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In recent years, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been found to be widespread among different animal species worldwide. In Bulgaria, high HEV seropositivity was found among pigs (60.3%), wild boars (40.8%), and East Balkan swine (82.5%). The aim of the present study was to establish the seroprevalence of HEV among dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats in Bulgaria. In total, 720 serum samples from six animal species were randomly collected: dogs—90 samples; cats—90; horses—180; cattle—180; sheep—90; and goats—90. The serum samples were collected from seven districts of the country: Burgas, Kardzhali, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Sliven, Smolyan, and Stara Zagora. The animal serum samples were tested for HEV antibodies using the commercial Wantai HEV-Ab ELISA kit (Beijing, China). The overall HEV seroprevalence among different animal species from Bulgaria was as follows: dogs—21.1%; cats—17.7%; horses—8.3%; cattle—7.7%; sheep—32.2%; and goats—24.4%. We found the lowest overall HEV seropositivity in Plovdiv district (6.2%; 4/64; p = 0.203) and Smolyan district (8.8%; 4/45; p = 0.129), vs. the highest in Pazardzhik district (21.6%; 29/134; p = 0.024) and Burgas district (28.8%; 26/90; p = 0.062). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first serological evidence of HEV infection in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats from Bulgaria. We found high HEV seropositivity in small ruminants (sheep and goats), moderate seropositivity in pets (dogs and cats), and a low level of seropositivity in large animals (horses and cattle). Previous Bulgarian studies and the results of this research show that HEV infection is widespread among animals in our country. In this regard, the Bulgarian health authorities must carry out increased surveillance and control of HEV infection among animals in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been isolated from humans and several animals' species. During the last years, the knowledge of HEV infection dramatically changed and enriched. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HEV in industrial pigs in different districts of Southern Bulgaria. Three hundred sixty swine serum samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. The samples were collected from four industrial farms from three districts of Southern Bulgaria. HEV-specific antibodies in porcine serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PrioCHECK HEV Ab porcine). The overall HEV seroprevalence was 60.3%. The seropositivity varied widely depending on age groups and investigated farms. The overall prevalence in weaners was 25%, in fattening pigs 75.8%, and in group of sows was found the highest HEV positivity of 80%. The occurrence of HEV positivity in sows and fattening pigs presented odds ratio (OR) = 17.200 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.8–33.7) and OR = 11.342 (95% CI: 6.1–21.0), respectively, compared to weaners. The study indicated that HEV is widespread in industrial farms in Bulgaria and presented high seroprevalence in pigs. The results found that HEV seropositivity showed age dependency. The National Health Authorities should raise awareness of HEV and its zoonotic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the profilactic efficiency of the inactivated vaccine with single application for control of the enzootic pneumonia. The research was conducted at an industrial pig farm, on one hundred pigs, divided into two groups after the first week of their birth. One group was vaccinated once on 21st day with commercial inactivated M. hyopneumoniae vaccine (Ingelvac MycoFLEX®), and the other group was left non-vaccinated. It was demonstrated that the vaccine lowered the clinical signs and the damage of the lungs considerably and has led to improvement of the production results for the whole period of the research. Despite the economically justified result by the singular application of the vaccine against M. hyopneumoniae, this must be in line with the specific epidemiological situation in the farm, following a careful assessment of the infective pressure caused by M. hyopneumoniae, which determines the necessity of conducting more reaserch in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate haematological changes in lactating goats with subclinical mastitis. Determination of mammary health status was based on CMT results, microbiological and cytological examination. Blood samples were taken from all goats included in the study by venopuncture of the jugular vein and blood was collected in vacuum blood collection tubes. The results showed that the mean ± SE in healthy animals and goats with subclinical mastitis were as follows: Red Blood Cell count (RBC) 10.43 ± 0.63×1012/L and 9.38 ± 0.42×1012/L; Haemoglobin (Hb) 85.69 ± 2.43 g/L and 77.13 ± 1.73 g/L; Hematocrit (HCT) 18.77 ± 0.87 % and 17.77 ± 0.68 %; Red Blood Cell Distribution (RDW) 21.55 ± 0.16 % and 22.21 ± 0.13 %; Mean Cell Volume (MCV) 16.96 ± 0.29 fL and 15.63 ± 0.20 fL; Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) 6.18 ± 0.10 pg and 6.73 ± 0.09 pg; Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) 379.81 ± 3.72 g/L and 378 ± 3.12 g/L; White Blood Cell Count (WBC) 13.37 ± 1.60×109/L and 16.66 ± 1.23×109/L. The RBC and Hb were significantly higher (P<0.05) in normal lactating compared to goats with subclinical mastitis. RDW, MCH and WBC count was significantly lower in healthy goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to assess the possibility of serological tests for a detection of antibodies against Influenza A virus in wild migratory, zoo birds and alive birds, presented on markets. The samples were collected in Bulgaria during the epizootic in 2015. Totally 209 specimens have been tested, of which 179 only by ELISA and 30 both by ELISA and HI assay. Some differences during the testing of two yolk sacs of eggs, from the found death Dalmatian pelicans, have been demonstrated, where ELISA and AGID were negative, but HI was positive; the following VNR found them to be partially positive. A possible explanation for the observed contradiction could be given by the specific haemagglutinin, located on the surface of viral particle. The obtained positive serum samples of wild birds from Sofia Zoo and those from a market for alive birds have shown that, the supervision of Avian influenza should not be focused only on the migratory birds, because the disease can be introduced by an import of exotic birds and their offer through auctions and markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory diseases are current health problem for pig. Very often they have polietiological base which triggers defined Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC). One of the main and permanent etiologic agents in PRDC is Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the causative agent of enzootic pneumonia in pigs. The disease is widespread in Bulgaria, inflicting major economic damage, resulting in high morbidity, poor feed conversion, reduced average daily gains, cost of therapy and immunization. These indicators determine treatment as necessary and inevitable in control of mycoplasma infection. The purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic potential of enrofloxacin and florfenicol in industrial pig farms in Bulgaria. The study was conducted in pig farm breeding and fattening, with laboratory proven acute form of enzootic pneumonia. It was conducted on 260 growing pigs divided into two experimental groups. The first group was treated with enrofloxacin injective at a dose of 1 ml/10 kg., for three days, and the second with florfenicol, at a dose of 1 ml/20 kg., intramuscularly twice in 48 hours. Received clinical and epidemiological data give reason to assume that the tested schemes are effective in the control of enzootic pneumonia. As a result of the treatment to stabilize by the clinical condition of the pigs, normalization of indicators of blood and limiting morbidity and mortality. The resulting high therapeutic effect in patients treated with enrofloxacin pigs - 89.6 % and respectively florfenicol - 75.6 %, presented both as equivalent antibiotic in the treatment of enzootic pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this research was to perform a seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis E virus (HEV) by an alternative method-serological establishment of the virus from pig liver transudate. This is the first such research in Bulgaria. Moreover, no studies have been conducted on HEV in pig liver in our country. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 liver samples from healthy pigs were collected from slaughterhouses in three parts of the country (Sofia, Lovech, and Stara Zagora districts). An equal number of samples ( n  = 30) were obtained from each district. Results: The overall HEV seropositivity was 67.7% of all 90 tested pig liver transudate samples; in Sofia district 20.0%, in Lovech district 90.0%, and in Stara Zagora district 93.3%. Conclusion: These data are similar to our previous serological studies for HEV in serum samples from industrial pigs, wild boars, and East Balkan swine. In this regard, testing the liver transudate could be a fine alternative method for seroepidemiological survey on HEV in swine.

Scientific evidence indicates that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a zoonotic disease. Domestic pigs and wild boars are the main animal reservoir for HEV worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence of HEV infection among wild boars in western Bulgaria. Serum samples from 240 wild boars from two regions of the country (northwestern and southwestern) were tested for anti-HEV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. The overall HEV seroprevalence was 40.8% (98/240); northwestern region 40.0% (48/120); southwestern region 41.7% (50/120). HEV seropositivity in the southwestern region was higher than in the northwestern region: odds ratio = 1.071 (95% confidence interval: 0.640-1.793). This research provided the first seroprevalence study to HEV in wild boars from western Bulgaria.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been isolated from humans and several animals' species. During the last years, the knowledge of HEV infection dramatically changed and enriched. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HEV in industrial pigs in different districts of Southern Bulgaria. Three hundred sixty swine serum samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. The samples were collected from four industrial farms from three districts of Southern Bulgaria. HEV-specific antibodies in porcine serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PrioCHECK HEV Ab porcine). The overall HEV seroprevalence was 60.3%. The seropositivity varied widely depending on age groups and investigated farms. The overall prevalence in weaners was 25%, in fattening pigs 75.8%, and in group of sows was found the highest HEV positivity of 80%. The occurrence of HEV positivity in sows and fattening pigs presented odds ratio (OR) = 17.200 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.8-33.7) and OR = 11.342 (95% CI: 6.1-21.0), respectively, compared to weaners. The study indicated that HEV is widespread in industrial farms in Bulgaria and presented high seroprevalence in pigs. The results found that HEV seropositivity showed age dependency. The National Health Authorities should raise awareness of HEV and its zoonotic potential.