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 neighbouring countries high sequence identity was found. Both trees were consistent with topology, and can be used for phylogenetic studies.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3383418
Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are zoonotic parasites, which are very important for public health. Data on their prevalence in humans and animals in Western Europe are incomplete and fragmented. In the study, we wanted to update the current knowledge of epidemiology of taeniosis in this region. We conducted a systematic overview of the scientific and gray literature that was published between 1990 and 2015 on the epidemiology of T. saginata and T. solium in humans and animals. In addition, data on the occurrence of the disease were also obtained from local experts. Taeniosis was discovered in twelve of the eighteen countries of Western Europe. Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom reported cases of taeniosis, and the number of cases detected per year ranged between 1 and 114. In Austria and Portugal cases of T. solium in pigs were found. Germany, Spain and Slovenia reported pig cysteriosis, but did not distinguish between Taenia species. In all but Iceland, bovine cysticercosis was detected, with a prevalence of 0,0002-7,82%, based on meat inspection. Diagnosis and reporting of taeniosis in Europe needs to be improved. Both taeniosis and human cysticercosis should be reported and animal surveillance improved.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4358266
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
A 29 nucleotide deletion in open reading frame 8 (ORF8) is the most obvious genetic change in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) during its emergence in humans. In spite of intense study, it remains unclear whether the deletion actually reflects adaptation to humans. Here we engineered full, partially deleted (-29nt), and fully deleted ORF8 into a SARS-CoV infectious cDNA clone, strain Frankfurt-1. Independent of the cell system, the truncation of ORF8 (29 deletion) decreased replication up to 23-fold. The effect was independent of the type I interferon response. The 29nt deletion in SARS-CoV is deleterious mutation acquired along the initial human-to human transmission chain. The resulting loss of fitness may be due to a founder effect, which was rarely been documented in process of viral emergence. These results have important implications for the retrospective assessment of the threat poses by SARS.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4695674
Presented broad study of hepatitis E virus (HEV) presence in pigs in Slovenia is the first overview the HEV situation in pigs entering a slaughterhouse and, further analysis of the possibility of HEV entering into the food supply chain. 2433 samples from 811 clinically healthy pigs were collected at four slaughterhouses. In the group of three month old pigs 13,7% of faeces, 13,0% of bile and 12,1% of liver samples were HEV positive by specific real-time RT-PCR assay. In the group of six months old pigs only 0,25% of liver and 0,25% of bile samples were positive. In the category of sows, no positive samples were found. Two out of 63 swab samples collected on the slaughter line were HEV positive. The phylogenetic analysis of 50 HEV positive samples, with comparison of 366 nucleotides in ORF 1 region, revealed that identified strains belongs into subtypes 3a, 3b, 3c and 3e.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4408954
Group A rotavirus strain D38/14 was identified and characterized in a fecal sample from roe deer by next generation sequencing. 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 that the D38/14 rotavirus strain is closely related 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
In this work we show that copper doped TiO2 nano-tubes deposited on existing surfaces and illuminated with ceiling mounted fluorescent lights can retard the growth of Listeria Innocua by 80% in seven hours of exposure to the fluorescent light at different places in a food processing plant or in the laboratory conditions.The disinfection properties of the surfaces seem to depend mainly on the temperature difference of the surface and the dewpoint, where for the maximum effectiveness the differences should be about 3 degrees celsius.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4557690
The genetic relationships and ergot-alkaloid production of the fungus Claviceps purpurea (ergot) on grasses were investigated, to determine any associations between grass host specificity, ergot-alkaloid production, and geographic origin. C. purpurea sclerotia were obtained from wild and cultivated grasses along a 300-km climatic gradient, from sub-Mediterranean to continental climates. Molecular analysis of sclerotia ribosomal DNA showed three genetic groups, with some associations with specific grass host taxonomic groups, at the level of tribes. The ergot-alkaloid composition data were in agreement with the data obtained by molecular analyzes; some differences in ergot-alkaloid production/ composition were observed for the different genetic groups. In this study, we have found that certain pathotypes (genetic groups) of Claviceps purpurea infect certain grass tribes, while they produce different amounts and types of ergot-alkaloids. Indirectly, we can predict which species of infected grass will produce several ergot-alkaloids.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4746063
A method that handles multiple source of information by single-step genomic evaluation was developed. The method was demonstrated by integrating multi-national genomic EBV and reliabilities of Brown Swiss sires, into the national evaluation in Slovenia. The results showed that the method could increase reliability of a national (genomic) evaluation; provide consistent ranking of all animals: bulls, cows, and young animals; and increase the size of a genomic training population. These features provide more efficient and transparent selection throughout a small breeding program.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3849096