Water pollution is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of plastron, carapace and skin diseases of turtles. In this study, a total of 150 European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) of ...different age and both sexes, originating from natural habitats in Serbia, were examined for morphological changes of the skin, plastron, carapace and skeletal system. The turtles were taken out from their natural habitats in Lake Ludas, Lake Palic and Lake Tresetiste. After artificial hibernation, they were subjected to detailed examination, sampled and treated, and finally returned into their natural habitat. Biopsies from the skin and shell were subjected to histopathological examination and microbiological analysis. X-ray scanning was also performed to detect changes in the skeletal system. Macroscopic changes of the skin, most frequently degenerative, inflammatory or neoplastic diseases, were diagnosed in 49.33% of the turtles examined. Dermatitis of different origin and form was the most prominent histopathological finding (28.00%). In the plastron, inflammatory and degenerative processes were frequently found. Osteopathy and mechanical injuries were the dominant findings. Macroscopic changes of the plastron, carapace and skeletal system were diagnosed in 67.33% of the turtles examined. Using X-ray scanning, generalised osteopathy, anomalies and malformations of different aetiology were also diagnosed on the tail and legs. Microbiological examinations showed the presence of a variety of bacterial and fungal agents, either primary pathogens or potential polluters, which invaded the skin and shell, or were present in cloacal swab samples. Bacterial infection was diagnosed in 76.66% of the turtles, first of all in those with skin and shell necrosis. Mycoses were diagnosed in 33.33% of the animals.
The concept of this investigation emerged when a rapidly increased number of poached European pond turtles in poor health condition, with shell necrosis and massive skin hemorrhages, were temporarily ...put into a pond that belongs to a quarantine section at Belgrade Zoo. Using cytology as an initial tool, different parasitic stages of hemogregarines have been noticed in the blood smears of the examined animals. Cytological and microscopic examination of the samples proved to be sufficient for establishing the infection, but molecular analyses were used in examining the phylogeny of the blood parasites. Massive hemorrhages in the skin, as well as shell necrosis, were the most prominent findings observed in the turtles. In addition, the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen revealed hyperemia and massive hemorrhages, along with the presence of parasitic stages of Haemogregarina stepanowi in tissue samples. Furthermore, the reduced hematocrit value found in the examined population of infected turtles indicated anemia. Over the eight years (2015–2023) of monitoring, the number of diseased and dead turtles has decreased, which could be hypothetically attributed to the elimination of leeches as the definitive host. The eight-year study (2015–2023) was performed on a large sample of poached European pond turtles infected with Haemogregarina stepanowi and held in a pond that belongs to a quarantine section of Belgrade Zoo. The protected species of European pond turtles have been found in poor health, with general weakness, anorexia, and low motility. Comprehensive cytological, hematological, molecular, and postmortem evaluations have been performed. Initially, Diff Quick staining of the blood smears revealed rounded or elongated erythrocytes, often bearing premeront or U-shaped gamont of the hemogregarines inside. The reduced erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values found in the examined population of infected turtles indicated anemia. Macroscopically, shell necrosis and massive skin hemorrhages were the most prominent findings observed in diseased turtles. Microscopically, the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen revealed hyperemia, hemorrhages, and the presence of parasitic stages in tissue samples in 31 of 40 necropsied turtles. Cytological and microscopic examination of the samples proved to be sufficient for establishing the infection, but molecular analyses of the 18S sequence were used for phylogenetic studies. Over the years, the number of diseased and dead turtles has decreased, which could be hypothetically attributed to the elimination of leeches as the definitive host.
Protozoa of the genus
cause the disease giardiosis in a large number of animal species, but also in humans. This disease can be either subclinical or followed by diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss ...and stunted growth. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of
sp. in different species of animals in Belgrade Zoo (asymptomatic infection) and to compare the sensitivity of parasitological and molecular-genetic methods. Examination of the presence of
sp. protozoa was performed in 52 fecal samples, using fecal flotation and molecular-genetic PCR method. No positive samples were detected when deploying the parasitological method, while PRC analysis revealed the presence of
sp. in one animal - ring-tailed lemur (
), which indicates the advantage of the molecular-genetic method over the parasitological one. The absence of
sp. in other samples can be explained by adequate housing conditions, successful implementation of hygienic and sanitary measures, as well as good veterinary practice. Use of PCR method for testing the presence of
sp. showed a higher sensitivity when compared to the fecal flotation method.
The eight-year study (2015-2023) was performed on a large sample of poached European pond turtles infected with
and held in a pond that belongs to a quarantine section of Belgrade Zoo. The protected ...species of European pond turtles have been found in poor health, with general weakness, anorexia, and low motility. Comprehensive cytological, hematological, molecular, and postmortem evaluations have been performed. Initially, Diff Quick staining of the blood smears revealed rounded or elongated erythrocytes, often bearing premeront or U-shaped gamont of the hemogregarines inside. The reduced erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values found in the examined population of infected turtles indicated anemia. Macroscopically, shell necrosis and massive skin hemorrhages were the most prominent findings observed in diseased turtles. Microscopically, the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen revealed hyperemia, hemorrhages, and the presence of parasitic stages in tissue samples in 31 of 40 necropsied turtles. Cytological and microscopic examination of the samples proved to be sufficient for establishing the infection, but molecular analyses of the 18S sequence were used for phylogenetic studies. Over the years, the number of diseased and dead turtles has decreased, which could be hypothetically attributed to the elimination of leeches as the definitive host.
This paper describes a case of dirofilariasis in a two-year old, female grey wolf (Canis lupus lupus). The autopsy revealed the presence of 42 adult forms of Dirofilaria immitis in the pulmonary ...artery, right ventricle and right atrium, varying in length from 9.5 to 30 cm. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the second report of D. immitis in grey wolves in Serbia. Our finding confirms that the wolf, as a subspecies distinct from the dog, should also be considered as a very suitable definitive host for dirofilariasis.
This report represents the prevalence of endoparasitic infections of birds in zoological gardens in Serbia. Coprological examination conducted during 2015 and 2016, involved samples from 318 ...individual birds belonging to 112 species, in three zoo gardens (Belgrade, Palić and Bor). Individual faeces samples were analysed by the flotation method in salt solution. The presence of endoparasites was established in 51.96% (Belgrade), 46.16% (Palić) and 16.66% (Bor) of the tested birds. We diagnosed coccidian oocysts, eggs of Capillaria spp, Heterakis spp, Trichostrongylus spp, Ascaridia spp, Syngamus trachea and eggs of yet unidentified trematode. There were no detection of parasites from the class of cestodes. Prevalence of infection with coccidia, depending on location, was in the ranges between 8.33% and 32.84%, capillariosis 2.77% and 29.41%, heterakiosis 2.56% and 12.74%, trichostrongylidosis 5.55% and 25.64%, askaridiosis 10.25% and 10.78%, syngamosis 2.94% and trematodes of unknown etiology 2.45%. Coinfections with two or three parasitic species were detected in Belgrade and Palić Zoo Gardens, while quadruple infection was established in birds of Belgrade Zoo Garden. Obtained results can be used in establishing programs for health protection of endangered bird species.
Blood smears stained with Diff Quick are the initial tool for cytological diagnosis of
spp. However, the development of sensitive and specific molecular methods enabled the detection and ...identification of parasites in the sample and to clarify the evolutionary relationships of adeleorinid parasites within the
The current study was attempted in order to perform cytological investigation and molecular identification of the hemoparasites in thirty European pond turtles (
from the quarantine section at Belgrade Zoo, which have been found in poor health condition with massive skin hemorrhages, based on intraerythrocytic parasitic forms on hematological smears and 18S rDNA sequence, respectively.
Different life cycle stages of the
sp. were noticed within the erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. Biochemical analysis indicated lower values of AST and iron in most of the infected turtles while hematological analysis showed a changed hematocrit value, a decrease in the number of red blood cells and low hemoglobin levels. Amplifications of the 18S rDNA sequence of
were detected in 30/30 (100%) turtles with clinical symptoms. The identity of PCR products was confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. Future research concerning
in Serbia should be applied to its definitive host-the leech.
Gastric dilatation and volvulus is a life-threatening condition characterized by rapid accumulation of food and gases that cause displacement and distension of the stomach. The large and giant, ...deep-chested breeds of dogs are at higher risk for developing the gastric dilatation and volvulus. Uncommonly, it can also develop in cats, but it is also described in free-range polar bears.
A case of gastric dilatation and volvulus in a brown bear
is described in this paper. This case was characterized by lack of any previous symptoms, sudden death, as well as macroscopic findings during necropsy - twisted distended stomach, congested displaced spleen and necrotic gastric wall. According to the available data this is the first described case report of the gastric dilatation and volvulus in brown bear
ABCG2, a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporters has been identified as a protective pump against endogenous and exogenous toxic agents. ABCG2 was shown to be expressed at high levels in stem ...cells and variably regulated during cell differentiation. Here we demonstrate that functional ABCG2 is expressed in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells by the activation of a nuclear hormone receptor, PPARγ. We identified and characterized a 150-base pair long conserved enhancer region, containing three functional PPAR response elements (PPARE), upstream of the human ABCG2 gene. We confirmed the binding of the PPARγ·RXR heterodimer to this enhancer region, suggesting that PPARγ directly regulates the transcription of ABCG2. Consistent with these results, elevated expression of ABCG2 mRNA was coupled to enhanced protein production, resulting in increased xenobiotic extrusion capacity via ABCG2 in PPARγ-activated cells. Furthermore PPARγ instructed dendritic cells showed increased Hoechst dye extrusion and resistance to mitoxantrone. Collectively, these results uncovered a mechanism by which up-regulation of functional ABCG2 expression can be achieved via exogenous or endogenous activation of the lipid-activated transcription factor, PPARγ. The increased expression of the promiscuous ABCG2 transporter can significantly modify the xenobiotic and drug resistance of human myeloid dendritic cells.
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