Advances in Veterinary Microbiology

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 4247

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Interests: microbiota; metagenomics; viral WGS; phylogeny; molecular typing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue “Advances in Veterinary Microbiology” aims to compile high-quality research articles and review articles across all fields of veterinary microbiology. Since the aim of this Special Issue is to illustrate, through selected works, frontier research in food microbiology, we encourage Editorial Board Members of the Veterinary Microbiology Section of Microorganisms to contribute papers covering the latest progress in their research field or to invite relevant experts and colleagues to do so.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • African Swine Fever Virus
  • Bluetongue Virus
  • Arboviruses
  • Microbiota
  • Metagenomics
  • Brucellosis

Dr. Simone Peletto
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • African Swine Fever Virus
  • Bluetongue Virus
  • Arboviruses
  • Microbiota
  • Metagenomics
  • Brucellosis

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 2670 KiB  
Article
Host–Microbiota Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Porcine Fetal Mummification
by Mingyu Wang, Lin Zhang, Zhe Liu, Ao Guo, Gongshe Yang and Taiyong Yu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(5), 1052; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051052 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2025
Abstract
The number of mummies (MUM) in pigs is a major factor affecting sow reproductive performance. Reducing the incidence of MUM can effectively improve sow utilization efficiency. However, the complex mechanisms by which the host genome, gut microbiome, and metabolome interact to influence sow [...] Read more.
The number of mummies (MUM) in pigs is a major factor affecting sow reproductive performance. Reducing the incidence of MUM can effectively improve sow utilization efficiency. However, the complex mechanisms by which the host genome, gut microbiome, and metabolome interact to influence sow MUM remain unclear. Based on the current research landscape, this study systematically reveals the regulatory mechanisms of the host genome–gut microbiome-metabolome interaction network on sow MUM. By conducting a multi-omics analysis on the intestinal contents of Yorkshire sows during late gestation across different parities, we constructed a dynamic atlas of the gut microbiota and identified 385 core microbial taxa. Through multi-model MWAS and meta-analysis, we screened six key microbial taxa significantly associated with MUM, including Bacteroidales_RF16_group, Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group, Comamonas, Paraprevotella, Dorea, and Gallicola. An mGWAS analysis further identified Bacteroidales_RF16_group as regulated by host genetics, as well as candidate genes such as EGF, ENPEP, and CASP6, and important SNP loci such as rs345237235 and rs3475666995. The study found that the abundance of Proteobacteria in the sow’s gut increased progressively from the first parity, providing a theoretical basis for pathogen suppression mechanisms. By integrating fecal metabolomics data, we constructed a four-dimensional regulatory network of host gene–gut microbiota–metabolite–host phenotype. This study innovatively combines quantitative genetics with multi-omics approaches, not only providing a theoretical foundation for understanding host–microbiota interaction mechanisms but also offering critical scientific guidance for reducing sow MUM incidence and improving reproductive efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Microbiology)
15 pages, 863 KiB  
Article
Specific Detection of African Swine Fever Virus Variants: Novel Quadplex Real-Time PCR Assay with Internal Control
by Lihua Wang, Yuzhen Li, Xirui Zhang, Rachel Madera, Homer Pantua, Aidan Craig, Nina Muro, Danqin Li, Jamie Retallick, Franco Matias Ferreyra, Quang Lam Truong, Lan Thi Nguyen and Jishu Shi
Microorganisms 2025, 13(3), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030615 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 696
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious and lethal viral disease, continues to devastate the global swine industry. The emergence of ASF virus (ASFV) variants with varying genomic deletions poses significant challenges for ASF control. This study presents a novel, sensitive, and reliable [...] Read more.
African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious and lethal viral disease, continues to devastate the global swine industry. The emergence of ASF virus (ASFV) variants with varying genomic deletions poses significant challenges for ASF control. This study presents a novel, sensitive, and reliable quadplex real-time PCR assay for detecting ASFV variants lacking key genes (I177L, EP402R, and MGF360-14L), either individually or in combination. The assay targets conserved regions within these genes, ensuring broad coverage of diverse ASFV genotypes. A porcine beta-actin (ACTB) internal control was incorporated to minimize false-negative results. Optimization and evaluation using spike-in tests demonstrated high sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) ranging from 1 to 10 plasmid copies or 0.1 TCID50 of ASFV isolates per reaction. No cross-reactivity was observed when testing serum samples from pigs infected with other common swine viruses. Further validation across a diverse panel of samples, including those from naturally ASFV-infected field pigs (n = 54), experimentally ASFV-infected pigs (n = 50), PBS-inoculated pigs (n = 50), ASFV-free field pigs (n = 100), and feral pigs (n = 6), confirmed 100% specificity. This robust assay provides a valuable tool for rapid and accurate ASF surveillance and control efforts, facilitating the timely detection and mitigation of outbreaks caused by emerging ASFV variants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Microbiology)
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17 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Effects of Comparative Killing by Pradofloxacin and Seven Other Antimicrobials Against Varying Bacterial Densities of Swine Isolates of Pasteurella multocida
by Joseph M. Blondeau and Shantelle D. Fitch
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020221 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 727
Abstract
Bacterial killing is important for recovering from infection. Pasteurella multocida is a key bacterial pathogen causing swine respiratory disease and is associated with substantial mortality. Antimicrobial therapy remains an important therapeutic intervention for treating infected animals. Pradofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) is the most recently approved [...] Read more.
Bacterial killing is important for recovering from infection. Pasteurella multocida is a key bacterial pathogen causing swine respiratory disease and is associated with substantial mortality. Antimicrobial therapy remains an important therapeutic intervention for treating infected animals. Pradofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) is the most recently approved antimicrobial agent for treating pigs with swine respiratory disease. We compared in vitro killing of swine P. multocida strains by pradofloxacin in comparison to ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, florfenicol, marbofloxacin, tildipirosin, tilmicosin, and tulathromycin over a range of bacterial densities and four clinically relevant drug concentrations. Pradofloxacin killed 92–96.9% of cells across 106–108 cfu/mL densities at the mutant prevention drug concentration following 2–24 h of drug exposure, 96.9–98.9% of cells across 106–109 cfu/mL at the maximum serum drug concentration following 30 min of drug exposure, increasing to 99.9–100% kill following 12–24 h of drug exposure. At the maximum tissue drug concentration and against bacterial densities of 106–109 cfu/mL, pradofloxacin killed 91.3–99.8% of cells following 2 h of drug exposure, which increased to 99.9–100% kill following 12–24 h of drug exposure. Pradofloxacin was rapidly bactericidal across a range of bacterial densities and at clinically relevant drug concentrations. Pradofloxacin will be an important antibiotic for treating pigs with swine respiratory disease and where clinically indicated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Microbiology)
10 pages, 3695 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes and Clonal Relationships of Duck-Derived Salmonella in Shandong Province, China in 2023
by Zhiyuan Lu, Yue Zheng, Shaopeng Wu, Xiaoyue Lin, Huiling Ma, Xiaofei Xu, Shumin Chen, Jiaqi Huang, Zheng Gao, Guisheng Wang and Shuhong Sun
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2619; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122619 - 18 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 956
Abstract
Salmonella is a major threat to both human and animal health. However, the diversity and antibiotic resistance of animal-derived Salmonella and their association with human infections remain largely unexplored. In this study, Salmonella strains were isolated, identified, and sequenced from dead embryos and [...] Read more.
Salmonella is a major threat to both human and animal health. However, the diversity and antibiotic resistance of animal-derived Salmonella and their association with human infections remain largely unexplored. In this study, Salmonella strains were isolated, identified, and sequenced from dead embryos and cloacal swab samples obtained from 278 large-scale duck farms in 11 cities in Shandong Province. The results show that a total of 57 Salmonella strains were isolated, with the dominant sequence types (ST) being ST17 (15/57) and ST19 (9/57), while the dominant serotypes were S. Indiana (15/57) and S. Typhimurium (11/57). Furthermore, genomic analysis has revealed the presence of prevalent antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are often associated with co-transfer mechanisms. Over 52.63% of the strains were observed to carry two or more ARGs, especially one Salmonella strain that carried twenty-eight distinct ARGs. Furthermore, core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis (cgMLST) indicated that the 57 Salmonella strains may have a close relationship, which could be clonally transmitted among different cities. The results demonstrated a close relationship between the Salmonella strains identified in diverse geographical regions, suggesting that these strains may have been widely disseminated through clonal transmission. The mutation analysis reveals significant mutations at parC (T57S), gyrA (S83F), parC (S80R), gyrA (D87N), and gyrA (S83Y). These findings emphasize the necessity for monitoring and controlling Salmonella infections in animals, as they may serve as a reservoir for ARGs with the potential to affect human health or even be the source of pathogens that infect humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Microbiology)
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15 pages, 300 KiB  
Article
Survey on the Occurrence of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in the Feces of Wolves (Canis lupus italicus) Collected in a Protected Area in Central Italy
by Fabrizio Bertelloni, Giulia Cagnoli and Valentina Virginia Ebani
Microorganisms 2024, 12(11), 2367; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112367 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1077
Abstract
Previous investigations have explored the involvement of wolves in parasitic and viral diseases, but data on the zoonotic bacteria are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of bacterial zoonotic agents in 16 wolf (Canis lupus italicus) [...] Read more.
Previous investigations have explored the involvement of wolves in parasitic and viral diseases, but data on the zoonotic bacteria are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of bacterial zoonotic agents in 16 wolf (Canis lupus italicus) fecal samples collected in a protected area in Central Italy. Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were investigated by culture, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect Coxiella burnetii, Mycobacterium spp., Brucella spp., and Francisella tularensis. The presence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was also evaluated, using selective isolation media and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes. All samples were negative for Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., C. burnetii, Mycobacterium spp., Brucella spp., F. tularensis, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. One sample tested positive for Yersinia aldovae and three for Yersinia enterocolitica BT1A. One L. monocytogenes (serogroup IIa) and one STEC, carrying the stx1 gene, were isolated. Two ESBL isolates were detected: one Serratia fonticola, carrying blaFONA-3/6 gene, and one Escherichia coli, carrying blaCTX-M-1 gene. Both ESBL isolates were resistant to different antimicrobials and therefore classified as multi-drug-resistant. Our data suggest that wolves are potential carriers of zoonotic bacteria and may contribute to the environmental contamination through their feces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Veterinary Microbiology)
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