TY  - JOUR
AU  - Milojević, Lazar
AU  - Velebit, Branko
AU  - Janković, Vesna
AU  - Mitrović, Radmila
AU  - Betić, Nikola
AU  - Simunović, Sara
AU  - Dimitrijević, Mirjana
PY  - 2024
UR  - https://vet-erinar.vet.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3705
AB  - The goal of this study conducted in Serbia was to detect HEV in pig liver samples from
slaughterhouses, retail outlets, and environmental swabs over the course of a year. All positive
HEV samples were measured and expressed as HEV gene copy numbers per gram of sample, and a
representative number of samples were sequenced using the Sanger approach. A total of 45 HEVpositive samples were re-amplified using nested RT-PCR employing CODEHOP primers targeting
ORF2 (493 nucleotides). The average prevalence of the HEV genotype 3 in all pig liver samples from
the slaughterhouses was 29%, while HEV prevalence was 44% in liver samples from animals younger
than 3 months. HEV RNA was found in thirteen out of sixty (22%) environmental swab samples
that were taken from different surfaces along the slaughter line. Our findings confirmed seasonal
patterns in HEV prevalence, with two picks (summer and winter periods) during the one-year
examination. Among HEV-positive samples, the average viral particles for all positive liver samples
was 4.41 ± 1.69 log10 genome copies per gram. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the majority of HEV
strains (43/45) from Serbia were grouped in the HEV-3a subtype, while two strains were classified
into the HEV-3c subtype, and one strain could not be classified into any of the HEV-3 subtypes.
PB  - MDPI
T2  - Animals
T1  - Prevalence, genetic diversity, and quantification of the RNA genome of the hepatitis E virus in slaughtered pigs in Serbia
VL  - 14
IS  - 4
SP  - 586
DO  - 10.3390/ani14040586
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Milojević, Lazar and Velebit, Branko and Janković, Vesna and Mitrović, Radmila and Betić, Nikola and Simunović, Sara and Dimitrijević, Mirjana",
year = "2024",
abstract = "The goal of this study conducted in Serbia was to detect HEV in pig liver samples from
slaughterhouses, retail outlets, and environmental swabs over the course of a year. All positive
HEV samples were measured and expressed as HEV gene copy numbers per gram of sample, and a
representative number of samples were sequenced using the Sanger approach. A total of 45 HEVpositive samples were re-amplified using nested RT-PCR employing CODEHOP primers targeting
ORF2 (493 nucleotides). The average prevalence of the HEV genotype 3 in all pig liver samples from
the slaughterhouses was 29%, while HEV prevalence was 44% in liver samples from animals younger
than 3 months. HEV RNA was found in thirteen out of sixty (22%) environmental swab samples
that were taken from different surfaces along the slaughter line. Our findings confirmed seasonal
patterns in HEV prevalence, with two picks (summer and winter periods) during the one-year
examination. Among HEV-positive samples, the average viral particles for all positive liver samples
was 4.41 ± 1.69 log10 genome copies per gram. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the majority of HEV
strains (43/45) from Serbia were grouped in the HEV-3a subtype, while two strains were classified
into the HEV-3c subtype, and one strain could not be classified into any of the HEV-3 subtypes.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "Animals",
title = "Prevalence, genetic diversity, and quantification of the RNA genome of the hepatitis E virus in slaughtered pigs in Serbia",
volume = "14",
number = "4",
pages = "586",
doi = "10.3390/ani14040586"
}

Milojević, L., Velebit, B., Janković, V., Mitrović, R., Betić, N., Simunović, S.,& Dimitrijević, M.. (2024). Prevalence, genetic diversity, and quantification of the RNA genome of the hepatitis E virus in slaughtered pigs in Serbia. in Animals
MDPI., 14(4), 586.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040586

Milojević L, Velebit B, Janković V, Mitrović R, Betić N, Simunović S, Dimitrijević M. Prevalence, genetic diversity, and quantification of the RNA genome of the hepatitis E virus in slaughtered pigs in Serbia. in Animals. 2024;14(4):586.
doi:10.3390/ani14040586 .

Milojević, Lazar, Velebit, Branko, Janković, Vesna, Mitrović, Radmila, Betić, Nikola, Simunović, Sara, Dimitrijević, Mirjana, "Prevalence, genetic diversity, and quantification of the RNA genome of the hepatitis E virus in slaughtered pigs in Serbia" in Animals, 14, no. 4 (2024):586,
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040586 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Uzelac, Aleksandra
AU  - Betić, Nikola
AU  - Karabasil, Nedjeljko
AU  - Ćirković, Vladimir
AU  - Djurković-Djaković, Olgica
AU  - Klun, Ivana
PY  - 2023
UR  - https://vet-erinar.vet.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3136
AB  - As pork is an important source for Toxoplasma gondii infection, we have analyzed T. gondii
genotypes and toxoplasmosis prevalence in pigs in Serbia in the context of production statistics and
economics to assess the specific risk to public health. Genotyping was performed using MnPCRRFLP; T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies were detected using a modified agglutination test (MAT);
and statistical data were extracted from official records and provided by government authorities.
The results indicate that, from 2006 to 2021, the median number of annually slaughtered pigs
was 5.6 million, yet only 36.1% were processed by abattoirs. The remainder were “backyard pigs”
slaughtered on family farms and homesteads. Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in market-weight (MW)
pigs prior to 2006 was 15.2%, and was 15.1% in 2019. The seroprevalence in owned city cats, likely
infected by livestock meat, was 33.2%. ToxoDB#1 was identified in pig tissues. The results indicate
that backyard pigs are the backbone of the industry and provide as much as 60% of the pork in
Serbia. The seroprevalence in pigs and city cats shows that farms are reservoirs for the parasite. Thus,
innovative means of reducing T. gondii infection designed with backyard farmers in mind are needed
to reduce the risk to public health.
PB  - MDPI
T2  - Microorganisms
T1  - A Pork Industry in the Backyard: An Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Serbia’s Pigs
VL  - 11
IS  - 7
SP  - 1857
DO  - 10.3390/microorganisms11071857
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Uzelac, Aleksandra and Betić, Nikola and Karabasil, Nedjeljko and Ćirković, Vladimir and Djurković-Djaković, Olgica and Klun, Ivana",
year = "2023",
abstract = "As pork is an important source for Toxoplasma gondii infection, we have analyzed T. gondii
genotypes and toxoplasmosis prevalence in pigs in Serbia in the context of production statistics and
economics to assess the specific risk to public health. Genotyping was performed using MnPCRRFLP; T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies were detected using a modified agglutination test (MAT);
and statistical data were extracted from official records and provided by government authorities.
The results indicate that, from 2006 to 2021, the median number of annually slaughtered pigs
was 5.6 million, yet only 36.1% were processed by abattoirs. The remainder were “backyard pigs”
slaughtered on family farms and homesteads. Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in market-weight (MW)
pigs prior to 2006 was 15.2%, and was 15.1% in 2019. The seroprevalence in owned city cats, likely
infected by livestock meat, was 33.2%. ToxoDB#1 was identified in pig tissues. The results indicate
that backyard pigs are the backbone of the industry and provide as much as 60% of the pork in
Serbia. The seroprevalence in pigs and city cats shows that farms are reservoirs for the parasite. Thus,
innovative means of reducing T. gondii infection designed with backyard farmers in mind are needed
to reduce the risk to public health.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "Microorganisms",
title = "A Pork Industry in the Backyard: An Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Serbia’s Pigs",
volume = "11",
number = "7",
pages = "1857",
doi = "10.3390/microorganisms11071857"
}

Uzelac, A., Betić, N., Karabasil, N., Ćirković, V., Djurković-Djaković, O.,& Klun, I.. (2023). A Pork Industry in the Backyard: An Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Serbia’s Pigs. in Microorganisms
MDPI., 11(7), 1857.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071857

Uzelac A, Betić N, Karabasil N, Ćirković V, Djurković-Djaković O, Klun I. A Pork Industry in the Backyard: An Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Serbia’s Pigs. in Microorganisms. 2023;11(7):1857.
doi:10.3390/microorganisms11071857 .

Uzelac, Aleksandra, Betić, Nikola, Karabasil, Nedjeljko, Ćirković, Vladimir, Djurković-Djaković, Olgica, Klun, Ivana, "A Pork Industry in the Backyard: An Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Serbia’s Pigs" in Microorganisms, 11, no. 7 (2023):1857,
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071857 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Betić, Nikola
AU  - Karabasil, Nedjeljko
AU  - Djurković-Djaković, Olgica
AU  - Ćirković, Vladimir
AU  - Bobić, Branko
AU  - Branković Lazić, Ivana
AU  - Djordjević, Vesna
AU  - Klun, Ivana
PY  - 2022
UR  - https://vet-erinar.vet.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2464
AB  - Consumption of Toxoplasma gondii contaminated pork is a major risk factor for human infection. We thus conducted a cross-sectional survey on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in a representative sample of slaughter pigs from throughout Serbia and examined the influence of farm biosecurity-related risk factors on infection. In addition, direct detection of the parasite (by mouse bioassay) or its DNA was performed in the hearts of a subset of seropositive sows. The overall seroprevalence in the sample of 825 pigs as determined by the modified agglutination test (MAT) was 16.5%. Older age and inadequate rodent control were independent infection risk factors for pigs. In a subset of 581 pigs with complete biosecurity-related data, in addition to older age, smallholders’ finishing type farms (as opposed to farrow-to-finish), multispecies farming, and origin from Western and Central and South-Eastern Serbia (vs. the Northern region), all increased the risk of infection, while the absence of disinfection boot-dips in front of each barn and Belgrade district origin (vs. the Northern region) were associated with a 62% and 75% lower risk of infection, respectively. Evidence of viable parasites was obtained in 13 (41.9%) of the 31 bioassayed sow hearts, of which by isolation of brain cysts in seven, by detection of T. gondii DNA in an additional four, and by serology in another two. Recovery of brain cysts mostly (5/7) from sows with a MAT titre of ≥1:100 indicates the risk for consumers. These results highlight the public health risk from pork consumption and point to mandatory use of professional rodent control services, abstaining from multispecies farming, keeping disinfection boot-dips clean and freshly refilled, as well as strict implementation of zoo-hygienic measures on smallholders’ farms as specific farm biosecurity measures needed for its reduction.
PB  - MDPI
T2  - Microorganisms
T1  - Seroprevalence, Direct Detection and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pigs in Serbia, and Influence of Biosecurity Measures
VL  - 10
IS  - 5
SP  - 1069
DO  - 10.3390/microorganisms10051069
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Betić, Nikola and Karabasil, Nedjeljko and Djurković-Djaković, Olgica and Ćirković, Vladimir and Bobić, Branko and Branković Lazić, Ivana and Djordjević, Vesna and Klun, Ivana",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Consumption of Toxoplasma gondii contaminated pork is a major risk factor for human infection. We thus conducted a cross-sectional survey on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in a representative sample of slaughter pigs from throughout Serbia and examined the influence of farm biosecurity-related risk factors on infection. In addition, direct detection of the parasite (by mouse bioassay) or its DNA was performed in the hearts of a subset of seropositive sows. The overall seroprevalence in the sample of 825 pigs as determined by the modified agglutination test (MAT) was 16.5%. Older age and inadequate rodent control were independent infection risk factors for pigs. In a subset of 581 pigs with complete biosecurity-related data, in addition to older age, smallholders’ finishing type farms (as opposed to farrow-to-finish), multispecies farming, and origin from Western and Central and South-Eastern Serbia (vs. the Northern region), all increased the risk of infection, while the absence of disinfection boot-dips in front of each barn and Belgrade district origin (vs. the Northern region) were associated with a 62% and 75% lower risk of infection, respectively. Evidence of viable parasites was obtained in 13 (41.9%) of the 31 bioassayed sow hearts, of which by isolation of brain cysts in seven, by detection of T. gondii DNA in an additional four, and by serology in another two. Recovery of brain cysts mostly (5/7) from sows with a MAT titre of ≥1:100 indicates the risk for consumers. These results highlight the public health risk from pork consumption and point to mandatory use of professional rodent control services, abstaining from multispecies farming, keeping disinfection boot-dips clean and freshly refilled, as well as strict implementation of zoo-hygienic measures on smallholders’ farms as specific farm biosecurity measures needed for its reduction.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "Microorganisms",
title = "Seroprevalence, Direct Detection and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pigs in Serbia, and Influence of Biosecurity Measures",
volume = "10",
number = "5",
pages = "1069",
doi = "10.3390/microorganisms10051069"
}

Betić, N., Karabasil, N., Djurković-Djaković, O., Ćirković, V., Bobić, B., Branković Lazić, I., Djordjević, V.,& Klun, I.. (2022). Seroprevalence, Direct Detection and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pigs in Serbia, and Influence of Biosecurity Measures. in Microorganisms
MDPI., 10(5), 1069.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10051069

Betić N, Karabasil N, Djurković-Djaković O, Ćirković V, Bobić B, Branković Lazić I, Djordjević V, Klun I. Seroprevalence, Direct Detection and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pigs in Serbia, and Influence of Biosecurity Measures. in Microorganisms. 2022;10(5):1069.
doi:10.3390/microorganisms10051069 .

Betić, Nikola, Karabasil, Nedjeljko, Djurković-Djaković, Olgica, Ćirković, Vladimir, Bobić, Branko, Branković Lazić, Ivana, Djordjević, Vesna, Klun, Ivana, "Seroprevalence, Direct Detection and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pigs in Serbia, and Influence of Biosecurity Measures" in Microorganisms, 10, no. 5 (2022):1069,
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10051069 . .

TY  - CONF
AU  - Betić, Nikola
AU  - Klun, Ivana
AU  - Đorđević, Vesna
AU  - Branković-Lazić, Ivana
AU  - Baltić, Tatjana
AU  - Vasilev, Dragan
AU  - Karabasil, Nedjeljko
PY  - 2021
UR  - https://vet-erinar.vet.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2285
AB  - Infection with the apicomplexan protozoon Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasitic zoonotic infections globally, with existing seroprevalences varying between continents, countries, and even within countries and between individual communities. It is estimated that one third of the world's human population is infected with T. gondii, with many studies showing that the dominant mode of infection is consumption of undercooked meat harbouring T. gondii tissue cysts. Prevalences of infection in food animals in different countries range from 0 to 93%. Because of the absence of clinical symptoms in infected animals, and the unfeasibility of rapid and unequivocal detection of microscopic tissue cysts in pork, infected pigs remain unrecognized, and their meat becomes an essential source of infection for humans. The data on T. gondii infection in pigs in Serbia from several studies, as well as on the detection of the parasite in different food categories, from fresh pork to heat-treated products, are discussed.
PB  - IOP Publishing Ltd
C3  - 61st International Meat Industry Conference (MEATCON2021)
T1  - Toxoplasma gondii in pork and pigs in Serbia - A real food safety hazard
VL  - 854
SP  - 012008
DO  - 10.1088/1755-1315/854/1/012008
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Betić, Nikola and Klun, Ivana and Đorđević, Vesna and Branković-Lazić, Ivana and Baltić, Tatjana and Vasilev, Dragan and Karabasil, Nedjeljko",
year = "2021",
abstract = "Infection with the apicomplexan protozoon Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasitic zoonotic infections globally, with existing seroprevalences varying between continents, countries, and even within countries and between individual communities. It is estimated that one third of the world's human population is infected with T. gondii, with many studies showing that the dominant mode of infection is consumption of undercooked meat harbouring T. gondii tissue cysts. Prevalences of infection in food animals in different countries range from 0 to 93%. Because of the absence of clinical symptoms in infected animals, and the unfeasibility of rapid and unequivocal detection of microscopic tissue cysts in pork, infected pigs remain unrecognized, and their meat becomes an essential source of infection for humans. The data on T. gondii infection in pigs in Serbia from several studies, as well as on the detection of the parasite in different food categories, from fresh pork to heat-treated products, are discussed.",
publisher = "IOP Publishing Ltd",
journal = "61st International Meat Industry Conference (MEATCON2021)",
title = "Toxoplasma gondii in pork and pigs in Serbia - A real food safety hazard",
volume = "854",
pages = "012008",
doi = "10.1088/1755-1315/854/1/012008"
}

Betić, N., Klun, I., Đorđević, V., Branković-Lazić, I., Baltić, T., Vasilev, D.,& Karabasil, N.. (2021). Toxoplasma gondii in pork and pigs in Serbia - A real food safety hazard. in 61st International Meat Industry Conference (MEATCON2021)
IOP Publishing Ltd., 854, 012008.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/854/1/012008

Betić N, Klun I, Đorđević V, Branković-Lazić I, Baltić T, Vasilev D, Karabasil N. Toxoplasma gondii in pork and pigs in Serbia - A real food safety hazard. in 61st International Meat Industry Conference (MEATCON2021). 2021;854:012008.
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/854/1/012008 .

Betić, Nikola, Klun, Ivana, Đorđević, Vesna, Branković-Lazić, Ivana, Baltić, Tatjana, Vasilev, Dragan, Karabasil, Nedjeljko, "Toxoplasma gondii in pork and pigs in Serbia - A real food safety hazard" in 61st International Meat Industry Conference (MEATCON2021), 854 (2021):012008,
https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/854/1/012008 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Čobanović, Nikola
AU  - Stajković, Silvana
AU  - Blagojević, Bojan
AU  - Betić, Nikola
AU  - Dimitrijević, Mirjana
AU  - Vasilev, Dragan
AU  - Karabasil, Nedjeljko
PY  - 2020
UR  - https://vet-erinar.vet.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1887
AB  - This study assessed the effects of season on health, behaviour, physiological stress parameters, and carcass and meat quality in a total of 480 slaughter pigs. The following health indicators were recorded: pneumonia, pleurisy, milk spots, and pericarditis. Behaviour was monitored during unloading (slipping, falling, turning back, reluctance to move, panting, shivering) and lairaging (panting, shivering, huddling). Blood lactate and glucose concentrations were determined at exsanguination. Performance indices (live weight, daily weight gain), carcass (carcass weight, backfat and loin thickness, lean meat content, carcass lesion score), and meat quality (pH, temperature, drip, thawing and cooking losses, colour, marbling) traits were measured postmortem. Pigs slaughtered in winter had the highest live weight, carcass weight, loin thickness, and carcass lesion score, while the lowest live weight, carcass weight, and backfat thickness were recorded in pigs slaughtered in summer. The highest lactate and glucose concentrations were recorded in pigs slaughtered in summer. The highest prevalence of red, soft, and exudative meat was recorded in pigs slaughtered in winter. Pigs slaughtered in summer had the lowest pH, the highest thawing loss, L* value, b* value, and occurrence of pale, soft, and exudative meat. Pigs slaughtered in autumn had the lowest drip loss, cooking loss, L* value, b* value, and the greatest percentage of red, firm, and nonexudative meat. In conclusion, the summer and winter temperatures compromised health and welfare and reduced carcass and meat quality in slaughter pigs, indicating that protection against heat and cold stress is not yet effective.
PB  - Springer
T2  - International Journal of Biometeorology
T1  - The effects of season on health, welfare, and carcass and meat quality of slaughter pigs
VL  - 64
IS  - 11
SP  - 1899
EP  - 1909
DO  - 10.1007/s00484-020-01977-y
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Čobanović, Nikola and Stajković, Silvana and Blagojević, Bojan and Betić, Nikola and Dimitrijević, Mirjana and Vasilev, Dragan and Karabasil, Nedjeljko",
year = "2020",
abstract = "This study assessed the effects of season on health, behaviour, physiological stress parameters, and carcass and meat quality in a total of 480 slaughter pigs. The following health indicators were recorded: pneumonia, pleurisy, milk spots, and pericarditis. Behaviour was monitored during unloading (slipping, falling, turning back, reluctance to move, panting, shivering) and lairaging (panting, shivering, huddling). Blood lactate and glucose concentrations were determined at exsanguination. Performance indices (live weight, daily weight gain), carcass (carcass weight, backfat and loin thickness, lean meat content, carcass lesion score), and meat quality (pH, temperature, drip, thawing and cooking losses, colour, marbling) traits were measured postmortem. Pigs slaughtered in winter had the highest live weight, carcass weight, loin thickness, and carcass lesion score, while the lowest live weight, carcass weight, and backfat thickness were recorded in pigs slaughtered in summer. The highest lactate and glucose concentrations were recorded in pigs slaughtered in summer. The highest prevalence of red, soft, and exudative meat was recorded in pigs slaughtered in winter. Pigs slaughtered in summer had the lowest pH, the highest thawing loss, L* value, b* value, and occurrence of pale, soft, and exudative meat. Pigs slaughtered in autumn had the lowest drip loss, cooking loss, L* value, b* value, and the greatest percentage of red, firm, and nonexudative meat. In conclusion, the summer and winter temperatures compromised health and welfare and reduced carcass and meat quality in slaughter pigs, indicating that protection against heat and cold stress is not yet effective.",
publisher = "Springer",
journal = "International Journal of Biometeorology",
title = "The effects of season on health, welfare, and carcass and meat quality of slaughter pigs",
volume = "64",
number = "11",
pages = "1899-1909",
doi = "10.1007/s00484-020-01977-y"
}

Čobanović, N., Stajković, S., Blagojević, B., Betić, N., Dimitrijević, M., Vasilev, D.,& Karabasil, N.. (2020). The effects of season on health, welfare, and carcass and meat quality of slaughter pigs. in International Journal of Biometeorology
Springer., 64(11), 1899-1909.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01977-y

Čobanović N, Stajković S, Blagojević B, Betić N, Dimitrijević M, Vasilev D, Karabasil N. The effects of season on health, welfare, and carcass and meat quality of slaughter pigs. in International Journal of Biometeorology. 2020;64(11):1899-1909.
doi:10.1007/s00484-020-01977-y .

Čobanović, Nikola, Stajković, Silvana, Blagojević, Bojan, Betić, Nikola, Dimitrijević, Mirjana, Vasilev, Dragan, Karabasil, Nedjeljko, "The effects of season on health, welfare, and carcass and meat quality of slaughter pigs" in International Journal of Biometeorology, 64, no. 11 (2020):1899-1909,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01977-y . .