Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Animals animals	3.2	5.5	2011	15.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.7	8.2	2013	16.5 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Ruminants ruminants	2.0	2.9	2021	18.8 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Sci sci	4.1	5.4	2019	28.2 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Veterinary Sciences vetsci	2.7	3.9	2014	16.3 Days	CHF 2100	Submit

15 pages, 2470 KB

Open AccessArticle

Climatic Correlates of Brucellosis Transmission in a Semi-Arid Region of Xinjiang, China, 2015–2025: A Maximum Entropy Modeling Study Within a One Health Framework

by Yuerong Lv and Xiang Gao

Animals 2026, 16(17), 2735; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16172735 - 2 Sep 2026

Viewed by 253

Abstract

More than 80% of global brucellosis cases occur in semi-arid regions; however, the climatic factors associated with these outbreaks remain poorly understood. This study investigated environmental correlates of brucellosis in a semi-arid region of Xinjiang, China. A maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model incorporating 19 [...] Read more.

More than 80% of global brucellosis cases occur in semi-arid regions; however, the climatic factors associated with these outbreaks remain poorly understood. This study investigated environmental correlates of brucellosis in a semi-arid region of Xinjiang, China. A maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model incorporating 19 bioclimatic variables, wind speed, solar radiation, and ruminant livestock inventory was applied to 1132 surveillance-confirmed human brucellosis cases from January 2015 to December 2025. Precipitation in the driest month (31.8%), wind speed (24.3%), and temperature seasonality (13.7%) were the leading contributors to the predicted risk. The model identified high-risk zones in low-precipitation moderate-wind steppe environments and showed strong predictive performance (AUC = 0.960 ± 0.007). These findings indicate that water scarcity and thermal variability are key environmental constraints associated with brucellosis distribution in semi-arid ecosystems and may inform climate-resilient One Health-based prevention strategies in similar agro-ecological zones globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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18 pages, 4661 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Colloidal Gold Immunochromatographic Test Strip for PPRV Antibody Detection Based on Antigenic Epitope-Derived Recombinant Protein

by Shenyuan Wang, Cong Han, Chuanhao Sun, Dong Zhang and Yongbin Liu

Animals 2026, 16(16), 2545; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16162545 - 14 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) causes a highly fatal disease that severely impacts small ruminant production and global food security. This study aimed to develop a rapid, user-friendly colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip for detecting PPRV-specific antibodies using a double-antigen sandwich format. [...] Read more.

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) causes a highly fatal disease that severely impacts small ruminant production and global food security. This study aimed to develop a rapid, user-friendly colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip for detecting PPRV-specific antibodies using a double-antigen sandwich format. Bioinformatic analysis using DNASTAR Protean was performed to predict candidate antigenic regions in the PPRV H and N proteins. Three predicted candidate regions from each protein were selected and incorporated into the design of the recombinant fusion antigen PPRV-H₃N₃EP. The recombinant antigen was expressed in E. coli, purified, and refolded to obtain a final concentration of 8.52 mg/mL. The strip was assembled with colloidal gold-labeled fusion protein as the detection probe and unlabeled protein coated on the test line, plus an independent mouse IgG/goat anti-mouse IgG control system. Performance evaluation showed that the results were readable within 10–15 min. The strip showed satisfactory analytical sensitivity and cross-reactivity performance, consistent qualitative results in within-batch repeatability testing, and preliminary short-term storage stability. In a comparative evaluation using sheep serum samples and a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, the overall agreement reached 97.9%. Collectively, the constructed PPRV-H₃N₃EP antigen enabled a simple, rapid, and reliable strip assay suitable for field detection of PPRV antibodies and post-vaccination monitoring, while also providing a methodological reference for developing antibody tests for other pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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13 pages, 3061 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diarrhea-Associated Changes in Fecal Microbiota Composition and Community Structure in Llama Crias

by Julio C. Alarcón, Francisca Callañaupa, Carola T. Melo, Elias Farfan, Cathia S. Taco, Richard Estrada and Celso Zapata

Ruminants 2026, 6(3), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants6030067 - 12 Aug 2026

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Abstract

The gastrointestinal microbiota plays a key role in the health and productivity of llama crias, yet its dynamics under disease conditions remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize and compare the fecal microbiota of healthy and diseased llama crias. Fecal samples collected [...] Read more.

The gastrointestinal microbiota plays a key role in the health and productivity of llama crias, yet its dynamics under disease conditions remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize and compare the fecal microbiota of healthy and diseased llama crias. Fecal samples collected from nine llama crias (six with diarrhea and three clinically healthy controls) were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V4 region, followed by bioinformatic processing and statistical analyses, including diversity metrics and generalized linear mixed models. Results showed that microbial communities were dominated by Bacillota and Bacteroidota in both groups; however, diseased animals exhibited increased abundance of Pseudomonadota, particularly Gammaproteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in community structure between groups, with diseased samples showing higher dispersion. Additionally, a greater number of unique ASVs was observed in diseased individuals, indicating increased microbial heterogeneity. Differential abundance analysis identified distinct microbial signatures associated with health status, with opportunistic taxa enriched in diseased animals and fiber-degrading taxa more prevalent in healthy individuals. Overall, the findings demonstrate an association between diarrhea and differences in the fecal microbiota of llama crias. Because this was a cross-sectional observational study, causal relationships cannot be inferred. These results provide a foundation for future investigations into host–microbiota interactions and gastrointestinal health in South American camelids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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16 pages, 586 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Occurrence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Small Ruminants and Their Ticks in Sardinia: Implications for Animal Health and Zoonotic Risk

by Valentina Chisu, Rosanna Zobba, Laura Giua, Cipriano Foxi, Piera Bianco, Giovanna Chessa, Giovanna Masala, Alberto Alberti and Pierangela Cabras

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(8), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13080769 - 31 Jul 2026

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Abstract

Tick-borne diseases are an increasing concern in Mediterranean livestock systems, where environmental conditions and extensive grazing favour interactions among hosts, vectors, and pathogens. This study investigated the occurrence and diversity of tick-borne pathogens in small ruminants and their associated ticks in Sardinia (Italy), [...] Read more.

Tick-borne diseases are an increasing concern in Mediterranean livestock systems, where environmental conditions and extensive grazing favour interactions among hosts, vectors, and pathogens. This study investigated the occurrence and diversity of tick-borne pathogens in small ruminants and their associated ticks in Sardinia (Italy), with the aim of characterizing the occurrence and diversity of tick-borne pathogens in small ruminants and their associated ticks in Sardinia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 17 farms in central-eastern Sardinia. Blood samples from 75 animals (57 goats and 18 sheep) and 364 ticks collected from infested hosts were analyzed. Ticks were morphologically identified, and both ticks and blood samples were screened for major bacterial and protozoan pathogens using rt-PCR and conventional PCR assays, followed by sequencing. Among examined hosts, Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 28% of goats and 39% of sheep, whereas Theileria ovis was identified in 4% of goats and 78% of sheep. No animals tested positive for Rickettsia spp. or Coxiella spp. Tick analysis revealed a predominance of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus bursa, with several tick-borne microorganisms detected, including Rickettsia spp. (26.6%), Coxiella spp. (22.5%), Anaplasma spp. (17.6%), and piroplasms (11.8%). Most Coxiella-positive ticks carried DNA of the Coxiella-like endosymbiont Candidatus Coxiella mudrowiae, while only one tick was positive for Coxiella burnetii. Sequencing confirmed the presence of zoonotic species such as Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia sibirica/barbarica group, and Rickettsia hoogstraalii. These findings reveal a complex epidemiological scenario characterized by frequent detection of tick-borne microorganisms in ticks but limited detection in hosts. The presence of zoonotic agents highlights potential public health risks and supports the need for integrated surveillance and control strategies in Mediterranean pastoral systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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19 pages, 3673 KB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Peptide CPP-C3M4 Attenuates Salmonella-Induced Liver Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Lambs

by Chunyuan Pan, Wenhao He, Wanxin Tian, Wanxin Xu, Hongyan Li, Chenxue Zhang, Sijia Liu, Xiaodong Xu, Yumeng Qin, Aizhong Zhang and Ning Jiang

Animals 2026, 16(15), 2290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16152290 - 23 Jul 2026

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of CPP-C3M4 against Salmonella-induced hepatic injury in lambs. Thirty 72-day-old Hu sheep were randomly divided into five groups: the control group (CON), the Salmonella-infected group (ST), and three CPP-C3M4 pretreatment groups at low, [...] Read more.

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of CPP-C3M4 against Salmonella-induced hepatic injury in lambs. Thirty 72-day-old Hu sheep were randomly divided into five groups: the control group (CON), the Salmonella-infected group (ST), and three CPP-C3M4 pretreatment groups at low, medium and high doses (CPP-C3M4-L, CPP-C3M4-M, and CPP-C3M4-H). The results showed that administration of CPP-C3M4 via duodenal fistula significantly alleviated liver enlargement and histopathological damage caused by Salmonella infection. CPP-C3M4 improved liver function by reducing alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) levels. It enhanced the liver antioxidant capacity by increasing glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. It also alleviated inflammatory responses by downregulating the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Transcriptomic Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis further confirmed that CPP-C3M4 exerts its protective effects by suppressing multiple inflammatory pathways, with the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling axis being a key target of regulation. These results indicate that CPP-C3M4 is a promising alternative antimicrobial substance for preventing and alleviating Salmonella-induced liver injury in lambs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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19 pages, 263 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pathogen Transmission During the Suckling Period: A Study in Cow-Based Calf Rearing Systems

by Franziska Nankemann, Yanchao Zhang, Janina Schmidt, Nicole Wente and Volker Krömker

Ruminants 2026, 6(3), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants6030050 - 3 Jul 2026

Viewed by 427

Abstract

Cow-based calf rearing (dam- or foster cow-based) is gaining popularity as a relatively natural husbandry practice. However, direct udder contact by calves creates a bidirectional transmission route for pathogens. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and concordance of [...] Read more.

Cow-based calf rearing (dam- or foster cow-based) is gaining popularity as a relatively natural husbandry practice. However, direct udder contact by calves creates a bidirectional transmission route for pathogens. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and concordance of mastitis-associated pathogens in the milk of cows and the saliva of corresponding calves at the time of weaning. On 15 organic dairy farms, milk samples from 269 cows and saliva samples from 403 calves were collected at weaning. Pathogen differentiation was performed via Matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), and strain typing was additionally conducted via randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Dominant pathogens in milk were Non-aureus-Staphylococci (NaS)/Mammaliicoccus spp. and Corynebacterium spp., and in calf saliva, NaS/Mammaliicoccus spp. (primarily M. sciuri, S. xylosus). There were a total of 12 strain concordances, exclusively in foster cow–calf pairs (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.012). The highest observed/expected ratio was found for P. multocida (21.1). For S. aureus, strain matches were found in 3 foster cow–calf pairs across 2 farms. Direct strain concordance was generally observed rather rarely. The observed strain concordances suggest transmission between cows and calves, particularly for S. aureus and P. multocida. NaS and Mammaliicoccus spp. concordances are likely attributable to a common environmental source. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

23 pages, 4039 KB

Open AccessReview

Mapping Variability in Bovine Respiratory Disease Risk Factors in Beef Production Systems: A Scoping Review

by Adeolu Adekunle, Alexcia Gaines, Natalie Estefano, Devyani Lenin, Piyush Hole, Rhythm Khandelwal, Reinaldo Cooke and Karun Kaniyamattam

Animals 2026, 16(11), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16111726 - 4 Jun 2026

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Abstract

This scoping review examines bovine respiratory disease (BRD) risk factors across beef production systems to clarify their contribution to disease occurrence and outcomes and to identify gaps that limit effective prevention. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, eight databases (EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, MDPI, PubMed, ScienceDirect, [...] Read more.

This scoping review examines bovine respiratory disease (BRD) risk factors across beef production systems to clarify their contribution to disease occurrence and outcomes and to identify gaps that limit effective prevention. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, eight databases (EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, MDPI, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Dairy Science, and Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2004 and 2024, yielding 91 eligible studies from 133 screened articles. Data were charted to assess how BRD risk factors have been investigated across cow–calf, stocker/backgrounding, and feedlot systems and categorized into biological, operational, and environmental domains. Twenty-three major risk factors were identified, with transportation stress and commingling most frequently studied in stocker and feedlot systems, while management-related factors such as vaccination were more commonly emphasized in cow–calf operations. The evidence base was heavily skewed toward feedlot populations (62%), with limited focus on cow–calf (13%) and stocker (7%) systems and few longitudinal studies spanning multiple production stages. Overall, the findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in research emphasis and highlight critical gaps in early-life and cross-stage risk assessment. These findings underscore an urgent need for longitudinal, cross-stage cohort studies and standardized BRD surveillance frameworks to address the early-life evidence gap and provide a foundation for more effective, data-driven, integrated disease prevention strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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15 pages, 3341 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of an OMP16-Targeting Trivalent Nanobody-HRP-Based cELISA for Serological Detection of Bovine Brucellosis

by Gaowa Wudong, Qing Lu, Yunyi Zhai, Ye Yuan, Xiaofang Liu, Yuanhao Yang, Lu Zhang, Yaping Jin, Dong Zhou and Aihua Wang

Animals 2026, 16(11), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16111707 - 3 Jun 2026

Viewed by 1920

Abstract

Brucellosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease that imposes considerable economic burdens on the livestock industry and remains a significant threat to public health. Although lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-based serological assays are widely used in routine diagnosis, their inherent limitations—particularly cross-reactivity with other Gram-negative bacteria—underscore [...] Read more.

Brucellosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease that imposes considerable economic burdens on the livestock industry and remains a significant threat to public health. Although lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-based serological assays are widely used in routine diagnosis, their inherent limitations—particularly cross-reactivity with other Gram-negative bacteria—underscore the need for the development of diagnostic approaches based on non-LPS antigens. In this study, we developed a trivalent nanobody–horseradish peroxidase (3Nbs-HRP) fusion protein targeting Brucella OMP16 and established a cELISA for the serological detection of bovine brucellosis. The diagnostic performance of the assay was assessed using 204 Brucella antibody-negative and 123 Brucella antibody-positive bovine serum samples. ROC curve analysis yielded a sensitivity of 87.7% and a specificity of 89.4%, with no significant cross-reactivity observed. By employing a recombinant antigen and a 3Nbs-HRP probe, this assay enhances biosafety and demonstrates strong potential for standardization and large-scale application, serving as a complementary tool to conventional LPS-based assays for the surveillance, diagnosis, and control of bovine brucellosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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12 pages, 1051 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Immunomagnetic Bead-Based Sandwich ELISA for the Detection of Brucella in Milk

by Gaowa Wudong, Qing Lu, Danyu Zhao, Yong Shi, Yimeng Cui, Yaping Jin, Dong Zhou and Aihua Wang

Animals 2026, 16(9), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16091330 - 27 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1113

Abstract

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., posing significant impacts on animal health, livestock production, and public health. Infected dairy animals can shed the pathogen in milk, making milk a noninvasive and readily accessible sample for disease surveillance. Therefore, detection [...] Read more.

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., posing significant impacts on animal health, livestock production, and public health. Infected dairy animals can shed the pathogen in milk, making milk a noninvasive and readily accessible sample for disease surveillance. Therefore, detection of Brucella in milk can be used for monitoring brucellosis in dairy herds. In this study, polyclonal antibodies were produced by immunizing camels with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Brucella abortus vaccine strain 19 (A19). These antibodies were subsequently conjugated to magnetic beads to develop immunomagnetic beads (IMBs). The IMBs were combined with a sandwich ELISA for the enrichment and detection of Brucella in milk samples. The IMB-sELISA showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 × 10⁴ CFU/mL. The method reduced matrix interference and showed satisfactory analytical performance. This approach can be applied for on-farm sample screening and herd-level surveillance to support the diagnosis and control of brucellosis in dairy animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Disease Dynamics in Modern Livestock Production Systems: Prevention and Control Strategies)

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