B. Bakutis, E. Monstviliene, G. Januskeviciene: Analyses of Airborne Contamination with Bacteria, Endotoxins and Dust in Livestock Barns and Poultry Houses. Acta Vet. Brno 2004, 73: 283-289. In the air of livestock houses different amounts of microorganisms are present along with dust. The aim of this study was to compare results of quantitative analyses of airborne bacteria, endotoxins and dust in livestock and poultry houses. In insulated cowsheds for dairy cows the average amount of microorganisms and gram-negative bacteria were higher than in uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). Average amounts of microorganisms and gram-negative bacteria in pig and poultry houses were higher than in insulated and uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01), and the air of pig and poultry houses was more contaminated with endotoxins than that of insulated and uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). In insulated cowsheds the concentration of dust was higher than in uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). In pig and poultry houses the concentration of dust was higher than in insulated and uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). We detected a close connection among the amount of dust and airborne bacteria and their endotoxins in air of livestock and poultry houses. There is a need for further reducing the emission of environmentally harmful substances. Precise data of this type are of importance for licensing new animal farms as well as residential areas in the farming environment.

The exact prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. infection in animals slaughtered for food is unknown in Lithuania. Therefore, the present study was initiated to evaluate Sarcocystis spp. infection in the carcasses of cattle (n = 206), sheep (n = 61), pigs (n = 73) and horses (n = 72) raised in Lithuania for food. The prevalence and intensity of Sarcocystis spp. infection were assessed under light microscopy by analysing 1 g of stained and squashed muscle samples. All the investigated muscle types (oesophagus, diaphragm, heart, neck, jaw, back, leg and tongue) were found to have been infected with microcysts rather than with macrocysts. A high prevalence of infection was established in cattle (44.9–98.1%) and sheep (100%), whereas the prevalence of this infection in pigs (30.1–50.0%) and horses (34.7–63.9%) was considered to be moderate. Significant differences in the infection prevalence were detected in the majority of muscle groups of cattle and in some muscle groups of pigs and horses. Similarly, significant differences in the median (Md) intensity of infection were observed in the majority of the muscle groups of cattle (Md = 4–29) and sheep (Md = 21–73) and only in some muscle groups of pigs (Md = 4.5–16) and horses (Md = 1–3). Cases of intense infection (&gt; 40 cysts in a sample) were relatively often detected in sheep (44.9%) and cattle (19.1%), and rarely in pigs (3.7%). Hence, based on the varying rates of infection in the examined samples, the infection was identified as being intense in sheep and cattle, moderate in pigs and low in horses.

The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical blood indicators in Lithuanian Black-and-White cattle with regard to the intensity of their infection with Sarcocystis spp. In total 945 bull muscle samples and 120 blood samples were used for the analysis. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were increased in infected animals relative to uninfected animals. The AST levels differed significantly between the no infection, low, and moderate infection groups (P < 0.05); ALP differed between the no infection and moderate infection groups (P < 0.05); and ALT differed between the no infection, low infection and intense infection groups (P < 0.05). Total protein levels were higher than physiological limits and differed significantly between the no infection, low infection and intense infection groups (P < 0.05). Iron levels were at the lowest physiological limits and differed significantly between the no infection and low infection groups, as well as between the low infection and intense infection groups (P < 0.05). Triglyceride levels were at their physiological limits, and differed significantly between all examined groups (P < 0.05). The results show that changes in the biochemical markers ALP, AST and ALT are related to the intensity of the Sarcocystis spp. infection.

The impact of two tillage systems (conventional and no-tillage) on cereal contamination with fungi and Fusarium mycotoxins was investigated. Samples of soil, cereal seeds, seedlings and freshly harvested grain were taken from plots of an agricultural cooperative in Lithuania. All samples were subjected to mycological analyses. Grain samples were also used for analysis of mycotoxins. In the soil under no-tillage, contamination with fungal spores was 92.9% higher compared to the soil under conventional tillage. In the soil of the no-tillage system we found 20 fungal genera, while in the soil under conventional tillage the number of genera was 15% lower. On cereal seedlings in the no-tillage system fungal spore content was 24.6% higher (P>0.05) and detection frequency of Fusarium fungi was 22.9% higher (P>0.05) than on seedlings in the conventional system. During harvest in feeding grain grown in the conventional tillage system, 2.2-8.0 log 10 CFU g -1 fungal spores were detected, compared to 2.5-12.0 log 10 CFU g -1 in grain in the no-tillage system. A significantly higher grain contamination with Fusarium spp. was detected in the no-tillage system. However, the deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and T-2 toxin content of grain was not considerably influenced by the different tillage systems, although it varied between species.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible harmful effect of Sarcocystis parasites on bovine diaphragm meat quality. Meat samples were collected from 120 bulls aged 20–24 months. Meat quality was investigated using microbiological and physico-chemical (RP-HPLC, GC) methods 48 hours after slaughter. Sarcocystis infection was associated with increased fat content, lightness L* and drip loss, and decreased ash and protein percentages. Infection also had a significant effect on the amount of amino acids (AAs), which slowly decreased as the number of sarcocysts increased. The total amount of AAs correlated with glutamic acid content (R = 0.966, P &lt; 0.05). Heavily infected samples contained significantly lower amounts of putrescine, histamine, spermine and spermidine (P &lt; 0.05) and<br /> a noticeable increase in the total count of aerobic microorganisms, but no change in the numbers of E. coli and coliform bacteria in comparison with no infected samples. Sarcocysts in beef diaphragms did not cause serious changes in the technological quality of the meat, but the biological quality of infected meat was reduced.

In the Department of Physiology and Pathology we examined the testes of 40 dogs. They were examined grossly and for histological examination they were fixed with Bouin 's solution, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with haematoxylineosin stains. PAS reaction and imunohistological assays were performed. The dogs were divided into three groups considering their age: