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Acute phase proteins in wildlife and their domesticated relatives
The aim of this review is to present current knowledge regarding acute phase proteins (APPs) in selected wild mammal species. APPs are a group of proteins synthesized in the liver. Their main biological function is to restore homeostasis in response to infection, injury, and other pathologies. APPs are well-studied and used in routine diagnostics in domestic animals and humans, whereas in wildlife species they are currently under intensive research. The most investigated APPs in non-domesticated animals include serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (Fb), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and albumins (Ab). Changes in their concentrations have been described in cases of injuries, bacterial and viral infections, parasite infestations, and stress situations. It is important to note that the concentration of APPs is strongly affected by species, genotype, age, and environmental conditions. As the knowledge regarding APPs in wildlife develops, they may possibly be used in the future as diagnostic or prognostic tools, which is of special importance for threatened wildlife species.
Selected Livestock-Associated Zoonoses as a Growing Challenge for Public Health
The aim of this paper is to review the most significant livestock-associated zoonoses. Human and animal health are intimately connected. This idea has been known for more than a century but now it has gained special importance because of the increasing threat from zoonoses. Zoonosis is defined as any infection naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. As the frequency and prevalence of zoonotic diseases increase worldwide, they become a real threat to public health. In addition, many of the newly discovered diseases have a zoonotic origin. Due to globalization and urbanization, some of these diseases have already spread all over the world, caused by the international flow of goods, people, and animals. However, special attention should be paid to farm animals since, apart from the direct contact, humans consume their products, such as meat, eggs, and milk. Therefore, zoonoses such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, tuberculosis, swine and avian influenza, Q fever, brucellosis, STEC infections, and listeriosis are crucial for both veterinary and human medicine. Consequently, in the suspicion of any zoonoses outbreak, the medical and veterinary services should closely cooperate to protect the public health.