Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series
Abstract
Tularemia is a communicable bacterial disease which affects both humans and animals. Recently, there are reported severe human cases in Kosovo, Montenegro, the Northern part of Albania and Macedonia. The European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) plays an important role as reservoirs of Francisella tularensis infection. In order to study the prevalence of F. tularensis infection we designed a longitudinal study in hares based on both agglutination test and histopathological results. In this study, we report the preliminary results based on tested samples submitted during 2014-2015 and Spring 2016. Samples are taken from different villages of Fyrom Macedonia such as: Debresh, Nerove, Allbance, Presille, Bellushine, Haracine, Tearce etc.. The serologic test by using F. tularensis antigen was performed at the infectious & wildlife diseases laboratories, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Tirana. In addition, we described gross lesions in suspected cases. 14 out of 127 samples were positive in agglutination test Presence of granulomatous inflammation was used as an indicator of F. tularensis infection. Further samples are being analyzed and advanced tests will be used in order to identify the most proper and affordable screening and confirmatory tests for monitoring the epidemiological situation of F. tularensis infection. Despite the serologic test, postmortem examination, Histological examination were also realized. We are in the process of realizing histological examination and bacteria isolation
