Seroprevalencija bolesti Aujeszkoga u populaciji domaćih svinja u razdoblju od 2013. do 2021. godine u Republici Hrvatskoj

Aujeszky\u27s disease is a viral disease of animals, primarily pigs, which are considered to be the natural hosts. It is endemic in many parts of the world, but there are areas and countries that have successfully eradicated this disease. Due to mandatory control measures and trade barriers, Aujeszky\u27s disease causes significant economic losses. Although, it has been eradicated in most European Union Member States, there are still areas and countries where it persists. In the Republic of Croatia, the disease has not yet been eradicated from the domestic pig population, although surveillance and eradication has been carried out since 2013. This paper presents the results of serological testing of domestic pigs for Aujeszky\u27s disease in the period from 2013 to 2021. The prevalence of Aujeszky\u27s disease at the farm level by year in the study period ranged from 4.66% (CI 95%, 4.39-4.95) to 0.67% (CI 95%, 0.35-1.28). Since 2016, prevalence was at an average level of 1.26% (CI 95%, 0.67-1.95%). The highest prevalence 10.28% (CI 95%, 9.15-11.53) was found in Varaždin County, and the lowest 0.14 % (CI 95%, 0.07-0.31) in Krapina-Zagorje County.Bolest Aujeszkoga je virusna bolest životinja, prije svih svinja koje se smatraju i njezinim prirodnim domaćinom. Bolest je u u mnogim dijelovima svijeta endemična, ali postoje područja i države koje su ovu bolest uspješno iskorijenile. Zbog obveznih mjera kontrole i trgovinskih barijera bolest Aujeszkoga izaziva velike ekonomske gubitke. Iako je ova bolest u većini država članica Europske unije iskorijenjena, postoje područja i države u kojima ona i dalje perzistira. Iako se nadziranje i iskorjenjivanje provodi od 2013. godine u Republici Hrvatskoj bolest još uvijek nije iskorijenjena iz populacije domaćih svinja. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati seroloških pretraga domaćih svinja na bolest Aujeszkoga u razdoblju od 2013. do 2021. godine. Prevalencija bolesti Aujeszkoga na razini gospodarstava po godinama istraživanog razdoblja kretala se u rasponu od: 4,66 % (CI 95%, 4,39-4,95) do 0,67 % (CI 95%, 0,35-1,28). Od 2016. godine prevalencija se zadržavala na prosječnoj razini od 1,26 %, (CI 95%, 0,67-1,95%). Najveća prevalencija utvrđena je u Varaždinskoj županiji (10,28 %, CI 95%, 9,15-11,53), a najmanja u Krapinsko-zagorskoj županiji 0,14% (CI 95%, 0,07-0,31)

Application of commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies for foot-and-mouth disease virus in wild boar and red deer

For detecting antibodies towards foot and mouth (FMD) virus in sera collected from red deer hinds (Cervus elaphus) and wild boars (Sus scrofa), three commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used. Two ELISA kits (PrioCHECK FMDV NS and CHEKIT FMD-3ABC) were used for the detection of antibodies towards non-structural proteins of FMD virus and one assay was based on the detection of antibodies for serotype O (PrioCHECK FMDV type O). All of the sera tested in our study were negative for antibodies against FMD virus. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of commercially available ELISA kits given for marketing authorization in Croatia in testing the prevalence of FMD antibodies in wild boar and red deer populations. Since the producers of ELISA kits used in our study did not declare wild animals as a target species, we hypothesised that the same kits could be used for serological diagnosis of FMD in red deer and wild boars. Our study confirmed that the kits used are acceptable for detecting antibodies in both species tested, however, the investigation highlighted the problem of validating the kits due to the absence of available positive sera originating from red deer, as well as other susceptible species, especially artiodactyls

HEPATITIS E IN CROATIA – GUIDELINES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Hepatitisu E pridaje se velika pozornost kao emergentnoj zoonozi koja se pojavljuje diljem svijeta. Kliničke slike variraju od teških fulminantnih oblika u nerazvijenim zemljama do blažih, dijagnostički neprepoznatih hepatitisa u razvijenima. Sve se češće opisuje kronični hepatitis E u osoba s transplantiranim solidnim organima i HIV-bolesti. Dijagnoza hepatitisa E postavlja se određivanjem protutijela anti-HEV-IgM i IgG uz potvrdni Western blot te dokazivanjem HEV RNK. U Hrvatskoj je prvi slučaj autohtone bolesti dokazan 2012. godine uzrokovan HEV-om genotipa 3 (HEV-3). Prikazujemo suvremene spoznaje o hepatitisu E, nadopunjene vlastitim rezultatima testiranja u Klinici za infektivne bolesti u Zagrebu te smjernice za dijagnostiku i liječenje imunokompetentnih i imunokompromitiranih osoba. Od 2011. do 2014. godine HEV je testiran u 1107 bolesnika, a anti-HEV-protutijela imalo je njih 117 (10,6%). Akutna HEV-infekcija dijagnosticirana je u 25 (2,3%) bolesnika. S obzirom na utvrđenu prevalenciju protutijela, zaključujemo da HEV-dijagnostika treba biti dio dijagnostičkog panela za bolesnike s povišenim aminotransferazama.Hepatitis E is attributed great attention as an emerging worldwide-distributed zoonosis. The clinical presentation varies from severe fulminant in underdeveloped to milder forms of diagnostically unrecognized hepatitis cases in developed countries. Chronic hepatitis E is more often described in subjects with transplanted solid organs and HIV disease. The diagnosis of hepatitis E is established by determination of anti-HEV IgM and IgG with Western blot confirmation and detection of HEV RNA. In Croatia, the first case of indigenous disease caused by HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) was detected in 2012. In this paper we present current knowledge on hepatitis E supplemented by own results obtained at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. In the period from 2011-2014, HEV was tested in 1107 patients, of whom 117 (10.6%) had anti-HEV antibodies. Acute HEV infection was diagnosed in 25 (2.3%) patients. Considering the prevalence of antibodies we can conclude that HEV diagnostics should be included in the diagnostic panel for patients with elevated aminotransferases

The Centenary Progress of Molecular Genetics. A 100th Anniversary of T. H. Morgan’s Discoveries

A century ago, Thomas Hunt Morgan, the American scientist, studied the cytogenetic changes of drosophila and came to cytogenetic explanation of Mendel’s basic laws of genetic heredity. These studies resulted in today’s Mendel-Morgan chromosomal theory of heredity. On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of this important discovery the authors have decided to give a review of the most significant achievments in the field of molecular genetics until the completion of the Human Genome Project. The most important points concerning the technology of DNA recombination and genetic engineering are also presented. The final section discusses the significance of previous achievements of molecular genetics in biomedicine and other related fields. There is also a tabular presentation of the sequence of the most important findings in the field of molecular genetics through time

The silent spread of Porcine Bocavirus in Croatian pigs: should we be concerned?

A survey was conducted to evaluate the presence and prevalence of Porcine Bocavirus (PBoV) in Croatian domestic pigs by means of PCR targeting the NS1 gene fragment of PBoV. This study included testing of faecal samples collected from 10 small commercial farms and 11 small backyard holdings in Croatia. The presence of PBoV was confirmed by PCR in 24 out of 57 composite faecal samples from small commercial farms and in 12 out of 43 composite faecal samples from small backyard holdings. The PCR products of 18 positive samples were sequenced for genotyping. PBoV sequences grouped into the PBoV-a, PBoV-b and PBoV-c groups with 90.81% to 99.25% nucleotide identity. All Croatian PBoV sequences showed a high nucleotide and amino acid identity with PBoV sequences from China and Hong Kong, the United States, Sweden, and Slovenia. These results clearly show that PBoV is circulating among the domestic pig population in Croatia

The most significant parvovirus infection in croatian domestic animals

Velika porodica Parvoviridae rasprostranje- na je diljem svijeta i uvelike ugrožava zdravlje ljudi i životinja, posebice domaćih životinja, mačka, pasa i konja. Znaci zaraze pripadnici- ma porodice Parvoviridae variraju od posve ne- zamjetljivih do po život opasnih stanja pa osim opsežnog pobola nastaju i golemi gospodarski gubitci. Zbog osmišljavanja djelotvornije ob- rane danas su u središtu pozornosti veterinar- ske medicine nastojanja da se te bolesti bolje upoznaju. Stoga su autori nastojali načiniti sažet, ali iscrpan prikaz najznačajnijih infek- cija parvovirusima u naših domaćih životinja. Ponajprije izložiti osnovne značajke parvovi- rusa, a potom opisati podporodicu Parvovirine koja prouzroči zaraze kralješnjaka. S obzirom da se učestalošću posebno ističu rodovi Bo- caparvovirus i Protoparvovirus, oni su detaljno izloženi. Rod Bocaparvovirus je izložen kroz nji- hove značajke, životni ciklus, dijagnozu i pa- tofiziologiju te liječenje i preventivu. Opisane su i glavne značajke roda Protoparvovirus s posebnim naglaskom na povijest, obilježja, inačice virusa, kliničku sliku i patofiziologiju, dijagnozu te zaštitu od zaraze. Samo dobrim poznavanjem mehanizma djelovanja opisanih virusa moguće je u budućnosti uspješno suz- bijati ove bolesti.The large Parvoviridae family of viruses is spread all over the world and endangers human and animal health, especially domestic animals, cats, dogs and horses. Signs of infection with viruses of the Parvoviridae family vary from completely undetectable to life-threatening agents, and may result in massive economic losses. Due to the more effective defence, attention is currently focused on veterinary medicines to make these diseases better known. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review of the most significant Parvovirus infections in domestic animals in Croatia. First, the basic features of the Parvovirus family are outlined. Subsequently, the subfamily Parvovirinae is described as a group that infects vertebrates and is widely recognized as the cause of losses and health disorders in domestic animals. The genus Dependoparvovirus, due to its recognized binding site, has great potential for use in gene therapy investigations. Furthermore, the genera Bocaparvovirus and Protoparvovirus are the two most common genera in the subfamily Parvovirinae, and are therefore more specifically described. Moreover, both are described as pathologic agents in animals, where strains of the genus Bocaparvovirus were recently detected in the swine population in Croatia. The virus features, life cycle, diagnosis, pathophysiology, treatment and prevention of the genus Bocaparvovirus are described. The genus Protoparvovirus is described through its features, clinical picture, diagnosis, pathophysiology and prevention. Only with good knowledge of the mechanism of the action of these viruses can infections be successfully combatted in the future. However, further investigation and greater knowledge are needed to understand the epidemiology of parvovirus infections and the possible interspecies transmission of some of their representatives

Characterisation of pseudorabies virus in domestic pigs and wild boars in Croatia

Serological data imply that pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s disease) is present in domestic pigs and wild boars in Croatia. Therefore, this study included testing of brain tissue samples collected from 200 domestic pigs and 105 wild boars originating from seventeen districts of Croatia. The presence of pseudorabies virus (PrV) DNA was confirmed in samples originating from six domestic pigs (3%) and one wild boar (0.95%). Positive samples were sequenced and analysed on the basis of a gC genome fragment. PrV strains have shown to be genetically identical and they are strongly related to some representative strains in the relatively heterogeneous Clade A. The results clearly show that PrV is still circulating among the domestic pig population in Croatia. Furthermore, the presence of pseudorabies virus in wild boars underlines the importance of this species as a PrV reservoir. Continued surveillance is necessary to track the viral spread in order to achieve final eradication of the disease

New/old swine viruses - Porcine teschovirus and Sapelovirus

Svinjski teschovirus (STV) i sapelovirus (SSV) su maleni RNK virusi bez ovojnice koji su klasificirani u porodicu Picornaviridae, porodicu koja uključuje varijabilne i heterogene enteričke viruse uobičajeno prisutne u fecesu domaćih svinja. Infekcije STV-om i SSV-om su najčešće asimptomatske i rasprostranjene u populaciji domaćih svinja. Poznato je da inficiraju i divlje svinje iako je na njima napravljeno manje istraživanja. Povremeno STV infekcije rezultiraju kliničkom bolesti sa simptomima neuroloških poremećaja koji mogu biti snažni (Tješenska bolest) ili blagi (bolest Talfan). Termin SMEDI sindrom (engl. Stillbirth, Mummified fetus, Embryonic Death, Infertility) opisuje skup reproduktivnih poremećaja prouzročenih infekcijom STV-om te SSV-om. S obzirom da nema zabilježenih slučajeva prijenosa infekcije sa svinja na ljude, smatra se da STV i SSV nemaju zoonotski potencijal. Diferencijalna dijagnostika uključuje pseudorabies (bolest Aujeszkog), klasičnu i afričku svinjsku kugu, virus reprodukcijskog i respiratornog sindroma svinja. U ovom radu opisujemo spoznaje vezane za trenutnu proširenost STV i SSV u svijetu, etiologiju, patogenezu i kliničku sliku, dijagnostiku, liječenje i prevenciju te osvrt na situaciju u Republici Hrvatskoj.Porcine Teschovirus (PTV) and Sapelovirus (PSV) are small, nonenveloped RNA viruses belonging to the Picornaviridae family, comprising highly variable and heterogeneous enteric viruses, commonly found in faecal samples from domestic pigs. Infections by PTV and PSV are usually asymptomatic and widespread in domestic pigs. This also appears to be the case in wild boar, though fewer studies have been performed in these wild suids. Occasionally, swine PTV infection results in clinical disease, with the most characteristic outcome being neurological disorders, which can be severe (Teschen disease) or mild (Talfan disease). Reproductive disorders associated with PTV and PSV infection have been termed “SMEDI syndrome” (stillbirth [S], mummified fetus [M], embryonic death [ED], infertility [I]). Since there are no reports of pig to human transmission, it is considered that PTV and STV have no zoonotic potential. Differential diagnoses are required to exclude pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s disease), classical and African swine fever and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. This paper provides an overview of PTV and PSV regarding its history and worldwide geographical distribution etiology, pathogenesis and clinical manifestation, diagnosis, therapy and prevention, with an overview of situation in Croatia

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) – victim and ally of the most important viral infections in europe

Divlja je svinja jedna od najstarijih preživjelih vrsti životinja na euroazijskom području. Danas je proširena u Europi, Aziji, Africi, a uvedena je i na područje Sjeverne Amerike. Zbog svoje visoke prilagodljivosti, klimatskih promjena, načina gospodarenja lovištima i malog broja prirodnih neprijatelja, divlja je svinja najmanje ugrožena vrsta životinja i njezin broj sustavno raste. Danas ona predstavlja ugrozu poljoprivrednicima kojima nanosi štete, a zbog hrane ulazi i u prigradska te gradska okružja. Prepoznata je za jednog od najznačajnijih rezervoara virusnih infekcija životinja, ali i nekih zoonoza. Naime, divlja svinja može doći neposredno i posredno u dodir s domaćim životinjama te na taj način prenijeti uzročnike virusnih infekcija. Obzirom da je lov jedna od važnijih turističkih ponuda Hrvatske, a divlja svinja jedna od najtrofejnijih divljih životinja, dodir divlje svinje s ljudima može ugroziti i zdravlje ljudi. U ovom smo radu opisali ulogu divljih svinja pri prijenosu najznačajnijih virusnih infekcija u svinjogojskoj industriji Europe, poput šireće afričke svinjske kuge te nama poznate klasične svinjske kuge i za druge vrste životinja poput bolesti Aujeszkoga. Opisali smo i značenje divlje svinje kao rezervoara virusa hepatitisa E, danas sve značajnije zoonoze. Ujedno je dat osvrt na moguću pojavnost navedenih infekcija ili njihovu prisutnost u divljih svinja s područja Republike Hrvatske.The wild boar is one of the oldest animal species in Eurasia. Currently, it is spread throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and was introduced into North America in the 1920s. Due to its great adaptability, hunting ground management, its lack of natural enemies, and favorable climate changes, the wild boar is an animal species whose conservation status is of least concern and which is increasing in numbers. However, it presents a threat to farmers due to the losses caused by it eating and damaging crops. Furthermore, the wild boar is entering the suburbs or even centers of cities, and since it is known that wild boars may be sources of infectious diseases for different animal species, as well as numerous zoonoses, direct and indirect contact may cause interspecies transmission and the spread of viruses. Hunting may also be a risk factor in viral spread, since wild boar hunting is a significant tourist attraction in Europe, including Croatia, and wild boars are a prestigious trophy. Hunted wild boar carcasses and blood may be sources of infection not only for animals but for humans as well. This is a review regarding the role of wild boars as reservoirs of the most important viral infections in the swine industry in Europe, such as African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF) and Aujeszky’s disease (AD). Even though ASF has never been reported in Croatia, its continuous spread throughout Europe is cause for concern. Currently, the infection is 200 km from Croatia’s borders, and early preparedness measures have been taken. CSF has been one of the most devastating diseases in swine production in Croatia. The last outbreak was recorded in 2006-2008. However, surveillance programs are still being implemented to ensure the healthy status of swine and wild boars. AD has been diagnosed in wild boars, and sporadic cases of infection in hunting dogs have occurred in the last decade. Therefore, the infection is still a threat to the swine industry. We have also described the importance of wild boars as reservoirs of hepatitis E (HE), an emerging public health problem and zoonosis. The Croatian Veterinary Institute has been involved in epidemiological studies of HE since 2007. However, a thorough investigation involving the testing of domestic pigs, wild boars and other wild and domestic animal species started in 2009. Currently, the domestic pig and wild boar are the only animal reservoirs of HE in Croatia, but wild boar may be chronically infected and spread the virus for months