International audienceThe prevalence of Borrelia (B.), Mycobacteria (M.) and avian influenza virus (AIV) infections, together with the distribution of different AIV subtypes, was studied in migratory waterfowl and terrestrial birds caught in three localities in Slovakia during 2006. Samples obtained from waterfowl captured in the Senianske Ponds area of Eastern Slovakia showed the highest diversity of AIV isolates. A total of 13 different subtypes were detected in 19 samples from this location (H1N2, H2N2, H3N2, H6N6, H7N6, H9N2, H9N5, H9N6, H10N5, H10N6, H12N6, H13N6, and H16N6). H3N5 virus was detected in 50% of passerines testing positive for AIV in the Parizske Wetlands, with H7N2, H9N2, H9N5, H12N1, and H13N2 infections also recorded at this locality. H9N5 virus predominated in passerines captured at Trnava Ponds, with isolates H1N6, H6N5, H7N2, H7N6, H10N3, H10N6 also detected at this location. There were five cases where different AIV infections were detected in oropharyngeal and cloacal samples originating from the same bird (H13N6 and H1N2; H10N5 and H12N6; H9N5 and H6N5; H10N6 and H7N6; H9N2 and H3N5 in the oropharynx and cloaca, respectively). Between 21 and 52% of captured birds tested positive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato, with the percentage infected depending on bird species and locality. Samples were characterized by PCR-RFLP analysis and identified as B. garinii species (either B/B' or R/R' pattern). Mycobacteria were detected in 42% and 26 % of waders captured at Senianske Ponds and marsh-dwelling passerines captured in the Parizske Wetlands, respectively. Interestingly, forest-dwelling passerine species caught in the Trnava Ponds region tested negative for Mycobacteria

MIŽÁKOVÁ A., PIPOVÁ M., TUREK P. (2002): The occurrence of moulds in fermented raw meat products. Czech J. Food Sci., 20: 89-94.The consumption of food contaminated with moulds (microscopic filamentous fungi) and their toxic metabolites results in the development of food-borne mycotoxicosis. The spores of moulds are ubiquitously spread in the environment and can be detected everywhere. In this study, the presence of various moulds was determined in pork and beef used as a raw material, in salami emulsions, as well as in five kinds of fermented raw meat products. Penicillium sp., Acremonium sp., Mucor sp., Cladosporium sp., and Aspergillus sp. were the most frequently isolated genera of moulds. Flavourings added to meat during the production of fermented raw meat products were heavily contaminated with moulds. The widest spectrum and the highest counts of microscopic filamentous fungi were observed in the following spices: milled black pepper, nutmeg, garlic powder and crushed caraway. The level of contamination depended upon the season, being higher in the summer months.

The prevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) together with determination of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) subtypes were studied in urban pigeons using a new nested RT-PCR. Both oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs from birds were collected. Altogether, screening of all samples revealed that 12% of oropharyngeal and 20% of cloacal samples were positive for AIVs. However, samples from both the oropharynx and cloaca coming from one animal were positive in only 8% of pigeons. Four different HA and NA combinations H7N3, H7N6, H9N5, and H14N8 respectively, were identified using a new nested RT-PCR.

We have screened 91 migratory birds representing 32 species during the autumn of 2003 for the presence of the zoonotic pathogens Borrelia and Chlamydophila. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was detected in cloacal swabs and, in two causes, also in throat swabs in 8 individuals (8.7 %) representing 7 birds species; B. garinii and B. afzelii were not detected. C. psittaci was detected only in cloacal swabs; 6 birds (6.6 %) from four species were found to be positive. The PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were compared phylogenetically with the gene sequences of 14 Chlamydophila strains retrieved from nucleotide databases; although the sequenced DNA was only 110 bp long, all obtained sequences created a new cluster with sublines branching from a position close to the periphery of the genus. All tested samples appear distinct within the known species and were most similar to C. felis or C. abortis.