Presence of Mycoplasma bovis in Bulk Tank Milk and Associated Risk Factor Analysis in Serbian Dairy Farms.

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is a significant pathogen responsible for highly transmissible mastitis in cattle globally. It primarily spreads through colostrum, milk, and semen. Cows with persistent infections act as carriers, intermittently releasing the pathogen, making their milk a pivotal factor in infection transmission. Given the limited seroprevalence surveys in Serbia, this study aimed to detect M. bovis presence in bulk tank milk (BTM), determine route shedding, and evaluate infection risks. BTM samples were collected from 115 dairy farms across Serbia, with M. bovis DNA detected in 11 out of the 115 samples by real-time PCR. Additionally, M. bovis was detected in 1.30% of nasal swabs sampled from apparently healthy animals. A univariate analysis of the risk factors associated with M. bovis presence in the BTM samples revealed correlations with factors such as the breed, farm seropositivity, pre-milking and post-milking disinfection practices, farm type, cow population, milk yield, number of cows in the BTM samples, and parity. Seropositive farms exhibited the highest likelihood of M. bovis presence in milk. Moreover, pre- and post-milking disinfection practices and highly productive cows yielding over 8000 L of milk were identified as risk factors for PCR-positive BTM. In a multivariable mixed regression analysis, a risk factor for the presence of M. bovis infection in the BTM sample was the Holstein breed. These findings underscore a relatively high prevalence of M. bovis in BTM within Serbian dairy farms, suggesting a potential risk for M. bovis spreading through milk and oral route of calves' infection.

A new insight into genetic structure of Danube and Italian foci of fascioloidosis.

Human induced translocation and introduction of species have reshaped parasite fauna on a global scale. The introduction of the large American liver fluke Fascioloides magna from North America to Europe is an example of an invasive alien parasite causing significant ecological and economic damage. Recent genetic studies have shown that F. magna was introduced to Europe on multiple occasions forming three permanent foci of infection. This study primarily focuses on the poorly researched genetic structuring of F. magna flukes originating from Croatia and Serbia. Additional samples from USA and Italy are also included, thereby providing novel insights into F. magna's biogeography. Partial cox1 and nad1 genes were amplified from 216 F. magna flukes extracted from red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, white-tailed deer and wild boar. Seven cox1 and nine nad1 haplotypes were identified, of which two cox1 and four nad1 haplotypes have not been not previously found. Our analysis has expanded the knowledge about possible sources of F. magna introduction to Europe, by identifying a cox1 haplotype shared by flukes from the north-eastern parts of the USA and Italy and another cox1 haplotype shared by flukes also from north eastern parts of the USA and the Danube floodplains.

Welfare of Native Goat Breeds in Serbia-Emphasis on Parasitological Infections.

Native goat breeds in Serbia has been recognized as an important element of regional agrobiodiversity and play an important role in the safeguarding of cultural and traditional heritage. The aim of this study was to identify the main welfare issues likely to be encountered in extensive goat farming systems with an emphasis on parasitological infections. The study was conducted during the winter season on four small farms of native Balkan and Serbian white goats. For welfare assessment, animal-based indicators from AWIN protocol for goats were used. All fecal samples for parasites were qualitatively and quantitatively examined. The main welfare issues identified were poor hair coat condition (62.79%), dirty and light soiling hindquarters (31.40%), thin body condition score (26.74%), abscesses (19.78%), and udder asymmetry (18.60%). In addition, an important and prevalent welfare problem identified across all farms was parasite infection and weak significant (p < 0.001) correlation between certain parasites (Strongylidae, Moniezia spp., Buxtonella sulcate, and Protostrongylidae) and welfare indicators such as poor hair coat condition and nasal discharge. The results of this study provided the first overview and valuable insight into the impact of extensive systems on the welfare of native goats in the Balcan region.

Tick infestation and occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and piroplasms in cattle in the Republic of Serbia.

Ticks transmit important pathogens affecting cattle such as intracellular bacteria of the genus Anaplasma or protozoa of the order Piroplasmida. This study aimed at assessing tick species present on pastures and cattle and determining occurrence of the tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in cattle. During May and June 2013, ticks and EDTA blood were collected from 185 dairy cows at six locations in Serbia. Ticks were also collected directly from the pastures at four of these locations. The occurrence of A. phagocytophilum was investigated by serological (immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT)) and molecular methods (real-time PCR) and of piroplasms by traditional PCR followed by sequencing. The most prevalent tick species on animals was Ixodes ricinus, (n = 167), followed by Haemaphysalis punctata (n = 146) and Dermacentor marginatus (n = 122). On the pasture, however, the most common species was H. punctata (n = 41), I. ricinus (n = 37), and D. marginatus (n = 2). Altogether, 4 out of 163 (2.45%) serum samples of cows were positive for A. phagocytophilum-specific antibodies by IFAT. However, the 135 blood samples tested for A. phagocytophilum DNA were all negative. Altogether, 5 out of these 135 samples were positive for piroplasm DNA. PCR products were sequenced and identified as a benign Theileria spp. with 100% identity with GenBank entries from Italy (Theileria sergenti), China (Theileria spp.), and Korea (Theileria buffeli isolate HS252). The results provide evidence for the presence of several hard tick species infesting cattle in Serbia which can carry pathogens potentially influencing animal health, as well as evidence of contact with tick-borne pathogens Theileria spp. and A. phagocytophilum.

Neutrophil phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity of dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation.

INTRODUCTION: Hormonal and metabolic changes, as well as energy imbalance, can affect health, production and reproductive performance of dairy cows. In the present study, we evaluated phagocytosis and respiratory burst neutrophil activity during the transition period and early lactation and compared it with biochemical and hematological parameters in dairy cows. METHODOLOGY: Simmental cows (n = 21) were enrolled in the study. Whole blood samples were collected weekly from 3 weeks pre- calving until 6 weeks post calving. Basic metabolic and blood parameters were assessed by routine laboratory analyses, while neutrophil functions were analyzed by commercial test kits. RESULTS: Optimal neutrophil response was observed pre and post calving. The highest value was recorded in the 6th week after calving (89.54 ± 7.61%) and being significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to values recorded at two and one week before and one week after calving. The percentage of activated neutrophils was high during the entire study period: from 70.80 ± 5.22% at the beginning of the study to 89.54 ± 7.61% at the end of the study. During the study period, production of Reactive Oxidative Species by neutrophils was positively correlated with ß-hydroxybutyrat and non-esterified fatty acids values (0.454** and 0.423**, respectively) and calcium levels (0.164* and 0.212**, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The most prominent changes in all parameters had no influence on phagocytic and respiratory burst activity of neutrophils. Neutrophil function is preserved at the optimal level during the transition period and early lactation in Simmental cows.

Presence of Human and Animal Viruses in Surface Waters in Vojvodina Province of Serbia.

For the first time in Serbia, a small surveillance study was conducted in order to estimate the presence and frequency of occurrence of selected human [adenoviruses (HAdV), noroviruses, (NoV GI, NoV GII) and hepatitis A virus (HAV)], animal [porcine adenovirus (PAdV) and bovine polyomavirus (BPyV)] and zoonotic [hepatitis E virus (HEV)] viruses in selected surface waters. In total, 60 surface water samples were collected in two sampling occasions at 30 locations, with each sampling time being separated by 1-5 months. In addition, six sewage effluent samples were collected at one sampling site per each of the three tested town sewage systems, in two sampling occasions with 2 months intervals, before their discharge into the surface waters. The most prevalent virus found was HAdV which was detected in 43.33 % samples. NoV GII was found in 40 % samples. NoV GI was found in 10 % samples, and PAdV, BPyV and HEV were detected in 5 (8.33 %), 4 (6.67 %) and 2 (3.33 %) samples, respectively. HAV was not found in any of analysed surface waters or urban sewage samples. The obtained results confirm the presence of pathogenic enteric viruses of both human and animal origin in surface waters in Serbia indicating the existence of diverse contamination sources.