Prevalence and intensity of blood apicomplexan infections in reptiles from Romania (original) (raw)

Abstract

In order to evaluate prevalence and intensity of apicomplexan hemoparasites in free-ranging reptiles from Romania, blood smears were collected from European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis), sand lizards (Lacerta agilis), and spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca). All three host species were positive for blood parasites, with prevalence of infected individuals between 60.71% and 100% and variable intensity. Similarities and differences with other epidemiological data are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by grant no. CNCSIS 33968/2003/86/32. The first author is indebted to his wife Linda for great help during field work with T. graeca.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
   A. D. Mihalca & C. Gherman
2. Department of Fish, Bees and Game Diseases, Institute of Parasitology, Kosice, Slovak Republic
   K. Racka
3. Department of game animals, Faculty of Forestry, Braşov, Romania
   D. T. Ionescu

Authors

1. A. D. Mihalca
2. K. Racka
3. C. Gherman
4. D. T. Ionescu

Corresponding author

Correspondence toA. D. Mihalca.

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Mihalca, A.D., Racka, K., Gherman, C. et al. Prevalence and intensity of blood apicomplexan infections in reptiles from Romania.Parasitol Res 102, 1081–1083 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-0912-9

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• Received: 29 November 2007
• Accepted: 29 January 2008
• Published: 19 February 2008
• Issue date: April 2008
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-0912-9

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