Popova
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    <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) is a common disease in the intensive production of salmonids. The IHN virus (IHNV) was isolated for the first time in North Macedonia in 2018. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and genotype of IHN in farmed rainbow trout and autochthonous salmonid fish in North Macedonia following the first detection. The samples were collected from 47 trout farms. Trout fry with or without clinical signs of IHN were selected as individual samples. Kidney, spleen, and heart were taken from each fish during the dissection. Three pooled samples were collected from each farm. A total of 141 pooled samples were collected: Rainbow trout (<jats:italic>Oncorhynchus mykiss</jats:italic>) n=127, Macedonian trout (<jats:italic>Salmo macedonicus</jats:italic>) n=11, and Ohrid trout (<jats:italic>Salmo letnica</jats:italic>) n=3. The virus was detected in 43 samples (30.50%): rainbow trout (n=40), Macedonian trout (n=2), and Ohrid trout (n=1). There were 18 (38.30%) positive fish farms. The MAKIHNV1 isolate from 2018 (MN641902) and the newly isolated virus shared a similarity of >99 and were placed in clade E-1 of European genogroup E. The IHN has spread throughout the country and is also present in the autochthonous salmonids.</jats:p>
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    Distribution and Genotyping of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus in Farmed Rainbow Trout and Autochthonous Salmonids in North Macedonia
    (Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2024-02-20)
    Traјchovski, Aleksandar
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    Hristovska, Zagorka Popova
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    Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) is a common disease in the intensive production of salmonids. The IHN virus (IHNV) was isolated for the first time in North Macedonia in 2018. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and genotype of IHN in farmed rainbow trout and autochthonous salmonid fish in North Macedonia following the first detection. The samples were collected from 47 trout farms. Trout fry with or without clinical signs of IHN were selected as individual samples. Kidney, spleen, and heart were taken from each fish during the dissection. Three pooled samples were collected from each farm. A total of 141 pooled samples were collected: Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) n=127, Macedonian trout (Salmo macedonicus) n=11, and Ohrid trout (Salmo letnica) n=3. The virus was detected in 43 samples (30.50%): rainbow trout (n=40), Macedonian trout (n=2), and Ohrid trout (n=1). There were 18 (38.30%) positive fish farms. The MAKIHNV1 isolate from 2018 (MN641902) and the newly isolated virus shared a similarity of >99 and were placed in clade E-1 of European genogroup E. The IHN has spread throughout the country and is also present in the autochthonous salmonids.
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    First Report of Bovine Coenurosis in North Macedonia
    (Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2024-01-18)
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    Dimitrievski, Boris
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    Trajchovski, Aleksandar
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    Shikoska, Ivana
    Coenurosis is a cystic parasitic disease affecting ruminants and other mammals worldwide. The disease is caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps. Sheep and goats are frequently infected, while cases in cattle are rare. Here we describe the first recorded case of bovine coenurosis in North Macedonia. The diagnosis was based on the neurological clinical signs and the postmortem findings of a 1-year-old bull with symptoms typical for coenurosis, i.e. ataxia, circling movements, mild depression and impaired vision. Postmortem, a cyst was found in the left cerebral hemisphere and was confirmed as fertile Coenurus cerebralis by parasitological analysis. These findings suggest that coenurosis should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in cattle with neurological symptoms. This highlights the need for routine surveillance of this disease in livestock and proactive tracking of the parasite in the final hosts to enhance disease management.
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    RAISING AWARENESS OF MYIASIS: A CASE SERIES FROM AUTOCHTHONOUS AND IMPORTED INFESTATIONS
    (Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Medical Faculty - Skopje, 2025-05-01)
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    Myiasis is an infestation of the tissues of livinghumans and other vertebrates by the immature stages (larvae) of Diptera. According to the International Classification of Diseases, myiasis belongs to the morbidity classification ICD-10-CM, with the ICD code B87 (2025 edition). Myiasis is not mandatory to report, and through our experience, we aimed to raise awareness of this infestation among medical practitioners and the public. We discuss seven cases of myiasis diagnosed over five years (2019-2024) whose specimens (larvae) was submitted to the Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Medical Faculty - Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia. The collected maggots were analyzed through macroscopic and microscopic examination. Morphological identification of the larvae was conducted using identification keys. Photographs were taken using an Olympus SZX9 and a Carl Zeiss Stemi 508 stereo microscope with an integrated high-resolution digital camera. Our findings confirmed an infestation by larvae from two autochthonous species, Sarcophaga argyrostoma and Lucilia sericata. We also identified an imported fly species, Cordylobia anthropophaga. The larvae can cause various symptoms depending on their relationship with the host and the anatomical location in the body. The outcome is related to comorbidities and the provision of appropriate, timely treatment. Medical practitioners should consider myiasis in their differential diagnosis. Nosocomial myiasis is a significant concern and requires special attention and preventive measures.
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    Species composition, distribution, and host associations of ixodid ticks in domestic animals on lowland pastures in North Macedonia
    (Elsevier BV, 2026-04-03)
    Chapkunovska, Bojana
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    Matevski, Ivan
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    Vlahov, Jane
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