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Osim zoonotskog potencijala, vrsta Chlamydia (C.) abortus je vrlo važna bakterija koja može prouzročiti tešku bolest malih preživača. Dominantni klinički znak bolesti je pobačaj u kasnom stadiju graviditeta sa znatnim ekonomskim učinkom za farme. Tijekom trogodišnjeg razdoblja (2015.-2017.) metodom Real time (RT) PCR na C. abortus testiran je 191 vaginalni obrisak, 24 placente, 210 organa fetusa i 2 uzorka mlijeka iz slučajeva pobačaja malih preživača. Pozitivni uzorci ustvrđeni su u 8 farmi ovaca i 2 farme koza, što ukupno predstavlja 8, 4 % pozitivnih uzoraka. Ovi uzorci su tipizirani metodom MLVA i identificiran je jedinstveni genotip MLVA (genotip [2]). Dobiveni rezultat ukazuje na visok stupanj podudarnosti sojeva C. abortus u nacionalnom stadu ovaca i koza. Ovo istraživanje prvi je opis vrste C. abortus kao uzročnika pobačaja u koza u Hrvatskoj. Temeljem ustvrđenog rezultata bilo bi uputno provesti daljnja, detaljnija istraživanja da bi se prepoznalo epidemiološko i ekonomsko značenje infekcija vrstom C. abortus. Radi kvalitetnijeg nadzora bolesti potrebno je uspostaviti otvoreni registar gospodarstava s definiranim zdravstvenim statusom za svaku pojedinu farmu.

Chlamydia abortus (C. abortus) is an important pathogen causing reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants. Infections caused by C. abortus have important implications on production results in ruminants and for public health as well. The disease causing agent was confirmed using molecular methods in sheep flocks in continental Croatia in lambing season 2012/2013. That finding drew attention to the need of program of control of abortion cases in sheep and goats which was broadened to cattle from year 2016. Investigation of Chlamydia abortus infections relay on blood testing by indirect ELISA”ID Screen® Chlamydophila abortus, IDvet, France” using synthetic antigen from a major outher-membrane protein (Momp). During 2015 201 sheep and goat samples were tested whereas in 2016 814 cattle samples and 164 samples from sheep and goats were tested. In year 2015 positive reactions were found in 12.97% sheep samples in 8 heards and in 5.71% goat samples on 3 farms. Next year 9.52% positive sheep samples on 7 farms, 5.08% goat samples on 2 farms and also 1.1% positive cattle samples in 8 flocks were found. Positive cattle farms were found in 6 different continental counties, sheep farms in 9 continental and coastal counties and goat farms in 3 coastal counties. Results of seroprevalence investigation indicate that chlamydial infections are widely spread through Croatian national cattle, sheep and goat flocks. This invokes the need for a detailed and wider surveillance program before these infections become a more serious economical and public health problem.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of sow skin disinfection in commercial breeding conditions on Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli counts. The study included 30 sows from a pig-breeding farm. The ventral part of the sow trunk with mammary glands was disinfected before placing the piglets under the sow. Skin swabs were obtained by use of cellulose sponge and quantitatively analyzed according to the ISO 21528-2:2004 and ISO 16649-2:2001 standard methods. The mean Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli counts were significantly lower after disinfection (P

Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 1937 sera samples and five spleen samples from nine Croatian dairy herds were tested for the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) using virus isolation and the immunoperoxidase test. BVDV was detected in 13 persistently infected (PI) cattle with a non-cytopathogenic biotype, while in five animals with fatal mucosal disease, isolates from spleen samples were of the cytopathogenic biotype. To reveal the genetic typing of Croatian BVDV isolates, viral RNA was extracted from infected cell cultures and amplified by RT-PCR, with primers targeting the 5’-UTR and the Npro gene, followed by direct sequencing of purified PCR products. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the 5’-UTR genome region determined that all Croatian isolates belonged to BVDV genotype 1 ; 11 isolates were grouped with BVDV-1b and 7 with BVDV-1f viruses. The phylogenetic tree inferred by the Bayesian approach, using combined 5’-UTR/Npro, supported clustering of Croatian isolates in two subgroups. The deduced aminoacid sequence of the Npro region revealed 5 sites unique for four domestic BVDV-1f isolates.

We describe a case of transmission of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis infection from a man to cattle. M. tuberculosis was isolated from the bronchial lymph nodes of a heifer that reacted positively to bovine tuberculin but showed no gross pathological changes at slaughter. The cattle owner died of tuberculosis the same year the heifer was diagnosed with M. tuberculosis infection. M. tuberculosis strains isolated from the heifer and its owner were genotyped by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units - variable-number tandem repeat (MIRUVNTR) typing, which revealed identical MIRU profi les for both isolates. This is the fi rst described case of M. tuberculosis infection in cattle and the fi rst case of human-to-animal transmission of M. tuberculosis in Croatia.

The significance of Mycobacterium avium (particularly subspecies M. avium subsp. hominissuis) infections in animals and humans is increasing. Susceptibility of humans and farm animals to various mycobacteria and the prevalence of the latter in the environment are very important from the aspect of epizootiology and epidemiology, but have not been investigated in detail in Croatia. This study is based on an extensive tuberculin skin test screening of swine from large farms, followed by isolation and molecular identification of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis isolated from domestic and wild animals, humans and environment. Genotyping by IS1245 RFLP analysis enabled an insight into genetic relatedness of 23 isolates from swine (n=15), humans (n=3), wild boar (n=1), deer (n=1) and sawdust (n=3). Identical RFLP profiles were detected in isolates from wild boar and swine, from swine bred on one farm and from sawdust and swine from one farm. A high degree of similarity was observed for the isolates from humans, deer and swine, from swine and sawdust of the same origin, from swine and sawdust of different origin, and from swine and wild boar from various counties. No epidemiological links between animals and humans were identified, suggesting that humans and animals are final hosts of this pathogen. According to our results, the source of infection for animals and humans is most probably the environment.

The disk diffusion method was employed to assess the sensitivity of 256 Escherichia (E.) coli, 42 Salmonella spp. and 62 Streptococcus (S.) suis isolates to 13 antimicrobials, and of 108 Pasteurella (P.) multocida and 44 Actinobacillus (A.) pleuropneumoniae isolates to 14 antimicrobials. All study isolates were obtained from diagnostic material collected at 8 large pig breeding farms in Croatia. E. coli isolates showed highest rate of resistance to oxytetracycline, streptomycin and ampicillin (98%, 91% and 85% of isolates, respectively), whereas 87% of the isolates were resistant to 4 or more antimicrobials. Salmonella spp. isolates were most sensitive to enrofloxacin and colistin (all isolates), whereas highest rate of resistance was recorded to oxytetracycline and streptomycin (86% and 67% of isolates, respectively). More than 90% of P. multocida isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, colistin, florfenicol and enrofloxacin, whereas highest rate of resistance was observed to streptomycin and nalidixic acid (59% and 43%, respectively). S. suis isolates were most sensitive to cefotaxime and florfenicol (94% of isolates both), whereas highest resistance was recorded to streptomycin (100%). All A. pleuropneumoniae isolates showed sensitivity to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, florfenicol and enrofloxacin, and more than 90% of these isolates were sensitive to penicillin G, ampicillin, colistin, gentamicin and spectinomycin, whereas highest rate of resistance was recorded to nalidixic acid and streptomycin (59% and 36%, respectively). Sensitivity to all antimicrobials tested was recorded in 27% of A. pleuropneumoniae isolates, whereas 41% of these isolates were resistant to one, and 27% to 2-4 of the antimicrobials tested. Of the bacterial species included in the study, the highest rate of antimicrobial resistance was recorded in E. coli, and lowest rate in A. pleuropneumoniae isolates.

Like in most European countries, rabies in Croatia is strictly silvatic, with the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as the main reservoir. Although the disease is mostly perpetuated within the fox population, foxes occasionally transmit disease to other wild and domestic animal species.

During ten years (1996-2006) period blood serum of 356 red deer (Cervus elaphus) were analyzed for the presence of leptospiral antibodies. Using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) we searched for twelve (12) different Leptospira interrogans serovars: Australis, Ballum, Pomona, Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, Bataviae, Hardjo, Saxkoebing, Canicola, Poi and Tarassovi. Seven (7) different leptospiral serovars were found in 75 of 356 analyzed sera (21.06 %). Considerable majority of all serological reactions (78.2 %) were recorded at basic dilution (BD=1:100). The most frequent leptospira serovars in deer population were Ballum (25.5 %) and Pomona (24.6 %), while the highest titer was recorded for serovar Sejroe (1:800). Cross-reactions were recorded in 21.82 % cases, mostly between serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis, Pomona and Sejroe. In purpose to find correlation with deer leptospirosis in past and present time, we compared obtained results with previous serological surveys. Analyzed data showed highest prevalence for serovar Ballum which presence in free-ranging deer population was recorded constantly during period of 25 years.

The paper describes the isolation of Brucella suis biovar 3 from two horses in the Sisak region. This is the first report of Brucella suis infection in horses in Europe and the first report of isolation of Brucella suis biovar 3 in Europe

Pestiviruses, primarily bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), have been identified as the most common contaminants of fetal calf sera (FCS) and cell cultures of different origin used for veterinary vaccine production. Eventhough pigs are not natural hosts of BVDV, inoculation of BVDV contaminated attenuated vaccines may cause clinical disease and/or disturb pestivirus detection and diagnosis. Porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) has also been identified as a common contaminant of cell cultures originating from pig tissues which are used for viral growth and vaccine production. Eventhough PCV1 is non pathogenic for pigs, PCV2 with similar antigenic properties is a cause of severe diseases in pigs named post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). In this study we are presenting the results of cell culture, FCS and vaccine testing by RT-PCR and PCR that was carried out in order to evaluate the contamination of experimental and commercially available pig vaccines.

In the territory of the Forestry of Velika Gorica in forest department "Turopoljski lug" investigations were carried out on the distribution of leptospira in rodent and swine of autochthonous turopolje breed living in that area and being traditionally extensively bred. In total the samples of 31 rodents of the following species were analysed: Apodemus agrarius, A. sylvaticus, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus agrestis and M. arvalis. The blood samples were also analysed as well as the blood samples of 52 swine of Turoplolje breed. The evidence on the distribution of leptospirosis in rodents and swine was obtained by isolation of rhenoculture (rodents) and by findings of antibodies for leptospira by microscopic agglutination.

In the territory of the Forestry of Velika Gorica in the economic unit "Turopoljski Lug" investigations were carried out on the distribution of leptospira in rodents and swine of autochthonous breed of Turopolje living on that area and traditionally being extensively bred In total the samples of 31 rodents of the following species were analysed: Apodemus (A.) agrarius, A. sylvaticus, A. flavicollis Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus (M) agrestis and M. arvalis. In addition, 52 blond sera of Turopolje swine were analysed The distribution of leptospirosis in rodents and swine was demonstrated by isolation of rhinoculture (rodents) and findings of antibodies to leptospira by the reaction of microscopic agglutination. The antibodies to leptospirosis were established in six (19.40 out of 31 blond samples of rodents analysed and of all the samples bacteriologically analysed leptospira were isolated from 1 sample 3.2%). The largest number of positive serological reactions was established in the species A. flavicollis and the antibodies to leptospira serovar (sv.) sv. australis (in three cases) and sv. pomona (in one tase) weře demonstrated. In the species C. graleoulos sv. sejroe and sv. australis (in one tase each) were established. In swine the antibodies were established in eleven (21.1 %) blond samples out of 52 blood samples of Turopolje swine analysed. The antibodies to sv. icterohaemorhagiae (two swine), sv. australis (seven swine), sv. pomona and sv. grippotyphosa (two swine) were demonstrated. Our investigation revealed the distribution of identical sv. of leptospira in rodents and swine living in the same territory (sv. australis and sv. pomona). The mice-like rodents are natural reservoirs of leptospira, thus representing a significant potential source of infection for swine kept in extensive breeding systems.

In each ecosystem in natural biotopes living beings coexist and possibility that environment mycobacteria cause mycobacteriosis in humanand domestic animals must be accepted. Due to the small number of tubercular cattle in Croatia (0,o13%) and Slovenia, frenquen problems in judging tuberculin reactions are cause by nonspecific reactions to tuberculin. Such reactions are most often cause bycontact of cattle, other animals and human with mycobacteria existing in theirenvironment (soil, water, dust, litter, food) and in the cows also M: paratuberculosis can cause such reactions too. On a country farm with 10 cows, 17 swine and 42 hens positive reactions to avian tuberculin were established in 17 swine and 28 hensand nonspecific in 8 cattle. The source of the infection was meize permanently contaminated with faeces of tubercular hens with which swine and cattle were fed. From the organs of hens and swine in which generalized changes wereestablished and from environment (soil, hay, maize) M. avium serovar 2 was isolated sa well as M. fortuitum and M. chelonae. M. intracellulare serovar 8 was the cause of lymphadenitis in one boy. On the husbandry where the boy lived positive reaction to avian tuberculin were evidenced in hens, cows and swine. By bacteriological analysis from the neck lymph node of the boy and swine M. intracellulare serovar 8 was established while no changes were found in hens. On a farm with 460 heifers positive, suspected or nonspecific reactions to tuberculin were demostrated in 49 (10.7%) heifers. Diagnostic slaughtering of five heifers positive to bovine tuberculin was carried out. Carryng out the DNA test (ACCUPROBE) on the organs of those heifers M. avium complex and M. gordonae were evidenced. All the time the heifers were kept on deep litter with sawdust and hay. A kind of microorganism having a positive reaction by PCR method (FR300 - M. intracellulare) and negative PCR (IS901) - M. paratuberculosis) was isolated from the sawdust. In 11.33% of dairy cows nonspecific reactions to tuberculin were established. The infection of cattle with M. paratuberculosis was the main cause of nonspecific senzibilizations in cattle. By serological analisis (ELISA and gamma - IFA test) and DNA probe test of cow dung positive reactions to M. paratuberculosis were established in 9.85%. On the basis of our investigation it can be concluded that potentially pathogen mycobacteria primarily M. avium and M. intracellulare being rather frequent in the environment cause mycobacteriosis in domestic animals and humans and that they are most often the cause of nonspecific senzibilization in catle.

In 358 sows in pig farm, tuberculin tes revealed the presence of 10.61% tuberculin reactions. Serovar 8 MAI was isolated from the lymph nodes of slaughtered pig and from samples of sawdust which was used for litter and was the sourece of infection. In another pig farm with 757 sows, positive reactions were recorded in 21.13% of pigs. Serovar 2 of MAI was isolate from the lymph nodes of slaughtered pigs. The same serovar of MAI was identified in the feces of sparrows which caused the contamination of pig feed and consequently became the source of infection.

In 385 sows in a pig farm, tuberculin test revealed the presence of 10.61% tuberculin reactions. After the sloughter of tuberculin positive pigs, characteristic lesions were found in 82.14% of examined animals. Serova 8 of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was isolated from the lymph nodes of pigs and from samples of sawdust which was used for litter and was the source of infection. In another pig farm with 757 sows, positive reactions were recorded in 21.13 % of breeding sows and pathological lesions in the lymph nodes were found in 71.42% of tuberculin positive animals. Serovar 2 of Mycobacterium avium complex was isolated from lymph nodes of slaughtered pigs. The sames serovar of Mycobacterium avium complex was identified in the feces of sparrrows which caused the contamination of pig feed and consequently became the source of infection.