Accepted articles-next issues

Like terrestrial plants, algae contain a vast number of biofunctional compounds, some of which may affect inflammatory and immune responses in animals. As such, algal bioactive components might be useful in the treatment of canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE), where persistent inflammation underlies clinical signs. In this investigation, we studied the effects of Ascophyllum nodosum-extracted fucoidans (ANFE) on cytokine gene and protein expression and the morphology of intestinal tissue explants from CIE dogs. Duodenal biopsies from 22 dogs with CIE were incubated for 24 hours with and without ANFE, using three replicate samples per treatment from each animal. Tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukin-15 proteins were measured in culture supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas relative expression of the genes interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin-15, interleukin-10, forkhead box protein P3, and indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase-1 was assessed through real-time qPCR. Inflammatory cell infiltrate and mucosal integrity were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Cytokine protein concentrations were all below the detection limit, and no differences were found in terms of morphological features between the groups with and without ANFE. With respect to transcriptomic data, however, mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory genes TNFA and IL15 were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the group without ANFE. In conclusion, while failing to improve morphological outcomes, ANFE supplementation may be associated with an overall positive effect on intestinal phlogosis.

The intestinal microbiome is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and the course of metabolic processes in the living organism. Intestinal bacteria produce a variety of metabolites that affect the health of many organs, especially the intestines. Disturbances in the composition of the intestinal microflora are called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis occurring in chronic enteropathies may exacerbate intestinal inflammation. Therefore, effective methods of treating enteropathy are still being sought, which involve restoring the proper composition of the intestinal microbiome. In recent years, many scientific centers have drawn attention to the possibility of treating enteropathy by transplanting intestinal contents from a healthy donor. This review presents the advantages and disadvantages of the discussed therapeutic method, described in the latest available literature and the newest guidelines regarding the donor and transplant administrating methods..

Avian influenza virus (AIV) infections in cats are a new and not fully understood problem in Poland. They are given attention by both veterinarians and human medicine practitioners, mainly because of their zoonotic potential, i.e. possible spreading to humans and other mammals. In wild felids as well as domestic cats, it can cause severe infections, often ending in death. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) have been identified, with the recent H5N1 (2.3.4.4b clade) outbreak affecting poultry, wild birds, and carnivores. Transmission likely occurs through contact with infected birds, their excretions, or contaminated raw poultry, while cat-to-cat transmission remains unconfirmed. First reported in Thailand in 2003, H5N1 infections in cats have since occurred in multiple countries. In Poland, 25 confirmed cases were identified in June 2023, with genetic sequencing linking the virus to strains detected in local wild birds. The virus primarily replicates in the lower respiratory tract, spreading via viremia or nerve fibers, causing multi-organ failure. While avian influenza in cats is severe and often fatal, it should not yet be considered an epidemic. Further interdisciplinary research is essential to clarify transmission routes and assess the zoonotic risk. Additionally, differential diagnosis should include rabies, which presents similar neurological symptoms and remains a critical public health concern. This article presents the current knowledge of H5N1 virus infection in cats, especially the possible ways of its spreading, the current epizootic situation of the disease around the world, its pathogenesis, clinical course and methods of diagnosis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the qualitative parameters of sperm during storage of the semen of Duroc boars. The ejaculates were diluted, and then insemination doses were prepared and stored at 17°C. Analyses were performed four times: after collection, after one day of storage, after four and after eight days. Parameters of sperm motility, morphology and morphometry, cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and integrity DNA were evaluated. Analysis using the CASA system revealed a decrease in the percentage of motile sperm and sperm showing progressive motility during liquid storage of boar semen samples. The greatest differences, which were statistically significant, were shown between the results on the day of ejaculate collection and after eight days of semen storage. In addition, the percentage of sperm with head and tail defects increased, and differences were noted in the morphometric dimensions of the sperm during preservation of the semen. The length, width and area of the sperm heads increased over storage time. Preservation of Duroc boar semen at 17°C for eight days resulted in a decrease in the percentage of sperm with an integral cell membrane, sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA integrity. The breakthrough moment was the fourth day of sperm conservation. Since then, the semen quality of Duroc boars has been deteriorating significantly. The study is particularly important because it provides a more complete picture of analysis of the qualitative traits of the sperm of Duroc boars during semen preservation. However, there is a need for further study to determine the relationship between the qualitative parameters of the semen of Duroc boars evaluated during liquid storage of semen samples and fertility data.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on redox status, hepatic inflammation, and mitochondrial function in weaned piglets with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). In total, 24 IUGR male piglets (1.59±0.11 kg) and 24 same-sex normal birth weight (NBW) littermates (0.94±0.06 kg) were selected at birth. After weaning at 26 days of age, NBW and IUGR piglets were fed either a basal diet or a CGA-supplemented diet for 21 days. Thus, all piglets were distributed into groups of 4 treatments × 6 replicates × 2 piglets per replicate. The IUGR piglets showed 18.05%, 28.59%, 23.78%, 103.77%, 61.32%, 27.17%, and 18.61% lower hepatic absolute weight, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, GSH level, interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) content, IL18 mRNA expression, ATP, and complex I level, respectively, than the NBW piglets. Serum MDA concentration was 34.76% higher and GPX activity was 24.18% lower in the IUGR piglets than in the NBW piglets. CGA supplementation decreased serum alanine aminotransferase activity by 29.44%, increased hepatic T-SOD activity by 24.43%, and upregulated complex I concentration by 21.76%. CGA supplementation reversed the IUGR-induced decreases in the activities of serum T-SOD and glutathione peroxidase and hepatic ATP level, increased hepatic IL1β level and IL18 mRNA expression in piglets. A diet supplemented with CGA reduced hepatic MDA content in the IUGR piglets. The results indicate that CGA may improve redox status, inflammation, and mitochondrial function, ultimately alleviating hepatic injury in the IUGR piglets.

Streptococcus uberis is one of the primary pathogen causing mastitis in cattle. The disease is a serious animal health problem and causes significant losses in the dairy sector worldwide. The species colonises sick and healthy animals and is widespread in their environment. Farmers and veterinarians come into direct contact with these streptococci every day. In recent years, strains of Streptococcus uberis have also been isolated from clinical samples from sick humans, but they are uncommon. Meanwhile, interspecies barriers are being broken down among animal streptococci, leading to human infections caused by them. Among the species of Streptococcus dysgalactiae pathogenic to animals, a subspecies of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis has been identified as responsible for severe infections in humans. Very importantly, it is capable of human-to-human transmission. In this study, Streptococcus uberis isolates from cows with suspected mastitis were characterised and searched for gene sequences characterising them as bovine pathogens (mtuA, sua, gapC). At the same time, based on published sequences of human pathogenic streptococci, genes whose products are responsible for the early stage of infection (prtF1, prtF2, fbn, lmb , isp1, sla, hylB) and genes whose products are responsible for streptococcal invasiveness and toxicity (scp, dppA sicG, sagA, slo and ska). It turned out that, in addition to the characteristics and expected features of Streptococcus uberis, which are associated with their known role in bovine infections, most isolates had gene sequences derived from Streptococcus pyogenes or Streptococcus dysgalactiae that are relevant to the pathogenesis of human infections. These sequences have not previously been described in Streptococcus uberis species. Some isolates have accumulated a significant number of them, which, if expressed, may be of concern.

Th present study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Brassica juncea (BJ) leaves methanol extract against Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced toxicity in rats. Thirty-six male albino rats, six weeks old (weighing 140-190 g), were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=6). AFB1 (200 ug/kg b.w., orally) was given to rats on alternate days, and Brassica juncea extract (BJE) (300 and 600 mg/kg b.w., orally) in combination with AFB1 on successive days for 28 days. AFB1 exposure significantly elevated hepatic and kidney function parameters. Moreover, AFB1 markedly reduced antioxidant enzymes, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and alter the gene expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene and caspase-3 gene, promoting oxidative stress and apoptosis. Co-administration of silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w.) and BJE (300 and 600mg/kg b.w.) significantly restored the liver, lung, and kidney function parameters, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α). Nonetheless, BJE remarkably ameliorated the mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and tissue damage caused by AFB1. BJE significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of the Nrf2 gene while downregulating the expression of cleaved caspase-3. Therefore, the results clearly indicate that BJ could potentially alleviate AFB1-induced toxicity attributed to its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Urinalysis is a key diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine, aiding in the detection of urinary diseases and systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. This study investigates the impact of polypropylene-based urine collection litter on the reliability of urinalysis results in feline patients. Urine samples were collected from 50 cats and divided into native and litter-treated aliquots. Parameters such as leukocytes, ketones, glucose, protein, and pH were analyzed using dipsticks, refractometry, and sediment examination. Significant differences were observed in leukocyte counts, which decreased after exposure to litter (p = 0.0045), and inconsistencies were noted in ketone and glucose results. While protein, pH, and red blood cell counts remained unaffected, sediment analysis revealed more contaminated backgrounds in litter-treated samples. These findings highlight that while urine collection litter is a practical solution for sample acquisition, it may introduce variability in certain parameters. Therefore, it is best suited for preliminary assessments and should guide further diagnostics rather than serve as a definitive basis for treatment or prognosis. Further research is needed to refine its application in clinical settings.

In this study, some toxicological effects of tribenuron-methyl pesticide on non-target aquatic animals were determined using Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869) as the animal model. The effects of sublethal tribenuron-methyl concentrations on various hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in the blood of Acipenser baerii were examined. Additionally, the LC50 (lethal concentration) value for this fish species was determined. The sturgeons were exposed to tribenuron-methyl for 15 days at concentrations of 0.0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 mg/L. Biochemical, hematological, and immunological alterations were observed in fish exposed to tribenuron-methyl. A statistically significant decrease was found in erythrocyte (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (at 100 and 150 mg/L), and protein levels (at 50, 100, and 150 mg/L) compared to the control group. Conversely, a significant increase was observed in leukocyte (WBC), glucose, cortisol, interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) (at 50, 100, and 150 mg/L), monocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, interleukin-6 (IL-6) (at 100 and 150 mg/L), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (at 150 mg/L). No change was observed in eosinophil counts. The LC50 values for tribenuron-methyl were determined as 2827 mg/L for 24 hours, 1831 mg/L for 48 hours, 1474 mg/L for 72 hours, and 1017 mg/L for 96 hours. In conclusion, long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of tribenuron-methyl caused toxicity-induced hematological, biochemical and immunological changes in Siberian sturgeon.

The method for identifying the causative mutation for Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) involved PCR amplification of a 259-base pair fragment of the PLOD1 gene and its digestion with the restriction enzyme Aci I was developed, which allowed for the clear detection of WFFS carriers. Eight WFFS carriers were detected among 308 warmblood horses kept in different farms across Poland, giving an overall frequency of 2.59%, which indicates a rather low frequency of the causative mutation for WFFS in Poland. Further research should be conducted on a larger number of horses, particularly those breeds in which WFFS carriers have already been identified or where there is a risk of carrier status based on the horse's pedigree.