The aim of this study was to investigated the seasonal variation in the nutrient composition of Mytilus galloprovincialis, cultivated in Boka Kotorska Bay, Montenegro, during all seasons in one year. Biometric parameters, meat yield, condition index, proximate composition, minerals, and the lipid and fatty acid compositions of mussels were analyzed. The most significant factors determining these parameters were temperature, food amount and gametogenesis The biometric parameters showed no significant differences during the sampling period. In the spring, meat yields and mussel condition index increased at substantial levels. Low values od meat yield and condition index during cold months have resulted from food shortage and reproductive cycle, when mussels use carbohydrates and protein reserves. The highest amount of protein was detected in mussels harvested in August (10.76%), while the highest amount of lipids was recorded in the winter months (2.11%). Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were the most abundant PUFA. The concentration of metals found in mussels from the study area is within the range of mean values reported in the literature. Our results indicate that the best period for mussels harvesting was during the spring and summer (April and August), opposite the winter months when the mussels were not favorable for harvesting.

This paper explores the biological diversity of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis , its ecological functions, and its economic importance for local communities. By analyzing the ecological roles of mussels in the preservation of ecosystems, as well as their contribution to the local economy through fishing and aquaculture, the work provides a comprehensive insight into their importance and the threats they face. The aim of this study is to analyze the presence of the bacterium Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and determine statistical significance in mussels collected from three different locations in Montenegro: Herceg Novi, Tivat, and Kotor. The analyses were carried out during different seasons, in a period of two years, 2022 and 2023. This approach enabled a detailed analysis of seasonal variations in the level of mussel contamination. Preliminary results show that the highest concentrations of E. coli were recorded during the summer months, which can be associated with increased tourist activities and a greater load on the sewage system. The lowest levels of contamination were registered during the winter months. This reduction occurs because tourist and industrial activity decreases, resulting in less waste and wastewater production. Furthermore, precipitation and winds that dilute pollutants increase, while lower temperatures slow down biological processes. Among the localities analyzed, samples from Kotor showed the highest average concentration of E. coli , while samples from Herceg Novi had the lowest values. These results indicate significant differences in the degree of pollution between localities and seasons, which can have serious consequences for human health, and the ecosystem. The presence of E. coli in mussels directly threatens the safety of food products, because the consumption of contaminated mussels can lead to various gastrointestinal diseases. Also, long-term pollution can disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and the stability of mussel populations.

Campylobacter is one of the most common pathogens in food and is a constant concern in ensuring food safety. Poultry meat is recognized as the main source of Campylobacter species in food, and the primary production of this meat is a critical point where measures need to be taken to reduce its presence in the food chain. Therefore, poultry slaughterhouses are places where it is necessary to implement measures to control and reduce the number of Campylobacter spp. For the purpose of monitoring the presence and abundance of Campylobacter spp. in poultry slaughterhouses, in the period from 2019 to 2024, a total of 585 skin neck samples from five poultry slaughterhouses were tested. All collected samples were analyzed using a standardized microbiological method (ISO 10272-2:2018). The results showed that in Montenegrin poultry slaughterhouses, the prevalence of Campylobacter species in the observed five-year period was 42%. For a total of 339 samples, test results for the number of Campylobacter spp. in the sample were <100 cfu/g (58%). In 53 samples of chicken neck skin, the number of Campylobacter spp. was from 100 to 1000 (9%), while 193 samples contained more than 1000 cfu/g Campylobacter spp. (33%). This study suggests that slaughterhouses need to ensure greater hygiene on the slaughter line, through equipment inspection for each slaughter step and the implementation of regular cleaning protocols. These are minimal and basic interventions that are key to reducing the risk of contamination, improving microbiological safety in poultry processing, and aligning with efforts to improve the food safety system in Montenegro. Cite this article as: Zuber Bogdanović, I., & Vučinić, S. (2026). Surveillance of campylobacter spp. in Montenegrin poultry slaughterhouses in the period from 2019 to 2024. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0163, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25163.

Culicoides biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) are the primary biological vectors of Bluetongue virus (BTV). The BTV is an orbivirus that causes substantial economic losses in livestock worldwide. Although over 50 arboviruses have been isolated from Culicoides species, BTV remains the most economically impactful disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the vector-virus association, including vector competence, transmission dynamics, and environmental factors influencing the spread of BTV. Vector competence in Culicoides is determined by midgut infection and dissemination barriers, which vary significantly among species. Transmission efficiency is influenced by temperature, extrinsic incubation period, and host factors, with cattle serving as long-term reservoirs and sheep exhibiting greater disease severity. Understanding vector-virus associations is essential for predicting outbreaks and developing effective control methods, especially as climate change promotes vector spread.

Listeria monocytogenes is a leading cause of foodborne mortality in the European Union, with ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products representing a primary transmission vehicle. Traditional dry-cured and fermented meat products, produced under small-scale artisanal conditions, present particular microbiological challenges, yet systematic surveillance data from the Western Balkans remain limited. Microbiological testing results for L. monocytogenes in traditional Montenegrin meat products were extracted from the national food control monitoring system over the period 2016–2025. A total of 2471 samples from 58 product varieties were analysed using EN ISO 11290-1/2 standards. Prevalence was estimated with 95% confidence intervals; differences between product categories were assessed by Pearson chi-square with Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons, and temporal trends by the Cochran–Armitage test. The overall prevalence was 6.6%, ranging from 0.5% (2017) to 14.7% (2024). Dry-fermented sausages (kobasica; 17.2%) and cured belly (pančeta; 9.9%) showed significantly higher prevalence than whole-muscle products (pršut 3.8%; pečenica 1.5%; p < 0.001). Njeguška kobasica and its vacuum-packed variant recorded the highest individual prevalence (30.1% and 47.6%, respectively). No significant monotonic trend was detected over the surveillance period (Z = 0.801, p = 0.423). Prevalence estimates varied considerably across years without evidence of a monotonic trend, supporting the need for a regulatory shift toward production-environment monitoring and integration of whole-genome surveillance in the traditional meat sector.