Due to SARS CoV-2 recombination rates, number of infected people and recent reports of environmental contamination, the possibility of SARS CoV-2 transmission to animals can be expected. We tested samples of dominant free-living and captive wildlife species in Croatia for the presence of anti-SARS CoV-2 antibodies and viral RNA. In total, from June 2020 until February 2021, we tested blood, muscle extract and fecal samples of 422 free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and jackals (Canis aureus); blood and cloacal swabs of 111 yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) and fecal samples of 32 zoo animals. A commercially available ELISA (ID.Vet, France) and as a confirmatory test, a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT; GenScript, Netherlands) were used. Fecal samples were tested for the presence of viral RNA by a real-time RT–PCR protocol. Fifteen out of 533 (2.8%) positive ELISA results were detected; in wild boars (3.9%), red foxes (2.9%) and jackals (4.6%). However, the positive findings were not confirmed by sVNT. No viral RNA was found. In conclusion, no spillover occurred within the investigated period (second COVID-19 wave). However, further investigation is needed, especially regarding wildlife sample features for serological tests.

________________________________________________________________________________________ Hađina, S., J. BoraS, i. Bata, B. ŠkrLin, V. StareŠina, LJ. BarBić, V. MoJčec Perko, Z. Štritof, V. SteVanoVić, J. HaBuŠ, M. PerHarić, Z. MiLaS, n. turk, LJ. Pinter: Isolation and molecular characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis from a cutaneous lesion in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Vet. arhiv 89, 211-221, 2019. ABSTRACTMalassezia pachydermatis is an opportunistic yeast regularly isolated from the healthy and diseased skin of various animal species. There is scarcity of data about its presence on pinnipeds' skin and even less information about its pathogenicity in aquatic animals. In this study, a twenty-seven year old California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was presented with alopecia and a cutaneous lesion on the right side of the trunk that had appeared in the spring, worsened through the summer and significantly improved in the winter months. Swab samples were obtained from the lesion and healthy skin sites (tail, posterior flippers, and trunk) and M. pachydermatis was recovered from all samples. The number of colonies grown from the lesion site was significantly higher than those cultured from the healthy skin. Employing the ITS-1 molecular marker we investigated whether there is any connection between sequence types of M. pachydermatis isolates recovered from the lesion, and those isolated from the healthy skin sites. Sequencing of the ITS-1 region of all isolates revealed a 99% match to the sequence of M. pachydermatis. In addition, all sequences belonged to the same genotype and there was no difference found between the isolates obtained from the lesion site and the healthy skin.

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Background Symmetrical alopecia is a common symptom of endocrine and autoimmune diseases, which are rarely manifested with pruritus. Increased levels of stress in primates have been presented with increased levels of pruritus and alopecia appearance. Methods A pruritic and alopecic disease was investigated in a group of tufted capuchin monkeys (N = 12), but due to ethical reasons, four random animals were further investigated by numerous diagnostic methods. The impact of food and enclosure enrichment was assessed and observed over a 2‐year period. Results Histopathology of four random tufted capuchin monkeys revealed lymphocytic perifolliculitis, with an appearance of a “swarm of bees” which was suggestive of alopecia areata. Etiological classification of pruritus excluded dermatological, systemic, and neurological causes, making it behavioral. Enclosure and food enrichment had a beneficial impact on pruritus (12/12) and alopecia (10/12). Conclusion The findings were suggestive of alopecia areata, while the pruritus was considered behavioral in origin. Alopecia and pruritus improved upon enclosure and food enrichment.