The purpose of the research is to determine the species composition and abundance of ixodid and argasid ticks in Central Tajikistan.
Materials and methods. The work was carried out during 2017–2022 at the Institute of Biological Safety and Biotechnology Problems of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences and livestock farms in Central Tajikistan. Ticks were collected mainly from cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats and wild animals. In addition, livestock yards, walking areas, parking areas and daytime rest areas of animals were examined for tick infeсtion.
Results and discussion. During the study period, 3,348 domestic and 183 wild animals were examined. A total of 6,810 tick specimens were collected, which belong to 15 species of the superfamily Ixodoidea: Rhipicephalus turanicus B. Pom., 1940, Rh. bursa Can. et Franz., 1877, Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844, H. asiaticum P. Sch. et E. Schl., 1929, H. detritum P. Sch., 1919, H. plumbeum Panz., 1795 (H. marginatum Koch, 1844), H. scupense P. Sch., 1918, H. dromedarii Koch, 1844, H. aegyptum L., 1758, Haemaphysalis punctata Can. et Fanz, 1877, Haem. sulcata Can. et Fanz, 1877, Dermacentor marginatus Sulz., 1776, D. pictus Herm., 1804 (D. reticulatus Fabricius, 1794), Ixodes redikorzevi B. Pom., 1950, Alveonasus lahorensis Neum., 1908 (Ornithodoros lahorensis Neumann, 1908, A. canestrinii Canestrini, 1890). The predominant tick species are H. anatolicum – 2563 specimens (37.6%), H. detritum – 1739 specimens (25.5%) and H. asiaticum – 1496 specimens (22.0%). These tick species are of great epizootological and epidemiological significance. They are carriers of many protozoan and infectious diseases of animals and humans. In smaller quantities, ticks Hyalomma plumbeum (H. marginatum), H. scupense, H. dromedarii, H. aegyptum, Haemaphysalis punctata, Haem. sulcata, Rhipicephalus bursa, Dermacentor рictus (D. reticulatus), D. marginatus were found. Their numbers range from 0.3 to 1.3%.

The purpose of the research is to study the fauna of parasitic worms of bats (Chiroptera) in the National Park «Smolny» (Republic of Mordovia).
Materials and methods. In 2018–2021, the helminth fauna of 445 ind. of 8 bat species at 10 locations in the National Park «Smolny» was studied using the method of complete helminthological necropsy. Parasitic worms were collected, fixed and processed using standard methods.
Results and discussion. A total of 31 helminth species were recorded in bats of the National Park "Smolny": 3 – cestodes, 20 – trematodes and 8 – nematodes. The trematode Prosthodendrium cryptholecithum and the larva of the nematode Physaloptera clausa were found for the first time in Russian bats. The trematodes Gyrabascus amphoraeformis and G. oppositus were found for the first time in bats of the Middle Volga Region. The determining factors of helminth infection of bats are feeding predominantly on aquatic insects and poor contact of animals with the terrestrial environment. Of the 31 species of parasites found in bats, 28 species are specific parasites of bats, which is explained by the ecological isolation of this group of flying mammals and the antiquity of the co-evolution of bats and their parasites. An annotated list of helminths of bats is given, including their systematic position, host range, localization, infection rates, sites of detection and distribution. Among bats, the helminth fauna of the common noctule (15 species), Daubenton's bat (13) and Nathusius' pipistrelle (12) is the richest. The helminth fauna of the pond bat (6 species), lesser noctule (5) and Natterer's bat (4) is less represented. The greatest distribution in bats of the National Park "Smolny" has the trematode Plagiorchis koreanus and the nematode Pterothominx neopulchra noted each in 6 species of hosts. Only one helminth species (nematode Physocephalus sexalatus), which is of medical and veterinary importance as the causative agent of a dangerous helminthosis, has been recorded in bats.

The purpose of the research is to validate an optimized protocol for studying helminths using an improved staining method to improve the quality of diagnostics of trematodosis caused by representatives of the Opisthorchidae family. An additional objective was to study the prevalence of infection of definitive hosts within the identified focus of opisthorchiasis in the Lipetsk region.
Materials and methods. Liver samples from 10 cats and 5 dogs that died in the Sosna River area (Lipetsk region), where an opisthorchiasis focus had previously been identified, were examined. Helminthological dissection was performed using the Skryabin method. The isolated trematode metacercariae were stained using an improved, previously patented technique based on the method of B. V. Romashov et al. (2003), using Gooch crucibles to improve the quality and convenience of staining. Morphometric studies and species identification of trematodes were carried out. The level of infection was assessed using the indices of number, intensity and prevalence of infection.
Results and discussion. A higher prevalence of infection (60%) was found in cats compared to dogs (20%). Among cats, the dominant species was Pseudamphistomum truncatum (infection rate 20.1 ind.). Opisthorchis felineus and Metorchis bilis were also identified. P. truncatum (infection rate 60 ind.) and O. felineus were identified in the infected dog. The improved staining method reduced the examination time and improved the quality of visualization of trematode morphology. The results obtained indicate a wide distribution of P. truncatum among animals of the Lipetsk region and emphasize the significant role of domestic cats as the main reservoirs of infection.

The purpose of the research is determination of the species belonging to the Dibothriocephalus spp. plerocercoids from the autumn chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta of the Amur River basin based on the analysis of a gene fragment of the first cytochrome c oxidase (COX1) subunit of mitochondrial DNA.
Materials and methods. A total number of 61 salmon specimens (Oncorhynchus keta) caught in the Amur River and its tributaries were examined with helminthological analysis. DNA of Dibothriocephalus spp. was isolated from plerocercoids and afterwards amplified to detect mitochondrial COX1 partial gene of the D. nihonkaiensis. Products of amplification were sequenced via Sanger sequencing. Obtained nucleotide sequences were analyzed in BLAST.
Results and discussion. Type F plerocercoids were detected in nine specimens of O. keta. The sequenced fragments showed 99.31–100 % similarity with GenBank reference sequences of D. nihonkaiensis. The conducted research confirmed infestation with Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis (dyphyllobotriosis pathogen) of O. keta species caught in the Amur River in the territory of the Khabarovsk krai.

The purpose of the research is to conduct a histological examination of the tissues and organs of rabbits experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis larvae.
Materials and methods. Necropsy was performed and organ and tissue samples were taken for histological studies 45 days after the experimental infection of White Giant rabbits with T. spiralis. The samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Histological preparations: paraffin sections 4 μm thick, stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
Results and discussion. A complete histological examination of the dermis, muscles and internal organs in experimental trichinellosis was conducted. The effect of T. spiralis larvae on the body of rabbits and the pathological changes in organs and tissues were determined. Pathological changes of an inflammatory nature were established in the heart muscle, kidneys, lungs, small intestine, spleen and muscle tissue and the muscle layer of dermis with the presence of accumulation of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Colored illustrations of the obtained sections with a detailed description are provided.

The purpose of the research is to study acute oral and dermal toxicity parameters of a drug based on D-cyphenothrin, pyriproxyfen and piperonyl butoxide in laboratory animals.
Materials and methods. The study insectoacaricidal drug contains D-cyphenothrin, pyriproxyfen, piperonyl butoxide, hydrogenated castor oil and isopropyl alcohol. The acute toxicity parameters of the drug in 5% solution formulation were studied on 50 white outbred male mice when administered intragastrically, and on 42 outbred male rats when administered orally and on skin. The acute toxicity parameters were calculated using the Litchfield and Wilcoxon method as modified by Z. Rotha, and the drug exposure value on the body was evaluated as per the established classification (GOST 12.1.007). 
Results and discussion. The following toxicological characteristics were obtained: LD50 of the study drug administered orally to the white mice was 2,656 (2,207.8÷3,187.2) mg/kg, and the white rats, 5,063 (4482÷5818.3) mg/kg. The maximum tolerated dose of the drug was 830 mg/kg for the mice, and 2,075 mg/kg for the rats. Based on the obtained LD50 values, the three-component insectoacaricide can be classified as hazard category 3 (moderately hazardous substances) in experiments on mice, and hazard category 4 (marginally hazardous substances) on rats pursuant to the established hygienic classification. At the same time, different species sensitivity to the drug can be observed in mice and rats. LD50 was more than 30,710 mg/kg in the study of dermal toxicity on the white rats, therefore the drug can be classified as hazard category 4.

The purpose of the research is to study the effects of a combined drug based on D-cyphenothrin, pyriproxyfen and piperonyl butoxide on the body of rats with repeated dermal application in a subchronic experiment.
Materials and methods. The drug subchronic toxicity was studied in the vivarium of the VNIIP – FSC VIEV on 30 male rats divided into one control and two experimental groups of 10 animals each. The drug was applied daily for 7 days to the experimental rats at doses of 1/10 and 1/20 of the maximum possible dose for dermal application determined in an acute experiment when studying LD50. On the first day and at 10 days after the last application of the drug, half of the animals from each group were euthanized and blood samples were taken to determine morphological and biochemical parameters. A macroscopic examination of the organs was carried out; their mass was determined, and mass coefficients were calculated.
Results and discussion. The drug based on D-cyphenothrin, pyriproxyfen and piperonyl butoxide applied dermally for 7 days in doses of 1/10 of LD50 (3071 mg/kg) and 1/20 of LD50 (1535.5 mg/kg) had no negative effect on the rats' organism, or its physiological state, and caused no changes in the morphological or biochemical blood parameters, as well as the mass coefficients of the internal organs. Doses of 3071 and 1535.5 mg/kg were inactive (safe). The threshold and toxic doses could not be determined

The purpose of the research is to study the effect of albendazole supramolecular complex on clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters of sheep.
Materials and methods. The effect of albendazole supramolecular complex on sheep organism was studied on 20 sheep weighing 34–42 kg, divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each. Sheep of Groups 1, 2 and 3 were administered the drug orally, once, at the therapeutic dose by AS 3 times 6 mg/kg and in 5 times increased doses (10 mg/kg). Animals to which the drug was not applied served as the control. Blood samples for hematologic and biochemical studies were taken from the jugular vein of animals at the same time - in the morning before the first injection and after 1, 3 and 5 days. The clinical condition of the animals, feed and water intake were daily monitored. Body temperature, number of heart beats, respiratory movements and rumen contractions per 2 min were taken into account. Hematological parameters of sheep were determined on PSE 90-vet analyzer (China), leukogram was determined by the generally accepted method. Blood biochemical parameters were studied using a BioSystems A15 analyzer (Spain).
Results and discussion. Clinical and hematological indices of sheep after administration of the drug in tested doses were within the limits of physiological standard during the whole period of the research. The leukocyte profile in experimental and control sheep remained unchanged throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). At oral administration of the drug at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg of AS, no significant changes were observed in biochemical parameters of sheep blood, except for a shortterm increase in the content of creatinine and urea.

The purpose of the research is to emphasize the role of health education as an important factor in reaching out to the population to reduce and spread parasitic pathogens.
Materials and methods. By analyzing the statistical data of Annual Reports on parasitic diseases of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare in Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass, the most common parasitic diseases in the population in the region have been established. Sanitary and educational activities were conducted with pre-school and school-age children (students of Grades 8–11) in the direction of bringing to the audience information about the types of parasites of medical importance registered in children and adults in Kuzbass and how to protect themselves from them. Oral and visual information methods were used (conversation, message, lecture, quiz, game, information leaflets and stands, leaflets, brochures, videos).
Results and discussion. It is important for a medical student from the first year of the educational process to understand the role of sanitary and educational activities in his future profession as a doctor, and the relevance of personal prophylaxis measures against human parasitic pathogens. First-year students who won a grant in the contest of student ESG projects in the field of ecology and social orientation from Sberbank PJSC on social issues related to the population of Kuzbass with the project “Sanitary and Educational Activities in Parasitosis” implemented their ideas on preventive measures in educational institutions of Kuzbass. The educational activities were aimed at informing the educational audience about the causative agents of parasitic diseases registered by medical institutions among the child population of the region. The “NoParasites” team held talks and lectures on personal preventive measures against parasitic diseases. Brochures were developed and an information stand for parents was installed in the kindergarten. From the point of view of the department's activity the implemented student project has an educational orientation, forms worthy professional and personal qualities in future doctors.

The purpose of the research is to develop and test new dosage forms of fenbendazole for carp bothriocephalosis.
Materials and methods. A formulation of four dosage forms based on fenbendazole has been developed. Laboratory lots of therapeutic feeds with dosage forms have been produced, the degree of fish infection with bothriocephalosis during the growing season and the efficacy of testing micronized dosage forms for carp bothriocephalosis have been established according to generally accepted methods. The efficacy of using micronized dosage forms at different feeding rates has been assessed.
Results and discussion. When using four micronized dosage forms of fenbendazole in therapeutic granulated compound feeds for carp bothriocephalosis, the most effective was the therapeutic feed with a 6% micronized dosage form of fenbendazole given once at a 5% feeding rate. This dosage form of fenbendazole has shown an efficiency close to microsal, which is currently used for the treatment of bothriocephalosis in carp.

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the susceptibility to deltamethrin and the pro-insecticide chlorfenapyr in a field population of Musca domestica L. compared to a laboratory strain Lab UF and to clarify a possible mechanism of crossresistance to chlorfenapyr.
Materials and methods. The study was carried out on the adults of the laboratory strain Lab UF and the field population Nik of the housefly M. domestica collected from a livestock farm in the Tyumen region, where pyrethroid insecticides had been used for a long time. The toxicity of the pyrethroid deltamethrin (Delcid, 4%) and the pyrrole chlorfenapyr (Pyrafen EC, 360 g/l) against insects was estimated by the no-choice feeding test. Based on the dose-mortality response, lethal concentrations of insecticides were calculated by the probit analysis and the resistance ratio was determined. To clarify the possible mechanism of cross-resistance to chlorfenapyr in the Nik population of M. domestica, the activity of the main detoxification enzymes was determined depending on sex of the insects. In addition, the presence of the kdr-mutation providing resistance to pyrethroids was assessed by the Sanger sequencing.
Results and discussion. The lethal concentrations of insecticides and the resistance ratios revealed the moderate resistance to deltamethrin and high susceptibility to chlorfenapyr in the field Nik population. A statistically significant increase in the activity of monooxygenases by 2.25–4.36 times, glutathione-S-transferase by 2.02–2.18 times, acetylcholinesterase by 1.45–1.46 times and alpha-naphthyl esterase by 1.41–1.46 times was noted in females and males of the Nik population compared to these parameters of the Lab UF strain. The presence of the kdr-mutation (L1014F) in houseflies of the field population was confirmed by the Sanger sequencing, while the kdr-his mutation (L1014H) was not detected. The results obtained allow us to suggest that resistance to deltamethrin and high susceptibility to chlorfenapyr in the field population of M. domestica are caused by the L1014F mutation and the increased P450 monooxygenase activity. Negative crossresistance can be used to develop insecticidal formulations that reduce the risk of rapid development of insecticidal resistance in M. domestica L.

The purpose of the research is to study pine bursaphelenchosis foci identified in Vladimir Region and to describe the epiphytotic process at bursaphelenchosis of common pine Pinus sylvestris caused by the coniferous wood nematode Bursaphelenchus mucronatus Mamiya, Enda, 1979.
Materials and methods. Research was conducted on the wilt of pine P. sylvestris L. in July 1998 in the Gus-Khrustalniy district of Vladimir Region. The symptoms of the lesion are similar to wilt caused by the nematode B. xylophilus. Selected large branches with yellow or red needles from 4 wilt centers. Rotten wood with bark beetle tracks was taken from windbroken trees. Externally uninfected trees were stripped of their bark and pieces of wood were cut. In the lab, the samples were pulverized, cut and placed in water. Nematodes were counted under binoculars. Nematodes were identified using methods generally accepted in phytohelminthology.
Results and discussion. Foci of phytohelminthosis were found in pine plantations of Gus-Khrustalny District. The symptoms are similar to pine stem nematode infection, including yellow or red needles and tree death. B. mucronatus nematodes were found in small and large branches, trunks with bark beetle passages and in tree wood with alternating light and dark bluish layers. Capricorn beetles Monochamus spp. are vectors of the pathogen. B. mucronatus, phytopathogenic fungi, and symbiont bacteria contribute to pine death. Capricorn beetles lay eggs the larvae of which eat wood and complete the epiphytotic process. Transportation of contaminated materials facilitates the spread of bursaphelenchosis over long distances. Increasing air temperature increases the symptoms of bursaphelenchosis.