Identification of vectors is of prime importance in the field of medical entomology for both operational and research purposes. An external quality assessment of mosquito identification capacities was carried out within the MediLabSecure Network, which is composed of laboratories located in 19 countries close to the European Union around the Mediterranean and Black seas. A set of blind samples consisting of 7 or 8 adult mosquitoes and 4 larvae was given to each participant laboratory. In all, 138 adult mosquitoes and 76 larvae of different species were distributed for genus and species identification. All identifications were exclusively morphology based. Overall, 81% of identifications were correct at the genus level, 64% at the species level. The results were highly varied among the 19 participating laboratories. The levels of correct identifications were: 100% (three laboratories), 90–95% (four laboratories), 50–75% (six laboratories) and < 50% (six laboratories). This evaluation showed the need to maintain efforts in capacity building and quality control in the field of medical entomology and, more specifically, in the morphological identification of the Culicidae.

SUMMARY Salmonella and the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) remain very challenging diseases for the poultry industry worldwide because of the inefficiency of implementing and integrating eradication and control programs, which results in very high economic losses to the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to determine the association between biosecurity levels in layer farms and the occurrence of both D. gallinae and Salmonella spp., as well as the relationship between D. gallinae infestations on farms and Salmonella occurrence. For this purpose, 22 layer farms using the common battery cage housing system in different parts of Kosovo were randomly selected and analyzed for the presence of D. gallinae and Salmonella in samples, such as feces, water, feed, and dust. Two pooled samples of D. gallinae (2n = 100) were directly analyzed for the presence of Salmonella in the outer and inner parts of cuticula from D. gallinae. A chi-square test was used to determine the association between experie... RESUMEN Asociación entre el nivel de bioseguridad y la presentación de Dermanyssus gallinae y Salmonella spp. en granjas de gallinas de postura. La infección por Salmonella y la infestación por el ácaro rojo de las aves (Dermanyssus gallinae) siguen siendo enfermedades muy difíciles para la industria avícola en todo el mundo debido a la ineficiencia en la implementación e integración de programas de erradicación y control, lo que resulta en altas pérdidas económicas para la industria avícola. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre los niveles de bioseguridad en granjas de gallinas de postura y la presentación de D. gallinae y Salmonella spp., Así como la relación entre la infestación por D. gallinae en granjas y la presentación de Salmonella. Para este propósito, 22 granjas de gallinas de postura con un sistema de alojamiento en jaulas comunes en batería, localizadas en diferentes partes de Kosovo fueron seleccionadas al azar y se analizaron para la presencia de D. gallinae y Salmo...

1. Water used in a modern poultry processing line was tested from October 2005 to June 2006 to determine the level of bacteria in an abattoir in Germany. 2. A total of 420 water samples were taken from 14 processing sites (PSs), at 10 times, and from three different hours of the working shift at three sampling hours (SHs) at 5:00 a.m. (SH 1), 9:00 a.m. (SH 2) and 12:00 a.m. (SH 3). Each sample was assessed for the aerobic plate count (APC) and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia over 30 sampling weeks. The APC numbers of each PS from three SHs were compared, and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia from each PS of three SHs was determined as well as change from the initial PS to the end of the processing line. 3. A total of 46 water samples were positive for Salmonella, 120 positive for Campylobacter and 4 positive for Listeria. None of the water samples was found to be positive for Yersinia. During the course of the day, the APC increased. Salmonella was mostly found during SH 1 (5 a.m.) in water from all PSs. A high number of Campylobacter were observed at SH 2 (9 a.m.) and SH 3 (12 a.m.) from all PSs. 4. The results show that water, which is still used in substantial amounts in present poultry processing technology, can serve as a carrier for Salmonella and Campylobacter. 5. The findings indicate that birds might progressively contaminate the equipment and become contaminated via the same equipment, that water at every processing position of the line constitutes a risk and that more attention should be paid to effective water management in the processing plan.

In 2011, a human brucellosis case with severe clinical symptoms was reported at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Prishtina, Kosovo. A trace-back investigation was conducted to find the source of human infection. A total of 49 blood samples and 15 corresponding milk samples from sheep and goats raised on the patient's farm were taken for serological and molecular analysis. Serology using RBT and CFT revealed 11 positive animals. Twelve milk samples were PCR positive. A Brucella strain isolated from a goat's milk sample was classified as Brucella melitensis biovar 3, indicating the first ever isolation and report in Kosovo. The use of the Bruce-ladder PCR provided differentiation between the field strain and the vaccine strain. Hence, the accidental transmission of the vaccine strain Rev 1 that was previously used for the vaccination of the farm animals could be excluded. The findings of this study show that brucellosis is still a public health threat in Kosovo despite control measures.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of pyometra in bitches and isolation of bacteria involved and determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility. For this purpose from March 2013 to February 2015, 230 bitches of different breeds and ages have been examined. Diagnosis was based on anamnesis, clinical signs, hematology, radiography and ultrasound. The isolation and identification of bacteria in pyometra was carried out using ISO-methods and the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates using the disk diffusion method. Canine pyometra was found more in bitches between 9-12 years old 10 cases (52.63%), and the most common dog affected breeds were small female dogs breed. The most common isolated pathogens from canine pyometra were; Escherichia coli (63.1%), Streptococcus pyogenes., (15.8%), Staphylococcus intermedius., (10.5%) and, Pseudomonas aeruginosa., (5.3%). Regarding AMR (antimicrobial resistance) Penicilin G and Ampicillin showed a very high resistance, indicating for acquired resistance due to improper und uncontrolled use.