Large numbers of different scientific studies are conducted to preserve the breeds and improve the existing ones by introducing the variability of the plate genes, which best shows the phenotypic characteristics that can improve the health of dairy cattle and the quality of their production. The main purpose of this study was to perform an analysis of genetic variability of Lithuanian cattle breeds. Three subpopulation groups were studied: Lithuanian Black and White (95 individuals), Lithuanian Red (49), and Lithuanian White and Red (48). Bovine genetic material was genotyped using a total of 11 fluorescent microsatellite primers to estimate genetic variability. All loci presented a high degree of polymorphism and a total of 292 different alleles (Na) were detected. Thirty-two private alleles were detected in all evaluated subpopulations. After completing pairwise population assignment, which is based on the distribution of allelic frequencies, three populations showed the tendency to group into three separate clusters. However, the performed Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), which is based on genetic distances, showed no anticipated clear grouping. Bayesian structure analysis revealed three genetic clusters. Analysis of FST (0.001–0.027) and Nei genetic distance (0.029–0.084) revealed that the genetic diversity of inter subpopulation in cattle groups was estimated to be lower than the genetic diversity of intra subpopulation.

Ticks are widely distributed blood-sucking ectoparasites and vectors for numerous zoonotic pathogens that cause infectious diseases in humans and animals. The increase in the incidence of tick-borne diseases (TBD) is partially associated with climatic changes, such as shorter and warmer winters, prolonged growing seasons, and also with increasing urbanisation. In recent decades, a rising number of established populations of medically important ticks have been reported in urban and suburban areas such as city parks or suburban forests over many regions in Europe. The transformation of natural ecosystems into urban areas becomes actual significant problem because it could affect the circulation of tick-borne pathogens and increase the risk of infection for humans and domestic animals. Tick-borne pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi s. l., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and Babesia spp., have been detected in urban tick populations in Europe. Such places as parks, leisure-time areas, green spaces, and gardens become endemic zones of tick-borne pathogens. This review describes the investigations on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in urbanised areas conducted in Europe during the last fifteen years (2005–2020).

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious disease of key importance that occurs in wild boar population and domestic pigs. To date, there is no vaccine or treatment available, hence disease surveillance and stamping out in case of an outbreak is the only way to control it. A duplex ASF-IC real-time PCR assay was optimised using field samples obtained in Lithuania and results of singleplex and duplex real-time PCR assays allowing the identification of the ASF virus were compared. The specificity and sensitivity of ASF virus detection was validated using a reference sample of positive and negative virus nucleic acid and ASF virus positive and negative samples obtained from animals in Lithuania. Results prove that duplex ASF-IC real-time PCR assay provides a rapid, sensitive, and reliable molecular tool for ASF virus detection in wild boar population and domestic pigs. In general, it was found that duplex ASF-IC real-time PCR assay proves to be faster and more sensitive than singleplex real-time PCR and therefore has a high potential to be applied in routine analysis.