Commensal rats are highly adaptable to coexisting with human populations, often relying on human dwellings and immediate access to food, water, shelter and space. We present the case of an adult commensal brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, that was found in an urban area of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Histopathological examination revealed numerous eggs of Calodium hepaticum in the liver parenchyma and coprological examination identified species of the class Cestoda (Rodentolepis spp., Hymenolepis diminuta) and the class Nematoda (Trichuris muris, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Strongyloides ratti). Haematological parameter analysis was conducted using the “Idexx ProCyte Dx” cell counter and biochemical parameters of the rat's serum were tested. Haematocrit, haemoglobin content and erythrocyte indices (MCV, MCH) were decreased and moderate quantities of spherocytes were present (4.95 %). The total number of leukocytes was within the physiological range, with minimally increased values of monocytes and neutrophils and decreased values of eosinophils. The results of the morphometric examinations were in the expected range for adult rats. This case report highlights the public health risk posed by commensal rats if systematic rodent control measures are not fully implemented. It should serve as a guide for future research on the population of commensal rats in the cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at a detailed identification of parasitic zoonotic pathogens.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the possible impact of the total daily amount of skim milk on the level of bilirubin and liver enzymes through regression analysis. Materials and Methods: The study included 63 Holstein-Friesian cows. They were formed in 3 groups, based on the amount of daily milk production. Peripheral blood was punctured, through which the activities of total bilirubin were analyzed (μmol/L), as well as liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase – ALT (U/L), aspartate aminotransferase – AST (U/L), lactate dehydrogenase – LDH (U/L) and alkaline phosphatase – ALP (U/L). Results: The lowest concentration of total bilirubin in blood plasma was recorded in the group of cows that have the lowest daily milk production (1.295 ± 0.255 µmol/L), and highest concentration is in cows that produce the most milk (1.855 ± 0.159 µmol/L), but intergroup differences are not significant. Regression analysis found a statistically significant relationship between the amount of produced daily milk and the concentration of total bilirubin (R2=0.132, p=0.0050.05). Conclusion: The activities of bilirubin and liver enzymes in the examined cows were in physiological balance. This indicates that the cows on the farm are raised in modern and good zootechnical and feeding conditions. In such conditions, dairy cows are able to maintain blood composition and homeostatic integrity within physiological limits and adequate reproductive and productive capacity.

Listeria is a food-borne pathogen that poses a great threat to human health. Severe symptoms followed by a high mortality rate are mainly caused by L. monocytogenes. Despite the zero-tolerance policy, the genus Listeria is still present in raw and ready-to-eat food. There are no recent studies regarding contamination of food with Listeria species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This research is focused on obtaining basic information on the level of food contamination with this alarming pathogen. In this study, a total of 238 samples were analysed, where 105 samples were various types of raw food and 133 samples were ready-to-eat foods, and 18 samples tested positive for Listeria species. After isolation and detection, the confirmation of positive isolates of Listeria spp. was conducted using the biochemical kit API ® Listeria .