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Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) has been a major animal health, welfare, and economic problem in Hungary; therefore, great emphasis should be put on both the prevention and control of this complex disease. As antibacterial agents are effective tools for control, antibiotic susceptibility testing is indispensable for the proper implementation of antibacterial therapy and to prevent the spread of resistance. The best method for this is to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the broth microdilution method. In our study, we measured the MIC values of 164 Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae , 65 Pasteurella multocida , and 118 Streptococcus suis isolates isolated from clinical cases against the following antibacterial agents: amoxicillin, ceftiofur, cefquinome, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, tylosin, tilmicosin, tylvalosin, tulathromycin, lincomycin, tiamulin, florfenicol, colistin, enrofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Outstanding efficacy against A. pleuropneumoniae isolates was observed with ceftiofur (100%) and tulathromycin (100%), while high levels of resistance were observed against cefquinome (92.7%) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (90.8%). Ceftiofur (98.4%), enrofloxacin (100%), florfenicol (100%), and tulathromycin (100%) were found to be highly effective against P. multocida isolates, while 100% resistance was detected against the sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim combination. For the S. suis isolates, only ceftiofur (100%) was not found to be resistant, while the highest rate of resistance was observed against the sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim combination (94.3%). An increasing number of studies report multi-resistant strains of all three pathogens, making their monitoring a high priority for animal and public health.

A major problem of our time is the ever-increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents in bacterial populations. One of the most effective ways to prevent these problems is to target antibacterial therapies for specific diseases. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effectiveness of florfenicol against S. suis , which can cause severe arthritis and septicemia in swine herds. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of florfenicol in porcine plasma and synovial fluid were determined. After a single intramuscular administration of florfenicol at 30 mg/kg bw , the AUC 0-∞ was 164.45 ± 34.18 µg/mL × h and the maximum plasma concentration was 8.15 ± 3.11 µg/mL, which was reached in 1.40 ± 0.66 h, whereas, in the synovial fluid, these values were 64.57 ± 30.37 µg/mL × h, 4.51 ± 1.16 µg/mL and 1.75 ± 1.16 h, respectively. Based on the MIC values of the 73 S. suis isolates tested, the MIC 50 and MIC 90 values were 2 µg/mL and 8 µg/mL, respectively. We successfully implemented a killing-time curve in pig synovial fluid as a matrix. Based on our findings, the PK/PD breakpoints of the bacteriostatic (E = 0), bactericidal (E = -3) and eradication (E = -4) effects of florfenicol were determined and MIC thresholds were calculated, which are the guiding indicators for the treatment of these diseases. The AUC 24h /MIC values for bacteriostatic, bactericidal and eradication effects were 22.22 h, 76.88 h and 141.74 h, respectively, in synovial fluid, and 22.42 h, 86.49 h and 161.76 h, respectively, in plasma. The critical MIC values of florfenicol against S. suis regarding bacteriostatic, bactericidal and eradication effects in pig synovial fluid were 2.91 ± 1.37 µg/mL, 0.84 ± 0.39 µg/mL and 0.46 ± 0.21 µg/mL, respectively. These values provide a basis for further studies on the use of florfenicol. Furthermore, our research highlights the importance of investigating the pharmacokinetic properties of antibacterial agents at the site of infection and the pharmacodynamic properties of these agents against different bacteria in different media.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bearing the mecC gene ( mecC -MRSA) has been reported from animals and humans in recent years. This study describes the first mecC -MRSA isolates of human and equine origin in Hungary (two isolates from horses and one from a veterinarian, who treated one of the infected horses, but was asymptomatic). MRSA isolates were identified by cultivation and PCR detection of the species-specific spa gene and mecA / mecC methicillin resistance genes. The isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, MLST, spa , SCCmec typing, PFGE and whole genome sequencing (WGS). All three isolates belonged to the ST130-t843- SCCmec XI genotype, and carried the mecC and blaZ genes. Apart from beta-lactam drugs, they were sensitive to all tested antibiotics. The isolates of the infected horse and its veterinarian had the same PFGE pulsotype and showed only slight differences with WGS. Hence, this is the first description of direct transmission of a mecC -carrying MRSA between a horse and its veterinarian. The emergence of mecC in the country highlights the importance of the appropriate diagnostics in MRSA identification.

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is an emerging pathogen that has been reported worldwide in all ages of healthy and clinically ill pigs. The presence of this virus in Hungary has been confirmed in a commercial farm experiencing reproductive failures, but there were no data on the circulation of PCV3 in the country. Here we report the prevalence and the genetic diversity of PCV3 in Hungarian herds. To estimate the prevalence, 1855 serum samples, 176 oral fluid and 97 processing fluid samples were collected in a systematic, cross-sectional method from 20 large scale swineherds and tested by real-time qPCR. PCV3 was present in at least one type of diagnostic matrix in 19 out of the 20 (95%) pig farms. The highest detection rates were observed in the processing fluid samples (61%), but 41% of the oral fluid and 23% of the serum samples were positive. The virus was found in all age groups, and slightly more adult animals were infected than growing pigs, but the viral burden was lower amongst them. Phylogenetic analysis of nine complete genomes, obtained from either the sampled herds or organ samples of PCV3-positive carcasses, showed high nucleotide identity between the detected sequences, which all belonged to the PCV3a genotype. Our results indicate that PCV3 is widespread in Hungary, but in most cases, the virus seems to circulate subclinically, infecting all age groups and production phases without the presence of apparent clinical disease.

Staphylococcosis is one of the most important infectious diseases in rabbit medicine, especially in commercial farming. Previous studies revealed the existence of virulent variants adapted to rabbits. Typical and atypical, highly virulent as well as low virulent variants have been isolated and reported from industrial units in all major rabbit-meat-producing countries. Preceding the research focused on detecting defined nucleotide sequences, the genome of these organisms as a whole was rarely subjected to scientific investigations. The authors sequenced 51 Staphylococcus strains originating from industrial rabbit farms in Hungary. Another 12 draft genomes of rabbit isolates were constructed from read sequences available in digital repositories, and were compared based on whole-genome multilocus sequence typing. The clonal origin of highly virulent variants is confirmed, the strains from Hungary were closely related with the strains isolated in the UK, Italy, and Spain. Atypical highly virulent strains are the most prevalent in Hungary, they form a separate clonal cluster. The low virulent strains were genetically similar, but more heterogeneous than the highly virulent (HV) and aHV strains even by the traditional MLST typing scheme. Other "non-aureus" Staphylococcus species were also identified., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections are responsible for significant economic losses in the swine industry. Commercially available vaccines are not able to inhibit the colonisation of the respiratory tract by M. hyopneumoniae absolutely, therefore vaccination can be completed with antibiotic treatment to moderate clinical signs and improve performances of the animals. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of M. hyopneumoniae is time-consuming and complicated; therefore, it is not accomplished routinely. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro susceptibility to 15 different antibiotics of M. hyopneumoniae isolates originating from Hungarian slaughterhouses and to examine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes affecting susceptibility to antimicrobials. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the examined antibiotics against 44 M. hyopneumoniae strains were determined by microbroth dilution method. While all of the tested antibiotics were effective against the majority of the studied strains, high MIC values of fluoroquinolones (enrofloxacin 2.5 μg/ml; marbofloxacin 5 μg/ml) were observed against one strain (MycSu17) and extremely high MIC values of macrolides and lincomycin (tilmicosin, tulathromycin and lincomycin >64 μg/ml; gamithromycin 64 μg/ml; tylosin 32 μg/ml and tylvalosin 2 μg/ml) were determined against another, outlier strain (MycSu18). Amino acid changes in the genes gyrA (Gly81Ala; Ala83Val; Glu87Gly, according to Escherichia coli numbering) and parC (Ser80Phe/Tyr; Asp84Asn) correlated with decreased antibiotic susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and a SNP in the nucleotide sequence of the 23S rRNA (A2059G) was found to be associated with increased MIC values of macrolides. The correlation was more remarkable when final MIC values were evaluated. This study presented the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of M. hyopneumoniae strains circulating in the Central European region, demonstrating the high in vitro efficacy of the tested agents. The observed high MIC values correlated with the SNPs in the examined regions and support the relevance of susceptibility testing and directed antibiotic therapy., Competing Interests: I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: The SCG Diagnosztika Kft. provided support in the form of salaries for KK. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Rabbit staphylococcosis is one of the most important diseases in industrial rabbit production. We report here the draft genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus strain 380/11, an atypical highly virulent (aHV) rabbit Staphylococcus aureus strain., (Copyright © 2017 Német et al.)

We report the draft genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Sp17, a typical highly virulent (HV) rabbit strain. As current medicine apparently fails to effectively reduce disease and economical losses caused by this organism, it is essential to gain better insight on its genomic arrangement., (Copyright © 2015 Német et al.)

Background: Reports on Sarcocystis-infection of cattle are outdated or lacking in many European countries, including those in the Central-Eastern part of the continent. Therefore, to assess the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. among bovids in Hungary, a countrywide survey was initiated. In addition, fulminant deaths of four cattle, that showed clinical signs and post mortem lesions resembling acute sarcocystiosis ("Dalmeny disease"), were investigated., Methods: During the countrywide survey individual heart and oesophagus samples were collected at slaughterhouses from 151 beef cattle and from 15 buffalo, kept in 31 places of Hungary. Analysis for Sarcocystis spp. was carried out with conventional PCRs for the 18S rDNA gene and gel electrophoresis, followed by sequencing of 36 strongly positive samples. Mortality cases were evaluated by histological, molecular, bacteriological and virological analyses of samples from various organs., Results: Among slaughtered cattle the rate of Sarcocystis-infection was 66%. S. cruzi was identified as the most prevalent species in aurochs-like breed, and the zoonotic S. hominis in Hungarian grey cattle. Concerning the sudden deaths of cattle, Sarcocystis-infection could not be demonstrated in organs showing haemorrhages, but S. cruzi cysts were present in the muscles. In one case "S. sinensis" was molecularly identified in the blood (indicating sarcocystaemia). Results of analyses for bacterial/viral pathogens were negative., Conclusions: S. cruzi appears to be the most prevalent Sarcocystis sp. in cattle in Hungary, followed by the zoonotic S. hominis. However, the rate of infection with both species was shown to differ between cattle breeds. The suspected role of Sarcocystis spp. as causative agents of the fatal cases could not be confirmed.

The genome of a porcine H1N1 influenza A strain is reported in this study. The strain proved to be a monoreassortant strain with a typical porcine N1 gene on the genetic backbone of the pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus strain. Monitoring of descendants of the pandemic 2009 H1N1 strain is needed because of concerns that more-virulent strains may emerge in forthcoming epidemic seasons.

Background: The spread of lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV) from sub-Saharan regions to Europe and the unpredictable change in pathogenicity indicate a potential public and veterinary health threat and requires scientific awareness., Objectives: To describe the results of clinical and virological investigations of the 1st outbreak of a genetic lineage 2 WNV encephalomyelitis in horses., Animals: Seventeen horses with neurologic signs., Methods: Information regarding signalment, clinical signs, and outcome was obtained for each animal. Serology was performed in 15 cases, clinicopathological examination in 7 cases, and cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 2 horses. Histopathology was carried out in 4 horses, 2 of which were assessed for the presence of WNV in their nervous system., Results: WNV neutralizing antibody titers were between 10 and 270 (median, 90) and the results of other serological assays were in agreement with those of the plaque reduction neutralization test. Common signs included ataxia, weakness, asymmetric gait, muscle tremors, hypersensitivity, cranial nerve deficits, and recumbency. Twelve animals survived. Amplicons derived from the infection-positive specimens allowed molecular characterization of the viral strain., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: From our results, we conclude that this outbreak was caused by a lineage 2 WNV strain, even though such strains often are considered nonpathogenic. Neurological signs and survival rates were similar to those reported for lineage 1 virus infections. The disease occurrence was not geographically limited as had been the typical case during European outbreaks; this report describes a substantial northwestern spread of the pathogen., (Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

In vitro antimicrobial sensitivity of 12 Hungarian isolates and the type strain ATCC 33144 of Actinobaculum suis to different antimicrobial compounds was determined both by the agar dilution and by the disc diffusion method. By agar dilution, MIC50 values in the range of 0.05-3.125 micrograms/ml were determined for penicillin, ampicillin, ceftiofur, doxycycline, tylosin, pleuromutilins, chloramphenicol, florfenicol, enrofloxacin and lincomycin. The MIC50 value of oxytetracycline and spectinomycin was 6.25 and 12.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. For ofloxacin, flumequine, neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin and sulphamethoxazole + trimethoprim MIC50 values were in the range of 25-100 micrograms/ml. With the disc diffusion method, all strains were sensitive to penicillin, cephalosporins examined, chloramphenicol and florfenicol, tetracyclines examined, pleuromutilins, lincomycin and tylosin. Variable sensitivity was observed for fluoroquinolones (flumequine, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin), most of the strains were susceptible to marbofloxacin. Almost all strains were resistant to aminoglycosides but most of them were sensitive to spectinomycin. A strong correlation was determined for disc diffusion and MIC results (Spearman's rho 0.789, p < 0001). MIC values of the type strain and MIC50 values of other tested strains did not differ significantly. Few strains showed a partially distinct resistance pattern for erythromycin, lincomycin and ampicillin in both methods.

Background: Sentinel lymph node detection was investigated in dogs with spontaneously occurring tumours., Material and Methods: In this pilot study, 24 client-owned spontaneously tumorous dogs presented for sentinel lymph node detection. A multiple method was used with a nuclear medicine technique (injection of 99mTc human serum albumin colloid) with scintigraphy and intraoperative guidance, and blue dye injection., Results: Of the 35 lymph nodes histologically demonstrated to contain metastases, 34 (97%) were found by radioguided surgery, which means that one would have been missed in the intraoperative localisation process; 31 nodes (89%) were clearly visualised in the gamma camera images; only 27 (77%) were blue-stained by vital dye; a mere 8 lymph nodes (23%) were enlarged and therefore easily detectable by palpation., Conclusions: Data obtained from the harmless application of the sentinel node concept are useful for the radiopharmaceutist. The sentinel lymph node concept is well applicable in the veterinary clinic.

Slaughterhouse sampling and examination of urogenital tracts of 499 sows and gilts culled for reproductive reasons from 21 Hungarian herds were performed over a 6-year period. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of different urogenital tract lesions, and to provide sensitivity and specificity estimates for macroscopic and bacteriological examinations in the diagnosis of urocystitis and endometritis. Furthermore, the association between endometritis and urocystitis was assessed. The prevalence of main lesions of the urogenital tract was similar to that reported in other studies. The 'sensitivity' of macroscopic and bacteriological methods was determined statistically by taking histopathology as the 'Gold Standard'. As a result, the 'sensitivity' of macroscopic methods for the diagnosis of endometritis and urocystitis was < or = 18.1% and 47.9%, respectively, while the 'sensitivity' of bacteriology for the diagnosis of the same conditions was < or = 31.8% and 63.0%, respectively. The presumed positive association between urocystitis and endometritis was confirmed; it was not confounded by parity. Animals affected by urocystitis had a 3.5 times higher odds to simultaneously have endometritis than animals without urocystitis.