Beníšek Z’s research while affiliated with University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice and other places

Currently, Slovakia is a rabies-free country, but the epizootiological situation of rabies was not always favorable. The main reservoir species of rabies virus in the first half of the last century was the domestic dog. Since 1906, hundreds of cases were reported, of which approximately 90% were infected dogs. The disease had a typical urban character. Since 1929, the number of rabid domestic animals decreased due to the implementation of dog vaccination campaigns in particular parts of Slovakia. From the second half of 1950s, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have become an important reservoir of the RABV. In this time period urban rabies in Slovakia changed into sylvatic form. One effective method of prevention and control of wildlife rabies is an oral rabies vaccination of red foxes. It is carried out in Slovakia since 1993. A detailed development of the rabies epizootiological situation on the territory of the Slovak Republic until the application of oral antirabies immunisation of foxes and the current situation after its performance is the main object of this review. Keywords: rabies; Lyssavirus; red fox; incidence; oral vaccination.

The aim of our study was to map the situation of swine mycoplasmoses on four farms in the region of Eastern Slovakia. The primary agent of Enzootic pneumonia of swine is Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. After reviewing the health status of conventional herds and evaluation of clinical symptoms, paired samples of nasal swabs and venous blood samples were collected from 38 pigs with clinical signs of respiratory disease. Nasal swab samples were tested by nested PCR, while blood samples were used to detect antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae by blocking ELISA. The presence of M. hyopneumoniae was confirmed by nested PCR in four pigs (10.5%) and by blocking ELISA in 16 pigs (42.1%) of all four farms. This work presents for the first time comparison of different methods to diagnose M. hyopneumoniae infection on pig farms in Eastern Slovakia. Diagnosis, respiratory diseases, Enzootic pneumonia, antibodies

The authors had developed a new experimental adjuvant based on squalene and its efficacy was tested on target domestic animals - cats and dogs by means of different rabies vaccines. In this experiment the authors compared the immune response on the rabies vaccine without adjuvant and with aluminium adjuvant or experimental squalene adjuvant, respectively. The level of rabies antibodies was determined by rapid fluorescence focus inhibition test on days 14, 30, 90 and 450 (dogs), and on days 14, and 30 (cats), respectively. The rabies antibodies level on day 14 still did not reache the protection level determined by WHO. On day 30 each of the vaccines induced an adequate response, while the most effective seemed to be the vaccine with experimental squalene adjuvant. On day 450 the antibodies level decreased, but the average level was over the protection value, when the experimental squalene-adjuvanted vaccine was used. The level of rabies antibodies did not achieve the protection value in 2 from 10 dogs in this group. There is an open question, if it is sufficient to use only one dose of rabies vaccine for safe primovaccination of young animals.

The authors have carried out an epizootiological and serological survey in the Slovak Republic aimed to the determination of the prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in autochthon domestic and stray cat populations. At the same time the prevalence of feline leukaemia and toxoplasmosis was also researched in the cat populations. One hundred and ninty eight cats of younger and older age categories were examined in 9 districts of the Slovak Republic during the years 2007 and 2009. The antibodies against FIV and the Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) antigen were determined by commercial rapid diagnostic tests; the antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were determined by ELISA method using a commercial kit. From the total One hundred and ninty eight cats, nine were FIV-positive (4.5%) and 4 of them were also FeLV positive (2%). Fifty two cats (26.3%) were toxoplasmosis-positive; the 9 FIV-positive cats were also positive for toxoplasmosis.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a widespread respiratory pathogen in pigs considered a primary agent of enzootic pneumonia , one of the most chronic diseases in pig herds. The pCR test, used to detect the presence of the pathogen in live animals , should be easy to perform, rapid, inexpensive, and should provide data on implementation of control of the occurrence of M. hyopneumoniae. nested pCR appears to be the most reliable method capable of best demonstration of the infectious agent even at low concentration. Ideal detection of M. hyopneumoniae extends the serological methods (ElISA) and provides a broader view of the emergence and development of disease.