The aim of this study was to assess occurrence of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens in honey samples from Kazakhstan. Analyses were carried out using a set of PCR methods for identification of anaerobic bacteria, and detection of toxin genes of C. botulinum and C. perfringens. Among 197 samples, C. botulinum was noticed in only one (0.5%). The isolated strain of this pathogen showed the presence of the bont/A and ntnh genes. C. perfringens strains were isolated from 18 (9%) samples, and mPCR (multiplex PCR) analysis led to them all being classified as toxin type A with the ability to produce α toxin. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA genes showed occurrence in 4 samples of other anaerobes related to C. botulinum, which were C. sporogenes and C. beijerinckii strains. C. botulinum prevalence in honey samples from Kazakhstan in comparison to the prevalence in samples collected from the other regions seems to be less. The highest prevalence of Clostridium sp. was noticed in the East Kazakhstan province. Our study is the first survey on BoNT-producing clostridia and C. perfringens prevalence in Kazakh honey.

The paper presents the first results of a study on the contamination of honey produced in the Republic of Kazakhstan with C. botulinum spores known to pose a potential infection threat to infants. During microbiological analysis, culturing methods with TPGY, Willis-Hobbs agar, FAA agar connected with PCR, sequencing, and a mouse bioassay were used. The C. botulinum contamination rate of honey was relatively low as determined, at 0.91%. Nonetheless, the potential danger of the bacteria to childrens’ health should not be neglected

The article presents the results of a study on the content of toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Zn) in feeds and root crops collected from farms in Akmola and Karaganda regions of Kazakhstan. It was found that the highest accumulation of toxic elements occurs in concentrated feeds, while the lowest levels were detected in succulent feeds. The highest concentrations of lead and cadmium were found in concentrated feed samples from Karaganda region, with levels of 3.26±0.24 mg/kg and 0.17±0.002 mg/kg respectively. In Akmola region, the average concentrations were significantly lower: lead 1.040±0.012 mg/kg (3 times lower) and cadmium 0.037±0.010 mg/kg (4.5 times lower). Arsenic residues were detected in trace amounts in feed samples and were often absent in succulent feeds and root crops. The content of copper and zinc was slightly higher in feeds from Karaganda region, except for copper levels in concentrated feeds from a private enterprise in Kokshetau, which exceeded the norm by 1.4 times.

Background and Aim: The rapid spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) globally poses a serious threat to the agricultural sector. The timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease is crucial to control LSD. This study aimed to determine the effect of thioredoxin on the immunogenicity of the recombinant P32 (rP32) protein of LSD virus (LSDV). Since the P32 protein is poorly soluble, it is often expressed by adding an auxiliary sequence of a highly soluble partner protein such as thioredoxin. Materials and Methods: The P32 gene fragment was amplified using a polymerase chain reaction from genomic DNA used as a template. The resulting DNA fragments were cloned into the pET32a vector, and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells through electroporation. Purification of the rP32 protein was performed using a HisTrap column. Purified rP32 protein fused with thioredoxin (rP32Trx) was characterized by western blotting, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Indirect ELISA revealed that, despite the lower molecular weight, the main part of the antibodies in the serum of immunized mice was directed against thioredoxin and not the target P32 protein. Thus, the antibody titers against rP32Trx were 1:102400, whereas antibody titers against heterologous recombinant 3BTrx and PD1Trx proteins were 1:25600 and 1:51200, respectively. Concurrently, the antibodies did not bind to the heterologous recombinant PD1 protein, which did not contain thioredoxin. Conclusion: The results showed that the rP32 protein fused with the partner protein thioredoxin could not be used to obtain polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. However, the recombinant fusion protein rP32Trx can be used to develop a serological test to detect antibodies, since antibodies against thioredoxin were not detected in the animal sera.

Background and Aim: Technogenic pollution from industrial activities and legacy nuclear testing remains a major environmental concern in several regions of Kazakhstan. Contaminants such as heavy metals and radionuclides can migrate through environmental matrixes into the food chain, potentially compromising the safety of livestock- and fish-derived food products. This study aimed to assess contamination levels of toxic elements and radionuclides in meat, poultry, milk, dairy products, and freshwater fish from technogenically hazardous regions of Eastern, Northern, and Central Kazakhstan and to evaluate their compliance with established safety standards. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional monitoring study was conducted from August 2024 to September 2025 in the Abai, Akmola, and Karaganda regions. A total of 383 samples of meat, milk, and dairy products and 143 freshwater fish samples were collected from farms, retail markets, and local water bodies. Concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Radionuclides cesium-137 and strontium-90 were analyzed using a multichannel gamma spectrometer with radiochemical methods where applicable. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Elevated concentrations of toxic elements were detected in several livestock products. The Karaganda region showed the highest contamination, including exceedances of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in horse meat and elevated Cu in beef. In the Akmola region, exceedances were mainly observed for Cu and occasionally Cd, whereas in the Abai region Cd exceedances predominated. Poultry meat generally met safety standards, except for Cd exceedance in chicken from the Akmola region. In dairy products, Cd and Cu exceeded permissible levels in cottage cheese and milk in selected districts, while Pb exceeded limits in whole milk samples from the Abai region. Freshwater fish contained detectable heavy metals, but concentrations remained below maximum permissible limits. Radionuclide levels in all tested products were substantially below regulatory thresholds, and no statistically significant regional differences were observed. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate localized accumulation of toxic elements in livestock-derived foods in industrially impacted regions of Kazakhstan, while radionuclide contamination remains within safe limits. Continuous environmental monitoring and strengthened food safety surveillance are required to minimize health risks and ensure the safety of animal-derived food products in technogenically affected areas. Keywords: animal-derived foods, food safety, heavy metals, Kazakhstan, livestock products, radionuclides, technogenic contamination, toxic elements.

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan and a major foodborne pathogen worldwide. Nearly, all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to toxoplasmosis, with raw and undercooked meat and animal products serving as the primary transmission routes. To date, the distribution of T. gondii among farm animals in Kazakhstan has been inadequately studied. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii in cattle and sheep in the Akmola and Kostanay regions. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were randomly collected from 437 cattle and 397 sheep from two regions of Kazakhstan: Akmola and Kostanay. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the native protein Toxoplasma surface antigen 1 was used for serological analysis. Results: The occurrences of T. gondii were 8.0% and 3.8% among cattle and 42.1% and 19.0% among sheep in the Akmola and Kostanay regions, respectively. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in all study areas. The greatest frequency of seropositive reactions in cattle was observed in the Arshaly region (9.0%), whereas the least frequent was observed in Arkalyk (3.3%). The highest occurrence of seropositive reactions among sheep was found in the Zerenda region (54.5%), whereas the lowest was found in the Auliekol region (15.6%). Conclusion: The obtained results confirmed the circulation of the T. gondii pathogen among cattle and sheep in the investigated regions. These findings provide insight into the current distribution of this zoonotic parasite among farm animals in Kazakhstan. Keywords: antibodies, cattle, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, sheep, surface antigen 1, Toxoplasma gondii.