Emerging Viral Pathogens in Domestic and Wild Animals

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 901

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: zoonoses; infectious disease; emerging; viruses; emerging infectious diseases; viral enteric pathogens; domestic animals; wildlife animals; diagnostics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The recent spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) into dairy cattle and other mammals, the sustained westward march of African swine fever through European wild boar and domestic herds, and the enduring establishment of SARS‑CoV‑2 in free‑ranging white‑tailed deer together illustrate how interspecies interfaces are reshaping viral ecology. Parallel surges of H3N2 canine influenza, canine circovirus infections, widespread feline morbillivirus circulation, and the rise in virulent systemic feline calicivirus strains in companion animals underscore that identical demographic and environmental accelerants, global animal trade, dense urban cohabitation, habitat fragmentation, and climate‑driven range shifts currently propel viral emergence, even in dogs and cats. This Special Issue therefore welcomes high‑impact studies that unravel the molecular evolution, host–pathogen interactions, and transmission dynamics of emerging viruses across livestock, wildlife, and small companion animals, and that advance integrated One Health surveillance, predictive modelling, and intervention strategies capable of mitigating future zoonotic and epizootic threats.

Dr. Vittorio Sarchese
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • infectious diseases
  • emerging viruses
  • domestic animals
  • wildlife animals
  • domestic–wildlife interface

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

30 pages, 3992 KB  
Article
Sheep Pox Susceptibility: Role of Genetic Variants, Gene Expression, and Immune-Oxidative Markers
by Asmaa A. Darwish, Huda A. Alqahtani, Amin Tahoun, Ahmed Ateya, Noha A. Helmy, Amani A. Hafez, Hanan M. Alharbi, Khairiah M. Alwutayd, Manal A. Babaker, Ammar AL-Farga, Eman A. Al-Shahari, Zakaria A. Salih, Mohammed Ali. Al-Duais and Ahmed El-Sayed
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(9), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090867 - 8 Sep 2025
Viewed by 748
Abstract
Sheep pox, caused by sheep pox virus (SPV), is a transboundary disease that threatens sheep production and trade. This study aimed to identify genetic, immunological, and biochemical markers associated with susceptibility to SPV in Barki ewes. A total of 100 adult ewes were [...] Read more.
Sheep pox, caused by sheep pox virus (SPV), is a transboundary disease that threatens sheep production and trade. This study aimed to identify genetic, immunological, and biochemical markers associated with susceptibility to SPV in Barki ewes. A total of 100 adult ewes were examined, including 50 clinically healthy and 50 naturally infected animals. PCR detected SPV DNA in 60% of suspected scab samples, highlighting diagnostic challenges in field investigations. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological indices, cytokine profiles, acute phase proteins, oxidative stress biomarkers, iron metabolism, and hormonal parameters. Expression profiles and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 15 immune and antioxidant genes were characterized from cDNA-derived sequences. Infected animals exhibited microcytic hypochromic anemia, leukocytosis, elevated proinflammatory cytokines, and reduced IL-10. Acute phase proteins, oxidative stress markers, and cortisol were increased, whereas antioxidant capacity and transferrin were reduced. Twenty-three SNPs were identified, including non-synonymous variants, which showed promising but unvalidated associations with disease status. These findings highlight immune, oxidative, and genetic alterations in SPV-infected sheep, but further longitudinal and cross-validated studies are needed to establish their diagnostic or breeding utility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Viral Pathogens in Domestic and Wild Animals)
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