Collagen Biomarkers for Arthritis Applications

The most common form of chronic arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA) with prevalence as high as 80% after age 75 (Arden and Nevitt, 2006). The incidence of OA is expected to increase as the population ages, increasing the socioeconomic burden of OA. Despite the signifi cant burden of this disease, no drug has been identifi ed that can effectively modify disease progression (Moskowitz and Hooper, 2005; Abadie et al. 2004). However, slowing disease progress and improvement in quality of life may be achieved by behavioral modifi cations, such as weight loss and exercise. Many patients with early OA will progress to disability and joint replacement. Physical examination and radiographic studies are relatively poor means for detecting disease early or predicting progression. Therefore, identifi cation of factors to facilitate early OA diagnosis and prognosis is a major focus of current OA research (Lohmander and Felson, 2004; Lohmander, 2004; Garnero and Delmas, 2003)

Protutijela za viruse humane influence u prokazivačkih pataka u ornitološkom rezervatu Kopački rit.

Direct transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans has been confifi rmed and ever since it has been the main topic of influenza virus research. The opposite form of virus transmission is still unclear. In our study we used duck flocks as sentinels for surveillance of wild birds for influenza viruses and the possibility of bird infections with human influenza A viruses. Tested sera were collected from ducks in a free breeding system on a fish pond in the ornithological reserve Kopački rit (Croatia). Ducks were bred in an isolated unit for the first three weeks, and this was followed by four weeks breeding on the fifi sh pond without contact with humans. Sera were tested by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using human influenza viruses A/New Caledonia/20/99/ VR-116 (H1N1), A/Panama/2007/99 (RESVIR - 17) (H3N2), B/Hong Kong/330/01 and B/Sichuana/379/99 as antigens. To determine the time of infection, sera were collected twice during the period of isolation (day 0 and day 21) and at the end of breeding (day 49). Sera collected during the period of isolation were negative to influenza A and influenza B viruses. The high titer of influenza A specific antibodies in the serum samples at the end of breeding confirmed infection during exposure on the fish pond. As ducks on the fish pond had no contact with humans and were only in close contact with wild migratory birds these results confirmed that wild migratory birds were a source of infection and present a reservoir of influenza viruses. Very high seroprevalence in sentinel ducks with a high HI titers in some animals was determined at the end of breeding. The results of this study indicate that sentinel ducks were infected with influenza A virus strains closely related to the human strains used as an antigen. Also this study confirmed that sentinel ducks could be successfully used in influenza monitoring in wild birds.Mogućnost prijenosa ljudskih sojeva virusa influence izravno s ljudi na ptice još uvijek nije dovoljno istražena. U ovom radu prikazana je uporaba domaćih pataka kao modela prokazivačkih (engl. sentinel) životinja za promatranje širenja influence u divljih ptica, te je pomoću njih istražena infekcije ptica virusima influence antigenski bliskim humanim sojevima. Pretraživani su uzorci seruma pataka slobodno držanih na ribnjaku u ornitološkom rezervatu Kopački Rit. Patke su prva tri tjedna bile uzgajane u zatvorenom objektu, a potom su sljedeća četiri tjedna bile uzgajane na ribnjaku bez dodira s ljudima. Serumi su bili uzorkovani nultoga i 21. dana u zatvorenom objektu te 49. dana, tj. nakon završetka uzgoja na ribnjaku. Svi uzorci seruma bili su pretraženi inhibicijom hemaglutinacije, a kao antigeni bili su rabljeni humani sojevi virusa influence A/New Caledonia/20/99/VR-116 (H1N1) i A/Panama/2007/99 (RESVIR - 17) (H3N2), te humani sojevi virusa nfluence B/Hong Kong/330/01 i B/Sichuana/379/99. Svi pretraženi uzorci seruma uzeti u zatvorenom objektu nultog i 21. dana uzgajanja bili su negativni, dok su u uzorcima seruma uzetima na kraju uzgoja na ribnjaku (49. dana) ustanovljena specifična protutijela za viruse influence tipa A. Ovi rezultati potvrđuju infekciju pataka tijekom boravka na ribnjaku bez kontakta s ljudima što dokazuje da su divlje ptice bile izvor zaraze. Visoka seroprevalencija, te poglavito visoki titri specifičnih protutijela u pojedinih životinja dokaz su infekcije virusima influence antigenski srodnima humanim sojevima rabljenima u testu inhibicije hemaglutinacije. Postignuti rezultati potvrđuju mogućnost uporabe jata domaćih pataka kao prokazivačkih životinja za promatranje širenja influence u divljih ptica, te upućuju na nužnost daljnjega istraživanja mogućnosti infekcije ptica humanim sojevima virusa influence

Protutijela za viruse humane influence u prokazivačkih pataka u ornitološkom rezervatu Kopački rit.

Direct transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans has been confifi rmed and ever since it has been the main topic of influenza virus research. The opposite form of virus transmission is still unclear. In our study we used duck flocks as sentinels for surveillance of wild birds for influenza viruses and the possibility of bird infections with human influenza A viruses. Tested sera were collected from ducks in a free breeding system on a fish pond in the ornithological reserve Kopački rit (Croatia). Ducks were bred in an isolated unit for the first three weeks, and this was followed by four weeks breeding on the fifi sh pond without contact with humans. Sera were tested by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using human influenza viruses A/New Caledonia/20/99/ VR-116 (H1N1), A/Panama/2007/99 (RESVIR - 17) (H3N2), B/Hong Kong/330/01 and B/Sichuana/379/99 as antigens. To determine the time of infection, sera were collected twice during the period of isolation (day 0 and day 21) and at the end of breeding (day 49). Sera collected during the period of isolation were negative to influenza A and influenza B viruses. The high titer of influenza A specific antibodies in the serum samples at the end of breeding confirmed infection during exposure on the fish pond. As ducks on the fish pond had no contact with humans and were only in close contact with wild migratory birds these results confirmed that wild migratory birds were a source of infection and present a reservoir of influenza viruses. Very high seroprevalence in sentinel ducks with a high HI titers in some animals was determined at the end of breeding. The results of this study indicate that sentinel ducks were infected with influenza A virus strains closely related to the human strains used as an antigen. Also this study confirmed that sentinel ducks could be successfully used in influenza monitoring in wild birds.Mogućnost prijenosa ljudskih sojeva virusa influence izravno s ljudi na ptice još uvijek nije dovoljno istražena. U ovom radu prikazana je uporaba domaćih pataka kao modela prokazivačkih (engl. sentinel) životinja za promatranje širenja influence u divljih ptica, te je pomoću njih istražena infekcije ptica virusima influence antigenski bliskim humanim sojevima. Pretraživani su uzorci seruma pataka slobodno držanih na ribnjaku u ornitološkom rezervatu Kopački Rit. Patke su prva tri tjedna bile uzgajane u zatvorenom objektu, a potom su sljedeća četiri tjedna bile uzgajane na ribnjaku bez dodira s ljudima. Serumi su bili uzorkovani nultoga i 21. dana u zatvorenom objektu te 49. dana, tj. nakon završetka uzgoja na ribnjaku. Svi uzorci seruma bili su pretraženi inhibicijom hemaglutinacije, a kao antigeni bili su rabljeni humani sojevi virusa influence A/New Caledonia/20/99/VR-116 (H1N1) i A/Panama/2007/99 (RESVIR - 17) (H3N2), te humani sojevi virusa nfluence B/Hong Kong/330/01 i B/Sichuana/379/99. Svi pretraženi uzorci seruma uzeti u zatvorenom objektu nultog i 21. dana uzgajanja bili su negativni, dok su u uzorcima seruma uzetima na kraju uzgoja na ribnjaku (49. dana) ustanovljena specifična protutijela za viruse influence tipa A. Ovi rezultati potvrđuju infekciju pataka tijekom boravka na ribnjaku bez kontakta s ljudima što dokazuje da su divlje ptice bile izvor zaraze. Visoka seroprevalencija, te poglavito visoki titri specifičnih protutijela u pojedinih životinja dokaz su infekcije virusima influence antigenski srodnima humanim sojevima rabljenima u testu inhibicije hemaglutinacije. Postignuti rezultati potvrđuju mogućnost uporabe jata domaćih pataka kao prokazivačkih životinja za promatranje širenja influence u divljih ptica, te upućuju na nužnost daljnjega istraživanja mogućnosti infekcije ptica humanim sojevima virusa influence

Istraživanje retrovirusnih infekcija u ugroženoj populaciji euroazijskog risa (Lynx lynx) u hrvatskoj

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) may cause persistent, lifelong and lethal infections in domestic and wild felids worldwide. FIV has been confirmed in most Felidae species, while FeLV infection is rare among non-domestic cats. The view that retroviruses are pathogenic in domestic cats but not in other free-ranging felid species was disproved by recent findings of retroviral pathology in several wild felids. The epidemiology of retroviral infections in felids in Croatia was only investigated in urban domestic cats, while there are no data for wild cat species. As the reintroduced Dinaric lynx (Lynx lynx) population suffers from low genetic diversity, which reduces their ability to adapt to new viral outbreaks, the health status of this lynx population is of particular concern. Two different commercial immunochromatographic assays were used for qualitative detection of FIV antibodies and FeLV antigens, while PCR was used for amplification of proviral gag and env genes in Eurasian lynx blood samples. All the 17 Eurasian lynx samples collected between 2001 and 2019 tested negative in both immunochromatographic and molecular tests. Even though our sample size was rather small, considering the fact that the population size of lynx in Croatia is estimated at 40 - 60 animals, our results can be considered representative for the population’s health status. Also, data about retroviral prevalence in Eurasian lynxes are scarce, so any new findings are very valuable.Virus mačje imunodeficijencije (FIV) i virus mačje leukemije (FeLV) mogu uzrokovati trajne, cjeloživotne i smrtne infekcije u domaćih i divljih felida širom svijeta. FIV je potvrđen u većine felida, dok je infekcija FeLV-om u domaćih mačaka rijetka. Mišljenje da su retrovirusi patogeni u domaćih mačaka, ali ne i u slobodnoživućih felida, opovrgnuto je najnovijim istraživanjima retrovirusne patologije u nekoliko divljih felida. Epidemiologija retrovirusnih infekcija u felida u Hrvatskoj istraživana je u gradskih domaćih mačaka, dok podaci za divlje mačke ne postoje. Kako populaciju reintroduciranog dinarskog risa (Lynx lynx) obilježava niska genetska raznolikost, što smanjuje mogućnost prilagodbe na nove virusne zaraze, postoji osobita zabrinutost za zdravstveno stanje ove populacije risa. U radu su upotrijebljene dvije različite komercijalne imunokromatografske pretrage za kvalitativnu detekciju protutijela na FIV i FeLV antigene, dok je PCR upotrijebljen za umnažanje provirusnih gena gag i env u uzorcima krvi euroazijskog risa. Svih 17 uzoraka euroazijskog risa, prikupljenih od 2001. do 2019., bilo je negativno i u imunokromatografskom i molekularnom testu. Iako se radi o maloj veličini uzorka, s obzirom na to da je veličina populacije risa u Hrvatskoj procijenjena na 40 – 60 jedinki, naši se uzorci mogu smatrati reprezentativnima za zdravstveni status navedene populacije. Također, malo je podataka o retrovirusnoj prevalenciji u euroazijskog risa, što novim podacima dobivenim ovim istraživanjem daje dodatnu vrijednost

Epizootiološke značajke retrovirusnih infekcija mačaka na području grada Zagreba

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are among the most common infectious diseases of cats and have a global impact on the health of domestic cats. Both viruses belong to the Retroviridae family and like other members of this family they are associated with lifelong infection after integration of the proviral DNA into the host cell genome. Prevalence data are necessary to define the risk factors, and prophylactic, management, diagnostic and therapeutic measures for stray and owned sick cats. In this study 324 domestic cats were tested with commercially available assays. The tested cats were divided into two groups, stray and owned sick cats. The overall percentage of seropositives for FIV infection was 18.51% and the prevalence for FeLV infection was 14.50%. FIV prevalence ranged from 13.13% in stray cats up to 20.88% within the sick owned cat group. The prevalence for FeLV infection was 6.06% in stray cats and 18.22% among sick owned cats. Regarding FIV infection, our study confirmed a significantly higher percentage of seropositives for male cats, as well as for sexually intact ones within the sick owned group. Males were significantly more likely to have positive results for both retroviral infections. The study confirmed the high rate of retroviral infections in cats from the Zagreb urban area. Males, sexually intact ones, and territorial aggression are predisposing factors for FIV infection, but not for FeLV. Preventive measures should include identification and segregation of infected cats, castration of outdoor male cats, and vaccination.nfekcije virusom mačje imunodeficijencije i virusom mačje leukemije pripadaju među najčešće zarazne bolesti mačaka i znatno utječu na njihovo zdravlje. Oba virusa pripadaju porodici Retroviridae. Kao i ostali virusi iz iste porodice, uzrokuju perzistentnu infekciju ugradnjom provirusne DNK u genom domaćina. Podaci o proširenosti obiju infekcija nužni su za utvrđivanje čimbenika rizika zaraze, mjera prevencije te dijagnostičkih metoda i postupaka sa zaraženom životinjom. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja pretražena su ukupno 324 uzorka pune krvi mačaka komercijalno dostupnim dijagnostičkim testovima. Pretraživane mačke podijeljene su u dvije skupine, slobodnoživuće mačke i bolesne mačke koje imaju vlasnika. Od ukupnog broja pretraženih mačaka infekciju mačjim virusom imunodeficijencije dokazali smo u 18.51 % mačaka, dok je infekcija virusom mačje leukemije dokazana u 14,50 % pretraženih životinja. Proširenost infekcije mačjim virusom imunodeficijencije potvrđena je u 13,13 % mačaka unutar skupine slobodnoživućih mačaka, dok je 20,88 % bolesnih mačaka koje imaju vlasnika bilo pozitivno na istu zaraznu bolest. S druge strane, 6,06 % slobodnoživućih mačaka te 18,22 % bolesnih mačaka koje imaju vlasnike bilo je zaraženo virusom mačje leukemije. Istraživanje potvrđuje statistički značajnu proširenost virusa mačje imunodeficijencije u muških jedinki posebno onih nekastriranih. Muške jedinke također imaju statistički veću mogućnost zaraze obama retrovirusima. Provedeno istraživanje dokazuje visoku proširenost retrovirusnih infeckcija među mačkama na području grada Zagreba. Utvrđeni čimbenici rizika zaraze virusom imunodeficijencije uključuju muški spol, nekastrirane muške jedinke te slododno držanje mačaka. Ti čimbenici rizika nisu dokazani za infekciju mačjim virusom leukemije. Mjere sprečavanja širenja obiju retrovirusnih bolesti uključuju testiranje mačaka, izdvajanje i izolaciju zaraženih, kastraciju muških mačaka te imunoprofilaksu izloženih jedinki

Prognostički čimbenici i njihova povezanost s preživljavanjem u pasa s leptospirozom

The objectives of this study were to describe the epizootiological and clinical features of canine patients with leptospirosis, and to determine the association between the health parameters observed and patient survival. The study population consisted of sixty patients admitted to the Department of Microbiology and Infectious diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, Croatia from 2009 to 2017. The majority of the infections were caused by serogroup Pomona (50%), while serogroups Icterohaemorhagiae, Grippotyphosa, Australis and Sejroe were identified in 30%, 8.3%, 5% and 1.7% of the patients, respectively. At initial presentation, the most frequently detected organ dysfunction was renal failure (85%), followed by pulmonary (60%) and hepatic injury (58.3%). When the frequency of animals with involvement of organ systems was calculated, 31.7% had three systems involved, 46.7% had two systems involved, 13.3% had one, and 5% did not have any system involved. The mortality risk in the group that had 0, 1, 2 and 3 systems involved was 0%, 62.5%, 46.4%, and 89.5%, respectively. In the univariable analysis, several factors were univariably associated with the risk of a lethal outcome including: day of admission (P<0.01), sex (P = 0.09), Leptospira vaccination status (P = 0.11), the presence of moderate to severe acute kidney injury (P<0.01), pulmonary involvement (P = 0.11), and several other parameters. In the multivariable Cox’s model, the presence of moderate and severe kidney injury was identified as a statistically significant factor associated with lower survival. The frequency of severe clinical cases of canine leptospirosis caused by the serogroup Pomona found in this study supports the need to consider inclusion of strains of this serogroup in vaccines available on the European market.Ciljevi ovoga istraživanja bili su opisati epizootiološke i kliničke značajke pasa oboljelih od leptospiroze te utvrditi povezanost promatranih parametara i stupnja preživljavanja. Istraživanje je provedeno na 60 pasa zaprimljenih na Zavod za mikrobiologiju i zarazne bolesti s klinikom Veterinarskoga fakulteta u Zagrebu, u razdoblju od 2009. do 2017. godine. Većina utvrđenih infekcija u pasa bila je uzrokovana serološkom skupinom Pomona (50 %), dok su serološke skupine Icterohaemorhagiae, Grippotyphosa, Australis i Sejroe uzrokovale bolest u 30 %, 8,3 %, 5 % i 1,7 % pacijenata. Najčešća su klinička očitovanja bila akutna bubrežna (85 %) i jetrena lezija (58,3 %) te disfunkcija respiratornog sustava (60 %). Od ukupnog broja zaprimljenih pacijenata, u njih 31,7 % utvrđeno je oštećenje svih triju organskih sustava, u 46,7 % oštećenje dvaju organskih sustava, u 13,3 % pacijenata oštećenje jednoga organskog sustava, dok u 5 % pasa nije utvrđeno oštećenje organa. Smrtnost u skupinama u kojima je utvrđeno oštećenje 0, 1, 2 i 3 organska sustava bila je 0 %, 62,5 %, 46,4 % i 89,5 %. Univarijabilnom analizom utvrđeno je nekoliko čimbenika povezanih s povećanim rizikom od smrti: trajanje bolesti pri prijemu na kliniku (P < 0,01), spol (P = 0,09), cijepni status (P = 0,11), umjereno do teško akutno oštećenje bubrega (P < 0,01), respiratorna disfunkcija (P = 0,11). Multivarijabilnim Coxovim modelom prisutnost umjerenog do teškog oštećenja bubrega identificirana je kao statistički znakovit čimbenik povezan s nižim preživljavanjem. Povećana incidencija teških kliničkih oblika uzrokovanih serološkom skupinom Pomona, koja je utvrđena u ovom istraživanju, naglašava potrebu uključivanja ovih sojeva u cjepiva koja su dostupna na europskom tržištu

Seroprevalencija respiratornog koronavirusa pasa u Hrvatskoj

Canine respiratory coronavirus is a relatively new addition to the list of pathogens causing canine infectious disease complex. The virus is highly contagious, with a high prevalence in the dog population worldwide, especially in shelters. This study aimed to establish the presence and risk factors associated with infection in privately owned dogs and breeding colonies. This study was the first to demonstrate the presence of canine respiratory coronavirus in Croatia. Out of the 257 serum samples, 35.03% of dogs from breeding kennels and 43% of pet dogs tested enzyme-linked immunoassay positive, but the difference was not statistically significant. Sex was not an important risk factor, but the seropositivity rate increased with age. Mixing of dogs during hunting, training and dog shows was not associated with a higher seroprevalence in the breeding colonies. Daily cleaning and disinfection showed little effect on the infection spread. The study was done on a limited sample. However, it still provides evidence that the epizootiology of this disease is complex. There is no available vaccine for canine respiratory coronavirus, and further studies on environmental and risk factors will give the valuable data needed to prevent this disease.Pseći respiratorni koronavirus nedavno je dodan na listu patogena koji uzrokuju zarazni kašalj legla. Zbog svoje izrazite kontagioznosti proširio se diljem svijeta, a osobito je čest u pasa u skloništima za nezbrinute životinje. Osnovni je cilj ovog istraživanja bio ispitati proširenost infekcije u pasa u privatnom vlasništvu i uzgajivačnicama te ustanoviti čimbenike rizika koji pogoduju infekciji. Ovo je bilo prvo istraživanje koje je dokazalo prisutnost psećeg respiratornog koronavirusa u Hrvatskoj. Od 257 pretraženih uzoraka seruma 35,03 % uzoraka pasa privatnih vlasnika i 43 % uzoraka pasa iz uzgajivačnica dalo je pozitivan rezultat imunoenzimnog testa. Važno je napomenuti da razlika u seroprevalenciji između ovih dviju populacije nije bila statistički znakovita. Spol također nije bio znakovit čimbenik rizika, ali je seroprevalencija rasla s porastom dobi životinja. Miješanje životinja iz različitih uzgoja, prilikom lova, dresure ili izložbi pasa, nije dovelo do porasta seroprevalencije u uzgajivačnicama. Ni provođenje dnevne dezinfekcije nije znakovito utjecalo na seroprevalenciju. Ovo je istraživanje provedeno na ograničenom broju uzoraka, ali ipak dokazuje složenost epizootiologije infekcije psećim respiratornim koronavirusom. Kako cjepivo još uvijek nije dostupno, dodatna istraživanja čimbenika okoliša i domaćina, važnih za epizootiologiju ove bolesti, dat će važne podatke nužne za provođenje mjera prevencije

Foodborne viruses

Patogeni koji se mogu prenositi hranom uključuju crijevne bakterije, viruse, parazite, bakterije koje proizvode toksine i prione. Od navedenih patogena najčešći uzročnici bolesti koje se prenose hranom jesu virusi. U ovom su radu pregledno prikazani virusi koji se prenose hranom s posebnim naglaskom na načine širenja i mogućnosti profilakse kao najvažnijim područjima u kojima sudjeluje veterinarska struka. U navedenom području, kao i u javnom zdravstvu u cjelini, samo bliska suradnja veterinarske i liječničke struke može rezultirati uspostavom cjelovitog sustava nadzora i suzbijanja zaraznih bolesti s ciljem očuvanja zdravlja ljudi. Prvi korak pritom jest dostupnost najnovijih spoznaja i informacija o rizicima i mjerama zaštite širem krugu stručnjaka u svrhu sprečavanja nastanka epidemija uzrokovanih virusima koji se prenose hranom, što je i bio cilj ovog preglednog prikaza.Foodborne pathogens include bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxin producing bacteria and prions. Of these, by far the most common causes of foodborne illness are viruses. In this article a review is given of the most important food borne viruses with the emphasis on the modes of transmission and prophylaxis as the most important areas where veterinary practitioners are included. In these areas and in protecting public health in general only close collaboration between human and veterinary medical specialists will result in establishing an optimal system for surveillance and prevention of foodborne infections in humans. The aim of this article is to present new information regarding risk factors and protection measures to a wide number of professionals, as a step in the prevention of epidemics caused by foodborne viruses