During a study of enteric viruses in game animals we identified group A rotavirus in roe deer. Following whole genome sequence analysis with NGS, the genotype constellation, comprising 11 genome segments, was G6-P[15]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 genome segment showed close relationship to the various G6 zoonotic rotavirus strains of bovine-like origin frequently detected in humans. In the VP4 segment, this strain showed high variation compared to that in the P[15] strain found in sheep and in a goat. This finding suggests that rotaviruses from deer are similar to those in other DS-1 rotavirus groups and could constitute a source of zoonotically transmitted rotaviruses.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4157306
Campylobacteriosis is the most frequently reported bacterial food-borne illness in EU. The aim of the study was to evaluate real-time PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) for quantification of Campylobacter jejuni in broiler neck-skin samples collected from a poultry slaughterhouse, and to compare them with the ISO 10272-2 standard plate count method. Results showed that qPCR exhibited good performance with the reliable limit of detection (rLOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) reaching the theoretical limits. However, both rLOD and LOQ were beyond the EFSA-proposed critical limits for C. jejuni contamination of poultry skin and a modification of the procedure is suggested to include less sample dilution prior to DNA extraction. A strong and statistically significant correlation was observed between qPCR and dPCR. Both PCR-based methods correlated significantly with the plate count method; however, the correlation was moderate. A significant bias toward overestimation in dPCR was observed, probably due to the relatively high number of false positive calls. The linear dynamic range was comparable in both PCR-based methods; however, qPCR proved to be more suitable for routine use.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4280442
The purpose of this study was to evaluate shedding dynamics and risk factors associated with Clostridium difficile (CD) dissemination in mid-size dairy farms, which are the most common farming model in the European Union. CD was detected in fecal samples of cows and calves, and the environment on 20 dairy farms over a period of one year using qPCR and conventional bacterial culture. The average prevalence between farms was 10% and 35.7% in cows and calves, respectively. Most CD isolates were of PCR-ribotype 033. Univariate and multivariate analysis of risk factors associated dietary changes with increasing CD prevalence in cows, whereas risk factors in calves were dietary changes, breeding Simmental cattle, mastitis and antibiotic treatment. This study shows that CD is common on dairy farms and that shedding is mostly influenced by farm management and less by the environmental factors. Middle size dairy farms are currently not contributing to increased CDI incidence.
COBISS.SI-ID: 32539609
Hydrops foetalis is defined as excessive fluid accumulation within the foetal extravascular compartments and body cavities. It has been described in human and veterinary medicine, but despite several descriptive studies its aetiology is still not fully clarified. Pulmonary hypoplasia and anasarca (PHA) syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality in cattle that is characterised by hydrops foetalis including extreme subcutaneous oedema (anasarca) and undeveloped or poorly formed lungs (pulmonary hypoplasia). Until now, sporadic cases of PHA were reported in cattle breeds like Australian Dexter, Belted Galloway, Maine-Anjou, and Shorthorn. This report describes gross and histopathological lesions and pedigree analysis of the first known cases of PHA syndrome in Slovenian Cika cattle. The findings were consistent with known forms of the bovine PHA syndrome. This is the first report of the PHA syndrome occurring in the local endangered breed of Cika cattle. Observed inbreeding practice supports that this lethal defect most likely follows an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. In the light of the disease phenotype it is assumed that a mutation causing an impaired development of lymph vessels is responsible for the hydrops foetalis associated malformations in bovine PHA.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4157818
Beauvericin (BEA) is an emerging mycotoxin mainly produced by fungus Beauveria bassiana and one of the most common grain-contaminating genus of fungi Fusarium spp. Results from the study indicate that BEA has neurotoxic and myotoxic effects, which overlap in a narrow range of concentration.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4093818