Recent studies showed that Buxtonella sulcata (B. sulcata) may be a potential causative agent of periodical recurrent diarrhoea of unknown etiology in cattle. This study aimed to investigate the ...prevalence and intensity of infection of B. sulcata and its role in diarrhoea in cattle in Sarajevo area. A total of 412 faecal samples were collected from cattle of different ages (189 young and 223 adults). The overall rate of infection was 27,2%, with a significant difference between young and adults (33,3% vs 21,9%). In animals infected with B. sulcata diarrhoea was present in 57,1% young and 51,0% adults, with no significant difference between them. The frequency of diarrhoea incidence increased proportionally to the intensity of infection with B. sulcata, either young or adults, in a typical logarithmic trend in both age groups (R2=0,97). In samples with more than 2000 cysts per 1 g of faeces diarrhoea was found in almost 80% of adults, and in 100% of young animals. The results obtained here indicate that young animals are more prone to the infection with B. sulcata, but regardless of age the cattle similarly responds to the infection. Key words: cattle, protozoa, Buxtonella sulcata, diarrhoea, Sarajevo
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, domestic and wild carnivores represent a significant driver for the transmission and ecology of zoonotic pathogens, especially those of parasitic aetiology. Nevertheless, ...there is no systematic research of Trichinella species in animals that have been conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, even though trichinellosis is considered the most important parasitic zoonosis. The available results of the few studies carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina are mainly related to the confirmation of parasitic larvae in the musculature of domestic pigs and wild boars or data related to trichinellosis in humans. The objective of our study was to present the findings of a comprehensive investigation into the species composition of Trichinella among 11 carnivorous species within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as follows: red fox (Vulpes vulpes), grey wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), wildcat (Felis silvestris), pine marten (Martes martes), European badger (Meles meles), weasel (Mustela nivalis), European polecat (Mustela putorius), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), but also dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and cat (Felis catus).
In the period 2013-2023, carnivore musculature samples (n = 629), each consisting of 10 g of muscle tissue, were taken post-mortem and individually examined using the artificial digestion method. In the positive samples (n = 128), molecular genotyping and identification of parasitic larvae of Trichinella spp. were performed using a PCR-based technique up to the species/genotype level. Positive samples were used for basic PCR detection of the genus Trichinella (rrnS rt-PCR technique) and genotyping (rrnl-EVS rt-PCR technique). The Trichinella infection was documented for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina among red foxes, grey wolves, brown bears, dogs, badgers and Eurasian lynx, with a frequency rate of 20.3%. Additionally, the presence of T. britovi infection was newly confirmed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the initial documented cases. Furthermore, both T. britovi and T. pseudospiralis infections were observed in the wildcat population, whereas T. britovi and T. spiralis infections were detected in pine martens. Consistent with previous research, our findings align particularly regarding carnivores, with data from other countries such as Germany, Finland, Romania, Poland and Spain, where T. britovi exhibits a wider distribution (62.5-100%) compared to T. spiralis (0.0-37.5%). T. britovi is more common among sylvatic carnivores (89.0%), while T. spiralis prevails in wild boars (62.0%), domestic swine (82.0%) and rodents (75.0%).
The results of our study represent the first molecular identification of species of the genus Trichinella in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, our findings underscore the necessity for targeted epidemiological studies to thoroughly assess trichinellosis prevalence across diverse animal populations. Considering the relatively high frequency of trichinellosis infection in investigated animal species and its public health implications, there is an evident need for establishing an effective trichinellosis surveillance system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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The aim of the study was to investigate parasitic contamination of soil and vegetation on different locations in the Sarajevo Canton and to propose the rehabilitation measures. Among 55 locations ...sampled in the Canton Sarajevo in 2015, 33 (66.0%) were positive. In total, 220 soil samples and 80 plant samples were tested, and 59 (26.82%) and 12 (15.00%) were positive, respectively. Five different parasite-developing stages were determined. The highest level of contamination was detected in the parks (77.77%) and playgrounds (75.00%). Among 33 positive locations (60.00% of examined locations), taeniid eggs were detected in four (12.12%), Toxocara canis eggs in 32 (96.97%), Trichuris spp. eggs in nine (27.27%) and ancylostomatid eggs in six locations (18.18%), while nematode larvae were identified in 14 locations (42.42%). Out of 71 soil and plants positive samples, taeniid eggs were identified in four (5.63%) and Toxocara canis eggs in 50 samples (70.42%). Trichuris spp. eggs were found in nine (12.67%), ancylostomatid eggs in six (8.45%) and nematode larvae in 17 samples (23.94%). Concerning the public health aspect, it is crucial to reduce parasitic contamination by implementing adequate preventive measures in line with the legislation. Involvement of all concerned particularly pet owners (parents and children), veterinarians, physicians, and environmentalists, should be strongly encouraged with major emphasis on permanent education.
The serum concentrations of hormones are widely used to diagnose thyroid and adrenocortical diseases in animals. The objectives of the present study were, for the first time, to determine serum ...thyroxine (T4) and cortisol values in Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horses, and to investigate the influences of age and gender on T4 and cortisol levels. Blood samples were collected on the stud farm Borike from 23 apparently healthy horses of both sexes aged between two and twenty-three years. Horses were grouped in three age classes: young mature horses, middle-aged horses and old horses. Serum samples were analyzed for T4 and cortisol concentrations. The T4 values ranged from 6 to 45 nmol/L with a mean ±SD of 22.83±8.32 nmol/L. The cortisol values ranged from 149 to 190 nmol/L with a mean ±SD of 171.57±11.46 nmol/L. Values of T4 decreased with increasing age (p=0.021). Mean value of T4 in young mature horses was 27.60 nm/L, in middle-aged horses was 19.40 nm/L and in old horses was 18.33 nm/L. Values of T4 were significantly higher (p=0.031) in females (24.88 nm/L) than in males (18.14 nm/L). Negative significant correlation between age and hormone concentration was observed for T4 (r = -0.431; p = 0.040). Differences between gender or age classes for cortisol values were not significant. The mean total serum T4 and cortisol values in Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horses were in the normal reference ranges for horses, and both age and gender significantly affected T4 levels.
According to the WHO (2019), more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected with soil-transmitted parasites. Previous research in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) was mainly ...conducted in the area of the Sarajevo Canton. Therefore, the aim of the research was to explore contamination of soil and vegetation with developmental forms of parasites in the other cantons of FB&H.
Between Apr and Oct 2018, a total of 1,618 soil and vegetation samples were taken from 386 different locations in the 9 cantons of the FB&H.
Positive samples were observed, 65/66 (98.48%) municipalities/cities and on 239/386 (61.92%) locations. Out of 1,618 samples taken in total (1,263 soil samples and 355 vegetation samples), 357 (22.06%) were positive, out of which 337 (26.68%) and 20 (5.63%) were soil and plant samples, respectively. In total, the following adult and developmental forms were identified: Taeniidae eggs (7.30%),
spp. eggs (62.08%), Ancylostomatidae eggs (25.00%),
spp. eggs (9.55%),
spp. eggs (3.37%),
eggs (1.40%), Nematodes larvae (19.38%),
cysts (5.06%),
spp. oocysts (1.4%), oocysts and cysts of different species of Protozoa (3.93%).
The identified developmental forms of parasites pose a permanent threat to human health. It is necessary to carry out measures to reduce the contamination of soil and vegetation in coordination with systematic solutions (legislation), paralelly with contribution of animal owners, veterinarians, physicians, ecologists, parents and all the others involved in this issue.
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More than 30 dog parasite species have been identified in Bosnia and Herzegovina so far, and half of these are zoonotic. The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of parasitic infections ...in dogs from Bosnian-podrinje canton with a focus on zoonotic parasites. The study included 212 dogs (107 owned and 105 stray). One or more of the twenty parasite species were found in 82.55% of tested samples.
(Class Trematoda) was found in 0.94% of dogs.
and
(Class Cestoda) were found in 7.55% and 0.94% of dogs, respectively.
spp. and
spp. (Family Taeniidae) were found in 0.47% and 0.94% of samples, respectively. In the family of Nematoda, the following parasite species were identified with corresponding percent among tested dogs:
(25.94%),
(8.96%),
(0.47%),
(3.77%),
(52.36%),
(22.17%),
(1.42%),
(1.89%) and
(1.42%). In the kingdom of Protozoa, the following parasite species were identified with corresponding percent among tested dogs:
(8.49%),
(2.36%),
spp. (4.72%),
spp. (0.47%),
spp. (5.19%), and
(15.57%).
was not identified in tested samples. The results showed a high level of parasitic infestation in the dog population in the Bosnian-Podrinje canton, with a high occurrence of zoonotic parasites. Significant differences were found between owned and stray dogs for all classes of detected parasites with exception of the class Trematoda, disregarding specific parasite species.
The aim of this study was to determine the iodine concentrations in raw cow’s milk produced in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and to evaluate the milk iodine contribution to the iodine ...intake in the B&H population. Milk samples (n=139) were taken from five regions during the spring, summer and winter season. Iodine concentrations were determined by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The mean (± standard deviation) milk iodine concentration was 60.9±67.5 μg/kg and ranged from 4.4 to 378.7 μg/kg. Winter milk had higher iodine content (84.0±88.2 μg/kg) than the spring (45.3±46.7 μg/kg) and summer milk (51.3±51.0 μg/kg), although two of five investigated regions did not follow this tendency and had the similar milk iodine content in all three seasons. Very low iodine concentrations (<20 μg/kg) were found in 41 milk samples from four regions indicating extensive iodine deficiency in dairy cows. Milk samples from the north-east of the country had much more iodine than samples from other regions in all seasons with no values below 20 μg/kg. With the current average intake of 0.4 L milk per day, the milk contributes with 20 % of the recommended iodine intake for humans, ranging from 6 % to 72 % depending on the season of the year and the region of the country. The results indicate the need for iodine supplementation of animal diets, as well as for increased milk consumption in human population.
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Common feeds usually contain essential minerals but often in insufficient amounts or in suboptimal ratios. Beside basic feeds, animals require dietary mineral supplements in order to maintain good ...health and production, especially if kept in confinement permanently. Adequate mineral uptake together with food and water intake represents one of the basic requirements for successful animal production. Animal feeding practice uses numerous mineral supplements to provide calcium. Limestone (calcium carbonate) is the most widely used out of them all.
The aim of this paper was to examine the variability in composition of limestone for animal feeds produced in B&H in relation to the current national Regulations on Animal Feed. Content of calcium (Ca) was determined in 71 samples of limestone, content of magnesium (Mg) in 56, and content of iron (Fe) in 29 samples. All samples originated from two B&H producers. Minerals Ca, Mg and Fe were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that the composition of limestone for animal feeds varied widely in relation to the current Regulations on Animal Feed. Content of Ca ranged from 22,8% to 39,78%, and content of Mg from 0,13% to 12,28%.Key words: limestone, calcium, magnesium
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