Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a well-known coagulase-positive staphylococcus that is mainly associated with the asymptomatic colonization of the skin of pets and mucous membranes. Little is still known about the occurrence of S. pseudintermedius in cats. The current study aimed to characterize the isolates of S. pseudintermedius from sick and healthy cats. This was achieved by examining their antibiotic resistance properties, biofilm formation, and genotype differences. Six hundred and seventy-six cats were swabbed (595 healthy and 81 sick cats). Thirty-five distinct S. pseudintermedius isolates from 27 cats were isolated. The prevalence of S. pseudintermedius in healthy and sick cats was 2.49% and 7.61%, respectively. In comparison, MRSP (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) prevalence was 0.12% and 2.98%, respectively. Cats were more frequently colonized with S. pseudintermedius when kept with dogs, regardless of their health condition, with this result being statistically significant. Multidrug resistance was detected in 50%, and 38.46% of S. pseudintermedius isolates from healthy and sick cats, respectively. In contrast, genetic multidrug resistance was detected in 59% and 46.15% cases, respectively. Seven from eight isolated MRSPs were multidrug-resistant. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) assigned isolates to 19 types, of which 16 types submitted for the first time to the PubMLST database. The most frequently detected STs (sequence types) were 551 and 71. ST71 and ST551 were mainly isolated from cats with clinical signs of infection. All were MRSPs, regardless of cats’ health. These isolates were characterized with the most frequent antibiotic resistance at the phenotypic and genotypic level.

Background The characterization of staphylococcal species that colonize pets is important to maintain animal health and to minimize the risk of transmission to owners. Here, the prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. and methicillin resistance was investigated in canine and feline isolates, and risk factors of staphylococcal colonization were determined. Pets were examined and separated into four groups: (1) healthy dogs, (2) healthy cats, and (3) dogs and (4) cats with clinical signs of bacterial infections of skin, mucous membranes, or wounds. Specimens were collected by a veterinary physician from six anatomic sites (external ear canal, conjunctival sacs, nares, mouth, skin [groin], and anus). In total, 274 animals (cats n = 161, dogs n = 113) were enrolled. Results Staphylococcus species were highly diverse (23 species; 3 coagulase-positive and 20 coagulase-negative species), with the highest variety in healthy cats (19 species). The most frequent feline isolates were S. felis and S. epidermidis, while S. pseudintermedius was the most prevalent isolate in dogs. Risk factors of staphylococcal colonization included the presence of other animals in the same household, medical treatment within the last year, and a medical profession of at least one owner. Methicillin resistance was higher in coagulase-negative (17.86%) compared to coagulase-positive (1.95%) staphylococci. The highest prevalence of methicillin-resistant CoNS colonization was observed in animals kept in homes as the most common (dogs and cats). Conclusions The association of methicillin-resistant CoNS colonization with animals most often chosen as pets, represents a high risk of transmission between them and owners. The importance of nosocomial transmission of CoNS was also confirmed. This information could guide clinical decisions during the treatment of veterinary bacterial infections. In conclusion, the epidemiologic characteristics of CoNS and their pathogenicity in pets and humans require further research.

This study attempted to assess the influence of mechanical forces on potato, tapioca, wheat, rice, and maize starch granules. For this purpose, we used digital analysis of microscopic images of starch granules before and after starch grinding using ImageJ software. Additionally, we studied the influence of temperature on the size and shape of starch granules by drying the starches for 30 min at 60 °C. Our results indicate that mechanical forces very rarely cause damage to starch granules, such as breaking or cracking. In most cases, the action of mechanical forces results only in smoother shape of starch granules and their shrinking, linked with rising temperature. Results of this study show that ImageJ software can be successfully used to assess starch granule size and shape.

Neoplastic lesions are common in African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). To our knowledge, so far mast cell tumour metastases have only been described in local lymph nodes. An African hedgehog was referred to the veterinary clinic. A nodule was located on the right part of the mandible. Based on the clinical trial, an abscess was suspected. Surgery was performed, but a histopathological examination was not undertaken. After few months, tumour recurrence was detected and, additionally, a second tumour was found on the metatarsal skin. Due to the deteriorating clinical condition of the patient, euthanasia was decided, and a post-mortem examination was performed. During the post-mortem examination, a spleen tumour was detected, and, furthermore, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and lung sections were also collected. The histopathological examination confirmed mast cell tumour metastasis to the spleen and lymph nodes, additionally single mast cells were found in the liver. Interestingly, the histological picture of the tumour does not show high malignancy. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a mast cell tumour with metastases to the spleen and lymph in the African hedgehog.

and increased perinatal mortality in lambs. Transmission occurs via passive venereal infection or direct ram-to-ram contact. Routine diagnostic is based on serological testing since clinical symptoms are often missing. In addition shedding of B. ovis is intermittent and a single negative sample does not guarantee freedom of disease. To study an association between seropositivity and shedding of B. ovis, three seropositive rams originating from a flock with 23 rams were transferred to the NRL for Bovine Brucellosis at the IVET Moedling for further investigations.Methods & Materials: The serological response and shedding of B. ovis were followed for four weeks. Blood samples were collected in weekly interval and tested with indirect enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) and complement-fixation test (CFT). Additionally, urine samples and preputial swabs were examined with bacteriological methods and real-time PCR. After the sampling period rams were diagnostically culled for pathological investigation.Results: None of the rams showed clinical signs by scrotal palpation. Two of the rams were seropositive in both serological tests, one ram only in I-ELISA. Brucella spp. could be identified by realtime PCR in urine samples of all rams and in preputial swabs of 2 rams at each sampling point. B.ovis was confirmed by bacteriological and genotyping methods. Gross morphological changes of the genital organs were detected in one animal only, displaying chronic periorchitis with adhesion between the parietal and visceral lamina of the tunica vaginalis, moderate scrotal serous effusion and bilateral thrombosis of testicular vessels.Conclusion: An association between B. ovis shedding and seropositivity was confirmed. Antibodies decreased weekly during the sample period, but shedding of B. ovis still remains. In-vivo diagnostic of preputial swabs and urine samples should be considered as an additional tool for direct diagnosis of B. ovis in serological positive rams. To prevent transmission, positive rams have to be separated from the flock and slaughtered. Our study showed that castration does not prevent spreading of the disease since shedding via urine is possible.Purpose: Rotavirus A (RVA) has been identified as an assured cause of severe gastroenteritis in humans as well as in pigs throughout the world. Studies on the genetic constitution of RVA strains in humans have shown a prevalence of P[6], P[8] and G8 genotypes with animal origin, in particular from pigs, goats or other ungulates.In Mozambique, to our knowledge, there are no studies on RVA in swines, which makes it difficult to trigger control measures and understand the importance of this animal species on human rotavirus diversity in the country.The aim of this study was to detect and characterize molecularly rotavirus of group A in diarrheic and non-diarrheic pigs from Maputo city and province, southern of Mozambique.Methods & Materials: Between August and September 2016, 288 swine's fecal samples from diarrheic and non-diarrheic pigs up to 3 months of age, fr...