M. SAMARDŽIJA: Bovine mastitis: a persistent and evolving problem requiring novel approaches for its control -a review. Vet. arhiv 88, 535-557, 2018. ABSTRACT Mastitis in dairy cows is the inflammation of the mammary gland, and is the most important cause of economic losses in the modern dairy industry. Bovine mastitis is often infectious and can be caused by some 150 microbial species. The environment of the dairy cow is heavily colonized by microbiota, while milk is an ideal medium for propagation of the bacteria and causative agents. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen isolated from the mammary gland capable of causing health disorders in humans. Milk from an infected mammary gland has a different chemical composition compared to milk from healthy cows. Certain differences, such as protein components specific to inflamed tissue, are currently being considered in 2018 M. Benić et al.: Bovine mastitis: a persistent and evolving problem requiring novel approaches for its control the development of diagnostic tools for mastitis. The known risk factors for mastitis can result in mastitis at the quarter, cow and herd levels. Mastitis treatment includes both preventive and therapy measures, and is primarily based on the use of antibiotics. Recent approaches to mastitis therapy have been focused on the design and use of natural therapeutics, such as zeolites, ozone and propolis, that could serve as alternatives to antibiotics.
Babesia divergens and B. divergens-like organisms are the main causative agents of human babesiosis in Europe. Recently, the first case of human infection with Babesia microti was confirmed in Germany, implicating the presence of zoonotic isolates. To estimate the presence of zoonotic B. microti in Croatia we analyzed 120 small wild mammals that serve as its reservoir by polymerase chain reaction. Yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) were both found to be infected with prevalence of 16.2%. Sequence analysis of the portion of 18S rDNA gene demonstrated that six polymerase chain reaction-positive samples, detected in both rodent species, were identical to that of the human Jena/Germany strain (EF413181). The other two isolates were identical to the nonzoonotic Munich strain (AB071177). The results of this study indicate the presence of zoonotic B. microti in A. flavicollis and M. glareolus in Croatia and a potential risk for human health.
This work presents the results of findings for brucellosis in wild boars and domestic swine in two regions of Croatia. In the region of Djakovo the blood samples of 211 wild boars were analysed and in 29.4% of the samples serologically positive reactions were established. In the same region the blood samples of 1080 domestic swine on pastures were also analysed and positive serological reactions were established in 12.3%. In the regions around Lonjsko Polje the blood samples of 53 wild boars were analysed and in 22.6% of them positive serological reactions were established. On several locations around Lonjsko Polje the blood samples of 901 domestic swine were serologically analysed and 13.5% of the swine were found to be seropositive. Bacteriological analyses of submitted materials from 24 wild boars resulted in isolation of Brucella from seven (29.2%) samples, and from 43 samples originating from domestic swine that had aborted and had been serologically positive, Brucella were isolated from 25 (58.1%) swine, as well as from 10 (62.5%) out of 16 aborted piglets. In all the isolates Brucella suis biovar 2 was identified. Wild boars are carriers and reservoirs of Brucella suis biovar 2 in Croatia.
Due to SARS CoV-2 recombination rates, number of infected people and recent reports of environmental contamination, the possibility of SARS CoV-2 transmission to animals can be expected. We tested samples of dominant free-living and captive wildlife species in Croatia for the presence of anti-SARS CoV-2 antibodies and viral RNA. In total, from June 2020 until February 2021, we tested blood, muscle extract and fecal samples of 422 free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and jackals (Canis aureus); blood and cloacal swabs of 111 yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) and fecal samples of 32 zoo animals. A commercially available ELISA (ID.Vet, France) and as a confirmatory test, a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT; GenScript, Netherlands) were used. Fecal samples were tested for the presence of viral RNA by a real-time RT–PCR protocol. Fifteen out of 533 (2.8%) positive ELISA results were detected; in wild boars (3.9%), red foxes (2.9%) and jackals (4.6%). However, the positive findings were not confirmed by sVNT. No viral RNA was found. In conclusion, no spillover occurred within the investigated period (second COVID-19 wave). However, further investigation is needed, especially regarding wildlife sample features for serological tests.
ABSTRACT:The ban on dietary antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in swine production has focused increasing research efforts on the development of alternative feed supplements. One such alternative to AGP is the dietary zeolite clinoptilolite (CPL). The aims of this study were to evaluate, in weaned pigs, the effects of CPL on: (a) growth performance, (b) gut health (reduction of harmful bacteria and, incidence/severity of diarrhoea) and (c) circulating or ileal mucosal subsets of lymphoid immune cells, over the course of five weeks post weaning. The non-treated pigs received standard Phase 1 diet from Day 0 to 21 and Phase 2 diet from Day 22 to 35, whereas both diets of experimental pigs were supplemented with 0.5% CPL. The pigs receiving diet supplemented with CPL had significantly higher average daily gain at Day 28 but significantly lower daily gain at Day 35 of the experiment (P < 0.05). The CPL group exhibited non-significantly improved feed conversion ratio (1.83 vs. 2.17) for the total duration of the experiment (Day 0 to Day 35). Although shedding of haemolytic/enterotoxigenic E. coli was more frequent in the CPL group, the sum of their diarrhoea severity score was 12.96% lower (47 vs 54) than that of the non-treated controls. The proportions of circulating lymphoid cell subsets tested (CD45 + , CD4 + , CD21 + ), were significantly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) higher in CPL-treated pigs between Day 21 and Day 35 of the experiment. Immunohistology/ morphometry of ileal segments revealed an increased recruitment of CD45RA + cells in interfollicular (P < 0.05),but not in follicular areas of ileal PP of CPL-treated pigs at Day 35. In conclusion, CPL did not improve growth in weaned pigs, and generally it failed to improve their feed conversion efficiency. Further, it did not suppress faecal shedding of enterotoxigenic E. coli; however, it was shown to be effective as an immunomodulatory agent by promoting the recruitment of circulating and intestinal immune cell subsets.
Background: The bacterial species S. aureus is the most common causative agent of mastitis in cows in most countries with a dairy industry. The prevalence of infection caused by S. aureus ranges from 2% to more than 50%, and it causes 10–12% of all cases of clinical mastitis. Aim: The objective was to analyze 237 strains of S. aureus isolated from the milk of cows with subclinical mastitis regarding the spa, mecA, mecC and pvl genes and to perform spa and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Methods: Sequencing amplified gene sequences was conducted at Macrogen Europe. Ridom StaphType and BioNumerics software was used to analyze obtained sequences of spa and seven housekeeping genes. Results: The spa fragment was present in 204 (86.1%) of strains, while mecA and mecC gene were detected in 10 strains, and the pvl gene was not detected. Spa typing successfully analyzed 153 tested isolates (64.3%), confirming 53 spa types, four of which were new types. The most frequent spa type was t2678 (14%). MLST typed 198 (83.5%) tested strains and defined 32 different allele profiles, of which three were new. The most frequent allele profile was ST133 (20.7%). Six groups (G) and 15 singletons were defined. Conclusion: Taking the number of confirmed spa types and sequence types (STs) into account, it can be concluded that the strains of S. aureus isolated from the milk of cows with subclinical mastitis form a heterogenous group. To check the possible zoonotic potential of isolates it would be necessary to test the persons and other livestock on the farms.
The aim of the study was to give an account of the epidemic of abortions in sheep caused by Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Abortusovis, which occurred in Dalmatia, south Croatia, in winter 2003-2004. Five sheep flocks with rate of abortion ranging from 22% to 38% during the last-third of gestation were examined. Salmonella Abortusovis was isolated from 13 vaginal smears and two fetuses. Direct inoculation was found to be superior to pre-enrichment and enrichment in selective broth for Salmonella Abortusovis isolation. The isolates were biochemically identified, and characterized by serotyping and polymerase chain reaction based on the amplification of the IS200 sequence specific for Salmonella Abortusovis. A fragment of 900 bp was detected in all Salmonella Abortusovis isolates. The sensitivity testing of the isolates, carried out by the disk diffusion method and the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentrations, resulted in a high sensitivity to almost all antimicrobials used. Only two isolates were moderately sensitive to oxytetracycline, whereas one isolate showed resistance to streptomycin. Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus and Listeria monocytogenes were excluded as causative agents of abortion in sheep by culture testing, and brucellosis, leptospirosis, Q fever and chlamydiosis by serological testing.
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