CARP EDEMA VIRUS DISEASE IN SERBIA - DISEASE OUT OF CONTROL

A poxvirus named carp edema virus (CEV), is the causative agent of carp edema virus disease (CEVD), which is an emerging disease of global concern that may cause high rates of morbidity and mortality in ornamental koi and common carp and. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is the most important fish species for warm‐water aquaculture in Serbia. CEVD was first time detected in Serbia in 2017. During 2017-2020 period, increasing number of CEVD outbreaks in carp farms is reported. Carp were collected from farms in different regions of Serbia from 2017 to 2020. The fish were sampled for disease diagnosis because they exhibited lethargy and anorexia, which eventually led to mortality. Mortality started with clinical signs of hypoxia while fish swam slowly without escaping reactions. The gills were pale and covered with a thick mucus layer. In advanced cases, the lesions in the gills turned into a necrotizing form. A moderate to high amount of opportunistic freshwater bacteria were isolated from gills of diseased fish. By performing real-time PCR, CEV was detected in 38 samples of diseased carps from 21 carp farms. These outbreaks further confirm the spread of CEVD and the need for practitioners to be vigilant for outbreaks of this disease. To prevent further spreading of the disease, it is very important to introduce CEV testing before fish movement. To avoid further transmission of the virus to common carp populations in Serbia, testing of CEV should become part of fish disease surveillance programs. Fish health service should be aware of the presence of CEV in Serbia which may result in high losses in carp aquaculture. Action should be taken also to prevent transmission of CEV to carp populations in open waters.

What is Your Diagnosis? Dyspnoeic Cat

A 4-year-old, 3.5-kg, entire male cat was presented with severe lethargy and increasing dyspnoea and respiratory distress, nasal discharge, excessive salivation, loss of appetite and weight loss, over the past few days. He was an indoor-outdoor cat and was fed a homemade diet. On physical examination, severe laboured abdominal breathing, nasal discharge and excessive salivation were evident. Mucous membranes were slightly hyperaemic, with no jaundice or cyanosis observed. There was no jugular distension. Gingival capillary refill time was 2 seconds. Body temperature was 39.2 °C. On palpation, the mandibular lymph nodes were mildly enlarged, while no abdominal mass was detected. On thoracic auscultation, bronchial crackles in the right lung lobe and dysphonia in the left lobe were noted. The cat was initially stabilised with oxygen therapy (10 L/min) by oxygen chamber. Venous blood (jugular venepuncture), urine (mid-stream free-flow) and faecal samples (rectal swab) were taken for laboratory analysis. Abdominal ultrasonography, thoracic and abdominal radiography, and thoracic computed tomography (CT) were performed.

DETECTION OF BORRELIA SPIROCHETES IN TICKS WITH q16 REAL-TIME PCR

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. spirochaetes. It is transmitted by several hard ticks of the genus Ixodes, mainly Ixodes ricinus in Europe. Higher environment temperature caused by climate changes is linked to a higher activity of ticks during most of the year, thus the importance of tick-borne diseases is increasing in the region. A total of 90 ticks were collected by removing from humans. Every tick collected was identified regarding the species. Total of 79 ticks belonging to the genus Ixodes were tested for the presence of the pathogen strains of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia burgdoreri sensu stricto by a real-time PCR assay targeting the recA gene. In total, 8 of them tested positive. Representative samples were tested with conventional PCR and results were in accordance. This study showed that the Genesig q16 Real-Time PCR is an easy diagnostic test for fast detection of Borrelia spirochetes in ticks. Key words: Lyme disease, tick-borne disease, real-time PCR, Borrelia

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN VOJVODINA, SERBIA, 2009-2018, FROM THE ASPECT OF ONE HEALTH

This study attempts to summarize epidemiological characteristics of human leptospirosis and to determine the seroprevalence of this disease among domestic animals in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, for the period 2009-2018. Chronological, demographic and topographic characteristics of human cases were analyzed. Pearson's correlation was used to explore correlations between different meteorological factors and trends in time-series of human cases. Overall 87 human cases of leptospirosis and five subsequent deaths (CFR: 5.75%) were recorded in the ten-year period. The average annual incidence rate was 0.45/100,000 (range: 0.16-1.50/100,000). The disease was more prevalent in males (M/F=16.40:1), with the majority of cases reported in August (N=23; 26.44%), September (N=20; 23.00%) and October (N=15; 17,24%). A statistically significant weak positive correlation was observed between the mean monthly air temperature and the number of human cases of leptospirosis of the same month (r=0.30, p<0.01) and a statistically significant weak positive correlation was found between the number of human cases and the sum of precipitation in the previous month (r=0.27, p<0.01). The average annual seroprevalence among domestic animals in total was 1.13% (range: 0.23% -3.65%). Seropositivity of tested samples of cats, dogs, cattle, donkeys, horses, sheep, pigs and goats was 25%, 9.50%, 8.55%, 6.25%, 1.59%, 0.25%, 0.18%, 0.00, respectively. Human and animal leptospirosis continuously occurs in Vojvodina, which implies the need for continuous and quality monitoring of the epidemiological and epizootiological situation of this disease. Further, more comprehensive parallel studies in humans and animals are needed, as well as additional studies of living conditions of animals on farms with leptospirosis and the studies that will determine the strength of association between climatic/ environmental factors and leptospirosis in Vojvodina. Key words: Human leptospirosis, animal leptospirosis, zoonosis, epidemiology, seroprevalence, one health.

THE EFFECT OF ADDING ORGANIC SELENIUM ON HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF BLOOD AND QUALITY OF BREAST MEAT OF PHEASANTS

The aim of this paper was to examine the biochemical and haemological parameters of blood as well as the quality of breast meat of 45 pheasants. The pheasants were divided into three groups and fed by mixtures with the organic selenium supplementation in concentrations of 0.2 mg/kg (I group) and 0.3 mg/kg (II group)and with mixture without selenium in a control group (K). After 60 days of the experiment duration it was determined that the average values of selenium content in the breast meat in blood serum of II group pheasants which were fed with 0.3 mg/kg of organic selenium were significantly higher (p>0.05) in comparison to the same parameters of pheasants of the control K group. The pheasants of II group also had better sensory traits of meat and they achieved the highest difference of the sum of the ranks of the meat acceptability. The difference was by 15 points higher than in the control K group and 7 points higher than in meat of the pheasants I group fed with 0.2 mg/kg of selenium. Adding of organic selenium in the food of II group pheasants (0.3 mg/kg) had a positive effect on increasing the water retention capacity in breast meat by 0.75% compared to the control group, namely by 0.58% in comparison to I group. Average values of chemical parameters of meat (pH, water, fat, proteins and ash content), haematological parameters of pheasants blood (number of erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets, haemoglobin and haematocrit values) and biochemical parameters of blood serum ( glucose, enzymes AST and ALT), total protein concentration, total cholesterol albumin, triglycerides, Ca, K and Na) were within the limits of reference values for pheasants and very uniform values without significant differences among examined groups.

EFFICACY OF P 547/17 FORMULATION ON DERMANYSSUS GALLINAE EGGS AND LARVAE

High reproductive power and short development cycle, in addition to other factors, enable D.gallinae to produce adverse effects in the poultry industry. Not all development stages have the same significance, nor are they equally sensitive to the methods and formulations used for D.gallinae control. Laboratory tests were conducted by exposing eggs, larvae and protonymphs to P 547/17 formulation of inert oils (Pulcap). The testing was carried out with 20% oil-in-water emulsion with short exposure (1 min), and with 10%, 20%, 50% and 100% oil-in-water emulsion with continuous exposure. In the first control group, water was used (with continuous exposure), and in the other control group, eggs, larvae and nymphs were not treated. We determined that in all cases, eggs were laid in high percentage (89-100%). In addition to this, in tested liquids, larvae were present in high percentage and they change into protonymphs (8-89%). In the conditions of full exposure, where parasitic stages cannot leave the emulsion, P 547/17 in time achieves complete efficacy on development stages. In short exposure of eggs, when dirt is present, or on absorbent surfaces, P 547/17 emulsion cannot control them. However, this flaw is not essential in practical conditions. When applied correctly, P 547/17 formulation is efficient in D.gallinae control.

QUALITY OF CARP MEAT (Cyprinus carpio) PRODUCED IN A POND WITH THE ADDITION OF PURIFIED WASTEWATER ORIGINATING FROM THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE

The aim of the study was to investigate production parameters and nutritive quality of carp meat produced in a fish pond fed with fresh well water mixed with purified slaughterhouse wastewater. The quality of carp fillet was analyzed in view of both chemical parameters and seasonal variations, i.e., time of sampling. Our research idea was that purified slaughterhouse wastewater would provide essential nutrients for carp and positively affect the quality of fish meat, which was confirmed in this experiment. The total carp production at the end of study period was 3270 kg/ha. The research revealed a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.5 kg of feed per one kg weight gain and a survival rate of 87%. Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between meat protein content during spring and autumn season was established. Protein content in meat was higher during spring season, whereas higher fat content was established during autumn sampling season. The application of purified slaughterhouse wastewater provided high level of nutrients resulting in high meat yield per area unit and good chemical composition of meat. Such production model is meaningful in both economic and ecological aspect.

A brief overview of emergencies and dissemination of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 in humans and food producing animals

Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STDT104) are foodborne pathogens of public health significance. It is less known that Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (with cattle being the most probable natural reservoir) can be isolated from pigs, sheep and wildlife as well. The basic information about detection of Shiga-toxin-producing genes in STEC as well as the origin of Salmonella Typhimurium definite phage type 4 (STDT4) the virulence and resistance mechanisms including their distribution in the world is presented. Due to the foodborne transmission mechanisms we emphasize the role of veterinary scientist in Serbia in implementing good management practice on animal farms and in strengthening laboratory diagnostic capacities.

Biodiversity and seasonal distribution of Cullicoides spp. examined in NIVS Belgrade during 2019

Continuous entomological monitoring of Cullicoides spp., which is being conducted starting from 2014 have so far yielded significant results related to biodiversity and seasonal dynamics of these insects Serbia. The research we have done so far has contributed to mapping the geographical distribution of the species we encounter as well as the variations in the number of populations in different years. As monitoring continues, we receive new valuable data every year that will help predict the movement of these insects on the basis of biclimatograms and enable preventative action to be taken to counteract them. Unfortunately, starting in 2019, monitoring has been split into three institutions (NIVS Belgrade, NIV Novi Sad and VSI Kraljevo) so that this has lost insight into the biodiversity, sex ratio, and most importantly the age of the females that are the primary vectors. In our work, therefore, we can provide only the results of testing the biodiversity and seasonal dynamics of Cullicoides spp. during 2019 in the epizootiological area of NIVS Belgrade, VSI Šabac, VSI Pančevo, VSI Požarevac, and VSI Zaječar, while we did not divide samples from VSI Jagodina for the fourth consecutive year. Culicoides spp. from Obsoletus complexes were established at 59.91%, from the Pulicaris complex were established at 34.06% and other types of culicoids have been established in less than 10% of the examined samples.

THE EFFECTS OF BEDDING MATERIAL CONTAINING PEAT MOSS ON BROILER PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND FERTILIZING VALUE OF THE LITTER

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of alternative bedding materials on broiler production performances and litter quality in plant production. A 40-day experiment was carried out on 6885 broilers of ROSS 308 provenience. The broilers were reared on bedding material which consisted of cellulose pellets, wood chips, peat moss, and pH stabilizers. Feeding, zoohygienic and zootechnical measures met technological normative for this provenience. During the experiment, health status and mortality of broilers were observed. Litter pH, moisture, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content in litter were determined at the end of experiment. Average live weight of broilers at the end of the trial was 2620 g. Mortality of chickens was 1.52%. The results of the study indicated that use of specified bedding material was beneficial for broilers production parameters. The results of investigation of litter quality indicate that it can provide similar benefits to inorganic fertilizers in terms of plant growth.