The first Russian settlers developed relatively large cities and a new phenomenon called 'urban habitat' to the north of Western Siberia. This article presents the results of a study on soil samples taken from the cultural layer of Berezov city during excavations of the city's kremlin, or civic centre, posad, or town settlement area, and the farmstead within the posad. The samples are dated from the XVI to the end of the XVIII century. Examination of the samples revealed 12 types of parasite eggs from both humans and animals. The city's cultural layer was found to be relatively highly contaminated with parasite eggs. The species composition of parasite eggs in samples collected from the cultural layer varied according to land use, i.e. whether public, communal, or livestock, or sanitary condition in Berezov city. An analysis of historical and archaeological data enabled the reconstruction of certain nutritional aspects of the population in Berezov city at the time. Additionally, certain cultural and abiotic factors contributing to the high parasite infestation of humans and domestic animals were identified, and similarities can be found in the research of other Russian cities of Siberia in the XVI-XIX centuries.

The purpose of our work was to conduct a survey of the horse population for the presence of parasites of the gastrointestinal tract in Moscow and the Moscow region. The research included horses aged 1.5 months to 26 years from horse farms and from private owners too. Fecal samples were collected rectally from 571 horses and were examined on the day of collection by flotation method and sedimentation method. Horses are infected with parasites of the gastrointestinal tract by 47.5% in the Moscow region. The main representatives of the parasite fauna are nematodes. Strongylidae gen. sp. (44 %), Parascaris sp. (10.3%), Oxyuris equi (1.4%), Eimeria leuckarti (0.5%) were found. Statistically revealed correlations between the level of infection and the age of the horse (p < 0.001), as well as between the level of infection and the conditions of keeping (p < 0.001). The most infected were horses in the age group from 1 to 3 years. According to the study, herd horses are significantly more likely to be infected with Parascaris sp. and O. equi . No correlation was found between the level of infection and the type of farming (horse farms or private owners) (p = 0.252).

According to the current taxonomic concept, the Apophallinae Ciurea, 1924 is a monotypic subfamily of the Opisthorchiidae that comprises species with a median permanent ventrogenital sac containing a well-developed ventral sucker and two gonotyls. A recently formulated molecular hypothesis suggests polyphyly of this subfamily and the presence of two sibling species within one of the nominal species A. donicus Skrjabin & Lindrop, 1919. In this paper, we redescribed A. donicus s. str. and renamed A. donicus auct. non Skrjabin & Lindrop, 1919 to A. lari (Leonov, 1957) based on morphological, biological and molecular (mitochondrial cox1 gene fragments) data. The main morphological differences between species are the length of the distance between the anterior end of the body and the anterior extremity of the vitellarium as a ratio to the forebody length, and the shape of the anterior vitelline follicles. We also aimed to test the monophyly of the Apophallinae through nuclear-ribosomal molecular markers 18S + 28S rDNA. Tree topology showed Apophallus zalophi (Price, 1932) clustered closer to Liliatrema Gubanov, 1953 than to the other Apophallus spp. As a result, we resurrect the genus Pricetrema Ciurea, 1933 that earlier was proposed for A. zalophi and abolish the Liliatrematinae Gubanov, 1953 with removal of Liliatrema into the Apophallinae. Thus, according to the updated concept, the Apophallinae contains three genera, Apophallus Luhe, 1909, Liliatrema and Pricetrema, two of which (Apophallus, Pricetrema) have the ventrogenital sac with two gonotyls and one (Liliatrema) has a genital sac without gonotyls.

The purpose of the research is to test different dehelminthization schemes of laboratory rats infected with cestodes Rodentolepis nana and nematodes Syphacia muris and evaluate the significance of combined environment disinfection measures. The practical experience of eradication (helminth eradication) in animals in a conventional vivarium was described.Materials and methods. Experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of anthelmintics and administration schemes against cestode and nematode infections in laboratory rats. In the first experiment, praziquantel was used at a dose of 10 mg/kg to treat rats infected with R. nana. In the second experiment, the comparative efficacy of fenbendazole, albendazole, and pyrantel was evaluated against syphaciosis at the recommended dosages of 20, 10, and 12.5 mg/kg, respectively. Each drug was given orally, individually, twice with an interval of 7 days. The third experiment tested different schemes for treating syphaciosis with fenbendazole. One group of rats was given the drug orally individually using an esophageal tube at a dose of 20 mg/kg once a day for 7 consecutive days. Other groups were given fenbendazole daily with food for 7 days (150 mg fenbendazole per 1 kg of food). In all three experiments, all animals were divided into groups, and their cells underwent a complex of additional disinfection measures, and those kept in cages without disinfection.Results and discussion. Praziquantel showed 100% efficacy at a single dose of 10 mg/kg in R. nana therapy. In animals without additional disinfection procedures, cestode eggs were again recorded starting from day 14 after the drug administration. In the group of animals with disinfection measures, pathogens were not detected during the experiment. Double administration of fenbendazole, albendazole and pyrantel in the recommended dosages against syphaciosis did not result in eradicated nematodes in the animals. The disinfection did not affect the obtained results. Fenbendazole administered daily for 7 days ensured helminth eradication in animals. However, on day 7 after the therapy, Syphacia sp. eggs were again found in the groups that received the drug individually intragastrically through a tube, regardless of whether their cells were disinfected. The animals that received fenbendazole with food and were regularly disinfested remained free from nematodes throughout the experiment until the additional disinfection measures were cancelled. In the absence of disinfection, released helminth eggs were recorded on day 14 after therapy.

The purpose of the research is to examine the helminthological status of wild carnivore mammals inhabiting the territory of the Primorsky Krai and to give an epidemiological assessment of their role in maintaining the natural foci of zoonotic infections.Materials and methods. Feces of carnivores were collected in natural habitats of wild animals. Species of animals were identified by the characteristic features of feces and animal tracks. The shape, size, texture and composition of feces were analyzed. The samples were placed in containers with 5% formalin. A part of the material was stored in native form at -12 ºС. Muscle tissue samples were obtained from animal carcasses. Feces were examined by flotation techniques with a solution of zinc sulfate, the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique and using an ammonium nitrate solution. After the study, the samples were disinfected by autoclaving at a pressure of 1.5 atm for 2 hours. Muscle tissue samples were examined by digesting in artificial gastric juice using the Gastros device. The species of Trichinella sp. larvae isolated from the positive samples were identified using the nucleotide sequences. In total, 444 feces samples from 13 species of wild carnivore mammals and 449 muscle tissue samples from 13 species were examined.Results and discussion. Wild carnivore mammals inhabiting the territory of the Russian Far East are often infected with various species of helminths localized in the intestine and tissues, which are causative agents of dangerous parasitic zoonoses. A total of 9 species of helminthes in the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), 3 species in the Amur leopard (P. pardus orientalis), 2 species in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), 4 species in the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), 5 species in the sable (Martes zibellina), 2 species in the yellow-throated marten (M. flavigula), 5 species in the Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica), 1 species in the American mink (Neovison vison), 2 species in the Asian badger (Meles leucurus), 8 species in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), 2 species in the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and 9 species in the brown bear and Asiatic black bear (Ursus arctos and U. thibetanus) were identified at studying of 444 feces samples of wild carnivore mammals in the Primorsky Krai. Among the detected helminths were highly pathogenic for humans: Toxocara cati, Paragonimus westermani and nematodes of the family Capillariidae. Trichinella sp. larvae were detected in 96 samples in the study of 449 samples of muscle tissue from wild carnivore mammals. The above types of helminths are of zoonotic nature. The pathogenic role of accidental infection with helminth species Baylisascaris transfuga has not yet been revealed in humans, that makes this type of bear ascaride potentially dangerous for humans. The studies have shown the widespread prevalence of helminth zoonoses in the Primorsky Krai. These data will help to organize properly the work of people whose jobs involve contact with wild animals.

The purpose of the research is to review the classical methods of coprological diagnostics, taking into account modern recommendations and proposals. Materials and methods. Literature sources on the issues of coprological methods of diagnosing parasitosis have been studied. Results and discussion. Diagnosis during life is an important element of practical veterinary activity, the success of which largely depends on the correct choice and competent use of suitable laboratory methods. For the diagnosis of parasitic diseases, the study of feces is most often used. Coprological methods are highly informative due to the fact that they can detect not only parasites of the digestive tract, liver, pancreas, but also a number of helminths of the respiratory system and even some tissue parasites that excrete eggs or larvae with feces. Unlike existing indirect immunological and molecular genetic methods, classical research methods are based on the detection and identification of the pathogens themselves at different stages of development. At the same time, the researcher has the opportunity to study morphological features and conduct morphometric analysis. The widespread use of classical coprological methods is also associated with their availability, they are quite simple to perform and relatively inexpensive. A limitation of coprological methods is the inability to diagnose pathogens that are at a non-propagative stage. The effectiveness of diagnostics is influenced by the method of collecting samples, the terms and conditions of transportation, and the choice of an adequate method for examining samples. The article presents the rules for sampling and options for the use of fixatives, a classification of coprological methods is given, and the procedure for performing research is described. Special attention is paid to the choice of flotation solutions, the method of cultivation of strongylid larvae and the method of sporulation of coccidia oocysts. Attention is drawn to the importance of micrometric measurements of detected objects. To ensure the quality of the conducted coprological studies, it is necessary to control the stages of the studies, the technical condition of the equipment and train the personnel. The material presented in the article is intended for both students and practitioners.

The purpose of the research is to outline the current state of the problem of pulmonary nematodoses of domestic cats, to draw the attention of veterinarians to it, to raise their awareness of the peculiarities of methods for diagnosing these helminthoses.Materials and methods. The literature data on the distribution, species composition, differential morphology, biology, pathogenic influence, methods of diagnostics of the causative agents of pulmonary nematodes in cats are analyzed. When describing a case of aelurostrongylosis in a kitten, its clinical state was observed, general clinical and biochemical blood tests, diagnostics of viral infections, and ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity were carried out. Parasitological examination of feces was carried out by the flotation method and by the method of Berman.Results and discussion. The review of the world literature on pulmonary nematodes of domestic cats is carried out. Most pathogens are represented by species of several families of metastrongyloids, the most common and clinically significant representatives are: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (family Angiostrongylidae), Troglostrongylus brevior (Crenosomatidae), Oslerus rostratus (Filaroididae). Also in the respiratory system of cats can be parasitized Eucoleus aerophilus (Trichurida: Capillariidae) and Metathelazia massinoi (Spirurida: Pneumospiruridae). The first Russian case of aelurostrongylosis in a domestic cat is described. The larvae of the first stage of pulmonary nematodes of the species Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were found in the study of feces according to the Berman method in a homeless 3-month-old kitten from the Moscow region. The number of larvae was 104 per gram of feces. The size of the larvae was 360–380 µm in length, the tail end had a characteristic structure – a double bend in the shape of the letter “S”, a dorsal spine-like outgrowth and a ventral notch. For veterinary practice, it is recommended that, in the presence of clinical signs of respiratory system damage in cats at risk (free-walking animals, kittens, street cats), pulmonary nematodes should be included in the differential diagnosis using appropriate diagnostic tests.

The article presents the results of archaeoparasitological and palynological research of the cultural layers located in the ancient Artesian settlement in the Eastern Crimea. The study revealed the species composition of parasites and palynological spectrum in the cultural layers. Parasite eggs distribution over the layers indicates high content of eggs in almost all periods of the citadel’s existence. High abundance of geohelminth eggs in the studied samples, which might belong to both humans and domestic animals, indicates the unsatisfactory sanitary state of the settlement and the constant risk of infection with geohelminthiasis and intestinal infections possessing the same fecal-oral route of transmission. Features of the studied spore-pollen spectra do not allow a detailed reconstruction of the vegetation dynamics in the vicinity of the Artezian fortress at the turn of the millennium. The major reason is complexity of spectra formation: in addition to pollen deposited from the air (pollen rain), a significant proportion consists of pollen grains brought from other sources. Furthermore, interpretation of the spore-pollen spectra is complicated by presence of a large number of microcharcoals and burnt pollen grains. Despite the above-mentioned challenges in the study of samples from the cultural layers of the Artezian archaeological site using spore-pollen method, we have determined that the inhabitants of the settlement probably used animal dung as fuel, and that at the turn of the millennium, forestless open landscapes covered with steppe vegetation were predominant around the settlement. An important result of the study is the demonstration of unexplored opportunities to investigate cultural layers by archaeoparasitological and palynological methods and of the obtained data use as a source of bioarchaeological information.

The article presents the results of an archaeoparasitological and palynological study of a sample taken from the sewage drain of the Chorgun Tower. This is a fortification on the territory of the village of Chernorechie (South-Western Crimea). According to archaeological research, the construction of the keep dates back to the third quarter of the 15th century. Four types of eggs of intestinal parasites infecting humans and synanthropic animals were identified in the sample. Regarding parasitic and infectious gastrointestinal diseases, human whipworm and roundworm eggs found in the sample are indicative of relatively unfavorable sanitary conditions of the fortification. Based on the features of the archaeoparasitological spectrum, it can be concluded that anthelminthic agents were used or food with antiparasitic effects against roundworms was consumed. The difficult sanitary and epidemiological situation was also complicated by synanthropic rodents, such as rats and domestic mice, which could be a constant source of dangerous infections in the Chorgun Keep. A palynological study of the contents of the sewage runoff made it possible to obtain additional information on the nutrition of people who used the latrine facilities in the Chorgun Keep. What is equally important is that the study demonstrates the possibilities of methods for the study of canalization as a source of bioarchaeological information.

This article summarizes data on the influence of microwave radiation on the metacercariae of opisthorchids Opisthorchis felineus (Rivolta, 1884) and the larvae of three Trichinella species (genus Trichinella Railliet, 1895). The high efficiency of microwave radiation on the viability of larvae of these species is shown. Even short-term exposure leads to complete death of the larvae of the helminths in the muscle tissue. The mechanism of the effects of microwave irradiation on the larvae and the possibility of using household microwave ovens for preventing these parasitic diseases is discussed.

The purpose of the research is to study the parasitic fauna of the gastrointestinal tract of domestic goats in the Moscow region with the approbation of a standard treatment for identified types of pathogens of nematodoses.Materials and methods. 56 adult domestic goats have been studied in the Moscow Region in the summer-autumn period. The content of animals is pasture-stall. 98 fecal samples were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites by the flotation method with a solution of ammonium nitrate, formalin-ether precipitation, the Berman method (Zajac, Conboy, 2012). The treatment regimens was applied on 11 goats with detected eggs of the fam. Strongylidae in feces samples, 4 with Nematodirus spp., 6 goats with combined infection of fam. Strongylidae and Trichuris spp. Therapy was performed with fenbendazole at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 5 days. When the efficiency was low, fenbendazole was repeated at a dose of 20 mg/kg 5 days. After treatment, feces were examined after 10, 30 and 90 days.Results and discussion. Domestic goats in the Moscow region have the following infections: nematodes fam. Strongylidae with extensive infection (EI) 44.6%, nematode Trichuris spp., EI 10.7%, Nematodirus spp. EI 3.6%, coccidioses Eimeria spp., EI 26.8% and Giardia spp., EI 3.6%. No trematode eggs or cestodes were found. The therapy with fenbendazole at a dose of 10 mg/kg within 5 days showed the 100% efficiency at strongylatosis and nematodirosis. Such dose was ineffective when a goat was parasitized by Trichuris spp. When the fenbendazole dose was increased to 20 mg/kg within 5 days, 100 % efficiency was obtained. All goats remained free from nematodes on the 30th and 90th days after the therapy according the results of coprological studies. An autopsy of one goat showed no parasites after the treatment. Fenbendazole remains an effective medication in treating gastrointestinal nematodosis of the goat.

Objective of research. A study of species composition of gastrointestinal nematodes of Odocoileus hemionus introduced into Russia. Materials and methods. The helminthological material was collected in February 2015 based on autopsy of black-tailed deer females. Black-tailed deer was introduced into Russia from North America in December 2014. The content of abomasum and small intestine (matrix) was examined. In laboratory conditions, nematodes were picked out from the matrix. Based on peculiarities of male reproductive system of nematodes their species belonging was confirmed. Due to great morphological similarities of females, their species identification was not conducted. Results and discussion. 3355 nematodes were found (1792 females and 1563 males). The nematodes were assigned to following species: Trichostrongylus axei , T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus and Nematodirus filicollis . To our knowledge, this is the first study of the helminth fauna of black-tailed deer on the territory of Russia. All helminth species were detected in this host in North America. Previously detected nematode species have been already found in ruminants in Russia. However, based on the data of life cycles of discovered nematodes, the season when the material was collected, and a short period between the importation and death of the investigated animal, we can conclude that animal were infected with nematodes prior to the importation to Russia.

Comparative efficacy of different diagnostic methods for detection of Giardia in excrement was evaluated using faeces of laboratory rats experimentally infected with Giardia and faeces of spontaneously infected dogs. It was found that flotation method with saturated solution of zinc sulfate has 100% diagnostic efficacy if the examined faecal sample has cysts of giardia. The sensitivity of the method of EIA SNAP (R) Giardia Antigen Test Kit (manufacturer IDEXX Lab (USA)) in analyses of faeces of rats and dogs infected with Giardia was 88.2% and 100% respectively, specificity was 76.1-85.7%. In the research conducted to identify giardiasis in the same faecal samples by IChA kit "Hema(test)Lyamblioz" ("Hema") the causative agent was detected in 77.7-100% of cases (sensitivity of the test) and specificity was 77.2-84%. IChA test kits of VetExpert Giardia Ag (production of BioNote, Inc., Republic of Korea) and ImmunoRun Antigen Detection Kit GIARDIA (production of Biogal Galed Labs, Israel) revealed lower levels of diagnostic efficacy. Studies have shown that the sensitivity of ImmunoRun kit in surveys of faeces samples of rats experimentally infected with giardia was only 36%, whereas the specificity of both test systems was slightly higher than SNAP test and IChA test Hema - 78.2-78.9% and 83.3-90%, respectively. It is shown that all these rapid tests can be used as a preliminary assay, and will provide reliable diagnosis of giardiasis in animals in combination with classical coproscopic methods.

The polar bear Ursus maritimus is a circumpolar species classified as vulnerable and included in the IUCN Red List. It is considered to be practically free of helminth parasites with the only species reported being Trichinella spiralis s. l. Samples of feces were collected on Chukotka coast, Wrangel Island and on ice floes in the Kara, Laptev and Chukchi seas in 2013-2015 in different seasons of the year. Coprological diagnostics was carried out using the standard flotation and sedimentation methods. In the samples collected in the snow-free period, a single sample (3.7%) was found to contain eggs of the nematode Toxascaris sp. In three out of 9 samples collected in the winter, eggs of a cestode Diphyllobothrium sp., of unidentified trematodes (presumably Heterophyidae) and of the strongylid nematode Uncinaria stenocephala were found as well as the first stage nematode larvae tentatively identified as Crenosoma sp. Viable Trichinella nativa larvae were recovered from the muscles of a female animal from north of Yakutia.

Occurrence of the nematode Thelazia callipaeda Railliet and Henry, 1910 parasitising eyes of wild carnivores in the Russian Far East is studied. The hosts recorded in the course of the study are sable, Martes zibellina (492 studied, 28 infected); racoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides (11 studied, 5 infected); fox, Vulpes vulpes (3 studied, 2 infected); Asiatic black bear, Ursus thibetanus (1 studied, 1 infected; lynx (Lynx lynx) (1 studied, 1 infected). Sable, Asiatic black bear and lynx are new host records. Canids are considered the principal hosts for this parasite species. Morphology of T. callipaeda is studied and a short diagnostic description with morphometrics is given based on specimens from sable. Special attention is given to the arrangement of sensory structures of the male posterior end. The typical pattern is seven pairs of precloacal papillae, two pairs of paracloacal papillae and four pairs of postcloacal papillae. However, the papillae number and their position demonstrate substantial variation that prevents the reliable use of this character in the species diagnostic of the genus Thelazia.

Thelazia callipaeda nematodes parasitize in the eyes of domestic and wild carnivorous mammals (more often in Canidae). Numerous cases of human infestation are also known. The nematode spreads in South and East Asia although in the last decade this has been reported from dogs, cats and wolves in South and Central Europe as well. In the Russian Federation, T. callipaeda was earlier observed in dogs, cats, foxes and raccoon dogs in some regions of the Russian Far East. Two cases of human infestation were also reported. There has been no evidence of T. callipaeda in Russia in the past 50 years. Postmortem parasitological surveys of various wild carnivores were performed in the Primorsky Territory of Russia in the winter of 2012 to the summer of 2014. Conjunctival sac including the space under the nictitating membrane was sought for nematodes. T. callipaeda was detected in 28 sables of the 492 examined ones, in 5 out of the 11 raccoon dogs, in 2 out of the 3 foxes, and in one lynx. The examination of 25 kolinskies, 4 American minks, 3 Amur leopard cats, 2 yellow-throated martens and one badger provided negative results. The sable and the wild lynx are firstly reported as hosts of T. callipaeda. The findings suggest that there is a persisting natural reservoir of zoonotic thelaziosis in the Russian Far East. The epidemiological importance of this fact should not be underestimated.

The species composition of nematodes found at autopsy of abomasa and small intestines of 24 Mongolian gazelles in Eastern Mongolia is studied. Orloffia bisonis, Marshallagia mongolica, Nematodirus archari, N. andreevi, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, T. probolurus were registered. N. archari and N. andreevi were detected in Mongolian gazelle for the first time. All species of gastrointestinal nematodes found in Mongolian gazelles have already been registered in domestic ruminants of Mongolia. The validity of Orloffia genus is confirmed based on our own observations and literature data. Orloffia is monotypic genus with the only species O. bisonis represented by two morphs where “O. bisonis” is major and “O. kasakhstanica” is minor.