Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution and recognized zoonotic potential. Data on its molecular epidemiology in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are scarce, particularly in wild mesocarnivores. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic characterization of G. duodenalis in domestic and wild mesocarnivores across BiH. A total of 520 fecal samples were collected between 2023 and 2025, including dogs (Canis lupus familiaris, n = 433), cats (Felis catus, n = 21), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, n = 39), golden jackals (Canis aureus, n = 17), European pine martens (Martes martes, n = 5), grey wolves (Canis lupus, n = 1), European badgers (Meles meles, n = 2), and European wildcats (Felis silvestris, n = 1). Screening was performed using fecal flotation and immunofluorescence assay (IFAT), with selected samples further analyzed by high-resolution melting (HRM) real-time PCR (qPCR-HRM) and targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Overall, G. duodenalis was detected in 20.96 % (109/520) of samples by flotation and IFAT. Cats showed the highest positivity rate (71.43 %), followed by dogs (21.02 %), whereas wild mesocarnivores exhibited substantially lower detection rates (5.13 % in red foxes and 5.88 % in golden jackals). Among dog subpopulations, hunting dogs showed the highest positivity (49.52 %) compared with shelter dogs (6.72 %). Molecular typing revealed assemblage D as predominant (65.91 %), followed by assemblages B (18.18 %), C (6.82 %), and F (4.55 %), with occasional mixed profiles. Assemblage D occurred across multiple hosts, while the zoonotic assemblage B was detected exclusively in wild canids. This study provides the first molecular epidemiological evidence of G. duodenalis assemblage circulation among domestic and wild mesocarnivores in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The findings identify cats and hunting dogs as key hosts contributing to parasite circulation and demonstrate limited but epidemiologically meaningful involvement of wild mesocarnivores, underscoring the importance of integrated One Health surveillance to assess transmission risks at the domestic-wildlife-human interface.

Because of its nutritional and medicinal qualities, honey is a significant dietary supplement that should be safe to consume. Honey samples (n=33) of different origin from various geographical locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina were examined with the aim of characterization. The study revealed following mean values: 16.95 %; 4.36; 0,19%; 72.56%, 0.73 mS/cm; 24.17 mEq/kg; 18.50 mg/kg and 34.84 mEq/kg for water content, pH, ash, sugar, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and free acidity, respectively. Ten samples (30.30%) did not meet the required level of physicochemical quality. For each sample, total viable count, Enterobacteriaceae, sulfite reducing clostridia, yeasts, molds and Salmonella sp., were determined. Total viable counts varied between 10 and 8300 cfu/g, sulfite reducing anaerobic bacteria between 10 and 50 cfu/g and molds level were between 100 and 7000 cfu/g, respectively. None of the samples contained Salmonella sp. or bacteria from Enterobacteriaceae gender. With reference to Bosnia and Herzegovina standards, maximal levels of selected microbiological properties were exceeded for two samples (6.06%) regarding clostridia and 14 samples (42.42%) for molds count. Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp., and Alternatia sp. were molds identified in Bosnian honey. These molds originate mainly from primary sources of contamination. It is of great importance to maintain and improve the quality of domestic honeys since a large percentage of them are intended for export or domestic consumption due to it antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), is a parasitic zoonosis of increasing public health significance in Europe. Although previously confirmed in red foxes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this study provides the first report of E. multilocularis in golden jackals (Canis aureus) in the country. Between December 2024 and March 2025, a total of 44 golden jackals were examined across 15 localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with E. multilocularis detected in 6.8 % of the samples from three sites in Western and Central Bosnia and Herzegovina. Adult Echinococcus spp. worms were first detected using the intestinal scraping technique and identified by microscopy. To confirm these findings and differentiate between Echinococcus species, DNA extracted from adult worms was then subjected to species-specific PCR targeting a fragment of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene. PCR-positive samples for E. multilocularis were further validated by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of a 203 bp amplicon of the 12S rRNA gene. These findings indicate an expanding distribution of E. multilocularis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the role of golden jackals as definitive hosts for the parasite. Given the growing jackal population in the country and the increasing public health concerns, enhanced surveillance and further research are warranted, particularly regarding human cases of E. multilocularis infection, to better understand the associated epidemiological risks.

Objectives: To measure and analyze the seroprevalence and risk factors of human brucellosis among clinically suspected patients in the Travnik area, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period 2018-2023. Methods: A total of 337 samples of clinically suspected brucellosis patients in Travnik, Central Bosnia and Herzegovina were collected between 2018-2023. Rose Bengal agglutination was used for sera testing. Expressive and investigative statistics were considered. Differences between the prevalence of brucellosis according to age, sex, and the seasonal incidence rate were assessed. Results: The prevalence of brucellosis among the suspected patients was 23.30%. The highest prevalence rate 35.71%, was detected during year 2021. Higher rate of brucellosis was observed among males 63.86% than females 36.14%. Most cases were reported during month of June and October, 14.15% and 14.19% respectively. The highest prevalence, 56.76% rate was observed in age group 41–60 years old. Conclusion: Our survey found a high prevalence of human brucellosis among clinically suspected patients in Travnik area strongly indicating that clinical suspicion is a valid criterion, which requires fast laboratory detection and patient treatment. Detecting specific anti-Brucella antibodies using agglutination Rose Bengal test is a fast a reliable diagnostic procedure for clinically suspect individuals. There is a strong association between human brucellosis and age.

Aim To identify E. coli from chicken meat, establish their antibiotic resistance profiles and to confirm ESBL isolates with real time PCR, as well as to identify risk factors and farming practice associated with the antimicrobial resistance E. coli. Methods The study included 100 chicken skin samples collected randomly from retail supermarkets, butcheries and slaughterhouses. Disk susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer method. Detection of ESBL-producing isolates was performed with double disk synergy test. Molecular analysis of phenotypic ESBL-producing Escherichia coli strains was performed at 7500 real time PCR System. Molecular-genetic analysis included detection of CTX-M 1, 2, and 9 gene families and mutations in the TEM and SHV encoding extended spectrum β-lactamases. Results Prevalence of the phenotypic ESBL-producing E. coli isolates was 29%, and they exhibited remarkable sensitivity to carbapenems (100%) as well as to amikacin (93.10%). All ESBL-producing strains were multidrug resistant. Molecular analysis was performed as the final confirmation of the production of extended spectrum β - lactamases for 24 isolates out of 29 phenotypicaly ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. Conclusion It is important to pay attention to people's awareness of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in food chain, as well as to understand its effects on human health and the environment. Phenotypic and molecular analysis demonstrated the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from chicken skin samples.

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of nine antimicrobials (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamicin, spectinomycin, oxytetracycline, tylosin, florfenicol, and tiamulin) against 24 Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae isolates obtained from sheep and goats and to compare the resulting antimicrobial profiles. Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin had the lowest MIC50 values (<0.03 μg/mL) and MIC90 values (0.25 μg/mL) for all tested isolates. The highest MIC50 value (2 μg/mL) was obtained for florfenicol, while oxytetracycline and tylosin exhibited the highest MIC90 values (16 μg/mL). The MIC values for all fluoroquinolones and oxytetracycline were significantly lower for sheep isolates. Sheep isolates were considerably more susceptible to norfloxacin and tylosin than were goat isolates. This study demonstrated differences in antimicrobial susceptibilities between sheep and goat isolates, revealing M. ovipneumoniae in goat isolates to be less susceptible. The results suggest a possible link between antimicrobial profiles of M. ovipneumoniae isolates and their host ruminant species.

several microorganisms of Gram-negative of the monocytogenes,