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Gomerčić T, Perharić M, Kusak J, Slijepčević V, Starešina V, Stevanović V, Mojčec Perko V, Topličanec I, Sindičić M. A retroviral survey of endangered Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from Croatia. VET ARHIV 2021. [DOI: 10.24099/vet.arhiv.0857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Hađina S, Boras J, Bata I, Škrlin B, Starešina V, Barbić L, Mojčec Perko V, Štritof Z, Stevanović V, Habuš J, Perharić M, Milas Z, Turk N, Pinter L. Isolation and molecular characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis from a cutaneous lesion in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). VET ARHIV 2019. [DOI: 10.24099/vet.arhiv.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Barbić L, Savić V, Kovačević K, Kapetan J, Stevanović V, Kovač S, Hađina S, Milas Z, Starešina V, Turk N, Perharić M, Madić J. Outbreak of equine influenza in Croatia in 2015 and post outbreak epidemiological situation. VET ARHIV 2018. [DOI: 10.24099/vet.arhiv.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Perharić M, Starešina V, Turk N, Barbić L, Štritof Z, Hađina S, Habuš J, Stevanović V, Martinković K, Mojčec Perko V, Milas Z. The epidemiology features of retroviral infections in domestic cats from the Zagreb urban area. VET ARHIV 2018. [DOI: 10.24099/vet.arhiv.170406b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Brnić D, Prpić J, Keros T, Roić B, Starešina V, Jemeršić L. Porcine astrovirus viremia and high genetic variability in pigs on large holdings in Croatia. Infect Genet Evol 2013; 14:258-64. [PMID: 23313832 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2012.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Astroviruses are emerging viral agents, primarily enteropathogenic in mammals, but recently have been acknowledged to have extra-intestinal implications in humans and mink. Porcine astrovirus is thought to be widely distributed and highly prevalent among pigs, nevertheless its clinical significance remains doubtful as it can be detected in diarrheic as well as in healthy pigs. Recent reports imply the immense genetic variability among porcine astrovirus strains with five distinct lineages being characterized so far. Herein, we report porcine astrovirus circulation in the blood of healthy pigs in different age categories bred on two large industrial holdings in Croatia, with viral RNA seroprevalence of 3.89%. These are the first extra-intestinal findings of astrovirus in pigs, indicating a more complex pathogenesis than previously thought. Partial polymerase sequences of serum-derived strains provisionally clustered into porcine astrovirus lineages 2 and 4, sharing high genetic identity with previously described porcine astrovirus strains. The results were supported by detecting porcine astrovirus strains in composite fecal samples, regardless of pig category or holding tested. Phylogenetic analysis of derived strains suggested the presence of porcine astrovirus lineages previously detected in pig sera with an additional highly genetically divergent lineage 5, reported for the first time in Europe. Moreover, the existence of possible sub lineages should not be excluded. The results obtained in the present study, contribute to knowledge of porcine astrovirus pathogenesis; even though it's possible clinical significance remains unclear. High fecal prevalence accompanied with vast genetic diversity on a relatively confined area, underscores the importance of pigs as porcine astrovirus reservoirs with eventual recombination events as a possible outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Brnić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Virology Department, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Barbić L, Listeš E, Katić S, Stevanović V, Madić J, Starešina V, Labrović A, Di Gennaro A, Savini G. Spreading of West Nile virus infection in Croatia. Vet Microbiol 2012; 159:504-8. [PMID: 22609103 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with rapid global expansion. The virus circulation is confirmed in many countries of Mediterranean Basin and Southern and Central Europe. In our study detection of specific WNV antibodies was performed in horses and cattle sera samples collected from October 2010 to April 2011. Serum samples were randomly taken from different parts of Croatia and tested by IgG and IgM ELISA. Positive serological results were confirmed by virus neutralization assay (VN-assay) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Results showed that WNV antibodies were present in 72 out of 2098 horse sera (3.43%) and 3 of 2695 cattle sera (0.11%). The highest seroprevalence was found in Eastern Croatia in counties next to Hungarian, Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovinian state borders. In Adriatic part of Croatia positive animals were found only in the westernmost county, near Slovenian and Italian borders. Geographic distribution and number of positive horses indicated that WNV is highly present in Croatia and spreading from East to West. However, positive horses in westernmost part of country indicate possible second origin of spreading. Location of serological positive cattle supports the hypothesis that seropositive cattle could be indicators of high WNV activity in the respective geographic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ljubo Barbić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Barbić L, Lojkić I, Stevanović V, Bedeković T, Starešina V, Lemo N, Lojkić M, Madić J. Two outbreaks of neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus type 1 with breed-dependent clinical signs. Vet Rec 2012; 170:227. [PMID: 22262701 DOI: 10.1136/vr.100150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a worldwide spread pathogen of horses. It can cause abortion, respiratory and neurological disease and consequentially significant economic losses in equine industries. During 2009, two outbreaks of EHV-1 were confirmed in two stud farms in Eastern Croatia. The first outbreak occurred in February following the import of 12 horses from USA, serologically negative to EHV-1 before transport. Four mares aborted in the late stage of pregnancy and one perinatal death was recorded. Other six mares showed clinical signs of myeloencephalopathy with fatal end in four. One month later, the second EHV-1 outbreak was confirmed in stud farm about 100 km further with 17 abortions, three perinatal deaths and one mild neurological case. Epidemiological data showed that the disease was probably introduced in the first stud farm during international transport. The second outbreak started with the introduction of clinically healthy stallion from the first stud farm. Molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that, despite different clinical signs, the identical virus caused both outbreaks. Both horse populations were free from EHV-1 infection before the outbreak and had not been vaccinated. Significant difference in clinical signs could be explained by different breed-related risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Barbić
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Turk R, Habuš J, Flegar-Meštrić Z, Svetina A, Mojčec V, Perkov S, Belić M, Starešina V, Turk N. Serum platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase and paraoxonase-1 activity in horses infected with Leptospira spp. Acta Trop 2011; 118:97-100. [PMID: 21414286 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of infection with Leptospira spp. in horses on activities of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) considering the anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidative properties of both enzymes. A total of 63 sport and leisure horses' sera were chosen among those routinely serologically examined on leptospirosis during the year 2009 in Croatia. Sera were divided into three groups according to the estimated level of antibody titre against Leptospira spp; group 1: sera serologically negative to leptospirosis (antibody titre<50) (n=21); group 2: sera with residual or anamnestic antibody titre (50-200) (n=23); group 3: sera with high antibody titre (≥1600) indicating recent Leptospira infection (n=19). Serum PAF-AH and PON1 activity was not significantly different between investigated groups (p>0.05). There were no statistical differences in lipid status parameters (p>0.05) among study groups as well. However, significant positive correlations (p<0.05) of PAF-AH and PON1 with total cholesterol and HDL-C were found. Results may indicate low levels of systemic inflammatory response and oxidative stress in horses with subclinical leptospirosis. Further studies with clinically manifested disease are needed to elucidate the potential role of PAF-AH and PON1 as prognostic markers of the leptospirosis outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana Turk
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
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Turk R, Vnuk D, Svetina A, Flegar-Meštrić Z, Robić M, Turk N, Starešina V, Rumenjak V, Juretić D. Effect of Splenectomy and Autologous Spleen Transplantation on the Serum Platelet-Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) Activity and Acute Phase Response (APR) in a Porcine Model. Inflammation 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10753-009-9143-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Turk R, Vnuk D, Svetina A, Flegar-Meštri Z, Robi M, Turk N, Starešina V, Rumenjak V, Jureti D. Effect of Splenectomy and Autologous Spleen Transplantation on the Serum Platelet-Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) Activity and Acute Phase Response (APR) in a Porcine Model. Inflammation 2009; 32:340-5. [DOI: 10.1007/s10753-009-9117-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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