Introduction: The toxinotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from processed chicken meat were determined.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens in food samples purchased from Polish producers. Material and Methods: The analyses were performed on 260 food samples collected in Lublin and Subcarpathian regions: 56 of smoked meat, 21 of pork meat, 20 of dairy products, 26 of vegetable and fruit preserves, 40 of ready-to-eat meals, 27 of fish preserves, and 70 of honey collected directly from apiaries. Results: C. botulinum strains were isolated from 2.3% (6/260) of samples and the isolates were classified as toxin types A (4/260) and B (2/260). C. perfringens strains were isolated from 14% (37/260) of samples. All the isolates were classified as toxin type A, 28 of them were able also to produce α toxin and 9 - β2 toxin. Conclusion: On the basis of the obtained results it could be suggested that risk assessment, especially regarding the entire honey harvesting process, should be provided in order to ensure the microbiological safety of the products to be consumed by infants and people with a weakened immune system.

Introduction: The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is one of the most extensively used methods for identification of animals infected with bluetongue virus (BTV). There are several RT-PCR protocols published and several real-time RT-PCR (rtRT-PCR) commercial kits available on the market. Because Poland faced BTV-14 infection in 2012, different protocols were implemented in the country to confirm the RT-PCR results positive for this virus. The article presents a comparative study of several RT-PCR protocols and discusses their diagnostic reliability and applicability.

Introduction: Eight microsatellite loci were used to define genetic diversity among five native water buffalo breeds in Pakistan.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the local innate immune response to the swine influenza virus (SIV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) infection in pigs. Material and Methods: The study was performed on 37 seven-week-old pigs, divided into four groups: App-infected (n=11), App+SIV-infected (n=11), SIV-infected (n=11), and control (n=4). Lung samples were collected, following euthanasia, on the 2nd and 4th dpi (three piglets per inoculated group) and on the 10th dpi (remaining inoculated and control pigs). Lung concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-α, and IFN-γ were analysed with the use of commercial porcine cytokine ELISA kits. Results: Lung concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-α, and IFN-γ were induced in SIV-infected and App+SIV-infected pigs. In the lung tissue of App-infected pigs, only concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ were elevated. Additionally, in App+SIV-infected pigs, significantly greater concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, and IFN-α were found when compared with pigs infected with either SIV or App alone. In each tested group, the lung concentration of IL-10 remained unchanged during the entire study. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the experimental infection of pigs with SIV or App alone and co-infection with both pathogens induced a local lung inflammatory response. However, the local cytokine response was considerably higher in co-infected pigs compared to singleinfected pigs

Introduction: Despite the advancements in the field, there is a lack of data when it comes to co-infections in poultry. Therefore, this study was designed to address this issue. Material and Methods: Broiler birds were experimentally infected with E. coli (O78) and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) strain, alone or in combination. The experimental groups were negative control. Results: The infected birds showed most severe clinical signs in E. coli+LPAI group along with a significant decrease in weight and enhanced macroscopic and microscopic pathological lesions. The survival rate was 60%, 84%, and 100% in birds inoculated with E. coli+LPAI, E. coli, and LPAI virus alone, respectively. The results showed that experimental co-infection with E. coli and H9N2 strain of LPAI virus increased the severity of clinical signs, mortality rate, and gross lesions. The HI titre against LPAI virus infection in the co-infected group was significantly higher than the HI titre of LPAI group, which may indicate that E. coli may promote propagation of H9N2 LPAI virus by alteration of immune response. Conclusion: The present study revealed that co-infection with E. coli and H9N2 LPAI virus caused more serious synergistic pathogenic effects and indicates the role of both pathogens as complicating factors in poultry infections.

Introduction:Mycoplasma bovis is a well-known cause of various disorders in cattle, such as pneumonia, arthritis, mastitis kerato-conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, otitis media, meningitis, and reproductive disorders. There are no commercial vaccines against M. bovis in Europe, therefore, experimental ones are still under investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of experimental M. bovis vaccine, containing the Polish field M. bovis strain as well as saponin and lysozyme dimer adjuvants, on the T- and B-cell response in calves.

Introduction: Albendazole is used to treat endoparasitic diseases in animals and humans. After oral administration, it is quickly oxidised into its pharmacologically active metabolite albendazole sulfoxide and then to sulfone. However, it is not clear which compound is responsible for toxic effects towards mammalian cells. Material and Methods: The model systems comprised cultures of isolated rat hepatocytes, two hepatoma cell lines (FaO, HepG2), and non-hepatic Balb/c 3T3 line. Cells were exposed for 24, 48, and 72 h to eight concentrations of albendazole ranging from 0.05 to 100 μg/mL. At all three time points cytotoxic effects were assessed by MTT assay and metabolites in the culture media were determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. Results: The effective concentrations EC50-72h showed that Balb/c 3T3 cells were the most sensitive to albendazole (0.2 ±0.1 μg/mL) followed by FaO (1.0 ±0.4 μg/mL), and HepG2 (6.4 ±0.1 μg/mL). In the case of isolated hepatocytes this value could not be attained up to the highest concentration used. Chemical analysis revealed that the concentrations of albendazole in hepatocytes and HepG2 and FaO culture media gradually decreased with incubation time, while the concentrations of its metabolites increased. The metabolism in isolated hepatocytes was dozens of times greater than in HepG2 and FaO cells. Two metabolites (albendazole sulfoxide, albendazole sulfone) were detected in isolated hepatocytes and HepG2 culture medium, one (albendazole sulfoxide) in FaO culture medium and none in Balb/c 3T3. Conclusion: The obtained data indicate that metabolism of albendazole leads to its detoxification. The lower cytotoxic potential of metabolites was confirmed in the independent experiments in this study.

Introduction: In the European Union the use of steroid growth promoters is prohibited under Council Directive 96/22/EC. For effective control of illegal use of natural steroids, highly sensitive analytical methods are required, because sex hormones can be present in very low concentrations in biological samples. The aim of the study was to develop a confirmatory method for the detection of testosterone in bovine serum at ppt level.

Introduction: Pregnancy is a physiological state in which the immune system undergoes certain changes. On the one hand, by depleting cell defence mechanisms, it favours development and maintenance of the pregnancy. At the same time cells of the immune system ensure resistance to many risk factors, including infectious agents.