Herd-level seroprevalence of pestivirus infection in goat population in Poland.

A disease survey was conducted between 2014 and 2018 in the Polish goat population to determine the seroprevalence of pestiviral infection. Blood samples from 910 goats (782 females and 128 males) were collected in 62 goat herds and tested for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection with a competitive ELISA in a serial fashion. Between 10 and 13 adult female goats were randomly selected from each herd, assuming individual-level seroprevalence of pestiviral infection in a herd of at least 30% and a level of confidence of 95%. In each herd, all males were tested. At least one seropositive goat was found in each of the 4 herds. However, in one herd, the only positive goat tested negative in serial retesting. Finally, 3 herds were consi-dered as seropositive which yielded apparent herd-level seroprevalence of 4.8% (CI 95%: 1.7%, 13.3%). After adjusting for the ELISA herd-level sensitivity and specificity, the true herd-level prevalence was 3.9% (CI 95%: 1.2%, 12.0%). No males tested positive. In 2 out of 3 seropositive herds, goats regularly shared pastures with cattle.

Development of resistance to eprinomectin in gastrointestinal nematodes in a goat herd with pre-existing resistance to benzimidazoles.

We described a first case of resistance to eprinomectin in goat herd in Poland in which resistance to benzimidazoles had been previously reported. The herd was established in 2011 by purchasing several goats from a single herd in south-eastern Poland. Resistance to benzimidazoles in the herd was first reported in 2017. Shortly after the owner started to signal low effectiveness of the treatment with eprinomectin. In June 2018 the larval development test from pooled faecal sample was performed and the results indicated the presence of resistance to macrocyclic lactones and levamisole. In July 2018 a faecal egg count (FEC) reduction test was performed in 39 animals with levamisole, eprinomectin and one untreated control group. Drugs were used in doses recommended for goats. Three methods of calculation of FEC reduction were compared. After eprinomectin treatment, FEC reduction ranged from 0 to 20%, depending on the method of calculation. FEC reduction following levamisole treatment was 100%. Main species present in the faecal samples after treatment and in larvicidal concentrations in larval development test was Haemonchus contortus. This is the first report of anthelminthic resistance to macrocylic lactones (eprinomectin) in goats in Poland.

The interrelations of good welfare indicators assessed in working horses and their relationships with the type of work.

This paper presents a different approach to the welfare of working horses through the indicators of good welfare, their interrelations and their relationships with the type of work performed by the horses. 697 working horses were assessed by using observation, behavioural tests, clinical exams and questionnaires. The correlated results highlight the complex and multiple interrelations between the good welfare indicators, showing once again that animal welfare is under the influence of all its three dimensions (physical and emotional wellbeing and naturalness). In working horses, the heavier the work they perform is, the more important it is for horse owners/breeders/farmers to fulfil their inherent needs so as to help them cope with the multiple specific risks imposed by their work.

Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in European wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations from Transylvania, Romania.

Between 2007-2008 and 2010-2012, 870 organ samples were collected from wild boars in 16 Transylvanian counties. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was identified using a nested PCR protocol that amplifies a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. Prevalence was compared between sampling periods and counties using Fisher's exact test. In total, 39 (4·48%) samples tested positive, with significantly higher values recorded in the second period, caused by an increased infection rate in boars from Sibiu county. Positive cases tended to concentrate in the central part of the country. During the second sampling period, A. phagocytophilum was detected in two additional counties, suggesting a spatial spreading of the pathogen. The results confirm that Transylvanian wild boars are naturally infected with A. phagocytophilum, thus raising awareness concerning a potential zoonotic cycle. This is the first study to evaluate spatial and temporal variations of A. phagocytophilum distribution in wild boar populations from Transylvania.

Structure and dissolution investigation of calcium-bismuth-borate glasses and vitroceramics containing silver.

Quaternary Ag(2)O-CaO-Bi(2)O(3)-B(2)O(3) glasses and glassceramics are investigated with regard to release behaviour and local structure. The dissolution behaviour in water and physiological serum shows that the cations are released rapidly or gradually and points out a multi-step process, generally characterised by higher rates in water than in physiological serum. The structural effect of silver addition to bismuth-borate glasses is observed from infrared spectroscopic data. The antibacterial activity of the investigated samples was tested on six bacterial media.

Effect of density and season on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens.

1. We examined the effect of density (5, 7, 9 and 11 birds/m2) and season (summerand winter; different hens each season) on stress and behaviour in two flocks of 64 broiler breeder females divided among 8 pens. 2. The hens, approximately the same age and body mass in each season, were maintained on hard-packed ground, without litter, in an open-sided chicken house and were offered the same amount of food each season. 3. Mean house max/min temperatures varied between 18 and 33 degrees C in summer and 7 and 17 degrees C in winter. Mean relative humidity in summer varied between 68% at 08:00 h and 42% at 14:00 h and in winter was 64% at 08:00 h and 47% at 14:00 h. 4. No difference was found in heterophil:lymphocyte ratios among densities and between seasons; however, basophil numbers were higher in winter than in summer indicating prolonged stress in winter. 5. Stereotyped pecking increased with an increase in density and was higher in winter than in summer. Pecking on the ground was higher in winter, but was not affected by density. 6. In summer the hens spent more time lying and eating than in winter, whereas in winter the hens spent more time walking, preening and drinking than in summer. They spent the same amount of time standing in both seasons. None of these behaviours was density dependent. 7. We conclude that season had more of an effect than density on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens under the conditions of our study.

Haematological and immunological variables in a domesticated and wild subspecies of ostrich (Struthio camelus).

1. Domesticated ostriches have been selected rigorously for productive traits with little concern for immunological responses, in contrast to wild ostriches. 2. We hypothesised that the immunological responses of wild and domesticated ostriches would differ. Total leucocyte counts, differential counts, heterophil: lymphocyte ratios, phagocytic activity, lysosome levels and anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody titres (total, IgG, IgM) were compared between domesticated (n=3) and wild (n=3) ostrich subspecies. 3. Total leucocytes, lymphocytes and heterophils were similar in the 2 subspecies, but basophils and eosinophils were lower in the wild than in the domesticated ostriches. Lysosome concentrations and phagocytic activities were higher in the wild ostriches. 4. Total and IgM antibody titres to SRBC reached peak values quicker in the domesticated than in wild ostriches. IgG development patterns were similar. 5. The results suggest that a stronger non-specific immune response was shown by the wild ostriches (higher phagocytosis and lysozymes) whereas a stronger specific immune response was shown by the domesticated ostriches (peak values of anti-SRBC antibody titres were reached more quickly).

Effect of warm drinking water on the performance and immunological responses of broiler breeder hens raised at low air temperatures.

1. The effect of warmed drinking water on the performance and immunological responses of broiler breeder hens maintained at low air temperatures (5.0 degrees to 12.9 degrees C) was tested. From 22 weeks of age hens (mean body mass = 2.4 kg) were offered either warm water (27.7 degrees C; WARM; n = 24) or tap water (12.7 degrees C; CONR; n = 24) twice daily for a total time of 2.5 h or tap water ad libitum (CONA; n = 16). Food was restricted for all hens. 2. Daily water intake in the WARM hens (103 ml/kg) was similar to that of the CONR (93 ml/kg) and CONA hens (106 ml/kg). 3. There were no significant differences in either body mass change or egg production among treatment groups. 4. There was no difference among groups in heterophil/lymphocyte ratios. Similarly, there was no difference among groups in either phagocytic activity or wattle index after phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) injection. Total and IgG antibody titres to SRBC tended to be highest in the WARM hens and these titres were significantly higher than in CONR hens 14 d after challenge.

Effect of cold stress on performance and immune responses of Bedouin and White Leghorn hens.

1. Bedouin chickens are kept in deserts mainly for eggs and are well adapted to arid conditions. However, deserts are also characterised by relatively cold winter nights. As a consequence of cold stress there is an involution of lymphoid organs and a depression of immunological function. We compared the performance and immunological responses of Bedouin and White Leghorn hens kept in outdoor pens in the Negev Desert during the winter. 2. Initial mean body mass was similar for the two breeds: 1525 g for Bedouin hens and 1542 g for White Leghorn hens. White Leghorns lost 7.74 g/d, compared with 0.60 g/d for Bedouin hens and produced 0.36 eggs/d, compared with 0.54 eggs/day for Bedouin hens. 3. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio for Bedouin hens was 0.28, which was lower than the 0.44 for White Leghorn hens. Phagocytic index was higher in Bedouin hens than in White Leghorns. Furthermore, wattle index measured 24, 48 and 72 h after PHA injections and anti-SRBC antibody titres determined 10 d after challenge were also higher in Bedouin hens than in White Leghorns. 4. We concluded that the Bedouin hens were less stressed by the cold than were the White Leghorn hens.