North-eastern Region Of Poland Research Articles

Phylogenetic analysis of the trypanosomatid parasite Lotmaria passim in honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Poland.

Lotmaria passim (L. passim) is a single-celled flagellate which colonises the bee gastrointestinal tract and is highly prevalent in honey bees. This parasite is associated with colony losses. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies were sampled from five apiaries in the north-eastern part of Poland for the phylogenetic analysis of L. passim. Each apiary consisted of approximately 60 bee colonies, of which 20 were randomly selected. Samples of 60 differently aged worker bees were collected from each colony and pooled. A total of 100 bee colonies from five apiaries were examined. Protozoa of the Trypanosomatidae family were identified by PCR. L. passim was detected in 47 (47%) of the samples. The 18S ribosomal (r) RNA amplicons of L. passim were sequenced by a commercial service. Their sequences were analysed with BLASTN and noted to be compatible with the GenBank sequences of this region of the organism's genome. A sequence analysis was performed using the BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor and Clustal W software. The amplicon sequences of L. passim were 100% homologous with the sequences deposited in GenBank under accession numbers KM066243.1., KJ684964.1 and KM980181.1. This is the first study to perform a phylogenetic analysis of L. passim in Polish honey bees. The analysis demonstrated high levels of genetic similarity between isolates of L. passim colonising apiaries in the north-eastern region of Poland.

The frequency of IgE-dependent sensitization to food and airborne allergens in the population of children and adolescents of north-eastern Poland in 1998-2012 and its relation to the age of the studied patients.

The long-term observation of the incidence of IgE-dependent sensitization to environmental allergens (food and airborne allergens) of a specific population plays an important role in epidemiological studies. Retrospective, comparative assessment of IgE-dependent sensitization to food and airborne allergens in the group of patients from the north-eastern region of Poland, in selected years (1998, 2003, 2008, 2012). Long-term assessment of the incidence of IgE-dependent sensitization depending on the age of the patients (1998-2012). A group of 6577 children and adolescents aged up to 18 years with a suspicion of an allergic process, diagnosed in 1998-2012. Skin prick tests (SPT) with selected food allergens and airborne allergens were used to evaluate the sensitization process of patients. A significant increase in the percentage of patients sensitized was found, comparing 1998 vs. 2012: to at least one allergen (35.3% vs. 40.4%); only to food allergens (5.1% vs. 13.1%), and to at least one food allergen (10.5% vs. 20.1%). There were no significant changes in the percentage of children and adolescents sensitized to airborne allergens (22.7% vs. 20.3%). The percentage of sensitization to at least one allergen was lowest in 2-year-old children (30.2%), and highest in 15-year-old children (46.8%). The percentage of patients sensitized to airborne allergens increased statistically significantly with their age: 6.3% in infants, 43.7% in adolescents. During the 14-year-period of the study the authors observed an upward trend in the frequency of sensitization to food allergens. The frequency of sensitization to airborne allergens was similar at the beginning and the completion of the study.

Comparative Effectiveness of Various Eradication Regimens for Helicobacter Pylori Infection in the Northeastern Region of Poland.

Purpose: Due to the lack of systematic data on antibiotic sensitivity, the treatment of the highly prevalent and pathogenic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection still poses a significant problem. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of the three most commonly used anti-H. pylori therapies in northeastern Poland. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study performed on 289 outpatients with an H. pylori infection. Patients received one of the following three treatment regimens: (1) bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) for 10 days, (2) metronidazole-based triple therapy (M-TT) for 10 or 14 days, and (3) levofloxacin-based triple therapy (L-TT) for 10 or 14 days. Results: BQT, M-TT, and L-TT accounted for 93.2% of prescribed anti-H. pylori therapies. The overall success rate for all treatment regimens was 84.1% (243/289). The effectiveness of first- and second-line therapy was similar and reached 83.8% and 86.2%, respectively. The efficacy of the individual treatment regimens was as follows: (1) BQT—89.4% (84/94), (2) M-TT—80.6% (112/139) and 78.8% (26/33) for 10 and 14 days, respectively, and (3) L-TT—84.6% (11/13) and 100% (10/10) for 10 and 14 days, respectively. The overall duration of treatment and type and dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) had no effect on the treatment efficacy. Conclusions: In the northeastern part of Poland, 10-day BQT and 10- or 14-day L-TT are effective treatment regimens for H. pylori eradication and have appear to be superior to M-TT. Practitioners in our clinic followed mostly local anti-H. pylori therapy guidelines.

Stress coping strategies used by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

IntroductionThe risk of getting SARS-CoV-2 infection, worries about exposing loved ones, anxiety and frustration, emotional and physical exhaustion, burn out, a feeling of being overwhelmed, and struggles and challenges with parenting are a few among many factors that affect nurses’ personal lives and professional functioning. The aim of the research is to assess nurses’ level of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and their sense of self-efficacy, and to learn what coping strategies they use.Methodology/MethodsThe study was carried out online and based on the diagnostic poll method, using an original survey questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES 10–40), the Mini-COPE questionnaire (0–3), and the Perceived Stress Scale PSS-10 (0–40). The respondent group was made up of nurses (n = 220) who provide health services in inpatient and outpatient health care institutions in the northeastern region of Poland. The statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA 13.0 package (StatSoft). The distribution of variables was checked with Shapiro-Wilk tests. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare two independent samples, while the Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare more samples. The adopted statistical significance level was p < 0.05. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to determine which factors were related to the level of stress.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 43.3 years. The vast majority were women (96.4). The mean work experience of the nurses was over 20 years (58.2%). A total of 62.3% worked directly with patients in hospitals, including 11.8% respondents working at COVID-19 units and 37.7% working at primary care institutions. The analyses show that the respondents represented a high level of stress (PSS-10 – 20.9), related to their work experience as a nurse (β −0.250, p = 0.014), the number of hours worked a month (β 0.156, p = 0.015), and self-assessed health status (β −0.145, p = 0.037). They declared an average sense of self-efficacy (GSES – 29.1), which significantly depended on the nurses’ places of employment (p = 0.044). Out of stress coping strategies (Mini-COPE), the younger nurses mentioned venting (p = 0.010), instrumental support (p = 0.011), sense of humour (p = 0.013) and self-blame (0.031). Practice nurses also chose the strategy of behavioral disengagement (p = 0.032), and nurse managers chose the strategy of planning (p = 0.018).ConclusionsThe experience of the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to implement some strategies to protect nurses’ mental health and to take extensive prevention measures in critical situations. Special attention should be given to nurses who are younger and have shorter work experience. It is also important to monitor nurses’ working time and health status, and those who work at outpatient health care institutions should be given more support and information.

Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Brain Death and Deceased Organ Donation Among Anesthesiologists in the Northeastern Region of Poland

Because in Poland transplant of organs from deceased donors is the predominant form of transplant, anesthesiology and intensive care specialists play a key role in the process. Insight into the work organization in intensive care units, anesthesiologists' and intensivists' level of knowledge and expertise, as well as personal opinions regarding declaring brain death and critical care of potential donors may be helpful in increasing transplant rates. The objective of this survey was to identify factors and challenges influencing donation rates in intensive care units of hospitals of various reference levels in region. An anonymous, 31-question survey was sent to anesthesiology and intensive care specialists working in hospitals in one of the regions of eastern Poland. The survey was completed by 133 physicians, and a quantitative analysis was conducted on the data collected from submitted answers. The average age of responders was 46 years (±10.24 years). Anesthesiology and intensive care specialists made up 80.45% of respondents. A vast majority of respondents (97%) expressed positive attitude toward transplant and are willing to donate their organs after death (92.19%). Meanwhile, more than 50% of them admit their lack of sufficient knowledge when it comes to declaring brain death. More than 53% of surveyed physicians have never had the opportunity to participate in training in methodology in performing brain death provided by their hospital or know about such training taking place. A vast majority of respondents (94.76%) see the need for workshops in potential organ donor care and brain death determination and would like to attend them. This study shows a positive outlook toward organ donation and transplant but at the same time reveals a lack of knowledge and expertise among doctors working in intensive care units. That is why implementing education tools for identification, declaration, and maintenance of brain-dead donors could be one of the keys to enhancing donation.

Selenium, Copper, Zinc Concentrations and Cu/Zn, Cu/Se Molar Ratios in the Serum of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Northeastern Poland—A New Insight into Stroke Pathophysiology

Background: In recent years, trace elements (TEs) have gained considerable attention in the course of treatment and diagnosis of ischemic stroke. The purpose of the conducted research was to determine the trace mineral status (Se, Cu, Zn, Cu/Zn ratio, and Cu/Se ratio) in patients with acute ischemic stroke compared to the population of healthy people in the northeastern region of Poland. Materials and methods: 141 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and 69 healthy control subjects were examined. The serum concentrations of mineral components were assessed by the atomic absorption spectrometry method. Clinical parameters were updated based on medical records. Results: The serum Se and Zn concentrations were significantly decreased (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001) in patients with AIS compared with healthy control subjects. However, no significant differences were revealed in terms of the serum Cu concentration (p = 0.283). As expected, we found that the serum Cu/Zn and Cu/Se molar ratios were significantly higher (p = 0.001; p < 0.0001) in patients with AIS compared with healthy control subjects. Conclusions: Disturbed metal homeostasis is a significant contributor to AIS pathogenesis. Furthermore, marked disruption of the serum Cu/Zn and Cu/Se molar ratios could serve as a valuable indicator of AIS patients’ nutritional status and oxidative stress levels.

Factors Influencing the Duration of Breastfeeding among Polish Women.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to analyse the factors that influence the duration of breastfeeding among Polish women.Materials and methodsThe study group consisted of 1,024 mothers of children aged 6–18 months who were breastfeeding or are currently breastfeeding. Data were collected through a computer-assisted Web interview. Univariate analysis and correspondence analysis were performed to determine the predictors of exclusive breast-feeding and breastfeeding among Polish women.ResultsMaternal age, maternal education, pre-pregnancy body mass index, voivodeship, birth weight and due time had a significant impact on breastfeeding duration (p < 0.05). Mothers who were older (35± years of age), had a higher level of education and lived in mid-sized cities were more often breastfeeding exclusively, in accordance with the World Health Organization's recommendations. Women who were younger, had a lower level of education, lived in rural areas, and had a lower BMI breastfed exclusively for a shorter period. The most frequently suggested reason for breastfeeding cessation was maternal concerns about insufficient milk supply (41%). The percentage of women who gave up breastfeeding before the 6th month following the delivery was the highest in the northeastern region of Poland (53%), whereas the percentage of women who stopped exclusive breastfeeding was the highest in the southwest region of Poland (69.4%).ConclusionsOur study highlights that the reasons for breastfeeding cessation are often complex. Therefore, the promotion of breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life should be a social responsibility.

IgE-dependent sensitization to tropho- and aeroallergens with regard to age, sex and birth season of children and adolescents living in the north-eastern region of Poland.

IntroductionA small number of studies concern trophoallergens and aeroallergens sensitization in the developmental age population in Poland. Only a few studies describe the role of selected factors determining the frequency and type of IgE-dependent sensitization in this population.AimTo assess the rate of sensitization to chosen tropho- and aeroallergens in the group of sensitized patients living in the north-eastern region of Poland with regard to age, sex and birth season.Material and methodsSkin prick testing (SPT) with selected food allergens (trophoallergens) and airborne allergens was used to evaluate the sensitization process of patients recruited to this study between 1998 and 2012. A positive result of sensitization was defined when the patient had at least one positive skin prick test with the allergen studied. The skin prick tests were done after written consent had been obtained from the parents.ResultsSignificant results were as follows: sensitization was more common in boys (41.9%) than in girls (35.7%); the highest percentage of sensitized patients was observed in the group of children aged 13–18 years (45.0%) as compared to the group of children up to 3 years old (the lowest 33.1%). The highest percentage of sensitized patients was observed among children born during winter (41.3%), the lowest among children born in autumn (36.8%).ConclusionsThe assessment of sensitization to chosen trophoallergens and airborne allergens should include the role of age, sex and birth season of the diagnosed patient.

Fatty acids composition of selected mammals’ milk

AbstractOne of main nutritional components in milk are fat. Fats are the main source of energy used by the body. The most important components are fatty acids (FA), which have important biological functions e.g. anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, reducing blood pressure. What is more, milk fat in human diet shows health-promoting properties (1, 2). The aim of this study was to compare the fatty acids composition in selected mammals’ milk. A total of 84 milk samples of cow (Holstein-Frisian breed, n = 20), mare (Polish cold-blooded horse, n = 20); sheep (Kamieniecka breed, n = 12), goat (White goat breed, n = 12) were collected from small individual farms located in the north-eastern region of Poland. The samples of human milk (n = 20) were collected from women aged: 21–37, in the 2nd-4th month of lactation.The fatty acid composition was determined after the acids were transformed into methyl esters according to the IDF Standard method and gas chromatography using a Hewlett-Packard 6890 gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector. The average share of saturated FA (ΣSFA) in sheep, goat and cow milk fat were 77.5%, 75.5% and 67.7%, respectively, while in human and mare milk fat this value was about 47.0% ΣSFA. Human milk fat was characterized with the highest share of monounsaturated FA (ΣMUFA) 43.6%, while in the fat of other mammals this value was from 19.0 to 31.0%. The highest share of polyunsaturated FA (ΣPUFA; 22.0%) was found in mare milk. In human milk fat the value of ΣPUFA were higher (10%), than in milk of other mammals (3–5%). The lowest value of ΣSFA was observed in human and mare milk which could influence its health-promoting properties. The high share of other essential unsaturated FA indicates high dietary value of human milk. The share of fatty acids in mare milk similar to that in human milk makes it the most suitable in human nutrition.

Enteric nervous system in the European beaver (Castor fiber) pylorus - an immunohistochemical study.

European beaver (Castor fiber), the largest rodent species inhabiting a wide area of Eurasia, feeds mainly on dry parts of plants, bark or wood. Such kind of nourishment needs to be properly digested in each part of the gastrointestinal tract. The time of stomach digestion, which directly influences all the following steps of the digestion process, is precisely controlled by the pylorus and its innervation. However, virtually no data is available on the organization of the enteric nervous system in most of the wild animal species, including beavers. On the other hand, a pecu- liar diet consumed by beavers, suggests that the arrangement of their stomach intramural nerve elements can be atypical. Therefore, the present study investigated the distribution and chemical coding of neurons and nerve fibers in the pylorus of the European beaver. The experiment was performed on stomachs obtained from a group of 6 beavers caught in Northeastern region of Poland (due to beaver overpopulation). Pyloric wall tissue cryosections were double immunostained with a mixture of antibodies against pan-neuronal marker PGP 9.5 (to visualize enteric neurons) and ChAT (cholinergic marker), nNOS (nitrergic marker), SP, CGRP, Gal (peptidergic markers). Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that the majority of enteric nerve cells were clustered forming submucosal and myenteric ganglia and all the studied substances were expressed (in various amounts) in these neurons. We conclude, that the anatomical arrangement and chemical coding of intramural nerve elements in the beaver pylorus resemble those found in other mammalian species.

Dermacentor reticulatus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) distribution in north-eastern Poland: an endemic area of tick-borne diseases

Dermacentor reticulatus is the second most important tick species in Poland. Although the north-eastern region of Poland is considered typical for D. reticulatus and is treated as a contiguous area of Eastern populations of the meadow ticks, the occurrence of this tick species in this region to date has been recorded as separate foci. The present report supplements data on the geographical distribution of D. reticulatus in urban and natural biotopes of north-eastern Poland (Warmia and Mazury province). In 2015–2017 (during the springtime activity of ticks) adult questing D. reticulatus were found in 13 of 25 monitored localities. Six sites are located in urbanized areas, within the administrative borders of the city of Olsztyn and seven sites are in natural biotopes in the central part of Warmia and Mazury. A total of 398 adult D. reticulatus ticks, including 257 females and 141 males, were collected. A comparison of data grouped according to urban and natural type of area revealed no statistical differences between them. Taking into account the habitat type, the mean tick density was the highest in open landscapes. The identification of new foci D. reticulatus in the endemic areas of Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis and canine babesiosis is crucial for determining the risk of diseases transmitted by ticks and taking proper preventive measures.

Seasonal variances in bacterial microbiota and volatile organic compounds in raw milk

The aim of this study was to define the composition of microbiota and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in samples of raw milk collected for 22months between 2012 and 2014 originated from north-eastern region of Poland. The results revealed that the VOCs profile changed with respect to the season of milk collection, and milk collected in autumn was characterized by a higher content of acetic acid (C2), propionic acid (C3) and valeric acid (C5), whereas spring was characterized by a frequent presence of acetone (Ac), ethanol (Et) and ethyl acetate (EtAc). Bacterial species composition changed considerably within the tested period and some bacterial species/groups occurred seasonally, e.g. L. helveticus (summer), L. casei (winter). The results show usefulness of the applied techniques (PCR-DGGE and HS-GC) and data analysis (PCA, correlation coefficients) methods in characterizing the raw milk quality intended for dairy production.

Active Case Finding Among Homeless People as a Means of Reducing the Incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in General Population.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) declined more than two-fold, compared with the national average, in the northeastern region of Poland in the period of 2003-2012. During that time, four programs of active case finding of TB were conducted as part of which a total of 944 homeless individuals were examined and 21 cases of active TB were detected. The objective of the present study was to find out whether the observed beneficial epidemiological trend could be a result of those programs. We addressed the issue of how the active case finding programs in the homeless community affected the TB incidence in the general population using a modified crisscross SIS-type (Susceptible - Infected - Susceptible) model which describes the dynamics of TB spread between the homeless and non-homeless populations. The values calculated from our model proved highly congruent with the actual epidemiological data. Our analysis showed a significant decline in TB incidence within 1year of completion of each active case finding program. The model shows that each identified and cured case in the homeless community reduced the number of new cases in the general population by 3-4 within 1year and by up to 20 within 5years.

Outcomes of oral biotin treatment in patients with biotinidase deficiency — Twenty years follow-up

IntroductionBiotinidase deficiency (BTD) is an inborn error of biotin metabolism inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Due to the, biotinidase deficiency, biotin is not recycled. Individuals with BTD usually exhibit neurological and cutaneous abnormalities unless treated with biotin. Supplementation with biotin may either ameliorate or if early introduced even prevent symptoms when introduced presymptomatically. Patients and methodsSince 1991, 22 Polish patients from 19 families have been diagnosed with BTD. In 16 children the diagnosis had been suspected on the basis of clinical signs: skin lesions, hyperventilation, seizures, spasticity, and laboratory investigation (elevated lactate and metabolites on urine organic acids profile).The defect was enzymatically (serum biotinidase activity measurement) and genetically (tested for mutations in the BTD gene) confirmed afterwards. All patients were treated with biotin. Urine organic acids analysis (GC/MS) for 3-hydroxizovaleric acid was used for patients' monitoring. Neurological, audiological and ophthalmological evaluation has been conducted once a year. ResultsIn 5 symptomatic patients a progressive optic nerve atrophy had already been noted at the time of treatment initiation. In these patients sensorineural hearing loss has also been diagnosed despite biotin supplementation. Asymptomatic patients treated with biotin supplementation presented no signs or symptoms of BTD. Supplementation with biotin slows the progression of BTD in symptomatic patients, but does not reverse nerve atrophy. Nonetheless, introduction of the treatment with biotin during presymptomatic stage of the disease prevents the onset of symptoms including optic atrophy and hearing loss. Homozygosity for the p.Leu215Phe mutation in BTD gene seems to be frequent in patients from the North-Eastern region of Poland and is connected with the hearing loss. ConclusionSince the prognosis for individuals diagnosed with BTD is good, provided they are treated before symptoms occur, it is justified to add this metabolic disorder to the panel of conditions screened under the national newborn screening programme in Poland.

Conventional and molecular methods in the diagnosis of community-acquired diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age from the north-eastern region of Poland

The purpose of this study was to determine the main causative agents of community-acquired acute diarrhoea in children using conventional methods and PCR. Stool samples were collected from 100 children under 5 years of age with acute diarrhoea during the autumn-winter period of 2010-2011. Rotaviruses and adenoviruses were detected by the stool antigen immunoassay, and Salmonella spp, Campylobacter spp, Shigella spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Clostridium difficile, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), and diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli were detected by culture methods and PCR. Overall, enteropathogens were identified in 73% of the children. Bacteria, viruses, and mixed infections were noted in 37%, 24%, and 12% of diarrhoeal cases, respectively. The most common enteric pathogens were rotaviruses (31%), followed by C. difficile (17%), Campylobacter jejuni (13%), Salmonella spp (11%), and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains (10%). Compared with culture methods, PCR increased the overall detection frequency of the bacterial enteropathogens by 4%. The high prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni suggests that the number of campylobacteriosis cases in Poland may be underestimated; this pathogen should be investigated routinely in children with diarrhoea. Moreover, C. difficile might be considered a causative or contributing agent of diarrhoea in 14.8% of children aged >1 year.

Occurrence of pesticide residues in fruit from Podlasie (Poland) in 2012

Abstract Extensive use of pesticides in agriculture can lead to contamination of fruit harvests and an increased risk of toxic effects on humans. A total of 123 fruit samples harvested in 2012 in the north-eastern region of Poland were analysed for pesticide residues as part of the national monitoring programme, and as part of research commissioned by private customers. Pesticide residues were found in 64.2% of the samples. There were pesticide residues below the maximum residue level (MRL) in 63 (51.2%) of the samples, while 16 (13%) exceeded MRLs set by Regulation (EC) 396/2005. The gooseberry, currant, and strawberry samples showed the most contamination. The most frequently detected pesticides were dithiocarbamates (54) followed by difenoconazole (22), boscalid (17), and alpha-cypermethrin (15). More than half of analysed samples had multiple residues (up to 8 residues), with multiple residues most common in gooseberry and currant samples. This study shows cases of non-authorised pesticide use by farmers who are trying to protect certain fruit.

Studies of aquatic fungi. X Some rare species Hyphomycetes in North-Eastern Poland

In the waters (river, pond, lakes) of the north-eastern region of Poland the presence 16 rare and unknown from Poland species of the aquatic &lt;i&gt;Hyphomycetes&lt;/i&gt; was noted.

Mineral constituents of edible parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera (Scop. ex Fr.) Sing and soils beneath its fruiting bodies collected from a rural forest area

AbstractConcentrations and interrelationships of twenty elements were studied in parasol mushroom and in the top layer of soil (0–10 cm) from the area of Kiwity (Poland). K, P, Mg, Ca, and Zn were found to be the most abundant elements in the mushroom. Higher concentrations of Fe, Mn, Na, Ni occurred in stipes then in caps, while Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Rb dominated in caps. Ag, Al, and Ba concentrations in caps and stipes were similar. Parasol mushroom is efficient in up-take and separation of Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, K (in caps, the bioconcentration factor is BCF ≥ 100), Na, P, Rb (50 &lt; BCF &lt; 100), and Mg, Zn (BCF &gt; 10) in its fruiting bodies, while Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Pb are eliminated (BCF &lt; 1). Parasol mushroom from rural forest area in the north-eastern region of Poland is of hygienic concern for human health because of toxic mercury and cadmium content in the edible caps, which are also rich in essential Cu, Fe, and their K, Mn, and Zn content is also high.

Fatty Acid Composition of Butter Originated from North-Eastern Region of Poland.

1. Fatty acid profile of the milk of cows reared in the mountain region of Poland Jarosława Rutkowska, Agata Adamska, Malgorzata Bialek Journal of Dairy Research CrossRef

A case study of the clinical form of Johne’s disease in a heifer

Johne's disease-paratuberculosis-affects domesticated and wild ruminants throughout the world. The first symptoms of the disease appear 6 months to 15 years after infection. The clinical stage of paratuberculosis usually occurs in older animals and is rare in those under 2 years of age. While performing analyses on a farm in the northeastern region of Poland a 2-year-old heifer that manifested symptoms of dyspepsia, proceeding with watery diarrhea, was observed. ELISA test (IDEXX) results demonstrated a positive serological reaction for paratuberculosis. Clinical examination, microbiological analysis of feces, autopsy, and histopathological examination confirmed the incidence of Johne's disease in the heifer.