Clinical Signs Of Disease Research Articles

Key facts about endoparasites of pet rabbits: a guide for clinicians

Pet rabbits are frequently presented in first opinion veterinary practice and questions about their parasites and parasite control are common. While pet rabbits can host various endoparasites and may experience clinical signs of disease as a consequence, many parasites found do not necessarily cause clinical signs in all animals. This must be balanced with the knowledge that some of these parasites are also capable of parasitising other household pets. Therefore, this may affect decisions to treat and how treatment or prophylactic plans are implemented. Some parasites may also indicate underlying disease and/or issues with husbandry or social grouping, causing stress and immunosuppression. Therefore, it is important to understand these factors, as treatment of the parasitic disease will be less successful if underlying factors are not corrected. This article is an easy reference guide for clinicians who need to understand the clinical relevance of these parasites.

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae identified as the main aetiological agent of respiratory disease in goats from a case-control study in Savannakhet province of Lao PDR.

Clinical signs of respiratory disease are common in Lao goats. To identify the causative agents involved in this clinical syndrome, a matched case-control study was conducted across 70 smallholder goat holdings in Savannakhet province. Fifty paired nasal swab samples were collected from goats with respiratory signs (cases) and unaffected (control) goats from 27 goat holdings. The majority of cases (84 %) were from goats < 12 months of age. Samples were tested using quantitative PCR assays targeting possible pathogens causing respiratory disease. Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, the cause of atypical pneumonia, was prevalent in both case (94 %) and control (76 %) groups and was identified as the principal causative agent based on odds ratio of presence (4.9) and a significantly higher pathogen load in case goats. Prolonged close contact between goats during confinement in often poorly constructed goat houses, likely facilitates transmission and progression from carrier to clinical status under the Lao goat production system. Mannheimia haemolytica was detected in 60 % of case and 52 % of control samples with no significant difference in pathogen load, while Pasteurella multocida was detected in only 2 % of control samples indicating no major role in causation for these pathogens. Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus and bovine parainfluenza 3 virus were not detected in any samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed no genetic variation of M. ovipneumoniae in the study samples and close similarity to recent isolates from China, US and Turkey. Improved housing conditions may be helpful in controlling atypical pneumonia in Lao goats and antibiotic treatment of goats with severe signs of respiratory disease was found to be effective.

Clinical and Diagnostic Study of Breast Cancer in Women and its Relation with Periodontal Disease

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a common type of malignancy in females in Iraq. This study investigated BC's clinical and diagnostic features in 30 women and displayed its relationship with periodontal disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 30 BC patients diagnosed in 2023. The clinical signs, ultrasound, biopsy, histopathology and Immunohistochemistry, treatment modules, and clinical signs of periodontal disease were reported and analyzed. Results: The mean and standard deviation of patients’ age was 51.73± 11.41. The location of Breast Cancer lesions was on the left and right sides in 11 (36.66%) and 19 (63.33%) patients, respectively. All patients showed various sizes of non-painful lumps with well-defined masses in different areas of the breast tissue with regular or irregular borders in ultrasound and MRI. The gross and histopathological changes of cancerous tumors differed according to conditions, stage, and interaction with the cancer receptors in Immunohistochemistry. The percentage of metastases was 100% (in 30 cases) for the lymph nodes and 66.66% (in 20 cases) for the rest of the other organs. Different treatment modules were used, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and hormonal therapy. The cases suffering from mild, moderate, and severe periodontal disease were 7 (23.33 %), 2 (6.66%), and 21 (70%), respectively. Conclusion: The clinical signs, histopathological, IHC, and occurrence of periodontal disease in 30 women with breast cancer were documented in this study. The authors recommend further studies on breast cancer to support its early diagnosis and prevention strategies.

Assessment of a semiquantitative scoring system for mild-to-moderate gill lesions in Atlantic salmon reared in recirculating aquaculture systems in Norway.

Compromised gill health is a critical cause of forfeited welfare in Atlantic salmon farming. Detecting and quantifying the early onset of gill disease is important to reveal initial inflicting stimuli. We collected gill samples of 45 Atlantic salmon from 2 commercial recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) spanning fry-to-market-size fish with no clinical signs of gill disease. Gill samples were assessed histologically by 3 independent raters with different levels of experience. Semiquantitative scoring for 7 types of gill changes was carried out for 10 filaments per gill (450 filaments total) over 3 rounds on anonymized samples. Scores were summarized for each type of gill change. The assumed clinical relevance for each change was transformed into a category score, followed by an assessment of agreement within (intra) and between (inter) raters. A generalized linear model estimated the difference in score levels between raters. For each rater, intra-rater agreement was high for 6 gill changes and moderate for 1 gill change. Inter-rater agreement was moderate to almost-perfect, except for 2 gill changes; generalized linear model regression revealed systematic differences in score usage between the raters. Our scoring protocol worked satisfactorily for mucous cell amount, lamellar clubbing, lamellar hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia, and aneurysms, despite different levels of expertise in histologic evaluation. Intra-rater agreement was consistent, but differences existed for interlamellar hypercellularity, lamellar inflammation, and degeneration. Scoring subclinical gill changes is a challenge, and our scoring system for mild-to-moderate lesions may enable early intervention to limit the detrimental effects of poor gill health in RAS farming.

ALOPECIA X IN GERMAN SPITZ RESPONSIVE TO ORCHIECTOMY ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF MELATONIN: CASE REPORT

Alopecia X is a dermatological disorder that mainly affects Nordic breed dogs. Its cause is not completely clear. Alopecia X is characterized by its non-inflammatory aspect, being similar to endocrine-based dermatopathies. The main lesions are progressive hair loss in the affected areas, being less pronounced on the head and distal extremities of the limbs in more advanced cases. This study aims to report a case of alopecia X in a male, uncastrated German Spitz dog. At the first visit, an initial case of bilateral symmetrical alopecia was observed on the caudal side of the thighs and perineum, without pruritus, macroscopic signs of inflammation and clinical signs of systemic diseases. The patient underwent additional tests (including trichogram, skin scraping, direct ectoparasite screening and blood profile) in which parasitic and systemic diseases were ruled out. Based on clinical aspects, racial predisposition and exclusion of systemic causes, the diagnosis of alopecia X was considered. The treatment of choice was orchiectomy associated with the use of Melatonin, initially for 3 months. After 90 days of treatment, partial regrowth of the alopecic areas was observed, as well as a reduction in the area without hair, with return of primary and secondary hairs in the affected region. It is concluded in this case that the choice of orchiectomy associated with the use of melatonin was effective in improving the dermatological condition, and can be used as an ally in the

Impact of trypanosomiasis on male camel infertility.

Blood parasitism is a significant clinical disease that silently undermines the livestock industry, particularly affecting camels. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius) and its impact on infertility by examining serum protein fractions, lipids, reproductive indices, and the expression of heat shock protein (HSP70) during breeding season. A total of 107 male post-pubertal camels, aged between 5 and 10 years, were collected randomly from slaughtering house in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Microscopic and serological examinations revealed that 23.4% (25/107) of the camels were infected with T. evansi. Infected camels exhibited a highly significant increase in total serum protein. The assessment of dyslipidemia, measure as binary variables for lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL), indicated a nonsignificant increase in risk of dyslipidemia in infected camels compared to healthy camels. Proteomic analysis identified four major protein fractions in the infected camels compared to healthy camels with molecular weights of 181.72, 87.59, 30.5, and 19.5 kDa using SDS electrophoresis. Testicular tissue of the infected camels showed degeneration and necrotic changes in seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue, along with edema and congestion. There was a significant reduction in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium height. A marked reduction in testosterone levels and a high expression of HSP70 in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells were observed. Consequently, a combination of physiological and hormonal analyses may serve as a reliable indicator of Trypanosoma infection.

Bovine adenovirus prevalence and its role in bovine respiratory disease complex: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bovine adenoviruses (BAdVs) are major contributors to the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to explore the epidemiology of BAdV across diverse cattle populations using different detection methods. The study showed a higher BAdV prevalence of 0.66 in general cattle populations using antibody detection, compared with 0.28 in cattle showing clinical signs. The study identified significant prevalence differences between BAdV-3 (0.87) and BAdV-7 (0.21) in general cattle populations. However, in clinical cattle, BAdV-3 and BAdV-7 showed similar prevalence at 0.27 and 0.32, respectively. Moreover, a high herd-based BAdV seroprevalence of 0.82 was observed. When nucleic acid detection methods were used in general cattle populations, a lower BAdV (0.05) prevalence was observed, in contrast to the higher prevalence (0.32) in cattle exhibiting clinical signs. In contrast, using antigen detection in cattle with clinical signs of disease showed a prevalence of 0.06, compared to 0.32 with nucleic acid methods, indicating detection method-specific sensitivity and specificity. The study also highlighted the role of BAdV in BRDC, particularly BAdV-3 and BAdV-7. Existing empirical evidence on BAdV epidemiology and pathobiology is scarce and requires further investigation; however, the current findings offer insights into the epidemiology of BAdV and its role in the BRDC, which could potentially inform and enhance disease control strategies.

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 provides low-level cross-protection against common cold coronaviruses in mouse and non-human primate animal models.

The common cold coronaviruses are a source of ongoing morbidity and mortality particularly among elderly and immunocompromised individuals. While cross-reactive immune responses against multiple coronaviruses have been described following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination, it remains unclear if these confer any degree of cross-protection against the common cold coronaviruses. A recombinant fowl adenovirus vaccine expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (FAdV-9-S19) was generated, and protection from SARS-CoV-2 challenge was shown in K18-hACE2 mice. Vaccinated mice were also challenged with the common cold coronaviruses human coronavirus (HCoV)-OC43 and HCoV-NL63 by the intranasal route, and viral shedding and lung burden were reduced in these groups compared to unvaccinated animals. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues revealed significantly less inflammation and lower pathology scores in mice that received FAdV-9-S19 . Because no mouse model for the coronavirus HCoV-229E exists, we vaccinated and challenged cynomolgus macaques to evaluate cross-protection against HCoV-229E. Animals were monitored for clinical signs of disease and viral shedding. Infectious virus was detected in both groups throughout the course of infection; however, vaccinated animals showed reduced viral shedding at multiple time points after infection. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues following challenge also indicated a more moderate disease in the vaccinated animals. Therefore, vaccination with FAdV-9-S19 also provided a moderate cross-protection against HCoV-229E disease in the cynomolgus macaques infection model. Our study demonstrates that vaccination with a recombinant fowl adenovirus expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can provide a low-level cross-protection against beta- and alphacoronaviruses. These findings are important for the design of future pan-coronavirus vaccines.IMPORTANCEThe common cold coronaviruses are a source of ongoing morbidity and mortality particularly among elderly and immunocompromised individuals, and no vaccine is currently available. Cross-reactive immune responses have been described following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination; however, it remains unclear what degree of cross-protection they confer against the common cold coronaviruses. We demonstrate that both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses provide a low-level cross-protection, resulting in reduced viral load and pathology for the common cold coronaviruses OC43 and NL63 in mouse models. Additionally, we present a novel non-human primate (NHP) model of infection with the common cold coronavirus 229E, demonstrating that it mimics the disease observed in humans and can serve as a model for future vaccine studies, as cross-protection was also observed. This is significant as it suggests that current vaccines could provide a low-level protection against other coronaviruses and could serve as part of vaccination strategy against future novel coronaviruses.

Excess cement and peri-implant disease: A cross-sectional clinical endoscopic study.

Crown cementation is a common technique for implant-supported prosthodontics. However, for possible slipping of the cement below the mucosal margin, its thorough removal poses some issues. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of submucosal cement residues in patients with peri-implant disease by endoscopic visualization and to investigate the potential correlation between the pathological scenario and the spatial position of cement residues. The study sample comprised 46 consecutive patients exhibiting clinical and radiographic signs of peri-implant disease around cement-retained crowns. When at first visit bleeding on probing was the only pathological sign, the area was debrided and then treated with antiseptic agents for 30 days. Only those patients for whom bleeding was still found at re-evaluation were included in the study. All implants were therefore endoscopically evaluated to identify possible submucosal cement residues. For all implants showing residual cement, the spatial position of the residual cement was recorded with respect to predefined points. Cement residues were detected in 80.4% of the patients and were predominantly located in the vestibular and lingual areas (88%). Analysis of the distances between the apical portion of the residues and anatomical landmarks revealed significant differences between mucositis and peri-implantitis patients (p=0.001). In cases of peri-implantitis, the cement residue was more apically located than in mucositis. The presence of cement residue was associated with peri-implant disorders in the majority of patients. A potential correlation between the position of residues and the peri-implant disease scenario is here suggested. A common method for fixing the crown on the dental implant is the use of specific cements. However, these products can slip below the gum line resulting in difficulties in their removal, which could cause peri-implant disease. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and location of residual cement hidden under the gums in patients with peri-implant disease, characterized by symptoms such as bleeding gums and, in some cases, bone loss around the dental implant. Using a small fiber-optic camera (endoscope), 46 patients were examined for any cement residue under the gums. The study showed that more than 80% of patients had cement residues, especially in the areas facing the cheeks and tongue. It was also found that in patients with a more severe form of inflammation (peri-implantitis), the cement was placed deeper than in those with a milder form (mucositis). This confirms that residual cement is common in patients with peri-implant disease, but also suggests that its location could influence the severity of the pathological manifestation. This finding highlights the importance of carefully removing all cement to prevent such complications.

Hepatitis B Care and Treatment in Zanzibar, Tanzania: A Demonstration Project Following 2015 WHO Treatment Guidelines, 2017-2021.

Zanzibar, a low-resource semiautonomous region of Tanzania, has an estimated prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections of 3.6%. To assess the feasibility of care and treatment, a 5-year hepatitis B demonstration project was implemented in Zanzibar during January 2017-December 2021, following the 2015 WHO HBV care and treatment guidelines. Participants included adults (aged ≥ 18 years) who tested positive for HBV surface antigen and tested negative for HIV and hepatitis C antibody. Participants were examined for clinical signs of liver disease and testing was conducted at baseline to assess treatment eligibility and every 6-12 months thereafter. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) was provided at no cost to treatment-eligible participants. Clinical and laboratory data were analysed to assess improvement in proximal disease outcomes. Among 596 participants enrolled, the median age was 32 years (IQR 26-39) and 365 (61%) were male. Of those enrolled, 268 (45%) returned for ≥ 1 follow-up visit, with a median of 511 days of follow-up. Overall, 58 patients initiated treatment: 15 met treatment criteria based on liver cirrhosis alone; 13 by APRI > 1.5; among those with HBV DNA results, six met criteria based on HBV DNA levels and ALT activity; 24 met ≥ 2 criteria. Significant decreases in ALT activities, APRI scores and HBV DNA levels were observed among those treated. This hepatitis B care and treatment programme was demonstrated to be feasible in a low-resource setting. Despite challenges, testing and linkage to care is critical to decrease the global burden of hepatitis B.

Biological hallmarks of systemic sclerosis are present in the skin and serum of patients with Very Early Diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS).

The Very Early Diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis (VEDOSS) EUSTAR study showed that, despite not showing any clinical sign of disease, patients with Raynaud's and antinuclear antibodies and/or capillaroscopy abnormalities often progress to systemic sclerosis (SSc) within 5 years. We aimed to determine whether VEDOSS biosamples show biological SSc activity pre-clinically. Skin biopsies were histologically analysed. Dermal fibroblasts analysed by RT-qPCR and gel contraction assays. Sera were assayed by Luminex (CXCL10) or ELISA (ELF score). Healthy controls (HC) and SSc biosamples were used for controls. Overall, 114 consecutive VEDOSS patients were enrolled, of which 36 consented to have skin biopsies. Skin biopsies showed a variable but overall increased collagen staining and skin thickness, increased perivascular infiltrate of CD45 positive cells and CXCL10 expression. In vitro, VEDOSS dermal fibroblasts showed increased profibrotic gene expression and contractibility compared with HC. Increased serological CXCL10 (mean [SD]; 75.90 [107.80] vs HC 39.90 [26.27] pg/ml, p = 0.02) and ELF score was evident in VEDOSS compared with HC (8.19 [0.78] vs 8.55 [0.79], p = 0.04). In longitudinal analysis of a median of 27.5 (IQR 44.5) months, 14.9% of VEDOSS patients progressed to SSc. Baseline CXCL10 serum concentration was significantly higher in the VEDOSS patients that progressed (2-fold increase, p = 0.0071) and correlated with ELF score (R = 0.3096, p = 0.0065). Despite not fulfilling classification criteria, VEDOSS patients show SSc-linked fibrosis and immunity dysregulation both within the tissue and sera, supporting a biological diagnosis of disease and a window of opportunity to detect the biological pathways amenable for preventive intervention.

Investigating Endoparasites in Captive Birds of Prey in Italy.

Birds of prey can be parasitised by several endoparasites that can coexist without clinical signs of disease or occur in conjunction with stressful events. Because the number of birds of prey kept in captivity is copiously increasing due to their use for bird control, breeding programs, exhibition and falconry, the main endoparasites of 81 apparently healthy captive birds of prey from northern Italy were investigated by examining faecal and blood samples. Faeces were analysed by a quali-quantitative technique, i.e., the FLOTAC® basic technique, employing potassium iodomercurate flotation solution, while blood smears were stained to detect haemoparasites. Risk factors were further assessed. Considering gastrointestinal parasites, an overall prevalence of 41.7% was recorded, and 50% of Accipitriformes, 43% of Falconiformes and 33.3% of Strigiformes tested positive for at least one parasite taxon. Moreover, age and diet were associated with an increased risk of infection. As for haemoparasites, a prevalence of 18.2% was evidenced, and none of the risk factors were associated with prevalence. The results of this study highlighted the importance of monitoring the endoparasites of captive birds of prey with a highly sensitive copromicroscopic technique to target medical treatments, improve housing conditions and conduct epidemiological studies aimed at wildlife conservation and management.

Variability of daily feed intake as an indicator of resilience in Pietrain pigs.

There is a growing need to produce more resilient livestock that can cope with extreme environments and their associated impacts. Daily feed intake (DFI) is a promising metric for the development of resilience indicators (RIs), as reduced feed consumption is widely recognised as a clinical sign of disease. However, there is no consensus on which DFI-based RIs are the most informative. The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the most common DFI-based RIs and their relationships with feed efficiency traits (FETs), (ii) to investigate the relationship between these indicators and progeny mortality rates on commercial farms, and (iii) to gain insight into their biological mechanisms. A total of 111121 DFI records of 1634 healthy purebred Pietrain boars were used, ranging from 47 to 90days, with an average of 69 DFI records per boar. Three RIs were calculated: residual variance, RMSE and logarithm of the variance of the deviations from an expected pattern (LnVar). A classical animal model was used to estimate the variance components of each RI, and a bivariate model was implemented to estimate the genetic correlation between RIs and the FET. Furthermore, a preliminary mortality study was carried out using data from 6889 progeny of 55 boars on farms catalogued as virulent for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Progeny mortality was calculated for each contemporary group (farm and batch) of the offspring, and sires were classified into three levels of resilience. A Bayesian linear model was used to determine whether the differences in progeny mortality rate between the levels of resilience were relevant. On the other hand, a weighted single-step genome-wide association study was performed for each RI and the FET, using a total of 1216 genotypes. RIs showed moderate heritability (h2=0.27-0.49) and moderate to strong genetic correlation with FET. Progeny of resilient sires had an 80% probability of at least a 2.5% higher survival rate. Overlapping genomic regions were found for RIs and feed conversion ratio, highlighting DOCK1, SYK and SPTLC1 genes for their potential roles in modulating immune responses and/or metabolism. The LnVar of deviations from the population mean was the most promising indicators (LnVar-Pop) for disease resilience, as it was the RI that better captured differences in progeny mortality. Furthermore, these results suggest a common biological basis for RIs and FET of interest to breeding programmes. Further studies are needed to validate them.

Effects of the physical form of starter feed on the intake, performance, and health of female Holstein calves.

Available literature on the effect of various physical forms of starter feed (PFSF) on calf performance is conflicting. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the PFSF on feed intake, growth performance, blood metabolites, and the health of dairy calves. Twenty-four female Holstein calves (5-d-old; 40.4±3.86kg BW; mean±SD) were used in a completely randomized block design. Calves were individually housed and randomly assigned to the treatments (n=12 calves/treatment): (1) textured starter feed (TSF, a mix of pelleted ingredients and whole-kernel corn) and (2) pelleted starter feed (PSF). Both starter feeds had the same ingredients, nutrient compositions and pellet die size. Calves were fed the same milk replacer and weaned in a step-down scheme at 67 d. Health was evaluated daily until weaning. Treatments did not affect starter feed intake, water intake, BW, ADG, withers height, or clinical signs of disease (loss of appetite, ear position, and cough incidence). Nonetheless, scores for abnormal attitude (P=0.01), ocular discharge (P<0.01), total respiratory disease (P=0.02), and fecal consistency (P=0.04) of PSF-fed calves were higher than those TSF-fed. Based on that, TSF-fed calves exhibited a higher non-disease probability compared to PSF over time. Calves TSF-fed sorted against small particles (0.425-mm sieve; P=0.01). Coincidently, PSF-fed animals sorted for small particles in the same sieve sizes. No major changes in blood profile were found (P>0.05). In conclusion, starter feeds containing whole-kernel corn as a texturizer did not improve the intake and performance of dairy calves compared with pelleted starter feed; however, improvements were observed in health scores and non-disease probability of calves fed textured starter feed.

Relationship between urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and selected biochemical and urinary parameters in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum.

Leishmania infantum infection in dogs has several clinical manifestations. Glomerulonephritis, caused by circulating immune complexes, may cause proteinuria and progress to kidney failure, which is the primary cause of death in dogs with canine leishmaniasis (CanL). Renal proteinuria can be monitored in dogs with CanL for the early detection of renal involvement. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a neutrophil-derived protein that is filtered by glomeruli and reabsorbed by proximal tubular cells. Urinary NGAL (uNGAL) is a sensitive marker of acute and chronic kidney disease in dogs. This study aimed to evaluate uNGAL concentrations in dogs naturally affected by CanL, to determine whether uNGAL concentration differs depending on the stage of disease based on the LeishVet and International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) classification systems, to compare uNGAL concentration with selected urinary and biochemical parameters related to kidney function, and to assess the clinicopathological status of dogs affected by CanL. We assessed uNGAL concentrations in 37 privately owned dogs naturally affected by CanL, in which urinary tract infections were excluded based on negative urine culture. No dog exhibited clinical signs related to impaired renal function. uNGAL concentration evaluated in dogs affected by CanL was compared to the one previously analyzed in the control group. Furthermore, the uNGAL concentration was compared between leishmaniasis dogs with biochemical and urinary parameters inside or outside the normal range and between dogs with different clinical stages of leishmaniasis based on the LeishVet clinical staging guidelines and IRIS classification. The median uNGAL concentration in affected dogs was 50.2 ng/mL, which was significantly higher than that in healthy dogs (9.74 ng/mL [p = 0.0025]). uNGAL concentration was significantly higher in proteinuric leishmaniosis dogs than in non-proteinuric leishmaniosis dogs (p = 0.0001). Dogs classified as LeishVet clinical stage III had a higher mean uNGAL concentration than those classified as stage II (p = 0.0001) and median uNGAL concentration was statistically higher in dogs classified as IRIS stage 1 than in dogs affected by CanL with no clinical and pathological signs of renal disease. The amount of proteinuria and urinary sediment hyaline cast per high-power field of the microscope and total serum protein concentrations were significantly correlated with uNGAL concentration. To the best of our knowledge, only a few studies have measured uNGAL in dogs naturally affected by CanL. Although limited by the small number of cases, this study highlighted a significant increase in uNGAL levels in affected dogs compared with healthy dogs and confirmed the correlation between proteinuria and urinary excretion of uNGAL in dogs with leishmaniasis. This suggests that uNGAL can be used as a marker of kidney damage in dogs affected by CanL.

Effect of automated health monitoring based on rumination, activity, and milk yield alerts versus visual observation on herd health monitoring and performance outcomes

A primary objective of this randomized trial was to compare the percentage of cows that underwent clinical examination and were diagnosed with clinical health disorders (CHD) with a health monitoring program that relied only on automated monitoring system alerts vs a program that relied only on visual observation of clinical signs of disease to select cows for clinical examination. Another objective was to compare the effects of these health monitoring programs on milk yield, the herd exit dynamics (i.e., cows sold and dead), and first service reproductive outcomes. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 1,204) enrolled in the experiment were fitted with a neck-attached sensor of an automated monitoring system (HR Tags; Merck & Co., Inc.) that generated health alerts based on rumination time and activity. Milk yield was monitored 3 times per day by automated milk meters (MM27BC, DeLaval). Cows were blocked by parity, close-up period diet, and stratified by previous lactation milk yield, and then were randomly assigned within block to different programs for monitoring health from 3 to 21 d in milk (DIM). Cows in the visual observation group (VO; n = 597) were selected for clinical examination exclusively based on visual observation of clinical signs of disease, whereas cows in the automated health monitoring group (AHM; n = 607) were selected for clinical examination based on health alerts consisting of the following: a Health Index Score < 86 arbitrary units, daily rumination < 250 min, or a reduction of > 20% in daily milk yield. Once selected for examination, the clinical exam was the same for both treatment groups. Binary data such as the occurrence of CHD, herd exit, and pregnancies per AI were analyzed with logistic regression. Daily and weekly milk yield were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measurements. More cows underwent a clinical examination, more cows were diagnosed with at least one CHD, and more cows received treatment in the AHM than the VO treatment group. Cows in the AHM treatment had more accumulated milk than cows in the VO treatment from 2 to 21 DIM. Cows in the AHM treatment diagnosed with at least one CHD produced more milk from 3 to 18 and 20 to 21 DIM than cows diagnosed with a CHD in the VO treatment. Fewer cows left the herd up to 21 DIM for the AHM than the VO treatment. Pregnancies per AI at first service were greater for the VO than the AHM treatment at 30 d but not at 50 d after AI and no difference in pregnancy loss was detected. In conclusion, a health monitoring strategy that used automated health alerts increased the risk of undergoing clinical examination and having CHD diagnosed compared with a program that selected cows for clinical examination based exclusively on visual observation. Cows monitored with the program that relied on automated alerts also had greater milk yield in the first 21 DIM. Thus, monitoring cow health based on automated behavior and milk yield alerts might be a more effective alternative for health monitoring than exclusive use of visual observation of clinical signs of disease.

A Small-Particle Aerosol Model of Ebolavirus Zaire Infection in Ferrets.

The Ebola virus (EBOV) causes severe disease in humans, and animal models are needed to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics. While non-human primate (NHP) and rodent EBOV infection models have been well characterized, there is a growing need for an intermediate model. Here, we provide the first report of a small-particle aerosol (AE) EBOV ferret model and disease progression compared with the intramuscular (IM) EBOV ferret model. EBOV infection of ferrets by either route resulted in uniform lethality in 5-6.5 days post infection (dpi) in a dose-dependent manner, with IM-infected ferrets succumbing significantly earlier than AE-infected ferrets. EBOV disease progression differed between AE and IM routes, with significant viremia and presence of virus in target organs occurring earlier in the AE model. In contrast, significant fever, clinical signs of disease, liver pathology, and systemic inflammation occurred earlier in the IM EBOV model. Hepatocellular damage and splenic pathology were noted in both models, while pronounced lung pathology and renal impairment were exclusive to the AE and IM models, respectively. These results demonstrate that small-particle AE and IM ferret EBOV models share numerous common features with NHP and human EBOV infection by these routes and will therefore be useful for the development of vaccine and therapeutic countermeasures.

The Role of Viral Pathogens in Horse Respiratory Diseases: A Cytological and Molecular Approach Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

(1) Background: Respiratory problems may be associated with pathogens among which viruses may play an important role in causing or promoting clinical signs. However, traditional diagnostic methods for equine infectious diseases, such as PCR, are limited to known pathogens and often miss rare or novel viruses. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is a transformative method that allows the sequencing of all genomes present in a sample. Recent studies have used next-generation sequences to identify viral sequences in horses with unexplained respiratory symptoms, revealing potential links between viruses and respiratory problems. The aim of the study was to verify a relationship between respiratory diseases and the presence of viral agents through molecular analyses, applied to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from horses with history or presence of clinical signs of respiratory diseases. (2) Methods: A cohort of 14 horses was enrolled. All the subjects were submitted to a clinical assessment of the respiratory tract, thoracic ultrasound evaluation, respiratory tract endoscopy, and bronchoalveolar lavage. The latter one was used for cytological analysis, DNA and RNA extraction, and molecular biology analysis. (3) Results: No positive results were obtained in the molecular studies except for a sequence of 753 bp obtained by next-generation sequences, with complete homology to Equid gammaherpesvirus 2 strains. The samples were taken from a thoroughbred female horse aged 2 years old and referred for poor performance and sporadic cough at the beginning of the training session. (4) Conclusions: viral involvement may be not common in horses with respiratory diseases. We cannot exclude that the lack of virus detection may be due to the small sample size of the population included.

Effects of a Cyperus esculentus L. plant-based beverage on FVB/n female mice

This work evaluated the effects of the consumption of a plant-based beverage (Cyperus esculentus L., Adansonia digitata L., and thermal water) on the physiological parameters of mice over a 28-day period. Thirty-two female FVB/n mice (n = 8) were randomly assigned to one of four groups divided into two experimental protocols: Group 1 drank water and Group 2 drank a plant-based beverage for 24 h; in the second experimental protocol, Group 3 consumed water and Group 4 consumed plant-based beverage for a limited time (4 h). Two experimental protocols were conducted to assess whether the exposure time to the beverage affects the animals' physiological parameters, to determine if there is a possible daily limit for consumption of the product and to analyze their adverse effects. The mice consuming a beverage ingested a larger amount of drink and a smaller amount of food. Histologically there are no pathological changes in collected organs. The consumption of a plant-based beverage has been shown to have a positive effect on oxidative markers and can have a diuretic action. According to results, no behavioral changes or clinical signs of disease were observed throughout both experimental protocols, and no mortality was recorded.

Koala ocular disease grades are defined by chlamydial load changes and increases in Th2 immune responses.

This study employs bulk RNA sequencing, PCR, and ELISA assays to analyze the pathological factors affecting the outcomes of C. pecorum ocular infections in koalas. It investigates the immune responses and gene expression profiles associated with various stages of koala ocular chlamydiosis. A cohort of 114 koalas from Queensland, Australia were assessed, with 47% displaying clinical signs of ocular disease. Animals were classified into three cohorts: acute active disease (G1), chronic active disease (G2), and chronic inactive disease (G3), along with subclinical Chlamydia pecorum positive (H2) and healthy (H1) cohorts. Analysis of clinical, microbiological, humoral immune and cellular immune biomarkers revealed varying chlamydial loads and anti-chlamydial IgG levels across disease grades, with a negative correlation observed between ocular chlamydial load and anti-chlamydial IgG. Koala ocular mucosa gene expression analysis from 27 koalas identified shared expression pathways across disease cohorts, with a significant upregulation of IFNγ expression and tryptophan metabolism in all disease stages. These findings help elucidate immune response dynamics and molecular pathways underlying koala ocular chlamydiosis, providing insights crucial for disease management strategies.