Pathological anatomy and histology section

Head of the Unit – Viktoras Maskaliovas 

The Pathology Anatomy and Histology Section were established in 2001. The main objective of the section is to execute anatomical examination of the received pathological material, to take pathological material and prepare it for virological, bacteriological and toxicological analysis; to examine transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) by applying histopathological, immunohistochemical and rapid Enfer TSE and Bio-Rad methods; to carry out microscopic analysis of components of animal origin in feeding-stuffs; to evaluate efficiency of oral vaccination of animals from rabies (microscopic examination for identification of tetracycline labeling in jawbones of foxes and raccoon dogs).

 The most important function is examination of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie of bovine and caprine animals (TSEs).

All over 30 months bovine butchered in Lithuania, as well as 24 month old butchered or dead bovine; all over 18 months sheep and goats and dead over 12 months sheep and goats are examined. All carrion delivered for utilisation to the JSC „Rietavas Veterinary Sanitary" from the Republic of Latvia are also examined. So far the results of all tests were negative.

 The programme for monitoring of feedstuffs approved by the State Food and Veterinary Service is also executed. Pursuant to this programme, feeding-stuffs and materials necessary for production of feeding-stuffs, supplements and their composite parts produced by the national producers delivered to the Republic of Lithuania were examined.

The section evaluates efficiency of oral vaccination of wild animals from rabies, and microscopic examination for identification of tetracycline labelling in jawbones of foxes and raccoon dogs. The Project is financed from the EU PHARE funds. It is anticipated to examine 4000 samples from the territory of the Republic of Lithuania where oral vaccination of wild animals is executed. Private veterinarians also take part in the project. They are responsible for delivery of the pathological material to the laboratory.

In 2006 facilities of the National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute designed for pathology anatomy, viral and molecular biology analysis, were renovated. The Section moved to the facilities equipped specifically for execution of pathology, anatomy, histology and feeding-stuff tests. Relevant equipment was acquired from PHARE funds, including modern autopsy room and histology laboratory.

Personnel of the department are constantly upgrading qualification skills in various training courses, internships and workshops in Lithuania and abroad. The department consists of 5 veterinarians, one senior specialist, two laboratory assistants and one auxiliary.