Search Results (211)

Astroviruses are non-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses known to infect various mammals and birds, including humans, often causing gastrointestinal disorders. In recent years, astroviruses have also been linked to neurological and respiratory diseases across several species, including ruminants, mink, deer, and other mammals. Notably, astrovirus infections in goats have been documented in countries such as Switzerland and China, where novel genotypes have been identified in fecal samples. However, their role in the context of disease remains unclear, and reports focusing solely on goat astrovirus in the United States have not been published. A necropsy case of a Boer goat kid with a history of diarrhea was submitted for investigation following death in January 2025. Fresh tissues were received and used for histopathology and enteric pathogen testing, including parasitic, bacterial, and viral workups. Metagenomic-based next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was also applied for this case. Histological examination revealed severe necrotizing enterocolitis. The small intestine exhibited epithelial ulcerations, villus atrophy, hyperplastic and dilated crypts with necrotic debris, few intraenterocytic coccidian parasites, and increased inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. The large intestine showed similar findings with pleomorphic crypt enterocytes. Standard enteric pathogen tests were negative except for aerobic culture that identified Escherichia.coli and Enterococcus hirae. mNGS and bioinformatic analysis identified a novel astrovirus in the intestinal content that showed the highest nucleotide identity (86%) to the sheep strain Mamastrovirus 13 sheep/HA3 from China based on BLAST analysis. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the newly identified caprine astrovirus IL90175 clustered with astrovirus strains from small ruminants in Asia and Europe. This research reports the discovery, histopathologic features, and genetic characteristics of a gastrointestinal disease-causing astrovirus in a goat kid, which had not been previously described in the United States. Full article

The hypoxic, cold, and high-ultraviolet radiation environments at high altitude pose severe challenges to mammalian immune and metabolic systems. However, little is known about how captive forest musk deer adapt to high-altitude environments and their seasonal variations. This study analyzed peripheral blood transcriptomes of 33 captive forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) at high altitude (~3900 m) and low altitude (~1450 m) during autumn-winter and spring-summer seasons. Results revealed comprehensive immune suppression in the high-altitude group during autumn-winter (downregulation of complement system CFB/C2/C3, interferon pathway genes including FLT3, with only natural killer (NK) cell PRKCQ upregulated), coupled with energy-conserving metabolic reprogramming (altered carbohydrate metabolism, inhibited lipid synthesis, fat mobilization, suppressed protein degradation). During spring-summer, neutrophil antimicrobial responses (SLPI/NCF1/ELANE) and humoral immunity (B cell differentiation genes PAX5/RUNX1; class-switch enzyme AICDA) partially recovered while cellular immunity (IL15/B2M) remained suppressed, accompanied by enhanced anabolic metabolism and adipocyte differentiation. Notably, NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity showed selective enhancement despite comprehensive immune suppression, representing an energy-efficient innate defense strategy. This study provides the first characterization of seasonal immune dynamics in a high-altitude cervid species. These findings reveal persistent immune constraints in high-altitude populations and provide theoretical foundations for disease prevention and health management in captive forest musk deer at high altitudes. Full article

Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium and transmitted through black-legged (deer) tick bites, is becoming increasingly prevalent globally. According to data from the Lyme Disease Association, the number of cases has surged by more than 357% over the past 15 years. According to the Infectious Disease Society of America, traditional diagnostic methods are often slow, potentially allowing bacterial proliferation and complicating early management. This study proposes a novel hybrid deep learning framework to classify Lyme disease rashes, addressing the global prevalence of the disease caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, which is transmitted through black-legged (deer) tick bites. This study presents a novel hybrid deep learning framework for classifying Lyme disease rashes, utilizing pre-trained models (ResNet50 V2, VGG19, DenseNet201) for initial classification. By combining VGG19 and DenseNet201 architectures, we developed a hybrid model, SkinVisualNet, which achieved an impressive accuracy of 98.83%, precision of 98.45%, recall of 99.09%, and an F1 score of 98.76%. To ensure the robustness and generalizability of the model, 5-fold cross-validation (CV) was performed, generating an average validation accuracy between 98.20% and 98.92%. Incorporating image preprocessing techniques such as gamma correction, contrast stretching and data augmentation led to a 10–13% improvement in model accuracy, significantly enhancing its ability to generalize across various conditions and improving overall performance. To improve model interpretability, we applied Explainable AI methods like LIME, Grad-CAM, CAM++, Score CAM and Smooth Grad to visualize the rash image regions most influential in classification. These techniques enhance both diagnostic transparency and model reliability, helping clinicians better understand the diagnostic decisions. The proposed framework demonstrates a significant advancement in automated Lyme disease detection, providing a robust and explainable AI-based diagnostic tool that can aid clinicians in improving patient outcomes. Full article

Apple is an important fruit worldwide, but it is quite susceptible to various diseases. In particular, apple scab disease (Venturia Inaequalis) is a common fungal infection that causes serious yield losses in apple production. This disease causes spots on both leaves and fruits, negatively affecting product quality and marketability. Early diagnosis and management of apple diseases are critical to increase productivity in apple production. Traditional methods are usually time-consuming and costly; therefore, image processing and artificial intelligence technologies have become important tools in disease detection. In this study, a new approach is developed for the classification of healthy and scab apples by combining image processing, deep learning and optimization methods. First, the dataset is enriched using data augmentation techniques such as rotation, mirroring, zooming, shifting, brightness adjustment, and noise addition. Then, the images are analyzed with Shearlet Transform (ST), and frequency and spatial features are extracted in detail. The features obtained from the ST are reconstructed with the inverse transformation, and the original images are given as inputs to deep learning architectures, specifically AlexNet, VGG-16 and ResNet-18. In each model, deep features are extracted to classify healthy and scab apple images, and a feature pool is created by combining these features. The selection process of features that will increase performance in the classification process is carried out with the Red Deer Optimization (RDO) algorithm. This algorithm, inspired by the natural life cycle of male deer, includes the steps of determining the leader deer, creating a harem, mating and selecting the next generations. By selecting the best male leaders and optimizing the mating process, the algorithm ensures that the most effective feature combinations are chosen to enhance classification performance. As a result, this hybrid method presents an innovative approach to accurately classifying healthy and scab apple images, contributing to more efficient and reliable disease detection in apple production. Full article

West Nile fever is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease caused by West Nile virus (WNV), maintained in an enzootic cycle between avian hosts and Culex mosquitoes. While birds are the principal reservoirs, WNV also infects a wide range of mammals, including humans, horses, and wildlife species. In this study, we assessed WNV seroprevalence in wild ungulates, wild boars, golden jackals, and the invasive rodent nutria in Serbia. A total of 522 serum samples from wild animals were tested. Antibodies against WNV were detected across all tested species, with seroprevalence rates of 37% in wild boars, 11.9% in nutrias, 32.4% in golden jackals, 50.6% in red deer, and 9.1% in roe deer. Detection of antibodies in both adults and juveniles provides evidence of recent transmission during the study period. These findings confirm widespread circulation of WNV in Serbian wildlife and suggest that wild ungulates, carnivores, and invasive rodents may serve as useful sentinel species for monitoring WNV prevalence and geographic spread in natural ecosystems. Full article

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, and current treatments are limited by significant side effects. Deer bone, which is rich in proteins and various active compounds, possesses anti-inflammatory and bone-health-promoting properties. However, its fermented product’s effects on RA treatment remain unexplored. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of probiotic-fermented deer bone aqueous extract (BbF) in an adjuvant arthritis (AA) rat model, combined with LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage models. In vivo experiments showed that BbF significantly reduced paw swelling, arthritis index, and improved bone mineral density. BbF also alleviated synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. It suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, etc.) and inhibited macrophage migration and invasion. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of the Notch signaling pathway, and Western blot confirmed the downregulation of Notch3, Notch4, DLL4, and Jagged1 proteins. BbF also restored gut microbiota homeostasis, increasing beneficial bacteria such as Firmicutes and Clostridia, while decreasing potential pathogens like Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Escherichia-Shigella. Furthermore, BbF enhanced short-chain fatty acids (SCFCs) production, including butyrate and caproic acid. These results indicate that BbF alleviates RA by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway and regulating gut microbiota, providing new insights for the development of functional foods with immune-modulatory properties. Full article

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) are among the most valuable tree species in the Lithuanian forests. Pure stands, which comprise approximately one-quarter of Lithuania’s forest area, provide an important framework for studying tree responses to thinning and susceptibility to species-specific diseases and damage. This study investigated stem health and quality in two experimental Scots pine stands (32 and 39 years old) and four experimental Norway spruce stands (36–43 years old) to assess the influence of the initial stand density and thinning intensity. Each stand consisted of five plots with different initial densities and was subjected to varying thinning regimes from stand establishment. Tree locations were mapped using the pseudolite-based positioning system TerraHärp, and local tree density was calculated. Stem health and damage were assessed using ICP-Forests methodology. Our results showed that across initial densities of 1000–4400 trees ha⁻¹, tree dimensions (diameter and height) were similar, regardless of thinning intensity. The highest levels of stem damage and competition-induced mortality occurred in the densest, unthinned stands, with deer browsing and scraping from fallen trees being the most common damage agents. In contrast, thinned stands exhibited a higher incidence of stem rot (Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref.), particularly for Norway spruce. Finally, stand density alone did not consistently explain the patterns of tree mortality in either the pine or spruce stands. These findings suggest that cultivating Scots pine and Norway spruce at lower initial densities with minimal thinning may reduce the damage and losses caused by fungal infection. Finally, novel techniques, such as the pseudolite-based positioning system for geolocating trees and drone imaging for assessing tree health, have proven valuable in facilitating field surveys. Full article

CWD surveillance and diagnosis are important issues in Europe since its detection in Norway, as some of its strains, like that of classical scrapie, are contagious. In addition, there are concerns as several matters about CWD are not yet known. Although diagnostic methods for the active surveillance in bovine and small ruminants have been able to detect the European CWD strains, a retrospective study on Italian wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) samples was performed to compare the results obtained from rapid screening tests, authorized according to EU Regulation 999/2001, and the RT-QuIC, a highly sensitive method in the detection of prion disease infection. A total of one hundred brainstems and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes were selected out of those received from the CWD Italian surveillance system. Confirmed CWD-positive and -negative samples were included in the study as controls. All of the samples were first tested with the HerdChek BSE–Scrapie Antigen Test and then using the RT-QuIC. The rapid test was negative in all brainstem and lymph node samples. RT-QuIC analyses showed only one red deer brainstem sample positive for seeding activity, while all lymph nodes were negative, including the one from this case. This positive brainstem sample was then re-extracted and retested using two different recombinant prion protein substrates (Ha90-231; BV23-231) and their different batches from the first analyses. Seeding activity was consistently confirmed across both substrates and extractions, with positive signals detected down to dilutions of 10⁻⁴ using rPrP Ha90-231 and as low as 10⁻⁶ with rPrP BV23-231. The additional diagnostic investigations performed on this red deer using the alternative rapid test (TeSeE SAP Combi), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry showed negative results both in the brainstem and lymph nodes. This study showed that overall, the results obtained with the HerdChek BSE–Scrapie Antigen Test and RT-QuIC agree except in one case. Our findings highlight the potential of the RT-QuIC method to detect very low levels of PrP^Sc-associated seeding activity that may escape detection using classical methods. While seeding activity does not always equate to infectivity, only a bioassay will confirm the real disease status of this Italian case. These findings support the integration of RT-QuIC as a powerful complementary tool within existing surveillance frameworks to strengthen early detection and diagnostic accuracy. Full article

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease that poses a significant public health threat. SFTS virus (SFTSV) has a broad host range, including humans, cats, and natural reservoir species. Therefore, cultured cell lines derived from different mammalian species are useful for understanding the susceptibility of SFTSV in hosts. In this study, we evaluated pathogenicity and infectivity, focusing on cytopathic effect (CPE) induction and growth kinetics of SFTSV in several mammalian cell lines, including our original tiger-derived TLT, wild deer–derived DFKT and DFLT, and hedgehog-derived HHoVT. Following SFTSV infection, TLT, CRFK (cat), FCWF-4 (cat), and CPK (porcine) cells exhibited CPE, whereas Vero E6 (monkey), A549 (human), BHK-21 (hamster), DFKT, DFLT, and HHoVT cells did not. Infectious viral yields in the supernatants of TLT, CRFK, FCWF-4, Vero E6, and BHK-21 were higher than those of CPK, A549, DFLT, and DFKT. SFTSV infection in hedgehog-derived HHoVT cells was very limited. These observations suggest that features such as viral CPE and virus yield following SFTSV infection depend on cell type. It is noteworthy that TLT formed clear plaques that were easy to count, indicating that TLT cells are useful for the titration of infectious SFTSV by plaque-forming assay. Our results provide useful information and tools for further elucidating the mechanisms of SFTSV infectivity, proliferation, and pathogenicity using in vitro models. Full article

Non-contact, automated health monitoring is a cornerstone of modern precision livestock farming, crucial for enhancing animal welfare and productivity. Infrared thermography (IRT) offers a powerful, non-invasive means to assess physiological status. However, its practical use on farms is limited by a key challenge: accurately locating regions of interest (ROIs), like the eyes and face, in the blurry, low-resolution thermal images common in farm settings. To solve this, we developed a new framework called ID-APM, which is designed for robust ROI registration in agriculture. Our method uses a trinocular system and our RAP-CPD algorithm to robustly match features and accurately calculate the target’s 3D position. This 3D information then enables the precise projection of the ROI’s location onto the ambiguous thermal image through inverse disparity estimation, effectively overcoming errors caused by image blur and spectral inconsistencies. Validated on a self-built dataset of farmed sika deer, the ID-APM framework demonstrated exceptional performance. It achieved a remarkable overall accuracy of 96.95% and a Correct Matching Ratio (CMR) of 99.93%. This research provides a robust and automated solution that effectively bypasses the limitations of low-resolution thermal sensors, offering a promising and practical tool for precision health monitoring, early disease detection, and enhanced management of semi-wild farmed animals like sika deer. Full article

Oxidative stress, caused by excessive free radicals, leads to cellular damage and various diseases. Antioxidant peptides from natural proteins offer potential in alleviating this stress. In this study, antioxidant peptides were identified from deer antler proteins using in silico enzymatic hydrolysis and machine learning. Peptides with high prediction scores and non-toxic profiles were selected for evaluation. The antioxidant activities of top candidates, PHPAPTL and VPHGL, were confirmed by radical scavenging assays and their protective effects in HepG2 cells. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed stable binding of these peptides to Keap1, enhancing system stability and reducing residue fluctuations at the ligand-binding interface. Key interactions involved Arg415, Arg483, Arg380, and Ser555. Secondary structure analysis showed peptide binding induced local conformational transitions, notably increasing parallel β-sheet formation near active sites. These findings provide mechanistic insight into their antioxidant effects and support their potential application in functional food development. Full article

Whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis was used in this study to characterize Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates in free-ranging red deer from the central Italian Alps. Fecal samples from 92 hunted red deer collected between September and December 2022 were analyzed for the presence of STEC. Single E. coli colonies positive by PCR for stx genes were analyzed by WGS. STEC were isolated from eleven (12%) samples, showing eight stx2b, one stx2a, two stx1c, and one stx1a subtypes. Different serotypes and sequence types were identified (n = 8 each). Three isolates of O27:H30 serotype and ST753 showed no correlation in the cgMLST analysis (AD range 44–98). All strains harbored additional virulence factors. The only isolate harboring stx2a also possessed the eae gene and belonged to serotype O26:H11. Some isolates displayed shuffled virulence features of more than one E. coli pathotype. The high genetic diversity of strains circulating in the red deer population living in the central Italian Alps, including the STEC O26:H11 strain associated with STEC from severe disease in humans, confirms red deer as STEC reservoirs and highlights the need for monitoring the presence of these pathogens in wild ruminants. Full article

Cysticercosis in wild and domestic ungulates, caused by the larval metacestode stages of Taenia hydatigena and Taenia multiceps (formerly known as Cysticercus tenuicollis and Coenurus cerebralis, respectively), is a widespread parasitic disease and poses a significant concern worldwide, particularly in endemic regions. Although Taenia species have been extensively studied globally, their epidemiology and genetic diversity in Kazakhstan remain poorly understood. In this study, wild (roe deer, red deer, moose) and domestic (cattle, sheep) ungulates, serving as intermediate hosts for Taenia spp., were examined for cysticerci in muscle tissues and internal organs. Phylogenetic analysis and pairwise nucleotide variation assessments of the cox1 and nad1 genes were conducted. An overall prevalence of 5.2% was recorded among 1370 ruminant carcasses (cattle = 773, sheep = 563, roe deer = 25, moose = 9), with infection rates of 0.6% in cattle, 1.1% in sheep, 8.0% in roe deer, and 11.1% in moose. Cattle, sheep, and moose were infected with T. hydatigena, while roe deer were infected with T. multiceps. DNA sequence analysis of all isolates revealed four nad1 gene haplotypes for T. hydatigena, with Hap_3 being the most common (10 isolates). Phylogenetic analysis showed that T. multiceps isolates from roe deer clustered within the clade defined by the reference sequences for this species. This study provides important baseline data on the prevalence and genetic variation in T. hydatigena and T. multiceps in Kazakhstan and lays the groundwork for future research on the epidemiology and population genetics of Taenia species in the region. Full article

Livestock interactions with wildlife have been a concern for managers historically. Invasive feral swine represent an additional management concern in the realm of resource competition as well as zoonotic disease spread between livestock and wildlife. Our study deployed game cameras on a ranch in the Rolling Plains of North Texas to obtain a better understanding of the possibility of interspecies interactions among cattle, feral swine, and white-tailed deer across spatial, temporal, and seasonal variables. Species’ use of bottomlands, shallow uplands, and deep uplands within the ranch were monitored continuously over the course of a year. Cattle and feral swine exhibited high diel activity overlap with the greatest overlap estimates occurring in bottomlands (Δ = 0.889) and wintertime (Δ = 0.875). Cattle and deer exhibited lower diel overlap (Δ = 0.596–0.836, depending on the season and vegetation type), which could be a sign of niche partitioning between the two ungulates. Image captures and overlap estimates suggest interactions between cattle and the other two species occur less frequently in shallow upland sites relative to the other vegetation types. Though image captures of the three species were 17–69% lower in summer relative to fall, indirect interactions may remain high due to competition for shared resources and greater reliance on watering sites. Results suggest that land managers should focus on bottomland sites for feral swine eradication efforts and as areas of increased contact among species. Results can be used to guide livestock and wildlife management and herd health decisions, which can improve ranch economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Full article

Deer antler-derived medicinal materials, including antler velvet, antlers, and deer antler base, exhibit differential therapeutic efficacy across developmental stages, though their molecular mechanisms at the proteomic level remain uncharacterized. This study employed Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) quantitative proteomics to systematically analyze protein profiles in sika deer antler velvet, antlers, and deer antler base. Comparative analysis revealed 3154 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs, 95% upregulated) between antler velvet and antlers, which were significantly enriched in Ribosome Biogenesis (e.g., Polyadenylate-binding protein), oxidative phosphorylation, and neurodegenerative disease pathways. In the comparison of deer antler base versus antlers, 1024 DEPs (92% upregulated) were identified, primarily involved in proteolysis (e.g., ACTC protein), glycolysis, and complement and coagulation cascades. Between deer antler base and antler velvet, 2749 DEPs (87% downregulated) were enriched in Thioredoxin domains, cytoskeleton regulation, and RNA-binding functions. Subcellular localization demonstrated antler velvet proteins predominantly distributed in the cytoplasm (37.6%) and nucleus (19.6%), while deer antler base proteins showed marked enrichment in extracellular regions (19.7%) and cytoskeletal components. As the first comprehensive proteomic characterization of these materials, this study identifies ribosomal proteins and complement pathway-related proteins as key biomarkers, thus establishing a scientific foundation for precise authentication, quality control, and efficacy–mechanism interpretation of deer antler-derived medicines. It further highlights antler velvet’s neuroprotective potential and deer antler base’s immunomodulatory applications. Full article