Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV), which belong to the Retroviridae family, infect goats and sheep worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterize the SRLV strains circulating in Slovenia, by phylogenetic analysis of two genomic regions, 1.8 kb gag-pol fragment and 1.2 kb pol fragment. The results of our study revealed that Slovenian SRLV strains are highly heterogeneous, with ovine strains belonging to genotype A and caprine strains to genotypes A and B. The closest relatives of sheep virus sequences from two flocks that clustered together (SLO 35, 36) were found to be in subtype A5. A cluster composed of four sheep virus sequences (SLO 31) was clearly divergent from all other subtypes in group A and could not be assigned to any of them. The virus sequences from one goat flock belonged solely to subtype B1, whereas virus sequences from more than one genotype were found to circulate within the other two goat flocks, belonging to subtype B1 (SLO 1 and SLO 37) and to genotype A (SLO 2 and 78–88 g). Two goat virus sequences (SLO 2) were found to belong to genotype A and could not be assigned to existing subtypes. One goat virus sequence (37–88 g) from flock 37 was clearly different from other sequences of this flock and was more closely related to genotype A sequences. We propose two new subtypes within genotype A, subtype A14 (SLO 2) and A15 (SLO 31).
COBISS.SI-ID: 512334137
Monensin and lasalocid are carboxylic ionophore antibiotics used as coccidiostats in the poultry industry. They enter the environment with the use of broiler excrements for manure. As ionophores, they affect the transport of cations across membranes. We studied the bioaccumulation of cadmium and lead in woodlice when concurrently exposed to either monensin or lasalocid. At monensin concentrations (1.8 mg/kg food) comparable to those that could be expected in nature, there was no effect on cadmium accumulation. At 100 times higher ionophore concentrations the presence of monensin or lasalocid resulted in significantly lower cadmium or lead content in woodlice. However, under natural conditions such high levels of ionophores are unlikely. The use of ionophore-contaminated manure in areas where metal pollution is also likely probably does not result in any increased risk to soil invertebrates.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3503226
A new, high-yield DNA extraction method combined with quantitative real-time PCR (HYDEqPCR) for amplification of insertion sequence IS900 of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis was developed. HYDEqPCR proved to be fast, highly efficient, sensitive and specific test for diagnosis of paratuberculosis, especially of its subclinical form. The results also suggest that the proportion of low-level Map shedders in an animal population will be underestimated at present.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3525498
Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) was detected by real-time PCR in cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and serum samples taken from 74 feral pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) that were caught at various locations in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. PiCV infections were detected in the majority of the tested birds. The highest (74.3%) detection rate was observed in the cloacal swabs and the lowest (31.1%) in serum samples. PiCV DNA was more readily detected in the cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and scrum samples of birds younger than 1 yr. Molecular analysis of partial open reading frame VI sequences showed that PiCV strains detected in feral pigeons share high nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities with PiCV strains detected in ornamental, racing, meat, and feral pigeons.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3564410
In total 307 egg and 275 liver samples were examined for nicarbazin and 365 eggs for diclazuril over a 30-month period. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods used for quantification were validated according to European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Non-compliant samples were confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Mean diclazuril concentrations in egg samples were 0.31 µg kg−1, which is below the MRL. In only one egg sample, 2.26 µg kg−1 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, although confirmation by LC-MS/MS gave a value of 1.6 µg kg−1. Mean nicarbazin levels determined were 1.85 µg kg−1 in egg and 21.1 µg kg−1 in liver samples. Four samples, one egg and three livers, yielded elevated concentrations of nicarbazin, but only in the egg sample the LC-MS/MS method confirmed nicarbazin (106 µg kg−1) above the MRL value.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3588474