Abstract Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 1 (PRRSV-1) has emerged as a critical pathogen that threatens swine herds across China. In this study, a novel PRRSV-1 strain, designated XJEU2308, was isolated from a PRRSV outbreak in a previously confirmed PRRSV-negative (both RNA and antibody negative) swine herd in Xinjiang, China. During the outbreak surveillance period, production records revealed a mean stillbirth rate of 12.19% and a suckling piglet mortality rate of 56.07%. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the ORF5 gene classified XJEU2308 as a BJEU06-1-like strain, whereas whole-genome analysis clustered it within the newly identified "New subgroup 1" of Chinese PRRSV-1. Notably, this strain carried a unique 3-amino acid deletion (at positions 693–695) in nonstructural protein 2 (NSP2). In challenge experiments, XJEU2308 induced typical clinical symptoms and exhibited moderate pathogenicity. Importantly, the implementation of the load-close-exposure (LCE) strategy combined with field virus (FLV) exposure successfully restored the herd to a provisional PRRSV-negative status. Overall, this study isolated a new subgroup 1-like PRRSV-1 strain from a swine farm that experienced a reproductive failure outbreak; the strain is characterized by a unique 3-amino-acid deletion in the NSP2 gene and moderate pathogenicity. Additionally, this study validated the effectiveness of the LCE-FLV strategy for containing PRRSV-1.

Abstract Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a highly contagious parvovirus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leukopenia, and high mortality in felids. Although domestic cats are commonly vaccinated, FPV continues to threaten captive and wild felids because of its environmental stability, rapid progression, and potential antigenic drift. In June 2022, a one-year-old captive female cougar ( Puma concolor ) at Hongshan Forest Zoo, Nanjing, China, was found dead following a peracute course without prodromal signs. The animal had previously received a trivalent feline vaccine containing feline panleukopenia, herpesvirus, and calicivirus antigens. Postmortem examination revealed perianal fecal staining, oral discharge, pulmonary congestion with peripheral emphysema, a darkened liver, and intestinal mucosal sloughing with petechiae. Histopathology revealed crypt epithelial necrosis, mucosal sloughing, and lymphoid depletion, which was consistent with parvoviral enteritis. Fecal and intestinal samples tested positive for FPV according to the lateral-flow assay and PCR. Viral replication was confirmed in CRFK cells via indirect immunofluorescence, and FPV antigen was shown to be localized to the intestinal crypt epithelium via immunohistochemistry. VP2 gene sequencing (1,753 bp) revealed that the isolate clustered with field strains from domestic cats in Jiangsu and Shanghai, which share near-complete nucleotide identity but differ from the Felocell vaccine strain in three amino acid substitutions (A91S, I232V, and L562V), two of which lie in antigenic loops and may affect antigenicity. No further FPV cases were detected during or after the 14-day observation period, reflecting successful containment through disinfection, relocation, feral cat control, and movement restrictions. This represents the first confirmed fatal FPV infection in a captive cougar in China and highlights the potential for local spillover from domestic reservoirs. The case underscores the need for continuous molecular surveillance, vaccination evaluation, and One Health–based biosecurity to protect susceptible wildlife populations at the human–domestic–wildlife interface.

Abstract Nipah virus disease, caused by Nipah virus (NiV), is a zoonotic infectious disease with an extremely high fatality rate. Owing to the absence of effective countermeasures, Nipah virus disease has caused substantial economic losses in the swine farming industry. Vaccines represent the most cost-effective approach for prevention and control. Herein, we describe the development of a recombinant pseudorabies virus (PRV)-vectored vaccine (designated PRV-HNX-ΔTK/gE-NiV-G), which expresses the codon-optimized full-length glycoprotein of Nipah virus (NiV-G). The biological characteristics of this strain, including plaque morphology, growth kinetics, and genetic stability, were evaluated in vitro. Furthermore, the recombinant virus exhibited favorable safety profiles in mice. Intramuscular administration of PRV-HNX-ΔTK/gE-NiV-G elicited high-titer neutralizing antibodies against NiV-G and a robust cellular immune response in BALB/c mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that PRV-HNX-ΔTK/gE-NiV-G has potential as a promising candidate for the development of bivalent vaccines that target both NiV and PRV infections.

Abstract African swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a devastating disease of domestic pigs with mortality rates approaching 100%, leading to severe global economic losses. No effective vaccines or antivirals are available, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies and efficient screening tools. We developed a recombinant ASFV-expressing dual reporter ( mCherry and NanoLuc ), rASFV_mChNluc, and established a high-content screening (HCS) platform optimized for cost-effective, low-labor analysis via the mCherry reporter. The assay demonstrated excellent robustness (Z′-factor = 0.669±0.064) and successfully verified the activity of the known ASFV inhibitor AraC, confirming inhibition at the postinfection stage. Screening of an in-house fungal extract library (493 extracts) identified 25 hits (5.07%) that reduced viral infectivity to < 5%. Extracts from the insect fungi Beauveria neobassiana and Samsoniella aurantia showed potent activity, with an SI > 62.81 (EC₅₀ = 1.99±0.71 µg/mL) and an SI > 42.92 (EC₅₀ = 11.65±2.99 µg/mL), respectively. Time-of-addition assays indicated that B. neobassiana acts at multiple replication stages, whereas S. aurantia targets the postinfection stage. This study establishes a robust ASFV HCS platform for efficient high-throughput antiviral discovery and highlights fungi as a promising source of novel ASFV inhibitors.

Abstract Lumpy skin disease (LSD), a highly contagious viral infection caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), has caused severe economic losses. We analyzed three representative outbreaks in 2024, combining clinical, histopathological, serological, and molecular data to refine regional control strategies. According to our findings, affected cattle presented with generalized cutaneous nodules, fever and peripheral edema; one-third of in-contact animals remained clinically normal yet seroconverted within ten days. Antibody titers peaked at approximately 20 d post-onset and were accompanied by persistent viral DNA in saliva, ocular secretions and skin scabs. Histology revealed alveolar septal edema, hepatocellular ballooning, and glomerular necrosis, whereas biochemical profiling revealed hypalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and elevated alanine aminotransferase in one patient. Immunohistochemistry revealed intense LSDV antigen in the spleen, alveolar septa of the lung, and throughout the dermis of the skin nodules, identifying these tissues as the most reliable diagnostic targets. The combined findings confirm active viral replication in cutaneous, respiratory and lymphoid tissues, highlight the occurrence of subclinical infection and underscore the value of paired serology and PCR for herd screening. Prompt isolation, vector control and vaccination with homologous capripox vaccines are recommended to curtail transmission and economic impact.

Abstract Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection caused by species of the Sporothrix genus that affects both humans and animals. Sporothrix brasiliensis is a dimorphic fungus that exists in a mycelial and conidial phase in nature and is a yeast in its parasitic stage or when cultured at 37°C. Since its first identification in animals in 1907, the disease has become a significant concern, especially given the increasing number of cases in cats, particularly in urban areas. This has contributed to an increase in zoonotic transmission and the current epidemic of sporotrichosis in Brazil. Virulent strains of S. brasiliensis , combined with the increased susceptibility of felines, have exacerbated the public health challenge posed by sporotrichosis. As with other infectious diseases, immunomodulation presents a promising strategy for the prevention, treatment, and control of sporotrichosis in animals, potentially reducing zoonotic transmission. This review examines the role of cats in the transmission of this disease, the interactions between Sporothrix species and the host immune system, and the progress in the development of antifungal vaccines. We also highlight ongoing research into vaccine strategies. Ultimately, our goal is to encourage further dialog on effective approaches to control the rapid spread of zoonotic sporotrichosis. Graphical Abstract Sporothrix brasiliensis drives a growing sporotrichosis epidemic in Brazil, with domestic cats serving as the key zoonotic reservoir. This review examines the feline-driven transmission cycle, host‒pathogen immune interactions, and current progress in vaccine development. Immunomodulation through feline vaccination has emerged as a crucial strategy for breaking the transmission chain and controlling this public health threat.

Abstract Climate change is increasingly shaping the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in foodborne zoonotic bacteria, creating an urgent challenge at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. Rising temperatures, extreme rainfall, droughts, and flooding alter bacterial ecology, expand environmental resistomes, and drive greater antimicrobial use in livestock and aquaculture, thereby intensifying resistance in Salmonella , Campylobacter , Escherichia coli , Vibrio , and Listeria . Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face disproportionate risks, as climate variability interacts with weak surveillance systems, inadequate veterinary stewardship, and informal food markets to accelerate resistant infections. Evidence from LMIC case studies demonstrates how climate drivers exacerbate outbreaks and resistance trends; however, major gaps remain, including limited longitudinal surveillance, scarce genomic data, and the absence of climate-informed AMR risk models to guide interventions. This review highlights the need for integrated One Health strategies that combine climate-smart agriculture, strengthened food safety and WASH systems, robust genomic surveillance, and multisectoral governance aligned with global development goals. Without decisive and coordinated action, the convergence of climate change and AMR will deepen health inequities, undermine food security, and erode global progress toward sustainable health and development.

Abstract Manure contains a diverse range of microbial communities and antimicrobial resistant genes (ARGs), and the use of poultry manure in agricultural fields for soil enrichment may lead to environmental contamination, posing a risk to human and animal health. The current study profiled the microbiome and resistome of manure collected from poultry operations across Alberta, Canada. The sampling was conducted from 15 (cage and floor housed layer chickens) barns across Alberta from 2022–24 and processed via shotgun metagenomics. Taxonomic alignment was performed after mapping the reads via Kraken 2. The resistome of the assembled contig files was analyzed via the AMRFinderPlus database. Bacillota, Actinomycetota and Pseudomonadota were the most relatively abundant phyla in the study samples. ESPEC pathogens ( Enterococcus faecium , Staphylococcus aureus , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Acinetobacter baumannii , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) were detected in both types of housing systems, and the relative abundances of S. aureus, P. multocida, and A. baumannii were greater in manure from cage housing, whereas E. coli and K. pneumoniae were relatively more abundant in floor-housed manure. lnu C , aad 9 , aph3-IIIa , sat 4 , and tet W ARG subtypes were found in all 15 samples. The analysis of ARGs revealed that resistance was associated mainly with the tetracycline, aminoglycoside and lincosamide classes of antibiotics. Overall, manure contains potential opportunistic pathogens and ARGs that are resistant to various classes of antibiotics. This study provides strong evidence for the need for policy change regarding the treatment of litter and manure prior to their application on agricultural land in Alberta.

Abstract This review explores the feasibility of Houttuynia cordata Thunberg extract as a viable substitute for antibiotics in swine husbandry, emphasizing its multifaceted activities against microbial infections, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. The extract improves intestinal health, boosts immune responses, and enhances reproductive performance in pigs, tackling key challenges such as antibiotic resistance and oxidative stress. Key bioactive compounds, including flavonoids (quercetin, hyperoside) and volatile oils (2-undecanone), exhibit dose-dependent efficacy against pathogens such as Salmonella , PRRSV, and Staphylococcus aureus . This work underscores the dual role of the extract in improving pig productivity and reducing reliance on conventional antibiotics, suggesting a paradigm shift in sustainable livestock management. Graphical abstract Houttuynia cordata extract exhibits core bioactivities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory through specific molecular mechanisms. These actions synergistically enhance disease resistance, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and promote immune balance, ultimately improving overall pig health, growth performance, and reproductive efficiency, which positions Houttuynia cordata extract as a natural, sustainable alternative to antibiotics in swine husbandry.