In order to determine the actual prevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in wild birds in Bosnia and Herzegovina, extensive surveillance was carried out between October 2005 and April 2006. A ...total of 394 samples representing 41 bird species were examined for the presence of influenza A virus using virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs, PCR, and nucleotide sequencing. AIV subtype H5N1 was detected in two mute swans (Cygnus olor). The isolates were determined to be highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and the hemagglutinin sequence was closely similar to A/Cygnus olor/Astrakhan/Ast05-2-10/2005 (H5N1). This is the first report of HPAI subtype H5N1 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus in cats and dogs raised issue of human-to-animal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic pets in close contacts with their owners. Our study was designed to ...research this in the framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using ELISA, AFIAS fluorescent immunoassay, RT-qPCR and WGS on Nanopore MinION platform with ARTIC Network Amplicon sequencing protocol for SARS-CoV-2, we showed that three out of thirteen dogs and one out of five cats from the households with confirmed human cases of COVID-19 in Bosnia-Herzegovina were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The high viral RNA load was detected in samples collected from a 4-year-old male Havanese (Ct = 12.52), a 6-year-old German Shepherd (Ct = 21.36) and a 9-year-old female American Staffordshire terrier (Ct = 25.74). The antibody response in dogs and one cat was observed. The viral genetic sequences from dogs were identical to the sequences detected in the owners suggesting the human-to-animal transmission of the virus. These findings, especially the low initial Ct values detected, from the public health perspective additionally stress the need for precautionary measures to protect both humans and animals.
The study included a total of 127 sheep milk samples from two different areas
(Livno and Travnik) in summer feeding period (July, August and September).
Fatty acids in milk were determined by gas ...chromatography (GC). The animals
were marked with the appropriate number of ear tags on the basis of which we
always took samples from the same animals through different periods. Fatty
acids in milk were determined by gas chromatography and the following fatty
acids composition: butyric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid,
stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic
acid, docosahexaenoic acid, rumenic acid. The fatty acid content of sheep's
milk in this study showed a tendency of variation, both within and between
sampling areas, and characterized by its relatively high content of saturated
fatty acid (SFA) during the period of harvest.
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Istraživanje autohtone proizvodnje Livanjskog i Travničkog sira ima za cilj očuvanje tradicije, organizirane proizvodnje i plasmana na tržišta izvan domicilne regije. Autohtoni sirevi su ...raznovrsnijeg okusa, arome i konzistencije u odnosu na industrijski proizvedene sireve, gdje je tehnologija definirana, a uvjeti proizvodnje kontrolirani. Nadmorska visina, kvalitetna voda i hrana nisu dovoljni čimbenici za trajno održavanje kvalitete autohtonih sireva. Na osnovi standardizacije tehnoloških postupaka proizvodnje može se proizvesti sir specifičnog obilježja. Cilj istraživanja bio je odrediti i komparirati ukupni dušik i dušične frakcije u dva autohtona sira – Livanjskom i Travničkom, ovisno o terminu uzorkovanja (srpanj, kolovoz i rujan). Za anlizu su uzorci sira uzeti nakon 90 dana zrenja u izvornim uvjetima okoline. U uzorcima sira određivan je ukupni dušik i dušične frakcije. Određivanje sadržaja
ukupnog dušika (TN), kao i dušika topljivog u vodi pri pH 4,6 (SN-4,6) i 12% trikloroctenoj kiselini (TCA-SN) provedeno je metodom po Kjeldahlu. Vrijednosti TN, SN-4,6 i TCA-SN u uzorcima Travničkog sira bile su niže u odnosu na uzorke Livanjskog sira pri svakom terminu uzorkovanja. Najveće vrijednosti indeksa SN-4,6/TN i TCA-SN/TN kod oba ispitivana sira utvrđene su u sirevima proizvedenim od mlijeka prikupljenog tijekom rujna. Indeksi zrenja su bili viši u uzorcima Travničkog sira, što ukazuje na povećanu primarnu proteolizu u odnosu na Livanjski sir, to može biti rezultat specifičnosti biljnog pokrivača i ispaše ovaca na nižoj nadmorskoj visini.
ABSTRACT Background: Towards preparation for a possible influenza pandemic, investigation of the molecular characteristics of the circulating avian H5N1 influenza virus strains is of crucial ...importance. These H5N1 viruses continue to spread, to infect animals and humans and to evolve and diversify providing so an ever-looming pandemic threat.Aim: To identify genetic structure and molecular biological characteristics of BiH's isolates of H5N1 HPAI as well as to assess the level of pathogenicity, phylogenetic origin and host- specificity of the isolates.Material and Methods: SPF embryonated chicken eggs were used for virus isolation. Viral RNA extracted using QIAamp viral RNA kit and manufacturer’s protocol (QIAGEN®) was used for PCR amplification. cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification of the coding region, using gene specific primer sets (primer sequences available on request), were carried out for all eight viral RNA segments separately. The Prism Big Dye Terminator v1.1 cycle sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems) was used and products were analyzed on an automatic ABI PRISM 3130 genetic analyzer (Applied Biosystems). Nucleotide sequences were analyzed using Bioedit software (v. 7.0.9.0) with an engine based on the ClustalW 1.4 algorithm. MEGA software (v. 4,0), using the neighbor joining tree inference analysis with the Tamura-Nei γ-model, was used to estimate phylogenies and calculate bootstrap values from the nucleotide sequences.Results: Full-length nucleotide sequences of the A/Cygnus olor/BIH/1/2006 (H5N1) strain were deposited in EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database under accession nos. FN186008 to FN186014 and FM20943. The pathogenicity and host specificity of this strain, as polygenic traits, are determined in silico by the structure of its proteins, especially surface glycoproteins, HA and NA. Multibasic amino acid stretch PQGERRRKKR/GLF, marker of strains highly pathogenic to poultry, was present at the HA cleavage site of BiH strain. The RBS was typical for avian influenza viruses and contained Gln and Gly at positions 238 and 240 (H5 numbering) that is,226 and 228 according to H3 numbering with seven potential glycosylated sites but with increased binding to alpha2-6 sialoglycans thanks to substitutions, as follows, 110N, 171N, 171N, 172A, 205R and 251P. NA structure assigned this strain to the Z genotype, characterized also by the deletion of the five amino acid residues of the NS1 protein (positions 80-84). Amino acid residues, typical for the avian influenza viruses, were revealed in 40 out of 43 positions of M1, M2, NP, PA, PB2 and HA, determining the host range specificity. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene revealed that BiH isolates belonged to genetic clade 2.2., and presence of aspartic acid at the position of 403 of HA locate BiH isolates in 2.2.2. sub-clade.Conclusions: The BiH’s isolates were determined as HPAI virus with genes sequences closely related to A/Cygnus olor/Astrakhan/Ast05-2-10/2005 (H5N1). Three residues (M2 - 28V and 78K, NP - 33I), typical of human influenza viruses, were found, indicating a certain degree of intercurrent evolutionary adaptive changes in BiH isolates. Sequence comparison of HA and NA segments with relevant sequences in GenBank revealed that the BiH isolates and the ones from the southern Russia (Astrakhan region) group together phylogenetically, forming a monophyleticcluster in both genes indicating that these isolates have evolved from the same origin. Sequence derived phenotype markers of NA protein (E99, V129, D131, R136, H255 and Y256) as well as of M2 protein (26L, 27V, 30A, S31 and G34) showed that the isolates have an oseltamivir and amantadine sensitive genotype.
Avian chlamydiosis is an infectious disease of birds caused by gram-negative bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci. However, this disease can occure among other mammals including humans. Chlamydiosis ...often presents as an inapparent infection, especially in older birds. During stressful conditions (deficient diet, transportation, great population density in small spaces, etc.) and comorbidity, however, the birds usually begin to either present with the clinical signs of chlamydiosis, or secrete many causative agents to the environment. Depending on the serotype of the causative agent, and the type and age of the host, the disease usually causes systemic disorders, and is often fatal. The affected birds present with lethargy, fever, typical yellow-green discharge from the eyes and nose, diarrhea, anorexia and the weight lost. Bearing capacity is reduced. Autopsy findings show hepatomegaly with necrotic foci, splenomegaly and fibrinous inflammation of the pericardium, peritoneum and air sacs. Pathohistological findings reveal elementary bodies in the intercellular space dyed red to reddish purple using the Gimenez technique.Key words: avian chlamydiosis, pathomorphological changes, histopathological changes
Between 2007 and 2008, we carried out a non-selective research of avian chlamydiosis in the ducks in the area with extensive population of birds where hunting is highly developed. Of note is this was ...the first time avian chlamydiosis was diagnosed in the wild ducks in BiH.
The samples were provided through the hunting associations during the ducks-hunting season.
We examined a total of 59 samples of cloacal and oropharingeal swabs of the wild ducks by the following diagnostic methods: bacteriological, ELISA test for the detection of antigen, EIA test, and rRT-PCR test.
To avoid false-positive results, we first did bacteriological examination followed by testing cloacal samples by ELISA and EIA tests. Samples positive by ELISA and EIA tests were then sent to the reference laboratory in the Friedrich Loeffler Institute in Jena (Germany) for the rRT-PCR detection of Cp. psittaci.
Of the total of 59 cloacal swabs examined by ELISA (IDEIA) and EIA (CW) method for the detection of antigen, seven (11.9%) tested positive. Of the total of seven samples that tested positive by ELISA (IDEIA) and EIA methods, two (28.6%) were positive by rRT-PCR method.
The aim was to investigate the presence of avian chlamydiosis in the ducks in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Key words: avian chlamydiosis, ducks
Between 2007 and 2008, we carried out a non-selective research of avian chlamydiosis in the wild and cultured pheasants. Of note is this was the first time avian chlamydiosis was diagnosed in the ...pheasants in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The samples were provided through the hunting associations during the pheasants-hunting season, and from the pheasant farm in Orasje which is specialized in breeding and releasing pheasants into their natural environment.
We examined a total of 19 samples of cloacal and oropharingeal swabs of the breed pheasants and 27 wild pheasants by the following diagnostic methods: bacteriological, ELISA test for the detection of antigen, EIA test, and rRT-PCR test.
To avoid false-positive results, we first did bacteriological examination followed by testing cloacal samples by ELISA and EIA tests. Samples positive by ELISA and EIA tests were then sent to the reference laboratory in the Friedrich Loeffler Institute in Jena (Germany) for the rRT-PCR detection of Cp. psittaci.
Of the total of 46 cloacal swabs of the wild and breed pheasants examined by ELISA (IDEIA) and EIA (CW) tests for the detection of antigens, eight (17.4%) tested positive; breed pheasants 21.1% and wild pheasants 14.8%. Of the total of eight samples of the wild pheasants that tested positive on ELISA (IDEI) and EIA tests, none was positive by the rRT-PCR method.
The aim was to investigate the presence of avian chlamydiosis in pheasants in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Keys words: avian chlamydiosis, pheasants
Our aim was to examine the influence of stocking density on the conformation in live broilers of Cobb provenance. A total of 120 chickens of Cobb 500 provenance are divided into three groups with 40 ...animals each (two experimental and one control group). At the end of the first week of feeding, 20 chickens were sampled and marked by random sampling. Chickens from the first experimental group (P1) represented the group with lower population of stocking density (12 chicks/m2), chickens from the second experimental group (P2) represented the group of chickens with a higher population of stocking density (18 chicks/m2), while the stocking density of the control group (K) chickens was in line with technological recommendations (15 chicks /m2).
During the experiment, marked chickens were monitored and measured for the chest circumference, drumstick circumference, length of keel (Crista sterni), breast depth and breast angle on a weekly basis. Measures conformations were taken in live chickens in hanging position with the use of appropriate instruments: millimeter measuring tape, caliper and protractor ZP-3. The results were statistically analyzed, statistically significant differences were noted, and correlation coefficient was determined. The longest circumference and depth of chest, drumstick circumference, and keel length were observed in the control group of chickens by the end of the experiment. The differences in comparison with the experimental groups were not statistically significant. The results indicate that compliance with the production technology can result in better production indicators and other factors including the success of intensive poultry production.Key words: stocking density, conformation, live broiler, Cobb provenance
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