Porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses – a new threat to domestic pigs in Croatia

Porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses 1, 2 and 3 (PLHV-1, PLHV-2 and PLHV-3) are DNA viruses belonging to the genus Macavirus and the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae within the family Herpesviridae. PLHV was detected in domestic pigs in Germany in 1999, with subsequent outbreaks in Spain, Brazil, Italy and Ireland, which was the trigger for our preliminary study to investigate its occurrence in Croatian pig herds. According to previous studies, natural infections with PLHV in domestic pigs do not cause clinical signs of disease. However, PLHV-1 has been found to cause lymphoproliferative disorders in domestic pigs after bone marrow transplantation that are similar to those described in humans infected with human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), which originates from individuals after organ transplantation. HHV-4 is the causative agent of mononucleosis and is the first virus described to have oncogenic potential. HHV-8 causes Kaposi’s sarcoma and contributes to the development of lymphoproliferative disorders in humans, such asprimary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman’s disease. In this study, blood and spleen samples from domestic pigs were analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction, which has been shown to be an excellent method for the detection of PLH viruses as it is rapid, highly specific and sensitive. The presence of all three PLHV strains in domestic pigs in Croatia was confirmed for the first time with a prevalence of 55.8% regardless of breeding conditions. The most dominant strain was PLHV-1 and the most frequent co-infection was PLHV-1 with PLHV-3. The virus was detected in 10 Croatian counties, with the highest prevalence found in Vukovar-Srijem County. Although herpesviruses are generally species-specific, the close genetic relationship of PLHV with HHV-4 and HHV-8 may indicate a possible zoonotic potential, particularly in immunocompromised human recipients following xenotransplantation. Further investigation of PLHV will contribute to a better understanding of its importance in maintaining the health of pigs and will include genotyping to identify origin of the viruses and potential public health risks

Cetacean species found stranded along Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea as bioindicators of non-essential trace elements in the environment

In tissues of toothed whales from the Adriatic Sea (muscle, liver, kidney, lung, spleen, adipose tissue and skin) the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) were analysed. In total, 186 dolphins were analysed; 155 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus), 25 striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) and 6 Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus). Cadmium concentrations in tissue samples ranged from 0.001 mg/kg in muscle to 16.8 mg/kg wet weight in kidney. Arsenic concentrations in dolphin samples ranged from 0.010 to 12.9 mg/kg ww. The lowest As concentration was found in spleen and highest in liver of bottlenose dolphin. Cadmium and As levels in Risso's dolphins showed higher concentrations in all tissues in comparison to bottlenose and striped dolphins. >50 % of the measured Pb values for all three species of dolphins and examined tissues were lower than 0.1 mg/kg. The accumulation of Cd and As during the lifetime was confirmed. None of the dolphins analysed in this study were exposed to concentrations of Cd in the liver higher than 20 mg/kg wet weight, which can cause renal failure in marine mammals. Numerous species of marine mammals inhabit coastal environments alongside humans and utilize similar food sources, such as fish and cephalopods. Consequently, these mammals can function as valuable indicators of public health concerns

Quantifying the effects of the mitochondrial genome on milk production traits in dairy cows: Empirical results and modeling challenges

Substantial advances in livestock traits have been achieved primarily through selection strategies targeting variation in the nuclear genome, with little attention given to mitogenome variation. We analyzed the influence of the mitogenome on milk production traits of Holstein cattle in Croatia based on strategically generated next-generation sequencing data for 109 cows pedigree-linked to 7,115 milk production records (milk, fat, and protein yield) from 3,006 cows (first 5 lactations). Because little is known about the biology of the relationship between mitogenome variation and production traits, our quantitative genetic modeling was complex. Thus, the proportion of total variance explained by mitogenome inheritance was estimated using 5 different models: (1) a cytoplasmic model with maternal lineages (CYTO), (2) a haplotypic model with mitogenome sequences (HAPLO), (3) an amino acid model with unique amino acid sequences (AMINO), (4) an evolutionary model based on a phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees phylogenetic analysis (EVOL), and (5) a mitogenome SNP model (SNPmt). The polygenic autosomal and X chromosome additive genetic effects based on pedigree were modeled, together with the effects of herd-year-season interaction, permanent environment, location, and age at first calving. The estimated proportions of phenotypic variance explained by mitogenome in 4 different models (CYTO, HAPLO, AMINO, and SNPmt) were found to be substantial given the size of mitogenome, ranging from 5% to 7% for all 3 milk traits. At the same time, a negligible proportion of the phenotypic variance was explained by mitogenome with the EVOL model. Similarly, in all models, no proportion of phenotypic variance was explained by the X chromosome. Although our results should be confirmed in other dairy cattle populations, including a large number of sequenced mitogenomes and nuclear genomes, the potential of utilizing mitogenome information in animal breeding is promising, especially as the acquisition of complete genome sequences becomes cost-effective

Characterization and differentiation of beech and chestnut honeydew honeys: A comparative study

This study compares beech (Fagus sylvatica) and chestnut (Castanea sativa) honeydew honeys through analyses of physicochemical properties, pollen composition, phenolic and volatile compounds, and bioactivity. Beech honey exhibited higher antioxidant activity (up to 1.81 mmol TE/kg) compared to chestnut honey (0.79 mmol TE/kg), though both had similar total phenolic and flavonoid content. A total of 37 phenolic compounds, including propolis-derived flavonoids, were detected, with taxifolin and phenylamides as potential markers of botanical origin. Volatile profiles distinguished the types, with beech honey rich in 2-furanmethanol and nonanal, while chestnut honey had unique benzaldehyde and furfural notes. Both honeys demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones up to 20 mm and effective MICs (0.025–0.2 g/mL). Although not currently classified by botanical origin in EU regulations, the study highlights distinctive polyphenol and volatile profiles, as well as bioactive properties, between beech and chestnut honeydew honeys

Avifauna of the National Park Mljet: Focus on target species and their threats

The island of Mljet is located in the southern Adriatic Sea. The island is heavily forested and surrounded by smaller, barren islets. The western part of the island and surrounding sea are declared a National Park and a Special Protection Area (SPA). The research was conducted from April 2007 to June 2024, primarily focusing on five target species: the Audouin’s Gull, the Mediterranean Shag, the Peregrine Falcon, the European Honey-buzzard, and the Common Tern. Other species were also recorded to update the existing avifauna list. During the research, we noted threats that could affect the target species. The status (breeding, wintering, passage, vagrants) was determined for every species, and both literature data and previous field data were analysed. A total of 154 species were recorded, of which 54 breed on the island of Mljet, and out of those, 37 breed within the National Park. This study aimed to monitor the target species and to update the inventory of the avifauna of the National Park Mljet and the rest of the Island of Mlje

Editorial for the Special Issue “Emerging Viral Zoonoses, Second Edition”

The “One World–One Health” framework has underscored the critical need for interdisciplinary collaboration in understanding and combating emerging viral zoonose

Chemical Characterization of Rare Unifloral Honeys of Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima), Fennel (Foenicum vulgare), and Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity

Characterization of unifloral honey is of great importance for the definition of quality standards and the confirmation of the authenticity of honey. In this study, standard physicochemical analyses, pollen analyses, determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content, analysis of antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity, and qualitative and quantitative analyses of phenolic compounds by LC–MS/MS method were performed in three rare uniofloral honeys—ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and raspberry (Rubus idaeus) honeys. The results showed that each honey type has specific physicochemical properties and phenolic content, which consequently influence its biological activity. All honey samples showed good characteristics, according to the compositional and quality criteria of the standard codex for honey. Generally, the ailanthus honey samples had a higher total phenolic and flavonoid content, while the fennel samples showed greater variability. The ailanthus honey samples also showed higher DPPH antioxidant activity, and the ABTS and ORAC assays revealed no differences between the honey types analysed, with the exception of the raspberry honey. In ailanthus honey, the flavonoids chrysin, quercetin, and the phenolic acid 3,4-DHBA were the most abundant. Several quercetin derivatives, including quercetin-3-glucuronide, quercitrin, and quercetin methyl ether, were detected in the fennel honey. In addition, raspberry honey exhibited a distinct phenolic profile containing catechin, epicatechin, quercetin rhamnoside, sakuranetin, tectochrysin, quercetin dimethyl ether, rhamnetin, caffeic acid benzy ether, and pinobanksin-3-O-pentanoate. The strongest results for antibacterial activity came from ailanthus honey. The increased antimicrobial activity of ailanthus honey was found especially against S. aureus and E. coli and moderately against A. baumannii. This study is the first step towards a thorough characterization of ailanthus, fennel, and raspberry honeys and may contribute to the recognition of these rare honeys and provide a good basis for their use in the pharmaceutical industry

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in cheese and in cow mastitis – a case report

Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous and causes listeriosis, which manifests in animals in the form of septicaemia, encephalitis, abortions, and, rarely, mastitis. In humans, food is the main source of infection, which is the reason food business operators take samples and test for Listeria. We report a case of L. monocytogenesdetection in traditional cheese made from raw milk, and subsequent investigation revealed that L. monocytogenes was excreted from a cow mammary gland. Although treatment was carried out according to the results of the antibiogram, there was no improvement in the subclinical mastitis and the excretion of L. monocytogenes after treatment was 8.8x102cfu/mL, and therefore the cow was removed from the herd

New Challenges and Achievements in Mediterranean Fish Health Management

The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) are key species in marine aquaculture, cultivated in both EU and North African/Levant Mediterranean regions. Production disparities between these areas emphasize a significant reliance on trade for juveniles, feed, and other resources, posing notable biosecurity risks. Addressing shared health concerns across the Mediterranean requires a regional approach to ensure successful management. A recent workshop delved into pivotal topics, including insights from concluded Horizon 2020 projects, effectiveness of nutraceuticals in combating parasitic infections, legal considerations surrounding autogenous vaccines, updated knowledge in betanodavirus infections, and biosecurity measures in Mediterranean aquaculture. Discussions also explored upcoming challenges such as sustainability in cage-based production, impact of climate change, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, fortifying biosecurity measures, advocating for education, and fostering networking opportunities

Heavy metal concentrations in fish pond water after application of EM-1® effective microorganisms

Effective microorganisms are being increasingly exploited in aquaculture. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of using effective microorganisms on heavy metal concentrations in fish pond water. This 105-day study was conducted at two fish ponds, control and experimental, used for commercial production of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The EM-1® effective microorganisms were applied as a water supplement. The following elements were detected in the water of both fish ponds: aluminium, arsenic, beryllium, copper, lithium, manganese, vanadium, zinc, iron, barium, boron, uranium and strontium. Iron concentrations were highest in the fish ponds, ranging from 230.0 to 777.0 µg/L, whereas beryllium concentrations were lowest, ranging from the quantification limit to 2.5 µg/L. At the end of the study period, the levels of aluminium, beryllium, copper, manganese, vanadium, iron, barium, boron and uranium were significantly lower (P0.05) between the two fish ponds. Accordingly, the study results indicated the potential of EM-1® for improving fish pond water quality by reducing the concentrations of particular heavy metals in the water