Veterinary Sciences

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a coronavirus responsible for severe watery diarrhea in neonatal piglets, leads to significant economic losses globally. Effective prevention and treatment of PEDV infection is critical to the swine industry. Currently, there are no available therapeutic drugs for PEDV. Porcine interferons (poIFNs) have been identified as promising molecules against a series of swine viruses due to their broad-spectrum antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we demonstrated that type I interferon-α (IFN-α) offered both prophylactic and therapeutic benefits against PEDV infection. Recombinant poIFN-α produced by a prokaryotic expression system was purified through affinity chromatography, and its prophylactic and therapeutic effects against PEDV infection were evaluated in vitro and in vivo through RT-qPCR, clinical symptom monitoring, and pathological examination. In vitro studies revealed a strong antiviral activity of poIFN-α against PEDV in Vero E6 cells, with a more pronounced prophylactic effect compared to therapeutic outcomes. In vivo studies showed that poIFN-α significantly alleviated clinical diarrhea in PEDV-infected piglets and reduced intestinal viral loads. These findings suggest that poIFN-α holds considerable promise as an antiviral agent for PEDV and provides a foundation for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting this virus.

The thymus is important for neonatal immune development; however, information on its ultrasonographic appearance in newborn puppies is limited. Because the thymus occupies a substantial portion of the cranial mediastinum in neonates, it may be confused with pathological mediastinal masses during thoracic imaging. Defining its normal ultrasonographic appearance is therefore crucial for accurate clinical interpretation. This study aimed to describe the topographic anatomy and ultrasonographic features of the thymus in neonatal dogs. Ten puppy cadavers were examined. Under ultrasound guidance, the thymus was injected with methylene blue, and its location confirmed by dissection. Subsequently, transcutaneous ultrasonographic examinations were performed in 40 clinically normal puppies aged 1–5 days. In all puppies, the thymus was consistently visualized from the left side of the thorax within the precardiac mediastinum. In the transverse imaging plane, the thoracic portion of the thymus typically appeared triangular, with variations related to respiratory movements and cardiac and vascular pulsations. The thymic parenchyma was predominantly homogeneous and hypoechoic with scattered hyperechoic areas and fine lines. In some cases, the echotexture was more heterogenous, showing fusiform hypo- and hyperechoic linear structures. The thymus was easily differentiated from adjacent thoracic structures due to its distinctive echotexture. The thymus in newborn puppies demonstrates a consistent and recognizable ultrasonographic pattern, allowing reliable identification using transcutaneous ultrasonography. These findings provide a useful reference for clinical and diagnostic evaluation of the neonatal canine thymus.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) are one of the most common foodborne pathogens worldwide, and pork is a major food vehicle together with eggs and poultry meat. Contamination of pork within food processing facilities, such as slaughterhouses, can be associated with persistence of Salmonella in the environment due to biocide resistance. In this study, we assessed the susceptibility of NTS isolates from pig carcasses to a QAC-based commercial formulation according to the EN 1656/2009 standard and the presence of QAC resistance genes through PCR. The qacEΔ1 and qacF genes were found in 31.8% and 29.5% of the isolates respectively, while qacE was absent. All isolates were found to be susceptible at a tested concentration 10 times lower (0.1%) than the minimum in-use recommended concentration, with MIC values below 0.1% (≈70 mg/L of Benzalkonium Chloride). Our findings point towards the importance of correct cleaning and disinfection protocols and the role of good hygiene practices as corrective and/or preventive measures to avoid cross-contamination.