Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an extremely contagious and deadly virus that affects numerous bird species, posing serious threats to poultry production on a global scale. In addition to implementing biosecurity practices in farming systems, vaccination remains the most effective means of controlling Newcastle disease (ND). However, while existing commercial vaccines provide some level of protection, the effectiveness of these vaccines can be questionable, particularly in field settings where the complexity of vaccination program implementation poses significant challenges, especially against virulent genotypes of NDV. A genotype-matched NDV DNA vaccine could potentially offer a more effective vaccination approach than currently available live attenuated vaccines. By being specifically tailored to match circulating strains, such a vaccine might improve efficacy and reduce the risk of vaccine failure due to genotype mismatch. To develop an alternative vaccine approach, two ND DNA vaccines were constructed in this study. Each vaccine developed in this study contains the fusion (F) and haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes of a virulent NDV genotype VII isolate from Tanzania. Interferon lambda-3 (IFNλ3; IL-28b), which has demonstrated capacity to significantly enhance specific adaptive immune responses and decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines, as well as improved protective responses at a high viral challenge dose, was included in one of the developed vaccines. These plasmids were designated pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b and pTwist-F-HN-VII. The two plasmids differed in that pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b contained the cytokine adjuvant IL-28b. Transfection of cells and subsequent immunofluorescence assays indicated that both plasmids expressed high levels of NDV F-HN proteins. In vivo immunization demonstrated that chicks intramuscularly immunized with pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b exhibited significant immune responses compared to chicks immunized with pTwist-F-HN-VII or the commonly used LaSota vaccine (LaSota), which was used as a control. The protective efficacy of pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b was 80% after challenge with the highly virulent NDV strain ON148423, compared to 60% for chicks vaccinated using LaSota, and pTwist-F-HN-VII. The findings of this study indicate that IL-28b can be employed as a molecular adjuvant for NDV vaccines. This study represents a key milestone in Newcastle disease vaccine research, particularly in the development of a genotype-matched DNA vaccine candidate. Additionally, this study demonstrated that the combination of F, HN, and IL-28b elicits an efficacious immune response against virulent NDV strains.

In this study, we observed the effect of the newly isolated probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus reuteri B1/1 on the relative gene expression of selected cytokines (interleukin-15, transforming growth factor-β4), tight junction proteins (E-cadherin, occludin), biomarker active intestinal stem cells - LGR5 (leucine-rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor), markers of mucosal intestinal immunity (mucin-2, immunoglobulin A), as well as the creation of a new biomarker of inflammation in the intestine - calprotectin on an ex vivo model of chicken ileal explant in the prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 infection. The ability of L. reuteri B1/1 to effectively modulate the mucosal immune response under pretreatment conditions in S. Enteritidis PT4 infection in a chicken ileal explant model was confirmed. In addition, our obtained results point to the fact that the new chicken ileum explant model could be a suitable model to investigate or test the influence of natural substances such as probiotic bacteria in the interaction with the intestine as well as pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, the results of our study may contribute to a deeper understanding of the action of newly isolated probiotic bacteria at the intestinal level using ex vivo models such as chicken ileum explant, which are able to mimic in vivo conditions sufficiently.

A recently identified virus, chicken circovirus (ChCV), has been linked to the onset of acute gastroenteritis in chicks, a condition that can have a detrimental impact on the overall health and well-being of chickens in a farming setting. In this study, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for the indirect detection of antibodies against the chicken circovirus (ChCV) through codon optimization, which effectively expressed the capsid protein of the ChCV and utilized it as an encapsulated antigen following purification. In establishing the ELISA method for detecting antibodies using the purified Cap protein as the antigen, the optimal concentration of the antigen was determined to be 1 µg/mL, the optimal blocking solution was identified as 1% bovine serum albumin, the optimal dilution ratio of the serum to be tested was established to be 1:100, and the dilution ratio of the secondary antibody was determined to be 1:5,000. At these thresholds, the sensitivity of the ELISA method was 94.44%, and the specificity was 100%. The testing of 203 clinical samples yielded a positivity rate of 46.8%, indicating that the virus is endemic in chickens. In conclusion, this study established an ELISA method to detect antibodies against chicken circovirus using recombinant Cap protein as antigen, demonstrating good specificity and sensitivity. This lays the foundation for the development of related kits and the detection of infection and epidemiology of chicken circovirus. Meanwhile, the analysis concluded that chicken circovirus infection is more common, and the prevention and control of this disease should be emphasised and strengthened.

Early puppy development is a crucial period that significantly influences a dog's lifelong health, behavior and personality. In this study, the behavioral development of Kangal puppies was investigated through repeated open-field testing, focusing on exploratory behavior, mobility, and responses to novel stimuli. Thirty-three Kangal puppies (20 males and 13 females) from various breeding centers in Sivas Province, Türkiye, were evaluated. The puppies were tested in a controlled open-field environment at 5, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Tests included a novel environment test at 5 weeks and novel object tests at 6 and 8 weeks. Mobility rate, exploration rate, and total distance parameters were measured using automated tracking software (ToxTrac). Qualitative behavioral assessments (QBAs) were performed to evaluate three distinct behavioral and emotional aspects: curiosity, comfort, and fearfulness. The results of these assessments revealed significant increases in curiosity and comfort scores over the testing weeks, with a concomitant decrease in fearfulness. Additionally, tracking data showed increased mobility and decreased exploration rates throughout the testing weeks. Significant correlations were found between curiosity and exploratory behavior, as well as between mobility and comfort scores. Overall, our findings suggest that Kangal puppies exhibit expected behavioral developments in repeated open field testing, with patterns consistent across multiple analyses. These results provide valuable insights into the behavioral development of Kangal puppies and underscore the importance of considering curiosity and other internal motivations in understanding animal behavior.

Degenerative changes in the skeletal system of dogs may occur as a consequence of aging, trauma, infection, or inflammation. The object of this study consisted of an 8-year-old male Labrador dog that was brought to a private veterinary clinic after a road traffic accident and died despite all interventions. For a different study planned in our department, CT images were taken of the Labrador retriever's humerus and osteophytes to encounter incidentally were investigated for found in these images. After the CT scan, the dissected humerus bones were boiled to remove soft tissues. Subsequently, the bones were underwent with a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution for bleaching. Osteophytes in the proximal part of the humerus extended from the tuberculum majus and tuberculum minus towards the cranial direction, forming a complete ring-like structure at the level of the sulcus intertubercularis in the left humerus. Although not fully ring-shaped, similar osteophytes were found in the right humerus. In addition, it was observed that the foramen supratrochleare seen in the left humerus in the CT images was covered with a thin membrane during dissection. The presence of this membrane suggested that it might be due to the joint not being able to reach sufficient extension due to osteophytes forming in the bone. Additionally, it was concluded that CT may not recognize thin, non-mineralized septations, such as the membrane obliterating the supratrochlear foramen, as observed during necropsy.

Pakistan is home to a rich rodent fauna, yet no investigations have been conducted on the presence of Haemogregarines in these animals, leaving their epidemiology and genetic diversity in this subtropical region unexplored. In this study, blood samples from four wild rodent species, Rattus (R.) rattus (n = 122), Mus (M.) musculus (n = 64), Rattus norvegicus (n = 57), and Dryomys nitedula (n = 1), were collected between May 2022 and July 2023 from three districts in Punjab and three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PCR targeting a fragment of 600 base pairs from the 18 S rDNA gene revealed a 2.86% (7/244) prevalence of Haemogregarines in the rodents. DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis confirmed the presence of Hepatozoon spp. and Lankesterella spp. in the blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis indicated genetic diversity in the Pakistani sequences, which clustered with sequences found in reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals from various countries. The prevalence of the parasite varied among rodent species, with R. rattus showing the highest infection rate, followed by R. norvegicus and M. musculus. Female rodents were more frequently infected than males. Infected R. rattus exhibited significant disruptions in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelet counts. Oxidative stress markers indicated elevated superoxide dismutase in the kidney, catalase in the heart, and malondialdehyde in the liver and lungs of infected rodents compared to uninfected ones. This study is an important contribution towards science as it the first report of Haemogregarines and Lankesterella spp. infections among Pakistani rodents.

The aim was to compare the outcomes acquired from the OSA-Vet device with conventional quantitative and qualitative tear tests and between groups within each test, in brachycephalic dogs both healthy and those diagnosed with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The dogs were divided into four groups: healthy dogs (HD), with mild KCS (MIKCS); moderate KCS (MOKCS); severe KCS (SKCS). All patients underwent ocular surface diagnostic examination in the following order, with a 10-minute interval between tests: non-invasive tear film breakup time (TBUTNI - OSA-Vet), tear meniscus height (TMH-OSA-Vet), meniscometry (I-Tear test), Schirmer Tear Test-1 (STT-1), and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Kruskal-Wallis H tests were performed to establish the difference between the groups and Spearman´s correlation coefficient test to assess the correlation between tests. And an analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test was performed for TMH. Results with (p <.05) were considered statistically significant. The correlation of conventional tests in relation to those obtained by OSA-Vet proved to be low, except between TBUTNI (OSA-Vet) and TBUT in MOKCS, with a strong correlation (r =.925). In the comparison between TBUTNI (OSA-Vet) and TBUT in MIKCS the correlation was moderate (r =.547) as well as STT-1 and I-Tear test in MOKCS (r =.416). In the comparison between groups, the main result observed was a significant difference between all the KCS groups and HD, in the TBUT and TBUTNI (OSA-Vet) test. The OSA-Vet and conventional tests are useful for evaluating the ocular surface of brachycephalic dogs. However, the OSA-Vet does not correlate well with conventional standardized tests.

Fungal rhinitis in horses is rare, although severe, due to the progressive nasal obstruction. Aspergillus is one of the fungi most often involved in these cases. A 7-year-old Quarter Horse mare weighing 325 kg was admitted with a history of recurrent nasal discharge and bleeding, foul smell, reluctance to exercise, and abortion. Laboratory and imaging examinations revealed eosinophilia, scarring and erosion areas in the nasal mucosa, purulent and bloody secretions, and remarkable yellowish plaques. Histopathological examination revealed fungal rhinitis and bacterial culture revealed the presence of β-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus sp. Fungal culture and molecular diagnosis confirmed Aspergillus fumigatus as the etiological agent. A tracheostomy was necessary due to the patient's dyspnea. For the treatment, topical application of clotrimazole ointment was carried out in the rostral portion of the nasal cavity once a day and in the caudal portion of the nasal cavity, endoscopic guided every 48 h. In the fifth endoscopy-guided application, a significant improvement was noticed; however, the animal exhibited a hypersensitivity reaction, and the treatment was discontinued. Thus, potassium iodide therapy was initiated (67 mg/kg, PO, SID, 14 days). The patient demonstrated favorable clinical improvement, achieved resolution of the fungal infection, and was discharged after 25 days of hospitalization. Topical clotrimazole demonstrated a probable efficacy as a standalone treatment, although its use had to be prematurely discontinued due to the emergence of a hypersensitivity reaction. The combination of clotrimazole and potassium iodide effectively treated fungal rhinitis in a shorter time than previously reported. This report provides useful guidance for other cases of fungal rhinitis, although further studies are needed.

The effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaf powder (MOLP) supplementation on milk somatic cell scores (SCS), plasma inflammation markers, and plasma antioxidants were studied in 18 multiparous Holstein cows, 10 in early lactation (days in milk; DIM < 100) and eight in mid- and late-lactation (DIM ≥ 100). Nine of these 18 cows (5 + 4 individuals for each lactation stage, respectively) were placed in the MO group and fed with MOLP at 0.3% of partial mixed ration (PMR) dry matter (DM) for 3 weeks, while the other nine represented the control group and were not fed any MOLP supplementation. Milk, blood, and rumen fluid samples were collected on weeks 0 and 3. The SCS and plasma acute phase protein (APP) concentrations in the early lactation cows in the control group increased markedly (P < 0.05) and milk yield decreased significantly, resulting in a difference (P < 0.05) between groups at the end of the experiment. In mid- and late-lactation cows, MOLP supplementation did not affect SCS, milk yields, and plasma APP concentrations. Plasma superoxide dismutase levels in the MO group at both lactation stages were higher (P < 0.05) than in the control group. In conclusion, feeding MOLP at 0.3% of PMR DM to dairy cows for 3 weeks controlled the increase in SCS in the early lactation individuals and the subsequent decrease in milk production as a response to inflammation. The results also suggested that MOLP supplementation was responsible for the increase in antioxidant activity during lactation.

Bovine brucellosis (BB) is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease caused by certain bacteria of the genus Brucella. It has negative health implications for the cattle, economic implications for the owners and is present in numerous cattle and wildlife populations worldwide. To determine the seroprevalence of BB in dual-purpose herds and assess its impact in the southern part of the Department of Atlántico, northern Colombia. 1,000 female cattle were tested for brucellosis, using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect ELISA (iELISA) as screening and confirmatory tests, respectively. Of these, 100 animals tested positive by RBPT and 204 were inconclusive, while 38 positive animals were identified by iELISA. Consequently, the apparent seroprevalence was 3.8%, and the estimated true prevalence was 4.4%. Based on estimates of the economic losses caused by BB, the cost was calculated at $2,496,364 COP ($822 USD) per animal. The costs identified in this study include medication costs, loss of lactation, and others. It highlights the significant impact of BB on food security, particularly concerning the availability of and access to bovine food products, as well as on the economy of livestock farmers in the region.

Smartphone-based technology is increasingly used in veterinary medicine as a complementary tool for cardiac auscultation and ECG recording. This prospective observational study evaluates a digital stethoscope (DS) that consists of simultaneous phonocardiographic and one-lead ECG recording (dECG) in adult horses, comparing it with auscultation using a conventional stethoscope (CS) and reference base-apex ECG (rECG). A total of 104 horses underwent cardiac auscultation using CSs and DSs to detect arrhythmias and murmurs. Audio and dECG were acquired using the DS. The rECG tracings were also recorded. All ECG tracings were blindly evaluated for interpretability, measurements, and diagnosis. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the data distribution. Weighted Cohen's κ and Bland Altman plot analysis were applied to verify the agreement between reference vs. smartphone-based methods. Almost perfect agreement was found in detecting murmurs and/or arrhythmias between auscultation with the CS and DS, and between CS auscultation and re-listening to DS audio. Perfect agreement was observed between re-listening to DS audio and DS auscultation and in detecting murmur timing between CS and DS auscultation. Almost perfect agreement was found between rECG and dECG in detecting bradycardia, tachycardia, or normal heart rate (HR) and for P-wave polarity. The lack of variability with both methods for QRS polarity prevented statistical analyses from being performed. Fair agreement was found in the assessment of the presence of artifact. In conclusion, the DS reliably detected heart murmurs and arrhythmias through direct auscultation and re-listening to recordings, and accurately evaluated HR, wave and interval measurements, P-wave and QRS-complex polarities in adult horses.

Nitrite is usual in water of intensive rearing systems. Considering its oxidative harmful potential, it was selected to challenge matrinxa Brycon amazonicus reared in sustained swimming (SS) (with flowing water adjusted to speed at 1.0 BL seg (long-duration aerobic metabolic characteristic) and evaluate any beneficial effect of such rearing system to enhance the fish potential to cope with this oxidant stressor in fish farmings. Some parameters of oxidative stress, intermediary metabolism and hematometry were measured in matrinxa adapted to SS and exposed to the highest environmental nitrite concentration allowed by law. The experiments were performed in two steps. At first, fish were adapted to exercise under SS for 90 days. Subsequently, adapted fish were exposed to environmental nitrite (1.0 mg L) for 24 h in order to evaluate their physiological responses. The results were compared with fish let in the same environment but from motionless water. Glycogen, glucose, pyruvate, lactate, free amino acids and ammonia were quantified in liver, plasma and muscle. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were assayed in liver and white muscle. Hematometry data were obtained using standard procedures. Sustained swimming practice enhance the hematological capacity of fish, improving oxidative metabolic responses; changing the ability to mobilize carbohydrates for energy purposes; facilitating the energy-dependent detoxification process; and minimizing the mobilization of amino acids for this purpose. In conclusion, the potential of matrinxa adapted to SS to cope with oxidative stress caused by environmental nitrite was enhanced.

A smartphone-based technology combining a digital stethoscope (DS) with simultaneous phonocardiography (PCG) and 1-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the DS for the detection of heart disease in cats considering transthoracic echocardiography as gold standard. The study is prospective and observational inlcuding 42 client-owned cats. All cases underwent auscultation with a conventional stethoscope (CS), recording with the DS, 6-lead ECG and echocardiography. All the recordings were blindly reviewed. The agreement with standard methods was assessed using the Cohen's kappa and the Bland-Altman test. The Fisher's exact test was used to test the effect of shaving on tracings' quality. Intraoperator and interoperator variability were assessed with Cohen's k and Fleiss' k, respectively. Audio recordings obtained with DS were interpretable in 100% of the cats. The agreement between DS and echocardiography in detecting heart disease was substantial (k = 0.714), while between CS and echocardiography the agreement was moderate (k = 0.571). Intraoperator and interoperator agreement was almost perfect (k = 0.904; k = 0.867, respectively). The ECG tracings recorded with the DS were interpretable in 83% of the cats and the device was reliable in assessing basic ECG measurements. No significant differences were found in the quality of the audio and ECG tracings in relation to the shaving condition. Based on the efficacy of detecting cardiac murmurs and gallop sound, the DS can be considered a reliable tool for cardiac auscultation in cats, producing good quality audio and ECG tracings also suitable for possible remote interpretation.

Background- Subclinical electrophysiological derangements occur at birth in foals. Smartphone-based ECG (spECG) is practical tools to assess heart rhythm and was recently validated in foals. Objectives-To assess the heart rate (HR) and rhythm at birth in clinically healthy foals born after spontaneous and induced parturition using a spECG. Animals- Newborn healthy foals born after at term spontaneous (SF) or induced foaling (IF). Methods- Cohort study. In SF and IF groups, a spECG was performed immediately at birth (T0) and after 5 min (T5). SpECG tracings were selected for quality. HR was manually calculated and was compared between groups and time-points. Tracings were manually interpreted for rhythm diagnosis. Results- Eighty-one spECG tracings owing to 42 healthy foals (36 SF, 6 IF) were of adequate quality. There were no significant differences in HR between SF and IF and between T0 and T5 (p > 0.05). Six foals were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and 4 with sinus arrhythmia. Conclusions and clinical importance- The spECG was feasible and detected subclinical arrhythmias at birth. A potential relationship with induced foaling warrants confirmation. Provided good quality tracing is obtained, the device might assist in the clinical assessment at birth, especially in screening high-risk foals.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is commonly found in dairy farms and can invade mammary gland tissue, often causing acute clinical mastitis. Mammary infections with E. coli have shown a wide range of clinical signs, causing abnormal appearance of the milk, udder inflammation and systemic signs of illness. Circular RNA is a class of endogenous non-coding RNA that plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various inflammatory diseases. However, there is little information on the circRNA associated with bovine mastitis. In this study investigated the involvement of circRNAs in bovine mastitis through the construction of an E. coli-infected bovine mastitis model by injecting of E. coli into the mammary gland of dairy cows, using healthy gland mammary tissue as a control (M_C). High-throughput RNA-seq was performed on the E. coli-infected mammary gland tissue (M_E) and differentially expressed circRNAs between theM_C and M_E groups, followed by an analysis of their potential functions using bioinformatics methods. A total of 164 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified, including 92 downregulated circRNAs and 72 upregulated circRNAs. As shown by Gene Ontology enrichment analysis these DE circRNAs were mostly enriched in ras protein signal transduction, cytoplasmic vesicle parts, and enzyme binding, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and genome singal pathway enrichment analysis indicated significant associations with phagosome signal pathway. Additionally, the expression of bovine mastitis-related circRNAs, including novel_circRNA_0000128, novel_circRNA_0011103, novel_circRNA_0012656, novel_circRNA_0015099, novel_circRNA_005648, novel_circRNA_000074, and novel_circRNA_0011796 were verified via quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). These results provide a new direction for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying bovine mastitis.

Macromineral imbalances in ruminants, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, pose a significant challenge to production sustainability and profitability. Heat stress exacerbates these imbalances, negatively impacting physiological functions and productivity. This review examines the effects of heat stress on macromineral levels in ruminants and the need for supplementation under such conditions. Heat stress lowers key macrominerals (Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca + 2, Mg + 2, inorganic P) and disrupts acid-base balance due to thermoregulatory responses and reduced feed intake. Supplementing macrominerals to the diet to achieve higher dietary cation-anion difference helps mitigate heat-related morbidity and maintains ruminant health and productivity. A more practical approach, such as sustained-release macromineral boluses in the rumen, is proposed to provide more consistent benefits. Further researches are warranted to optimize supplementation strategies and fully understand macromineral nutrition for heat-stressed ruminants.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is among the common bovine pathogens worldwide. One of the prominent protection measures of BVDV is vaccination. This study aimed to determine the growth characteristics, inactivation kinetics of vaccine candidates using local BVDV strains [TR-26 (BVDV-1f), TR-21 (BVDV-1l), and TR-15 (BVDV-2b)], and the serological response in experimental animals to inactivated BVDV vaccine formulations prepared with different adjuvants. Optimum MOI values for BVDV strains TR-26, TR-21, and TR-15 were determined as 0.1, 1.0, and 0.01, respectively. In addition, growth curves of TR-26, TR-21, and TR-15 strains were created, and it was determined that they reached the highest titers at 12, 48, and 36 h p.i., respectively. The strains TR-26, TR-21, and TR-15 with titers of 10, 10, and 10 TCID/ml were completely inactivated by 1 mM binary ethyleneimine (BEI) at the 10th, 16th, and 10th hours of treatment, respectively. Guinea pigs were immunized with four vaccine formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4), two with aluminum-based [Al(OH) Al(OH)+Saponin] and two with oil-based (ISA 50 and ISA 206) adjuvants. Neutralization tests were applied to determine the humoral immune response developed after vaccination. Both homologous and heterologous BVDV strains were used for evaluations. Oil adjuvanted vaccines were more efficient to induce antibody titers compared to Al(OH)-based vaccines. In addition, between the oil adjuvanted vaccines, the titers of neutralizing antibodies obtained by Montanide ISA 206 formulation were significantly higher than in Montanide ISA 50 (p < 0.05). Post-vaccinal neutralizing antibodies were detected in the first sampling at 21st day and lasted longer than a 111 days period. The highest antibody response in Guinea pigs was for the strain TR-15. The availability of using BVDV-lf, 1l, and 2b local strains in vaccines and their effectiveness against homologous and heterologous strains have been demonstrated.

The present study investigates the prevalence and etiology of subclinical mastitis in Țurcana sheep flocks located in south-western Romania. Milchtest and California Mastitis Test (CMT), were used for the detection of subclinical mastitis. A number of 360 milk samples across three lactation phases were analyzed. Subclinical mastitis was identified in 146 (40.6%) of sheep milk samples. Only milk samples (n = 146) collected from sheep diagnosed with subclinical mastitis were considered for microbiological analyses. Thus, Staphylococcus aureus (129/146; 88.4%) was identified as the predominant pathogen followed by Streptococcus spp. (14/146; 9.6%) Enterococcus spp. (7/146; 4.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6/146; 4.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (5/146; 3.4%). Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. was also tested. The results showed varying resistance patterns depending on the farm and microorganism. In heard A the highest resistance of Staphylococcus aureus was identified to polymyxin B (79.7%) followed by novobiocin (73.4%) and tetracycline (45.3%); Streptococcus spp. to streptomycin (100%), novobiocin (100%), tetracycline (100%) and Enterococcus spp. to tylosin (100%), streptomycin (75.0%) and tetracycline (75.0%). In herd B, Staphylococcus aureus showed high resistance rates to polymyxin B (86.3%), novobiocin (74.5%) and cloxacillin (39.2%); Streptococcus spp. strains to streptomycin (100%), novobiocin (100%), tetracycline (100%) and Enterococcus spp. to gentamicin (100%), streptomycin (66.7%) and erythromycin (66.7%). The obtained preliminary results indicate a potential risk that future treatments of sheep mastitis may not be effective, and demonstrated that raw unpasteurized milk can harbor antimicrobial resistance pathogens posing a threat to public health. However, further investigations involving molecular research on resistance genes are required to draw comprehensive conclusions.

Southern greater gliders (Petauroides volans) are endangered Australian marsupials for which there is little health data currently available. Chlamydia pecorum is the only reported pathogen of greater gliders and infects a broad range of hosts, including other marsupials, ruminants, swine and birds. Conjunctival and cloacal swabs collected from thirty-two southern greater gliders across southeastern New South Wales, Australia were screened for Chlamydia spp. by 23S real-time PCR. None of the ninety-six swabs tested returned a positive result for Chlamydia DNA. We found no evidence of Chlamydia infection among the four geographically disparate populations sampled, suggesting that Chlamydia may not pose a widespread health risk to southern greater gliders in this region, based on the current data. However, various clinical signs of ophthalmic pathology were observed, warranting further investigation to determine their underlying aetiology.

Tenebrio molitor meal represents a promising protein source for animal nutrition due to its low environmental impact and high nutritional value. To date, there is limited data in the literature regarding the effects of Tenebrio molitor meal on the modulation of gut microbiota in growing animals, with most results focusing on poultry rather than pigs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing fermented soy protein concentrate with Tenebrio molitor meal on gut microbiota and feed digestibility in growing pigs. A total of 14 growing pigs (80 ± 2 days old) were randomly allotted to two groups: the control group (CON) was fed a commercial diet containing 4% fermented soy protein concentrate (48% crude protein), and the treatment group (TM) was fed a basal diet containing 5% of T. molitor larvae meal formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The study lasted 28 days. Animals were weekly weighted and feed refuse was routinely measured. Fecal, blood samples, and rectal swabs were collected for analysis. No differences were observed in growth and diet digestibility for the protein and lipid components throughout the trial. No differences in the serum concentrations of albumin, globulin, urea, and interleukin-6 were registered in both groups, suggesting an unaltered health status. The TM group showed a significant difference in the beta diversity index considering the total duration of the trial (treatment effect evaluated with PERMANOVA, R 0.0771, p value = 0.0099) showing an increased abundance of Elusimicrobium spp. and a decrease in Asteroplasma spp. in TM compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Obtained findings indicate that 5% T. molitor meal can be included as a partial replacement for soy in growing pig formula without impairing pig growth and gut microbiota composition.

There are few reports on long-term treatment of bovine osteomyelitis. In this study, two cattle (Japanese black heifer and calf) suffered damage to the dorsal metatarsal below the tarsus due to their hind limbs becoming caught in a metal fence, with consequent struggling and thrashing, causing osteomyelitis of the metatarsal. We present these two cases of osteomyelitis of the metatarsal and compare their: clinical conditions, effects of long-term treatment, and clinical outcomes. In Case 1, the heifer underwent surgical removal of the sequestrum, followed by washing the wound with antibiotics, and was cured within 130 days of treatment. In case 2, treatment for the calf was focused on washing the osteomyelitis and controlling the inflammation with antibiotics without surgical treatment, thereby reducing the cost of treatment, and was cured within 155 days of treatment. As a result, the hospital stay in Case 1 was shorter than in Case 2. In conclusion, in this case report with an adult cow and a calf, long-term washing of the wound and surgical removal of the sequestrum are effective measures against bovine osteomyelitis caused by metatarsal contusion involving a hind limb.