Introduction: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia pachydermatis often cause skin diseases in dogs. Material and Methods: An online survey was e-mailed to veterinary practices nationwide covering demographics, diagnosis methods, and oral and topical treatment options. Of the 740 surveys sent, 100 complete replies were obtained. Results: The majority of clinicians were unaware of the existence of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases guidelines or did not follow them (53%). Oral antibiotics were used universally for superficial bacterial folliculitis treatment, particularly amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (100%), cephalexin (94%), enrofloxacin (67%), or marbofloxacin (60%). For fold dermatitis (FD) and otitis externa (OE), oral antibiotics were also given as treatment in 88% and 82% of cases, respectively. Oral antifungals were often prescribed for generalised Malassezia dermatitis (85%), FD (70%), and OE (59%). S. pseudintermedius and M. pachydermatis were frequently treated topically, particularly with antibacterials or antifungals only, or a combination of antibacterials, antifungals, and glucocorticoids. Alternative options such as honey-based products were not frequently used. Conclusion: Our survey suggests that oral antibiotics are overused by Portuguese clinicians despite the spread of antibiotic resistant S. pseudintermedius. Oral antibiotics and antifungals are commonly prescribed for skin conditions manageable with topical treatments.

The study was designed to investigate the effects of repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment on growth performance, lymphoid organ indexes, and blood cells in Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty healthy weaned Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly equally divided into LPS and control groups. Each rat in the LPS group was injected via the caudal vein with LPS (100 μg/kg b.w.) for 10 days, and the control group was treated with an equal volume of normal saline. On the 1ˢᵗ, 4ᵗʰ, 7ᵗʰ, and 10ᵗʰ days, growth performance, lymphoid organ indexes, and blood cells were evaluated in five necropsied rats. When rats were treated 3–10 times with LPS, their body weight and average daily gains increased more slowly than in the control group (P < 0.05). Repeated LPS treatment significantly increased spleen weight and the ratio of spleen to body weight (P < 0.05). White blood cells, neutrophils, and neutrophil percentage increased (P < 0.05) remarkably, but lymphocyte percentage, haemoglobin, and blood platelet counts decreased significantly (P < 0.05). LPS treatment obviously suppresses growth and promotes peripheral immune organ proliferation. It is indicated that host protective mechanism can be activated by multiple small doses of LPS and prevents organs from further damage during stress status.

The aim of this study was examination of honey samples collected from apiaries situated in all Polish provinces for occurrence of Clostridium spp., especially C. perfringens. The study was carried out on 240 honey samples (15 samples/province). Estimation of Clostridium titre, its cultures and C. perfringens isolate characterisation were performed according to the standard PN-R-64791:1994. A multiplex PCR method for detection of genes coding cpa (α toxin), cpb (β), cpb2 (β2), etx (ε), iap (ι), and cpe (enterotoxin) toxins was used. Clostridium spp. was noticed in 56% (136/240) of samples, and its titres ranged between 0.1 g and 0.001 g. Clostridium perfringens occurrence was evidenced in 27.5% (66/240) of samples. All isolates were classified to toxinotype A. Evidence of a high number of positive samples with occurrence of Clostridium spp. indicates a potential risk to consumers’ health. The infective number of Clostridium spp. is unknown; however, the obtained results have shown that a risk assessment on the entire honey harvesting process should be made in order to ensure microbiological safety. Moreover, a detailed study should be undertaken on the antibiotic resistance of C. perfringens isolates from honey samples.

The study aimed to observe TNF-α serum concentration as well as changes in respiration rate, body temperature, and pulse rate in burn victims during 84 h post burn. A total of 30 healthy pigs were divided into two groups: A, the test group and N, the control group. The experimental group suffered burns to 30% of the body surface, and after infliction of the burns both groups were closely monitored. The biggest increase in TNF-α serum concentration in the test subjects occurred around the 6ᵗʰ h of the study, and the second biggest increase took place between 12ᵗʰ and 36ᵗʰ h. In the 36ᵗʰ h, TNF-α was 2.5 times more concentrated in serum in the test group than in the control group. In the test group, the biggest increase in respiration rate occurred up to the 6ᵗʰ h post burn, on average up to 29/min. In the 12ᵗʰ h post burn, the mean pulse rate in the test group was 133/min and dropped to the lowest value in the 72ⁿᵈ h of the experiment. A gradual increase in body temperature up to 41.72°C was observed up to the 30ᵗʰ h post burn and decreased to a significant value of 40.74°C by the 84ᵗʰ h of the study. In a period of a pronounced rise in TNF-α serum concentration, this parameter, pulse rate, and respiration rate are highly correlated and are also influenced by multiple inflammation forming factors.

Introduction: The aim of the study was the application and evaluation of real-time PCRs based on the fluorescence of SYBR Green I intercalating dye for the detection of three Bacillus anthracis genes in contaminated liver and blood samples. The goals for detection were rpoB gene as a chromosomal marker, pag gene located on plasmid pXO1, and capC gene located on plasmid pXO2. Material and Methods: Five B. anthracis strains were used for the experiments. Additionally, single strains of other species of the genus Bacillus, i.e. B. cereus, B. brevis, B. subtilis, and B. megaterium, and strains of six other species were used for evaluation of the specificity of the tests. Three SYBR Green I real-time PCRs were conducted allowing confirmation of B. anthracis in the biological samples. Results: The observation of amplification curves in real-time PCRs enabled the detection of the chromosomally encoded rpoB gene, pag gene, and capC gene of B. anthracis. The specificity of the tests was confirmed by estimation of the melting temperature of the PCR products. The sensitivity and linearity of the reactions were determined using regression coefficients. Strains of other microbial species did not reveal real-time PCR products. Conclusion: All real-time PCRs for the detection of B. anthracis in biological samples demonstrated a significant sensitivity and high specificity.

Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are roundworms of dogs and cats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the infection caused by these ascarids in cats and dogs, using microscopic and molecular analysis methods. Adult ascarids were gathered from the faeces of dogs and cats in Van province, in 2015–2016. Existing keys and PCR sequencing of the ITS-2 fragment were used to identify the morphological features of the parasite species. It was observed that out of 20 adult ascarids, 17 and 3 were found to be Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, respectively. The ITS-2 gene region was amplified by PCR to perform molecular analysis. Genotyping indicated that the dogs and cats were infected with T. canis and T. cati, respectively, and none had Toxascaris leonina. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular characteristics of adult ascaridoid nematodes from cats and dogs in Turkey. The molecular approaches established in this study enable molecular identification and genetic structure studies of the ascaridoids.

Taenia solium is a parasite causing porcine cysticercosis and human taeniosis and cysticercosis, parasitic zoonoses with a serious public health and economic influence. It has been globally ranked as the top foodborne parasite by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). This parasite is transmitted mainly in countryside regions where animals are free roaming, having access to human faeces, and infected pork is widely available. More developed countries eliminated cysticercosis; nonetheless, there are insufficient data about the current endemicity status of T. solium, due to increased human migration from endemic areas. Formally submitted statistics on cysticercosis in pigs are extremely inadequate. This is the result of not reporting all cases of the disease by some countries and lack of molecular verification during identification of the parasite. There is a need to develop diagnostic tests with increased sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of the present review is to summarise current knowledge about diagnostic and control methods concerning T. solium infection. The article does not address the diagnostics of human cysticercosis, since there is a distinct medical field which should be discussed separately. The paper focuses mainly on identifying the sources of T. solium infection, presenting the methods to detect and control porcine cysticercosis and taeniosis in humans.

Inosine pranobex (Isoprinosine) stimulates cell-mediated immune responses to viral infections in humans and might have also therapeutic use in animals. The aim of this study was to compare three in vitro cytotoxicity assays on mouse embryo fibroblasts and liver cancer cells and determine their ability to detect early cytotoxic effects for inosine pranobex. BALB/3T3 clone A31and HepG2 cells were incubated with inosine pranobex at concentrations from 0.1 to 1,000 μg/mL. Cell viability was determined with the MTT reduction, the LHD release, and the NRU tests. A decrease in the cell viability was observed after incubating the BALB/3T3 clone A31and HepG2 cells with inosine pranobex. Based on the cytotoxicity endpoints measured in these investigations in BALB/3T3 clone A31cells, it can be concluded that the cell membrane may be the first part of the cell to be affected by inosine pranobex. The disintegration of lysosomes and mitochondria follows mitochondria damage. In HepG2 cells likewise, the cell membrane may be the first part of the cell to be affected by inosine pranobex. Also in liver cancer cells, the disintegration of mitochondria (assessed with the MTT reduction assay) and next of lysosomes (assessed with the NRU assay) follows mitochondria damage.

The experiment evaluated the effects of intravenous administration of polymyxin B on experimental endotoxaemia in sheep. Twenty clinically healthy fat-tailed sheep were randomly divided into: a group treated with 6,000 U/kg of polymyxin B, a group at 12,000 U/kg, and positive and negative controls. Endotoxaemia was induced by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli serotype O55:B5 at 0.5 μg/kg. polymyxin was infused intravenously along with 2.5 L of isotonic intravenous fluids at 20 mL/kg/h. The positive control group received LPS and 2.5 L of isotonic fluids, the negatives receiving just 2.5 L of isotonic fluids. Clinical signs were evaluated before and at 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 24, and 48 h after LPS administration. Blood was also sampled at the denoted hours and serum haptoglobin, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and plasma lactate concentrations were assayed. The serum concentration of TNF-α in the positive control group increased significantly up to 48 h after LPS administration. The concentration of TNF-α was significantly different from those of the polymyxin B and positive control groups from 3 to 48 h; also, the concentrations of haptoglobin at different times in the polymyxin groups were lower than those of the positive control group and were significant at hours 3 to 48 (P < 0.05). Following the LPS administration, haptoglobin and TNF-α concentrations changed without significant difference between the two polymyxin B groups. Polymyxin B (6,000 U/kg) restrained blood lactate concentrations. Furthermore, it significantly improved the clinical signs in endotoxaemic animals, including rectal temperature and heart and respiratory rates. Polymyxin B may be an antiendotoxic in fat-tailed sheep.

In 2015 in the European Union member states listeriosis caused 270 deaths. Food is the route of transmission in 99% of all human infection cases. Several studies from different countries have shown that the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in food can be as high as 58.3%. One of the most important ways to protect food from these microorganisms is to prevent the spread of the bacteria at processing plants at different stages of food production chain. The ability of L. monocytogenes to survive in extreme conditions and to form biofilms on various surfaces is a significant challenge for food safety. Removal of these bacteria from niches in processing plants is difficult and requires the use of sanitisers and precise equipment cleaning. The presence of L. monocytogenes in processing environment at slaughterhouses, deli meat factories or in retail may be a reason of cross-contamination. Proper hygienic systems applied by workers in food preparing places and knowledge about different routes of spreading of these bacteria may effectively decrease the risk of food contamination. Standardised legal regulations and control of meat product manufacture should be a fundamental way to protect food from L. monocytogenes contamination.