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Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a family of carrier molecules used to improve the pharmacokinetic parameters of therapeutic molecules. These cyclic oligosaccharides have medical and pharmaceutical applications by being able to form inclusion complexes with molecules that are poorly soluble in water. The benefits of these complexes are directed towards improving the chemical and biological properties—i.e., solubility, bioavailability, stability, non-toxicity and shelf life of drug molecules. Since the 1960s, the first inclusion complexes used in therapeutics were those with α-, β- and γ-CD, which proved their usefulness, but had certain degrees of particularly renal toxicity. Currently, to correct these deficiencies, β-CD derivatives are most frequently used, such as sulfobutylether-β-CD, hydroxypropyl-β-CD, etc. Therefore, it is of interest to bring to the attention of those interested the diversity of current and potential future clinical applications of inclusion complexes in veterinary medicine and to present the contribution of these inclusion complexes in improving drug efficacy. The most important biological activities of β-CD complexed molecules in the veterinary field are summarized in this short review.

Dirofilariosis, a parasitic disease caused by nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria, primarily affects dogs but can also infect other carnivores and, more rarely, humans. In Europe, the most commonly involved species are D. immitis and D. repens, transmitted through the bites of mosquito vectors. This study, conducted in Tulcea County between April and October 2024, aimed to determine the prevalence of D. immitis and D. repens in mosquitoes. A total of 1507 mosquitoes were collected and grouped into 76 pools, and subsequently molecular analysis was carried out using qPCR. The estimated infection rate (EIR) was calculated using statistical methods available in the ‘binGroup’ package in R, which allow the determination of the point estimate and confidence interval (CI) for a single binomial proportion in group testing. The study revealed a high infection rate with D. immitis (48%), while D. repens was identified in only two pools. The species with the highest vector potential was Anopheles maculipennis (PTP = 75%, EIR = 0.1168 with both Dirofilaria species), followed by Aedes vexans. Notably, Aedes albopictus was identified for the first time in Tulcea, and all individuals were positive for D. immitis. Simulations of local thermal conditions using the proposed model show that the favorable time window for mosquitoes will increase until 2100. Our results indicate an established and active transmission cycle of D. immitis in the region, a situation projected to intensify with climate change requiring urgent monitoring.

Leishmaniasis is a widespread but still underdiagnosed parasitic disease that affects both humans and animals. There are at least 20 pathogenic species of Leishmania , most of them being zoonotic. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis remains a major challenge, with an important role being played by the species of parasites involved, the genetic background, the immunocompetence of the host. This paper brings to the fore the sensitivity of the balance in canine and human leishmaniasis and addresses the importance of the host’s immune response in establishing a correct diagnosis, especially in certain cases of asymptomatic leishmaniasis, or in the situation the host is immunosuppressed or acquired leishmaniasis through vertical transmission. The methods considered as a reference in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis no longer present certainty, the diagnosis being influenced mostly by the immune response of the host, which differs according to the presence of other associated diseases or even according to the breed in dogs. Consequently, the diagnosis and surveillance of leishmaniasis cases remains an open topic, requiring new diagnostic methods adapted to the immunological state of the host.

With the increasing demand for European catfish, traditional extensive growth methods in polyculture are no longer sufficient to meet market needs. Therefore, this study aimed to identify indicators for improving recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology by determining and comparing growth performance, flesh quality, blood profile, oxidative status, and intestinal microbiota parameters between fish cultivated in a RAS and an earthen pond. Results revealed that RAS-grown fish had a higher fat content compared to pond-grown fish, while no significant differences were found for growth parameters. Sensory analysis showed no significant difference in taste between the two groups. Blood composition analysis showed small differences. Oxidative status analyses showed higher catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in RAS-grown fish and slightly higher superoxide dismutase activity in pond-grown fish. Microbial analysis showed differences in the intestinal microflora, with a higher total number of aerobic germs and anaerobic germs and a lower total number of sulfite-reducing clostridia in RAS-grown fish. This study provides valuable insights into the comparative performance of a RAS and a pond rearing system in European catfish production, potentially informing future growth technologies.

Ticks are one of the most important vectors of zoonotic pathogens in Europe, including Rickettsia spp. In Romania, several pathogenic species belonging to the Spotted Fever Group (SFG) transmitted primarily through tick bites have been identified. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. infection in ticks collected from public shelter dogs in Tulcea County, Romania, as an indicator of pathogen circulation within shelter environments and their potential epidemiological relevance. A total of 730 ticks collected between March 2023 and September 2024 from 216 public shelter dogs, belonging to four species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Dermacentor reticulatus), were morphologically identified and pooled by species, sex, and developmental stage resulting in 132 pools. DNA extracted from pools was tested by Real-Time PCR, targeting the gltA gene, specific for Rickettsia spp. Overall, 123/132 (93.2%) pools tested positive for Rickettsia spp. DNA, while the Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) at tick level was 16.8%. High pool positivity rates were consistently observed across all four species: 93.6% positive pools for Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (MIR 15%), 88.2% for Ixodes ricinus (MIR 20.5%), 87.5% for Dermacentor marginatus (MIR 58.3%), and 100% for Dermacentor reticulatus (MIR 21.7%). These findings demonstrate a substantial circulation of Rickettsia spp. in dog-shelter associated ticks, highlighting the role of dogs as sentinel hosts. Continuous molecular surveillance and identifying circulating species is needed for a better determination of the zoonotic risk.

A survey was conducted in the eastern part of Romania to assess the prevalence and geographical distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs. Plasma samples were collected from 458 stray dogs hosted in shelters in 8 counties and tested serologically for the presence of heartworm. In addition, 45 blood samples from dogs of a shelter in Galati city were examined by the modified Knott and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The immmunological assay showed a heartworm infection prevalence of 8.9% in the dogs. Optical density results for positive samples ranged between 0.217 and 2.683. Geographical information systems (GIS) were used to produce overlays of distribution maps of D. immitis prevalence and predictive maps based on temperature suitability. High prevalence of D. immitis was found in the central East up to the northern border of the country, i.e. Galati county (60%), followed by the counties of Vaslui (12.0%) and Iasi (7.7%). Out of 45 samples examined using the Knott test, 23 were positive for circulating microfilariae (51.1%), while 19 dogs were positive for D. immitis and 4 for both D. immitis and D. repens with the multiplex PCR test. The high prevalence for D. immitis shown in dogs in the Southeast (Galati, 42.2%) also by multiplex PCR gave strong support to the results achieved by the serological tests. The present study confirms the ability of GIS to predict the distribution and epidemiology of dirofilariosis in different geographical territories as has been already demonstrated by the empirical epidemiological data obtained at the continental, national and intraregional levels.

On the 23rd of September 2022, a small intensive aquaculture unit populated with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reported increased mortality in adults and juvenile fish. The unit comprised 12 enclosed concrete basins with a capacity of ten cubic meters of water, populated with 150 kg of fish each. Fish were subjected to a clinical examination on the site, after which whole fish were harvested for a bacteriological and histopathological examination. Water quality parameters were examined using classic biochemical methods and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in order to find out whether the environment in which the fish live is also a predisposing factor that could facilitate different pathogens and induce a state of disease in the fish. Real-time PCR was performed on strains of Aeromonas spp. sampled from the fish to accurately identify the pathogen species. The goal was to accurately identify the problems and predisposing factors that lead to disease outbreaks.

This study describes granulocytic anaplasmosis in two dogs naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The 3-year-old dogs (male and female) came from the same household and were referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Iasi for blood donation. They were subject to standard routine tests: haematology blood test, blood smear, and serological tests (VETSCAN® FLEX4 and IDEXX SNAP 4Dx Plus). The female dog had no medical problems, while the male dog experienced joint pain. The blood smear was negative for tick-borne pathogens, and the haematology findings indicated thrombocytopenia in both dogs, with the male dog also displaying eosinophilia. The two dogs were mildly positive in the ELISA tests for the detection of Anaplasma spp. antibodies; therefore, the blood samples were tested using the qRT-PCR method for Anaplasma platys and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The qRT-PCR result was negative for A. platys, but it was positive for A. phagocytophilum. The treatment consisted of the administration of doxycycline for 28 days. In conclusion, the high number of cases with non-specific clinical signs, the different sensitivity and specificity of the immunochromatographic serological tests, as well as the possibility of confusing the morula during the cytological examination, make the molecular test mandatory for precise diagnosis.

(1) Background: Few studies to date have assessed the influences induced by climate change on the spatial distribution and population abundance of Aedes albopictus using the latest climate scenarios. In this study, we updated the current distribution of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes and evaluated the changes in their distribution under future climate conditions, as well as the risk of dengue virus emergence in Romania. (2) Methods: Under the two scenarios: High scenario (HS) when no drastic measures to reduce the effects of global warming will be taken, or they are not effective and low scenario (LS) when very stringent greenhouse control measures will be implemented. (3) Results: The results estimate an increase in temperatures in Romania of up to 2.6 °C in HS and up to 0.4 °C in LS, with an increase in the period of virus replication within the vector from June to October in HS and from May to September in LS. Moreover, in 2022, Ae. albopictus was reported in a new county, where it was not identified at the last monitoring in 2020. (4) Conclusions: The rapid spread of this invasive species and the need to implement monitoring and control programs for the Aedes population in Romania are emphasized.

Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne disease considered to be one of the twenty neglected diseases by the World Health Organization, represents one of the public health concerns in endemic countries. In humans, as well as in animal counterparts, the infection can evolve with different clinical localizations, such as those that are cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral. Romania has been traditionally considered a nonendemic country for 'Leishmania' species infection and has had sporadic positive human cases; however, the climate change recorded in recent decades has created potentially optimal conditions for the preponderant vectors of 'Phlebotomus' spp., which has lately been identified in various parts of country. Moreover, with people and dogs (the prevailing hosts) traveling in endemic countries, the disease was imported and diagnosed in both species, and became a medical concern. In this review, we focused on the: (1) epidemiological data of leishmaniasis cases, both in humans and animals, reported by Romania; (2) diagnostic tools available for confirmation since there is a lack of gold-standard laboratory methods for human and dog patients; and (3) conventional antileishmanial therapy.