The Shewanella putrefaciens group are ubiquitous microorganisms recently isolated from different freshwater fish species and causing serious health disorders. The purpose of the study was to characterise isolates of the S. putrefaciens group with special emphasis on elucidating serological diversity and determining putative virulence factors. Isolates collected from freshwater fish (n = 44) and reference strains were used. The identification of bacteria was carried out using biochemical kits and 16S rRNA sequencing. Polyclonal antibodies were prepared against the S. putrefaciens group. The bacterium’s susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, its enzymatic properties, and its adhesion ability to fish cell lines were also tested. Finally, selected isolates were used in challenge experiments in common carp and rainbow trout. Excluding six isolates undeterminable for species, the bacteria were classified to three species: S. putrefaciens, S. xiamenensis, and S. oneidensis, and showed some phenotypic diversity. Fourteen serological variants of the S. putrefaciens group were determined with the newly developed serotyping scheme. Serodiversity may play an important role in the virulence of particular isolates. Further, S. putrefaciens group members adhere to epithelial cells and produce enzymes which may contribute to their virulence. Challenge tests confirmed the pathogenicity of the S. putrefaciens group for fish.

The oil of Juniperus communis (JC) which is among medicinal plants, has many pharmacological activities. In this study, the effects of JC oil on serum paraoxonase (PON1), pancreatic enzymes levels and lipid levels in experimental diabetic rats were investigated.Thirty-two male Wistar-Albino rats (250-300g) were used. The rats were dividedequally into four groups, control (C), diabetes (D), JC oil (J), and diabetes + JC oil (DJ). D and DJ groups wereintraperitoneally (IP) injected with 45 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). JC oil was administered as 200 mg/kg/21days by oral gavage in J and DJ groups.Total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly decreased in the J and DJgroups when compared to C and D groups (p≤0.001). There was no difference in TG levels between D andcontrol group (p≥0.05). Lipoprotein levels were not statistically significant between any group (p≥0.05).Comparing to the control group in the diabetes and DJ groups; significant decreased amylase levels andincreased lipase levels (p≤0.001) was observed. Paraoxonase activity in D group was statistically lower thanin the other groups (p≤0.05). There is no significant difference between the C group and the Jgroup (p>0.05).PON1 level has a significant elevation in the DJ in comparison with the D group (p≤0.05). As a result, JC oil caused an increase in antioxidant PON1 enzyme level and a decrease in lipidlevels in diabetes. The data obtained are supportive that JC oil may be a potential protective effect againstdiabetes-associated complications.