Veterinary Medicine and Science最新文献

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonotic disease that poses risks to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Despite considerable efforts, no licensed vaccines are currently available for humans or animals. Rational vaccine design increasingly relies on immunoinformatics approaches to identify immunodominant epitopes and key immunological features.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterise the Toxoplasma gondii-secreted protein with an altered thrombospondin repeat (TgSPATR) using immunoinformatics tools to evaluate its suitability as a vaccine candidate.

Methods: A comprehensive panel of bioinformatics servers was used to predict allergenicity, solubility, antigenicity, secondary and tertiary structures, post-translational modification (PTM) regions, and B- and T-cell epitopes, followed by in silico immune simulation.

Results: TgSPATR consists of 534 amino acids with an estimated molecular weight of ∼57 kDa. The aliphatic index (65.71) and GRAVY score (-0.507) indicate moderate thermostability and an overall hydrophilic nature. Additionally, a total of 120 PTM sites were predicted, including phosphorylation, O- and N-glycosylation, and palmitoylation sites. Secondary structure analysis (GOR IV, SOPMA, and NetSurfP-3.0) revealed a predominance of random coils. Moreover, multiple servers (BcePred, SVMTriP, ABCpred, IEDB, ElliPro, and CTLpred) identified several high-scoring B- and T-cell epitopes capable of binding MHC class I and II molecules. According to SAVES v6.1, 74.1% and 93.8% of the residues of the initial and refined 3D models were located in favoured regions, indicating improved structural quality after refinement. In line with this, the ERRAT score also increased from 89.557 to 95.046. TgSPATR was predicted to be immunogenic and non-allergenic. Finally, virtual immune simulation using the C-ImmSim server showed that TgSPATR can elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses following three injections.

Conclusions: This study provides foundational evidence that TgSPATR possesses key immunogenic properties and may serve as a promising vaccine candidate against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. Nonetheless, wet-lab experiments are required to validate these computational findings.

Background: Epizootic lymphangitis (EEL), caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (HCF), is a neglected equine fungal disease lacking effective vaccines. The newly developed inactivated '8ZH' vaccine requires safety validation in the target species.

Objectives: To evaluate the biochemical, haematological and clinical safety of the inactivated HCF '8ZH' vaccine in foals.

Methods: A controlled, single-blinded study was conducted on 30 clinically healthy foals (4-6 months), randomized into vaccinated (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Vaccinated animals received a 5 mL intramuscular dose (10 mg antigen, MONTANIDE GEL 01 PR adjuvant) on Day 0 and a booster on Day 21. Clinical observations (temperature, appetite, behaviour, injection site) were recorded daily. Blood was collected at baseline and on Days 7, 14, 21, 35 and 42 for biochemical, haematological and acute-phase protein analysis. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: No severe or adverse reactions were observed. Mild, transient injection-site swelling (< 4 cm) occurred in three vaccinated foals and resolved spontaneously. All animals maintained normal temperature and appetite. AST showed a transient increase on Day 14 (p = 0.04); WBC also rose (p = 0.03), indicating a typical immune response. Other parameters, including ALT, GGT, creatinine, total bilirubin and acute-phase proteins (SAA, fibrinogen, haptoglobin), remained within physiological limits. No statistically significant long-term deviations or toxic effects were noted.

Conclusions: The inactivated HCF '8ZH' vaccine demonstrated a favourable safety profile in foals. These results support its continued development for use in EEL prevention programs.

Background: This study aimed to identify the primary factors influencing the economic sustainability of sheep enterprises in Türkiye.

Materials and methods: Data were collected through face-to-face surveys conducted with 201 enterprises across Ankara, Balıkesir, Erzurum, Eskişehir and Konya during the 2023 production period. The sample was selected using stratified random sampling, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software, incorporating both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Results: The results identified five key dimensions explaining economic sustainability: financial sustainability, innovation and investment, welfare, marketing and technical/productivity factors. The 'Enterprise Performance Scale' developed for this study proved to be a valid and reliable instrument (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin [KMO] = 0.853; Cronbach's alpha = 0.867). Among these dimensions, the technical/productivity factor exhibited the highest influence and showed strong correlations with other factors (r = 0.828). The findings suggest that economic sustainability is a multidimensional construct, with the identified factors complementing one another.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that economic sustainability in sheep enterprises is shaped by a multidimensional structure in which financial, technical and organizational capacities complement one another. Strengthening these dimensions particularly through improved marketing, technology adoption and producer cooperation can directly inform policy strategies aimed at enhancing the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the sheep farming sector in Türkiye.

A 7-year-old, 3.44-kg, spayed female Poodle was referred for acute kidney injury following firocoxib administration. Initial diagnostics revealed severe uraemia, oliguria and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Despite fluid resuscitation and diuretic therapy, oliguria persisted, necessitating haemodialysis. On Day 2, post-haemodialysis, the patient developed progressive pulmonary infiltration. The acute onset of tachypnoea, in the absence of cardiac disease or fluid overload, suggested noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Differential diagnoses included uraemic pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and transfusion-related acute lung injury. After three haemodialysis sessions, urine output increased to polyuria; however, respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities persisted. By Day 7, pulmonary infiltration had significantly decreased on radiographs, although tachypnoea remained. As polyuria continued, uraemia and radiographic findings progressively improved and tachypnoea resolved by Day 12. The patient was discharged, and by Day 18, follow-up radiographs confirmed complete resolution of pulmonary changes. In this case report, we documented the serial progression and resolution of severe noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema, successfully managed with haemodialysis and supportive care, highlighting the therapeutic importance of addressing the primary uraemic insult.

Background: Most laying hen diets are based on corn-soybean meal, in which methionine and lysine are limiting amino acids.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate on the effects of digestible lysine (dLys) and total sulphur amino acids (dTSAA) levels in the diet on productive performance of aged laying hens.

Methods: A total of 384 Shaver White laying hens aged 105‒116 weeks were used in a randomized complete block design as a 2×4 factorial, with 8 treatments and 6 replicates of 8 hens each. Main effects included dLys concentrations of 0.75% and 0.80% and dTSAA of 0.70%, 0.73%, 0.76% and 0.79% of diet.

Results: Diet containing 0.80% dLys and 0.73% dTSAA increased egg weight (EW) during 109‒112 week and overall period (p < 0.05). The interaction effects of dLys and dTSAA at the levels of 0.80 dLys along with 0.73% dTSAA resulted in the highest EW at the age of 105‒108 weeks (p < 0.05). Egg mass, egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg quality indices including albumen quality, shell thickness, yolk, albumen and shell percentages were not significantly affected by the different levels of dLys and dTSAA in the diet.

Conclusions: Increasing the level of dTSAA in the diet increased EW, but increasing the level of dLys had no significant effect on this index. The highest EW was observed in dLys 0.80% with dTSAA 0.73% and the lowest EW was observed in dLys 0.75% with dTSAA 0.79% during 105-116 weeks of age. The highest egg specific gravity was observed in the dLys level 0.75% with dTSAA 079%.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of flushing diet supplemented with omega-6 and omega-3 sources on reproductive performance and blood biochemical parameters in ewes. Twenty-five Shall ewes (30 ± 6 months) allocated to a completely randomized design with three experimental groups: (1) control diet with no fat supplementation (CON, n = 9), (2) control diet supplemented with calcium salt of soybean oil (CSSO, n = 8) and (3) diet supplemented with calcium salt of flaxseed oil (CSFO, n = 8). The ratio of omega-6/omega-3 in CON, CSSO and CSFO groups was 3.2, 5.3 and 1.5, respectively. The oestrous cycle of all ewes was synchronized with a progesterone-impregnated sponge for a period of 13 days. From 4 days before to one day after removing sponges, the growth and activity of ovarian follicles were checked using transrectal ultrasound technique. Results showed supplementation diet with CSFO increased the number of large follicles near the time of sponge removal (p < 0.05). The CSFO group showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in progesterone concentration on Day 12 post-oestrus and improved oxidative status with decreasing (p < 0.05) in MDA and increasing (p = 0.06) TAC. The CSSO supplementation increased (p < 0.05) blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels. However, numerically higher prolificacy and fecundity were observed in the CSFO group. In conclusion, CSFO supplementation enhanced follicular growth and luteal function without affecting oestrus timing and reproductive outcome in Shall ewes.

Introduction: Neosporosis is an infectious disease responsible for abortions in dairy cattle worldwide. This study aimed to detect Neospora caninum (N. caninum) in cattle and sheep in Palestine and to characterise the identified isolates genetically.

Methods: A total of 124 brain tissue specimens were obtained from slaughtered animals at Jericho abattoir, comprising 106 cattle (85%) and 18 sheep (15%). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the Nc-5 gene and DNA Sanger sequencing were performed sequentially for the detection of N. caninum. The genetic variation and population structure were investigated using the MS10 microsatellite marker.

Results: Neospora caninum DNA was detected in 24.2% (30/124) of samples, with cattle showing a higher infection rate (25.5%) compared to sheep (16.7%). DNA sequencing of 17 randomly selected positive samples confirmed the infection. Phylogenetic and genetic clustering analyses, incorporating 309 global N. caninum samples, including 17 from Palestine, revealed minimal genetic diversity and indicated the presence of two main clusters that were not associated with either geographical origin or host species. The Palestinian isolates are highly monomorphic, forming a single genetic cluster with three MS10 alleles, of which the ACT allele predominated (76%).

Conclusion: This study successfully identified and characterised N. caninum in cattle and sheep from Palestine compared to the worldwide available MS10 repeats. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of N. caninum distribution and genetic diversity. Based on our study findings, we recommend implementing routine surveillance programmes for N. caninum in livestock to enable early detection and reduce economic losses.

This study investigated the effects of enzyme-treated and fermented guar meal (GM) at varying inclusion levels (3%, 6% and 9%) on broiler performance, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility and ileal histomorphology during the finisher phase. Birds fed fermented or enzyme-treated GM at 3% and 6% levels showed significantly higher feed intake, body weight gain and improved feed conversion ratios (p < 0.01) compared to those receiving 9% inclusion or untreated GM. Apparent digestibility of crude protein, fibre, energy and minerals (Ca and P) was markedly enhanced in birds fed treated GM, particularly at 3% inclusion. Carcass yield and eviscerated weight were superior in fermented and enzyme-treated groups at 3% inclusion, while abdominal fat was reduced. Histological evaluation revealed improved villus height, surface area and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in treated groups, with fermented GM at 3% showing the most favourable gut morphology. In contrast, 9% untreated GM impaired nutrient utilization and gut structure. Overall, dual modification of GM via fermentation or enzyme treatment, particularly at lower inclusion levels (3% and 6%), enhances broiler performance and intestinal health, making it a viable strategy for alternative protein supplementation in broiler diets.

Objective: To report a case of a ruptured gallbladder intramural haematoma with a concurrent ruptured gallbladder mucocele in a dog.

Animal: A 10-year-old neutered male Poodle mix.

Study design: Case report.

Case history: The patient was presented for assessment of anorexia, vomiting and a severe mixed hepatopathy. Abdominal ultrasound revealed peritoneal effusion and a ruptured gallbladder mass with a concurrent gallbladder mucocele suspected. Evaluation of the abdominal fluid was supportive of a haemoabdomen with simultaneous bile peritonitis. Emergent cholecystectomy was pursued and two points of rupture were noted, one at the gallbladder neck and a second associated with the mass-like lesion. The gallbladder was submitted for histopathologic analysis.

Results: Cholecystectomy was performed routinely. Histopathology revealed a ruptured intramural gallbladder haematoma with concurrent gallbladder mucocele. The dog recovered well from surgery and was discharged 2 days post-operatively. Owner reports no clinical concerns at 2 months post-operatively.

Conclusion: Gallbladder intramural haematoma is a rare clinical finding in veterinary medicine, but should be considered in diagnostic workup for gallbladder masses.

This case report highlights Serratia marcescens as a causative agent of deep pyoderma in a Border Collie which presented with multiple erythematous lesions on the abdomen and back. The diagnosis of deep pyoderma was confirmed through clinical evaluation and bacterial identification. This case is the first reported instance of S. marcescens infection in a dog in China, and it was successfully managed with targeted antibiotic therapy.