vol.9. N 1. 2024

SEROPREVALENCE AGAINST MYXOMA VIRUS IN LEPUS EUROPAEUS FROM BULGARIA

Iliyan Manev , Krasimira Genova 

ABSTRACT

Myxoma virus (MYXV) is a poxvirus which causes a systemic infection in wild and farm rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with high morbidity and mortality, called myxomatosis. European hare (Lepus europaeus) was considered to be resistant to the virus. However in the recent years a cross-species jump of MYXV in hare species from different parts of Europe was recognized. The aim of the present survey was to determine the antibody prevalence against myxoma virus in brown hare populations from different parts of Bulgaria with the emphasis to establish the possible circulation of myxomatosis in these communities. From all tested sera (via cELISA) 7.14% (6/84) were positive for specific antibodies against MYXV. All of them were sampled from Kameno, Burgas region (South Bulgaria). The positive cohort represented 10.0% (6/60). No positive cases from the other sampled area were determined. Based on this we could conclude that the studied brown hare populations were severely resistant to myxomatosis and no evidence for significant MYXV circulation was determined. However the lack of specific antibodies cannot exclude emphatically myxomatosis morbidity in brown hare.

Key words: Lepus europaeus, myxomatosis, seroprevalence, Bulgaria

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 3–8

RADIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF VERTEBRAL HEART SCALE, SPHERICITY INDEX AND NUMBER OF INTERCOSTAL SPACES IN CATS WITH VARIOUS LUNGWORM INFECTIONS

Anton Tonev , Tzvetan Chaprazov 

ABSTRACT

Infection with respiratory nematodes in cats leads to functional disturbances in the activity of the cardi-ovascular system, finding expression in clinical and radiographic changes. The purpose of this study is to determine absolute and relative heart size in cats infected by Aelurostron-gylus abstrusus (Strongylida: Angiostrongylidae), Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) or mixed invasion by correlating heart size and selected skeletal structures.

Forty cats with confirmed pulmonary parasites infestation (22 with A. abstrusus, 6 with Т. brevior and 7 with mixed invasion) are included in this study. Мeasurements were made on obtained lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs. The following cardiac indices are reported: vertebral heart score (VHS), the ratio between the length and the width of the heart and the number of intercostal spaces occupied by the heart silhouette.

Mean +/- SD vertebral heart score of all groups are between 7.14±0.22 and 8.1±0.89 vertebrae, SI is from 0.64±0.02 to 0.76±0.05. Heart shade occupy from 2.08±0.15 to 2.46±0.21 intercostal spaces. No significant statistical differences are found among the cats infected with lungworms and unaffected ones in control group, which leads to no signs of cardiomegaly in infected cats.

Key words: cats, pulmonary nematodes, radiology, cardiac indices.

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 9–14

CANINE AND FELINE ORAL TUMORS AND TUMOR-LIKE LESIONS A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 206 CASES (2018 – 2022)

Georgi Popov 

ABSTRACT

Tumor and tumor-like lesions in the oral cavity of dogs and cats are common in the clinical practice. Their diagnosis requires pathomorphological examination, because of the similar macroscopic appearance. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze tumors and tumor-like lesions of the oral cavity in dogs and cats, and to assess the prevalence, as well as age, sex and breed predisposition. A total of 206 cases of oral cavity lesions (126 dogs; 80 cats) diagnosed cytopathologically and histopathologically between 2018 and 2022 were included. The malignant tumors were predominated in dogs, mainly melanomas and fibrosarcomas. In cats, tumors and tumor-like masses in the oral cavity were of approximately equal prevalence, with lympho-plasmacytic gingivitis and squamous cell carcinomas predominating, respectively.

Key words: dogs, cats, oral lesions, histopathology, retrospective analysis

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 15–23

HEMIPENECTOMY IN LEOPARD GECKOS, CHAMELEONS AND BEARDED DRAGONS

Seven Mustafa , Iliana Ruzhanova-Gospodinova 

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study aims to describe 16 clinical cases of pet lizards with hemipenile prolapse –11 leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius), 3 chameleons (2 Chamaeleo calyptratus and 1 Furcifer pardalis), and 2 bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). After an unsuccessful attempt of manual repositioning of the everted hemipenes, unilateral or bilateral surgical amputation was performed to avoid future complications. All patients were anesthetized with a combination of medetomidine hydrochloride and ketamine hydrochloride. In the bearded dragons, a local block with lidocaine hydrochloride was additionally used. The authors’ clinical experience with this surgical procedure confirmed the view that the hemipenectomy is an appropriate attempt in hemipenile prolapse in pet lizards from the Eublepharidae, Chamaeleonidae, and Agamidae families.

Key words: hemipenile prolapse, hemipenectomy, amputation, reptile, anesthesia

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 24–31

ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF A METHANOL EXTRACT OF LYCORINE – RICH CLONE OF LEUCOJUM AESTIVUM L. AGAINST SUID HERPESVIRUS TYPE 1

Mihail Chervenkov 

ABSTRACT

Suid herpesvirus type 1 (SHV-1) is one of the representatives of Herpesviridae with great importance in veterinary medicine and especially in pig industry and for that reason finding ways to prevent its transmission and spreading is crucial. Plants from Amaryllidaceae family contain various bioactive compounds, some of which have antiviral potential. One of those plant species is summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum L), a well-known source of the phytochemicals which have variety of medical uses. One of them is lycorine, an alkaloid which is known for its various biological activities like including antiviral. In this study we examine the in vitro antiviral activity of a methanol extract obtained from a lycorine-rich clone of L. aestivum against A2 strain of Suid herpesvirus type 1. The experiments were performed on MDBK cell line, using different dilutions of the extract ranging from 1:5 to 1:320, obtained after dissolving in cell culture media. The focus on our research was to define not only whether there is an antiviral activity but also the mode of action, so we apply several different models: direct treatment of the virus suspension, cell pre-treatment before infection, treatment of infected cells, and effect on virus adsorption. Results reveal that direct treatment of the virus, before spiking of the MDBK cell, leads to block of the viral activity at plant extract dilution of 1:10.

Key words: antiviral, summer snowflake, herpesvirus, pseudorabies, Suid herpesvirus

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 32–38

DETECTION AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF COAGULASE-POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND METHICILIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATED FROM RAW PORK IN THE RETAIL

Gergana Krumova-Valcheva , Gergana Mateva , Mihail Milanov , Eva Gyurova , Hristo Daskalov 

ABSTRACT

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is widespread in pork meat and can cause a severe food poisoning. The aim of present study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of the antimicrobial resistance of S. aureus and MRSA from retail raw pork meat in Bulgaria between 2019 and 2021. Coagulase-positive S. aureus were detected in 30.8% (52/169). Susceptibility to all antimicrobials was detected in 28.8% (15/52) of S. aureus isolates by the disk-diffusion method. Мultidrug resistance was found in 18 of a total of 52 isolates (34.6%). A study of the MIC indicated resistance to the cefoxitin (> 4 mg/L) in 8 of the total 23 tested isolates (34.8%) The mecA gene was confirmed in 5 of the tested isolates. The high prevalence of MRSA in raw pork meat, sold in Bulgaria should be considered as a signal of the risk of its spread in the human population. This requires the implementation of appropriate hygiene practices in the production, processing and sale of meat and meat products to reduce the spread of MRSA to humans.

Key words: antimicrobial resistance, MRSA, pork, multidrug resistance, PCR.

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 39–49

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE KEY FACTORS OF NUTRIENT FLUXES IN THREE TECHNIQUES OF AQUAPONIC SYSTEMS

Milena Krastanova , Andrey Kurtenkov 

ABSTRACT

Aquaponics, as a single ecosystem, requires optimal conditions for the life cycle of fish, beneficial bacteria, and plants that coexist in symbiosis. For effective interdependence, aquaponic systems need regular monitoring, effective control, and rapid correction of deviations in the environmental factors and hydrochemical indicators. The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the nutrient fluxes and the factors (air and water temperature, pH and DO level) on which they depend in three techniques aquaponic systems for tilapia and lettuce placed under identical conditions. The results showed that the quality of the air and water was within the optimal range, which ensured the steady state of the systems, symbiosis between the species in good conditions and, consequently. Our results suggest that combined diagnostics is a reliable method for optimizing symbiosis in aquaponics.

Key words: aquaponics health, aquaculture, plants, beneficial bacteria, water monitoring.

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 50–56

THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON THE PARAMETERS OF EJACULATE IN BOARS

Igor Zdraveski , Petar Dodovski , Pance Dameski , Natasa Pejcinovska , Nikola Karabolovski , Talija Hristovska , Maja Angelovska , Mimi Ristevski 

ABSTRACT

The age of boars significantly influences the values of ejaculate parameters. The aim of this research was to determine the quality of boar ejaculates categorized by age groups: Group 1, up to 1 year, Group 2, up to 2 years, Group 3, up to 3 years, Group 4, 4 years and older. A total of 50 ejaculates from 50 boars from nine farms were examined, analysing the impact of boar age on ejaculate parameters (ejaculate volume (ml), progressive motility (%), sperm concentration (x106), total sperm count (x109), and percentage of total proteins). Analysis of ejaculate parameters in boars of different ages indicates that the most significant changes occur in sperm concentration and total sperm count, where significant differences were observed. These results suggest that age influences spermatogenesis, and with the aging of boars, there is a decrease in the intensity of spermatogenesis.

Key words: ejaculate parameters, boars age, seminal plasma

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 57–62

CHANGES IN LIPID AND MINERAL PROFILES IN COWS WITH SUBCLINICAL AND CLINICAL KETOSIS

Vania Marutsova , Lazarin Lazarov , Petar Kavardzhiev 

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to establish the changes in lipid and mineral metabolism in cows from the Holstein breed with ketosis. Blood samples were obtained from 158 cows for determination of β-hydroxybutyrate (ВНВА), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). The cows were divided in three groups: pregnant, recently calved and lactating. Target cows were classified as healthy (C), affected with subclinical (SCK) and with clinical ketosis (CK) depending on their blood BHBA levels.

The levels of NEFA in cows with SCK were elevated, while in cows with CK – decreased. The quantities of total cholesterol and HDL-C decreased, while the blood levels of LDL-C and TG were increased in cows with SCK and CK ketosis. The parameters of the mineral profile Ca, P and Mg were decreased in cows with SCK and CK.

Key words: ketosis, cholesterol, mineral profile, cows.

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 63–71

DETERMINATION OF THE CHEMICAL AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF APPLE POMACE IN RELATION TO ITS UTILISATION AS AN INNOVATIVE FEED RAW MATERIAL

Hristina Neshovska 

ABSTRACT

Globally, the food industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries. However, food production is also associated with the generation of tons of waste, which has a serious negative impact on the environment. Almost 50 % of fruits used for freshly squeezed juice production become waste. Animal husbandry and espe-cially feed raw materials cultivation also has a serious ecological footprint on nature. The inclusion of these waste products in the feeding of farm animals could help to reduce economic losses, having a positive environ-mental effect as well.

In this regard, the aim of the present study was to determine the nutritional and mineral composition of waste products (pomaces) obtained from the production of freshly squeezed apple juice from two different apple varieties – red apple (Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’) and green apple (Malus ‘Granny Smith’). In all samples, the following indicators were determined: dry matter (DM), moisture, crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd).

The results showed that variety affects nutritive value, and red apple pomace is a better source of nutrients. For both types of AP, crude fibre was the nutrient with the highest values and the heavy metals tested were below the maximum allowable concentrations.

Key words: apple pomace (AP), chemical composition, mineral composition, red apple (Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’), green apple (Malus ‘Granny Smith’), feed material.

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 72–80

SECONDARY HEALING OF SHOULDER JOINT REGION IN WILD BOAR (SUS SCROFA L.) AFTER A GUNSHOT WOUND – CASE REPORT

Georgi I. Georgiev , Lyubomir Hristakiev , Silvi Vladova, Martin Georgiev

ABSTRACT

A gunshot wound on the left regio articulationis humeri, in a female wild boar (Sus scrofa L.,), involving the scapula and humerus due to an inaccurate shot with a lead bullet, was described. The left and right scapula and humerus were compared to highlight the difference in the bone defects that occurred, and the corresponding changes were measured osteometrically. X-rays of the bones were also performed to detect possible projectile debris (bullets). The reported case proves that the secondary self-healing of the blind gunshot wound causes a massive bone reaction (enthesophyte), which was not the cause of the death of the animal. Subsequently the discovery of such a regenerative process may influence the organoleptic meat examination after shooting, in wild boar hunting and has an eco-toxicological meaning.

Key words: wild boar, blind vulnus sclopetarium, secondary healing wound, enthsophyte of scapula, lead ammunition

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 81–87

FIBROSARCOMA IN A DOG – A CASE REPORT

Ismet I. Kalkanov , Vladi S. Nedev 

ABSTRACT

Sarcomas and fibrosarcoma are malignant mesenchymal tumours originating from connective tissue, most frequently detected on the skin and subcutaneous connective tissue. Fibrosarcoma is a highly invasive malignant soft tissue tumour originating from connective tissue cells, and fibroblasts. Primary canine fibrosarcoma is a rare tumour that and accounts for less than 5% of all primary tumours. Macroscopically, fibrosarcoma has a various manifestation, depending on its size and location. On inspection, it appears like a subcutaneous bump or a confined oval formation under the skin. It is more commonly seen in cats than in dogs. The presented clinical case describes the observed clinical, blood laboratory, gross pathology and histopathological findings in a dog with invasive fibrosarcoma.

Key words: Fibrosarcoma, histopathology, dog, gross pathology

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 88–93

HONEY BEE DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL IN BULGARIA AND ESTONIA: A REVIEW

Delka Salkova , Mariana Panayotova-Pencheva , Sigmar Naudi 

ABSTRACT

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a species of crucial economic, agricultural and environmental importance. Honey bee colonies suffer from numerous pathogens. These include various bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The aim of the present work is to review and compare information on the most important bee diseases and their control in Bulgaria and Estonia. Based on the data about honeybee diseases from available research and those supplied by the National Reference Laboratories of Bulgaria and Estonia it could be said that in both countries the main problem for beekeeping are the diseases varroоsis, nosemosis, American foulbrood, and European foulbrood. Estonia seems to be one of the few countries in the world where N. apis (43%) is still individually prevalent, while in Bulgaria nosemosis caused by N. ceranae (98%) predominates. Principles of prevention and treatment of bee diseases are similar in both countries and comply with European recommendations.

Key words: Apis mellifera, bee diseases, Bulgaria, Estonia, control

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 94–105

FACTORS DETERMINING HUMAN ATTRACTIVENESS TO MOSQUITOES: A REVIEW

Iva Popova, Kostadin Kanchev 

ABSTRACT

Humans are detected by blood-feeding mosquitoes when producing and releasing certain chemical sig-nals, such as lactic acid and carbon dioxide. These compounds help the above-mentioned insects to differentiate humans from other animals by using olfactory receptors located in their antennal olfactory receptor neurons. However, the frequency of mosquito bites varies from person to person due to differences in the composition and quantity of released attractants, which makes certain individuals more prone to infections, transmitted by these vectors. Such infections include malaria, yellow fever disease, West Nile fever, Zika syndrome, among many others. Therefore, it is of high importance to determine which factors affect the releasing of attractants and therefore play a role in the frequency of mosquito bites.

Key words: mosquitoes, factors, human attractiveness

TMVM, 2024, vol.9, No 1(16): 106–110