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Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2020) | Viewed by 26936

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Silvia Preziuso

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Guest Editor

School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino MC, Italy
Interests: infectious diseases of animals; small ruminants; zoonosis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Highly contagious diseases of ruminant livestock cause severe economic losses worldwide and have a significant impact on the international trade of animals and their products. Ruminant wildlife diseases can adversely affect wildlife conservation and may have a serious impact on livestock health. Wildlife ruminants can act as reservoirs for domestic ruminant pathogens and vice versa. The role and significance of wildlife–livestock interfaces in disease ecology has largely been neglected. Furthermore, some livestock and wildlife ruminant infectious diseases can cause important diseases in humans and are considered to be a public health concern.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide the opportunity to publish original research or review papers in the field of highly contagious diseases of domestic and wild ruminants. With this Special Issue, we intend to explore, in particular, our understanding of epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of domestic and wild ruminants (characterization of the etiological agents, geographical spread, reservoir animals, transmission, etc.). However, contributions on detailed description and validation of new diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in wild ruminants and studies on host immune response to infections mainly in wild ruminants are also welcome.

You are cordially invited to contribute on this theme or related research topics in order to improve the knowledge on relevant infectious diseases of domestic and wild ruminants.

Prof. Silvia Preziuso
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

infectious diseases
emerging and re-emerging diseases
ruminant livestock
wildlife ruminants
wildlife-livestock interface
zoonosis
epidemiology
diagnosis
immunology

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seroprevalence and Clinical Outcomes of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti Infections in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

by Lavinia Ciuca, Giuliano Borriello, Antonio Bosco, Luigi D’Andrea, Giuseppe Cringoli, Paolo Ciaramella, Maria Paola Maurelli, Antonio Di Loria, Laura Rinaldi and Jacopo Guccione

Animals 2020, 10(3), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030532 - 22 Mar 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2681

Abstract

One hundred twenty-four water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) originating from 9 farms located in southern Italy were tested to investigate simultaneously, for the first time, the seroprevalence of the protozoa Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti by ELISA tests and to evaluate the clinical findings potentially associated to the presence of these aborting parasitic pathogens. Twenty-five of 124 buffaloes (20.2%) were positive for N. caninum, while 17/124 (13.7%) for T. gondii. No buffalo showed specific antibodies for B. besnoiti. Nineteen of 124 animals (15.3%) were found seropositive for both T. gondii and N. caninum. The univariate statistical analysis showed that the seroprevalence of N. caninum is significantly associated with abortion and presence of retained foetal membranes, while the seroprevalence of T. gondii is significantly associated with an increase of days open. The logistic regression models showed that the co-infection by N. caninum and T. gondii strengthened the abortive effects (OR = 7.330) and showed further negative effects on the parameter embryonic death (OR = 2.607). The outcome revealed herein represents a high exposure of N. caninum and T. gondii in water buffaloes with reproduction disorders that deserves attention for both economic reasons, animal health and welfare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants)

9 pages, 243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis Infection on the Productivity of Cows in Two Dairy Herds with a Low Seroprevalence of Paratuberculosis

by Agnieszka Wiszniewska-Łaszczych, Katarzyna G. Liedtke, Joanna M. Szteyn and Tomasz Lachowicz

Animals 2020, 10(3), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030490 - 15 Mar 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2342

Abstract

Paratuberculosis is a chronic, progressive enteritis of ruminants, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. It affects the productivity of infected dairy cows, causing a reduction in the daily milk yield and basic milk components. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis on the productivity of dairy cows in two herds. The research materials were serum and milk samples taken from cows from two naturally infected dairy herds. All serum samples were serologically tested using the Mycobacterium paratuberculosis Antibody ELISA Kit by IDEXX—Screening and Verification. Seroprevalence differed between the herds (5.7% and 11.3%). Seroprevalence varied also between the groups of lactation. The highest seroprevalence was found in the first lactation group in both herds. The milk yield evaluation and analysis of the basic milk components’ content (protein and fat total solids) were tested once a month during one lactation period. The content of the basic milk components varied depending on the lactation group, as well as the serological status of the cows. A decrease in milk yield was observed in cows in herds with a higher seroprevalence (>11%). The largest decrease in milk yield and basic milk components was observed in older animals (>three lactations). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants)

11 pages, 526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence of BVDV Infection and the Presence of Potential Risk Factors in Dairy Cattle Herds in Poland

by Krzysztof Rypuła, Katarzyna Płoneczka-Janeczko, Michał Czopowicz, Malgorzata D. Klimowicz-Bodys, Sergey Shabunin and Georges Siegwalt

Animals 2020, 10(2), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020230 - 31 Jan 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2593

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors of BVDV infection, in different regions of Poland, with respect to certain parameters of animal health, including productivity, herd management practices, the presence of BVDV, and the effect of non-vaccination. A total of 354 cattle herds were estimated and linked to the analysis of the different factors that might be correlated with productive results. The presence of antibodies against BVDV was found in 33.3% of examined herds, and the heterogenous distribution of BVDV-positive herds in all regions of Poland (p = 0.001) was confirmed. We found statistical correlations between BVDV infection and pasture (p = 0.004) and the number of grazing animals (p < 0.001), and also the purchase of animals for replacement (p = 0.004) was observed. Production or clear clinical outcomes potentially linked to BVDV infection in the herd have not been observed. The results of this study indicate that the rate of BVDV infection was most strongly correlated with the geographical location of the examined cattle populations in Poland. The second most significant factors were the grazing of animals and the purchasing of new animals to be introduced to herds. The strengthened procedures of management, as well as the implementation of eradication programs, should be considered in the examined herds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants)

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12 pages, 2089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Potential Application of Ras Domain Containing Protein from Haemonchus contortus for Diagnosis of Goat Infection

by Kalibixiati Aimulajiang, Man Cao, Shuyi Liao, Muhammad Ali-ul-Husnain Naqvi, Xiaowei Tian, Zehua Li, Mingmin Lu, Shakeel Ahmed Lakho, Xiangrui Li, Lixin Xu, Xiaokai Song and RuoFeng Yan

Animals 2020, 10(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010138 - 15 Jan 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2218

Abstract

Haemonchus contortus is an important gastrointestinal nematode of small ruminants that causes significant mortality in goats worldwide. Diagnosis of this infection mainly depends on the evaluation of clinical signs and fecal examination. However, limitations often occur in early or mild infections. For this purpose, serological diagnosis seems to be more accurate and reliable. Ras domain-containing protein (Ras) is one of H. contortus’s excretory and secretory products (ESPs) that can be isolated from different larval stages of the nematode. In this study, the recombinant H. contortus Ras domain-containing protein (rHcRas) was expressed and purified and its diagnostic potential was evaluated. Reactions between rHcRas and goat sera were tested using Western blotting (WB). The results showed that rHcRas could be recognized by sera as early as 14 days post infection (DPI), and antibodies against rHcRas in infected goats could be maintained for over 89 days. No reaction was found between rHcRas and antibodies against Trichinella spiralis, Fasciola hepatica, or Toxoplasma gondii. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was produced based on rHcRas. The optimal coating antigen (157 ng of rHcRas/well) and serum dilutions (1:50) were determined via checkerboard titration. Indirect ELISA based on rHcRas showed 87.5% sensitivity and 90.6% specificity. The cut-off values for this experiment were determined to be 0.324 (positive) and 0.273 (negative), respectively, and the variation coefficient (CV) was less than 15%. The results of the indirect ELISA in-field examination showed that 17.6% (9/51) of the goats were infected with H. contortus, higher than the fecal examination results (15.7%, 8/51). When compared the results of the indirect ELISA and necropsy testing, 98.0% (50/51) consistency was found. These results indicated that rHcRas was a potential antigen for the diagnosis of H. contortus infection in goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants)

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14 pages, 1699 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lentivirus Susceptibility in Iranian and German Sheep Assessed by Determination of TMEM154 E35K

by Vahid Molaee, Vahid Otarod, Darab Abdollahi and Gesine Lühken

Animals 2019, 9(9), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9090685 - 15 Sep 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3038

Abstract

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) cause maedi-visna disease in sheep and are prevalent in Iran and Germany. The association of the transmembrane protein 154 (TMEM154) variants with SRLV infection has been previously identified by a genome-wide association (GWAS) approach and subsequent analyses, and validated in some US, German, and Turkish sheep flocks. We aimed at evaluating these findings for the first time in Iranian, and in some more German sheep flocks/breeds. Also, we aimed at comparing the SRLV susceptibility in Iranian and German sheep based on the frequency of the TMEM154 E35 allele. About 800 blood samples were collected from 21 Iranian and German sheep flocks/breeds for different purposes: (1) The association of TMEM154 E35K with SRLV infection status was tested in four sheep breeds and found to be significant in Kermani, Merinoland, and Brown Hair. (2) The usefulness of the TMEM154 E35 frequency for predicting SRLV susceptibility was evaluated by regression analysis, combining data from this study and some already published data. Results showed a significant association between E35 frequency and SRLV prevalence. (3) SRLV susceptibility was compared based on E35 frequency in Iranian and German sheep. Altogether, findings of this study provide valuable information on SRLV susceptibility, using TMEM154 E35, in Iranian and German sheep. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants)

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13 pages, 2072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Use of Indirect ELISA and Western Blotting with Recombinant Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Associated Antigen 59 Is a Potential Immunodiagnostic Tool for the Detection of Prepatent Haemonchus contortus Infection in Goat

by Muhammad Ali-ul-Husnain Naqvi, Sana Zahra Naqvi, Muhammad Ali Memon, Kalibixiati Aimulajiang, Muhammad Haseeb, Lixin Xu, Xiaokai Song, Xiangrui Li and Ruofeng Yan

Animals 2019, 9(8), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9080548 - 13 Aug 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4518

Abstract

Haemonchus contortus is recognized as one of the important health problems in small ruminants, leading to reduced production and economic loss for farmers worldwide. Prepatent diagnosis of H. contortus infection is crucial to improve control strategies as this helminth may remove up to one-fifth of total erythrocytes and may cause anemia, edema, diarrhea, and ultimately death in young animals. In this study, one of the excretory and secretory products, rHc-HCA59, was purified and used as antigen to detect specific antibodies in H. contortus infected goats during prepatent stage of infection using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as screening test. All goats (n = 38) were housed indoor, experimentally infected with 8000 infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus, and serum samples were collected prior to infection and at 14th day of infection. Immunoblotting was performed to confirm the results of indirect ELISA, evaluate the cross reactivity against rHc-HCA59 in sera of most common co-infecting parasites and rectify the false negative samples. Furthermore, three different batches of rHc-HCA59 were produced to evaluate the repeatability of ELISA. No eggs were detected in feces of all goats collected at 7th and 14th day of infection but, H. contortus eggs were detected at 21 days post infection in the feces. Indirect ELISA performed in this study showed 87% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The western blot analysis confirmed immunoreactivity in serum samples which scored positive in indirect ELISA and recognized the samples as negative which had OD₄₅₀ lower than negative cut-off value in indirect ELISA. Furthermore, all false negative sera (n = 5) that had OD₄₅₀ value between positive and negative cut-off value in rHc-HCA59 based ELISA were clearly positive in western blot. Moreover, no cross-reactivity was detected in ELISA and western blotting against rHc-HCA59 in positive sera of Toxoplasma gondii, Fasciola hepatica, and Trichinella spiralis. The results of this study concluded that combined use of indirect ELISA and western blotting with rHc-HCA59 is a potential immunodiagnostic tool for the detection of H. contortus infection during prepatent period in goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants)

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Review

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17 pages, 831 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mammary Defences and Immunity against Mastitis in Sheep

by Angeliki I. Katsafadou, Antonis P. Politis, Vasia S. Mavrogianni, Mariana S. Barbagianni, Natalia G. C. Vasileiou, George C. Fthenakis and Ilektra A. Fragkou

Animals 2019, 9(10), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100726 - 26 Sep 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 8295

Abstract

The objectives of this review paper are to present udder defences, including teat of the udder, mammary epithelial cells, leucocytes, immunoglobulins, complement system and chemical antibacterial agents, to describe cooperation and interactions between them and to elaborate on potentials regarding their significance in mammary immunisation strategies. The teat of the udder provides initial protection to the mammary gland. The mammary epithelial cells synthesise antibacterial proteins and the leucocytes produce various inflammation mediators (cytokines or chemokines), phagocytose bacteria and recognise antigenic structures. In the mammary gland, four immunoglobulins (IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA) have important roles against bacterial pathogens. The complement system is a collection of proteins, participating in the inflammatory process through various pathways. Other components contributing to humoral mammary defence include lactoferrin, lysozyme and the lactoperoxidase/myeloperoxidase systems, as well as oligosaccharides, gangliosides, reactive oxygen species, acute phase proteins (e.g., haptoglobin and serum amyloid A), ribonucleases and a wide range of antimicrobial peptides. Management practices, genetic variations and nutrition can influence mammary defences and should be taken into account in the formulation of prevention strategies against ovine mastitis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Domestic and Wild Ruminants)

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