Z-II.1. Laboratory for Bacterial Zoonoses and Molecular Diagnostics of Bacterial Diseases

Laboratory for Bacterial Zoonoses, as one of the diagnostic laboratories of the Croatian Veterinary Institute and its branches, is the central laboratory in serological, bacteriological and molecular diagnostics of the most important bacterial zoonoses (brucellosis, tuberculosis, leptospirosis and Q fever) in the Republic of Croatia. It is also recognized abroad by its professional and research activities. In addition to the foregoing diseases, which form the basis of our activities, the Laboratory provides the diagnostics of paratuberculosis, glanders and dourine.

The Laboratory currently has 10 employees, out of that two PhDs, 2 in the field of biomedicine and healthcare (Silvio Špičić, PhD, DVM and Maja Zdelar-Tuk, PhD, DVM) and 2 engineers of molecular biology (Sanja Duvnjak, Dipl.Eng.Biol.Mol. and Ivana Račić, Dipl.Eng.Biol.Mol.), one expert associate (Anja Vujnović, DVM) and 5 technical associates (Valerija Podgorski, Ksenija Perković, Silvija Drašković, Marijana Novosel and Anđela Krčelić). The services of the Laboratory for Bacterial Zoonoses and Molecular Diagnostics of Bacterial Diseases are provided on several levels and segments of diagnostics.

- Within the framework of the annual Decree on Measures of Animal Protection from Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and Their Funding issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Laboratory is in charge of serological and etiological diagnostics of brucellosis in domestic animals (B.melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis), infectious ram epididymitis (B. ovis), bovine and swine tuberculosis, leptospirosis, Q fever and paratuberculosis. The Laboratory also provides diagnostic services regarding the foregoing diseases to other clients. In addition to diagnostics of disease from samples of animal origin, the Laboratory also conducts human blood tests, particularly on brucellosis and leptospirosis.

- Our scientific research activities include our participation in the research program of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports under the title “Epizootiology of significant animal diseases and risks for human health” through the project “Molecular epizootiology of the important bacterial zoonoses” led by Prof. Željko Cvetnić, PhD and bilateral Croatian-Slovenian project “Improvement in the diagnostics of zoonoses” led by Silvije Špičić, PhD and our cooperation with similar laboratories and institutions in Europe, particularly O.I.E./FAO Brucellosis Reference Laboratory, ANSES (France); Brucella Research, Statutory and Exotic Bacterial Diseases, Veterinary Laboratories Agency – Weybridge, UK; Veterinary Research Institute Brno (Czech Republic); Veterinary Institute in Ljubljana (Slovenia); EURL for Bovine TB: Dept. de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, VISAVET (Spain); ANSES, Department of Ruminants Pathology, Q fever NRL (France); Veterinary Faculty of Sarajevo; Veterinary Institute Mostar (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and others.

Since 2008, the Laboratory has implemented HRN EN ISO/IEC 17025 quality system and until now it has accredited two serological methods for brucellosis diagnostics: Rose Bengal test (RBT) and enzyme immunoassay (ELISA – B. abortus). In 2010, the method of bacteriological and molecular test of samples on bovine tuberculosis agents was accredited.

Since October 2011, the Laboratory has been appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture as the Reference Laboratory for brucellosis and tuberculosis in the field of veterinary services in Croatia.