https://dspace.piwet.pulawy.pl/xmlui/handle/123456789/5 2026-07-09T12:48:03Z 2026-07-09T12:48:03Z Larska, Magdalena Nowakowska, Agnieszka Pękala-Duda, Urszula https://dspace.piwet.pulawy.pl/xmlui/handle/123456789/961 2026-07-09T12:14:04Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

First identification of orf virus from an outbreak of contagious ecthyma in Polish sheep Larska, Magdalena; Nowakowska, Agnieszka; Pękala-Duda, Urszula Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a skin disease of goats, sheep and some other domesticated and wild ruminants worldwide, including Poland. The infection is caused by the orf virus (ORFV) of the Parapoxvirus genus. It is characterised by the appearance of skin lesions in the form of papules and pustules, most often in the area of the mouth and nostrils, hooves and genitals. The disease causes economic losses, especially in countries with high sheep and goat production. In Europe, the threat posed by this disease is rather underestimated, but following the re-emergence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the region in 2025, there is increased vigilance and a need to have differential diagnostic methods proven and ready. Material and Methods: DNA was extracted from lesions on mouth and hooves of sheep. The animals were on a farm located in southwestern Poland on which FMD was ruled out. A PCR was performed using two pairs of specific primers for detecting vIL10 and GIF gene fragments which were then sequenced. Results: Sequencing confirmed ORFV infection in all tested sheep samples. The sequences obtained for Polish viruses were also highly homologous to other parapoxviruses, indicating that the method used may be applicable for broad diagnosis of parapoxvirus infections not only in ruminants. Conclusion: This is the first molecular characterisation of ORFV in sheep in Poland. It signals a potential herd biosecurity problem in view of the neglected but re-emerging nature of CE. The marked genetic divergence between Polish field ORFV isolates and currently available vaccine strains may influence CE vaccine efficacy in Poland.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Stachnik, Magdalena Normant-Saremba, Monika Kycko, Anna https://dspace.piwet.pulawy.pl/xmlui/handle/123456789/960 2026-07-08T09:29:41Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

First record of Hepatospora eriocheir infection in the Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis in the Baltic Sea Stachnik, Magdalena; Normant-Saremba, Monika; Kycko, Anna Hepatospora eriocheir is a microsporidian parasite of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis, an invasive decapod now widely distributed in European inland and coastal waters. Although the host is common across much of Europe, confirmed European records of H. eriocheir have remained scarce and, until now, have not included the Baltic Sea region. In this study, 15 adult E. sinensis collected from the Vistula Lagoon, southern Baltic Sea, were examined using gross pathological assessment, wet-mount microscopy, histopathology, PCR amplification, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses of parasite SSU rRNA and host COI sequences. Hepatopancreatic alterations were observed in several individuals, ranging from pale discolouration and friability to loss of normal tissue organisation. Spores were detected in fresh squash preparations from affected tissue, and histology revealed epithelial disruption, intratubular spore accumulation, and necrotic changes consistent with progressive microsporidian infection. Molecular screening confirmed H. eriocheir in 60.0% of crabs, with positive cases occurring in both females and males. The parasite sequences formed a single, well-supported clade and were highly similar to previously reported H. eriocheir sequences from the United Kingdom and China. Host COI sequences represented three mitochondrial haplotypes, indicating that the infection occurred across more than one host mitochondrial haplotype background. These findings constitute the first record of H. eriocheir in E. sinensis from the Baltic Sea and support the hypothesis that infected crabs reaching the Vistula Lagoon are connected with the wider North Sea invasion system rather than an isolated Baltic lineage.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Materek, Ilona Barbara Pasik, Katarzyna Borzym, Ewa https://dspace.piwet.pulawy.pl/xmlui/handle/123456789/959 2026-07-08T09:20:39Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Analysis of sales of antimicrobials used in veterinary medicine in Poland compared to Europe Materek, Ilona Barbara; Pasik, Katarzyna; Borzym, Ewa Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat to public and animal health, and its progression is closely linked to the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. In Europe, programmes such as the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption (ESVAC) and subsequently European Sales and Use of Antimicrobials for Veterinary Medicine (ESUAvet) monitor and attempt to reduce the consumption of antimicrobials in food-producing animals. The study analyses the trends in the volume and sales structure of veterinary antimicrobials in Poland in 2011–2023 and compares them with data reported by other European countries. Material and Methods: The analysis was based on data from ESVAC reports (2011–2022) and the first ESUAvet report (2023), as well as data from the European Medicines Agency’s Antimicrobial Sales and Use Platform. The data were evaluated by antimicrobial class, pharmaceutical form and Antimicrobial Advice Ad-hoc Expert Group (AMEG) categories, the latter being A (avoid), B (restrict), C (caution) and D (prudence). Results: While total sales of veterinary antimicrobials in Europe decreased by 48.0% between 2011 and 2023, in Poland they increased by 19.5% during the same period. In Poland, the predominance of AMEG category D antimicrobials persisted, although their share declined from 79% to 64% with a concurrent increase in sales of category C. The sales structure shifted significantly towards oral solutions, replacing oral powders. Penicillins became the dominant antimicrobial group in the later years, while tetracyclines sales declined. Conclusion: The Polish trend diverges from the European one of reducing veterinary antimicrobial consumption. To align with EU reduction targets, Poland should strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, tighten prescription control and promote preventive measures such as vaccination and higher biosecurity within the One Health framework.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Budniak, Sylwia Kędrak-Jabłońska, Agnieszka Szulowski, Krzysztof https://dspace.piwet.pulawy.pl/xmlui/handle/123456789/958 2026-07-07T06:37:47Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Phenotypic characterisation of Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from rabbits in Poland Budniak, Sylwia; Kędrak-Jabłońska, Agnieszka; Szulowski, Krzysztof Pasteurella multocida is an important pathogen in many species of domestic and wild mammals, as well as birds. It is also a commensal in the nasopharynx of clinically healthy animals. The aim of the study was to characterise and classify field strains of P. multocida isolated from rabbits in Poland. Material and Methods: A total of 115 field strains isolated from rabbits in 1999–2020 were used. The examined strains were evaluated morphologically and microscopically, and their ability to produce catalase and oxidase was determined. Identification of P. multocida strains was performed on basis of biochemical characteristics and serotype classification. Results: Based on the biochemical profile assessment using API 20E and the ID 32E (bioMérieux), the strains isolated from rabbits were identified as P. multocida. Among the strains 17.4% were classified as P. multocida subsp. multocida, 80% as ornithine decarboxylase negative P. multocida subsp. multocida and 2.6% as P. multocida subsp. septica. The capsule of type A was found in 87.8% of strains, type D in 8.7%, and type F in 3.5%. The somatic antigen of serotype 12 was present in 64.3% of strains, and serotype 3 in 36.7% of strains. The capsular type A was predominant among strains from rabbits that were asymptomatic carriers, while the capsular type D and F were found mainly in strains isolated from sick animals. In turn, the somatic antigen of serotype 12 was present in strains from both healthy and diseased animals, while strains of serotype 3 were much more frequently isolated from diseased rabbits. Conclusion: The conducted research allowed to classify and obtain new in-depth data on the population structure of P. multocida strains isolated from rabbits in Poland.

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