The aim of this research was to determine the effects of enzyme preparations, lysozyme and lysosubtilin in particular, and those supplemented with vitamins A, C and E, added to cows’ feed, on the somatic cell count and technological properties of milk which are considered primary important in cheesemaking. Three groups of Lithuanian Black and White cows (10 cows each) were fed on a ration supplemented with Neosomatas 1 preparation containing lysosubtilin, 0.02 g and lysozyme, 0.2 g, and Neosomatas 4 preparation (lysozyme, 0.2 g and vitamins A, C and E). The duration of the trial was 10 days. Measurements were conducted on the 4th, 7th and 10th day of the trial and 7 days following the trial. The reduction of somatic cell count in milk was observed during and after the feeding period. The highest effect of the feed supplement was observed in the third group which was fed on Neosomatas 4. The enzyme- and vitamin-based feed supplements were also effective with regard to the technological properties of milk. Changes in the acidity of milk during storage were rather slow. Likewise, the process of milk fermentation was slow, the properties of structures that were formed differed compared with control group of cows. However, the technological properties of milk from cows fed on Neosomatas 4 supplement were better as compared with cows fed on Neosomatas 1 feed supplement. Studies on the enzyme structure formation and the process of syneresis showed that feed supplements enriched with enzymes and vitamins had no effect on the above indices. It was also found that milk under study was characterised by good technological characteristics and therefore was suitable for cheesemaking.
A descriptive epidemiology and time series data analysis was used for the investigation of the development of the epidemiological situation related to enzootic rabies in Lithuania during the period of 1994-2004. A significant correlation between sample submissions and recorded rabies cases were detected (P<0.05). Since 1998, cases of wildlife rabies have been prevalent in all regions of Lithuania. Foxes and raccoon dogs were the main resource of this disease. Two seasonal peaks of wild animal rabies in spring and autumn were observed. Domestic animal rabies had only one seasonal peak in autumn. On the average, the prevalence of rabies increased from 23.5% in 1994 to 35.4% in 2004 in foxes and from 11.8% in 1994 to 28.9% in 2004 in raccoon dogs. The prevalence of rabies in cattle decreased from 25% in 1994 to 11.8% in 2004, in dogs from 19.1% in 1994 to 7.2% in 2004 and in cats from 17.6% in 1994 to 6.3% in 2004. 90.7% of all diagnosed rabies cases were diagnosed in foxes, raccoon dogs, cattle, dogs and cats. In 2004 the prevalence of rabies tended to decrease significantly in wild and domestic animals. A significant correlation was discovered between the prevalence of fox and raccoon dog rabies and the prevalence of wild animal rabies and dog rabies (P<0.05).
Forty-five cattle of different ages and gender were selected from three separate farms with a total number of 929 animals. Blood serum samples from each of the animals were tested twice at two-month intervals for bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) antigen (BVDV Ag) and BVDV antibodies (BVDV Ab) using ELISA. Five animals were found to be BVDV Ag positive and BVDV Ab negative. Therefore, their blood and saliva samples were subjected to further investigation. The samples of blood serum and saliva were additionally screened by a nested reverse transcription PCR (RT-nPCR), real-time PCR, and virus isolation to confirm BVDV persistent infection. Viral RNA was isolated from blood and saliva samples. The cDNA was synthesised and amplification of DNA was performed. The results of RT-nPCR were analysed by gel electrophoresis using ethidium bromide while those of real-time PCR were interpreted according to the amplification curve. Laboratory testing of blood and saliva samples revealed 5 persistently infected (PI) animals from one farm with 579 cattle (0.9% prevalence). The results were confirmed by RT-nPCR and real-time PCR screening samples of blood serum. Using PCR techniques and virus isolation, BVDV RNA was detected; however, the level of viral RNA in saliva was found to be lower than that in blood serum. The results obtained show the possibility to identify PI animals by RT-nPCR and real-time PCR techniques from saliva samples. The collection and testing of saliva is a simple and quick technique, and can be successfully applied in field conditions to identify PI animals, avoiding the risk of intervention while sampling blood or dependence on animal gender and lactation period while sampling milk or semen.
Lithuania has been strengthening its BSE monitoring program since July 2001. A total of 264,268 cattle were examined during the period of 2001-2006. No BSE positive case was found. A total of 93.1% of healthy slaughtered cattle, 6.3% of fallen stock, 0.4% of emergency slaughtered cattle and 0.2% of cattle with clinical signs were tested at ante mortem inspection. The number of tested adult cattle has increased 4.5 times from 4.17% in 2001 to 18.88% in 2006. 2.41% adult cattle were tested in 2002, 1.97% in 2003, 10.59 % in 2004 and 18.92% in 2005. The number of tested healthy slaughtered adult cattle has increased 4 times from 4.09% in 2001 to 17.41% in 2006. 2.11% of healthy slaughtered adult cattle were tested in 2002, 1.5% in 2003, 9.96% in 2004 and 17.66% in 2005. The number of tested risk group adult cattle has increased 18 times from 0.08% in 2001 to 1.47% in 2006. 0.3% of risk group of adult cattle were tested in 2002, 0.47% in 2003, 0.63% in 2004 and 0.96% in 2005. 94.3% of all tested cattle were from 2 to 11 years old, 0.1% of them were less than 2 years old, 3.0% were 12 years old and 2.6% were 13 years old and more. 54.3% of all tested cattle were more than 5 years old. A total of 53.9% of healthy slaughtered cattle, 59.0% of fallen stock, 61.9% emergency slaughtered cattle and 62.6% of cattle with clinical signs at ante mortem inspection were more than 5 years old. Significant correlation was found between the age of healthy slaughtered cattle and emergency slaughtered cattle and cattle with clinical signs at ante mortem inspection (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between the age of fallen stock and healthy slaughtered cattle. The mean age of healthy slaughtered cattle was 6.5 years and the mean age of fallen stock was 6.7 years in 2005. Enfer TSE and Bio-Rad rapid tests were applied for BSE monitoring. Inconclusive test results were subjected to histopathological and immunocytochemical examination.
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