Infectious keratoconjunctivitis in European bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland: risk factors, epidemiology and anatomopathological changes with analysis of potential role of Thelazia nematodes in the disease development.

Background: Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) is a common ocular disease of ruminants worldwide. Recently, an outbreak of infectious keratoconjunctivitis was observed in the European bison in Poland. Hundreds of animals show conjunctival congestion, corneal opacity, and ulceration, leading to total blindness.

The variety of abomasal nematode communities of captive and free-roaming populations of European bison, (L.): a morphometric and molecular approach.

Most studies concerning parasitic infections in European bison have been performed on free-ranging animals: comparatively little is known about the abomasal nematodes of captive wisents, which are widely used in reintroduction programmes. The aim of the study was to determine the infection level and species composition of abomasal nematodes in captive European bison in enclosures (including zoos) and breeding centres compared to free-ranging individuals. It also includes a morphological analysis of the parasites based on figures and measurement data.

The contingent impact of wind farms on game mammal density demonstrated in a large-scale analysis of hunting bag data in Poland.

Wind farms are still developing dynamically worldwide, with promising prospects for further growth. Therefore, the assessment of their impact on animals has been carried out. So far, few studies have been conducted on game mammals, and their results are divergent.

Green spaces contribute to structural resilience of the gut microbiota in urban mammals.

The gut microbiome of wild animals is subject to various environmental influences, including those associated with human-induced alterations to the environment. We investigated how the gut microbiota of a synurbic rodent species, the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), change in cities of varying sizes, seeking the urban microbiota signature for this species. Fecal samples for analysis were collected from animals living in non-urbanized areas and green spaces of different-sized cities (Poland).

Long-term, medium-term and acute stress response of urban populations of Eurasian red squirrels affected by different levels of human disturbance.

Animals in urban areas often encounter novel and potentially stressful conditions. It is important to understand how wildlife cope with anthropogenic disturbance. To investigate this specific adaptation we live-trapped squirrels in two study sites in Warsaw: a forest reserve and an urban park and we estimated stress responses at three levels: long-term and medium-term stress (the level of stress hormones, i.

The Nutri-Score Scale-A Tool for Assessing the Nutritional Quality of Processed Meat Products Available on the Polish Market.

Although meat and meat products are important sources of protein in the human diet, consumption appears to be a predisposing factor in the onset of several civilisation diseases, particularly red meat and its products. One way to reduce diet-related diseases is to guide consumers towards consciously purchasing healthier foods by including a nutrition declaration on product labels, such as by using a "front-of-pack" (FOP) labelling system. This study aimed to determine the Nutri-Score classes for processed meat products, distinguish products that are potentially better for consumers, and determine whether the refined algorithm significantly contributed to a change in product classification.

Over 300 km Dispersion of Wild Boar during Hot Summer, from Central Poland to Ukraine.

The movement of wild boars is a complex process influenced by both internal conditions and external factors. Despite their typically sedentary lifestyle, dispersion constitutes an integral element of the wild boar's behavior. This report documents the longest observed wild boar dispersal, involving a collared two-year-old male near Warsaw, Poland.

A validated LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of key glucocorticoids in animal hair for applications in conservation biology.

A new method for the determination of main glucocorticoids (cortisol, cortisone, and corticosterone) in hair by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed. Glucocorticoids were extracted from hair shafts using methanol followed by solid-phase extraction. A validation test was performed using hair from three species of wild mammals with different body size (0.

An assessment of the habitat preferences of European bison with airborne laser scanning data in forest ecosystem.

Research on habitat preferences is an important part of contemporary ecology. For the European bison, the classic approach to distinguishing habitat features is still being followed, but the limitations of this approach cannot provide the standard features of optimal habitats for this species. The study consisted in comparing analyses of the habitat preferences of European bison that were based on either classic forest typology (habitat types) or airborne laser scanning data.

Assessment of dietary exposure to food additives used in Polish processed meat products.

Dietary exposure assessments have been performed for nitrites, phosphates, erythorbic acid, and sodium erythorbate in processed meat in Poland. The exposure has been estimated based on the maximum level of use of additives contained in Regulation - tier 2 and the concentration of additives in processed meat - tier 3, additionally for nitrites. Daily intake was estimated using 24-h recall, repeated three times.

Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer (L.) with the description of n. sp.

Lungworms of the genus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of and a new lungworm species, n. sp.

Dyes Used in Processed Meat Products in the Polish Market, and Their Possible Risks and Benefits for Consumer Health.

Manufacturers are obliged to label processed meat products with information concerning the additives used and nutritional values. The aim of the study was to identify the dyes most frequently used in processed meat, evaluate their influence on specific food qualities, assess whether their use was correct and review their effect on health. The analysis was based on information on the labels and images of processed meat, and used a generalised linear model with a binary dependent variable.

A serological survey of pathogens associated with the respiratory and digestive system in the Polish European bison (Bison bonasus) population in 2017-2022.

Background: The European bison (Bison bonasus) is a near threatened species and requires health monitoring. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to pathogens known to cause respiratory and digestive illness in ruminants.

Results: In the studied 328 European bison, the highest seroprevalence was observed for Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) (50.

Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders' perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission.

Pathogens transmitted between wildlife and domestic animals can pose a threat to endangered species, undermine conservation efforts in wildlife, and affect productivity and parasite control in domestic animals. There are several examples of pathogen transmission between European bison and other animals. The present study surveyed breeders from the vicinity of four large wisent populations in eastern Poland about observed contacts between wisent and cattle.

Exchanged Communities of Abomasal Nematodes in Cervids with a First Report on in Red Deer.

Introduction: Among large wild game in Poland, the most numerous cervids are red deer and roe deer. Although these species live free, they should be under veterinary supervision because they can transmit infectious agents and parasites to livestock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodiversity of the abomasal nematodes which parasitise cervids and present the visual and dimensional characteristics of their spicules.

Comorbidities and concentration of trace elements in livers of European bison from Bieszczady Mountains (Poland).

European bison is a species for which health monitoring is essential in conservation activities. So far, little research has been carried out on the concentration of elements in this species. Most previous studies did not associate the concentration of elements with susceptibility to diseases.

Body Condition and Breeding of Urban Red Squirrels: Comparison of Two Populations Affected by Different Levels of Urbanization.

The red squirrel is among the mammals that have adjusted well to urban habitats. Here, we focused on the two populations inhabiting Warsaw: in a park (with year-round supplemental feeding) and in an urban forest. We hypothesised that park squirrels would have higher body mass (and better body condition), being more stable over the year, and would have a higher breeding rate (i.

Two Centrifugal Flotation Techniques for Counting Gastrointestinal Parasite Eggs and Oocysts in Alpaca Faeces.

Introduction: The alpaca () is a camelid native to South America, but the species has wide distribution outside its natural habitat and is found in various countries on other continents, Poland being one in Europe. Parasitic infections affect the productivity and health of alpacas. The aim of the study was to estimate the parasite loads in alpacas kept in Poland with the use of two direct centrifugal flotation methods.

Could the type and severity of gross lesions in pig lymph nodes play a role in the detection of Mycobacterium avium?

The Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) comprises a widespread group of slowly-growing bacteria from the Mycobacteriaceae. These bacteria are responsible for opportunistic infections in humans and animals, including farm animals. The aim of the study was to determine whether it is possible to predict the presence of M.

How should we manage a strong Eurasian Beaver population? A comparison of population trends in Poland and Belarus.

The Eurasian beaver is currently found in at least 32 European countries, with many of these populations being established in the 1960s. In most European countries, the beaver is under protection, however, when the population is strong, the beaver becomes a game species. In Poland, the beaver is partially protected despite the species having a strong population.

MIRU-VNTR Typing of Atypical Mycobacteria Isolated from the Lymph Nodes of Slaughtered Pigs from Poland.

No regulations currently require the excision of lymph nodes from pig carcasses or the thermal processing of pork before consumption. Therefore, the presence of anatomopathological lesions with signs of coagulation necrosis in lymph nodes from pigs during post-mortem inspection is concerning, as is the increasing incidence of mycobacteriosis in humans. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to verify whether mycobacteria can be isolated from tuberculous-like lesions in mandibular lymph nodes in slaughtered pigs, and whether further molecular analysis based on MIRU-VNRT, used to identify mycobacteria from the complex, can indicate zoonotic potential.