Salmonella and the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) remain very challenging diseases for the poultry industry worldwide because of the inefficiency of implementing and integrating eradication and control programs, which results in very high economic losses to the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to determine the association between biosecurity levels in layer farms and the occurrence of both D. gallinae and Salmonella spp., as well as the relationship between D. gallinae infestations on farms and Salmonella occurrence. For this purpose, 22 layer farms using the common battery cage housing system in different parts of Kosovo were randomly selected and analyzed for the presence of D. gallinae and Salmonella in samples, such as feces, water, feed, and dust. Two pooled samples of D. gallinae (2n = 100) were directly analyzed for the presence of Salmonella in the outer and inner parts of cuticula from D. gallinae. A chi-square test was used to determine the association between experience in poultry production, rearing, and level of different biosecurity elements in relation to the occurrence of D. gallinae and Salmonella. Dermanyssus gallinae was found on 15 farms, whereas Salmonella was found on eight of those 15 farms from different environmental samples and on one farm where D. gallinae was not found. In two pooled samples Salmonella was isolated directly from the inner part of the cuticula from D. gallinae, which represents the first direct isolation of Salmonella from D. gallinae mites. Association between the level of biosecurity and the occurrence of D. gallinae and Salmonella was strong. The study indicates that proper biosecurity measures should be in place to lower the occurrence of D. gallinae and Salmonella.

, 2016. Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from subclinical mastitis in dairy farms in Kosovo. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 19, No 4,[299][300][301][302][303][304][305][306][307] The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in Kosovo and the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated bacteria. Six hundred and twenty four milk samples from individual quarters of 156 lactating cows were tested using California Mastitis Test (CMT) and the positive samples were further analysed using conventional methods for isolation of main mastitis causing agents and finally identified using biochemical tests. The overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 25.6%. Twenty one mastitis positive cows belonged to Holstein Friesian breed, 11 to Simmental and 8 were crossbred. Regarding age susceptibility, 13 cows resulting positive in the CMT test were 2-5 years of age and the other 27: 6-9 years of age. A total of 112 bacterial isolates were recovered. The most prevalent species were Staphylococcus aureus (28.6%) followed by coagulase negative staphylococci (21.4%), E. coli (13.4%), Streptococcus agalactiae (14.3%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (3.6%), Streptococcus uberis (6.2%), Corynebacterium spp. (8%), and Bacillus spp. (4.5%). The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disc diffusion method. In vitro tests of bacterial isolates revealed higher sensitivity to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, oxytetracycline, trimethoprim and gentamicin. The lowest susceptibility was shown to penicillin and streptomycin except for Corynebacterium spp. and Bacillus spp.

In 2011, a human brucellosis case with severe clinical symptoms was reported at the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Prishtina, Kosovo. A trace-back investigation was conducted to find the source of human infection. A total of 49 blood samples and 15 corresponding milk samples from sheep and goats raised on the patient's farm were taken for serological and molecular analysis. Serology using RBT and CFT revealed 11 positive animals. Twelve milk samples were PCR positive. A Brucella strain isolated from a goat's milk sample was classified as Brucella melitensis biovar 3, indicating the first ever isolation and report in Kosovo. The use of the Bruce-ladder PCR provided differentiation between the field strain and the vaccine strain. Hence, the accidental transmission of the vaccine strain Rev 1 that was previously used for the vaccination of the farm animals could be excluded. The findings of this study show that brucellosis is still a public health threat in Kosovo despite control measures.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of pyometra in bitches and isolation of bacteria involved and determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility. For this purpose from March 2013 to February 2015, 230 bitches of different breeds and ages have been examined. Diagnosis was based on anamnesis, clinical signs, hematology, radiography and ultrasound. The isolation and identification of bacteria in pyometra was carried out using ISO-methods and the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates using the disk diffusion method. Canine pyometra was found more in bitches between 9-12 years old 10 cases (52.63%), and the most common dog affected breeds were small female dogs breed. The most common isolated pathogens from canine pyometra were; Escherichia coli (63.1%), Streptococcus pyogenes., (15.8%), Staphylococcus intermedius., (10.5%) and, Pseudomonas aeruginosa., (5.3%). Regarding AMR (antimicrobial resistance) Penicilin G and Ampicillin showed a very high resistance, indicating for acquired resistance due to improper und uncontrolled use.