Gastrointestinal Parasites in Owned Dogs in Serbia: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Dogs are the most popular pets worldwide. Close contact between dogs and people increases the risk of transmission of various zoonotic parasitic infections. Given the importance of veterinary medicine in preserving the One Health concept, the aim of this research was to identify intestinal parasites that may have zoonotic potential and to evaluate risk factors (individual and environmental). The research was conducted in Serbia in 2022 and 2023 on 382 owned dogs, using qualitative methods of coprological examination with a concentration on parasitic elements. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 62.6%, with the following detected: protozoa: Cystoisospora spp. (9.2%), Sarcocystis spp. (4.5%), Neospora caninum/Hammondia spp. (3.7%), Giardia intestinalis (11.8%); nematoda: Toxocara canis (11.5%), Toxascaris leonina (4.2%), family Ancylostomatidae (38.0%), Trichuris vulpis (21.5%), Capillaria spp. (10.5%); trematoda: Alaria alata (1.6%) and cestodes from the Taeniidae family (1.3%). Factors like age, size and coat length, as well as the way of living, attitude and diet were linked to a significantly higher (p < 0.05) prevalence of intestinal parasites. Based on the results of coprological diagnostics, this research indicates the importance of educating dog owners, conducting routine parasitological tests on their pets and regular deworming strategies.

Trichinella infection in Serbia from 2011 to 2020: a success story in the field of One Health.

In Serbia, modern pork production systems with implemented control measures, including the detection of Trichinella larvae in meat (ISO18743), have eliminated farmed pork from pigs slaughtered at abattoirs as a source of trichinellosis. Epidemiological data from 2011 to 2020 indicate that the number of human cases and the number of infected domestic pigs has decreased significantly. Over the years, pork was the most frequent source of human infection. Cases generally occurred in small family outbreaks, and the infection was linked to consumption of raw or undercooked pork from backyard pigs. In most of the outbreaks, T. spiralis was the aetiological agent of infection, but in 2016, a large outbreak was caused by consumption of uninspected wild boar meat containing T. britovi larvae. To achieve safe pork, it is important that consumers of pork from animals raised in backyard smallholdings and of wild game meat are properly educated about the risks associated with consumption of untested meat. Laboratories conducting Trichinella testing should have a functional quality assurance system to ensure competency of analysts and that accurate and repeatable results are achieved. Regular participation in proficiency testing is needed.

Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Normal, Obese, Prediabetic and Diabetic Persons Exposed to Thyroid Hormone In Vitro.

Diabetes, a chronic group of medical disorders characterized byhyperglycemia, has become a global pandemic. Some hormones may influence the course and outcome of diabetes, especially if they potentiate the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There is a close relationship between thyroid disorders and diabetes. The main objective of this investigation was to find out whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are more prone to DNA damage by triiodothyronine (T3) (0.1, 1 and 10 µM) at various stages of progression through diabetes (obese, prediabetics, and type 2 diabetes mellitus-T2DM persons). In addition, some biochemical parameters of oxidative stress (catalase-CAT, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances-TBARS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were evaluated. PBMCs from prediabetic and diabetic patients exhibited increased sensitivity for T3 regarding elevated level of DNA damage, inhibition of catalase, and increase of TBARS and LDH. PBMCs from obese patients reacted in the same manner, except for DNA damage. The results of this study should contribute to a better understanding of the role of thyroid hormones in the progression of T2DM.

Use of Thymol in Nosema ceranae Control and Health Improvement of Infected Honey Bees.

Nosema ceranae is the most widespread microsporidian species which infects the honey bees of Apis mellifera by causing the weakening of their colonies and a decline in their productive and reproductive capacities. The only registered product for its control is the antibiotic fumagillin; however, in the European Union, there is no formulation registered for use in beekeeping. Thymol (3-hydroxy-p-cymene) is a natural essential-oil ingredient derived from Thymus vulgaris, which has been used in Varroa control for decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thymol supplementation on the expression of immune-related genes and the parameters of oxidative stress and bee survival, as well as spore loads in bees infected with the microsporidian parasite N. ceranae. The results reveal mostly positive effects of thymol on health (increasing levels of immune-related genes and values of oxidative stress parameters, and decreasing Nosema spore loads) when applied to Nosema-infected bees. Moreover, supplementation with thymol did not induce negative effects in Nosema-infected bees. However, our results indicate that in Nosema-free bees, thymol itself could cause certain disorders (affecting bee survival, decreasing oxidative capacity, and downregulation of some immune-related gene expressions), showing that one should be careful with preventive, uncontrolled, and excessive use of thymol. Thus, further research is needed to reveal the effect of this phytogenic supplement on the immunity of uninfected bees.

Analysis of the concentrations of some haematological parameters, C-reactive protein and anti-Müllerian hormone in bitches affected by pyometra.

The work was aimed to research into the vital signs, haematological and biochemical parameters, acute-phase protein concentrations (CRP, albumin), progesterone (PG) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in bitches with pyometra and their comparison with those in healthy bitches. In addition, the goal of this work was to assess if some of the tested parameters may be used as a biomarker in the diagnostics of pyometra and the monitoring of the postoperative recovery. Forty 3-6-year-old bitches of various breeds were included in the research and allotted to two groups: the control (C, n = 20) and the diseased - bitches diagnosed with pyometra (P, n = 20). Blood samples for the analyses were taken immediately before surgery (0 h), and 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after, excepting for AMH and PG concentrations, which were determined only at 0 h. Clinical examination detected significantly higher respiration rates in bitches with pyometra in comparison to healthy ones at all time points, higher heart rates before and 12 h after surgery, and higher body temperature before and 12 h, 48 h and 72 h post operation (p < .01). Significantly higher concentrations of CRP (p < .01) and lower concentrations of albumin were detected in bitches with pyometra in comparison to their healthy counterparts at all time points. Progesterone and AMH concentration analysis immediately before surgery detected significantly higher levels of the hormone in bitches with pyometra than in the control (p < .01). The inflammatory reaction of the endometrium resulted in a significant AMH concentration increase, whilst increased CRP concentrations and lower albumin concentrations throughout the research may be used as biomarkers of proinflammatory activities, that is of the acute-phase response.

Fatty acid profile as a discriminatory tool for the origin of lamb muscle and adipose tissue from different pastoral grazing areas in North Macedonia - A short communication.

The fatty acid (FA) profiles of lamb muscle and adipose tissue originating from ten different grazing areas in North Macedonia and an assessment of whether the meat origin could be distinguished on the basis of FA profile are presented. Muscle and adipose tissues of three-month-old male lambs (crossbreds of autochthonous Ovcepolian and Württemberg) reared on spring pastures were studied. Statistically significant differences in the individual FA contents, FA groups and FA ratios were observed between lamb tissues from the different geographic regions. Canonical discriminant analysis showed there was a significant linear divergence between tissues from almost all examined regions. The greatest weight in the differentiation of the different areas showed fatty acid ratios, C18:3n3, C18:1n9c and C20:5n3 for the muscle tissue, as well as C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, C16:1 and C17:1 for the adipose tissue. This showed that the FA composition of muscle and adipose tissue obtained from lambs reared on pasture could serve as a useful indicator to aid differentiation of its geographic origin but it should be confirmed through further replicated studies.

Quantitative PCR assessment of Lotmaria passim in Apis mellifera colonies co-infected naturally with Nosema ceranae.

A recently described trypanosomatid species Lotmaria passim and the microsporidium Nosema ceranae infect the honey bee (Apis mellifera), but the interspecific dynamic of these two common gut parasites is unknown. In this study, a real-time qPCR assay was developed to enable the specific detection and quantification of L. passim. The annual dynamics of N. ceranae and L. passim infections were evaluated in ten A. mellifera colonies naturally infected with both parasites at one apiary in Serbia from March 2016 to March 2017. Ten samples (60 bees abdomens) were taken from each colony on 8 sampling occasions. L. passim infection level was evaluated with qPCR, while N. ceranae infection was measured by spore counts. N. ceranae infection level was significantly higher in comparison with that of L. passim (spore or cell equivalents/bee, respectively). Significant positive correlation between infection levels of the parasite species indicates their similar annual dynamics, whilst the differences in the levels of infection between particular months point to a seasonal pattern in the incidence of both parasites. The assay which has been developed and validated creates opportunity for detailed study of L. passim infection kinetics and the improvement in the management practices in beekeeping related to these two parasites.

Abdominal pain in patient with antiphospholipid syndrome-the role of MDCT angiography on visceral blood vessels.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease defined by accelerated atherosclerosis, arterial and venous thrombosis, fetal loss, and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in the serum and which leads to the occurrence of various vascular events. Nonspecific abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms due to changes on visceral blood vessels. The goal of our work is to show the results we obtained in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography examination of visceral arteries, comparing patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS) with control group. In this study, we analyzed 50 patients with primary PAPS and 50 patients, with secondary SAPS. The results were compared to 50 patients in the control group. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, and the most common risk factors except for the lipid status, since controls had significantly higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The study was conducted on 64-MDCT, on which we analyzed quantitative and morphological characteristics of the blood vessel lesions. Patients from the control group had statistically significant elevation of cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the patients with SAPS and PAPS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). The results showed that the frequency of changes is statistically (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) more common in patients with PAPS and SAPS than in the control group. Statistically significant difference between the groups was found in superior and inferior mesentery arteries. Analyzing the number of lesions, there was statistically high difference between the patients with one and two lesions than in patients with four or more lesions (p < 0.001), lower difference compared to the patients with three lesions (p < 0.01), while there was low, but yet statistically important difference between the patients with three lesions and those with five or more blood vessel lesions (p < 0.05). Analyzing percentage of diameter stenosis, we established that the lesions in the groups of 0-30% diameter stenosis (DS) and 30-50% DS in patients with PAPS (n = 42) and SAPS (n = 44) are more common than in the control group (n = 18, p < 0.05). Analyzing the qualitative characteristics of plaques, we established significantly higher frequency of soft tissue and mixed lesions than calcified ones in patients with PAPS and SAPS (p < 0.001; p < 0.05). Our study showed that the subclinical manifestation of the changes on visceral arteries is more common in patients with APS. Patients with abdominal pain were those with two or more lesions, and according to our results, majority had PAPS. Because of its safety and accuracy, the method of choice is MDCT angiography in monitoring the progression of disease.

Efficiency of sepiolite in broilers diet as uranium adsorbent.

The use of phosphate mineral products in animal nutrition, as a major source of phosphor and calcium, can lead to uranium entering the food chain. The aim of the present study was to determine the protective effect of natural sepiolite and sepiolite treated with acid for broilers after oral intake of uranium. The broilers were contaminated for 7 days with 25 mg/uranyl nitrate per day. Two different adsorbents (natural sepiolite and sepiolite treated with acid) were given via gastric tube immediately after the oral administration of uranium. Natural sepiolite reduced uranium distribution by 57% in kidney, 80% in liver, 42% in brain, and 56% in muscle. A lower protective effect was observed after the administration of sepiolite treated with acid, resulting in significant damage of intestinal villi in the form of shortening, fragmentation, and necrosis, and histopathological lesions on kidney in the form of edema and abruption of epithelial cells in tubules. When broilers received only sepiolite treated with acid (no uranyl nitrate), shortening of intestinal villi occurred. Kidney injuries were evident when uranium concentrations in kidney were 0.88 and 1.25 µg/g dry weight. It is concluded that adding of natural sepiolite to the diets of broilers can reduce uranium distribution in organs by significant amount without adverse side effects.