This study investigated the effects of producer and pastırma type/cut on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of traditional Turkish dry-cured pastırma from Kastamonu. Two cuts were evaluated: kuşgömü (M. psoas major/minor muscles) and sırt (M. longissimus thoracis (loin)). Sixty market-ready samples obtained from five local producers (n = 6 per type per producer) were analysed for moisture, ash, fat, protein, salt, pH, water activity (aw), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), colour parameters (L*, a*, b*), and microbial populations. Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA with producer and type/cut as fixed factors, followed by Tukey’s HSD and partial eta-squared (η²p) effect size estimation. The largest effect was observed for fat content, which was strongly influenced by type/cut (η²p=0.46, P<0.001), whereas producer effects were more evident for ash, pH, and redness (a*). A significant producer × type interaction was detected for ash. Moisture, salt, aw, TBARS, and L*/b* values showed no significant differences (P>0.05), indicating limited variation in oxidative status. Microbial counts varied mainly among producers rather than between cuts, with one producer consistently showing higher total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, staphylococci, Pseudomonas spp., and yeast–mould counts, together with higher moisture and lower salt content. Enterobacteriaceae counts remained low across all samples, suggesting satisfactory process hygiene. Sensory evaluation revealed producer- and type-dependent differences, particularly in crispness and taste/flavour attributes. Overall, producer-specific practices had a greater influence on quality variation than muscle type, highlighting the importance of standardised salting, drying, and hygiene practices for improving consistency of traditional Kastamonu pastırma.
Intermittent fasting (IF), particularly time-restricted feeding (TRF), has garnered attention for its potential health benefits and organ protection mechanisms. This study investigated the effects of TRF on oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver and kidneys of Wistar albino rats. A total of 48 male rats were employed, divided into four groups: Group 1 had unrestricted access to food, Group 2 was fed one meal a day (23 hours of fasting and 1 hour of eating), Group 3 was fed two meals a day (18 hours of fasting, with each meal lasting 1 hour within a 6-hour window), and Group 4 was fed two meals a day (14 hours of fasting, with each meal lasting 1 hour within a 10-hour window). Over a 90-day trial, we assessed TAC, TOC, OSI, MDA and NO in liver and kidney tissues, and measured pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and the BCL-2/BAX ratio to evaluate apoptosis. The results demonstrated modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, with TRF reducing TOC and OSI values. Notably, TRF enhanced TAC levels and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The BCL-2/BAX ratio indicated a decrease in apoptosis in the TRF groups compared to group 1. Additionally, Group 4 appeared to be the most effective regimen. These findings highlight the potential of TRF to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, and protect the liver and kidneys. This research supports TRF's role in enhancing metabolic health and underscores the need for further studies to evaluate on different organs.
Animal welfare is based on the "Five Freedoms" principle, which is internationally applied to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of animals. Under European Union legislation, animals are recognized not merely as objects but as "sentient beings"; farming, transport, and slaughter processes are subject to strict welfare standards. Within this framework, the EU has established a comprehensive body of legislation defining species-specific housing, transport, and slaughter standards for animals such as laying hens, calves, and pigs. Today, the European Union continues to advance these standards through strategies such as "From Farm to Fork" and "Ending the Cage Age." In Türkiye, however, animal welfare is addressed primarily under Law No. 5199, which focuses on protecting animals, and Law No. 5996, which focuses on food and production. However, the human-centered rules introduced by Law No. 7527 in 2024 regarding the collection and sheltering of stray animals have been criticized for their lack of feasibility, particularly given the administrative and financial limitations of municipalities.When comparing the two legal systems, it is evident that regulations in Türkiye, such as the “Regulation on the Welfare of Farm Animals,” are consistent with the EU’s core directives. However, the most notable differences include the absence of detailed and stringent species-specific sub-standards in Turkish legislation, discrepancies in pre-slaughter stunning regulations, and the long transition periods (extended until 2026) granted for practices such as the mandatory use of GPS in transport vehicles. The study concludes that, although Turkish legal texts are not significantly behind global standards, their implementation faces serious challenges owing to insufficiently deterrent penalties, weak enforcement, and limited public awareness.
This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing broiler diets with olive leaf extract (OLE) and chitosan- and alginate-coated olive leaf extract (C-OLE) on performance; internal organ weights; selected blood serum biochemical values; breast- and thigh-meat pH; breast-meat MDA values; intestinal pH; tibia and femur morphometric characteristics (width, length, and weight); and dry matter levels and ammonia concentrations in litter and feces. In this study, OLE (1.5%) was subsequently encapsulated with alginate (1%) and chitosan (1%). After drying, the alginate- and chitosan-coated olive leaf extract was added to broiler rations at 1%. The research was conducted over 37 days with 105 one-day-old male broiler chicks. The chicks were randomly allocated to three groups: one control group and two treatment groups. The control group received a basal diet without supplementation. In contrast, one treatment group was fed a diet supplemented with OLE, and the other was fed a diet supplemented with C-OLE; each supplement contained 125 mg/kg oleuropein. On day 37, statistically significant differences were observed between the treatment groups and the control group in body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion rate, the European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), and some organ weights (P<0.05). In conclusion, encapsulated olive leaf extract containing 125 mg/kg oleuropein may improve the bioavailability of phenolic compounds and may represents a promising natural feed additive for broiler production.
Leptospirosis, a reemerging zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira, affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals. The only investigation into sheep leptospirosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina was conducted nearly 50 years ago. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of leptospirosis and to identify the most common serovars in sheep in Bosnia and Herzegovina, using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Leptospirosis seroprevalence was determined to be 2.16% at a cut-off titer of >= 1:100 (55/2542) and 8.10% at a cutoff of >= 1:25 (206/2542), with all positive cases related to a single serovar. The MAT titers were 1:25 and 1:100, with the majority of positive animals having low titer (1:25) (151/206; 73.3%). At a cut-off of >= 1:100, the sera most frequently reacted to Pomona (54.55%) and Hardjo (27.27%), and less commonly to Saxkoebing and Icterohaemorrhagiae (0.2%) (P<0.05). Odds of seropositivity were higher for Pomona and Hardjo than for Saxkoebing and Icterohaemorrhagiae. The results of this study showed for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the presence of serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae in sheep, with Pomona and Hardjo as the dominant serovars. Although the seroprevalence is low, the potential zoonotic risk requires continuous monitoring and control strategies to prevent the spread of leptospirosis.
Whey protein (WP) is widely used for its anabolic effects and potential cardiovascular benefits; however, its long-term effects on cardiac and vascular tissues remain unclear. This study assessed the biochemical, molecular, and morphological effects of a four-week WP supplementation (6 g/kg/day) in male Wistar rats. For this purpose, twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into control, sham, and WP groups. The WP group received 6 g/kg of WP in 1 ml tap water daily for one month; the sham group received only water, and the control group received no treatment. Immunohistochemistry was performed for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 (FGF-1), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and glucose levels were assessed biochemically. WP significantly decreased serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, and glucose levels, while increasing serum HDL-C and triglyceride levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed elevated expression of VEGF and FGF-1 in the aortic tunica media and reduced aortic tunica intima thickness, without other histopathological alterations in cardiac or aortic tissues. WP supplementation elevated lipid levels and reduced glucose levels, without causing morphological damage. The increased expression of VEGF and FGF-1, along with significant changes in biochemical parameters, such as decreased total cholesterol, LDL-C, and glucose levels, and increased HDL-C and triglycerides, suggests that WP may influence molecular markers associated with vascular and metabolic processes. These findings underscore the necessity for further research to better understand the long-term cardiovascular implications of WP supplementation.
This study was conducted on Raml & imath;c sheep raised on a private farm to determine the fertility traits, milk yield, postshearing body weight, several body measurements, and fleece characteristics of ewes, as well as the growth and survival rates of lambs. The study animals consisted of 286 Raml & imath;c ewes and 298 lambs born to those ewes. Mean values for fertility traits were: 87.1% for single birth rate, 12.9% for twin birth rate, 1.1 lambs for litter size, and 104.2% for lamb production. The milk yields during lactation of Raml & imath;c ewes aged 2, 3, and 4 years were 57.04, 57.44, and 63.40 kg, respectively; the corresponding lactation periods were 175.88, 177.64, and 178.62 days. The highest lactation milk yield and the longest lactation period were observed in the 4-year-old group, but the differences between groups were not significant (P>0.05). The average body weight, withers height, rump height, chest depth, body length, and chest circumference of Raml & imath;c ewes were 54.19 kg, 70.90 cm, 70.45 cm, 31.89 cm, 67.94 cm, and 95.72 cm, respectively. The effect of age was significant (P<0.001) for all traits investigated. Therefore, the Raml & imath;c breed could provide an important resource for breeders, depending on the observed levels of yield characteristics.
This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of veterinary medicine students at the University of Sarajevo toward euthanasia, and to assess the influence of demographic factors and practical experience on their confidence, as future veterinarians, in performing euthanasia. An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 156 students from the first to the fifth year of study. The results demonstrated significant associations between students’ views on euthanasia and factors such as gender, age, year of study, religiosity, and the type of community in which they spent most of their time. Moreover, the study identified considerable gaps in both theoretical and practical knowledge of the technical, legal, and ethical aspects of euthanasia. These findings highlight the need for curricular improvements and a more structured pedagogical approach, which would better equip future veterinarians with the knowledge, skills, and ethical competence necessary to navigate complex end-of-life decisions in clinical practice. According to available records, there has been no research conducted on this topic in Bosnia and Herzegovina so far.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of two lysozyme doses (10 and 50 FIP U/mL) on rumen fermentation and microbial populations using the artificial rumen system Rusitec with an 80:20 concentrate-to-forage diet. The ruminal pH, the total number of protozoa, total and individual volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, and methane (CH4) release were not significantly affected by the tested quantities of lysozyme. However, the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration was significantly increased by supplementation with Lysozyme-50 (P < 0.05). The dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly higher in Lysozyme-50 than in Lysozyme-10 (P < 0.05). The total bacterial count decreased linearly in response to the addition of Lysozyme-50 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in the presence of Lysozyme-50, the abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens decreased in both linear and quadratic manners (P < 0.05), and the abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes decreased in a linear manner (P < 0.05). A linear decline tendency in the cell numbers of Ruminococcus albus (P = 0.092) and Megasphaera elsdenii (P = 0.085) was observed with Lysozyme-50 treatment. These findings suggest that while core fermentation parameters such as VFA production and digestibility remained stable, the elevated ammonia nitrogen concentration may reflect reduced nitrogen utilization efficiency, particularly at high doses. Additionally, since lysozyme has limited selectivity for certain rumen bacteria within the Rusitec system, lysozyme may influence rumen microbes differently from conventional antibiotics, warranting further in vitro and in vivo studies across diverse diets and dose ranges.
Valproic acid (2-propyl valeric acid, VPA) is the drug of choice for the treatment of migraine, bipolar disorder, and epileptic disorders in both children and adults. Although VPA has beneficial effects, long-term administration is reported to damage many tissues and organs. VPA administration increases free-radical production. Edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one, EDA) is a potent antioxidant that protects against oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to investigate the protective effects of EDA against brain damage in VPA-treated rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were used in our study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, EDA, VPA, and VPA+EDA. EDA and VPA were administered intraperitoneally at doses of 30 mg/kg and 0.5 g/kg, respectively daily for 7 days. On day 8, all animals were sacrificed under anesthesia, and brain tissues were removed. VPA caused decreases in the levels and paraoxonase (PON, P<0.0001). On the other hand, VPA increased values of lipid peroxidation (LPO, P<0.05), P<0.0001), sialic acid (SA, P<0.0001), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE, P<0.0001) compared with the control group. EDA reversed all values. These results suggest that EDA administration potentially reduces VPA-induced brain injury.
Salmonella infections are regarded as a leading global cause of foodborne illnesses in humans, with poultry products frequently identified as sources of these infections. Therefore, understanding the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella is essential for minimising its impact on both animal health and public safety. Boot swabs were collected from chicken farms in different regions of T & uuml;rkiye and tested for the presence of Salmonella. Following serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Salmonella strains was performed using the disk diffusion method. Thirteen rare serovars, including Agbeni, Bahrenfeld, Bredeney, Braenderup, Barranquilla, Caen, Eppendorf, Grampian, Isangi, Kimuenza, Othmarschen, and Rissen were identified. High levels of resistance were observed to ciprofloxacin; nine isolates were resistant to more than one antibiotic, and four were multidrug-resistant. The representativeness of the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the samples for the whole country or the geographical area is unclear. This study provides the first documentation of aforementioned Salmonella serovars in chicken flocks in T & uuml;rkiye, underscoring the occurrence of multidrug resistance among these serovars. The identification of rare, multidrug-resistant Salmonella serovars in poultry signifies a potential emerging threat to animal health, food safety, and public health.
This study evaluated the effects of dietary sanguinarine supplementation on performance, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, immune responses, meat quality, and intestinal morphology in broilers. A total of 84 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing sanguinarine at 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g/kg for a 35-day experimental period. On day 28, an immune challenge was applied by intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Escherichia coli serotype O127:B8) to three birds per group, while the remaining birds received sterile saline. Broilers fed sanguinarine-supplemented diets showed significantly higher final body weight and body weight gain, as well as improved feed conversion ratio. Sanguinarine supplementation significantly increased serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities, while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Moreover, sanguinarine effectively attenuated LPS-induced oxidative stress by preventing reductions in antioxidant enzyme activities and excessive MDA production. Higher serum concentrations of IgA, IgM, and IgG were observed in broilers receiving sanguinarine supplementation. In addition, dietary sanguinarine reduced serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1(3, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In LPS-challenged birds, IL-1(3, IL-6, and TNF-alpha concentrations were markedly decreased by sanguinarine supplementation. Furthermore, lower serum levels of creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein were detected. Broilers fed sanguinarinesupplemented diets exhibited increased villus height and reduced crypt depth in the small intestine. Results suggest that dietary sanguinarine is an effective feed additive for improving growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune response, and intestinal health in broilers.
The welfare of working dogs during training is crucial for their health, learning capacity, and long-term performance. This study investigated the efficacy of the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) in mitigating acute stress responses in Belgian Malinois during a structured 7-day basic obedience training protocol. Thirty-three dogs were randomly allocated to three groups: Group 1 (control, no training or DAP), Group 2 (training without DAP), and Group 3 (training with DAP). Physiological indicators (heart rate, body temperature, salivary cortisol) and behavioral stress markers (ethogram-coded postures) were recorded daily. Dogs in Group 2 exhibited significantly elevated stress responses across all parameters compared to Groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.001). Group 3, treated with DAP, showed physiological and behavioral measures not statistically different from the control group, indicating effective stress mitigation. Specific stress behaviors—such as ear retraction, lowered head, and semi-low posture—were markedly reduced in DAP-treated dogs. Strong positive correlations were observed between physiological and behavioral indicators (e.g., cortisol and body posture: r=0.503; cortisol and tail position: r=0.744), supporting the reliability of behavioral observations in stress assessment. This is the first study to integrate behavioral and physiological metrics to demonstrate the stress-buffering effect of DAP during active training. Given its non-invasive and non-sedative nature, DAP represents a promising tool for improving welfare in working dogs without compromising performance. Incorporating DAP into training protocols may support ethical handling practices and enhance the well-being and functional success of dogs in demanding service roles.
This case presents a 2-year-old spayed female cat that developed a complete esophageal stricture following 14 days of oral dry doxycycline therapy. Following treatment, the patient developed symptoms of regurgitation, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Direct radiography revealed marked aerophagia in the esophagus, while contrast radiography showed esophageal dilatation at the level of the first thoracic vertebra (T1) and complete stricture preventing the contrast medium from passing into the stomach. Endoscopic examination verified a complete stricture in the middle esophagus, and computed tomography (CT) revealed that the stricture was localized at T1; no extraluminal mass or vascular ring anomaly was identified. The absence of a history of anesthesia, foreign body ingestion, or trauma in the medical history confirms that the stricture developed due to chemical damage to the esophageal mucosa caused by doxycycline in capsule form. Reports in the literature indicate that administering doxycycline capsules to cats without adequate fluids increases the risk of esophageal ulceration and scarring. Unfortunately, because of the poor prognosis of the complete stricture in the patient, the patient's poor general condition, and the owner's reluctance to pursue treatment, the decision was made to euthanize the patient. In conclusion, the presented case highlights the diagnostic value of combined radiography, contrast esophagography, endoscopy, and computed tomography for diagnosing esophageal strictures that develop after oral administration of doxycycline. Furthermore, it is essential to consider the pharmaceutical formulation and administration technique for oral drug delivery to cats to prevent potential complications.
Valproic acid (VPA) is a short-chain fatty acid used to treat disorders of the brain. When VPA is used for long term, it causes damage, particularly through the formation of free radicals. The lungs are among the organs most affected by long-term VPA treatment. Some antioxidant substances are used to prevent damage caused by free radicals. One of these substances is alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), which occurs naturally. In our study, the protective effect of ALA against VPA-induced lung injury was investigated. In this study, female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The 1st group served as the control (1 mL olive oil); the 2nd group received ALA (50 mg/kg/day) for 15 days; the 3rd group received VPA (0.5 g/kg/day) for 15 days; and the 4th group received both VPA and ALA at the same doses and for the same duration. ALA and VPA were dissolved in olive oil. On day 16, all groups were euthanized under anesthesia. The lung tissues were collected and homogenized. In the prepared supernatants, the levels of reduced glutathione and total antioxidant status, and the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, paraoxonase, carbonic anhydrase, aryl esterase, and superoxide dismutase were decreased in the VPA group, while sialic acid, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, total oxidant, oxidative stress index, hydroxyproline, glycoprotein levels, and xanthine oxidase activities were increased in the VPA group. These values were reversed in ALA when VPA was administered. As a result, it may be concluded that ALA exerts protective effects against VPA-induced lung damage.
In veterinary anatomy education, real bones used for instructional purposes often develop problems over time, including wear, odor, and mold. In recent years, educational materials have been produced using 3D printing technologies with different filaments such as PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU. No information in the literature addresses the hygiene-related advantages or disadvantages of real bone compared with produced prints in the laboratory. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the health suitability of 3D bone models produced using standard PLA and antibacterial PLA, and of educational models consisting of real bone. In this study, a total of 15 models (five of each) were examined and sterilized using formaldehyde fumigation. All models were used in the student laboratory for three months. At the end of this period, subsamples were taken from each sample to determine aerobic mesophilic bacterial loads. Among the real bones, the highest bacterial loads were found in the axis and the cranium. Bacterial loads were similar in the scapula, humerus, and femur and in models of these bones fabricated from standard PLA. No bacteria were isolated from any of the antibacterial PLA models. As a result, it was observed that antibacterial PLA was the most hygienic model under laboratory conditions, that sterilization by formaldehyde fumigation effectively eliminated bacteria, and that it did not cause any visible deformation or discoloration of the filaments.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic and versatile pathogen that causes infections in both humans and animals. It is one of the ESKAPE pathogens, characterized by the ability to rapidly acquire resistance to antimicrobials. In recent years, multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR) P. aeruginosa have been reported worldwide in humans and chickens. In poultry, P. aeruginosa is frequently isolated and spreads easily due to its multiple transmission routes and its ability to infect birds of all ages. As a zoonotic pathogen, it poses a risk to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. This study aimed to isolate P. aeruginosa from a layer chicken flock in Türkiye and investigate its antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm formation ability. Isolation and identification were performed by conventional bacteriological analysis and sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Following phenotypic AMR testing, biofilm formation was quantitatively analyzed, and eleven AMR genes were screened by PCR. The recovered P. aeruginosa isolate exhibited resistance to aztreonam, colistin, and meropenem, thereby meeting the criteria for MDR. It also tested positive for blaOXA and mcr-2 resistance genes and was defined as a weak biofilm producer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of blaOXA and mcr-2 genes co-existing in an MDR P. aeruginosa isolate recovered from a layer chicken flock in Türkiye. These findings highlight the potential risk posed by MDR and biofilm forming P. aeruginosa in poultry environments to both human and animal health.
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of pollen supplementation on lactating ewes and their lambs. An experiment was carried out for a period of 4 weeks with 22 lactating ewes and their offspring of the breed Ile de France (28 lambs), matched for lambing date and live weight of the lambs. The sheep were divided into two groups: control and experimental. Feeding was the same for both groups. The experimental group was supplemented with bee pollen at a dose of 6 g/twice per week at regular intervals of 3 days. The live weight of the lambs was determined at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, and the average daily gain was calculated. Blood samples were taken from the ewes, and some biochemical parameters were examined. The live weights and growth of lambs at the beginning and end of the experiment showed a slight trend towards higher values in the experimental group, which were not significant. In the biochemical profile, the values of the parameters studied during both periods were within the reference range for the animals, with the exception of glucose, which was lower. Significant differences (P<0.001; P<0.01) in glucose, triglyceride, and AST levels were found within groups between the initial and final measurements. Bee pollen supplementation demonstrated no adverse effects on the health of ewes or their offspring. Furthermore, it may exert beneficial effects on productivity parameters. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate optimal application strategies.
This case report describes the diagnosis and long-term management of bilateral necrotizing otitis externa in an 11-month-old cat. Clinical, cytological, and microbiological findings supported a presumptive diagnosis of proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa (PNOE). Microbiological culture identified multidrug-resistant Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus intermedius. A seven-month, culture-guided treatment using topical and systemic antimicrobials helped resolve secondary bacterial infections. Complete clinical and microbiological resolution was achieved, with no recurrence observed. This case shows that targeted antimicrobial therapy can support recovery in complicated PNOE cases.
The classification of Hysterothylacium larval types in the Aegen Sea (FAO fishing area 37.3.1) is incomplete and still requires further investigation. This study aimed to offer morphological identification, supported by entire ITS sequence data, of Hysterothylacium larval types infecting six out of sixteen commonly consumed marine fish species from the Aegean Sea: Boops boops, Trachurus mediterraneus, Spicara maena, Upeneus moluccensis, Engraulis encrasicolus, and Sardina pilchardus. This study describes three morphotypes IV, V, and VIII in the Aegean Sea for the first time using both morphological and genetic data. We also report Spicara maena as new hosts for larval morphotype V. Herein, the presence of potential zoonotic larval type VIII has been found in B. boops, E. encrasicolus, and S. pilchardus in the Aegean Sea, and may pose a public health risk.
