Subclinical Mastitis in Lacaune Sheep: Etiologic Agents, the Effect on Milk Characteristics, and an Evaluation of Infrared Thermography and the YOLO Algorithm as a Preprocessing Tool for Advanced Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of subclinical mastitis (SCM), the implicated pathogens, and their impact on milk quality in dairy sheep in Greece. Furthermore, we preliminarily evaluated infrared thermography and the application of AI tools for the early, non-invasive diagnosis of relevant cases. In total, 660 milk samples and over 2000 infrared thermography images were obtained from 330 phenotypically healthy ewes.

Genetic Analysis of the Brown Bear Sub-Population in the Pindos Mountain, Central Greece: Insights into Population Status and Conservation.

Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to the existence and reproduction of large carnivores, such as brown bears, as it affects the genetic connectivity of populations and, consequently, their long-term viability. Understanding the genetic makeup and dispersal patterns in areas where brown bears live is crucial for developing effective conservation plans and promoting human-brown bear coexistence. In this study, 214 hair samples were collected non-invasively from brown bears and were genetically analyzed using fifteen specific microsatellite loci to shed light on the genetic status and demography of a sub-population residing in Central Greece (Trikala-Meteora area).

Phenotypic Investigation and Detection of Biofilm-Associated Genes in Isolates, Obtained from Companion Animals.

Bacteria of the genus , especially (), have emerged as pathogens of companion animals during the last two decades and are commonly associated with hospitalization and multidrug resistance. A critical factor for the distribution of relevant strains in healthcare facilities, including veterinary facilities, is their adherence to both biotic and abiotic surfaces and the production of biofilms. A group of 41 isolates obtained from canine and feline clinical samples in Greece was subjected to phenotypic investigation of their ability to produce biofilms using the tissue culture plate (TCP) method.

Phenotypic Investigation of Florfenicol Resistance and Molecular Detection of R Gene in Canine and Feline MDR Enterobacterales.

Florfenicol is a promising antibiotic for use in companion animals, especially as an alternative agent for infections caused by MDR bacteria. However, the emergence of resistant strains could hinder this potential. In this study, florfenicol resistance was investigated in a total of 246 MDR Enterobacterales obtained from canine and feline clinical samples in Greece over a two-year period (October 2020 to December 2022); a total of 44 (17,9%) florfenicol-resistant strains were recognized and further investigated.

Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci as an Etiologic Agent of Ovine Mastitis, with a Focus on Subclinical Forms.

The objective of this review is to investigate the distribution and the characteristics of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) implicated in ovine mastitis, and especially in subclinical cases, in order to provide a global perspective of the current research data and analyze specific critical aspects of the issue. PRISMA guidelines were implemented in the search of the last 20 years of the related literature in two databases. In total, 139 studies were included in this review.

Indication of West Nile Virus (WNV) Lineage 2 Overwintering among Wild Birds in the Regions of Peloponnese and Western Greece.

West Nile virus (WNV), a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus, has recently caused human outbreaks in Europe, including Greece. Its transmission cycle in nature includes wild birds as amplifying hosts and ornithophilic mosquito vectors. The aim of this study was to assess WNV circulation among wild birds from two regions of Greece, Peloponnese and Western Greece, during 2022.

Acute non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis differences and similarities between hepatitis E virus infection and autoimmune hepatitis, with phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis E virus in humans and wild boars.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection incidence is increasing in Europe, accounting for the majority of acute hepatitis cases. We investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of acute hepatitis E (AHE) in patients with acute non-A/B/C hepatitis from central Greece, their differences from acute autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) patients and the molecular similarity of human strains to local HEV strains in wild boars.

Methods: Sera from 20 patients with non-A/B/C acute hepatitis (2015-2017) were tested prospectively for anti-HEV IgM, IgG antibodies and HEV-RNA.

Development of a Multiplex Bead Assay to Detect Serological Responses to Species in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar with the Potential to Overcome Cross-Reactivity with O:9.

The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex bead assay using a rLPS antigen, a smooth antigen, and a O:9 antigen that not only discriminates -infected from -uninfected pigs and wild boar, but also overcomes the cross reactivity with O:9. Sera from 126 domestic pigs were tested: 29 pigs were infected, 80 were non-infected and 17 were confirmed to be false positive serological reactors (FPSR). Sera from 49 wild boar were tested: 18 were positive and 31 were negative.

West Nile Virus Occurrence and Ecological Niche Modeling in Wild Bird Species and Mosquito Vectors: An Active Surveillance Program in the Peloponnese Region of Greece.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is maintained in nature in a bird-mosquito cycle and human infections follow a seasonal pattern, favored by climatic conditions. Peloponnese Region, located in Southern Greece, initiated an active WNV surveillance program to protect public health during 2019-2020. The project included monitoring of avian hosts and mosquito vectors, while sampling locations were prioritized after consideration of WNV circulation in birds, mosquitos and humans during previous seasons.

Occurrence and Characteristics of ESBL- and Carbapenemase- Producing from Wild and Feral Birds in Greece.

Wild and feral birds are known to be involved in the maintenance and dissemination of clinically-important antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing among wild and feral birds from Greece and to describe their antimicrobial resistance characteristics. In this context, fecal samples of 362 birds were collected and cultured.

Cross-Sectional Survey of Antibiotic Resistance in Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Isolated from Pigs in Greece.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) bacteria in swine. Thus, 214 fecal samples were collected from suckling and weaned piglets from 34 farms in Greece (out of an overall population of about 14,300 sows). A subset of 78 (36.

ESBL-Producing -The Contribution of Wild Birds in the Dissemination of a Zoonotic Pathogen.

is an Enterobacteriaceae with unclarified dispersion and pathogenicity. During an ongoing investigation about antimicrobial resistance in Greece, the occurrence of was evaluated among wild birds and humans. A total of 445 wild bird and 2000 human fecal samples were collected and screened for the presence of the organism.

Plethora of Resistance Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Greece: No End to a Continuous Genetic Evolution.

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a public health threat that requires urgent action. The fact that these pathogens commonly also harbor resistance mechanisms for several other antimicrobial classes further reduces patient treatment options. The present study aimed to provide information regarding the multidrug resistance genetic background of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in Central Greece.

Risk and Environmental Factors Associated with the Presence of Canine Parvovirus Type 2 in Diarrheic Dogs from Thessaly, Central Greece.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) primarily infects dogs, which are the main host reservoir, causing severe gastrointestinal disease associated with immunosuppression. The present study was conducted in Thessaly, Greece and aimed to identify risk and environmental factors associated with CPV-2 infection in diarrheic dogs. Fecal samples were collected from 116 dogs presenting diarrhea and were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of CPV-2 DNA.

Development of a Multiplex Bead Assay for Simultaneous Serodiagnosis of Antibodies against , , and in Wild Boar.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a multiplex bead assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against , , and . Sera from Eurasian wild boar of known serological status for TB (64 seropositive, 106 seronegative), (30 seropositive, 39 seronegative), and (21 seropositive, 97 seronegative) were used for the development and evaluation of the assay. Magnetic beads coated with recombinant MPB83 antigen (TB), a whole-cell 1330 antigen, and an E/S antigen were used for the detection of specific antibodies using Bio-Rad Bio-Plex technology.

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in ESBL-Producing Isolates from Animals in Greece.

The prevalence of multidrug resistant, extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae is increasing worldwide. The present study aimed to provide an overview of the multidrug resistance phenotype and genotype of ESBL-producing () isolates of livestock and wild bird origin in Greece. Nineteen phenotypically confirmed ESBL-producing strains isolated from fecal samples of cattle ( = 7), pigs ( = 11) and a Eurasian magpie that presented resistance to at least one class of non β-lactam antibiotics, were selected and genotypically characterized.

Poultry and Wild Birds as a Reservoir of CMY-2 Producing : The First Large-Scale Study in Greece.

Resistance mediated by β-lactamases is a globally spread menace. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence of producing plasmid-encoded AmpC β-lactamases (pAmpC) in animals. Fecal samples from chickens (n = 159), cattle (n = 104), pigs (n = 214), and various wild bird species (n = 168), collected from different Greek regions during 2018-2020, were screened for the presence of pAmpC-encoding genes.

European Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) as a source of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of Public Health importance: A review.

European brown hare (Lepus europaeus, EBH) is probably the most important game animal in Europe throughout its historical distribution. The decline in its populations across its geographic range in Europe have been attributed to factors such as reproductive rate and the ability for adaptation, climate, feed availability, predators, anthropogenic factors and diseases. Apart from common diseases of hares with a high impact on their mortality such as European Brown hare Syndrome, EBH has been involved in the epidemiology of pathogens with zoonotic potential.

Investigation of the Role of the European Brown Hare in the Epidemiology of Bacterial Zoonotic Pathogens: A Serological and Molecular Survey in Greece.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of spp, spp, , and in European Brown hares () hunter harvested during 2-year hunting periods in northern and central Greece. Serum samples were examined for the presence of IgG antibodies by using an immune fluorescence test and/or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PCR was used to detect spp DNA in blood samples and spp, , and in liver samples.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Bird-Virulent West Nile Virus Strain, Greece.

We report the full polyprotein genomic sequence of a West Nile virus strain isolated from Eurasian magpies dying with neurologic signs in Greece. Our findings demonstrate the local genetic evolution of the West Nile virus strain responsible for a human disease outbreak in the country that began in 2010.

Serological and molecular investigation of selected parasitic pathogens in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Greece: inferring the ecological niche of Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum in hares.

The occurrence of infection or exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Leishmania infantum was investigated in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus, EBH) hunter-harvested over two consecutive hunting seasons in northern and central Greece. Geographical information system was used along with the ecological niche model to define the geographical distribution of seropositive hares relative to environmental parameters and to identify high-risk areas for hare exposure. Molecular analysis showed that 3.

Mammals and habitat disturbance: the case of brown hare and wildfire.

Ecosystem disturbances, such as wildfires, are driving forces that determine ecology and conservation measures. Species respond differentially to wildfires, having diverse post-fire population evolution. This study reports, for first time, the responses of brown hare ( Pallas, 1778) to wildfires.

Environmental parameters as risk factors for human and canine Leishmania infection in Thessaly, Central Greece.

Thessaly, Central Greece, is an endemic area for leishmaniasis with higher incidence rate during the last years. We herein investigated the geographical distribution of human leishmaniasis cases and Leishmania infected dogs in relation to environmental parameters to identify high-risk areas. All the human leishmaniasis cases (n = 82) reported to Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention from 2007 to 2014 and 85 Leishmania polymerase chain reaction positive dogs were included in this study.

Dissemination of Methicillin-Susceptible CC398 Staphylococcus aureus strains in a rural Greek area.

A large collection of Staphylococcus aureus including a. 745 clinically significant isolates that were consecutively recovered from human infections during 2012-2013, b. 19 methicillin-susceptible (MSSA), randomly selected between 2006-2011 from our Staphylococcal Collection, c.

Diagnostic performance of a rapid in-clinic test for the detection of Canine Parvovirus under different storage conditions and vaccination status.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is one of the most common causes of acute haemorrhagic enteritis in young dogs, while clinical diagnosis is often indecisive. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an in-clinic rapid test in the detection of CPV infection in dogs. To this end, we compared the Rapid Diagnostic Kit of Canine Parvovirus, Coronavirus and Rotavirus antigen (Quicking(®)) to PCR, which is considered as the most reliable diagnostic method.