Distribution of Anopheles daciae and other Anopheles maculipennis complex species in Serbia

Malaria is one of the most severe health problems facing the world today. Until the mid-twentieth century, Europe was an endemic area of malaria, with the Balkan countries being heavily infested. Sibling species belonging to the Anopheles maculipennis complex are well-known as effective vectors of Plasmodium in Europe. A vast number of human malaria cases in the past in the former Yugoslavia territory have stressed the significance of An. maculipennis complex species as primary and secondary vectors. Therefore, the present study evaluates the species composition, geographic distribution and abundance of these malaria vector species. Mosquitoes were collected in the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina and analysed by PCRRFLP, multiplex PCR and sequencing of the ITS2 intron of genomic rDNA. Four sibling species of the An. Maculipennis complex were identified. Both larvae and adults of the recently described species An. daciae were identified for the first time in Serbia. In 250 larval samples, 109 (44%) An. messeae, 90 (36%) An. maculipennis s.s., 33 (13%) An. daciae and 18 (7%) An. atroparvus were identified. In adult collections, 81 (47%) An. messeae, 55 (32%) An. daciae, 33 (19%) An. maculipennis s.s., and 3 (2%) An. atroparvus were recorded. The most abundant species in Vojvodina was An. messeae, whereas An. atroparvus was confirmed a rare species in all parts. Since this species is a potentially, highly competent malarial vector, low population density could be crucial to prevent a new establishment of endemic malaria transmission in Serbia

The Influence of Meat Batter Composition and Sausage Diameter on Microbiota and Sensory Traits of Artisanal Wild Boar Meat Sausages

U ovom radu istražen je utjecaj sastava mesnog nadjeva i promjera kobasica na razvoj mikrobiote i senzornih osobina tradicijskih, spontano fermentiranih kobasica od mesa divlje svinje. Ovo istraživanje pokazuje kako se analizom glavnih komponenata mogu povezati senzorna svojstva proizvoda s određenim sojem bakterija, te za selekciju potencijalnih starter kultura. Općenito govoreći, nakon mikrobioloških analiza svih vrsta proizvedenih kobasica dobiveni su slični rezultati. Niti u jednoj fazi proizvodnje kobasica nije detektirana neželjena mikrobiota ili je njezin broj u zrelim kobasicama bio ispod granice detekcije. Niska stopa rasta bakterija mliječne kiseline bila je u skladu s dobivenim pH-vrijednostima i sporom stopom zakiseljavanja. Iako nisu uočene razlike u sastavu vrsta bakterija mliječne kiseline između različitih tipova kobasica (50S=50 % mesa divlje svinje u tankom ovitku, 50L=50 % mesa divlje svinje u debelom ovitku, 100S= 100 % mesa divlje svinje u tankom ovitku), moglo se opaziti jasno odvajanje na osnovi genotipova pojedinih bakterija. Kvantitativnom opisnom analizom utvrđene su bitne razlike u senzornim značajkama različitih vrsta kobasica. Prema analizi glavnih komponenata, svojstva dopadljivosti kobasica usko su povezana s jednim genotipom Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LM_4). Od svih ispitanih tehnoloških svojstava, sojevi LM_4 pokazali su izuzetnu sposobnost zakiseljavanja, snižavajući pH-vrijednost s 5,41 na 3,74, te izrazito proteolitičko djelovanje u obranom mlijeku, te antagonističku aktivnost prema bakterijama Staphylococcus aureus (DSM 20231) i Brochothrix thermosphacta (LMG 17208). Lipolitička i hemolitička aktivnost nije detektirana, a svi analizirani sojevi bili su osjetljivi na testirane antibiotike i nisu posjedovali gene za biogene amine.In this study, the influence of meat batter composition and sausage diameter on the development of microbiota and sensory traits of traditional, spontaneously fermented wild boar meat sausages are evaluated. This research also demonstrates how principal component analysis (PCA) can be used to relate product sensory properties to particular microbial genotype and to select potential starter or adjunct culture. Generally, similar microbiological results were obtained in all types of products. The undesirable microbiota was either not detected at any sausage production stage or its number decreased below the detection limit in ripened sausages. The low growth rate of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was consistent with the obtained pH and slow acidification rate. Although no differences in the composition of LAB species were noticed between sausage types (50S=50 % wild boar meat in small casing, 50L=50 % wild boar meat in large casing, 100S=100 % wild boar meat in small casing), a clear separation based on LAB genotypes could be observed. Upon quantitative descriptive analysis, significant differences in sensory attributes between sausage types were established. According to the PCA, the overall acceptability traits of sausages are closely linked to one Leuconostoc mesenteroides genotype (LM_4). Of all tested technological properties, LM_4 strains showed remarkable acidification ability, lowering the pH from pH=5.41 to 3.74, and pronounced proteolytic activity on skimmed milk as well as antagonistic activity against Staphylococcus aureus (DSM 20231) and Brochothrix thermosphacta (LMG 17208). Lipolytic and haemolytic activities were not detected, and all analyzed strains were susceptible to tested antibiotics and possessed no biogenic amine genes

Implementation of the One Health approach to fight arbovirus infections in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Region: Assessing integrated surveillance in Serbia, Tunisia and Georgia

Background In the Mediterranean and Black Sea Region, arbovirus infections are emerging infectious diseases. Their surveillance can benefit from one health inter-sectoral collaboration; however, no standardized methodology exists to study One Health surveillance. Methods We designed a situation analysis study to document how integration of laboratory/clinical human, animal and entomological surveillance of arboviruses was being implemented in the Region. We applied a framework designed to assess three levels of integration: policy/institutional, data collection/data analysis and dissemination. We tested the use of Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) to graphically present evidence of inter-sectoral integration. Results Serbia, Tunisia and Georgia participated in the study. West Nile Virus surveillance was analysed in Serbia and Tunisia, Crimea-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever surveillance in Georgia. Our framework enabled a standardized analysis of One Health surveillance integration, and BPMN was easily understandable and conducive to detailed discussions among different actors/institutions. In all countries, we observed integration across sectors and levels except in data collection and data analysis. Data collection was interoperable only in Georgia without integrated analysis. In all countries, surveillance was mainly oriented towards outbreak response, triggered by an index human case. Discussion The three surveillance systems we observed prove that integrated surveillance can be operationalized with a diverse spectrum of options. However, in all countries, the integrated use of data for early warning and inter-sectoral priority setting is pioneeristic. We also noted that early warning before human case occurrence is recurrently not operationally prioritized

Evaluation of Different Monitoring Methods for Musca domestica L. 1758 (Diptera: Muscidae) Indoor Population

The housefly Musca domestica is a cosmopolitan insect nuisance pest, also known as a carrier of numerous pathogens both to humans and animals. Animal farms, as a very important source of house flies, simultaneously allow for all stages of their development. Having vast quantities of constantly present manure, pig units represent perfect environment for house fly breeding. This fact, coupled with the known resistance to majority of available insecticides, creates difficulties in house fly control. The present study was performed to evaluate different types of monitoring methods for indoor use: (a) spot deposit records on the cardboard; (b) fly trappings by: glue coated cardboard; (c) sticky fly strips; (d) yellow sticky cards; (e) visual records of flies on the cardboard. This study provided a clear differentiation of efficacy/usefulness of the tested methods for various house fly densities. In animal breeding units or other areas with very abundant fly population, less sensitive methods (traps are less efficient) should be selected. For these circumstances, glued cardboard or yellow sticky cards should be chosen. The “more sensitive” methods, spot cards and sticky fly strips, should be used for lower abundance of the fly population. Except for this purpose, these highly sensitive methods should be selected also in the areas where the flies should not be tolerated at any density. Although the levels of the observed fly activity significantly differ from each other, in the majority of cases they depict the similar trend of the population dynamics and relative density. The only exception to the rule was the visual method, which could not reflect the changes in the population density in the current study

The Infravec2 Horizon 2020 project: Research infrastructures for the control of vector-borne diseases

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Choice of optimal biocide combination to control flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

Introduction Introduction. Flies – by feeding on decaying matter, human waste and food – have been implicated in the spread of numerous animal and human diseases. Excessive fly populations are generally associated with livestock units and domestic waste due to decaying organic matter. A large number of flies cause extreme disturbance in the behavior of the host, resulting in skin irritation, lesions, wounds, and secondary infections are likely to appear. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined applications of larvicide (cyromazine) and adulticides (acetamiprid in formulation with pheromone and thiamethoxam) on the suppression of fly populations. Material and Methods The study was conducted on a pig farm. The piglet farms are one of the most favorable places for fly breeding. Three units were used for biocide applications and a fourth unit as the control where biocides were not applied. The monitoring of pre- and post-treatment of adult fly populations was carried out by glued cardboards. The cards were hung on metal rods above piglet’s cage. This monitoring method served as a parameter for the estimation of biological effectiveness. Results The highest degree of fly control (88.4% mortality 8 days after treatment) was achieved when a combination of cyromazine and thiamethoxam was used. A biocide based on sex pheromone (Z)-9-tricosene + acetamiprid was the most effective on flies 3 days after biocide application, with a mortality rate of 69.1%. Thiamethoxam achieved the highest reduction of flies 6 days after treatment, with 78.19% obtained mortality. Conclusions Biological efficacy of the applied biocides in combination ciromazine + thiamethoxam and thiamethoxam alone was justified

Ecology of West Nile virus across four European countries: empirical modelling of the Culex pipiens abundance dynamics as a function of weather

International audienceBACKGROUND:Culex pipiens is the major vector of West Nile virus in Europe, and is causing frequent outbreaks throughout the southern part of the continent. Proper empirical modelling of the population dynamics of this species can help in understanding West Nile virus epidemiology, optimizing vector surveillance and mosquito control efforts. But modelling results may differ from place to place. In this study we look at which type of models and weather variables can be consistently used across different locations.METHODS:Weekly mosquito trap collections from eight functional units located in France, Greece, Italy and Serbia for several years were combined. Additionally, rainfall, relative humidity and temperature were recorded. Correlations between lagged weather conditions and Cx. pipiens dynamics were analysed. Also seasonal autoregressive integrated moving-average (SARIMA) models were fitted to describe the temporal dynamics of Cx. pipiens and to check whether the weather variables could improve these models.RESULTS:Correlations were strongest between mean temperatures at short time lags, followed by relative humidity, most likely due to collinearity. Precipitation alone had weak correlations and inconsistent patterns across sites. SARIMA models could also make reasonable predictions, especially when longer time series of Cx. pipiens observations are available.CONCLUSIONS:Average temperature was a consistently good predictor across sites. When only short time series (~ 4 years) are available, SARIMAs can provide better statistical descriptions of Cx. pipiens dynamics, without the need for further weather variables. This suggests that density dependence is also an important determinant of Cx. pipiens dynamics

Choice of optimal biocide combination to control flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

Introduction. Flies – by feeding on decaying matter, human waste and food – have been implicated in the spread of numerous animal and human diseases. Excessive fly populations are generally associated with livestock units and domestic waste due to decaying organic matter. A large number of flies cause extreme disturbance in the behavior of the host, resulting in skin irritation, lesions, wounds, and secondary infections are likely to appear. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined applications of larvicide (cyromazine) and adulticides (acetamiprid in formulation with pheromone and thiamethoxam) on the suppression of fly populations. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on a pig farm. The piglet farms are one of the most favorable places for fly breeding. Three units were used for biocide applications and a fourth unit as the control where biocides were not applied. The monitoring of pre- and post-treatment of adult fly populations was carried out by glued cardboards. The cards were hung on metal rods above piglet’s cage. This monitoring method served as a parameter for the estimation of biological effectiveness. Results. The highest degree of fly control (88.4% mortality 8 days after treatment) was achieved when a combination of cyromazine and thiamethoxam was used. A biocide based on sex pheromone (Z)-9-tricosene + acetamiprid was the most effective on flies 3 days after biocide application, with a mortality rate of 69.1 %. Thiamethoxam achieved the highest reduction of flies 6 days after treatment, with 78.19% obtained mortality. Conclusion. Biological efficacy of the applied biocides in combination ciromazine + thiamethoxam and thiamethoxam alone was justified

Ecology of West Nile virus across four European countries: review of weather profiles, vector population dynamics and vector control response

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