Publications by authors named "Darja Kusar"

Article Synopsis
  • * A significant seasonal variation was found, with higher isolation rates in colder months (87.9%) compared to warmer months (31.8%).
  • * Whole-genome sequencing revealed diverse strains, including hypervirulent ones with resistance to fluoroquinolones, indicating potential health risks for consumers, especially for vulnerable populations.
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The diarrheagenic (DEC) is the major cause of diarrheal diseases in Africa, including Ethiopia. However, the genetic diversity of pathotypes found in Ethiopia has not been studied well. This study aimed to characterize potential DEC belonging to enteropathogenic (EPEC), Shiga toxin-producing (STEC), enteroaggregative (EAEC), enterotoxigenic (ETEC), and enteroinvasive (EIEC) pathotypes from stool specimens of patients attending primary healthcare units ( = 260) in Addis Ababa and Hossana using whole-genome sequencing.

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The global spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in is a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the genomic characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant from a previously obtained collection of 260 isolates from fecal samples of patients attending primary healthcare facilities in Addis Ababa and Hossana, Ethiopia. A total of 29 isolates (19 phenotypically confirmed ESBL-producing and 10 third-generation cephalosporin-resistant isolates) were used.

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American foulbrood (AFB) is a serious infectious disease of honeybees () caused by . Increased count in hive-related material is associated with an increased risk of AFB. Here, we quantified cells in 106 adult bee and 97 hive debris samples using quantitative PCR (qPCR); 66/106 adult bee and 66/97 hive debris samples were collected simultaneously from the same bee colony (paired-sample design).

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Adult female and male nematodes were found in the oesophagus of a free-living roe deer () in Slovenia during passive health surveillance of wildlife. The genus was determined by light microscopy based on the genus-specific cuticular bosses in the anterior part of the parasite. Molecular methods were used to confirm the species , which has zoonotic potential.

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An optimized digital RT-PCR (RT-dPCR) assay for the detection of human norovirus GI and GII RNA was compared with ISO 15216-conform quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) assays in an interlaboratory study (ILS) among eight laboratories. A duplex GI/GII RT-dPCR assay, based on the ISO 15216-oligonucleotides, was used on a Bio-Rad QX200 platform by six laboratories. Adapted assays for Qiagen Qiacuity or ThermoFisher QuantStudio 3D were used by one laboratory each.

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Antimicrobial resistance of is a growing problem in both developed and developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance of isolates ( = 260) isolated from the stool specimen of patients attending public health facilities in Addis Ababa and Hossana. This study also aimed to characterize phenotypically confirmed extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates ( = 22) using whole-genome sequencing.

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The potential risk to human and animal health provides a rationale for research on methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) and mammaliicocci (MRM) in dairy herds. Here, we aimed to estimate their occurrence in the bulk tank milk (BTM) samples collected in 2019-2021 from 283 bovine dairy farms in the Belgrade district. We used whole-genome sequencing to characterize the obtained isolates and assess their genetic relatedness.

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is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes reproductive disorders and major economic losses in cattle, and induces neuromuscular disorders in canids. Exogenous infections are becoming increasingly important due to disease outbreaks. The sylvatic life cycle of interferes with the domestic dog-ruminant life cycle, but understanding of it is scarce.

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Brucella suis commonly infects swine but occasionally also other animal species and humans. Wild boars are the most important reservoir of B. suis biovar 2, continually infecting susceptible hosts through close contact.

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Pigs were identified as the most important reservoir of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant (LA-MRSA), mostly belonging to the emergent zoonotic clonal complex (CC) 398. Here, we investigated the presence of MRSA in sows and piglets over a period of several months in two pig farms (intensive farm A and family-run farm B). Isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR characterization and typing.

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Salmonella enterica subsp. serovar Infantis is the most prevalent serovar found in broilers and broiler meat and is among the top five serovars responsible for human infections in Europe. In 2008, a multidrug-resistant .

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The spore-forming bacterium is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), a devastating disease of honeybees (). In the present study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate an extensive outbreak of AFB in northwestern Slovenia in 2019. A total of 59 .

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is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), a devastating disease of honeybees. spore counts in bee-related samples correlate with the presence of AFB symptoms and may, therefore, be used to identify at-risk colonies. Here, we constructed a TaqMan-based real-time PCR (qPCR) assay targeting a single-copy chromosomal metalloproteinase gene for reliable quantification of .

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Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis is a host-adapted serovar that causes serious infections in domestic pigs and wild boars. Here, we investigated an outbreak of salmonellosis in domestic pigs in Slovenia, 2018-2019. To assess the outbreak, 18 isolates from domestic pigs, wild boars, wild boar meat and a human patient underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

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The repeated occurrence of anthrax in grazing animals should be a reminder of a widespread presence of spores in the environment. Its rapid diagnosis is critical to protect public health. Here, we report a case of anthrax in cattle that was investigated using conventional and molecular methods.

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Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is an important cause of nosocomial infections in humans, but its importance in small animal practice is increasing. Here, we present a case of feline otitis externa (OE) caused by MRSA; both hemolytic and nonhemolytic variants with a stable phenotype were recovered from the external auditory canal after infection was detected by routine otoscopy. One isolate per variant underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) by broth microdilution method, conventional typing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

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Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections in dogs but can also cause infections in cats and humans. The frequency of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains is increasing worldwide.

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is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), a fatal disease of honeybee brood. Here, we obtained 506 isolates originating from honey or brood samples and from different geographic regions of Slovenia in the period 2017-2019. In the first part of the study, we conducted ERIC-PCR typing to assess the frequency of ERIC types in Slovenia.

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Article Synopsis
  • The text discusses the American foulbrood (AFB), a highly contagious disease affecting honeybees, and the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to study it.
  • Researchers developed a whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST) scheme using 125 genomes to analyze the genetic diversity of AFB strains, particularly from outbreaks in Slovenia.
  • The wgMLST approach effectively differentiated outbreak-associated strains from unrelated ones and proved to be more informative than traditional methods, highlighting its potential in understanding the genetic epidemiology of this honeybee pathogen.
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Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) represents a concern in both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate potential LA-MRSA transmission between animals and humans in rural settings. To this aim, a study was designed to include 14 farms in Slovenia, which were selected on the basis of a farmer (initial patient) with confirmed LA-MRSA infection and regular animal contacts.

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Six -like isolates were recovered from 15 gastric mucosa samples of red foxes () shot by hunters in the surroundings of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Gram-negative, tightly coiled, intensely motile, 7-15 µm long and ≤1 µm wide bacteria grew on the biphasic blood agar plates. By using a genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), all isolates were confirmed as sp.

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Background: Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of listeriosis, a serious disease affecting both animals and humans. Here, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to characterize the genetic diversity of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from the natural environment and animal clinical cases in Europe. The prevalence of clonal complexes (CCs) obtained was compared according to (i) the origin of isolation - clinical cases vs.

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Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of listeriosis, a serious disease affecting both humans and animals. While listeriosis outbreaks in humans are commonly investigated in detail, routine typing of L. monocytogenes is generally not performed in animal outbreaks.

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The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant and virulent enterococci is a major public health concern. While enterococci are commonly found in food of animal origin, the knowledge on their zoonotic potential is limited. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence traits of and isolates from human clinical specimens and retail red meat in Slovenia.

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