Publications by authors named "Zeljko Mihaljevic"

Article Synopsis
  • Dirofilariosis is a parasite disease caused by Dirofilaria species, mainly affecting wild carnivores and raising concerns about animal health and potential transmission to domestic dogs and humans.
  • In a study in Croatia, researchers examined wild carnivores, finding D. immitis in 6.5% of golden jackals, but none in red foxes or European badgers.
  • Infected jackals showed varying parasite loads and possible health impacts, highlighting the need for further research on their role as potential infection reservoirs for other species.
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The results of large cardiovascular studies indicate that SGLT-2 inhibitors may increase the risk of leg amputations. This study aims to investigate whether dapagliflozin therapy affects peripheral vascular oxygenation, i.e.

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This study investigates the spatiotemporal trends of loggerhead turtles along the Croatian Adriatic coast by using stranding data and post-mortem analyses. Information on 620 loggerhead turtles (), collected in the period between 2010 and 2022, has been analysed. Seasonal stranding variations reveal distinct patterns, indicating season-specific abundance and age-specific mortality in different areas, particularly in the key neritic habitat of the northern Adriatic.

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The red fox, found on all continents except Antarctica, occupies diverse habitats. In Croatia, it is an indigenous wild species with a population density of 0.7 animals per square kilometer.

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Background: Cats are the primary reservoirs of the bacterium Bartonella henselae, the main cause of cat-scratch disease in humans. The main vector of the bacterium is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. In southeastern Europe, data are lacking on the prevalence of B.

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Introduction: Shortly before the mass mortality event of the noble pen shell () population in the south-eastern Adriatic coast, two rapidly growing strains CVI_P3 (DSM 114013 T, ATCC TSD-295 T) and CVI_P4 were obtained from the organs of individual mollusks during the regular health status monitoring.

Methods: The strains were identified as members of the genus using basic phenotypic characteristics, genus-specific PCR assays targeting the and 16S rRNA genes and the commercial hybridization kit GenoType Mycobacterium CM (Hain Lifescience, Germany). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry did not provide reliable identification using the Bruker Biotyper Database.

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Rotaviruses (RV), especially (RVA), are globally recognized as pathogens causing neonatal diarrhea, but they also affect intensive animal farming. However, the knowledge on their significance in wildlife is rather limited. The aim of the study was to unveil the prevalence, molecular epidemiology, and genetic diversity of RVA strains circulating in the red fox () population in Croatia.

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Noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis) is an endemic species and the largest known bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea. By filtering large amounts of water, they maintain a high percentage of organic matter, hence playing an important role in the marine ecosystem. The ecological community of pen shells is impressive, and there are numerous microorganisms present in its soft tissues.

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Canine vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are a group of globally distributed and rapidly spreading microorganisms transmitted by arthropods. In the present survey, we investigated Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia canis, Dirofilaria immitis and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato seroprevalence between three groups of dogs (asymptomatic, suspected and deceased) from continental and coastal regions of Croatia with the commercial point-of-care SNAP®4Dx®Plus for VBPs.

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Echinococcus multilocularis has been spreading through Europe but has not yet been reported in Croatia. We report the results of a surveillance programme to detect E. multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in different parts of Croatia.

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The bacteria Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis are tick-borne agents that cause canine vector-borne disease. The prevalence of these pathogens in South Eastern Europe is unknown with the exception of an isolated case of A. platys detected in a dog imported into Germany from Croatia.

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Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are a group of globally extended and quickly spreading pathogens that are transmitted by various arthropod vectors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence against Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, and Ehrlichia canis in dogs in Croatia. We investigated 435 randomly selected apparently healthy dogs in 13 different locations of Croatia for antibodies to B.

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Objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammation of the colon, is often more severe in children than adults. Identification of altered expression of efflux transporters, cytokines, and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) molecules in pediatric versus adult patients could provide insight into the differential molecular patterns related to the age and disease pathology.

Methods: Mucosal samples from terminal ileum and colon in pediatric (9 UC-New, 4 UC-Remission) and adult (9 UC-New, 8 UC-Remission) patients were compared with healthy subjects (15 children and 10 adults) for mRNA expressions of several efflux transporters, cytokines, and SOCS molecules.

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Background: The main goal of oral vaccination of foxes is eradication of rabies in the red fox population as rabies reservoirs. To evaluate the success of vaccination a serological testing is conducted as a part of monitoring program. Two different methods are used regarding rabies serology: virus neutralisation test and ELISA.

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The aim of this study was to determine the levels of zearalenone (ZEN) in different feed materials and feedstuffs for pigs, as well as in pig urine and pig meat following contaminated feed consumption. In total, 253 feed material and feedstuff samples were collected from Croatian pig farms. The results revealed the presence of ZEN in significant concentrations, the maximal being found in maize (5522 µg/kg), wheat (3366 µg/kg) and pig fattening feed (1949 µg/kg).

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To eliminate cytotoxic effects of colostrum on cells, a modified virus neutralization test (VNT) for the detection of Bovine viral diarrhea virus-specific neutralizing antibodies in colostrum was developed. The new test was compared to the World Organization for Animal Health-recommended VNT and the results evaluated. The agreement of the new test compared to the standard VNT was determined to be 98%, whereas sensitivity and specificity of the modified VNT compared to the standard VNT were 100%.

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The virus neutralisation test is used for the quantitation of specific antibodies in serum samples. However, the success of the test depends on the quality of samples. In the case of poor quality samples, a cytotoxic effect can be observed and the results of the test can be compromised.

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The aim of the present study was to assess the accumulation of ractopamine residues in the hair and ocular tissues of guinea pigs during repeated ractopamine administration and after treatment. The experiment was conducted in 38 guinea pigs (30 treated and eight controls). Treated animals were orally administered ractopamine hydrochloride in a dose of 3.

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The Croatian part of the Danube River extends over 188 km and comprises 58 % of the country's overall area used for commercial freshwater fishing. To date, the heavy metal contamination of fish in the Croatian part of the Danube has not been studied. The main purpose of this study was to determine heavy metal levels in muscle tissue of sampled fish species and to analyze the measured values according to feeding habits of particular groups.

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Background: HER2 overexpression is well-established risk factor of worse prognosis in metastatic and early breast cancer. HER2 positivity can be determined from tumor tissue by immunohistochemical staining or by fluorescent in situ hybridization, or from serum by measuring concentration of HER2 receptor extracellular domain (HER2/ECD). HER2/ECD correlates well with worse prognosis in metastatic and locally advanced (stage III) disease if serum concentration is >15 ng/ml, but there are no consistent data for patients with early breast cancer.

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An epizootiological field study on tick-borne protozoan infections in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was carried out in different parts of Croatia. Spleen samples of 191 carcasses of red foxes killed in sanitary hunting, were examined for the presence of hematozoa by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent sequencing. The investigation revealed four species of hematozoa in 57 foxes (30%), namely Theileria annae, Theileria sp.

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