Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes from encephalitis cases of small ruminants from different geographical regions, in Greece.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity and resistance phenotypes of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from clinical encephalitis cases, and compare this population to isolates derived from tank milk of healthy animals.

Methods And Results: A total of 57 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from ruminant's listeriosis cases (n = 31) and from tank milk of healthy ruminants (n = 26) were characterized by species PCR, molecular serotyping, PCR detection of virulence genes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Liver concentrations of copper, zinc, iron and molybdenum in sheep and goats from northern Greece, determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Energy-dispersive X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc, iron and molybdenum in the liver of 76 sheep and goats from the regions of Macedonia-Thrace, northern Greece. In general, metal concentrations were in the adequate range, with one main exception of Cu-deficiency observed in all of the examined goat liver samples and Cu-toxicity found in 4 % of the sheep liver samples. One-way analysis of variance was carried out to determine significant differences among means depending on animal species, sex and age.

Culture phenotypes and molecular characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from small ruminants.

In this study the suitability of different solid media was investigated for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) in order to identify the optimum single or combination of media to permit the isolation of all strain types from small ruminants. A subset of these Map strains was then further characterized by molecular typing methods to assess the genetic diversity of Map strains in the study area (Northern Greece).

Experimental infection of pregnant ewes with enteric and abortion-source Chlamydophila abortus.

Two groups of pregnant ewes were experimentally infected oronasally in midpregnancy. A faecal and an abortion-source isolate of Chlamydophila abortus were used. They were derived from a healthy ewe from a flock with no history of abortion, and from an aborted foetus in a farm with enzootic abortion.