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Schmallenberg virus non-structural proteins NSs and NSm are not essential for experimental infection of Culicoides sonorensis biting midges
No full textThe teratogenic orthobunyavirus Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is transmitted
between its mammalian hosts by Culicoides biting midges. The genome of circulating
SBV, i.e., variants present in viremic ruminants or insect vectors, is very stable, while
variants found in malformed ruminant fetuses display a high genetic variability. It was
suggested that fetal infection provides an environment that favors viral mutations that
enable immune escape in the unborn but at the cost of limiting the ability of the
virus to spread further. To investigate infection and dissemination rates of different SBV
variants in the insect vectors, we fed laboratory-reared Culicoides sonorensis with blood
containing the prototype strain BH80/11-4 from a viremic cow or strain D281/12, which
was isolated from the brain of a sheep fetus and harbors multiple mutations in all three
genome segments. Furthermore, virus variants lacking NSs, NSm, or both non-structural
proteins were included. Six days after feeding, virus replication was found in about 2%
of the midges exposed to wild-type strain BH80/11-4. The absence of the non-structural
proteins had no obvious effect on the oral susceptibility to virus infection, as after 6
days, 2.78% of the midges fed with the NSs-deletion mutant displayed viral loads higher
than the respective day-0 group, 1.92% of the midges exposed to the NSm-deletion
mutant, and 1.55% of midges exposed to the NSs/NSm-deletion mutant. In contrast,
strain D281/12 did not replicate at all in the midges, supporting the assumption that
SBV variants arising in infected fetuses are unable to enter the normal insect-mammalian
host cycl
Le développement de l’anthropologie vétérinaire: Entre utilisation et interprétation
No full textU radu je predstavljen razvoj jedne sasvim neobične antropološke subdiscipline,
veterinarske antropologije. Razmatraju se definicija, oblasti istraživanja, istraživačke
teme i uloga antropologa u transdisciplinarnim istraživanjima. Predstavljeni su
pravci kojima se ova oblast kretala i doprinos koji je dala u oblasti javnog zdravlja. Veterinarska
antropologija je nastala iz potrebe da se pitanjima bolesti životinja u zemljama
u razvoju priđe iz holističke perspektive, i da se stočarima obezbedi siguran, kulturno i
ekonomski prihvatljiv način brige o zdravlju stoke. Koristeći se etnografskim metodama
antropolozi su, zajedno sa veterinarima, rešavali pitanja od značaja za zdravlje ljudi i
životinja. Prateći izazove vremena, antropolozi su na početku 21. veka pomerili svoj
fokus interesovanja sa praksi tradicionalne i moderne veterine, ka pitanjima doprinosa
ljudskih zajednica i kulturnih praksi u širenju zaraznih bolesti. Sprovodeći etnografska
istraživanja u epicentrima epizootija, uočavali su promene u odnosima ljudi i životinja i
učinili su korak više ka razumevanja vrsta.This paper explores the development of veterinary anthropology as a subfield
of anthropology that focuses on issues of animal health and disease within
human societies and cultures. Emerging in the late 1970s in the United States,
initially through ethnoveterinary research and development, it was supported
by programs such as the Small Ruminant Collaborative Research Support Program
(SR-CRSP) and the Niger Range and Livestock Project (NRL). It arose
from the need to integrate the perspectives and expertise of anthropologists and
veterinarians in the study of local practices, technologies, resources, and belief
systems related to the cultural and social contexts in which animal healthcare
occurs within livestock production systems.
The term veterinary anthropology was first proposed by Solod and Knight
in the early 1980s and was further developed by Constance McCorkle, who introduced
a holistic approach within the existing framework of ethnoveterinary
research and development. This included the application of theory and practical
knowledge to improve livestock health and productivity in developing countries.
The emergence of new infectious diseases such as Ebola, SARS, H5N1, and
BSE, along with the ensuing public health crises, stimulated renewed collaboration between anthropologists and veterinarians. This led to the formulation of a new research field initially labeled the anthropology of zoonoses (2015), which, by 2016, was reintegrated into the broader scope of veterinary anthropology through engagement with the concept of One Health, marking the formal rebirth of this subdiscipline. Beyond interdisciplinary collaboration between veterinarians and anthropologists, this subdiscipline examines the social implications of animal diseases and health perspectives through contemporary anthropological approaches, including structuralism, ontology in human-animal relations studies, and multispecies ethnography. Research perspectives have become increasingly globalized, with fieldwork conducted in disease outbreak centers such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Donbas. As the field expanded, veterinary anthropology has undergone repeated re-evaluation and reflection.
Building on existing ethnographic studies of animal-borne diseases and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, the concept of veterinary humanities was introduced in Vienna in 2020 as an expanded field of inquiry, bringing together scholars from animal studies, animal welfare, veterinary science, multispecies anthropology, medical anthropology, and the anthropology of ethics.
The most recent framework positions veterinary anthropology as a philosophical reflection on human–animal relations, developed in collaboration with veterinarians while simultaneously interrogating their roles in those relationships.
In less than half a century, veterinary anthropology has transformed from an applied discipline into a science field that challenges established norms and veterinary practices in search of new responses and innovative solutions that account for the well-being of both animals and humans.Dans ce travail est présenté le développement d’une sous-discipline anthropologique tout à fait singulière, l’anthropologie vétérinaire. Sont étudiés la définition, les domaines, les thèmes de recherche et le rôle de l’anthropologue dans les recherches transdisciplinaires. Ont ensuite été présentées les orientations prises dans ce domaine et la contribution qu’il a donnée dans le secteur de la santé publique. L’anthropologie vétérinaire est née du besoin d’approcher les questions des maladies des animaux dans les pays en voie de développement d’un point de vue holistique, et de procurer aux éleveurs un mode de soins sûr, culturellement et économiquement acceptable pour la santé du bétail. En utiliutilisant les méthodes ethnographiques, les anthropologues ont, ensemble avec les vétérinaires, résolu des questions importantes pour la santé des animaux et le bien-être des humains. En suivant les défis du temps, les anthropologues ont au début du 21e siècle déplacé leur centre d’intérêt du rapprochement entre les prapratiques de la médecine vétérinaire traditionnelle et celles de médecine vétérinaire moderne vers des questions de la contribution des communautés humaines et des pratiques culturelles à la propagation des maladies contagieuses. En menant des recherches ethnographiques dans les épicentres des épizooties, ils ont repéré des changements dans les rapports des hommes et des animaux et ont fait un pas de plus vers la compréhension des espèces
An overview of research in the field of intensive pig production
No full textDanašnja industrijska proizvodnja svinja bazira se na sprovođenju biosigurnosnih mera, kao i na
rešavanju ekoloških problema, koji znatno opterećuju proizvodnju. Dobro zdravlje svinja je uslov
dobre reprodukcije, odnosno rentabilne proizvodnje. Zdravstveno stanje zavisi od mnogih faktora,
kao što su uslovi držanja, nega, ishrana i sprovođenje profilaktičkih mera. Bolesti kao što su
neonatalni proliv, edemska bolest, ezofagogastrični ulkus, osteodistrofije, kompleks respiratornih
oboljenja, dizenterija, a u novije doba proliferativne enteropatije, koje mogu da ugroze proizvodnju
svinja u intenzivnom odgoju, moguće je primenom profilaktičkih i terapeutskih mera, kao i
pojačanom kontrolom stručnih službi, držati pod kontrolom. Posebno osetljivi kritični periodi su:
prašenje, prvih 24-48 sati posle prašenja, 7-10 dana nakon prašenja i period 10-14 dana po
odbijanju prasadi. Fleksibilnom saradnjom vlasnika farmi sa stručnim službama, uz poštovanje i
sprovođenje stručnih saznanja, te primenom niza biotehničkih mera i stavljanjem akcenta na
preveniranje bolesti svinja, a u cilju promocije dobrog zdravlja svinja, moguće je unaprediti
proizvodnju. Biosigurnost, dobrobit, dobra proizvođačka praksa i analiza rizika na kritičnim
kontrolnim tačkama su veoma značajni elementi u intenzivnoj proizvodnji svinja. Planska primena
biosigurnosnih mera presudna je u zaštiti zdravlja svinja, a time i u uspehu proizvodnje. Cilj ovog
rada je da pruži pregled projektnih istraživanja koja su obavljena na kontrolisanim farmama svinja.
Na većini kontrolisanih farmi ustanovljeno je prisustvo Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae i
Actinobacullus pleuropneumoniae. Jedan od ozbiljnih zdravstvenih problema na farmama je
prisustvo reproduktivno respiratornog sindroma.Today industrial pig production is based on the implementation of biosecurity measures and the
solution of environmental problems that significantly impact production. Good pig health is a
prerequisite for good reproduction, i.e. profitable production. Health depends on many factors such
as housing conditions, care, nutrition, and the implementation of preventive measures. Diseases
such as neonatal diarrhea, edema, oesophagogastric ulcers, osteodystrophies, complex respiratory
diseases, dysentery, and more recently, proliferative enteropathy, which can threaten the
production of intensively reared pigs, can be kept under control by applying prophylactic and
therapeutic measures, as well as by increased control of professional services. Particularly
sensitive critical periods are farrowing, the first 24-48 hours after farrowing, 7-10 days after
farrowing, and the period 10-14 days after weaning. It is possible to improve production through
flexible cooperation between farmers and professional services, by respecting and implementing
expert knowledge, by applying a series of biotechnological measures, and by emphasizing the
prevention of pig diseases to promote good pig health. Biosecurity, animal welfare, good
production practices, and risk analysis at critical control points are essential elements in intensive
pig production. The planned application of biosecurity measures is essential to protect the health
of pigs and therefore the success of production. This paper aims to provide an overview of project
research carried out on controlled pig farms. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacullus
pleuropneumoniae were found in most of the farms inspected. One of the most serious health
problems on farms is the presence of reproductive respiratory syndrome.Zbornik radov
Vektorima prenosive bolesti koje ugrožavaju populaciju autohtonih rasa životinja u Srbiji
No full textAutohtone rase životinja su rase koje su se razvile na određenom geografskom području i koje su prilagođene specifičnim uslovima života tog podneblja. Uzgoj autohtonih rasa životinja u Srbiji je u porastu u poslednjoj deceniji. Danas se u Republici Srbiji uzgaja 13 vrsta autohtonih životinja sa 99 rasa čiji je uzgoj aktivno stimulisan merama/subvencijama države Srbije u cilju očuvanja autohtonih rasa, genetskog diverziteta i kulturno-biološkog nasleđa Srbije. Vektorima prenosive bolesti životinja su posebno značajne u predelima gde se autohtone rase životinja uzgajaju u ekstenzivnim uslovima. Ove česte prirodnožarišne bolesti ugrožavaju zdravlje i dobrobit životinja tokom sezone aktivnosti vektora koja se usled klimatskih promena sve vise produžava. Od bolesti koje prenose komarci (Diptera: Culicidae) u Republici Srbiji je najznačajnija groznica Zapadnog Nila kako po kliničkim znacima bolesti i mogućim posledicama po populaciju ekvida i ptica, tako i zbog njenog zoonotskog karaktera. Danas je virus Zapadnog Nila široko rasprostranjen sa sezonskom pojavom posebno u područjima oko velikih reka. Tada dolazi do prelivanja ciklusa prenošenja virusa u prirodi izmedu ornitofilnih komaraca (npr. biokompleksa Culex pipiens) i divljih ptica u kojima se virus umnožava i prenosi na prijemčive vrste sisara i čoveka. Bolesti koje prenose tvrdi krpelji (Acari: Ixodidae) spadaju medu najznačajnije vektorske bolesti u Evropi, s obzirom na visok broj obolelih Ijudi. Kod životinja na paši, bolesti izazvane krvnim parazitima (npr. Babesia/Theileria spp., Anaplasma spp.) se desto javljaju neposredno posle pika aktivnosti krpelja u proleće i jesen. Bolesti koje prenose kulikoidi (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) najčešće predstavljaju pretnju po populaciju papkara. Medu njima najznačajnija je bolest plavog jezika ("Bluetongue disease") izazvana virusom čiji brojni serotipovi svake godine dovode do pojave bolesti u Evropi. Trenutno se prati kretanje serotipa 3, s' obzirom da je bolest plavog jezika na listi naročito opasnih zaraznih bolesti WOAH Očuvanje autohtonih rasa životinja ne obuhvata samo njihovu selekciju, reprodukciju i uzgoj već podrazumeva i očuvanje njihovog zdravstvenog statusa i dobrobiti. Vektorima prenosive bolesti predstavljaju značajan rizik, o njihovoj pojavi, i prevenciji se mora voditi računa kako ne bi ugrozile zdravstveni status i dobrobit autohtonih rasa životinja
Spatiotemporal dynamics of ASF in Serbia’s wild boar population
No full textAfrican swine fever (ASF) poses severe economic challenges globally due to its highly fatal nature in domestic
pigs and wild boar. The goal of this study was to evaluate patterns of ASF spread and determine factors
influencing its prevalence among wild boar in Serbia from 2020 through 2024. Surveillance data encompassing
480 confirmed ASF cases from Serbia’s National Reference Laboratory were analysed. Infection confirmation
was done through real-time PCR assays targeting the ASF virus p72 gene. Spatiotemporal clustering
was assessed using the SaTScan™ space-time permutation model, while associations with environmental
features including roads, water bodies, and elevation were investigated using Quantum Geographic Information
System (QGIS). Chi-square tests were utilised to establish statistical significance (p < 0.01). The
prevalence of ASF in wild boar gradually increased from 0.66% in 2020 up to 1.47% by 2023. Clear seasonal
variation emerged, with case numbers significantly peaking during winter (68%) and spring (24%) months (p
< 0.00001). The analysis identified five significant clusters, three located close to international borders (North
Macedonia and Bulgaria), indicating possible cross-border virus transmission, while two were centrally situated,
pointing to domestic spread. Furthermore, proximity analysis demonstrated a statistically significant
correlation (p < 0.01) between ASF cases and closeness to major roads, with 65% of cases occurring within
5 km of such infrastructure. In contrast, water proximity had no significant effect on the disease distribution.
Elevation data showed that most infections (40%) were identified in areas situated between 500 and 1000
metres altitude, consistent with preferred wild boar habitats characterised by dense woodland and limited
human interference. This study underscores significant weaknesses in Serbia’s existing passive surveillance
strategy, likely causing underreporting of ASF in remote and forested areas. Highlighting cross-border risk
factors emphasises the need for collaborative regional surveillance and integrated control initiatives. Effective
strategies recommended include mandatory carcass reporting, educational programmes for hunters,
and the implementation of GIS-based real-time surveillance, critical to mitigating ASF transmission and
economic impacts in Serbia and neighbouring regions
Assessing the safety of pesticides in food: the importance of risk assessment
No full textProcena rizika je ključna za utvrđivanje bezbednosti pesticida u hrani. Značaj procene
rizika podrazumeva procenu verovatnoće i ozbiljnosti potencijalne štete od ostataka
pesticida u hrani, osiguravajući da su nivoi izloženosti ispod utvrđenih bezbednosnih
granica. Ovaj proces pomaže vladama i regulatornim telima da uspostave standarde
bezbednosti hrane, upravljaju upotrebom pesticida i olakšaju međunarodnu trgovinu.
Organizacija za hranu i poljoprivredu (FAO) i Svetska zdravstvena organizacija (WHO)
igraju ključnu ulogu u razvoju procena rizika za ostatke pesticida u hrani. Američka
agencija za zaštitu životne sredine (EPA) koristi procene rizika za donošenje odluka o
odobravanju novih pesticida i ponovnoj proceni postojećih. Evropska agencija za
bezbednost hrane (EFSA) sprovodi procene rizika za pesticide unutar Evropske unije,
osiguravajući bezbednost potrošača i zaštitu životne sredine. Sprovođenje procene
rizika obuhvata četri faze od kojih je prva identifikacija opasnosti kroz razmatranje
zdravstvenih efekata pesticida, druga faza je procena izloženosti ljudi putem hrane,
dok je treća faza karakterizacija rizika kroz kombinovanje informacija o opasnosti i
izloženosti radi utvrđivanja verovatnoće i ozbiljnosti potencijalnih zdravstvenih
rizika. Poslednja faza obuhvata postavljanje bezbednosnih granica, odnosno
utvrđivanje prihvatljivih dnevnih unosa (ADI) ili drugih referentnih doza, kao i
utvrđivanje nivoa izlaganja pesticidima koji se smatraju bezbednim za ljude tokom
života ili kraćeg perioda. Zaključno, procena rizika je neophodan alat za obezbeđivanje
sigurnosti hrane od prisustva pesticida, zaštitu javnog zdravlja i olakšavanje
međunarodne trgovine poljoprivrednim proizvodima. Krajnji cilj i značaj procene
rizika dovodi do proračuna kumulativnog efekta, odnosno procene kumulativnog
rizika, kada se za račun uzimaju u obzir procene rizika pojedinačnih pesticida i dobija
kombinovani uticaj više pesticida ili puteva izlaganja, pružajući sveobuhvatniju sliku
potencijalnih rizika.Risk assessment is key to determining the safety of pesticides in food. The importance
of risk assessment involves assessing the likelihood and severity of potential harm
from pesticide residues in food, ensuring that exposure levels are below established
safety limits. This process helps governments and regulatory bodies establish food
safety standards, manage pesticide use and facilitate international trade. The Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) play a key
role in developing risk assessments for pesticide residues in food. The US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses risk assessments to make decisions
about approving new pesticides and re-evaluating existing ones. Meanwhile, the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducts risk assessments for pesticides
within the European Union, ensuring consumer safety and environmental protection.
Conducting a risk assessment includes four phases, the first of which is hazard
identification through consideration of the health effects of pesticides, the second
phase is the assessment of human exposure through food, while the third phase is risk
characterization through combining hazard and exposure information to determine
the likelihood and severity of potential health risks. The final phase involves setting
safety limits, ie establishing Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI) or other reference doses,
as well as determining which levels of exposure to pesticides are considered safe for
humans over a lifetime or shorter period. In conclusion, risk assessment is a necessary
tool for ensuring food safety from the presence of pesticides, protecting public health
and facilitating international trade in agricultural products. The ultimate goal and
importance of the risk assessment leads to the calculation of the cumulative effect, i.e.
the cumulative risk assessment, when the risk assessments of individual pesticides
are taken into account and the combined impact of several pesticides or routes of
exposure is obtained, providing a more comprehensive picture of potential risks
Advancing fish health oral administration of autogenous vaccines via functional feed
No full textVaccination is a key strategy for preventing bacterial diseases in aquaculture and reducing antibiotic use. While commercial vaccines are widely used, farm-specific bacterial
pathogens often require tailored approaches. Autogenous vaccines, prepared from pathogens isolated on-site, offer a targeted and sustainable solution. Traditionally administered by injection or immersion, these vaccines can now be delivered through functional
feed, enabling non-invasive oral immunization. This study aimed to develop and evaluate
a prototype of functional feed for oral booster delivery of autogenous inactivated vaccines. The research, supported by the Innovation Fund of the Republic of Serbia, targeted key pathogens affecting trout and carp: Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida,
Lactococcus garvieae, Yersinia ruckeri, and Aeromonas hydrophila. Vaccine formulations
were incorporated into feed under conditions ensuring antigen stability and palatability.
Field trials on commercial farms demonstrated successful immune stimulation in vaccinated fish, with no adverse effects on feed intake or growth performance. Booster administration via feed prolonged the protective effect of the initial vaccination, reduced
stress from handling, and improved overall fish welfare. These results confirm that oral
delivery of autogenous vaccines via functional feed represents a promising innovation in
fish health management. The approach allows adaptation to specific farm conditions, enhances disease control, and supports sustainable aquaculture by reducing reliance on
antimicrobials.Predavanj
Cryptosporidiosis in horses
No full textCryptosporidiosis in horses is an infection of the intestine by the protozoa known as Cryptosporidium.
This protozoa is commonly found in the feces of animals that show no symptoms of infection. This is because
the immune system usually keeps the number of protozoa at a manageable level. Developing symptoms of
infection is uncommon in horses. In horses who are immunocompromised or foals in the first 2 months of life,
the risk of developing symptoms of cryptosporidiosis is higher as the immune system is less capable of
defending against infection
From the local diversity of tick-borne pathogens in questing ticks towards tailor made approaches in management of tick-borne diseases – preliminary results of talktotick project
No full textAfter mosquitoes, ticks are medically the most important vectors worldwide. It is estimated that 40
anthropophilic tick species vector pathogens of up to 20 different diseases. Genetic variations in the pathogens lead to differences in virulence and thus to different clinical manifestations of the disease. In order to develop suitable concepts for the management of tick-borne diseases, an insight into the local diversity of tick-borne pathogens is essential. In our model area, five localities in and around Belgrade (Serbia) were selected to collect ticks from vegetation. Global warming and overall climate change are leading to milder winters, warm springs and summers with excessive heat and drought, which influence tick host-seeking activity. For this reason, we have extended the standard sampling practise, which is normally carried out from April to October, to include sampling every month for two consecutive years. All ticks collected are identified using standard taxonomic keys and DNA is extracted from individual ticks. Based on the previously determined prevalence, individual ticks are analysed for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, while other pathogens such as Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia spp., Erlichia spp., Neoerlichia micurensis, Anaplasma phagocytophilusm, Francisella tularensis and Babesia spp. are analysed using pooled samples. In case of a positive pool, the individual samples are analysed. In the first year of the project, 346 ticks were collected. The following pathogens were detected in the analysed sample with corresponding prevalence – Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (31.25%), Rickettsia spp. (24.57%), Babesia spp. (1.45%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.16%), Neoerlichia mikurensis
(2.31%) and Borrelia miyamotoi (1.16%). Sequencing revealed the presence of four species from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, with Borrelia lusitaniae absolutely dominating (63.8% of Borrelia-positive samples), followed by Borrelia afzelii (23.4%), Borrelia garinii (6.4%) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (6.4%). Two Rickettsia species were genotyped – Rickettsia monasensis and Rickettsia helvetica.4th Congress of geneticists in Bosnia and Hercegovina with international participation, Banja Luka, 2-4 October, 2025Plenary lecture - invited speake
