Improved procedure for the detection of C. difficile in samples with low number of bacteria was described. Preenrichment step was added prior to LightCycler rtPCR (LC rtPCR) with the purpose to increase the number of C. difficile in samples. One day enrichment culture for C. difficile followed by LC rtPCR assay targeting all three toxin genes can be applied as accurate and rapid screening test especially in samples with low number of C. difficile, as no culture positive/LC rtPCR negative samples were observed. It can be applied to different samples, which could broaden the knowledge about prevalence of C. difficile in food and environmental samples. Furthermore, there is no standard approach for the detection of C. difficile in food; therefore, application of improved procedure could enable comparison of results obtained in different studies.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3637882
This study examined the effects of feed, naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on immune response of primiparous sows. The alteration in function of lymphocytes were identified with the lymphocyte proliferation assay (BrdU incorporation) and detection of lymphocyte apoptosis with ELISA. The results suggest that such feed affect the peripheral lymphocyte population in the direction of their proliferation response and apoptosis. Obtained results are important for both, the breeding of pigs as well as for people, since it is known that pigs are often used as a model for human disease.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3246714
In the scope of molecular epidemiology study of rabies virus isolates detected in Slovenia, 30 archive samples were collected in the period from 1994 to 2010 and were originated from different animal species (red fox, badger, cattle, dog, cat, marten and horse). Two phylogenetic trees were prepared, one by comparing 1092 nucleotides (nt) of nucleoprotein gene and other by comparing 672 nt of glycoprotein gene. Low genetic diversity was observed between 30 samples and when comparing the results of this study to the rabies viruses isolated from neighboring countries high sequence identity was found. Both trees were consistent with topology, and can be used for phylogenetic studies.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3383418
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 gagpol 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
Earthworms and woodlice were used to assess monensin toxicity. The obtained toxicity data were compared with potential monensin concentrations in soil. Manure from monensin-treated broiler chickens was sampled at a poultry farm. The predicted environmental concentration is around 0.013 mg/kg if manure is used after 3 months storing and 0.05 mg/kg if used immediately. If fresh manure is used the risk quotient is )1. Therefore, monensin could be an environmental risk under certain conditions. To prevent this, it is strongly recommended to store chicken manure for several months before using it.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3299706