Seroprevalencija meadi-visna virusa i procjena rizičnih čimbenika u populaciji ovaca u jugozapadnoj Hrvatskoj

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to detect the presence of maedi visna virus (MVV) infections in sheep in three counties in southwestern Croatia: Istria County, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Lika-Senj County, and to estimate the influence of geographical location, breed, age and gender as risk factors on the prevalence rate. A total of 460 randomly selected sheep were tested using a commercially available ID Screen® MVV/CAEV Indirect screening test, VISNAS-5P (ID.VET, Grabels France) for detection of antibodies against the Maedi-Visna virus. The prevalence rate for the entire population was 10.00 % (95 % 7.26 - 12.74 %), The highest seroprevalence of MVV was found in Istria County (19.02%, CI 95% 13.35 –24.70%), followed by Lika-Senj County (5.43 %, CI 95 % 2.17- 8.70) and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County (1.07 %, CI 95 % -1.03 – 3.17) (P<0.01). When comparing the seroprevalence among breeds, statistically significant differences were observed. The largest number of positive sheep was found in the following breeds: Istrian Pramenka (22.97%, CI 95% 13.39 - 32.55%), Jezersko-Solcava sheep (23.53%, CI 95% 11.89 - 35.17%%), Pramenka (13.16%, CI 95% 2.41 - 23.91%) and Lika sheep (9.78%, CI 95% 3.71- 15.85%). Prevalence rates in other examined breeds (Krk sheep, Pag sheep and Romanov sheep) were lower than 2 % (P<0.01). No statistically significant differences in seroprevalence between sex and age were found. According to risk estimation, the main risk factors were found to be geographical location and breed. In Istria County, seroprevalence was 4.77 ( CI 95 % 2.67 – 8.54) higher than in other examined areas (OR = 5.66, CI 95 % 2.97-10.79) (P<0.01). As for breeds, significant differences were observed between Jezersko-Solcava sheep and Lika sheep (OR = 2.84, CI 95% 1.13-7.14) and Istrian Pramenka in relation to Pag sheep (OR 22.51,, CI 95% 16.99-119.73), Krk sheep (OR 19.53, CI 95% 5.80-108.27), and Lika sheep (OR 2.35, CI 95% 1.17-6.47). This cross-section study indicates the circulation of MVV in this sheep population in Croatia, and represents the first research into the risk factors for MVV in sheep in southwestern Croatia.Cilj istraživanja bio je otkriti prisutnost infekcija virusom maedi visna (MVV) kod ovaca u tri županije u jugozapadnoj Hrvatskoj - Istarskoj, Primorsko-goranskoj i Ličko-senjskoj te procijeniti utjecaj geografske lokacije, pasmine, dobi i spola kao čimbenike rizika za stopu prevalencije. Ukupno je pregledano 460 nasumično odabranih ovaca postupkom ELISE ID Screen® MVV/CAEV indirektnog testa VISNAS-5P za otkrivanje protutijela protiv virusa maedi-visna. Stopa prevalencije za cijelu populaciju iznosila je 10,00% (CI 95% 7,26 - 12,74%). Najveća seroprevalencija MVV utvrđena je u Istarskoj županiji (19,02%, CI 95% 13,35–24,70%), zatim u Ličko-senjskoj županija (5,43%, CI 95% 2,17-8,70) i Primorsko-goranska županija (1,07%, CI 95% -1,03 - 3,17) (P<0,01). Usporedbom seroprevalencije između pasmina uočene su statistički znakovite razlike. Najveći broj pozitivnih ovaca nađen je kod istarske ovce (22,97%, CI 95% 13,39 - 32,55%), zatim jezersko-solčavske ovce (23,53%, CI 95% 11,89 - 35,17 %%), pramenke (13,16% , CI 95% 2,41 - 23,91%) i ličke pramenke (9,78%, CI 95% 3,71 - 15,85%). Stopa prevalencije u ostalih istraženih pasmina (krčka ovca, paška ovca i romanovska ovca) bila je niža od 2% (P<0,01). Statistički znakovite razlike u seroprevalenciji prema spola i dobi nisu ustanovljene. Kao glavni čimbenici rizika utvrđeni su zemljopisni položaj i pasmina. U Istarskoj županiji seroprevalencija je bila 4,77 (CI 95% 2,67 - 8,54) puta veća nego u ostalim istraženim područjima (OR = 5,66, CI 95% 2,97-10,79) (P<0,01). Uočene su znakovite razlike između jezerskosolčavske ovce i ličke pramenke (OR = 2,84, CI 95% 1,13-7,14) te istarske ovce u odnosu na pašku ovcu (OR 22,51 , CI 95% 16,99-119,73), krčku ovcu (OR 19,53, CI 95% 5,80-108,27) i ličku pramenku (OR 2,35, CI 95% 1,17-6,47). Rad predstavlja prvo istraživanje seroprevalencije i rizičnih čimbenika za MVV ovaca u jugozapadnoj Hrvatskoj. Rezultati ukazuje na prisutnost MVV infekcije te na važnost daljnjeg istraživanja bolesti u Hrvatskoj

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Stranded Loggerhead Sea Turtles on the Croatian Adriatic Coast

This study investigates the spatiotemporal trends of loggerhead turtles along the Croatian Adriatic coast by using stranding data and post-mortem analyses. Information on 620 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), collected in the period between 2010 and 2022, has been analysed. Seasonal stranding variations reveal distinct patterns, indicating season-specific abundance and age-specific mortality in different areas, particularly in the key neritic habitat of the northern Adriatic. The analysis identifies four critical areas in the northeast and central Adriatic showing high stranding densities and provides regional managers with a tool with which to effectively conserve and manage this species. Fishing-induced mortality, collision with vessels, and potential cold stunning are identified as major threats to loggerhead turtles. Post-mortem investigations reveal that longline fishing gear and collisions with vessels are significant age-specific mortality contributors, underscoring the need for targeted conservation efforts in high-risk areas. The study acknowledges potential biases in strandings records but highlights the importance of post-mortem investigations in understanding mortality causes. The findings provide valuable insights for improving conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of focused surveillance and conservation efforts in identified high-risk locations to mitigate human–turtle interactions

A Remarkable Genetic Diversity of Rotavirus A Circulating in Red Fox Population in Croatia

Rotaviruses (RV), especially Rotavirus A (RVA), are globally recognized as pathogens causing neonatal diarrhea, but they also affect intensive animal farming. However, the knowledge on their significance in wildlife is rather limited. The aim of the study was to unveil the prevalence, molecular epidemiology, and genetic diversity of RVA strains circulating in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population in Croatia. From 2018 to 2019, 370 fecal samples from fox carcasses hunted for rabies monitoring were collected. All samples were first tested using a VP2 real-time RT-PCR; in the subsequent course, positives were subjected to VP7 and VP4 genotyping. The results revealed an RVA prevalence of 14.9%, while the circulating RVA strains showed a remarkable genetic diversity in terms of 11 G and nine P genotypes, among which one G and three P were tentatively identified as novel. In total, eight genotype combinations were detected: G8P[14], G9P[3], G9P[23], G10P[11], G10P[3], G11P[13], G15P[21], and G?P[?]. The results suggest a complex background of previous interspecies transmission events, shedding new light on the potential influence of foxes in RVA epidemiology. Their role as potential reservoirs of broad range of RVA genotypes, usually considered typical solely of domestic animals and humans, cannot be dismissed

Next‐generation phylogeography resolves post‐glacial colonization patterns in a widespread carnivore, the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ), in Europe

Carnivores tend to exhibit a lack of (or less pronounced) genetic structure at continental scales in both a geographic and temporal sense and this can confound the identification of post-glacial colonization patterns in this group. In this study we used genome-wide data (using genotyping by sequencing [GBS]) to reconstruct the phylogeographic history of a widespread carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), by investigating broad-scale patterns of genomic variation, differentiation and admixture amongst contemporary populations in Europe. Using 15,003 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 524 individuals allowed us to identify the importance of refugial regions for the red fox in terms of endemism (e.g., Iberia). In addition, we tested multiple post-glacial recolonization scenarios of previously glaciated regions during the Last Glacial Maximum using an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) approach that were unresolved from previous studies. This allowed us to identify the role of admixture from multiple source population post-Younger Dryas in the case of Scandinavia and ancient land-bridges in the colonization of the British Isles. A natural colonization of Ireland was deemed more likely than an ancient human-mediated introduction as has previously been proposed and potentially points to a larger mammalian community on the island in the early post-glacial period. Using genome-wide data has allowed us to tease apart broad-scale patterns of structure and diversity in a widespread carnivore in Europe that was not evident from using more limited marker sets and provides a foundation for next-generation phylogeographic studies in other non-model species.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Next-generation phylogeography resolves post-glacial colonization patterns in a widespread carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), in Europe

Carnivores tend to exhibit a lack of (or less pronounced) genetic structure at continental scales in both a geographic and temporal sense using various mitochondrial DNA markers on modern and/or ancient specimens. This tends to confound the identification of refugial areas and post-glacial colonization patterns in this group. In this study we used Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) to reconstruct the phylogeographic history of a widespread carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), in Europe by investigating broad-scale patterns of genomic variation, differentiation and admixture amongst contemporary populations. Using 15,003 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 524 individuals allowed us to identify the importance of refugial regions for the red fox in terms of endemism (e.g. Iberia) and sources of post-glacial re-expansion (e.g. Carpathians and Balkans) across northern regions of the continent. In addition, we tested multiple post-glacial re-colonization scenarios of previously glaciated regions during the Last Glacial Maximum using an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) approach. We identified the role of ancient and temporary land-bridges in the colonization of Scandinavia and the British Isles, with a natural colonization of Ireland deemed more likely than an ancient human-mediated introduction as has previously been proposed. Using genome-wide data has allowed us to tease apart broad-scale patterns of structure and diversity in a widespread carnivore in Europe that was not always evident from using more limited marker sets

Next-generation phylogeography resolves post-glacial colonization patterns in a widespread carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), in Europe

Carnivores tend to exhibit a lack of (or less pronounced) genetic structure at continental scales in both a geographic and temporal sense using various mitochondrial DNA markers on modern and/or ancient specimens. This tends to confound the identification of refugial areas and post-glacial colonization patterns in this group. In this study we used Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) to reconstruct the phylogeographic history of a widespread carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), in Europe by investigating broad-scale patterns of genomic variation, differentiation and admixture amongst contemporary populations. Using 15,003 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 524 individuals allowed us to identify the importance of refugial regions for the red fox in terms of endemism (e.g. Iberia) and sources of post-glacial re-expansion (e.g. Carpathians and Balkans) across northern regions of the continent. In addition, we tested multiple post-glacial re-colonization scenarios of previously glaciated regions during the Last Glacial Maximum using an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) approach. We identified the role of ancient and temporary land-bridges in the colonization of Scandinavia and the British Isles, with a natural colonization of Ireland deemed more likely than an ancient human-mediated introduction as has previously been proposed. Using genome-wide data has allowed us to tease apart broad-scale patterns of structure and diversity in a widespread carnivore in Europe that was not always evident from using more limited marker sets