The occurrence of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs and cystic echinococcosis in cattle and sheep in Kosova

Deckblatt-Impressum persönlicher Dank Inhaltsverzeichnis Abkürzungsverzeichnis Einleitung Literaturübersicht Eigene Untersuchungen Ergebnisse Diskussion Zusammenfassung Summary Literaturverzeichnis Anhang Danksagung Lebenslauf SelbständigkeitserklärungIm Zeitraum von März 2003 bis Februar 2004 wurden Untersuchungen über das Vorkommen von Echinokokkose bei Hunden und zystischer Echinokokkose bei Rindern und Schafen, sowie Erhebungen über chirurgisch behandelte Hydatidose- Patienten im Kosova durchgeführt. Von den insgesamt 305 mit dem Flotations- Ovassayverfahren als Feldtest untersuchten Hunden waren 23 (7.5%) Ausscheider von Taeniiden-Eiern. Außer Taeniiden-Eier wurden auch Eier anderer Helminthen nachgewiesen, nämlich Hakenwürmer 139 (45.5%), Trichuris vulpis 87 (28.5%), Toxocara canis 42 (13.7%), Toxascaris leonina 21 (6.8%) und Dipylidium caninum 8 (2.6%). 144 der 305 Kotproben von verschieden gehaltenen Hunden wurden mittels des CA-ELISA (Koproantigen-Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) untersucht. In 6 Proben wurde das Koproantigen von E. granulosus nachgewiesen. Zur DNA-Gewinnung von Taeniiden-Eiern für die PCR konnten mittels des Flotations-Siebverfahrens in 21 (6.9%) der 305 Proben Taeniiden-Eier isoliert werden. Eine Häufigkeit der kaninen Echinokokkose von 1.3% (4/305) konnte durch die weitere Untersuchung von Taeniiden-Eiern in der PCR mit Primern spezifisch für E. granulosus- Schafstamm festgestellt werden. Die 4 mit dem E. granulosus- Schafstamm positiven Proben stammten je von einem Haushund, einem Streunerhund, einem Jagdhund und einem Hütehund. Die Hütehunde schieden am meisten mit bis zu 38% Taeniiden-Eier aus, gefolgt von den Streunerhunden mit 29%, Jagdhunden mit 19% und Haushunden mit 14%. Bei der semiquantitativen Auswertung der ausgeschiedenen Taeniiden-Eier zeigten 4 mit dem E. granulosus- Schafstamm positive Kotproben im Deckglas oder Kulturröhrchen gering-mittelgradig Eier (2 bis 10 Eier). Dagegen waren Hunde, die hochgradig (11-20 Eier) und massenhaft (>20 Eier) Taeniiden-Eier ausschieden, negativ für E. granulosus- Schafstamm mittels der PCR. Die Untersuchungen von Taeniiden- Eiern auf E. multilocularis mittels der PCR verliefen negativ. Bei 87 (23.8%) von insgesamt 365 Schlachtrindern konnte ein Befall mit zystischer Echinokokkose festgestellt werden. Die Hydatiden wurden ausschließlich sowohl in der Leber als auch in der Lunge gefunden. In 80% der Fälle konnten bis zu 10 Zysten gefunden werden. Die Zysten in der Lunge waren generell größer als in den Lebern. Es konnten keine fertilen Zysten mit Protoskolizes festgestellt werden. Von insgesamt 147 untersuchten Schlachtschafen konnten bei 68 (46.2%) Tieren Echinokokkenzysten nachgewiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse der Umfrage zeigen, dass das Schlachten der Tiere auf dem Land ohne tierärztliche Untersuchung eine große Rolle in der Epidemiologie der Echinokokkose spielt. Am häufigsten erfolgte die Schlachtung der Rinder im Winter und die mit Hydatiden befallenen Organe wurden hauptsächlich an Hunden verfüttert oder in den Müll geworfen. In zentralen Universitätskrankenhaus Prishtina, Abteilung chirurgisches Klinikum, wurden innerhalb der letzten 3 Jahre 163 Menschen an zystischer Echinokokkose operiert, wobei drei Viertel der operierten Patienten aus dem ruralen und ein Viertel aus dem urbanen Umfeld stammten.Surveys were carried out during the period March 2003 February 2004 to assess the occurrence of echinococcosis in dogs and cystic echinococcosis in cattle and sheep. Additionally, the incidence of surgically treated- hydatidosis patients was investigated. Shedding of taeniid eggs was found in 23 (7.5%) out of a total of 305 dogs, using the flotation-ovassay technique. Eggs from other helminths were detected as well: hookworms 139 (45.5%), Trichuris vulpis 87 (28.5%), Toxocara canis 42 (13.7%), Toxascaris leonina 21 (6.8%) and Dypilidium caninum 8 (2.6%). The CA-ELISA (Coproantigen-Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbent Assay) was used in a sample of 144 out of the total 305 faecal samples from dogs maintained under different managment systems. In six samples (1.96%) coproantigens of E. granulosus were detected. The flotation- sieving technique was applied to collect taeniid eggs for PCR; of the 305 samples 21 (6.9%) contained taeniid eggs. In these positive samples specific PCR primers for E. granulosus- sheep strain found 1.3% (4/305) positive with canine echinococcosis. The isolates originated from one stray dog, two animals used for hunting and sheepdogs, respectively, and the last case was a pet dog. Most of the eggs (38%) were shedded from the sheep dogs, followed by the stray dogs (29%), hunting dogs (19%) and pat dogs (14%). A semi-quantitative analysis of the shedded taeniid eggs showed low-moderate (2-10) egg counts of E. granulosus ( sheep strain ) under a cover slip or in culture tube. However, dogs shedding high (11-20) or very high numbers (>20) of eggs, were found negative when using the PCR for the E. granulosus- sheep strain . Specific primers for E. multilocularis did not react with the taeniid eggs. Out of a total of 365 slaughtered cattle 87 (23.8%) were infested with cystic echinococcosis. Only lungs and liver were infested. Up to 10 cysts could be detected in 80% of all cases. The cysts found in the lungs were generally larger than those from the livers. No cases of fertile cysts with protoscolices were detected. Echinococcosis cysts were found in 68 (46.2%) of 147 slaughtered sheep. The results indicate that the habit of domestic slaughtering of livestock without veterinary supervision can play a very important role in the epidemiology of echinococcosis. Slaughtering of cattle is generally performed during winter and the contaminated organs are either given to dogs or discarded. During the last three years 163 patients had to undergo clinical surgery for removal of cystic echinococcosis in the central university hospital of Prishtina. About 75% of these came from rural areas, the remainder were living in urban areas

Istraživanje virusnih bolesti u nekih slatkovodnih riba u Republici Kosovo.

This research was carried out to study the occurrence of viruses causing diseases in fish, namely Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS), Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN), Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN) in wild brown trout and Spring Vireaemia of Carp (SVC) in carp and silver crucian carp in Kosovo. Laboratory analyses were performed at the animal health service laboratory in Munich in Germany using the biomolecular method of RT-PCR and nested-PCR. Sampling sites included one carp farm, one lake, one river for common carp, as well as natural habitats from five rivers populated with brown trout in Kosovo. In the period from 2006 to 2008, 255 fish organs and whole fish (fry) were collected and pooled (five fish per pool) in 51 pools. The results of the laboratory analysis from the research showed that 25% (8 of 32) of brown trout sampled were IHNV positive in pools originating from three rivers and 3.1% (1 of 32) were IPNV positive from one river. Pools of cyprinids were 15.7% (3 of 19) SVCV positive originating from one carp farm. These results are indicative of a significant distribution of IHNV in brown trout, the presence of IPNV in brown trout and SVCV in cyprinids.U radu je istražena prisutnost virusne hemoragijske septikemije, zarazne hematopoetske nekroze i zarazne nekroze gušterače u potočne pastrve te proljetne viremije šarana u šarana i bijelog glavaša na Kosovu. Uzeti materijal bio je pretražen RT-PCR-om i ugniježđenim PCR-om u laboratoriju službe za životinjsko zdravlje u Münchenu u Njemačkoj. Uzorci šarana i bijeloga glavaša bili su prikupljeni na šaranskom ribnjačarstvu, na jezeru i rijeci, a uzorci potočne pastrve na pet rijeka. U razdoblju od 2006. do 2008. bilo je prikupljeno 255 uzoraka organa i cijelih riba (mlađ) te je po pet uzoraka bilo spojeno u 51 skupni uzorak. Rezultati laboratorijskih pretraga pokazali su da je u skupnim uzorcima potočne pastrve uzetima na trima rijekama 25% (8 od 32) uzoraka bilo pozitivno na virus zarazne hematopoetske nekroze, a na virus zarazne nekroze gušterače bilo je pozitivno 3,1% (1 of 32) iz jedne rijeke. Od skupnih uzoraka organa ciprinida uzetih na ribnjačarstvu, ukupno je 15,7% (3 od 19) bilo pozitivno na virus proljetne viremije šarana. Rezultati ukazuju na znatnu proširenost virusa zarazne hematopoetske nekroze i zarazne nekroze gušterače u potočne pastrve te virusa proljetne viremije šarana u ciprinida

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in food commodities consumed in Prishtina market

Ochratoxin A (OTA), is a mycotoxin, produced by a number Aspergillus species and Penicillium verrucosum, can be found in several food commodities including cereals, wine, coffee, cacao, spices or dried fruits, milk, meat resulting in a chronic human exposure. According to the toxicological studies, OTA has been shown to be nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic to animals and human. It is a regulated mycotoxin and maximum limits in a wide range of foodstuffs have been established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006. . The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of OTA in cereal derived products and roasted coffee beans and ground roasted beans from Prishtina market. A total of 112 samples were collected from different markets and traditional bazaars during 2016–2017 years, according to the sampling method for the official control of Ochratoxin A laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006. The analytical methods used in this study involved Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Our findings show that contamination levels of OTA in all cereal-derived products were lower than the permitted level by European Commission Regulation and Kosovo Food Codex. The frequencies of OTA contamination were 11.62%, 10.05% and 5.95% and the mean concentrations of positive samples were 0.72 μg/kg, 0.84 μg/kg, 0.41 μg/kg for maize flour, wheat-flour, and coffee samples, respectively

Utjecaj gospodarenja i fizioloških čimbenika na broj somatskih stanica u sirovu kravljem mlijeku u Kosovu

The main aim of this research was to study the effect of somatic cell count (SCC/mL) in raw milk in some cattle dairy farms according to the existing standards for raw milk quality in Kosovo. The results derive from 2203 individual samples from milk recording laboratory analyses in the period August 2007-February 2008. The GLM model was used to analyze the effect of different variables on the presence of SCC in raw milk. The effect of all variables was considered as a fi xed. The overall results show that herd (P<0.0001), breed (P<0.0004), month of the year (P<0.0001) and lactation number (P<0.0005), respectively, had a significant effect on the presence of SCC. According to the existing legislation in regard to the quality of raw milk for 2008 and 2009 the results gained show that if the milk quality produced continues to be the same then about 78.45% for 2008 and 70.88% for 2009, respectively, will belong to extra class milk quality (SCC/mL<300.000, SCC/mL<200.000). While about 11.31% for 2008 and 16.61% for 2009 will belong to poor quality milk-below standard (SCC/mL<600.000, SCC/mL<400.000). Although the presence rate of SCC on raw milk tends to be relatively low, it cannot by any means be underestimated bearing in mind that a high rate of SCC in raw milk is negatively correlated with farmers’ profi t, consumer food safety and overall animal health.Glavni cilj istraživanja bio je odrediti utjecaj broja somatskih stanica u mililitru na kakvoću sirova mlijeka na nekim gospodarstvima mliječnih krava na osnovi postojećih normi za kakvoću sirova mlijeka u Kosovu. U razdoblju od kolovoza 2007. do veljače 2008. laboratorijski su bila pretražena 2203 pojedinačna uzorka mlijeka. Model GLM bio je upotrijebljen za analizu učinka različitih varijabli na broj somatskih stanica u sirovom mlijeku. Učinak svih varijabli smatran je trajnim. Sveukupni rezultati pokazuju da su veličina stada (P<0,0001), pasmina (P<0,0004), mjesec u godini (P<0,0001) i broj laktacija (P<0,0005) značajno utjecali na broj somatskih stanica. Sukladno postojećim zakonskim odredbama s obzirom na kakvoću sirova mlijeka za 2008. i 2009. godinu polučeni rezultati pokazuju da će, zadrži li se kakvoća proizvedenoga mlijeka na istoj razini, oko 78,45% za 2008. i 70,88% za 2009. biti mlijeko iznimne kakvoće (broj somatskih stanica/mL<300.000, odnosno<200.000). S druge strane oko 11,31% za 2008. i 16,61% za 2009. uzoraka mlijeka bit će slabe kakvoće, tj. izvan standarda (broj somatskih stanica/mL<600.000 odnosno<400.000). Premda je broj somatskih stanica u sirovom mlijeku pretraženih krava zasada relativno nizak, njegov nalaz nipošto ne smije biti podcijenjen imajući na umu da visoka stopa povećanog broja somatskih stanica u uzorcima sirova mlijeka negativno utječe na dobit stočara, na sigurnost hrane za potrošača i općenito na zdravlje životinja

Risk factors for occurrence of displaced abomasum and their relation to nutritional management of Holstein dairy cattle

The aim of the present study was to identify nutritional risk factors for the occurrence of displaced abomasum (DA) in Holstein dairy cattle raised in regions with highly variable nutritional management. Feeding program data were collected from 30 dairy farms throughout Kosovo via use of a standardized questionnaire, and an AgriNIR™ Analyser was used to analyze the nutrient composition of forage (hay, corn silage) fed to cattle on those farms. A diagnosis of DA was made via auscultation/percutation in the area of the last rib and hearing of a ping sound. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine risk factors associated with the incidence of DA. The overall incidence of DA in this study was 4.9% (38 cases among 769 cows). Of cows diagnosed with DA, 81.6% (31/38) had left side DA and 18.4% (7/38) had right side DA. Nearly all DA occurred during the first month of the postpartum period - 92.1% (35/38); only 7.9% (3/38) were observed in the pre-partum period. Risk factors that elevated the occurrence of DA included increased intake of concentrate feed after parturition (P\u3c0.002), increased body condition score at calving (P\u3c0.01), larger herd size (P\u3c0.021), and increased daily consumption of corn silage in the pre-partum transition period (P\u3c0.051). An increase in daily consumption of grass hay in the pre-partum transition period decreased (P\u3c0.014) the incidence of DA. The results of this study are useful for developing enhanced nutritional management protocols to reduce the incidence of DA in Holstein dairy cattle

Čimbenici rizika za pojavu dislokacije sirišta i njihova povezanost s uvjetima hranidbe kod mliječnih goveda holštajnske pasmine

The aim of the present study was to identify nutritional risk factors for the occurrence of displaced abomasum (DA) in Holstein dairy cattle raised in regions with highly variable nutritional management. Feeding program data were collected from 30 dairy farms throughout Kosovo via use of a standardized questionnaire, and an AgriNIR™ Analyser was used to analyze the nutrient composition of forage (hay, corn silage) fed to cattle on those farms. A diagnosis of DA was made via auscultation/percutation in the area of the last rib and hearing of a ping sound. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine risk factors associated with the incidence of DA. The overall incidence of DA in this study was 4.9% (38 cases among 769 cows). Of cows diagnosed with DA, 81.6% (31/38) had left side DA and 18.4% (7/38) had right side DA. Nearly all DA occurred during the first month of the postpartum period - 92.1% (35/38); only 7.9% (3/38) were observed in the pre-partum period. Risk factors that elevated the occurrence of DA included increased intake of concentrate feed after parturition (P<0.002), increased body condition score at calving (P<0.01), larger herd size (P<0.021), and increased daily consumption of corn silage in the pre-partum transition period (P<0.051). An increase in daily consumption of grass hay in the pre-partum transition period decreased (P<0.014) the incidence of DA. The results of this study are useful for developing enhanced nutritional management protocols to reduce the incidence of DA in Holstein dairy cattleCilj istraživanja bio je identificirati čimbenike rizika u hranidbi koji doprinose pojavi dislokacije sirišta (DS) kod mliječnih goveda holštajnske pasmine, uzgajanih u područjima s različitim uvjetima hranidbe. Podatci o programu hranidbe prikupljeni su pomoću standardnog upitnika na 30 farmi za proizvodnju mlijeka širom Kosova, a analiza nutritivnog sastava u krmivima (sijeno, kukuruzna silaža) koja su na tim farmama korištena za hranidbu goveda obavljena je AgriNIR™ analizatorom. Dislokacija sirišta dijagnosticirana je osluškivanjem timpaničnog zvuka, uz primjenu metoda auskultacije/perkusije u području posljednjeg rebra. Modeli multivarijantne linearne regresije korišteni su za određivanje čimbenika rizika koji su povezani s incidencijom dislokacije sirišta. Ukupna incidencija dislokacije sirišta u ovom istraživanju bila je 4,9 % (38 slučajeva od 769 krava). Među kravama s dijagnosticiranom dislokacijom sirišta 81,6 % (31/38) krava imalo je dislokaciju u lijevu stranu, a 18,4 % (7/38) u desnu stranu. Gotovo sve dislokacije (92,1 %; 35/38) dogodile su se tijekom prvog mjeseca nakon teljenja, a samo 7,9 % (3/38) u razdoblju prije teljenja. Čimbenici rizika koji doprinose pojavnosti dislokacije sirišta uključivali su povećani unos koncentriranih krmiva nakon teljenja (P<0,002), višu ocjenu tjelesne kondicije pri teljenju (P<0,01), veću veličinu stada (P<0,021) i povećano dnevno uzimanje kukuruzne silaže u tranzicijskom razdoblju prije teljenja (P<0,051). Povećanje dnevnog uzimanja sijena od trava u tranzicijskom razdoblju prije teljenja doprinijelo je sniženju incidencije dislokacije sirišta (P<0,014). Rezultati ovog istraživanja korisni su za razvijanje boljih protokola u upravljanju hranidbom kojima bi se smanjila incidencija dislokacije sirišta u mliječnih goveda holštajnske pasmine

Dermanyssus gallinae in layer farms in Kosovo: a high risk for salmonella prevalence

Background The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae (D.g.) is a serious ectoparasitic pest of poultry and potential pathogen vector. The prevalence of D. g. and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. within mites on infested laying poultry farms were investigated in Kosovo. Findings In total, 14 populated layer farms located in the Southern Kosovo were assessed for D. g. presence. Another two farms in this region were investigated 6 months after depopulation. Investigated flocks were all maintained in cages, a common housing system in Kosovo. A total of eight farms were found to be infested with D. g. (50%) at varying levels, including the two depopulated farms. The detection of Salmonella spp. from D. g. was carried out using PCR. Out of the eight layer farms infested with D. g., Salmonella spp. was present in mites on three farms (37.5%). Conclusions This study confirms the high prevalence of D. g. in layer flocks in Kosovo and demonstrates the link between this mite and the presence of Salmonella spp. on infested farms

Evaluation of west nile virus diagnostic capacities in veterinary laboratories of the mediterranean and black sea regions

The increasing incidence of West Nile virus (WNV) in the Euro-Mediterranean area warrants the implementation of effective surveillance programs in animals. A crucial step in the fight against the disease is the evaluation of the capacity of the veterinary labs to accurately detect the infection in animal populations. In this context, the animal virology network of the MediLabSecure project organized an external quality assessment (EQA) to evaluate the WNV molecular and serological diagnostic capacities of beneficiary veterinary labs. Laboratories from 17 Mediterranean and Black Sea countries participated. The results of the triplex real time RT-PCR for simultaneous detection and differentiation of WNV lineage 1 (L1), lineage 2 (L2) and Usutu virus (USUV) were highly satisfactory, especially for L1 and L2, with detection rates of 97.9% and 100%, respectively. For USUV, 75% of the labs reported correct results. More limitations were observed for the generic detection of flaviviruses using conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), since only 46.1% reported correct results in the whole panel. As regards the serological panel, the results were excellent for the generic detection of WNV antibodies. More variability was observed for the specific detection of IgM antibodies with a higher percentage of incorrect results mainly in samples with low titers. This EQA provides a good overview of the WNV (and USUV) diagnostic performance of the involved veterinary labs and demonstrates that the implemented training program was successful in upgrading their diagnostic capacities

External quality assessment of Rift Valley fever diagnosis in 17 veterinary laboratories of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an arboviral zoonosis that primarily affects ruminants but can also cause illness in humans. The increasing impact of RVF in Africa and Middle East and the risk of expansion to other areas such as Europe, where competent mosquitos are already established, require the implementation of efficient surveillance programs in animal populations. For that, it is pivotal to regularly assess the performance of existing diagnostic tests and to evaluate the capacity of veterinary labs of endemic and non-endemic countries to detect the infection in an accurate and timely manner. In this context, the animal virology network of the MediLabSecure project organized between October 2016 and March 2017 an external quality assessment (EQA) to evaluate the RVF diagnostic capacities of beneficiary veterinary labs. This EQA was conceived as the last step of a training curriculum that included 2 diagnostic workshops that were organized by INIA-CISA (Spain) in 2015 and 2016. Seventeen veterinary diagnostic labs from 17 countries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions participated in this EQA. The exercise consisted of two panels of samples for molecular and serological detection of the virus. The laboratories were also provided with positive controls and all the kits and reagents necessary to perform the recommended diagnostic techniques. All the labs were able to apply the different protocols and to provide the results on time. The performance was good in the molecular panel with 70.6% of participants reporting 100% correct results, and excellent in the serological panel with 100% correct results reported by 94.1% of the labs. This EQA provided a good overview of the RVFV diagnostic capacities of the involved labs and demonstrated that most of them were able to correctly identify the virus genome and antibodies in different animal samples

AIMSurv: First pan-European harmonized surveillance of Aedes invasive mosquito species of relevance for human vector-borne diseases

Human and animal vector-borne diseases, particularly mosquito-borne diseases, are emerging or re-emerging worldwide. Six Aedes invasive mosquito (AIM) species were introduced to Europe since the 1970s: Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus, Ae. koreicus, Ae. atropalpus and Ae. triseriatus. Here, we report the results of AIMSurv2020, the first pan-European surveillance effort for AIMs. Implemented by 42 volunteer teams from 24 countries. And presented in the form of a dataset named “AIMSurv Aedes Invasive Mosquito species harmonized surveillance in Europe. AIM-COST Action. Project ID: CA17108”. AIMSurv2020 harmonizes field surveillance methodologies for sampling different AIMs life stages, frequency and minimum length of sampling period, and data reporting. Data include minimum requirements for sample types and recommended requirements for those teams with more resources. Data are published as a Darwin Core archive in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility- Spain, comprising a core file with 19,130 records (EventID) and an occurrences file with 19,743 records (OccurrenceID). AIM species recorded in AIMSurv2020 were Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus, as well as native mosquito species