Ascaridia compar (Schrank, 1790) is a nematode parasite of wild galliform birds that has long been surrounded by taxonomic uncertainty due to overlapping morphological features with several historically described species. In this study, we provide molecular evidence supporting the species identity and preliminary phylogenetic placement of A. compar isolated from western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Morphological analysis of seven adult nematodes (six females, one male) revealed diagnostic traits consistent with assignment to the genus Ascaridia, however, because morphological characters overlap among several historically described grouseassociated taxa, species-level identification was subsequently supported by molecular analysis of the ITS1, cox1, and cox3 gene regions and comparison with homologous sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis supported the identification of the capercaillie-derived specimens as A. compar, with high bootstrap support distinguishing them from A. galli, A. columbae, and A. nymphii. Pairwise distance analysis showed a 1-4% divergence from the Italian A. compar isolate, and significantly greater divergence from congeneric species. This study contributes preliminary molecular evidence relevant to a longstanding taxonomic ambiguity and supports the distinction of A. compar from currently compared congeners, although broader sampling across multiple hosts and populations is needed to confirm these patterns. The presented findings highlight the relevance of integrating morphological and molecular data in nematode systematics and point to the need for future studies on parasite dynamics in declining grouse populations.

Angiostrongylus vasorum is an expanding cardiopulmonary nematode of canids and other carnivores. Variations in the morphology of male specimens, particularly the copulatory bursa, may lead to misidentification, especially in non-canid hosts. Diagnostic challenges are further compounded when examining poorly preserved adult specimens or those from wildlife, especially when males are not present. Molecular methods have proven an excellent tool for species confirmation and in revealing significant genetic diversity within A. vasorum populations. This review aims to explore the morphological and genetic diversity of A. vasorum , update the distribution in Europe, and discuss important epidemiological implications. We propose integrating molecular and morphological diagnostic strategies, particularly when identifying the parasite in non-canid hosts and in non-endemic regions. Understanding the population structure and diversity of A. vasorum may influence diagnostic strategies and support control measures of canine angiostrongylosis.

Filaroid nematode Setaria tundra is a parasite well adapted to cervids, especially to roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Adult forms are located in the abdominal cavity, and infections are usually asymptomatic. During 2024, a total od 31 carcasses of roe deer were examined in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina). During gross pathologic examination nematodes were found in two cases and were identified as S. tundra by morphological and molecular analysis. In the Balkan region, this nematode has previously been described in Croatia and Serbia. This study represents the first report of S. tundra in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genetic diversity parameters and neutrality tests of 50 cox1 sequences belonging to S. tundra from Europe indicate a genetic signature consistent with recent population expansion.

The aim of this study was to examine the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in dogs and red foxes in the entity of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, after heavy rainfall and floods in 2014 and for the two years thereafter. The seroepidemiological study involved testing serum samples from dogs (n = 98) and foxes (n = 112) using MAT (microscopic agglutination test).Antibodies to at least one Leptospira spp. serovar were found in 52.04% of the tested dogs. The dog seroprevalence in 2014 (81.25%) was significantly higher than in 2015 (51.42% p <0.0001) and 2016 (22.5% p<0.05). The highest seroprevalences were for serovars Australis (76.47%), Bratislava (70.58%), Sejroe (66.67%) and Autumnalis (45.09%).Antibodies to at least one Leptospira spp. serovar were detected in 34.82% of the examined red foxes. In 2015, the fox seroprevalence was significantly higher (52.94%) than in 2016 (6.82%) (p <0.0001). The highest seroprevalences were for serovars Sejroe (64.10%), Bratislava (48.72%), Australis (43.59%) and Bataviae (25.64%).The high seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in dogs and foxes determined during this study indicates the importance of these carnivores in maintaining leptospirosis in the study area, and the potential risk of infection for humans and other animal species that come into contact with these canids. The results obtained indicate that heavy rainfall and intense floods can result in increased Leptospira spp. infection in these canids.

Water is used in different ways in the production of food, thus becoming a part of food. Washing water in the food industry can be a source of bacterial contamination and further endanger the quality and safety of food. The research included samples of water used in the food industry. The study includes 192 samples, of which 75% are from water supply and 25% from wells. Laboratory testing of water was carried out using BAS EN ISO 6222, BAS EN ISO 9308 and BAS EN ISO 7899-2 methods. The aim of the study is to determine the microbiological status of water in the food industry. The study determined 79.69% satisfactory samples and 20.31% unsatisfactory water samples. In relation to the tested parameters, in 12.50% of the samples, an increased number of microorganisms was found at 22°C, while in 10.42% of the samples, an increased number of microorganisms was found at 37°C. When it comes to hygiene indicators, 8.85% of unsatisfactory samples were due to the presence of intestinal enterococci, and 5.73% of unsatisfactory samples were due to the presence of Escherichia coli and coliforms. Considering the presence of coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci in water used in the food industry, there is a risk of microbiological contamination of food through water. This is particularly significant considering the share of well water in relation to the total water used in the food industry.

This study was intended to determine the effect of adding flax seeds to a concentrate for lamb fattening on the fatty acid composition of the omental fat depot in Pramenka lambs reared indoors. A total of 63 lambs (10±3 kg of live body weight, 30±7 days of age, 30 males and 33 females) were used. They were divided into two groups: a control (CON) fed on hay, ewe's milk, and a 300-g daily ration of a commercial concentrate, and an experimental group (FS) fed on hay, ewe's milk and 300 g/day of the concentrate enriched with 5% of flax seeds. After a 60-day fattening period for each group, 10 lambs (5 males and 5 females) were selected and omental fat samples were analysed for fatty acid composition. Highly significant differences (p⟨0.001) were found between CON and FS in α-linolenic acid, the sum of n-3 fatty acids, and the ratio n-6/n-3 fatty acids. The effect of sex on the fatty acid content in the fat depot was only significant for C20:0 fatty acid (p⟨0.05).

The first Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was founded in France (Lyon) in 1762, in order to prevent the cyclical waves of rinderpest at the beginning of the 18th century in Europe. Three centuries later, infectious diseases, including zoonoses, cannot be eradicated in the regions where they appear enzootically, and also thair spread is a real threat to distant regions of the world. A special segment of the infectious diseases studies is focused to the group of zoonoses that are transmitted by vectors. There are numerous infectious diseases of animals and humans, whith the causative agents that are transmitted by insects and arthropods, and in some cases, vectors appear as real hosts and reservoirs of zoonotic agents. Until two decades ago, the appearance of West Nile fever in regions of the world where this zoonosis was enzootic and endemic (for example, the African continent), did not attract the attention of epizootiologists and epidemiologists. However, this infectious disease has caused a disease in a numerous people in our region over the past twenty years, and in some cases the outcome was fatal. Analogous to the example of West Nile fever, it can be assumed that a greater number of vector-borne zoonoses are practically “knocking on the door” of the Southeastern Europe region. That region can be considered a buffer zone, where there are more or less distant regions to the south and east, where until nowadays “exotic” zoonoses appear enzootically, and from which direction we can expect the penetration of vectors, and the infectious diseases they transmit. The potential for the transmission of vector-borne zoonoses primarily refers to diseases transmitted by insects and arthropods. In the case of insects, a sudden outbreak could be expected, for example, of Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya virus infection, Japanese encephalitis or Yellow fever. The fight against such zoonoses should primarily be based on vector control. For some of these zoonoses, vaccines have already been developed for use in human (e.g. Japanese encephalitis) and veterinary (e.g. West Nile fever) medicine. In the case of zoonoses transmitted by arthropods (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, tickborne encephalitis), it is expected that the infection will spread slowly but steadily, whereby diagnostic tests and the application of methods of monitoring the presence in animal species that can be indicators of the disease are of more importance. The paper presents the basic mechanisms in the transmission of vector-borne zoonoses as well as certain infectious diseases transmitted by insects and arthropods, which have a significant potential to threaten the region of Southern and Eastern Europe.

In addition to microbiological criteria for food (food safety criteria and hygiene criteria in the production process), microbiological purity criteria are a very important link in the microbiology of the food chain. Swab samples of equipment, devices, accessories, work surfaces, work clothes and hands of workers engaged in production, processing and traffic in facilities and vehicles that come into contact with food, and where there is a risk of the appearance and spread of an infectious disease, were used for testing. The examined samples originated from facilities for the production, processing and distribution of food, restaurants and other catering facilities where food is served, educational and social protection facilities (accommodation facilities) and vehicles that come into contact with food. The study was carried out during year 2020 and included 2,958 samples. Laboratory analysis of swab samples was performed using BAS EN ISO 4833-1:2014, BAS EN ISO 21528-2:2018, BAS EN ISO 11290-1:2018 and BAS EN ISO 6579-1:2018 methods. The aim of the study is to assess the microbiological purity in the food chain. Of the total number of analyzed swab samples, 94.22% were satisfactory, and 5.78% were unsatisfactory. Observed in relation to the total number of analyzed samples, 77.19% of the samples were unsatisfactory due to the increased number of aerobic microorganisms at 30°C, and 22.81% due to the increased number of Enterobacteriaceae. Pathogens Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not isolated in any swab sample. The obtained results indicate that the general level of hygiene in the production and distribution of food is at a high level, especially due to the absence of pathogens Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, but that there is still a risk of contamination by Enterobacteriaceae, which are indicators of the hygiene of the production process.

Food additive is any substance that, regardless of its nutritional value, is not used as food, nor is a characteristic ingredient of food, but is added to food for technological reasons during production, processing, preparation, packaging, transport or storage. Thus, through its intermediate products, it becomes or can become a food ingredient. The most commonly used additives are nitrites and phosphates, due to their multiple role in the meat industry. According to the Regulation on food additives (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska, 96/20), the maximum accepted amount of phosphoric acid and phosphate (E 338 - E 452), which can be added to meat products individually or in combination (expressed as P2O5), is 5 g/kg. Many studies have confirmed the connection between a high intake of phosphate additives and various diseases in humans. Nitrites are preservatives that are added to meat products in order to improve the quality, durability and safety of the products, and they must not be added in an amount higher than 150 mg/kg in most meat products. Due to the possibility, under certain conditions, of the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in meat products, there is a potential danger to human health. The aim of the study was to determine the content of residual nitrite and added phosphates (expressed as phosphorus pentoxide P2O5) in meat products originating from the market of Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and compliance with regulatory requirements. The results showed that the determined amounts of residual nitrite and added phosphates were within the acceptable limits for addition to different categories and types of meat products according to current regulations. This confirms that the application of nitrite and phosphate is adequate and that the product is healthy. In order to protect the health of consumers, it is important to continuously monitor the use of phosphates and nitrites in the meat industry.

Nocardia cyriacigeorgica is a well-known agent of human nocardiosis and is considered an emerging pathogen, however, its identification to the species level is complex for many clinical laboratories. Available data on the clinical significance of N. cyriacigeorgica in veterinary medicine are sparse and mainly concern isolated reports of pyogranulomatous lesions in domestic animals. We report a case of severe bovine mastitis caused by N. cyriacigeorgica that did not respond to conventional antimicrobial therapy in a small holding in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After isolation of the pathogen, further identification by routine microbiological methods was not possible. Susceptibility to antimicrobials was tested using the disc diffusion method according to published recommendations. The sample was also tested by MALDI-ToF MS with inconclusive results. In addition, 16S rRNA sequence analysis, verified by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using the gyrB, 16S rRNA, secA1, and hsp65 sequences, confirmed the species N. cyriacigeorgica. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of N. cyriacigeorgica from a clinical case of bovine mastitis in a European dairy farm and the first MLSA method approach to distinguish a Nocardia spp. strain isolated from animals.

A b s t r a c t: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of using phytobiotics in broiler feed on the economic efficiency parameters of fattening. The study was conducted on 240 broilers originating from a commercial incubator station, and the dietary trial was based on the group-control principle and lasted for 42 days (control group C — without the addition of phytogenic additives; experimental OI group — with the addition of phytogenic additive containing thymol and cinnamaldehyde, 100 g/t of food; experimental OII group — with the addition of phytogenic additive containing cumin, mint, cloves and anise, 150 g/t of food and; experimental OIII group — with the addition of phytogenic additive containing thymol, 750 g/t of food). The production results (body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio) and economic efficiency parameters of broiler fattening were calculated for three intervals (1–10, 1–20 and 1–42 days). All production results in each interval were significantly better (p<0.01) in experimental broilers than in the control broilers. The best values of European factor of production efficiency and European broiler index were recorded in experimental groups that received feed with added phytobiotics (values were significantly higher, p<0.01, than in the control broilers). Also, the results obtained were compared with standard values for COBB 500 hybrids. The values obtained in this research were significantly lower (p<0.05) than standard values for Cobb 500. Analysing the data obtained from our study, the positive effects of including phyto-genic additives in broiler feed mixtures were measured.

The aim of the study was to determine whether the physicochemical factors of the matrix and the traditional acid-set cheese-making conditions allow the growth of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) and the synthesis of enterotoxins, which should contribute to an objective risk assessment in cheese production related to CoPS. CoPS were isolated from 72% of acid-set cheeses ranging from 1.70 to 5.15 log(10) CFU g(-1). CoPS in a number >= 4 log(10) CFU g(-1) were determined in 5.56% of the acid-set cheese samples. Out of the total number of CoPS isolated from cheese, 37.62% of the isolates have been shown to produce enterotoxins. All isolated strains that produced enterotoxins were identified as Staphylococcus aureus based on the detection of spa gene by PCR. For cheese-derived isolates with CoPS number >= 4 log(10) CFU g(-1), it has been proven that they possess sec gene encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin C. According to our results, during the proper fermentation process of artisanal acid-set cheese, the conditions do not support the growth of a critical level of staphylococci or the production of enterotoxins.

Malignant ovine babesiosis or ovine babesiosis caused by Babesia ovis is an important hemoprotozoan tick-borne disease of sheep. After 70 years, a study was conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the geographical areas of Podrinje and Eastern Herzegovina, aiming to molecularly identify and determine the presence of B. ovis infection in the sheep population. From 2019-2021, a clinical and molecular study was conducted in 53 flocks, and 192 sheep were examined, divided into two groups: clinically suspected and asymptomatic sheep. The presence of B. ovis was confirmed by PCR in blood samples of 75 % and 11.21 % of clinically affected and asymptomatic sheep, respectively. The majority of clinical cases of malignant ovine babesiosis were confirmed in the Rudo epidemiological unit (78.78 %) within the Podrinje region indicating typical seasonal pattern of disease occurrence and endemic focus. Rhipicephalus bursa was only tick species identified in Podrinje and Eastern Herzegovina. Acute form of disease was observed with dominant clinical signs of depression, fever, loss of appetite and respiratory distress. Fatal outcome was recorded in 12.28 % of cases. This study describes the molecular detection of B. ovis in sheep in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time. To the authors knowledge, this survey represents a report of the highest number of clinical cases of malignant ovine babesiosis in Europe. Since the disease has been recorded in the south-eastern border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a high risk of disease transmission to a wider area of the Balkan region.

Today's civilization finds itself facing existential problems in the survival of life on planet Earth.The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of food production from the moment when humans became hunter-gatherers until today, when there is talk about food security from the aspect of providing sufficient amounts of food for present and future generations.The paper presents the production of food in Serbia since the arrival of Slavic tribes on the Balkan Peninsula up to modern times.The paper also points to the historical development of food production and the necessity for socially responsible behaviour to preserve the resources we have for future generations.

One of the main goals of food safety measures is to increase consumer confidence in food in general, and meat in particular, and therefore consumers are provided with information about the quality and safety of meat through declaration. Consumer confidence and food safety have become central issues in the food chain. Recent developments in labelling, traceability and quality assurance schemes offer a large amount of information available to the consumer. Declaring is today one of the most reliable ways of informing consumers about food quality. For the purposes of this study, data were collected by surveying 1,000 consumers from the Banja Luka and Gradiška areas. The results of this survey show that the majority of consumers (98.1%) believe that meat should have a declaration and that the statistically most important (p0.05) information on the declaration is the expiration date (75.8% of responses) compared to other information (nutritional value, method of production, country of origin). The way the meat is packaged is also important for consumers (45.3% of responses). Also, the statistical significantly different answers (p0.05) were given related to the trust in information about the safety/quality of meat obtained in different ways (butcher, seller, relative, friend, cook). The consumers showed that they mostly believe to information about the safety/quality of meat received from doctors/nutritionists (53.1%), and most often have a neutral attitude towards information received from consumer protection associations (41.9%). It is not sufficiently clarified what type of information consumers are most looking for on declarations, especially when it comes to meat and meat products. Because of that, continuous examination of consumers is needed, including sociological and economic factors, what motivates them to buy, what quality characteristics they require and what sources of information they believe the most.

Urinary tract infections account for about 40% of overall hospital system infections and are a serious economic burden and problem for public health system in any country. This is primarily expressed through absence from work. Urinary infection analysis needs to provide better results in this field by improved and better quality prevention, better education, and also higher quality hospitalisation. Using the method of urine analysis, i.e. through its results, we come to understand what the most common causes of urinary infections are. The study shows that the bladder inflammation (N30) is the most common admitting diagnosis in subjects whose urine culture was positive. Among the subjects with positive urine culture, Escherichia coli was found in 43.4% of patients. A statistically significant association was found between admitting diagnoses and the age group of respondents aged 35 to 50.

Abstract Available data on the clinical significance of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in veterinary medicine are scarce and usually concern individual reports of local or systemic pyogranulomatous lesions in domestic animals. In this study, we report a case of severe bovine mastitis caused by N. cyriacigeorgica, non-responsive to antimicrobial therapy, on a smallholder farm in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At physical examination, the udder was hard, with enlarged hind quarters and teats, and reduced milk production with no gross changes to the secretion were documented. After causative agent isolation and suspected actinobacteria, further identification was impossible using routine microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method according to published recommendations. The sample was further examined using MALDI-TOF MS with inconclusive results. Additionally, the 16S rRNA sequence analysis, verified by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using gyrB, 16S rRNA, secA1, and hsp65 sequences, confirmed the N. cyriacigeorgica species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on N. cyriacigeorgica isolation from a clinical case of bovine mastitis in European dairy farms and the first MLSA methodology approach to discriminate a Nocardia spp. strain isolated from animals. Most lactating cows in Bosnia and Herzegovina are held in traditional farming conditions which may serve as a predisposing factor for nocardial mastitis. More studies are required to analyze the possible aspects leading to the occurrence of mastitis caused by Nocardia spp. and the overall importance of these bacteria in the pathogenesis of infections in domestic animals.

This case study describes the presence of a deer ked (Lipoptena cervi, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) from the area of the National Park "Sutjeska", Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). This is the first finding of this ectoparasite in this animal species in B&H, which indicates that deer ked has significant adaptive abilities to different animal hosts.

This paper presents the results of consumer opinion testing (n=1000) on hazards in meat (biological, chemical), as well as consumer opinion about causes of meat contamination from farm to retail. Consumer opinion on sources of meat contamination in households is also presented.

One of the major challenges for all in the 21st century is safe drinking water and the microbiological control of drinking water should be the norm everywhere. Many infectious diseases of animals and humans are transmitted by water contaminated with human and animal excrements. The production and distribution of microbiologically safe drinking water should be a non-negotiable goal for water companies with the prospect of providing the same water quality to all consumers. This can only be achieved by adequate monitoring and control of microbial processes during water treatment and distribution. The material represented drinking water samples originating from animal farms at the territory of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) collected in the period of 2018-2020. A total of 645 samples were examined. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological status of drinking water for animals intended for human consumption in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), in order to analyse the risks to animal health. BAS EN ISO 6222, BAS EN ISO 7899-2 and BAS EN ISO 9308-1/A1 methods were used for microbiological analyses of drinking water samples. The obtained results showed that one quarter of drinking water for animals are microbiologically incorrect. The analysis revealed a significantly higher number of unsatisfactory samples of well water in relation to the water supply system. The obtained results indicate fecal contamination of water, especially with intestinal enterococci and coliforms, and less with E. coli.