No abstract

We obtained fecal samples from migrant children < 12 years of age throughout hotspots in Greece and tested them for Tropheryma whipplei by using a quantitative PCR assay. We identified 6 genotypes of T. whipplei , 4 of which are newly described. Our findings suggest a high prevalence of T. whipplei in these regions.

An 11‐year‐old female Persian cat was presented with a 4‐week history of anorexia, exercise intolerance, weight loss and difficulty in ambulation. Plain radiographs and CT revealed diffuse symmetric hyperostosis of the appendicular skeleton and multiple, space‐occupying masses in the lungs along with bronchial consolidation of the caudal lung lobe. The lung masses were labelled strongly by pan‐cytokeratin but not by vimentin and diagnosed as lepidic pulmonary adenocarcinoma by histopathological examination. The cat did not respond to chemotherapy and was euthanized 77 days later. Post‐mortem examination of bone sample confirmed the diagnosis of new bone formation (hypertrophic osteopathy).

The bacteria of the families Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae, harbored by arthropod vectors, may cause disease in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to screen ectoparasites collected from cats and dogs in Attica, Greece for the bacteria of the Rickettsiales group, by molecular methods. The ectoparasites examined were Ctenocephalides felis fleas and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Rhipicephalus sp., and Ixodes sp. ticks. Rickettsia felis was detected in 4.8% of C. felis fleas, and Rickettsia conorii was detected in 7.3% of R. sanguineus s.l. ticks. Ehrlichia canis was found in one R. sanguineus s.l. tick, and Wolbachia pipientis was detected in the majority of fleas. Another endosymbiont, Cancidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (Cancidatus Midichloriaceae), was detected in one Ixodes sp.. This is the first report of R. conorii and E. canis in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks in this study area. Given the fact that Greece is considered endemic for spotted fever group rickettsioses, further investigation of these rickettsial pathogens’ distribution in their vectors and hosts could enhance our knowledge of their epidemiology, in order to assess their potential implications for public health in this metropolitan area.

Leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and transmitted mainly by the bite of sand fly vectors. Cats are infected with at least 6 species of Leishmania. Significant associations have been found between feline leishmaniosis and coinfections mainly with FIV and/or FeLV. A 7-year-old castrated male, domestic short-haired cat was presented with unknown history and cutaneous and ocular lesions. A raised, semifirm swelling on the forehead was observed along with periocular hypotrichosis and conjunctival and third eyelid edema. The indications for pursuing a diagnosis of leishmaniosis are variable, and differing presentations may require the use of different tests. Diagnosis of feline leishmaniosis with panniculitis caused by Leishmania infantum was made by cytology, histopathology, and PCR and Leishmania antibodies (IFA). The cat responded to therapy with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol.