Shortly before the mass mortality event of the noble pen shell (
) population in the south-eastern Adriatic coast, two rapidly growing
strains CVI_P3
(DSM 114013 T, ATCC TSD-295 T) and CVI_P4 were ...obtained from the organs of individual mollusks during the regular health status monitoring.
The strains were identified as members of the genus
using basic phenotypic characteristics, genus-specific PCR assays targeting the
and 16S rRNA genes and the commercial hybridization kit GenoType Mycobacterium CM (Hain Lifescience, Germany). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry did not provide reliable identification using the Bruker Biotyper Database.
Genome-wide phylogeny and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values confirmed that the studied strains are clearly differentiated from their closest phylogenetic relative
and other validly published
species (ANI ≤ 85.0%). The type strain CVI_P3
was further characterized by a polyphasic approach using both phenotypic and genotypic methods. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic results, we conclude that strains CVI_P3
and CVI_P4 represent a novel species, for which the name
sp. nov. is proposed.
Ferrets are highly susceptible to a wide range of mycobacteria, mainly
,
, and
. Therefore, ferrets pose a risk of transmission of mycobacteriosis, especially zoonotically relevant tuberculosis. The ...aim of this study was to describe the findings of
mycobacteriosis in a pet ferret and emphasize its zoonotic potential. A pet ferret had a history of weight loss, apathy, hyporexia, and hair loss. Abdominal ultrasound revealed splenomegaly with two solid masses and cystic lesions of the liver. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli in epithelioid cells, thus leading to the suspicion of mycobacterial infection. Because of its poor general condition, the ferret was euthanized. Necropsy examination revealed generalized granulomatous lymphadenitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, splenitis, and hepatitis. Histologically, in all organs, there were multifocal to coalescing areas of inflammatory infiltration composed of epithelioid macrophages, a low number of lymphocytes, and plasma cells, without necrosis nor multinucleated giant cells. Ziehl-Neelsen staining detected the presence of numerous (multibacillary) acid-fast bacteria, which were PCR-typed as
. This is the first study showing the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of
in veterinary medicine, describing the resistance to doxycycline. Overall, our results could facilitate further diagnosis and provide guidelines for the treatment protocols for such infections.
Canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cAD-MSCs) hold therapeutic promise due to their regenerative potential, particularly within their secretome. However, concerns arise regarding the ...impact of
cultivation necessitated for storing therapeutic doses, prompting this study to comprehensively explore the impact of
aging on gene expression and secretome composition.
The study involved collecting abdominal adipose tissue samples from nine healthy female dogs, from which cAD-MSCs were extracted and cultured. Stem cells were validated through trilineage differentiation assays and flow cytometry immunophenotyping. Gene expression profiling using RT-qPCR array, and cAD-MSCs secretome LC-MS/MS analysis, were conducted at passages 3 and 6 to reveal gene expression and protein composition alterations during
culture.
The results demonstrate that the gene expression and secretome composition of cAD-MSCs were impacted by
aging. Among many alterations in gene expression between two passages, two significant downregulations were noted in the MSC-associated PTPRC and IL10 genes. While the majority of proteins and their functional characteristics were shared between passages, the influence of cell aging on secretome composition is highlighted by 10% of proteins being distinctively expressed in each passage, along with 21 significant up- and downregulations. The functional attributes of proteins detected in passage 3 demonstrated a greater inclination towards supporting the regenerative capacity of cAD-MSCs. Moreover, proteins in passage 6 exhibited a noteworthy correlation with the blood coagulation pathway, suggesting an elevated likelihood of coagulation events. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first original perspective on the changes in secretome composition that occur when cAD-MSCs age
. Furthermore, it contributes to broadening the currently restricted knowledge base concerning the secretome of cAD-MSCs. In conclusion, our findings show that the regenerative potential of cAD-MSCs, as well as their secretome, may be compromised by
aging. Therefore, our study suggests a preference for earlier passages when considering these cells for therapeutic applications.
Zlostavljanje životinja je oduvijek poznato kao zločin sam po sebi i predstavlja važan indikator zločinačkog ponašanja počinitelja. Veterinarski patolog je pred sudom važna karika u dokazivanju ...zločina usmrćivanja životinje vatrenim oružjem. Na Hrvatskom veterinarskom institutu forenzički se prosuđuje najviše usmrćenih konja i pasa. Svaki od ovih slučajeva je iznimno težak i s puno koraka u obradi. U suradnji s državnim odvjetništvom zadaća veterinarskog patologa je da na jasan i nedvojben način opiše što se dogodilo s usmrćenom životinjom. Pri tome materijalni dokazi kao što su: izvješće patologa, projektil, fotografije životinje i ozljeda, dlaka s barutnim česticama, veličina te položaj ulazne i izlazne rane, kao i drugi tragovi imaju presudnu ulogu u sudskom procesu. Ovaj tekst objedinjuje naša iskustva s forenzičkim prosuđivanjem zlostavljanja životinja usmrćivanjem vatrenim oružjem i na logički način pokušava stvoriti sliku o načinu razmišljanja i prikupljanju dokaznog materijala u ovakvim slučajevima.
Animal abuse has always been considered a crime, and is an important indicator of the criminal potential of a person. A veterinary pathologist is an important link in proving the crime of animal death by firearm in court proceedings. At the Croatian Veterinary Institute, killed horses and dogs are most frequently evaluated forensically. Each case is highly complex, with numerous processing steps. In conjunction with the State Attorney’s Office, the task of the veterinary pathologist is to clearly and unambiguously describe what happened to the animal victim. Material evidence such as: pathologist’s report, projectile, photographs, gunpowder particles on fur, insect larvae and other traces play a crucial role in the judicial process. This paper integrates our experiences with forensic judgments of animal abuse by death by firearm and attempts to logically create an overview of the way pathologist consider and gather evidence in those cases.
Metaldehyde is the active ingredient in molluscicide that is used against snails. Poisoning of animals can be accidental or intentional. Metaldehyde poisoning is most often recorded in dogs. Clinical ...signs can develop within 10 minutes, mostly 1-3 hours after metaldehyde ingestion. There is no antidote for metaldehyde and therapy comes down to elimination of poison from organism and control of muscle tremor and convulsions. This paper presents our experiences in the forensic investigation of animal abuse by poisoning with metaldehyde (three dogs, one cat, and one hedgehog). Pathoanatomical and histopathological findings are shown. Reasonable suspicion of poisoning with metaldehyde is based on the finding of specific cyan-coloured gastrointestinal contents. The final diagnosis is made by toxicological evidence of metaldehyde in liver, kidney and gastric content of the poisoned animal.
Chronic wasting disease belongs to a group of infectious diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The disease has been found in the Cervidae family, specifically mule deer ...(Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces), and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). Unlike bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other animal transmissible encephalopathies, except scrapie, chronic wasting disease is a contagious prion disease that to our present knowledge affects only members of the Cervidae family. The causative agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies originates from the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrPC), which is misfolded into a pathogenic conformer and was referred to as the abnormal prion of scrapie (PrPSc). Chronic wasting disease is the only prion disease to affect wild animals. The disease was first detected in Colorado (USA) in the late 1960s. Since 2024, chronic wasting disease has been diagnosed in at least 32 states in the United States and four provinces in Canada. In addition to North America, chronic wasting disease-infected elk have also been confirmed on ranches in South Korea. In terms of zoonotic potential, bovine spongiform encephalopathy is only prion disease in animals confirmed to be zoonotic, and numerous studies have yielded no conclusive evidence of the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease. However, to protect public health, further research on aspects of the disease is necessary. Chronic wasting disease first appeared in Europe in 2016, and the first case was in a reindeer in southern Norway. This was also the first evidence of natural infection with chronic wasting disease in reindeer. Very soon after, the second case was described in moose. It was confirmed that the European strain differed from the US strain, and that thestrains of the two cases in Europe also differed. The European Union has since implemented Decision (EU) 2016/1918 on certain protection measures for chronic wasting disease. In addition, the European Food Safety Agency issued an opinion proposing a three-year surveillance system in eight countries to determine possible presence of the disease (EU Member States: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, and non-EU Member States, Norway and Iceland), and these countries implementeda monitoring programme for chronic wasting disease from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020 (EU 2017/1972). By the end of 2022, 42 positive cases of chronic wasting disease were confirmed in moose, red deer, and reindeer in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Spongiformna encefalopatija jelena (Chronic wasting disease) je bolest koja spada u skupinu transmisivnih spongiformnih encefalopatija. Bolest se javlja u porodici Cervidae, a do sada je opisana u sljedećim vrstama: crnorepom jelenu (Odocoileus hemionus), bjelorepom jelenu (Odocoileus virginianus), jelenu običnom (Cervus elaphus), kanadskom jelenu (elk, wapiti) (Cervus canadensis), losu (Alces alces) i sobu (Rangifer tarandus). Za razliku od goveđe spongiformne encefalopatije, spongiformna encefalopatija jelena spada u najinfektivnije prionske bolesti. Uzorčnici transmisivnih spongiformnih encefalopatija su proteinske stanične molekule nazvane prion (PrPC), koje se prilikom sinteze pogrešno preslože pa nastane patogena forma priona nazvana (PrPSc). Spongiformna encefalopatija jelena je jedina prionska bolest koja pogađa divlje životinje. Bolest je prvi put opisana u državi Kolorado u Sjevernoj Americi šezdesetih godina prošlog stoljeća. Do 2024. godine proširila se na 32 države Sjedinjenih Američkih Država i 4 kanadske pokrajine. S obzirom na zoonotski potencijal bolesti, jedino je u goveđoj spongiformnojencefalopatiji potvrđen prijenos na čovjeka. Zoonotski potencijal spongiformne encefalopatije na još je nepoznat i predmet je višebrojnih istraživanja. Bolest se prvi put pojavila u Europi 2016. godine. Prvi slučaj spongiformne encefalopatije jelena potvrđen je u južnoj Norveškoj na sobu. Bio je to ujedno i prvi slučaj te bolesti na sobu uopće do tada opisan. Vrlo brzo potvrđen je i drugi slučaj u Norveškoj, ali na losu. Analiza uzročnika bolesti u Europi potvrđuje da je taj soj priona različit od onog iz Sjeverne Amerike, a i međusobno različit u ta dva slučaja u Norveškoj. Europska unija je reagirala na pojavu spongiformne encefalopatijejelena na način da su propisane privremene zaštitne mjere povezane s tom bolesti (EU 2016/1918), a uveden je i trogodišnji program nadzora spongiformne encefalopatije jelena u Estoniji, Finskoj, Latviji, Litvi, Poljskoj i Švedskoj (članice EU) te Norveškoj i Islandu, i to u razdoblju od 1. siječnja 2018. do 31. prosinca 2020. (EU 2017/1972). Ukupno su do kraja 2022. godine potvrđena 42 pozitivna slučajeva spongiformne encefalopatije jelena u Norveškoj, Švedskoj i Finskoj na sobovima, losevima i jelenima običnim.
The red fox, found on all continents except Antarctica, occupies diverse habitats. In Croatia, it is an indigenous wild species with a population density of 0.7 animals per square kilometer. While ...tumors in wild animals from the Canidae family are scarce, the true prevalence and diversity of tumors are likely underestimated due to limited research. So far, a limited number of tumors have been observed among the red fox population, either in their natural habitat or in captivity. As part of the National Rabies Control Program, we examined 1890 red fox carcasses over a four-year period. Our focus was on identifying abnormalities on the skin and internal organs that suggest potential neoplastic proliferation. Five red foxes, three males and two females, were found to have growths resembling potential tumors. Their age distribution spanned from 2 to 7 years. Microscopic investigation revealed two collagenous hamartomas, two Meibomian gland adenomas, and one intra-abdominal teratoma within a cryptorchid testis. This retrospective study aims to provide a comprehensive description of tumor and tumor-like lesions observed in free-range red foxes from Croatia, marking the first research of its kind in Croatia.
Ptičja influenca u divljih kanida Jungić, Andreja; Jemeršić, Lorena; Savić, Vladimir ...
Veterinarska stanica,
04/2024, Letnik:
55, Številka:
6
Journal Article, Paper
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The risk of cross-species transmission of infectious diseases and zoonoses has increased due to the adaptive evolution of pathogens and anthropogenic landscape changes. A current example is the avian ...influenza (AI) virus, which can infect not only avian species but also mammals. In these species, infections are often associated with severe neurological symptoms. AI viruses are primarily not well adapted to mammalian hosts and are not efficiently transmitted among them. To accomplish this, AI viruses must acquire adaptations or mutations that contribute to replication efficiency and virulence in mammals. The exact combination and interaction of mutations that result in optimal adaptation to mammals is still unknown and may vary between host species and virus subtypes. The globally increasing number of infected birds with highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) increases the likelihood of contact between birds and mammals, especially wildlife. One reason for the adaptation of HPAI to mammals is theexposure of wild mammals to infected birds or their carcasses. According to the current data, wild canids, such as red foxes, are among the most infected mammals. However, infections caused by neurotropic viruses, as well as HPAI, have been scarcely studied or not at all in jackals. Since jackals are scavengers that have spread rapidly in Europe and Croatia in recent years, surveillance of AI virus infection in these canids is of the utmost importance. Furthermore, interactions between wild carnivores and domestic animals are of concern, as infections with HPAI pose a public health threat due to the increased risk of mammalian adaptation.
Tijekom godina, rizik od međuvrsnog prijenosa zaraznih bolesti i zoonoza se zbog zbog adaptivne evolucije patogena i antropogenih promjena u okolišu povećao. Trenutačni primjer je virus influence ptica (IP), a koji osim ptica može zaraziti i sisavce u kojih su infekcije često povezane s teškim neurološkim simptomima. Virusi IP ponajprije nisu dobro prilagođeni sisavcima kao domaćinima i ne prenose se među njima učinkovito. Da bi to postigli, moraju se prilagoditi ili mutirati što pridonosi učinkovitijoj replikaciji i povećanju virulencije u sisavaca. Točna kombinacija i međudjelovanje mutacija koje rezultiraju optimalnom prilagodbom virusa IP na sisavce još uvijek je nepoznata i može varirati između domaćina i podtipova virusa. Vjerojatnost kontakta između ptica i sisavaca (posebice divljih) povećava se sa sve većim brojem zaraženih ptica visokopatogenim virusom IP (VPVIP) diljem svijeta. Jedan je od razloga prilagodbe VPVIP na sisavce i izlaganje divljih sisavaca zaraženim pticama ili njihovim lešinama. Među najugroženijim sisavcima su divlji kanidi (lisice i čagljevi). Neurotropni virusi, kao i VPVIP, su vrlo malo ili nikako istraženi u čagljeva. Uzevši u obzir povećanje broja i širenje staništa čagljeva u Europi, ali i u Hrvatskoj i činjenicu da se hrane lešinama, od iznimne je važnosti pratiti infekciju IP u ovih kanida. Infekcija VPVIP zbog povećanog rizika prilagodbe na sisavce predstavlja prijetnju javnom zdravlju što je posljedica sve češćeg kontakta ljudi, domaćih životinja i divljih zvijeri.
Pseća je herpesviroza globalno prisutna virusna zarazna bolest prouzročena psećim herpesvirusom 1 (Canid alphaherpesvirus-1; CHV). Infekcija ovim virusom ima dvije faze: litičku i latentnu. Sam ishod ...infekcije uvelike ovisi o dobi i razvijenosti imunološkog sustava psa. Najznačajnija patološka posljedica pseće herpesviroze je liza endotelnih stanica i epitelnih stanica više organskih sustava koja se pojavljuje u imunodeficijentnih štenaca. Zbog pantropizma CHV-a, posljedica infekcije je nekrohemoragična upala mnogobrojnih organa zbog koje štenci nerijetko i ugibaju. U imunokompetentnih starijih pasa, iako često asimptomatska, litička infekcija može biti i smrtonosna. Klinički simptomi uključuju infekcije dišnog i spolnog sustava i očiju. Najčešće prisutna lezija očiju je konjunktivitis, ali mogu se pojaviti i ulceracije, petehijalna krvarenja i eksudativni blefaritis s krustama i alopecijom. Utjecaj CHV-a na respiratorni sustav rezultira blagim rinitisom, faringitisom i traheobronhitisom, iznimno pneumonijom. CHV se često povezuje i sa zaraznim traheobronhitisom u pasa, tzv. ‘’kašaljem štenare’’. Infekcija spolnog sustava ograničena je na hiperemiju vagine ili prepucija s hiperplastičnim limfoidnim folikulima te papulovezikularnim lezijama, ali se smatra najvažnijim izvorom infekcije za štenad pri porođaju. Prestankom kliničkih simptoma CHV prelazi u fazu latencije u živčanim ganglijima te se na taj način trajno zadržava u domaćinu. Prilikom stresa i imunosupresije latentni se CHV virus može reaktivirati i uspostaviti litičku fazu. Time se virus ponovno počinje replicirati i izlučivati, a oboljeli pas se mora isključiti iz uzgoja jer predstavlja izvor daljnjeg širenja virusa. Ipak, primjenom cjepiva u gravidnih kuja moguće je zaštititi novorođenu štenad te spriječiti teške posljedice herpesviroze u pasa.
Canine alphaherpesvirus-1 (CHV) is a globally present virus causing infectious disease in dogs. The outcome of CHV infection depends significantly on the age and immune system development of the dog and occurs in two phases: lytic and latent. Due to the pantropism of CHV, lysis occurs in the endothelium and epithelium of various organ systems, causing necrohaemorrhagic inflammation and frequently death in immunodeficient puppies. Lytic infection produces reduced or silent symptoms in older, immunocompetent dogs, although it can occasionally be fatal. Clinical signs of infection appear in the ocular, reproductive, and respiratory systems. The most typical eye lesion is conjunctivitis, though other conditions such as ulcers, petechial haemorrhages, exudative blepharitis with crusts, and alopecia can also occur. When CHV affects the respiratory system, it can cause mild rhinitis, pharyngitis, and tracheobronchitis, as well as severe pneumonia. The virus is also frequently linked to infectious tracheobronchitis in dogs, or “kennel cough.” Although infection of the reproductive system is restricted to hyperaemia of the vagina or prepuce with hyperplastic lymphoid follicles and papulovesicular lesions, it is thought to be the most significant source of infection for puppies after birth. After the onset of clinical symptoms, CHV enters the latency phase in the nerve ganglia, where it remains in the host indefinitely. During times of stress and immunosuppression in dogs, the latent CHV virus can occasionally reactivate and establisha lytic phase, at which point it resumes replication and shedding. These CHV latency effects are a significant problem since the affected dog is permanently infected, cannot be bred, and is always a source of possible virus outbreak. Although death ensuing from CHV infection is the worst conceivable consequence, immunisation of pregnant females can protect newborn puppies and breeders from this outcome.
This study investigates the spatiotemporal trends of loggerhead turtles along the Croatian Adriatic coast by using stranding data and post-mortem analyses. Information on 620 loggerhead turtles (
), ...collected in the period between 2010 and 2022, has been analysed. Seasonal stranding variations reveal distinct patterns, indicating season-specific abundance and age-specific mortality in different areas, particularly in the key neritic habitat of the northern Adriatic. The analysis identifies four critical areas in the northeast and central Adriatic showing high stranding densities and provides regional managers with a tool with which to effectively conserve and manage this species. Fishing-induced mortality, collision with vessels, and potential cold stunning are identified as major threats to loggerhead turtles. Post-mortem investigations reveal that longline fishing gear and collisions with vessels are significant age-specific mortality contributors, underscoring the need for targeted conservation efforts in high-risk areas. The study acknowledges potential biases in strandings records but highlights the importance of post-mortem investigations in understanding mortality causes. The findings provide valuable insights for improving conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of focused surveillance and conservation efforts in identified high-risk locations to mitigate human-turtle interactions.
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