1.

Use of norovirus genotype profiles to differentiate origins of foodborne outbreaks

Within the 6th EU FP (EVENT) we studied if norovirus genotype frequency distribution can enhance detection of foodborne outbreak sources. Differentiating between person-borne and food handler-borne outbreaks is of public health interest. Comparison of bivalves (n=295) and outbreak surveillance strains (n=2,858) showed 2 distinguishable genotype profiles in 1) human feces and 2) source-contaminated food and bivalves; genotypes I.2 and I.4 were more frequent in foodborne outbreaks. Approximately 21% of all outbreaks were foodborne and 25% were caused by source contamination of the food.

COBISS.SI-ID: 26801369

2.

Does monensin in chicken manure from poultry farms pose a threat to soil invertebrates?

Earthworms and woodlice were used to assess monensin toxicity. The obtained toxicity data were compared with potential monensin concentrations in soil. Manure from monensin-treated broiler chickens was sampled at a poultry farm. The predicted environmental concentration is around 0.013 mg/kg if manure is used after 3 months storing and 0.05 mg/kg if used immediately. If fresh manure is used the risk quotient is )1. Therefore, monensin could be an environmental risk under certain conditions. To prevent this, it is strongly recommended to store chicken manure for several months before using it.

COBISS.SI-ID: 3299706

3.

Molecular characterization of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (Newcastle disease) virus isolated from pigeons between 2000 and 2008 in Slovenia

14 avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) viruses isolated from dead free-living and domestic pigeons in Slovenia in 2000-2008 were analyzed by molecular characterization of part of the fusion protein gene, including the cleavage site. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the Slovene pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) viruses do not cluster together but are divided into two groups of sublineage 4b. Nine strains were placed in group 4bii and five in 4bi. The fusion protein cleavage site sequence of all strains was typical of pathogenic APMV-1 which can cause Newcastle disease in domestic poultry.

COBISS.SI-ID: 3263866

4.

Feed contaminated with Fusarium toxins alter lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis in primiparous sows during the perinatal period.

This study examined the effects of feed, naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on immune response of primiparous sows. The alteration in function of lymphocytes were identified with the lymphocyte proliferation assay (BrdU incorporation) and detection of lymphocyte apoptosis with ELISA. The results suggest that such feed affect the peripheral lymphocyte population in the direction of their proliferation response and apoptosis. Obtained results are important for both, the breeding of pigs as well as for people, since it is known that pigs are often used as a model for human disease.

COBISS.SI-ID: 3246714

5.

First isolation and genotyping of viruses from recent outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) in Slovenia.

Virus of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) was detected in 2007 and then infection spread and 4 new outbreaks were confirmed in 2008 and 2009. Based on 1 complete (1524 nucleotides) and 9 partial (600 nucleotides) nucleotide sequences from 6 VHS outbreaks were genetically closely related (99,0 - 100 % identity) and were classified into the Subgroup I-a. Our study confirmed that the direct nucleotide sequencing represents a reliable tool for fast routine genotyping in diagnostic laboratories. This is the first report of a natural epizootic after the last clinical outbreak in 1976.

COBISS.SI-ID: 3277178