REPONIVS - Repository of Scientific Institute for Veterinary Medicine of Serbia
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Biodiversity of lumbricidae intermedial hosts of Metastrongylides of pigs in the Belgrade area
No full textMetastrongylidosis or pulmonary strongylidosis of pigs is a disease caused by several species of nematodes from the genus Metastrongylus. Metastrongylides belong to biohelminths whose causative agents use transitional hosts for their development and maintenance of the biological cycle, in this case numerous species of lumbricides (earthworms). The larvae acquire infectivity only when they eat by earthworms - intermedial host. The seasonal variation of microclimate conditions in the soil has a large part in the life of earthworms, and the inhibitory factors in their seasonal dynamics are directly related to the spread of metastrongylidosis. Overview of research conducted in the five-year period in the area of Belgrade it was established that the dominant species of earthworms which are intermediate hosts to lungworm: Eisenia foetida, Eisenia rosea, Dandreobena rubida, Allopbophora caliginosa, Allopbophora jassyensis, Lubricus terrestris and Lubricus rubbelus. Also, species occur as transitional hosts of metastrongylidosis was Eisenia veneta, Eisenella tetraedra, Allopbophora longa, Octolasium complanatuum, Octolasium lacteum, Octolasium rebeli, Dendrobaena octaedra, Dendrobaena subrubicunda, Dendrobaena mariupoliensis, Bimastus tenius and less often species from the genus Heledrillus spp
Zoonotic parasites incommon fishwater fish species in Serbia
No full textThe Sava and Danube rivers are the source of freshwater fish species sold at the markets in Serbia. As only a few reports from Serbia on zoonotic parasites transmitted by fish have been published, the risk to consumers and the role of fish in the transmission of parasites to terrestrial hosts is not well established. For this study, fish fillets were cut for examination for plerocercoids of diphyllobothriids and Spirometra spp. The coelom, internal organs and musculature were inspected for Eustrongylides spp. larvae. Fillets were pooled by species and location and artificial digestion using trypsin was performed. The digested sediment was examined by microscopy prior to DNA extraction and detection of Metagonimusspp., Apophallus spp., Methorchis spp. and Opistorchis spp. by PCR. A total of 85 (48 from the Danube, 37 from the Sava River) spec imens of European perch (Perca fluviatilis, n=14), common roach (Rutilus rutilus, n=30), common bream (Abramis brama, n=27), vimba bream (Vimba vimba, n=9), and white-eyed bream (Ballerus sapa, n=5) were examined. Eustrongylides spp. larvae were detected in 10/14 European perch (8/12 from the Danube, 2/2 from the Sava), and in 1/10 common bream from the Sava. Metacercariae were visually detected in pools of the common roach and vimba bream from the Sava. PCR confirmed the presence of Metagonimusspp. in the common bream from the Sava and Danube as well as
the common roach from the Danube. The results suggest that European perch are heavily parasitized by Eustrogylides spp., as evident in some fish from the Danube. DNA of Metagonimus spp. with confirmed zoonotic potential was detected in common bream and roach. These findings indicate that fish caught for human consumption in the two largest rivers in Serbia may be a source
of zoonotic parasites.The XIV European Multicolloquium of Parasitology, Wroclaw, 26-30. august, 202
Biosecurity measures on the Serbian backyard poultry farms
No full textExtensive poultry farming is one of the most important sources of food for households in rural
areas of Serbia. The disadvantages of this type of farming are related to the increased risk of the
introduction and easy spread of pathogenic microorganisms between the birds within the same
yard, the increased risk to the health of the people who take care of them, and the people who
consume their products. As biosecurity (BS) is the first line of defense against pathogenic
microorganisms in any animal production, in this study, an assessment of biosecurity measures
was performed by Biocheck.UGent online survey on 15 backyard farms in different parts of Serbia.
Farms are rearing crossbreed chicken species, in the mixed confinement rearing systems.
According to the results, the total BS score ranged from 44 to 71 %, with an average score of
54.46 ± 6.44 %. The subtotal external biosecurity scores on backyard farms ranged from 54 % to
73 %, with an average score of 62.13 ± 6.53 %, and subtotal internal biosecurity scores ranged
from 5 % to 62 %, with an average score of 23.8 ± 12.10 %. Within external parameters for
biosecurity, the lowest score was obtained for the purchasing of one-day-old chicks (51.42%) or
laying hens (30%) as they are buying it from different suppliers. Farmers pick up the one-day-old
chicks/laying hens by themself with a personal transport vehicle that is usually only cleaned, not
disinfected. Low scores were obtained for manure and carcass removal (45.93 ± 17.95%). The
manure is usually removed after several production rounds and it is finished as a fertilizer
(without composting) for surrounding crop fields. The carcasses and leftovers (intestine, feathers,
etc.) are thrown away in the environment or it is buried/burned in an open pit. Among other
external parameters, noteworthy results were obtained for the depopulation and transport of
poultry and poultry products (96.73 ± 5.77%), as farmers rear the poultry because of food
production (meat or eggs) for their consumption and not for sale. Also, good scores were
obtained for the location of the farms (75.93%). Concerning internal biosecurity, very low scores
were obtained for disease management (20.33%) and cleaning and disinfection (26.4%) as well.
A veterinarian visits the farms less than once a year. The birds are very rarely vaccinated against
common diseases and the sick birds are usually in physical contact with the healthy animals.
Compared to the world scores obtained from Biochek.UGent online surveys database, the results
of the external scores were higher in Serbia, but the results of internal scores were lower for
most of the farms. In the case of extensive farming, it is first of all necessary to understand the
existing knowledge and habits of farmers and then to point out the measures that they can take
in their households to prevent the occurrence of various diseases. To be sustainable, these
measures must be flexible and adaptable
Validation and application of a method for determination of multi-class pesticides in muscle chicken breast fillets using QuEChERS extraction and GC/MS
No full textThe occurrence of pesticide residues in animal products deserves attention because of the contamination by environmental pollutants and pesticides that may be present in the food that animals are fed. The goal of this work was the validation of a method for detection of residues of multiple classes of pesticide and determination of their residues in chicken breast fillets. Material and Methods: Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was used for analysis. A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method was put into practice for its validation and applied to real samples. The study optimised mass detection and investigated the effect of a freezing step during the preparation of samples. Pesticides were determined in samples from conventional and organic production. Results: The impact of the matrix effect decreased, with the largest number of pesticides and satisfactory recovery determined by the application of mixed solvent acetonitrile and ethyl acetate for extraction. Detection of pesticide residues was achieved in a linear range between 5 and 50 μg/kg with satisfactory excellent correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The recovery of all the pesticide residues ranged between 71.2 and 118.80%. The relative standard deviation was from 2.9% to 18.1% for all validated pesticide residues. The limits of quantification were in the range of 3.0–4.9 μg/kg. Out of 56 pesticide residues analysed in real samples, 5 were detected: α endosulfan, cypermethrin, endosulfan sulphate, permethrin and p,p´-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and their concentrations ranged from 4.9 to 15.2 μg/kg. Conclusion: All tested samples were compliant with the evaluation criteria, and detected values of pesticide residues were lower than the maximum residual levels
Biosecurity challenges in small-scale and backyard farming system in Serbia
No full textThe biosecurity in pig production is currently the number one issue being frequently discussed in the
European research society. However, when analysing biosecurity measures, it should be considered that
certain regions in Europe have own pig production sector specifics. This applies especially when it comes to
non-Europe Union (EU) member’s countries, i.e. candidate countries for EU membership, such as Serbia. In
certain pig productions systems, the basic internal biosecurity rules, i.e. keeping different animal species
separate, are not applicable in practice. Indeed, small-scale and backyard swine farming in Serbia is
considered as an extensive animal production where animal health control and surveillance activities are
challenging to implement. The backyard farm is a household unit located usually in the village and rears more
animal species in single yard, including pigs, different poultry species, and ruminants for family household
consumption but also with commercial activity i.e. supplying the local community for subsistence. The main
objective in our research was to analyse human activities and the structure, circulation dynamics of domestic
animal population in the small-scale farms and backyards. In 2023 in the selected backyards and small-scale
farms African swine fever (ASF) virus was detected, so primarily they were the subject of emergency ASF
epidemiological control. In the very few cases it was discovered that swine were the only animals in the
backyards. In the most of backyards and small-scale farms either the presence of swine and poultry or swine,
poultry, and ruminants was discovered. It was found that swine and poultry frequently directly interacted in
the backyards. In addition, since the animals in the backyard have access to outside fenced area, they may
have direct contact with different migratory wild birds. In recent years, numerous avian influenza virus
subtypes have been reported in wild and domestic avian species in Serbia (H5N1 in 2006, H5N8 in 2016/2017,
and H5N1 in 2021/2022) and strict control measures were implemented on farms and backyard holdings to
prevent disease spread. However, according to the Law regulation, control and surveillance activities have
not included other animal species except poultry and recently carnivores. The detected outbreaks pose a
significant threat in terms of avian to swine spillover of these viruses. The existed direct interactions and
cohabitation of swine, poultry, and their direct and/or indirect contacts with wild birds in backyards pose a
high risk of influenza virus transmission. Certainly, the main challenge for backyard swine farming currently
faces is the lack of biosecurity, which may facilitate the dissemination of zoonotic pathogens, including
influenza A virus (IAV). Consequently, it is advisable that the animal health control plan in future need to
include surveillance activities and monitoring the circulation of IAV in small-scale and backyard animal
population is at the country level. The IAV surveillance in rural backyard swine populations currently
remained neglected. The interactions of swine, poultry, and wild birds in backyards pose a high risk of IAV
disease transmission.Abstract boo
Aquaculture and fish health in 2023
No full textУ сектору слатководне аквакултуре у Србији примењује се широк спектар производних метода, од екстензивних до технолошки високо-интензивних. У последњих неколико година установљено је више болести риба, како у узгајаним тако и у дивљим популацијама, што представља значајан проблем у аквакултури и поред програма надзора. Данас, болести риба могу брзо прећи на нову територију, а увоз украсних риба додатно олакшава ширење болести. Будући да проблеми са болестима у аквакултури имају велики утицај на популације риба у аквакултури и у природи, контрола болести риба се сматра кључним за даљи раст и одрживост аквакултуре. Контрола здравља риба у аквакултури Србије заснива се на националном законодавству и примени смерница Светске организације за здравље животиња (WOAH) и законодавства Европске уније. Међутим, повећање производње, диверзификација и интензивна трговина рибом и производима риба стварају додатни притисак повезан са избијањем болести, што значајно ограничава раст аквакултуре. Осим болести наведених у међународном законодавству, Национална референтна лабораторија за болести риба врши контролу присуства и других болести риба које имају економски значај за аквакултуру Србије, с обзиром да велики број различитих патогена може проузроковати значајне губитке. У раду је дат преглед аквакултуре и најважнијих болести риба у 2023. години.The freshwater aquaculture sector in Serbia employs a diverse range of production methods, spanning from extensive to highly technologically intensive approaches. In recent years, numerous fish diseases have been identified in both farmed and wild populations, posing significant challenges to the fish farming sector. Consequently, these diseases have become the focus of surveillance and monitoring programs in various countries. The globalization of trade means that fish diseases can swiftly spread to new areas, facilitated particularly by the importation of ornamental fish. Given the growing significance of disease issues in aquaculture and their potential impact on both wild and farmed fish populations, monitoring and surveillance of fish diseases are deemed crucial for the continued growth and sustainability of the industry. In Serbia, the control of fish health in aquaculture adheres to national legislation governing surveillance and disease control in aquatic animals. Additionally, regulations identifying notifiable diseases of concern are followed, with adherence to the principles outlined in WOAH rules and European Union regulations and directives concerning animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and their products. Despite these regulatory measures, the growth of aquaculture faces additional challenges due to the intensification of production, diversification, and increased trade of fish and fish products. This has heightened the pressure associated with disease outbreaks, impeding the overall progress of aquaculture. In addition to diseases listed in international legislation, the National Reference Laboratory for Fish Diseases in Serbia conducts testing for additional significant fish pathogens. This proactive approach is crucial, given that a multitude of health problems can lead to substantial losses and constrain the development of aquaculture. The paper offers an overview of aquaculture, the current legislative status, and the most significant fish diseases in Serbia as of 2023.Zbornik kratkih sadržaj
The in vitro antimicrobial effects of hydrolysable and condensed tannin extracts on Escherichia coli isolated from pathological samples of deceased poultry
No full textColibacillosis, caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), is one of the most
prevalent and economically damaging bacterial diseases affecting poultry globally.
Managing colibacillosis is difficult and frequently ineffective because APEC strains have
developed widespread resistance to antibiotics, and the strict regulations and public
concerns towards using antimicrobial agents in poultry further complicate the situation.
This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of hydrolysable (sweet
chestnut extract) and condensed (quebracho extract) tannins on Escherichia coli (E. coli)
isolates from poultry, exploring their potential as antibiotic alternatives in managing
colibacillosis. E. coli was isolated from the internal organs of deceased poultry across
18 farms, including layers, broilers, and broiler breeders. Each isolate was assessed for
the presence of APEC strain predictors (virulence genes iutA, hlyF, iss, iroN, and ompT),
antimicrobial resistance to 14 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method, and the
presence of resistance genes for specific antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline,
and quinolones). Out of 43 isolates, 27 (62.8%) were classified as APEC, 30 (69.8%)
showed resistance to three or more antibiotic classes, and 32 (74.4%) carried at least
one AMR gene. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the hydrolysable
tannins from sweet chestnut extract (Castanea sativa Mill.) (SwCh) ranged from 0.5 to
3 mg/mL, while for the condensed tannins from quebracho extract (Schinopsis lorentzii)
(Que), the MICs ranged from 1.5 to 4.5 mg/mL. The results indicate that both
hydrolysable and condensed tannins possess significant in vitro antimicrobial activity
against APEC, offering a potentially valuable alternative for controlling colibacillosis in
the poultry industry
The Effects of Electrolytic Technology Toothbrush Application on the Clinical Parameters and Bacteria Associated with Periodontal Disease in Dogs
No full textThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of electrolytic and nonelectrolytic toothbrushing on dogs’ oral health and the presence of common bacteria associated with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease in dogs is a common problem worldwide. A toothbrushing procedure is recommended to prevent periodontal disease, with additional benefits if electrolytic toothbrushes are used in dog oral hygiene practices. A total of 26 dogs were enrolled in this eight-week study and were divided into two groups—treatment and control. Daily toothbrushing was performed on all dogs using the same dog toothbrush, with the power source disengaged in the control group. Oral examination was conducted on anesthetized dogs before and at 4 and 8 weeks after commencing the study, with sampling for bacterial analysis. This study was designed to be blind for owners, veterinarians, and laboratory staff. Improvements in the average gingival index (from 0.55 to 0.31) and calculus index (from 0.55 to 0.38) in the treatment group were recorded. In the control group, after an initial improvement in the plaque index (from 0.97 to 0.53), at week 8, it significantly rose to 1.21 (p < 0.05). Relative bacterial abundance revealed a reduction in all four tested bacteria in the treatment group, while in the control group, Campylobacter rectus levels rose by 3.67 log2 compared to before the study and at week 8. No adverse effects were recorded in either group
A serological survey of wild boar in Serbia for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
No full textMycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae are causative agents of the porcine
respiratory disease complex. However, information on the prevalence of these pathogens in wild boars is scarce.
This study aimed to investigate the presence of antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus
pleuropneumoniae in wild boars in Serbia. In this study 253 serum samples from wild boars were tested for antibodies
to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia using the ELISA assay. The overall
seroprevalence rates of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were 4.2% and 56.9%,
respectively. Antibodies to both pathogens were detected in 20 sera samples (7.9%). The prevalence of wild boars
that were seropositive for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae differed with age and ranged from 10.7% to 33.3%, and for
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, it ranged from 51.8% to 83.3%. Wild boars are hard to control and are considered
a high-risk infection source for outdoor and backyard pigs and eventually for commercial indoor farms as well.
Thus, the result of this first serosurvey in Serbia should raise awareness of the importance of wild boars as potential
reservoirs of bacterial pathogens such as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Our
data revealed the circulation of both pathogens in wild boars in Serbia, drawing attention to the potential health
risk they present for domestic swine health
Aliens Among Us: Sensitivity of the Invasive Alien Fish Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas as a Bioindicator of Pollution and Its Safety for Human Consumption
No full textThis study aims to evaluate the black bullhead Ameiurus melas, an invasive alien fish (IAF) in Serbia, as a bioindicator organism and assess the safety of natural and aquaculture specimens for human consumption. A set of biomarkers was analysed to assess the bioindicator potential at a site exposed to agricultural activities. The genotoxic response was determined by an alkaline comet assay and micronucleus assay in fish erythrocytes, and the metal pollution index (MPI) was calculated to assess the toxic element burden on fish. Water quality was evaluated using physicochemical parameters and faecal indicator bacteria, while sediment was analysed for the presence of pesticides. The concentration of metals and metalloids in fish muscle was monitored to assess the safety for human consumption, and the corresponding indices (MAC, THQ, HI) were calculated. All biomarker responses were linked by the integrated biomarker response (IBR). Water analyses indicated the absence of communal wastewater, while sediment analysis revealed the presence of paclobutrazol, bifenthrin, and cyfluthrin. The IBR showed that June and September had the highest stress indices, coinciding with peak pesticide use and precipitation. All indices confirmed the safety of black bullhead for human consumption. This study highlighted the uses of nature-based solutions to the problem of IAF