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Biology
Special Issues
Large Animal Experimental and Epidemiological Models for Diseases
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Large Animal Experimental and Epidemiological Models for Diseases

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 8769

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Witaya Suriyasathaporn

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Veterinary Academic Office, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand 2. Overseas Division Cambodia Office, Asian Satellite Campuses Institute, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
Interests: experimental animal models for diseases and therapeutic sciences; transmission mathematical models and population dynamics of infectious diseases; understanding the links among epidemiology, physiology, immunology, and pathobiology of disease; antimicrobial resistance; animal environment models of emerging and re-emerging diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sho Nakamura

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Aichi, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Interests: neuroendocrine reproductive science; cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating neuronal activities; kisspeptin neurons as a key player bridging the endocrine system and sexual behavior in mammals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animal models play a crucial role in the study of both infectious and non-infectious diseases, enabling researchers to replicate disease processes and test interventions in a controlled environment. Large experimental animal models, such as dogs, pigs, sheep, and non-human primates, are increasingly used in biomedical research because they bridge the gap between small animal models and humans. They offer better anatomical and physiological similarities to humans, particularly for non-infectious diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic, reproductive, genetic, and neurodegenerative conditions. These models facilitate more accurate and relevant testing of new therapies and treatments, supporting long-term studies and clinical dosing regimens. In public health and livestock management, large animal epidemiological models represent disease transmission dynamics among animals and humans. They help in evaluating control measures and predicting outcomes in infectious and zoonotic diseases, as well as antibiotic resistance. Livestock serve as valuable models in studying human diseases, enabling research on disease dynamics, treatment testing, and vaccine development.

This Special Issue will showcase reviews and original research articles that provide up-to-date information and future perspectives on large animal experimental and epidemiological models of diseases, with possible topics including (but not limited to) prevention, pathobiology, diagnosis, prediction, treatment, outbreaks, and control.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Witaya Suriyasathaporn
Dr. Sho Nakamura
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Biology 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 2700 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

  • large animal model
  • dog
  • pig
  • ruminants
  • experimental study
  • epidemiological study
  • infectious diseases
  • non-infectious diseases
  • treatment
  • disease control
  • disease prediction

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 449 KB  
Article
Herd Health Program Participation Associated with Lower Vancomycin Resistance and Multidrug Resistance in Dairy Mastitis Pathogens: A Five-Year Surveillance Study in Saraburi, Thailand
by Sirirat Wataradee, Witaya Suriyasathaporn, Maneerat Somsee, Sukuma Samngamnim, Amonthep Khuprathumsiri, Kittisak Ajariyakhajorn and Thanasak Boonserm
Biology 2026, 15(10), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15100782 (registering DOI) - 14 May 2026
Viewed by 132
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance in bovine mastitis pathogens poses interconnected threats to dairy productivity and public health; however, longitudinal evidence on the association between veterinary oversight and lower resistance to critically important antimicrobials in tropical smallholder systems remains limited. This study analyzed 1347 quarter milk [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance in bovine mastitis pathogens poses interconnected threats to dairy productivity and public health; however, longitudinal evidence on the association between veterinary oversight and lower resistance to critically important antimicrobials in tropical smallholder systems remains limited. This study analyzed 1347 quarter milk samples from 47 dairy farms in Saraburi Province, Thailand, submitted consecutively over five years (2020–2025), to evaluate whether participation in a veterinary-led herd health (HH) program was independently associated with reduced vancomycin resistance and multidrug resistance (MDR). Bacterial identification was conducted using standard methods, and susceptibility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Among 1069 culture-positive samples, Streptococcus spp. (25.3%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (16.8%) predominated. Vancomycin resistance declined from 15.9% to 5.4% between early (2020–2022) and recent (2023–2025) periods. Of the 686 isolates tested against ≥3 antibiotic classes, 61 (8.9%) were MDR; vancomycin resistance co-occurred in 34.4% of these samples. Repeated logistic regression identified non-HH farm status (OR = 4.035; p = 0.027) and early-year groups (OR = 4.611; p = 0.002) as independent risk factors for vancomycin resistance. As HH participation and year group showed a significant interaction, their joint effect for MDR was modeled: compared with non-HH farms in the early period (reference), all other combinations—including HH farms in 2023, HH farms in 2020, and non-HH farms in 2023—were associated with significantly lower odds of MDR. These findings provide the first evidence from Thailand that structured veterinary herd health programs are independently associated with lower critically important antimicrobial resistance, supporting their integration into a One-Health stewardship policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Large Animal Experimental and Epidemiological Models for Diseases)
15 pages, 1346 KB  
Article
The Role of Exogenous Non-Starch Polysaccharide Enzymes in Enhancing Digestibility and Performance of Pig
by Panuwat Yamsakul, Terdsak Yano and Thanaporn Eiamsam-ang
Biology 2026, 15(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15010013 - 20 Dec 2025
Viewed by 835
Abstract
Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in plant-based swine diets can reduce nutrient availability, and the use of exogenous NSP-degrading enzymes has been proposed as a practical approach to improve digestive utilization. This study examined the effects of a commercial enzyme mixture through both in vitro [...] Read more.
Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in plant-based swine diets can reduce nutrient availability, and the use of exogenous NSP-degrading enzymes has been proposed as a practical approach to improve digestive utilization. This study examined the effects of a commercial enzyme mixture through both in vitro assessment and an in vivo trial in nursery pigs. The in vitro evaluation of seven commercial diets showed that enzyme supplementation increased dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber digestibility, with the most notable improvements observed in finisher, gestating, and lactating diets. In the in vivo experiment, pigs fed the enzyme-supplemented diet showed higher average daily gain (464 vs. 361 g/d; p = 0.07) and an improved feed conversion ratio (1.82 vs. 2.39; p = 0.07), together with numerically greater cecal butyrate concentration (2.13 vs. 1.06 mmol/dL; p = 0.10) and increased villous height in the jejunum and ileum. Although these responses did not reach statistical significance, they represent consistent trends that align with the in vitro findings and suggest potential benefits in nutrient utilization and gut morphology. Overall, the results indicate that NSP enzyme supplementation may support digestive function under specific dietary conditions, particularly in diets containing moderate to high NSP levels, and provide useful information for its practical application in swine nutrition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Large Animal Experimental and Epidemiological Models for Diseases)
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12 pages, 1628 KB  
Article
Impact of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in Mixed Intramammary Infections with Streptococci on Milk Quality
by Sho Nakamura, Sophorn Nouv, Kanan Dim, Sambo Na, Panhavatey Sokhom, Shuichi Matsuyama, Tetsuma Murase, Satoshi Ohkura and Witaya Suriyasathaporn
Biology 2025, 14(12), 1672; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14121672 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 667
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between milk composition among different mastitis pathogens. The study was conducted from January to February 2025 on three different dairy farms in Cambodia, utilizing 241 crossbred Holstein–Friesian milking cows. Quarter milk samples were aseptically collected from randomly selected [...] Read more.
This study investigated the relationship between milk composition among different mastitis pathogens. The study was conducted from January to February 2025 on three different dairy farms in Cambodia, utilizing 241 crossbred Holstein–Friesian milking cows. Quarter milk samples were aseptically collected from randomly selected milking cows, mostly in mid- and late lactation, including 450 samples from 3, 25, and 213 cows and 11, 88, and 351 quarters from Farms A, B, and C, respectively. The milk samples were analyzed for bacterial identification, somatic cell count, and milk composition. Mastitis pathogens were grouped primarily based on their genus, including streptococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Gram-negative bacteria (Gram-negative), CNS plus streptococci (Mixed), and those with no detected bacteria (None). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to determine the correlations between milk composition and somatic cell scores (SCSs). The comparison of milk composition and SCS means across bacteria groups, farms, and intramammary infection (IMI) status was performed using repeated linear models. Significance was defined as p < 0.05, and a tendency was defined as p < 0.10. The results show that the collected quarter milk had a low fat concentration. Milk composition and SCS were associated with the farm (p < 0.05). Regarding bacterial groups, the SCS of milk with streptococci was higher than that of milk with CNS and non-IMI milk (p < 0.05). Milk with a mixed IMI of streptococci and CNS had significantly lower lactose and solid-not-fat (SNF) levels than milk with CNS or Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, the freezing point of the mixed IMI was higher than that of CNS and non-IMI milk (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the compositions of milk from CNS IMI did not deviate from those of milk from healthy quarters; however, the mixed infection of CNS and streptococci caused lower milk quality. These findings underscore the importance of CNS IMI, which can lead to significant economic losses in the case of infection with other pathogens. However, as this study employed a cross-sectional design, which is suitable for identifying associations rather than establishing causation, further studies are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Large Animal Experimental and Epidemiological Models for Diseases)
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18 pages, 2415 KB  
Article
Population Estimation and Demographic Characteristics of Free-Roaming Dogs on Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Thailand: Implications for Rabies Control
by Tita Phiriyaphokhai, Thitiwan Patanasatienkul, Tipsarp Kittisiam, Suwicha Kasemsuwan and Kansuda Leelahapongsathon
Biology 2025, 14(7), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070808 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 3456
Abstract
Free-roaming dogs (FRDs) pose significant public health and animal welfare challenges globally, particularly in developing nations, where they serve as major reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, especially rabies. Determining the population size of FRDs, their demographic characteristics, and the factors influencing population size is [...] Read more.
Free-roaming dogs (FRDs) pose significant public health and animal welfare challenges globally, particularly in developing nations, where they serve as major reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, especially rabies. Determining the population size of FRDs, their demographic characteristics, and the factors influencing population size is essential for effective dog population management, which constitutes a critical component of rabies control programs. This study aimed to estimate the size and describe the characteristics of the FRD population and evaluate temporal and spatial variations in FRD sightings on the Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Thailand. Factors influencing population size were assessed using a negative binomial regression model. The campus area was divided into 52 accessible blocks for dog-counting purposes. In 2018 and 2019, each block was surveyed once annually for a comprehensive census. In 2021, each block was surveyed on six occasions, three in the morning and three in the evening, using a photographic recapture method. Dogs sighted were photographed, and their characteristics and spatial coordinates were recorded. The total population sizes of FRDs on campus were documented as 529, 577, and 531 in 2018, 2019, and 2021, respectively. Intact female dogs predominantly constituted the majority of the FRD population. Regression analysis indicated a significant association between the number of FRDs within a block and the number of intact adult female dogs. The percentage of dogs sighted per occasion was significantly higher during evening surveys compared to morning surveys. This study proposes a practical census approach that combines total block counts with photographic recapture to estimate the population of FRDs. The findings offer valuable insights for developing effective dog population management strategies and planning rabies vaccination campaigns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Large Animal Experimental and Epidemiological Models for Diseases)
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13 pages, 16003 KB  
Article
Bacterial Pathogens of Bovine Mastitis: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Sensitivity to Caesalpinia sappan Both In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
by Phacharaporn Tadee, Wiwat Pattanawong, Apichart Manwicha, Pakasinee Khaodang, Doungporn Amornlerdpison, Sunee Chansakaow, Pramote Tipduangta, Kridda Chukiatsiri and Pakpoom Tadee
Biology 2025, 14(4), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040350 - 27 Mar 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2806
Abstract
Mastitis is a major infectious disease that causes significant economic losses in the dairy industry. Current control programs primarily rely on antimicrobials, contributing to the growing concerns of the resistance situation and drug residues in milk. This study aimed to identify the bacterial [...] Read more.
Mastitis is a major infectious disease that causes significant economic losses in the dairy industry. Current control programs primarily rely on antimicrobials, contributing to the growing concerns of the resistance situation and drug residues in milk. This study aimed to identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for subclinical/clinical bovine mastitis, assess their antimicrobial resistance profiles, and evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Caesalpinia sappan in treating mastitis through both in vitro and in vivo studies. A total of 138 bacterial isolates, representing 40 species, were identified from 100 milk samples collected from dairy cows under the Maejo Cooperative Group in Chiang Mai, Thailand, between May 2021 and February 2022. The most prevalent species was Escherichia coli (10.87%), followed by Bacillus cereus (9.42%) and Staphylococcus sciuri (7.97%). The highest resistance rates were observed for penicillin (65.21%), followed by streptomycin and lincomycin (61.59%). Nine isolates resisted all 18 antimicrobials tested. The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. sappan against the identified pathogens ranged from 0.63 to 17.68 mg/mL, with the highest MIC observed against Pseudomonas luteola. In the animal experiment, treatment with a prototype of an intramammary infusion compound primarily formulated from C. sappan significantly reduced the total bacterial count and California Mastitis Test (CMT) scores (p < 0.01). These results suggest that C. sappan exhibits antimicrobial efficacy against various mastitis bacteria and could serve as a potential alternative treatment to control bovine mastitis in dairy cattle within the study region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Large Animal Experimental and Epidemiological Models for Diseases)
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