Veterinary Research Communications最新文献

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, biofilm-forming ability, virulence gene profiles, and associated risk levels of Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium isolated along the farm-to-fork meat production continuum in Kayseri, Türkiye. Out of 348 samples analyzed, Enterococcus spp. were detected in 209 (60%) of the samples, of which 41 (20%) were E. faecalis and 48 (23%) were E. faecium. Both strains were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, and 35 isolates (39%) exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). Among the tested antibiotics, resistance rates were particularly high for tetracycline (66% in E. faecalis, 69% in E. faecium) and erythromycin (56% and 58%, respectively); resistance to vancomycin (10% in each species) and ciprofloxacin (12% in E. faecalis and 13% in E. faecium) was low but consistently occurred in combination with resistance to other antibiotics and exclusively within multidrug resistance patterns. All isolates formed biofilms, with 55% being strong producers, of which 88% carried the gelE and/or efa gene. Strong biofilm formation was correlated with higher MDR rates (51% in strong biofilm producers and 25% in weak producers), peaking at 58% in E. faecalis strong producers. Risk scoring classified up to 40% of isolates as high risk. These findings suggest that enterococci may contribute to food contamination and serve as potential reservoirs of resistance and virulence, underscoring the relevance of farm-level hygiene, rational antibiotic use, and targeted surveillance within a One Health framework.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1 genotype), the predominant causative agent of zoonotic cystic echinococcosis, continues to jeopardize public health across the pastoral ecosystems of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Here, we provide a novel molecular genetic evidence from the Qinghai Lake by investigating hydatid cysts in two key livestock species sheep and yaks. Through an innovative dual-marker strategy targeting mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes, we conducted PCR amplification and haplotype analysis, combined with maximum likelihood (ML)-based phylogenetic reconstruction and divergence time estimation. The results demonstrated that all 13 positive samples belonged to the Echinococcus granulosus genotype 1 of E. granulosus s. s. and reveal a pivotal Miocene-Pliocene divergence event (5.8 ± 0.5 million years ago) within Echinococcus spp., establishing critical evolutionary benchmarks. This study not only provides updated epidemiological data on echinococcosis in the Qinghai Lake, but more importantly, deliver critical molecular evidence for precision control of zoonotic diseases in high-altitude pastoral ecosystems.

Background: Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis in humans and animals, has been implicated in acute infections with high mortality rates in animal hosts and in mastitis in dairy cattle. It has intrinsic resistance to a wide range of antibiotics and is also known to possess a multitude of virulence determinants. This study provides baseline data on the occurrence of this pathogen in bovine milk samples in Osogbo, Southwestern Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 371 milk samples collected from dairy cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis were assessed for the presence of B. pseudomallei using phenotypic microbiological techniques, confirmed by molecular methods. Selected resistance (folA, folP, Omp38, bpeE and bpeF) and virulence (bsaU, pili/fimbriae, bimA, tssA and wbiE) genes were screened for using self-designed specific primers, while antibiotic susceptibility testing against clinically relevant antibiotics was via the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique.

Results: Molecular identification confirmed 16 isolates (4.31%) as B. pseudomallei. Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, imipenem, tetracycline and ceftazidime was absolute (100.0%), trailed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) at 93.8%. Meropenem exhibited the highest activity in vitro, as 93.8% of isolates were susceptible to it. All isolates (100.0%) were classified as extremely drug-resistant (XDR), with multiple antibiotic resistance indices ≥ 0.2. All isolates (100.0%) also harboured both resistance and virulence determinants, with 68.8% having ≥ 6 genes - 93.75% had the folP gene. The predominant virulence gene was BsaU, detected in 87.5% of isolates. No isolates had the wbiE gene.

Conclusion: The presence of XDR strains and carriage of multiple resistance and virulence genes in B. pseudomallei strains portend serious implications in affected dairy cattle. This study recommends prudent antibiotic use in dairy cattle and the proper processing of milk before consumption to limit the risk of zoonotic transmission.

Over the years, Staphylococcus nepalensis has been reported in some species of wild and domestic animals, indicating a broad ecological distribution and has a significant impact on a variety of other species, from mammals to reptiles, which can serve as its environmental reservoir. In addition, concerns around human health endows a nosocomial importance. The aim was to report the isolation and identification of S. nepalensis in the oral cavity of Lampropeltis triangulum under human management in a zoological park. The single isolate was identified by MALDI-TOF and underwent Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST). The antimicrobial resistance profile tested for eleven different classes of drugs revealed a high rate of sensitivity. It is necessary to reinforce the importance of monitoring and controlling the use of antimicrobials in veterinary settings and wildlife management practices, thus preventing the spread of multidrug-resistant strains that could render therapeutic protocols ineffective and pose a risk to public health. This study expands the known host range of S. nepalensis and underscores the need for surveillance in reptile species.

To compare surgical time, incision length, intraoperative bleeding, and post-operative pain in cats undergoing three different ovariectomy techniques: open surgery with pedicle ligation using sutures, open surgery using a bipolar vessel-sealing device, and a two-port laparoscopic approach. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 27 healthy female cats assigned to three treatment groups (n = 9 per group). Surgical variables were recorded intraoperatively, and post-operative pain was assessed using a validated feline pain scale at hourly intervals over four hours. The laparoscopic group had the shortest incision length (mean 10.0 mm, SD 0.0) compared to the suture (mean 33.3 mm, SD 5.6) and bipolar device groups (mean 28.7 mm, SD 6.4). Surgical time was significantly shorter in the BVSD (27.0 ± 9.6 min) and LOVE groups (30.2 ± 5.2 min) compared with the Suture group (43.9 ± 14.4 min; one-way ANOVA, p = 0.005; Tukey post-hoc p < 0.05 vs. Suture for both comparisons). Post-operative pain scores at one hour (T1) were lower in the LOVE group (median 4 [IQR 3-5]) than in both open groups (Suture: 9 [IQR 8-9]; BVSD: 7 [IQR 6-8]; Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.014; Dunn's post-hoc p < 0.05 vs. BVSD and trend towards lower scores vs. Suture). Only 1 of 9 cats requiring rescue analgesia versus 7 of 9 in each open group. The laparoscopic approach was associated with lower post-operative pain scores and a reduced need for rescue analgesia compared to open ovariectomy techniques, suggesting improved perioperative comfort. Although the laparoscopic group showed a significantly shorter surgical time compared with the suture group, this observation should be interpreted cautiously due to potential operator- and case-dependent variability. Nevertheless, laparoscopic ovariectomy in cats should be considered a promising and welfare-oriented technique that warrants further investigation.

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), or Gumboro disease, is an acute, highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects young chickens, causing immunosuppression and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the genetic and pathological features of recent IBD outbreaks in Kashmir, India. A total of 32 suspected outbreaks were investigated from 2021 to 2023 across three districts: Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam. Bursal tissues were collected for both histopathology and molecular detection. RT-PCR targeting the hypervariable region (HVR) of the VP2 gene confirmed IBDV infection in 29 samples (90.63%), yielding a 912 bp amplicon. Four representative strains (GDK1-GDK4) were sequenced, showing 99.89% nucleotide identity. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these isolates under Genotype A3, closely related to the Indian vvIBDV strain MF142522 and distinctly separate from commonly used vaccine strains (Genotype A1), suggesting possible vaccine mismatch. Clinically, affected birds exhibited depression, anorexia, diarrhea, and ruffled feathers. Gross lesions included hemorrhages in the thigh and breast muscles, and severe bursal enlargement with hemorrhagic folds. Histopathological findings revealed hemorrhages at interfollicular junctions, lymphoid depletion, heterophilic infiltration, interfollicular fibroplasia, and cystic degeneration of follicles. Besides the bursa, lesions were also noted in the kidneys, thymus, and caecal tonsils. These findings confirmed the involvement of vvIBDV strains in the outbreaks. The study highlights the genetic divergence of circulating field strains from vaccine strains and emphasizes the need for continuous molecular surveillance and vaccine reevaluation to control the disease effectively in this region. The distinct ecological and poultry trade dynamics of Kashmir may contribute to the emergence and persistence of such virulent strains.

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) include several zoonoses and represent an important concern where veterinarians play a major role. Although usually responsible for asymptomatic infections in animals and humans, these agents may also have fatal consequences in immunocompromised patients. In this study, different categories of dogs from the Campania region (southern Italy) were investigated for three canine vector-borne bacteria (i.e., Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, Mycoplasma haemocanis, and Bartonella spp.) by using specific real-time PCR protocols. Out of 187 dogs, 45 (i.e., 24.1%) tested positive for at least one pathogen, with Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (14.4%) being the most prevalent, followed by Mycoplasma haemocanis (12.8%) and Bartonella spp. (1.6%). Coinfections with more than one agent were observed in 4.8% of the samples. The analysis of risk variables indicated province, activity, and lifestyle as risk factors associated with greater prevalence values. Non-hunting dogs (OR = 0.11) showed a significantly lower likelihood of being positive for at least one infection. Living outdoors (OR = 3.46), in Salerno province (OR = 13), had a higher likelihood of testing positive for at least one hemotropic species. These findings revealed a wide distribution of CBVDs in dog populations of the study area, clearly underlining the necessity for effective efforts to minimize ectoparasite activity.

The South American coati (Nasua nasua) is increasingly affected by anthropogenic pressures, making safe handling and physiological monitoring essential for conservation programs. This study aimed to characterize electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters in anesthetized free-ranging coatis and establish preliminary reference values. Ten female coatis (3 kits, 4 juveniles, 3 adults) were captured in Iguaçu National Park, Brazil, and chemically immobilized with intramuscular tiletamine-zolazepam (7 mg/kg). ECG recordings were obtained 30 min post-administration using standard bipolar and unipolar limb leads. Parameters measured included P and T wave amplitudes and durations, QRS complex, PR interval (PRi), QT interval (QTi), RR interval (RRi), ST segment, and mean electrical axes. Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed using time-domain and nonlinear methods. All coatis exhibited normal sinus rhythm with well-defined ECG waveforms. PRi values (0.062 ± 0.005 s) were concordant with predicted allometric values (p = 0.083), indicating appropriate atrioventricular conduction. QRS morphology and mean electrical axis (71°-156°). No significant differences in ECG or HRV parameters were observed across age groups, indicating stable cardiac electrical activity and autonomic regulation. This study provides the first detailed ECG description for anesthetized coatis, expanding knowledge of their cardiac physiology. The reference values can inform clinical monitoring, field procedures, and conservation interventions.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) refers to all mycobacteria except Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). In recent years, its incidence and prevalence have been increasing worldwide, which has attracted the attention of medical and scientific research circles. We determined the immune mechanism of Mycobacterium neoaurum (M. neoaurum) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) by studying the association between M. neoaurum and BCG infection and the release of IL-1β and IL-18, the assembly of inflammatory body, and pyroptosis. Macrophages were infected with M. neoaurum and BCG. The secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 was detected by ELISA, and the gene expression and protein expression of IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, AIM2, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot. NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome assembly was induced by M. neoaurum and BCG infection in mouse macrophages, which activated caspase-1 and induced the maturation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. The secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 were regulated by ATP-dependent K⁺ channel. At the same time, M. neoaurum and BCG infection can also induce pyroptosis. This study was limited by the lack of in vivo mouse experiments. The research findings suggest that the activation of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes may be involved in the host defense against M. neoaurum and BCG, and the process of pyroptosis may also be related to this.