Search Results (2,133)

Fascioliasis, caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a major veterinary and zoonotic disease affecting cattle production systems worldwide. Despite extensive research, prevalence estimates vary considerably across geographic regions and study methodologies, necessitating a systematic synthesis to inform evidence-based control strategies and public health interventions. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted of studies reporting Fasciola prevalence in cattle from 1996 to 2024. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed on 338 studies encompassing approximately 49 million cattle samples. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine variations by continent, diagnostic method, Fasciola species, study period, sample size, and climate zone. Meta-regression identified sources of heterogeneity, and publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test. Certainty of evidence for the principal pooled outcomes was assessed using the GRADE framework. The global pooled prevalence of Fasciola infection in cattle was 26.5% (95% CI: 24.0–29.1), with very high heterogeneity (I² = 99.5%). Significant geographic variation was observed, with Europe showing the highest prevalence (42.1%, 95% CI: 33.1–51.1), followed by Oceania (38.9%, 95% CI: 24.3–53.6), America (31.4%, 95% CI: 24.5–38.4), and Africa (24.3%, 95% CI: 21.1–27.5), and Asia showed the lowest (18.3%, 95% CI: 13.9–22.8). The diagnostic method emerged as the most important source of heterogeneity (R² = 26.3%), with ELISA detecting a substantially higher prevalence (49.0%, 95% CI: 41.8–56.2) than post-mortem examination (19.2%, 95% CI: 16.2–22.3). F. hepatica exhibited a higher prevalence (33.1%, 95% CI: 27.9–38.2) than other species. No temporal trends were detected between the study periods. The climate zone explained 3.1% of the heterogeneity. Publication bias was not significant (Egger’s p = 0.157). Fasciolosis represents a substantial global burden in cattle populations, with its prevalence strongly influenced by diagnostic methodology and geographic location. The critical role of the choice of diagnostic method in prevalence estimation underscores the urgent need for standardized surveillance protocols. These findings have important implications for veterinary disease control programs and zoonotic disease prevention strategies in both endemic and emerging regions worldwide. Full article

Background/Objective: One of the missions of the United States FDA is “protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products.” The current guidelines for OTC hearing aids impose an output limit of 111 dB SPL for linear hearing aids and 117 dB SPL for compression hearing aids when measured using 90 dB SPL pure tones in a 2 cc coupler. This means that the sound pressure level at the ear drum at a frequency would be 111 or 117 dB SPL plus the real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) of the 2 cc coupler at the frequency. Methods: The maximum aidable hearing thresholds by hypothetical OTC-compression hearing aids that are compliant with the current FDA guidelines were explored using NAL-NL2 and DSLv5 prescriptive methods. The theoretical maximum permissible overall output levels in the ear canal were also calculated. Additionally, the fitting range of OTC-compression hearing aids with a maximum of 117 dB SPL output level at the ear drum was explored. Results: The current FDA guidelines allow OTC-compression hearing aids to provide sufficient gain and headroom to fit individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. In the presence of a loud wideband signal, the maximum overall output level can reach 164.5 dB SPL in the ear canal for an OTC-compression hearing aid with a bandwidth of 5657 Hz. When the maximum output levels are defined at the ear drum (i.e., the RECD is already considered), however, the fitting range is lowered to moderate hearing loss and the maximum overall output level is lowered by 10 dB. Conclusions: These findings identified potential regulatory vulnerability in the current FDA guidelines and suggest the need to take the measurement coupler and its corresponding RECDs into account when setting the guidelines for OTC hearing aids. Other alternative strategies to prevent potential abuses of the guidelines are also discussed. Full article

Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses a critical global threat to both the poultry industry and public health. Although Morocco currently maintains HPAI-free status, the country faces substantial risk due to its location along major migratory flyways and its extensive commercial trade networks within the poultry sector. Available data indicate that the links between live bird markets, production farms, and related facilities in the poultry sector constitute a pivotal determinant of disease epidemiology. This study aimed to analyze these movements and determine how they can influence the spread of the disease and to guide policymakers in developing effective risk-based surveillance and control strategies tailored to the local context.: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted across the Casablanca-Settat region, including nine provinces and 138 municipalities, to investigate the movement patterns within the poultry sector in this region. Social network analysis (SNA) was employed to construct a movement network, and findings were spatially visualized using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and analyzed through network analysis in R.: A total of 945 transport routes were recorded in 126 municipalities. Centrality measures identified three predominant network nodes exhibiting high degree and betweenness centrality values. Our findings indicate that although the network has a low density, the transmission of IAHP remains critical due to frequent bidirectional links and a heterogeneous network structure. The high concentration of movements by a few “hub” municipalities leads to an early emergence and rapid dissemination.: The identification of highly influential nodes allows veterinary authorities to prioritize and target surveillance activities toward municipalities with the greatest likelihood of disease introduction or persistence. The network’s structural connectivity suggests a theoretical potential for rapid HPAI spread, underscoring the importance of the frequent bidirectional links identified between municipalities. This protects both Morocco’s poultry industry and public health. Full article

Municipal dog shelters are often grouped as outsourced facilities despite operator differences. We analyzed 33,875 dog admissions and 90 municipality-year observations from 2016 to 2025 across nine Korean municipalities, with three per operator category; operator type was fixed and nested within municipality. Among 32,838 known outcomes, live-release rates were 69.1%, 58.1%, and 40.0%, and euthanasia rates were 14.0%, 22.8%, and 42.5% in corporation-operated, veterinary hospital-operated, and individually operated shelters, respectively. The corporation live-release estimate ranged from 62.6% to 72.0% under alternative classifications of unresolved records. Small-sample cluster-robust comparisons were imprecise: the individually versus corporation-operated euthanasia odds ratio was 4.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.40–56.35), and every operator interval included 1.0. Contextual adjustment yielded odds ratios of 0.97 for both outcomes for veterinary hospital- versus corporation-operated shelters. Among 33,836 admissions with common 180-day follow-up, live-release rates were 59.9%, 53.0%, and 39.8%, and euthanasia rates were 9.1%, 16.7%, and 42.0%; annual odds ratios were 1.05 (0.93–1.19) and 0.90 (0.78–1.05), respectively. Results describe operator-linked municipal systems, not causal effects. Standardized follow-up, complete reporting, capacity monitoring, and larger prospective studies are needed. Full article

Background: Canine otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently chronic and treatment refractory, yet integrated historical phenotype–genotype data remain limited. We characterized an archival Hungarian collection obtained in 2010 and 2017. Methods: Broth microdilution minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for 67 isolates against 13 antimicrobial agents and chlorhexidine, and 59 isolates had matched long-read whole-genome assemblies. Resistance-associated determinants were identified using the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database, and their predicted proximity to mobile genetic elements and plasmid-like contigs was evaluated. Results: Current canine Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute breakpoints classified 59/67 isolates (88.1%) as enrofloxacin resistant and 43/67 (64.2%) as marbofloxacin resistant. European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing epidemiological cut-off values identified non-wild-type subsets for ciprofloxacin (7/67), tobramycin (4/67), imipenem (1/67), and piperacillin–tazobactam (51/67), whereas all isolates remained within the available wild-type distributions for ceftazidime, gentamicin, and amikacin. No continuous MIC distribution changed significantly between sampling years after false-discovery-rate correction, although categorical marbofloxacin resistance decreased from 87.5% in 2010 to 42.9% in 2017. Resistance-gene screening identified 64 unique determinants, including near-universal efflux-system components, PDC and OXA-50-like β-lactamases, APH(3′)-IIb, arnA, and basS. The fluoroquinolone-associated determinant crpP occurred in 37/59 genomes and was located on plasmid-predicted contigs in six isolates. No determinant–MIC association remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Conclusions: The discordance between conserved resistance-gene repertoires and heterogeneous MICs demonstrates that sequence-based detection alone is insufficient for therapeutic inference. Integrated phenotypic and genomic surveillance is therefore required to support evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship in canine pseudomonal otitis. Full article

Thelazia callipaeda is a vector-borne zoonotic eyeworm infecting companion animals, wildlife, and humans, but chromosome-scale genomic resources from Chinese clinical material remain limited. We generated a genome supported by Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) high-fidelity (HiFi) sequencing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) from 100 adult worms recovered from naturally infected dogs in Beijing and compared its chromosome-scale organization with Portuguese assembly GCA_965194785.1. The final assembly spans 119.53 megabases (Mb) and comprises 115 top-level sequences, including four pseudomolecules totaling 91.26 Mb (76.34%) and 111 unanchored sequences. Genome-mode Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) analysis recovered 98.5% complete chromadorean orthologues, and the representative 11,788-protein gene set recovered 92.6%. Sequence-level alignment resolved Chinese chromosomes 1–4 (chr1–chr4) to Portuguese chr1, chrX, chr3, and chr2, respectively, with retained alignments covering 95.9–99.2% of each Chinese pseudomolecule and estimated sequence identities of 99.75–99.91%. Strong chromosome-scale collinearity was accompanied by localized reverse-collinear regions, including 0.243 Mb and 0.115 Mb intervals on chr2–chrX and chr3–chr3. The anchored sequences contained 96.7% of predicted genes and were substantially more gene-dense than the unanchored sequences. These results establish a clinically sourced Chinese chromosome-scale reference and provide a validated framework for future individual-worm, population-genomic, structural-variation, and comparative genomic studies of this parasite. Full article

Levetiracetam (LEV) is commonly used as an adjunctive antiseizure medication (ASM) in dogs because of its favorable pharmacokinetic profile and limited hepatic metabolism. However, because LEV is predominantly eliminated through renal excretion, prospective clinical evidence regarding its effects on renal function in dogs remains limited. This prospective study evaluated short-term changes in renal biomarkers and urinalysis parameters in 12 client-owned dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) receiving concurrent phenobarbital (PB) and adjunctive LEV. All 12 dogs were evaluated at baseline (day 0), day 14, and day 28. Renal assessment included serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), phosphorus, albumin, and urinalysis; glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was not directly measured. Changes in SDMA over time were analyzed using the Friedman test, whereas serum creatinine, BUN, phosphorus, and albumin were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with the Geisser–Greenhouse correction. No statistically significant changes were detected in SDMA, serum creatinine, BUN, phosphorus, or albumin during the 4-week study period. Urinalysis showed no consistent progressive abnormalities, including proteinuria, glucosuria, or urinary casts. Sedation was the most frequently observed clinical adverse event, occurring in 83% (10/12) of dogs, although it was generally mild and did not require treatment discontinuation. Overall, no detectable short-term deterioration in the assessed renal biomarkers or urinalysis parameters was identified during the 4-week study period in non-azotemic dogs receiving concurrent PB and adjunctive LEV. However, the absence of statistically significant or clinically detectable changes does not exclude subtle alterations in renal function or subclinical renal injury. Larger controlled studies with longer follow-up periods and direct assessment of GFR are warranted. Full article

Canine dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens is a vector-borne zoonotic infection of considerable veterinary and public health importance. Despite reports of the circulation of Dirofilaria spp. in neighboring countries, data on the molecular prevalence, species composition, and genetic diversity of these parasites in dogs from Kazakhstan remain limited. In the present study, owned, shelter, and stray dogs, which serve as the principal reservoirs of infection, were examined for the presence of microfilariae in blood, and the circulation of Dirofilaria spp. was molecularly confirmed. The study was conducted between September 2024 and January 2026 and included 751 canine blood samples collected from 10 regions of Kazakhstan. Initial screening was performed using the modified Knott test. Molecular identification was carried out through amplification of the mitochondrial cox1 gene, followed by DNA sequencing and comparative analysis with reference sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to assess the genetic relationships of the detected isolates. The overall molecular prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. was 3.6% (27/751). The highest infection rate was recorded in the Aktobe region (22.3%), while positive cases were also detected in the Akmola (2.7%), Kostanay (1.7%), and West Kazakhstan (1.8%) regions. Species identification revealed the predominance of D. repens, whereas D. immitis was detected only in Aktobe region. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the species identity of all obtained sequences and demonstrated a high degree of genetic similarity with Dirofilaria isolates previously reported from Europe and Asia. These findings confirm the circulation of Dirofilaria spp. among dogs in several regions of Kazakhstan and indicate the ongoing expansion of canine dirofilariosis in Central Asia. This study provides the first molecular genetic data on Dirofilaria spp. in dogs from Kazakhstan and highlights the need for continued epidemiological surveillance and assessment of potential risks to animal and human health. Full article

Pathogen surveillance contributes to the prediction of outbreaks and implementation of strategies to minimize disease transmission. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) host important disease vectors and often support the proliferation of associated pathogens. Such vectors include ticks: hematophagous acarids that facilitate pathogen transmission between animals through blood feeding. Piroplasmida, an order of blood-borne protozoa including Babesia and Theileria, exploits this feeding to infect definitive hosts. Accordingly, we investigated the prevalence of Theileria cervi infections in Massachusetts white-tailed deer. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect parasite gene fragments encoding the small ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA). Confirmation of species identity was determined by Oxford nanopore sequencing and Sequencher analysis. This revealed a 32.6% prevalence of T. cervi across Massachusetts. Whilst surveillance of deer blood uncovers parasite abundance and distribution, inversely, this allows us to also monitor vector populations. As Amblyomma americanum is the only vector implicated in the transmission of T. cervi, the detection of T. cervi in regions without anticipated Amblyomma presence may indicate expansion of vector populations. These findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence and ecology of this piroplasm and its vector, with possible implications for veterinary and public health. Full article

Ascaridia galli is a major gastrointestinal nematode of poultry that causes significant economic losses worldwide. In this study, we characterized a new isolate, A. galli AgSC_2025, obtained from Xichuan black-bone chickens in China, using an integrative approach by combining morphology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mitogenomics and then its complete developmental changes in eggs—the primary source of infection—was also documented using a high-resolution auto-microscopic imaging. The adult worms exhibited diagnostic characteristics of A. galli, including three distinct lips and a specific arrangement of male caudal papillae. Molecular analysis showed a 99.84% mitogenome identity with previously reported A. galli and positioned the isolate and A. galli in one branch which was sister to other congeneric species within the Ascaridia clade. Furthermore, the high-resolution auto-microscopic imaging system yielded a detailed and complete in vitro egg developmental dynamics with thirteen distinct stages, ranging from the initial 1-cell stage to the infective third-stage larva (L3); and further developmental timeline emphasized that the infective L3 larvae predominated by day 10, with 100% reaching this stage on day 13. Viability assays demonstrated a 79.8% ± 0.46% larval hatching rate and the high vitality of the liberated larvae among these infective eggs. These findings provide a comprehensive morphological and molecular reference for this A. galli isolate and also establish precise developmental biological parameters for egg embryonation, which should offer valuable insights for species-specific identification and the optimization of sanitation protocols to control avian ascaridiasis. Full article

Background/Objectives: The identification of novel therapeutic targets is imperative to overcome the limitations of current anti-toxoplasmosis treatments. This study aims to investigate the potential of repurposing Pentamidine as an inhibitor against the HMG-Box domain-containing protein (TGARI_247020) in Toxoplasma gondii, a protein hypothesized to be essential for the parasite’s genomic stability. Methods: The study utilized a multi-layered in silico approach. First, the biological essentiality of the target gene was validated by analyzing CRISPR-Cas9-based phenomics data from the ToxoDB database. Second, the structural properties of the HMG-Box domain (ID: A0A139YAG1) were characterized using AlphaFold models. Finally, molecular docking simulations were conducted via the SwissDock server to evaluate the binding affinity and interaction dynamics between Pentamidine and the target protein. Results: Genomic analysis revealed a phenotype score of −1.2, confirming the indispensable role of the TGARI_247020 gene for parasite viability. Structural analysis identified a well-defined binding pocket within the HMG-Box domain. Molecular docking results demonstrated a high binding affinity for Pentamidine, yielding an optimal AC Score of −44.93, supported by a FullFitness value of −1134.13 kcal/mol. The interaction was primarily stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds and favorable steric fits within the catalytic groove of the protein. Toxoplasmosis is widely classified as a neglected parasitic disease, posing persistent public health challenges and veterinary economic concerns globally. Traditional de novo drug discovery is often hindered by high costs and prolonged timelines, making drug repositioning (repurposing) a highly attractive and cost-effective strategy to identify novel therapeutics from established clinical agents over the past decade. Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), particularly Structure-Based Drug Design (SBDD), has provided a robust molecular framework to prioritize candidate drugs against essential parasitic targets. In apicomplexan parasites, high-mobility group box (HMGB) proteins, such as TgHMGB1a, serve as critical nuclear architectural factors that bind to distorted DNA structures and modulate genomic transcription, disrupting these essential DNA–protein interactions, representing a promising, yet under-explored, therapeutic target. The hypothesis for evaluating Pentamidine—an aromatic dicationic diamidine traditionally used in African trypanosomiasis—lies in its established ability to interact with nucleic acids and block critical molecular targets in other protozoa, providing a logical biochemical rationale for testing its potential as a structural inhibitor of the T. gondii HMG-box protein. Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary in silico evidence that Pentamidine targets the HMG-Box protein, suggesting its potential for drug repurposing. However, due to established clinical limitations of Pentamidine (such as nephrotoxicity and poor blood–brain barrier permeability), further experimental in vitro and in vivo validation is strictly required to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. Full article

The rising prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance in human pathogenic mycoplasmas, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium, threatens global public health. Mutations in 23S rRNA and quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) have compromised the first-line therapies, creating an urgent clinical need for alternatives. Consequently, novel antimicrobial agents (pleuromutilins, novel tetracyclines, topoisomerase inhibitors) have become a top research priority. However, standardized in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) methodologies for mycoplasmas remain underdeveloped compared to typical bacteria. Key challenges include the lack of a cell wall, slow growth kinetics, and fastidious culture requirements, which invalidate standard colony-counting and susceptibility testing protocols. This review evaluates current in vitro PK/PD models, quantification techniques, and key indices, highlighting the potential of adapting the methodological frameworks established in veterinary mycoplasma research (e.g., Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae) to human mycoplasma species. We specifically analyze the utility of propidium monoazide (PMA)-qPCR for viability assessment and hollow-fiber infection models (HFIM) configured for small-cell retention. We conclude that harmonizing these methodologies through a One Health approach is critical for optimizing dosing regimens, reducing resistance, and accelerating the development of novel antimicrobial agents for human use. Full article

The equine gastrointestinal microbiome plays an essential role in digestion, energy metabolism, immune regulation, and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Increasing evidence suggests that microbial-derived metabolites provide a functional link between diet, the microbiome, and host physiology. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on how dietary factors, including structural carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, influence microbial function and metabolite production in horses. Relevant publications available up to June 2026 were identified through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar and were narratively synthesized according to dietary factors, microbial metabolites, associated diseases, and nutritional interventions. Emphasis is placed on major microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, endotoxins, bile acid derivatives, tryptophan metabolites, and nitrogenous fermentation products, and their potential roles in health and disease. Current evidence supports a central role for the nutrition–microbiota–metabolite axis in gastrointestinal disorders such as colic, colitis, equine gastric ulcer syndrome, and carbohydrate-associated laminitis, whereas its involvement in equine metabolic syndrome and the gut–lung axis remains less well defined. The review also discusses microbiome-targeted nutritional interventions and emerging multi-omics approaches that are improving our understanding of microbial function. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of microbiome-informed nutritional strategies to support equine health, welfare, disease prevention, and athletic performance. Full article

National evidence on cattle vaccination, disease-control practices, and producer-reported disease remains limited in Ecuador. This study assessed holding-level participation in preventive cattle-health activities and factors associated with self-reported disease, focusing on Manabí. We analysed anonymised public-use microdata from the 2025 Continuous Agricultural Production and Area Survey (ESPAC); all four outcomes were based on producer reports and were not independently verified against veterinary or administrative records. The principal design-adjusted analysis included 10,588 positive-weight holdings across continental Ecuador. Survey-weighted proportions and multivariable logistic regression models incorporated expansion weights, strata, and primary sampling units. Estimated participation in the official foot-and-mouth disease vaccination campaign, other cattle vaccination, and disease-control activities was 86.38%, 55.96%, and 64.74%, respectively; 11.22% of holdings reported a principal cattle disease. Larger herd size was positively associated with all four outcomes (all p < 0.001). Compared with the Coast, holdings in the Amazon and Highlands had lower adjusted odds of other vaccination and disease-control activities and higher odds of self-reported disease (all p ≤ 0.002). Manabí holdings had higher adjusted odds of all three preventive outcomes than holdings in the other Coast provinces (all p < 0.001), but not of self-reported disease (p = 0.493). Preventive engagement was strongest for the centrally organised foot-and-mouth disease campaign. These findings identify territorial and farm-level inequalities relevant to veterinary-service delivery and surveillance, without establishing animal-level coverage, confirmed prevalence, or causal effects. Full article

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of major veterinary and public health importance, acting as vectors of numerous pathogens affecting wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Data on tick species infesting lagomorphs in Croatia remain scarce. This study investigated the species composition and genetic diversity of ticks collected from European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Croatia during 2024–2025 using morphological and molecular methods. A total of 158 hares from 18 localities were examined, and ticks were detected on 145 individuals, resulting in an infestation prevalence of 91.8%. Morphological identification and molecular analyses revealed nine tick species. The tick community was dominated by Ixodes ricinus (59.1%; n = 821), followed by Ixodes festai (26.8%; n = 372) and Rhipicephalus bursa (9.6%; n = 133), together accounting for more than 95% of all collected ticks. Molecular analyses confirmed species identification and revealed 10 haplotypes of I. ricinus, eight of I. festai, two of I. ventalloi, and one in I. inopinatus. The results demonstrate that European brown hares are important hosts for diverse tick species in Croatia and provide baseline data for future studies on tick ecology, tick-borne pathogens, and wildlife health management. Full article