Although the importance of the microbiome in the context of tick biology and vector competence has recently come into a broader research focus, the field is still in its infancy and the complex ecological interactions between the tick residential bacteria and pathogens are obscure. Here, we show that an environmentally acquired gut bacterium has the potential to impair Borrelia afzelii colonization within the tick vector through a secreted metalloprotease. Oral introduction of either Bacillus cereus LTG-1 isolate or its purified enhancin (BcEnhancin) protein significantly reduces B. afzelii burden in the guts of Ixodes ricinus ticks. This effect is attributed to the ability of BcEnhancin to degrade a glycan-rich peritrophic matrix (PM), which is a gut protective barrier essential for Borrelia survival. Our study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome in determining tick vector competence and provides a deeper mechanistic insight into the complex network of interactions between Borrelia, the tick, and the tick microbiome.

Case summary A 2-year-old domestic longhair crossbred female cat was referred for a second opinion on a non-healing surgical wound after left eye enucleation. In addition to the left orbital lesion, ulcerative granular masses protruding from the left nostril and on the base of the left ear were noted. A diagnosis of cryptococcosis was established using histopathological examination and a latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination test. The cat was successfully treated with itraconazole. Relevance and novel information Cryptococcosis, commonly reported in Australia, western Canada and the western USA, is rarely reported in companion animals in Europe. This marks the first report of cryptococcosis in cats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasising the need to raise awareness within the veterinary community, both local and regional, about this disease.

Bats are a natural host for a number of viruses, many of which are zoonotic and thus present a threat to human health. RNA viruses of the family Filoviridae, many of which cause disease in humans, have been associated with specific bat hosts. Lloviu virus is a Filovirus which has been connected to mass mortality events in Miniopterus schreibersii colonies in Spain and Hungary, and some studies have indicated its immense zoonotic potential. A die-off has been recorded among Miniopterus schreibersii in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time, prompting the investigation to determine the causative agent. Bat carcasses were collected and subjected to pathological examination, after which the lung samples with notable histopathological changes, lung samples with no changes and guano were analyzed using metagenomic sequencing and RT-PCR. A partial Lloviu virus genome was sequenced from lung samples with histopathological changes and found to be closely related to Hungarian and Italian virus sequences. Further accumulation of mutations on the GP gene, coding the glycoprotein responsible for cell tropism and host preference, enhances the need for further characterization and monitoring of this virus to prevent spillover events and protect human health.

The objective of this paper was to create an economical and abecedarian 3D printing method for the production of solid microneedles, as a more efficient transdermal drug delivery method, for day-to-day use in companion animals. The process of 3D printing was conducted using two types of 3D printers, utilizing the FDM and SLA printing techniques. Modulus of Elasticity was calculated for the determination of mechanical properties of the material, wherethe printed specimen was subjected to axial loading, and deformations were measured using an optical scanner. Post-processing was conducted by washing microneedles in isopropyl alcohol, followed by UV curing. The procedure of testing penetration capabilities was conducted at two sites of cat skin: Auris externa and the lateral part of the abdomen. The SLA printing method was more precise, resulting in higher quality microneedles for animal use compared to the FDM printing technique. Modulus of Elasticity was calculated and the value E=0.9 GPa can be used. Testing proved that the printed model was able to penetrate the skin at the tested sites. The use of microneedles is simple and economical, and therefore has wide applications in small animal practice. Veterinarians can access microneedle design repositories and print them for more effective transdermal drug delivery. The multifunctionality and transferability of the design in the present study ensure that it can be further modified to provide personalized therapy.

Creative self-concept is a construct that refers to the self-assessment of one's creativity, and it consists of two dimensions, creative identity, and creative self-efficiency. Creative identity determines how important creative potential is to a person, and creative self-efficacy represents faith in personal creative abilities. Since the Short Scale of Creative Self-Concept (SSCS) was not validated on a sample of respondents from Bosnia and Herzegovina, this study aims to validate and verify the metric characteristics of the scale. The sample consisted of 238 students from different faculties from BiH, aged 19 to 46 (M = 22.21; SD = 3.27). Using a two-way procedure from English, 11 items that make up the SSCS scale were translated: 5 items examine creative identity, and 6 creative self-efficacy. The SSCS scale as a whole has good reliability (α = .904) as well as representativeness (KMO = .908). At the subscale level, these values are also satisfactory: for creative identity (α = .902; KMO = .871), and for creative self-efficacy (α = .823; KMO = .776). Convergent and criterion validity was confirmed by a high correlation between the total score on the SSCS scale and scores on the personality dimension Openness to Experience (r = .680) and scores on the Creativity Self-Assessment Questionnaire (r = .768). Exploratory factor analysis, with Promax rotation, retained two factors that together explain 68.03% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis tested three models: Model 1 - the original version of the scale with one dimension; Model 2 - the original version of the scale with two dimensions; Model 3 - the abbreviated version of the scale with two dimensions. As Model 3 (in which problematic items were omitted) was the only one with adequate matching parameters (χ2/df =3.357; CFI = .964; TLI = .948; RMSEA = .103), the metric characteristics of the shortened version of the scale were rechecked and showed that everything is satisfactory, except discrimination. The conclusion is that an abbreviated version of the scale can be applied, but also that it would be useful to conduct a new validation study in which all items from the scale would be retained, with linguistic modification of claims that were problematic in this study.

Red foxes are the most abundant wild carnivore species in Europe commonly exposed to pathogenic Leptospira and Hepatozoon canis. Despite high seroprevalence, the clinical disease caused by these pathogens in red foxes has never been reported. Herein, we report the first-ever case of a fatal Leptospira spp. and H. canis coinfection in a two-month-old red fox cub with acute haemolytic anaemia, mild bronchopneumonia, intraalveolar haemorrhage, and tubulonephrosis. The presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. DNA was detected in the kidney and lung tissues of the infected animal. In contrast to our previous knowledge, we believe that such fatal cases due to concomitant infection by Leptospira spp. and H. canis, especially in young animals, may commonly occur in nature. However, further studies are required to identify other factors that possibly contribute to the severity and the pathogenic effect of Leptospira spp. and H. canis infections in red foxes.

Abstract Infections with various bacteria, especially gram-negative aerobes, are a well-recognized problem in captive cold-blooded animals with immunocompromised health status, or in those kept under poor conditions. Pseudomonas is one of the most represented genera. Here, we present a case of fatal disseminated infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a captive green iguana kept at the “Pionirska dolina” Zoo in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At necropsy, severe stomatitis, pneumonia, hepatitis and nephritis, accompanied with focally extensive dermatitis were observed. Histopathology revealed multifocal necrosis in various visceral organs. Culture and subsequent MALDI-TOF MS analysis were conducted to identify the isolate as P. aeruginosa. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a wide susceptibility of the isolate, however applied therapy was instilled too late in the presented case. This case demonstrates the significance of timely and accurate identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates implicated in the pathology of captive reptiles. The importance of monitoring the adequate environmental conditions (enclosure temperature, humidity and conformation), health status and possible clinical signs of illness are highlighted.

Melanomacrophages of fish are commonly explored as biomarkers of water pollution and are considered to be sensitive albeit non-specific health indicators in water ecosystems. Sharks as long living marine species are good sentinel species. This study presents morphometric data for splenic and hepatic melanomacrophages (MMC), and observed histopathology in ten lesser-spotted catsharks, Scyliorhinus canicula (L.), one of the most abundant shark species in the eastern Adriatic Sea. At necropsy, we collected random tissue samples from liver, brain, gallblader, pancreas, spleen, kidney, gills, entire digestive system, thyroid gland, rectal gland, entire urogenital (male samples) and genital system (female samples). Collected tissue samples were routinely processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Periodic Acid-Schiff, and Masson Trichrome for microscopic examinations and morphometry. There was a minimal number of histopathological lesions in the examined sharks, but morphometric values reported herein were three folds higher than in previous studies in free-ranging sharks. Studies on larger numbers of sharks are needed to elucidate the biological significance of our finding in the context of population decline of the lesser-spotted catshark.

Melanomacrophages of fish are commonly explored as biomarkers of water pollution and are considered to be sensitive albeit non-specific health indicators in water ecosystems. Sharks as long living marine species are good sentinel species. This study presents morphometric data for splenic and hepatic melanomacrophages (MMC), and observed histopathology in ten lesser-spotted catsharks, Scyliorhinus canicula (L.), one of the most abundant shark species in the eastern Adriatic Sea. At necropsy, we collected random tissue samples from liver, brain, gallblader, pancreas, spleen, kidney, gills, entire digestive system, thyroid gland, rectal gland, entire urogenital (male samples) and genital system (female samples). Collected tissue samples were routinely processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Periodic Acid-Schiff, and Masson Trichrome for microscopic examinations and morphometry. There was a minimal number of histopathological lesions in the examined sharks, but morphometric values reported herein were three folds higher than in previous studies in free-ranging sharks. Studies on larger numbers of sharks are needed to elucidate the biological significance of our finding in the context of population decline of the lesser-spotted catshark.