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Vet. Sci., Volume 12, Issue 7 (July 2025) – 6 articles

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12 pages, 694 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Outer Membrane Protein 16 in Brucella Pathogenesis, Vaccine Development, and Diagnostic Applications

by Lu Zhang, Jun Bai, Long Li, Yanqing Jia, Xinxin Qiu, Yan Luo, Dong Zhou and Zhencang Zhang

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(7), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070605 - 20 Jun 2025

Abstract

Brucellosis, caused by Brucella species, remains a significant zoonotic disease affecting both human and animal health worldwide. Among the outer membrane proteins (Omps) of Brucella, Omp16 has emerged as a key immunogenic target with potential applications in vaccine development and diagnostics. Omp16, a lipidated peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein, stimulates a strong proinflammatory response and is essential for maintaining the bacterial outer membrane integrity and facilitating host cell invasion. This review examines the immunogenic properties of Omp16, its role in Brucella pathogenesis, and its potential as a candidate for vaccine development. We discuss how Omp16-based vaccines, including recombinant proteins, outer membrane vesicles, and viral vector vaccines, have shown promise in providing protection against Brucella infections in animal models. Additionally, Omp16’s utility in diagnostic applications, particularly in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), offers a reliable method for detecting brucellosis in both humans and animals. Overall, Omp16 represents a crucial antigen with significant potential for advancing both the diagnosis and prevention of brucellosis, offering insights into the next generation of brucellosis vaccines and diagnostic tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)

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8 pages, 2259 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Successful Management of a Pancreatic Abscess in a Dog with Juvenile Diabetes Mellitus Through Ultrasound-Guided Drainage and Medical Therapy

by Alexandra Daravigka, Stefanos Ninis, Panagiotis Bourdekas, Alexandros O. Konstantinidis, Argyrios Ginoudis, Katerina K. Adamama-Moraitou, Maria Lyraki and Nektarios Soubasis

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(7), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070604 - 20 Jun 2025

Abstract

A five-month-old female mixed-breed dog presented with a two-week history of polyuria, polydipsia, and vomiting. Clinical examination revealed poor body condition, growth retardation, pale oral mucous membranes, weak pulse, and prolonged capillary refill time. Laboratory findings included neutrophilic leukocytosis with a regenerative left shift, fasting hyperglycemia, elevated fructosamine, glycated hemoglobin, and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, while the acid–base balance remained normal. Canine-specific pancreatic lipase and trypsin-like immunoreactivity concentrations ruled out an underlying pancreatitis or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, respectively. Urinalysis showed glycosuria and ketonuria. Supportive care included antibiotics and regular insulin administration. Abdominal ultrasonography identified a pancreatic cavity with a thick wall and mixed echogenic fluid. Ultrasound-guided drainage was performed without complications. Cytology confirmed a pancreatic abscess with pyogranulomatous inflammation, though the culture results were negative. The dog was discharged with intermediate-acting lente insulin. Follow-up ultrasonographic evaluations at 7, 14, and 21 days and 5 months post-drainage showed no recurrence. The diabetes remained well-controlled one year post-discharge. This case report describes the successful management of a dog with juvenile diabetes mellitus complicated by a pancreatic abscess, highlighting the effectiveness of percutaneous ultrasound-guided drainage combined with medical therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Internal Medicine)

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17 pages, 1324 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Field Study on Sow Mortality in 15 Belgian Pig Farms

by Caroline Bonckaert, Charlotte Brossé, Tamara Vandersmissen, Nermin Caliskan, Ellen Buys, Ilias Chantziaras and Dominiek Maes

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(7), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070603 - 20 Jun 2025

Abstract

Sow mortality is a critical issue in intensive pig farming, impacting animal welfare, farm sustainability, and profitability. This study investigated the occurrence and causes of sow mortality on 15 Flemish sow farms, focusing on management practices, housing conditions, feeding strategies, and genetics. The average sow mortality rate across the farms was 11.4% in 2022, which decreased to 8.1% in 2023 following the implementation of targeted control measures. Necropsies performed on 100 deceased sows, coming from the 15 different farms, revealed that the primary causes of mortality were positional changes in internal organs (32%), arthritis (19%), and urogenital disorders (7%). Key recommendations to reduce sow mortality included optimizing sow health and body condition, improving housing and feeding management, and addressing genetic factors. The study highlights the multifaceted nature of sow mortality and the importance of a comprehensive approach to mitigate risks and improve sow welfare and productivity. Full article

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12 pages, 2046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Giant Panda Transferrin Receptor Facilitates Feline Parvovirus Infection to Drive Cross-Species Transmission

by Qigui Yan, Huanyuan Hu, Shan Zhao, Qin Zhao, Rui Wu, Xiaobo Huang, Yiping Wang, Yiping Wen, Yi Zheng, Fei Zhao, Sanjie Cao, Senyan Du and Yifei Lang

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(7), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070602 - 20 Jun 2025

Abstract

Feline parvovirus (FPV) causes feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious disease in cats, marked by severe leukopenia, biphasic fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and hemorrhagic enteritis. Recently, FPV infection in giant pandas has increased, causing diarrhea and ultimately fatal outcomes, thereby threatening their survival and reproduction. Here, we investigated the transmission of FPV in giant pandas and its interaction with cellular receptors using an FPV strain (pFPV-sc) isolated from giant panda feces. Recombinant feline transferrin receptor 1 (fTfR1) and the giant panda ortholog (gpTfR1) were expressed in non-susceptible HEK293T and HeLa cells, while viral infection levels were measured to determine the effect of gpTfR1 on pFPV-sc replication. The findings indicated that gpTfR1 overexpression in non-susceptible cells significantly enhanced pFPV-sc replication, particularly influencing the viral attachment and internalization stages. Our data further revealed early-stage colocalization between gpTfR1 expression and virus infection, suggesting that gpTfR1 facilitates early viral infection and replication. Taken together, our study provides the first evidence on the mechanism of FPV cross-species infection in giant pandas and elucidates the interaction between gpTfR1 and FPV, which establishes a theoretical basis for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies, thereby safeguarding the health and survival of giant panda populations from FPV. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Crossroads: The Interface Between Wildlife and Domestic Animal Health)

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14 pages, 1964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies Against the gD Protein of Feline Herpesvirus Type-1 by mRNA Immunization

by Chengqi Zhang, Yawen Liu, Guangrong Zhao, Bo Hu, Liwen Xu, Jiajia Liu, Yajie Sun, Xiaolan Guo, Xiaoyu Deng, Shizhen Lian, Tiyun Han, Mengwei Xu, Shi Xu and Xue Bai

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(7), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070601 - 20 Jun 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to develop monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the gD protein of FHV-1 for rapid and specific virus detection. The gD protein, a highly conserved part of the FHV-1 envelope, is crucial for viral entry into host cells, making it an ideal detection target. We immunized BALB/c mice with an mRNA vaccine encoding the gD gene, achieving a serum antibody titer of 1:140,000 after three immunizations. The mice were then boosted with recombinant gD protein. Through cell fusion and multiple subcloning rounds, we obtained five hybridoma cell lines (D7, E4, E9, E10, and E19) that stably secrete anti-gD protein mAbs. Characterization by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot showed that mAbs D7 and E4 have high specificity and strong binding activity against FHV-1, detectable at 2 μg/mL. These mAbs provide specific tools for FHV-1 detection and a basis for developing rapid diagnostic methods using ELISA, colloidal gold, and other technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gastrointestinal Disease and Health in Pets)

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12 pages, 2884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multivariate Analysis of Microbiological and Incubation Parameters in Hatching Eggs Sanitized with or Without Essential Oils

by Gabriel da Silva Oliveira, Concepta McManus and Vinícius Machado dos Santos

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(7), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070600 - 20 Jun 2025

Abstract

Aspects related to the contamination of hatching eggs, sanitary management during pre-incubation, and the performance of the incubation process can compromise productive efficiency in poultry farming. When these factors negatively influence poultry farming, they can destabilize the generation and distribution of financial resources throughout the production chain, as well as limit public access to poultry-derived proteins. Understanding how these aspects are interrelated is essential for making decisions that benefit poultry health and productivity. Therefore, we conducted a multivariate analysis of microbiological and incubation parameters to evaluate whether bacterial contamination of the eggshell and yolk sac negatively affects HI and to compare the effectiveness of different sanitization protocols in reducing bacterial contamination in these regions. To achieve this, we utilized the raw data from our previous research on the sanitization of hatching eggs and conducted a detailed statistical analysis to evaluate the relationships between the studied variables. The correlation analysis revealed that eggshell mesophilic bacterial contamination (EGM) was strongly associated with yolk sac mesophilic bacterial contamination (YSM) (r = 0.76) and yolk sac contamination by Enterobacteriaceae (YSE) (r = 0.73). The principal component analysis indicated a negative association between HI performance and eggshell and yolk sac contamination. Results indicated beneficial associations between the reduction of contamination in hatching eggs and increased hatchability rates when using essential oils. The bacterial load of hatching eggs contributes to reduced productivity, reaffirming the need for proper egg sanitization, especially using essential oils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)

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