Editorial for the Thematic Issue on Fish Health and Disease ManagementEditorial

M Faldyna

Vet Med - Czech, 2026, 71(4)  

In vitro comparison of anthelmintic efficacy across Gyrodactylus speciesOriginal Paper

M Ondrackova, J Kolarova, K Skocovska

Vet Med - Czech, 2026, 71(4):129-138 | DOI: 10.17221/79/2025-VETMED  

Gyrodactylosis, caused by monogenean parasites of the genus Gyrodactylus, poses a significant threat to aquaculture, particularly under intensive farming conditions. This study evaluated the in vitro effectiveness of three veterinary anthelmintics – fenbendazole (FBZ), levamisole hydrochloride (LHC), and ivermectin (IVM) – against four Gyrodactylus species collected from wild cyprinid hosts. Parasite survival was monitored over 48 h at 6–7 °C. LHC showed the highest efficacy at both tested concentrations (30 and 50 mg/l), achieving near-complete mortality within 8 hours. FBZ and IVM were significantly...

Oral efficacy of controlled-release doxycycline against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infestation in salmonidsOriginal Paper

Z Mikulkova, K Matejickova, J Motlova, P Ginterova, M Jerabek, L Pojezdal

Vet Med - Czech, 2026, 71(4):139-146 | DOI: 10.17221/104/2025-VETMED  

Ichthyophthiriosis, caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, is a major threat in salmonid aquaculture. This study evaluated the efficacy of orally administered standard doxycycline and controlled-release doxycycline formulations in experimentally infected brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Fish received medicated feed for 10 days starting seven days post-infection. Controlled-release doxycycline achieved the highest survival rate (84.2%), followed by standard doxycycline (73.7%), while no control fish survived after day 25 post-infection. Both drug formulations eliminated trophonts from...

Effect of a 24-hour praziquantel bath on the haematological and biochemical profile and selected parameters of oxidative stress in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)Original Paper

R Dobsikova, P Marsalek, J Velisek, J Blahova

Vet Med - Czech, 2026, 71(4):147-155 | DOI: 10.17221/89/2025-VETMED  

This study assessed the effect of a 24-hour bath with praziquantel (2 and 4 mg/l) on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) by monitoring the haematological parameters, plasma biochemical profile, and oxidative stress indices. Fish were sampled at 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours post-exposure (hpe). The haematological analysis revealed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the white blood cell count immediately after treatment at both concentrations, with no subsequent changes. Within the plasma biochemical profile, a significant decrease (P < 0.05)...

The effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum probiotic supplement on rainbow trout challenged with Aeromonas salmonicidaOriginal Paper

I Mikulikova, Z Lepkova, H Bandouchova, J Blahova, I Papezikova, H Novotna, I Toulova, K Kobelkova, K Odehnalova, E Postulkova, M Radojicic, J Mares, D Mudronova, M Palikova

Vet Med - Czech, 2026, 71(4):156-168 | DOI: 10.17221/101/2025-VETMED  

Two probiotic (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) supplementation strategies (continuous and cyclic) were evaluated for their ability to enhance resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to Aeromonas salmonicida infection. Neither of these strategies improved post-challenge survival. Instead, cyclic administration resulted in a significantly higher mortality rate (73%) compared with continuous supplementation (52%) and the control group (46%). One week post-challenge, most haematological, plasma biochemical, and immune parameters showed no significant difference between treatments, though fish receiving cyclic supplementation...