Despite being a small country, Kosovo represents one of the few foci of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Europe. The distribution of Kosovar tick vectors and the evolution of CCHF virus in ticks are both as yet unknown. A better description of the extent and the genetic diversity of CCHFV in ticks from endemic settings is essential, in order to be controlled. We investigated the 2012 distribution of Kosovar ticks alongside the prevalence and the phylogeography of tick-derived CCHFV. Hyalomma marginatum dominated in the endemic municipalities with 90.2% versus 24.3% in the non-endemic regions. Of 1,102 tested ticks, 40 (3.6%) were CCHFV-positive, belonging to H. marginatum (29), Rhipicephalus bursa (10), and Ixodes ricinus (1). The virus strains clustered with clade V and VI related sequences. They fell into two lineages: Kosovo I and II. Kosovo I comprised strains recovered exclusively from R. bursa ticks and was closely related to AP92 prototype strain. Kosovo II clustered into Kosovo IIa, including human-derived strains, and IIb including only strains detected in H. marginatum and I. ricinus. Our phylogeographic reconstruction suggests two temporally distinct CCHFV introductions: the most probable location of the most recent common ancestor of Kosovo I lineage was in Greece (63 years ago) and that of lineages IIa-b in Turkey (35 years ago). After each CCHFV introduction into Kosovo, subsequent lineage expansions suggest periods of in situ evolution. The study provides the first insight into the genetic variability and the origin of CCHFV in ticks from Kosovo. Our findings indicate the spreading of CCHFV to non-endemic areas, which underlines the importance of further studies in order to monitor and predict future CCHF outbreaks in Kosovo. The AP92-like strains appear to be more widespread than previously thought and may provide a promising target for experimental studies due to their assumed low pathogenicity.

Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence varies considerably between countries. We studied the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in a national sample of the Israeli population; 2794 sera were tested. The highest age-adjusted seroprevalence rate was in Arabs (non-Bedouins) (60.4%), significantly higher compared to the rate in Jews (19.9%) and Bedouins (27.5%) (P < 0.01). There were no significant gender differences. Seropositivity increased with age in all population groups. For Jews, seropositivity was associated with place of birth and socioeconomic status. A finding of low seroprevalence rate in Bedouins despite their poor living conditions and close contact with livestock is surprising, and might be attributed to the dry and hot climate conditions in their area of residence. In women of reproductive age the seroprevalence was 15.1% in Jews, 25.4% in Bedouins and 72.3% in Arabs (non-Bedouins). Thus, the majority of pregnant women are susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii, and the risk for congenital toxoplasmosis remains high.

BackgroundThe poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae (D.g.) is a serious ectoparasitic pest of poultry and potential pathogen vector. The prevalence of D. g. and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. within mites on infested laying poultry farms were investigated in Kosovo.FindingsIn total, 14 populated layer farms located in the Southern Kosovo were assessed for D. g. presence. Another two farms in this region were investigated 6 months after depopulation. Investigated flocks were all maintained in cages, a common housing system in Kosovo. A total of eight farms were found to be infested with D. g. (50%) at varying levels, including the two depopulated farms. The detection of Salmonella spp. from D. g. was carried out using PCR. Out of the eight layer farms infested with D. g., Salmonella spp. was present in mites on three farms (37.5%).ConclusionsThis study confirms the high prevalence of D. g. in layer flocks in Kosovo and demonstrates the link between this mite and the presence of Salmonella spp. on infested farms.

, 2016. Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from subclinical mastitis in dairy farms in Kosovo. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 19, No 4,[299][300][301][302][303][304][305][306][307] The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in Kosovo and the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated bacteria. Six hundred and twenty four milk samples from individual quarters of 156 lactating cows were tested using California Mastitis Test (CMT) and the positive samples were further analysed using conventional methods for isolation of main mastitis causing agents and finally identified using biochemical tests. The overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 25.6%. Twenty one mastitis positive cows belonged to Holstein Friesian breed, 11 to Simmental and 8 were crossbred. Regarding age susceptibility, 13 cows resulting positive in the CMT test were 2-5 years of age and the other 27: 6-9 years of age. A total of 112 bacterial isolates were recovered. The most prevalent species were Staphylococcus aureus (28.6%) followed by coagulase negative staphylococci (21.4%), E. coli (13.4%), Streptococcus agalactiae (14.3%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (3.6%), Streptococcus uberis (6.2%), Corynebacterium spp. (8%), and Bacillus spp. (4.5%). The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disc diffusion method. In vitro tests of bacterial isolates revealed higher sensitivity to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, oxytetracycline, trimethoprim and gentamicin. The lowest susceptibility was shown to penicillin and streptomycin except for Corynebacterium spp. and Bacillus spp.

In 2011, a human brucellosis case with severe clinical symptoms was reported at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Prishtina, Kosovo. A trace-back investigation was conducted to find the source of human infection. A total of 49 blood samples and 15 corresponding milk samples from sheep and goats raised on the patient's farm were taken for serological and molecular analysis. Serology using RBT and CFT revealed 11 positive animals. Twelve milk samples were PCR positive. A Brucella strain isolated from a goat's milk sample was classified as Brucella melitensis biovar 3, indicating the first ever isolation and report in Kosovo. The use of the Bruce-ladder PCR provided differentiation between the field strain and the vaccine strain. Hence, the accidental transmission of the vaccine strain Rev 1 that was previously used for the vaccination of the farm animals could be excluded. The findings of this study show that brucellosis is still a public health threat in Kosovo despite control measures.