Vesna Karapetkovska-Hristova

Hemoparasites are vector-borne diseases transmitted by hematophagous arthropods, especially ticks. These are most often protozoa from the genus Apicomplexa (Babesia sp.) and bacteria (Anaplasma sp. and Theileria sp.). It is distributed worldwide, and the prevalence and seasonal dynamics of the disease are directly dependent on the intermediate hosts – ixodid ticks from the genera Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Boophilus, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis and Ixodes. The most common clinical symptoms of these diseases are fever, anemia, icterus, and hemoglobinuria. Morbidity and mortality depend on the pathogenicity of the causative agent and the intensity of the infection.

The objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the physicochemical parameters, nutritional composition and presence of heavy metals in honey produced in organic, transitional and conventional production systems, with samples collected from seven apiaries in the Eastern region of N. Macedonia. All analyses were performed in triplicate for each sample. Physicochemical and quality parameters, such as pH, humidity, diastase activity, HMF, sugar concentration and proline content, were determined and statistically analyzed with Student’s t-test (p < 0.05). The examination of heavy metals included cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The results showed that organic honey is characterized by higher acidity, minimal heat treatment, higher proline content and optimal humidity. Conventional honey showed higher sugar concentrations and more pronounced diastase activity. The differences in pH, HMF and sugar concentration were statistically significant between the different types of honey. Cadmium was below the detection limit in all samples analyzed, while lead exceeded the permitted limits in only one sample. These findings confirm the importance of production systems and local conditions for preserving the quality and safety of honey, emphasizing that the application of sustainable beekeeping practices and continuous environmental monitoring are necessary for the production of safe and nutritionally valuable honey.

Among helminth infections of small ruminants in Serbia, nematodes predominate, while trematodes occur at lower prevalence. The most important ruminant flukes in Serbia are Dicrocoelium dendriticum (small fluke) trematodes from the Paramphistomum spp., and Fasciola hepatica (large fluke). Dicrocoelium dendriticum is a common parasite of ruminants but humans can act as accidental definitive hosts. This is most important flukes in small ruminants in Serbia and its prevalence ranges from 12.30% to 78.67%. Paramphistomum is a genus of parasitic flatworms belonging to the digenetic trematodes. In Serbia, P. cervi has been found in sheep, goat and cattle and P. microbothrium has been found in sheep and cattle as well as in deer and red deer. Infection with P. cervi was established in 13.44% of sheep and goat herds and P. microbithrium in 9.48% herds. Fasciolosis is an acute or chronic disease caused by the large fluke Fasciola hepatica. Its prevalence ranges from small ruminants in Serbia are less than 4%. Parasitic infections of sheep and goats caused by trematodes are relatively common in Serbia. Although much less common than gastro-intestinal strongyloid infections, they represent a health and economic problem.

Parasitic infections are constant companions of pig production, regardless of the method of breeding. They are equally found in farm and extensive rearing in all production and age categories of animals.Extensive pig breeding has a long tradition. Although this kind of behavior provides pigs with a much more comfortable life than farming (after all, organic production was developed on its principle), it also has many negative consequences for their health. Pigs are exposed to the risk of outbreaks of infectious and parasitic diseases that can cause large losses in production. Extensive and semi-extensive breeding means that pigs have direct contact with a multitude of transitional hosts of parasites, they are in contact with wild swine, and there is also frequent contamination of the area where they are discharged with the excrement of wild animals. Parasitic infections, along with other infectious diseases, are extremely common in this way of breeding. Infection is most often with biohelminths (Metastrongylus sp, causative agents of verminous gastritis, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus) and zoonotic parasites to which pigs are transitional (Trichinella spiralis, Taenia solium, Ascaris ssum) or parent hosts (Alaria alata). There are also species that are equally present in extensive and farm farming, such as e.g. Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum sp. or Strongyloideus ransomi.

Contemporary poultry production increasingly prioritizes optimized prenatal nutrition to enhance chick health, immunity, and productivity. This 2024-2025 study conducted at the Institute of Ecology and Technology, Popova Shapka, examined the effects of in ovo-administered aqueous propolis extract (1,5% and 3% concentrations) on chicken embryo development. Fertilized eggs from crossbreed hens (n=30 per experimental group) were disinfected with 70% ethanol and administered precise air cell injections on incubation day 0 using insulin syringes. Incubation was maintained under standard conditions (37.5±0.1°C for days 1-18; 37.2°C for days 19-21) with relative humidity at 65-70% (days 1-18) and 70-75% (days 19-21). Embryonic development was evaluated through serial measurements of weight, length, and morphological characteristics on days 7, 14, and 21 of incubation. The results demonstrate a clear dose-response relationship, with the 1.5% propolis group exhibiting superior developmental outcomes: maximum embryo weight (33.0 g versus 31.0 g in controls at day 21), greatest length (86 mm versus 82 mm in controls), and significantly larger eye diameter (6.0 mm versus 4.0 mm in controls at day 7). These findings indicate that propolis enhances neurogenesis and metabolic efficiency through its bioactive antioxidant and immunomodulatory components, establishing it as an effective natural alternative for improving poultry production outcomes. Key words: Propolis, in ovo injection, embryogenesis, natural growth promoters.

The rising demand for organic and residue-free poultry products has increased interest in natural feed additives as alternatives to synthetic growth promoters. This study evaluated the effects of Thymus vulgaris (thyme) and raw propolis supplementation on the growth performance of broiler chickens reared under extensive conditions. A total of 40 cross-breed day-old chicks were used in a seven-week experiment conducted in a village in the Polog region. The birds were assigned to control and treatment groups, receiving either 25 g kg-1 thyme, 3 g kg-1 propolis, or 6 g kg-1 propolis in their diets through out the trial. Body weights were recorded weekly, and statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the treatments. No significant differences in body weight were observed during the first six weeks of fattening (p > 0.05). However, in the seventh week, broilers supplemented with 6 g kg-1 propolis exhibited a statistically significant increase in body weight compared to the control and lower-dose propolis groups (p < 0.01). These findings suggest a dose- and time-dependent response, indicating that prolonged supplementation and higher inclusion levels may be necessary to achieve measurable growth benefits. The delayed effect may be related to metabolic adaptations and improved nutrient utilization influenced by the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of propolis and thyme. The results support the potential of propolis and thyme as natural and effective growth promoters, particularly in sustainable and regionally adapted poultry systems where antibiotic use is restricted. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting phytogenic feed additives as viable alternatives to antibiotics, addressing concerns related to antimicrobial resistance and consumer preference for natural poultry products.

White brined cheese was produced under laboratory conditions, and key technological parameters were analyzed: coagulation time, coagulum structure, cheese composition, and mineral content at 24 hours and after 45 days of ripening. Optimization of processes and quality indicators in white brined cheese production under modern conditions is sought by comparing traditional and alternative enzymes. The results show that coagulation with chymosin proceeds faster and leads to the formation of a denser coagulum with lower water content in the non-fat dry matter. Despite longer coagulation time and looser structure, microbial coagulant remains a suitable alternative, especially under specific consumer requirements or when production cost reduction is needed. The study highlights the importance of selecting an appropriate milk coagulant based on the desired technological outcomes and the target market orientation of the product.

The main goal of the control and prevent program of parasite infection is to raise the health status of pigs in farm breeding. By preventing the appearance and spread of parasitic infections by taking certain preventive measures, the basic task is to reduce the prevalence of parasites, which achieves that as few infected animals reach the slaughterhouse as possible. In addition, taking prescribed measures at the slaughterhouse aims to keep the risk of parasitic zoonoses in meat and pork products at zero level. The application of this contemporary integrated concept implies production process management and adherence to the principles of good production practices, application of biosecurity measures, sanitacion and aplication of hygiene measures and sustainable health protection. Certainly, the complexity of the problem required the involvement of all relevant entities, primarily veterinary services, starting from farms to slaughterhouses.

Parasitic infections are constant companions of pig production, regardless of the method of keeping. Caused by several parasitic species, they threaten the health of animals and cause significant economic losses due to lower growth, reduction in body weight of fattening animals and loss of daily gain, poorer feed conversion, and finally, a problem appears in the slaughterhouse industry in the form of confiscation or conditionally usable meat. During research carried out in the period 1991-2021, the most common occurrence of protozoan infections in weaned piglets is that we found the average presence of protozoa Balantidium coli (95-100%), Cryptosporidium sp (17-32%), Eimeria perminuta (27-31%) ), E. debliecki (3-24%), E. polita (4-9%) and Isospora suis (3-13%). Helminth infections Ascaris suum (39-41%), Oesophagostomum dentatum (6-8%), Strongyloideus ransomi (1-17%) and Trichuris suis (1-7%) were also found. The planned application of parasitological, zootechnical and biosecurity measures is crucial in protecting the health of pigs and the success of production.