A molecular and haematological study of Theileria equi in Balkan donkeys

Equine piroplasmosis in donkeys has been recognised as a serious problem of major economic importance. The present molecular study is the first investigation of the presence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Balkan donkeys and of the possible haematological alterations related to it. A total of 70 apparently healthy donkeys from Serbia were included in this study. The overall prevalence of T. equi infection in donkeys tested with multiplex PCR was 50%. There was no B. caballi-positive sample. Infections in donkeys included in this study seem to be associated with decreased red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and platelet count, and with increased white blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Altered haematological parameters in donkeys can lead to a decrease in working capacity and production performance. Further molecular research and long-term monitoring of equine piroplasmosis is needed in Serbia and throughout Europe

Biological pollutants in indoor air

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Evaluation of the effects of two anaesthetic protocols on oxidative status and DNA damage in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) undergoing endoscopic coeliotomy

The aim of this study was to assess how red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) respond to anaesthesia itself and coelioscopy. For that purpose, the turtles were anaesthetised with ketamine–medetomidine or propofol, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by spectrophotometry. The possible genotoxic effects of the anaesthetic agents were estimated by comet assay. A total of 24 turtles were included in this study. The animals were divided into four groups according to the anaesthetic protocol and according to whether endoscopy would be performed. Significantly decreased activities of CAT were found only in the propofol group and in turtles undergoing coelioscopy. Both anaesthetic protocols induced significantly increased MDA levels, while no differences were observed after the intervention. A significant increase in GST activity was detected in turtles after both anaesthetic protocols, but after coelioscopy significant changes in GST activity were found only in the propofol group. However, no differences in SOD activity and no DNA damages were detected in either group. These findings suggest that ketamine–medetomidine may be more suitable anaesthetic agents in red-eared sliders than propofol

Effects of photopolymerisation on genotoxicity of composite adhesives in the comet assay

Certain in vivo studies have shown that the application of adhesives directly onto the open pulp or on a thin layer of dentin causes inflammation and pulpal abscesses. This reaction is related to toxic effects of monomers from adhesives. It has been confirmed that after proper illumination the adhesives become less toxic. The aim of the study was to examine genotoxicity of non-polymerised, partly polymerised and polymerised adhesives on isolated human lymphocytes using the alkaline Comet assay. Adper Single bond2 and Adper Easy One/3M ESPE adhesive photopolymerisation was performed by Elipar Highlight 3M ESPE halogen lamp for 0, 10 and 40 sec, at final concentrations of 100, 200, 500 and 1000 mu g/mL. With both adhesives, photopolymerisation at 0 and 10 seconds showed statistically significant increase in DNA damage in comparision to the negative control (solvent). On the other hand, after 40 seconds of photopolymerisation of both adhesives in all tested concentrations, the degree of DNA damage in Comet assay had no significant difference (P>0.05, chi(2) test) compared to the negative control. Therefore, only the 40 seconds of photopolymerisation prevented genotoxic effects of both adhesives in the Comet assay

Evaluation of the DNA damaging effects of amitraz on human lymphocytes in the Comet assay

Amitraz is formamidine pesticide widely used as insecticide and acaricide. In veterinary medicine, amitraz has important uses against ticks, mites and lice on animals. Also, amitraz is used in apiculture to control Varroa destructor. It this study, the alkaline Comet assay was used to evaluate DNA damaging effects of amitraz in human lymphocytes. Isolated human lymphocytes were incubated with varying concentrations of amitraz (0.035, 0.35, 3.5, 35 and 350 μg/mL). The Comet assay demonstrated that all concentrations of amitraz caused statistically significant increase in the level of DNA damage, thus indicating that amitraz possesses genotoxic potential. The concentration of amitraz that produced the highest DNA damage (3.5 μg/mL) was chosen for further analysis with the antioxidant catalase. The obtained results showed that co-treatment with antioxidant catalase (100 IU/mL or 500 IU/mL) significantly reduced the level of DNA damage, indicating the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species in DNA damaging effects of amitraz. Flow cytometric analysis revealed increase of the apoptotic index following treatment with amitraz. However, co-treatment with catalase reduced the apoptotic index, while treatment with catalase alone reduced the percentage of apoptotoc cells even in comparison with the negative control. Therefore, catalase had protective effects against ROS-mediated DNA damage and apoptosis. [Radakovic M, Stevanovic J, Djelic N, Lakic N, Knezevic-Vukcevic J, Vukovic-Gacic B and Stanimirovic Z 2013 Evaluation of the DNA damaging effects of amitraz on human lymphocytes in the Comet assay. J

Evaluation of DNA damage in rat lymphocytes exposed to tulathromycin in vitro

Tulathromycin is a relatively new semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic, a member of the triamilide group, approved primarly for the treatment of respiratory diseases in cattle and swine. Various genotoxicological studies indicated that tulathromycin is not genotoxic, but no available published data originate from the single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine whether it can induce primary DNA damage using in vitro Comet assay in isolated rat lymphocytes. Lymphocytes were treated with a broad spectrum of tulathromycin concentrations (from 1 to 100 mu M) and co-treatment with an antioxidant, catalase (100 IU/mL and 500 IU/mL) was performed. The highest concentrations of tulathromycin (50 and 100 mu M) caused significant increase of DNA damage in rat lymphocytes and catalase did not significantly reduce the DNA-damaging effect of tulathromycin. The results of this study indicate that tulathromycin induces genotoxic effects at high concentrations, that catalase does not exert protective effect in this case