Pathogenic potential to humans of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolated from wild boars in Poland.

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in the wild boar population of north-eastern Poland, and to evaluate the potential health risk associated with wild boars carrying STEC/AE-STEC strains. In Poland, the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus has been a growing problem in domestic pigs and wild boars, one of the main reservoirs of the virus, because of this hunters, veterinary practitioners and foresters thus face a greater risk of coming into contact with animals. Rectal swabs samples were obtained from 152 wild boars hunter-harvested in the 2017/2018 season (autumn-winter) in north-eastern Poland. The samples were enrichment in modified buffered peptone water. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were conducted to determine the virulence profile of stx1, stx2 and eae and aggR genes, identify subtypes of stx1 and stx2 genes, and perform O and H serotyping. STEC/AE-STEC virulence genes were detected in 43 isolates (28.29%): STEC in 17 isolates (11.18%) and AE-STEC in 26 isolates (17.11%), respectively. None of the tested isolates carried the aggR gene. The most dangerous AE-STEC virulence profile associated with HUS was found in 2 isolates (1.32%): stx1NS/stx2a/d/eae serotype ONT:H7 and stx2a/eae serotype O146:H7. Six of the 152 tested samples belonged to serogroup O157 (3.95%), including one AE-STEC isolate with virulence profile stx2g/eae and five EPEC isolates. The results of this study suggest that wild boars in north-eastern Poland can carry STEC/AE-STEC strains that are potentially pathogenic for humans. This is the first report documenting the virulence of STEC and AE-STEC isolates from wild boars in Poland.

Genetic evaluation of bovine papillomavirus types detected in equine sarcoids in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Equine sarcoids are the most common neoplasms in horses. Bovine papilloma- virus type 1 (BPV-1) is the main viral type identified in equine sarcoids in Europe. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to genetically evaluate BPV types based on DNA analyses of the CDS of the L1 gene. The presence of BPV DNA was confirmed by Degenerate Oligonucleotide-Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (DOP PCR) with FAP59/FAP64 consensus primers. RESULTS: The DNA was detected in 21/40 (52.5%) of clinically diagnosed sarcoids. More than half of 14 isolates (66.7%) shared 100% homology with BPV-1 Deltapapillomavirus 4 isolate 09 asi UK (Acc. No. MF384289) and 99% nucleotide identity with BPV-1 isolate EqSarc1 (Acc. No. JX678969). A comparison with BPV-1 isolate EqSarc1 revealed one silent mutation in C5827T which did not change the aminoacid codon. The remaining 6 isolates (28.6%) shared 100% nucleotide identity with the BPV-1 (Acc. No. X02346) "wild type" isolate, and 1 isolate (4.8%) demonstrated 99% nucleotide identity with BPV-2 (Acc. No. M20219). CONCLUSIONS: Variants of BPV-1 isolate EqSarc1 (Acc. No. JX678969) constitute the most prevalent type of BPV-1 in Polish horses.

Quantitative PCR high-resolution melting (qPCR-hRM) curve analysis, a new approach to rapid detection and differentiation of bovine papillomavirus detected in equine sarcoids.

The aim of the study was to evaluate a novel diagnostic scheme which combines quantitative PCR and High-Resolution Melting (qPCR-HRM) curve analysis for rapid differentiation based on E5 partial CDS of bovine papillomavirus type 1 or 2 (BPV-1 or BPV-2), and to perform a phylogenetic analysis of the complete CDS of the E5 gene of BPV detected in equine sarcoids. Samples of 38 skin lesions obtained from 27 horses were collected for molecular examinations. All lesions were clinically diagnosed as sarcoids, but results of histopathological examinations did not always corroborate the clinical diagnosis. Although all the samples were positive for the presence of BPV DNA, after qPCR-HRM analysis 6 (16%) specimens were recognized as BPV-1 "wild", 24 (63%) as BPV-1 "European" and 8 (21%) as a "variant" of BPV E5 ORF partial CDS. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of E2 ORF partial CDS and E5 ORF complete CDS was conducted on 7 specimens, whose sequences were published in GenBank and recognized as: 2PL (Accession Number --Acc. No. KC684939)--"variant" BPV-1, 7aPL (Acc. No. KC684940)--"European" BPV-1, 10PL (Acc. No. KC693480)--"variant" BPV-1, 16PL (Acc. No. KC693484)--"variant" BPV-2, 17PL (Acc. No. KC693481)--"variant" BPV-1, 20aPL (Acc. No. KC693482)--"European" BPV-1 and 20cPL (Acc. No. KC693483)--"wild" BPV-1. Amino acid (aa) sequences of E5 ORF complete CDS were also analyzed. The E5 variant of aa sequences found in isolate 10PL (protein identification--ID: AGM 20700) is a novel variant of E5 ORF complete CDS of BPV-1 detected in equine sarcoid in Poland.

Phylogenetic analysis of bovine papillomavirus E5 detected in equine sarcoids in Poland.

The aim of the study was to analyse a part of the sequence of the E5 gene of bovine papillomaviruses (BPV) associated with equine sarcoids in Polish horses. Samples of 40 skin lesions obtained from 29 horses were collected for molecular examination. The PCR amplicons of BPV DNA were detected in 38 specimens. After phylogenetic analysis 37 specimens were recognized as BPV-1 and one as BPV-2. Phylogenetic analysis has allowed the classification of the amplicons into two phylogenetic groups (A1,) and four separate isolates (2, 10, 16, 17).

Partial sequence analysis of the L1 gene of bovine papillomavirus type 1 detected by PCR with MY09/MY11 primers in equine sarcoids in Poland.

BPV-1 is now recognized as a main etiological agent of equine sarcoids. The etiopathogenesis of the equine sarcoids is equivocal and is not yet fully understood. The aim of the present study was to analyse a partial sequence of the L1 gene of BPV associated with equine sarcoids in Polish horses. After clinical diagnosis, 40 skin lesions obtained from 29 horses were collected. The amplicons of a fragment of BPV L1 DNA were detected using PCR with MY09/MY11 primers in 31 specimens. All of them were recognized as BPV-1. Phylogenetic analysis has allowed the amplicons of partial L1 gene to be divided into 3 phylogenetic groups (A, B, C) and one separate isolate (20c). Sequence variants from phylogenetic groups B, C and isolate 20c represented new genetic variants of BPV-1 L1. Sequence variants from groups B and C were submitted to GenBank NCBI.

Neoplastic lesions in slaughter animals in Warminsko-Mazurskie voivodship (Poland) area during the years 2001-2007.

During the period of 7 years, 2001-2007, 110,273 heads of cattle and 3,055,654 heads of pigs were examined by veterinarians of the Polish Veterinary Inspection in Warminsko-Mazurskie voivodship. As a result of pre- and post-slaughter examination, 311 heads of cattle and 23 heads of pigs representing 0.279% and 0.00075% of the population respectively were considered unsuitable due to neoplastic lesions. The most frequently found lesions in cattle were fibroneuromas, neuromas and liposarcomas while in case of pigs those were various types of sarcomas, fibromas, cancers, nephromas and melanomas.

The legal requirements concerning transport of slaughter animals in Poland.

Conditions of trading and handling of animals during transportation are regulated by numerous norms which cover the humanitarian, sanitary, veterinary as well as technical and construction requirements to transportation means. Veterinary services play a particular role in trade of slaughter animals due to their controlling authority. They execute sanitary supervision over animal trading according to the regulations. Polish legislation related to the transport of animals is adjusted to the European Union standards.