Animal Diseases Research Articles

The Biological Effect of Enriching the Plasma Content in Platelet-Rich Plasma: An In Vitro Study.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) formulations have become valuable therapeutic tools in regenerative medicine. In addition, these blood derivates have been successfully included in cell therapy as fetal bovine serum substitutes, due to the real need to avoid the risk of host immunologic reactions and the animal disease transmission associated with reagents from animal origin. However, the protocols for obtaining them should be optimized to improve their biological potential. PRP-derived preparations with different concentrations of the platelet and plasma components were obtained from the blood of five donors by freeze-drying. Measurements of the pH, protein, and growth factor concentration were performed. Moreover, their biological effects on cell proliferation and migration and their angiogenic potential were assessed. An increased plasma component concentration resulted in an augmented quantity of the total protein content, a significative variation in the hepatocyte growth factor concentration, and an experimental but clinically irrelevant alteration of the pH value. No significant changes were induced in their potential to enhance proliferative and migratory responses in epithelial cells, with the latter being reduced for dermal fibroblasts. The endothelial cell capacity for tube formation was significatively reduced. An increased blood plasma content did not improve the biological potential of the formulations. However, they have emerged as a promising approach for regenerative therapies where neovascularization must be avoided.

Recombinant avian-derived antiviral proteins cIFITM1, cIFITM3, and cViperin as effective adjuvants in inactivated H9N2 subtype avian influenza vaccines

Vaccine adjuvants, serving as non-specific immune enhancers, play a pivotal role in the immunoprevention and control of animal diseases. This study utilized prokaryotic expression systems to express and purify chicken-derived cIFITM1, cIFITM3, and cViperin, which were then formulated as adjuvants with H9N2 avian influenza virus antigens to create inactivated vaccines. These vaccines were administered to SPF chickens to investigate their immunopotentiating functions. Additionally, the proteins were assessed for their ability to act as standalone immune enhancers. The results demonstrated that cIFITM1, cIFITM3, and cViperin significantly elevated serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers. Notably, when used individually, these proteins markedly enhanced the antiviral capabilities of challenged chickens, leading to alleviated clinical symptoms, reduced tracheal virus replication, diminished virus shedding, and lessened histopathological damage, with cIFITM1 exhibiting the most pronounced effect. Furthermore, the protective efficacy of two H9N2 recombinant virus inactivated vaccines supplemented with cIFITM1 adjuvant was validated, achieving a 100 % vaccine protection efficiency. In conclusion, cIFITM1, cIFITM3, and cViperin as adjuvants for influenza vaccines effectively inhibit virus replication and shedding, highlighting their significant potential in influenza prevention and control.

Nipah virus: epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention.

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic paramyxovirus that has recently emerged as a crucial public health issue. It can elicit severe encephalitis and respiratory diseases in animals and humans, leading to fatal outcomes, exhibiting a wide range of host species tropism, and directly transmitting from animals to humans or through an intermediate host. Human-to-human transmission associated with recurrent NiV outbreaks is a potential global health threat. Currently, the lack of effective therapeutics or licensed vaccines for NiV necessitates the primary utilization of supportive care. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the various aspects of the NiV, including therapeutics, vaccines, and its biological characteristics, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features. The objective is to provide valuable information from scientific and clinical research and facilitate the formulation of strategies for preventing and controlling the NiV.

Epithelial barrier dysfunction and associated diseases in companion animals: Differences and similarities between humans and animals and research needs.

Since the 1960s, more than 350,000 new chemicals have been introduced into the lives of humans and domestic animals. Many of them have become part of modern life and some are affecting nature as pollutants. Yet, our comprehension of their potential health risks for both humans and animals remains partial. The "epithelial barrier theory" suggests that genetic predisposition and exposure to diverse factors damaging the epithelial barriers contribute to the emergence of allergic and autoimmune conditions. Impaired epithelial barriers, microbial dysbiosis, and tissue inflammation have been observed in a high number of mucosal inflammatory, autoimmune and neuropsychiatric diseases, many of which showed increased prevalence in the last decades. Pets, especially cats and dogs, share living spaces with humans and are exposed to household cleaners, personal care products, air pollutants, and microplastics. The utilisation of cosmetic products and food additives for pets is on the rise, unfortunately, accompanied by less rigorous safety regulations than those governing human products. In this review, we explore the implications of disruptions in epithelial barriers on the well-being of companion animals, drawing comparisons with humans, and endeavour to elucidate the spectrum of diseases that afflict them. In addition, future research areas with the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being are highlighted in line with the "One Health" concept.

Qualitative phytochemical analysis of bioactive constituents in acetone extract of seeds of Hydnocarpus pentandra

Ethnoveterinary medicine focuses on the practical use of community or area based traditional and indigenous knowledge including the collection, preparation and administration of medicinal plants or plant parts for curing diseases of animals. Hydnocarpus pentandra is a plant endemic to South India which is traditionally known for the antileprotic activity of its seed oil. Diverse pharmacological activities of the plant extracts depend on the presence of its secondary metabolites. The present research was conducted to explore the phytochemical constituents present in the acetone solvent extract of the seeds of H. pentandra. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract using colorimetric reactions revealed the presence of steroids, triterpenes, diterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of different compounds which included paromomycin, D-streptamine, carnegine, 4-propyl acridine and R-limonene. The acetone extract could be considered as a potent source of new molecules with different pharmacological actions. Keywords: Hydnocarpus pentandra, phytochemical screening, secondary metabolites

Pharmaceutical Pollutants: Ecotoxicological Impacts and the Use of Agro-Industrial Waste for Their Removal from Aquatic Environments.

Medicines are pharmaceutical substances used to treat, prevent, or relieve symptoms of different diseases in animals and humans. However, their large-scale production and use worldwide cause their release to the environment. Pharmaceutical molecules are currently considered emerging pollutants that enter water bodies due to inadequate management, affecting water quality and generating adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Hence, different alternatives for pharmaceuticals removal from water have been sought; among them, the use of agro-industrial wastes has been proposed, mainly because of its high availability and low cost. This review highlights the adverse ecotoxicological effects related to the presence of different pharmaceuticals on aquatic environments and analyzes 94 investigations, from 2012 to 2024, on the removal of 17 antibiotics, highlighting sulfamethoxazole as the most reported, as well as 6 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac and ibuprofen, and 27 pharmaceutical drugs with different pharmacological activities. The removal of these drugs was evaluated using agro-industrial wastes such as wheat straw, mung bean husk, bagasse, bamboo, olive stones, rice straw, pinewood, rice husk, among others. On average, 60% of the agro-industrial wastes were transformed into biochar to be used as a biosorbents for pharmaceuticals removal. The diversity in experimental conditions among the removal studies makes it difficult to stablish which agro-industrial waste has the greatest removal capacity; therefore, in this review, the drug mass removal rate (DMRR) was calculated, a parameter used with comparative purposes. Almond shell-activated biochar showed the highest removal rate for antibiotics (1940 mg/g·h), while cork powder (CP) (10,420 mg/g·h) showed the highest for NSAIDs. Therefore, scientific evidence demonstrates that agro-industrial waste is a promising alternative for the removal of emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals substances.

Pan-flavivirus analysis reveals sfRNA-independent, 3' UTR-biased siRNA production from an insect-specific flavivirus.

RNA interference (RNAi) plays an essential role in mosquito antiviral immunity, but it is not known whether viral small interfering RNA (siRNA) profiles differ between mosquito-borne and mosquito-specific viruses. A pan-Orthoflavivirus analysis in Aedes albopictus cells revealed that viral siRNAs were evenly distributed across the viral genome of most representatives of the Flavivirus genus. In contrast, siRNA production was biased toward the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the genomes of classical insect-specific flaviviruses (cISF), which was most pronounced for Kamiti River virus (KRV), a virus with a unique, 1.2 kb long 3' UTR. KRV-derived siRNAs were produced in high quantities and almost exclusively mapped to the 3' UTR. We mapped the 5' end of KRV subgenomic flavivirus RNAs (sfRNAs), products of the 5'-3' exoribonuclease XRN1/Pacman stalling on secondary RNA structures in the 3' UTR of the viral genome. We found that KRV produces high copy numbers of a long, 1,017 nt sfRNA1 and a short, 421 nt sfRNA2, corresponding to two predicted XRN1-resistant elements. Expression of both sfRNA1 and sfRNA2 was reduced in Pacman-deficient Aedes albopictus cells; however, this did not correlate with a shift in viral siRNA profiles. We suggest that cISFs, particularly KRV, developed a unique mechanism to produce high amounts of siRNAs as a decoy for the antiviral RNAi response in an sfRNA-independent manner.IMPORTANCEThe Flavivirus genus contains diverse mosquito viruses ranging from insect-specific viruses circulating exclusively in mosquito populations to mosquito-borne viruses that cause disease in humans and animals. Studying the mechanisms of virus replication and antiviral immunity in mosquitoes is important to understand arbovirus transmission and may inform the development of disease control strategies. In insects, RNA interference (RNAi) provides broad antiviral activity and constitutes a major immune response against viruses. Comparing diverse members of the Flavivirus genus, we found that all flaviviruses are targeted by RNAi. However, the insect-specific Kamiti River virus was unique in that small interfering RNAs are highly skewed toward its uniquely long 3' untranslated region. These results suggest that mosquito-specific viruses have evolved unique mechanisms for genome replication and immune evasion.

STRAIN SELECTION AND CULTIVATION OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE VIRUSES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRIVALENT INACTIVATED VACCINE

Foot-and-mouth disease is a well-known transboundary animal disease and has been recognised as a priority disease by the Steering Committee of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases in Europe. The territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan is generally free of foot-and-mouth disease, however, sporadic cases of foot-and-mouth disease occur in various regions of the country as a result of importation from unfavorable countries. Epizootic safety in the Republic of Kazakhstan is maintained by vaccinating animals in the border areas of the southern and eastern regions. Inactivated vaccines against serotypes A, O, Asia produced by the All-Russian Research Institute of Animal Health (Russia) are used for vaccination. Continuous seromonitoring is carried out to maintain the level of post-vaccination antibodies at a high level, ensuring the immunity of animals to foot-and-mouth disease. However, despite all the measures taken, sporadic outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease cause damage to livestock farming in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The effectiveness of preventive measures using vaccination depends on the strain used in the vaccine. The closer the strain used in the vaccine is genetically to the viruses circulating in that area, the more effective the preventive measures will be and the research conducted to create the most immunogenic domestic anti-foot-and-mouth disease vaccines have scientific and practical significance. This article presents the results of the selection of foot-and-mouth disease virus strains previously circulating in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and studies their cultural and biological properties. Studies of the above-mentioned strains on adaptation to a transplantable cell culture line were conducted, the stability of cultural properties was studied over 10 generations and the stability was confirmed by the PCR method. Also, based on the studies, it was found that the maximum accumulation of the virus in cell culture occurs at a multiplicity of infection of 0.01-0.1 TCID50/cell. The reproductive activity of the studied isolates was within 6.5-7.25 lg TCID50/cm3 when cultivated for 16 hours.

General public knowledge, attitudes, and practices about rabies and associated factors in Gomma district of Jimma zone, southwestern Ethiopia.

Rabies is a disease of warm-blooded animals that affects the central nervous system and is almost invariably fatal once clinical signs develop. It is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in several areas of the world, including Ethiopia. Additionally, the burden of the disease is estimated to be high in Ethiopia, and public awareness contributes to prevention. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from June-August 2023 in the Gomma district, Jimma zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia, to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of communities towards rabies and associated risk factors using a structured questionnaire survey. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for the selection of the sampling units and a total of 140 participants were interviewed. The questionnaire parts included socio-demographics information, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the community's respect for rabies management and control. The data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 20. Descriptive analyses were employed and multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the association between independent and dependent variables (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice scores). About 134 (95.7%) respondents had heard about rabies. Likewise, 75 (53.6%), 55 (39.3%), and 95 (67.9%) of the respondents had good knowledge, favorable attitudes, and good practices, respectively. Christians were more likely to have higher knowledge scores than Muslims (AOR = 6.876, CI = 1.750-27.016, p = 0.006). Respondents who knew someone's exposure had a higher knowledge score than those who did not (AOR = 6.208, CI = 2.750-14.012, p = 0.000). Moreover, Muslims were found to have a more favorable attitudes than Christians (AOR = 5.518, CI = 1.199-25.391, p = 0.028). Those who knew someone's exposure to rabies were found to have a more favorable attitudes than those who did not (AOR = 2.367, CI = 1.157-4.839, p = 0.018). Respondents who had favorable attitudes towards rabies were found to have more good practices than unfavorable attitudes (AOR = 3.267, CI = 1.391, 7.730, p = 0.005). The study revealed a gap in knowledge among communities in the study area. Thus, rabies control activity and community awareness should be implemented with stakeholders.

Evaluation of the efficacy of inhalation application of bacteriophage preparations in bronchopneumonia associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae

Against the background of increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogens of bovine bronchopneumonia, interest in phagotherapy as a therapeutic tool is revived. Inhaled phagotherapy in turn has the potential to change the treatment regimen for bacterial respiratory infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Inhaled drug delivery tools allow the delivery of bacteriophages directly to the lesion. An important advantage, especially when it comes to bacteriophages, is the ability to use smaller doses of drugs than would be required if another route of administration were chosen. The article presents the results of evaluating the efficacy of the inhalation method of administration of commercial bacteriophage preparations in a mouse model. Mice were divided into five groups (1,2-animals exposed to <I>Klebsiella pneumonia</I> infection and undergoing bacteriophage inhalation (n=6), 3-animals exposed to infection and not undergoing therapy (n=3), 4- control group of animals not exposed to infection (n=3)). Inhalations were performed using a compressor four-mode Neb-Aid inhaler (Flaem Nuova, Italy). Rapidflyam 2 nebuliser was used in mode I (particle size 0.8-2.0 μm). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed therapy scheme, which allows further use of bactriophage-containing preparations in infectious diseases of animals.

The optimal way to use geoinformation systems with graphical elements of symbols of veterinary significant objects in vector format

A significant problem in the field of standardization in the monitoring of infectious animal diseases is the lack of a system of conventional symbols of veterinary significant objects used in geoinformation technologies, in particular in digital and electronic cartography. The object of the study is the conventional signs of veterinary significant objects, which in the context of display on digital maps can be defined as "non–scalable", marked with corresponding pictograms. A systematic approach has been applied as a methodological basis for the epizootological research method. The basic graphic format of the proposed SVG symbols is used – (Scalable Vector Graphics), which is a modern generally accepted vector format. This article presents the results of cartographic display of pictograms of one of the three sets of symbols for the database – veterinary facilities for various purposes – for which the method of selecting basic signs is used. An algorithm for fixing elements of symbols of veterinary significant objects in the vector format of the SVG geoinformation system with maximum use of free software and secure information technologies is presented. Images in SVG format can be directly represented in current GIS and converted to almost any vector and raster formats without loss of image quality. The algorithm for developing a system of symbols for veterinary significant objects will be used in the Draft of the preliminary national standard in the future.

Topography of the urinary organs in the Baikal seal

The urinary system of aquatic mammals plays an important role in maintaining the body’s homeostasis. Features in the structure and topography of the urinary organs are associated with the habitat and adaptation of the organism of aquatic animals to it. Interest in studying the features of the topography of organs and the structure of the organism as a whole, as well as the organs of urine formation and excretion in particular, is presented by the Baikal seal, given its freshwater lifestyle. The goal was to describe the species-specific features of the topography of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra in male and female Baikal seals. The object of the study was both live individuals and carcasses of the Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica) aged from 1.5 to 3 years. The animals were examined at the Baikal Seal Aquarium LLC and the Irkutsk City Animal Disease Control Station. The cadaver material was collected under the program of the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries, as well as research and development, experimental design and technological developments (R&D and R&D) from 2014, 2017, 2020. The study material was the organs of the urinary system: kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra. The studies were carried out using various anatomical methods: autopsy of cadaver material with examination and fixation of syntopy, skeletotopy, holotopy and anatomical dissection, ultrasound diagnostics and multispiral computed tomography.

The isolation and serotyping of foot-and-mouth disease virus in Iran during 2019-2022.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a significant transboundary animal disease that has a considerable economic impact on livestock systems worldwide. In order to determine the presence and type of FMD virus in Iran, a total of 90 samples of vesicular fluid and epithelial tissue were collected from the tongues, tooth pads, and hooves of clinically suspect cattle on 40 vaccinatedfarms in 9 provinces of Iran. These samples were collected duringfour years, from January 2019 to December 2022, and the vaccine was a locally produced polyvalent inactivated vaccine. The collected samples were analyzed using ELISA and isolation methods to identify and characterize the FMD virus. The results of the ELISA tests revealed that 66.66% of the samples were positive for FMD, and the serotypes of the virus were determined. Considering ELISA reslut, 62% of the samples were assigned to serotype O, 33% to serotype A, and 5% to serotype Asia-1. Furthermore, 90% of the positive samples were inoculated onto monolayer cultures of pig kidneys (IB-RS2) for isolation and antigen detection by serotype-specific ELISA kit. The great majority of detected serotype Oviruses were from Esfahan province, while the most detectedserotype Aand serotype Asia-1 viruses were from Qom and Tehran provinces, respectively. These findings indicate that the ELISA and isolation methods are suitable for identifying and typing FMD viruses. The vaccination program in Iran, which includes three serotypes (O, A, and Asia-1), appears to be effective in controlling the spread of the disease. However, the continued circulation of these serotypes in most provinces suggests that ongoing surveillance and vaccination efforts are necessary.

The Antibacterial Efficacy and Mechanism of Tea Polyphenol Against Drug-Resistant Aeromonas veronii TH0426 In Vitro.

The emergence of Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS) caused by Aeromonas veronii in sturgeon farming has become a significant concern due to its high mortality impact on the aquaculture industry. The threat posed by MAS highlights the urgent need for effective control measures to combat bacterial infections in sturgeon populations. Tea polyphenol (TP) has demonstrated promising antibacterial properties against livestock and poultry bacterial infections. However, its antibacterial efficacy and mechanism in bacterial diseases of aquatic animals remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial effect and mechanism of TP on fish-borne drug-resistant A. veronii TH0426 by assessing the impact of TP on TH0426 cell growth, antibiofilm activity, morphology, as well as measuring electrical conductivity, DNA extravasation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, protein, and DNA contents. Results demonstrated that the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of TP on TH0426 were 1024 and 2048 μg/mL, respectively. After a 4 h treatment, the growth of TH0426 was completely inhibited at the concentration of 1024 and 2048 μg/mL of TP. Meanwhile, TP exhibited a significant antibiofilm activity. Both scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analyses revealed disrupted cell membrane structure, irregular cell morphology, and loss of intracellular contents following TP treatment. Moreover, increased cell membrane permeability induced by TP led to intracellular ion and DNA leakage, resulting in elevated electrical conductivity and DNA extravasation. Furthermore, TP decreased LDH activity, protein concentration and content, DNA fluorescence intensity, and density in a time-dependent manner, indicating inhibition of protein metabolism and DNA synthesis. In conclusion, TP exhibits potent antibacterial properties by inhibiting biofilm formation, disrupting cell membrane integrity, and interfering with protein metabolism and DNA synthesis in drug-resistant A. veronii TH0426 in vitro.

Dual responsive drug-loaded nanomotor based on zwitterionic materials for the treatment of peritoneal metastatic cancer

Innovative treatments for peritoneal metastatic cancer have attracted widespread attention from researchers. Here, we propose a drug-loaded nanomotor (PSBMA/l-Arg/DOX, PLD) based on zwitterionic materials for the treatment of peritoneal metastatic cancer through intraperitoneal injection. Zwitterionic polymer nanocarriers (PSBMA NPs) are obtained by radical polymerization with zwitterionic SBMA as the polymerization monomer and N,N’-Bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC) as the cross-linking agent. The zwitterionic substrate of this nanomotor has the ability to resist non-specific protein adsorption in ascites. The loaded l-arginine enables the nanomotor to have the ability to chemotaxis towards high concentrations of ROS/iNOS in tumors and be catalyzed to produce NO, achieving deep penetration into tumor tissue. Furthermore, the disulfide bond (SS) carried by the crosslinking agent used in the preparation of the nanomotor can respond to the high expression of reducing glutathione in the tumor microenvironment and undergo degradation, releasing a large amount of loaded drug DOX. Cell and animal disease model experiments confirme the good therapeutic effect of this drug-loaded nanomotor, providing new therapeutic concepts and strategies for the treatment of peritoneal metastatic cancer.

Molecular study of some vector–borne diseases in cattle raised in western Türkiye

Unfortunately, global warming, especially the global climate crisis, increases the rate of vector–borne infections. Among the causes of this infection are microorganisms in the Rickettsiales Order, which are Gram–negative and small coccobacillus microorganisms that can multiply within host cells and are dependent on their metabolism, in addition to bacterial infections, protozoa such as Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. are transmitted through vectors and cause serious diseases in animals. This study aimed to investigate the presence of some vector–borne bacterial and protozoan microorganisms in blood samples taken from cattle raised in Mugla province, located in the West of Türkiye, and to reveal relevant disease data for the region. In this study, blood samples taken from 100 cattle were examined using molecular methods. While Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 15 blood samples (15%), Anaplasma ovis agent was detected in eight samples (8%). Anaplasma bovis agent (1%) was identified in only one blood sample. In the samples examined within the scope of the study, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia species from bacteria and Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. from parasitic agents could not be detected. Mugla province, located west of Türkiye, has a subtropical dry summer climate, so the probability of infections transmitted through arthropods is high. Since the agents are transmitted through ticks, conducting more studies on vector–borne diseases is essential. This includes mapping the region’s vector ticks and determining and evaluating the tick carrier and disease maps in cattle. The data obtained is thought to help create regional and national vector–borne disease maps.

12525 Feline Hypersomatotropism In The USA And Canada: Demographics Of 4620 Cats With Presumed Acromegaly

Abstract Disclosure: R.J. Egbert: None. R.C. Fowkes: None. S.J. Niessen: None. B.K. Petroff: None. Spontaneous models of endocrinopathies are powerful tools to understand disease etiology. Endocrine diseases in companion animals are particularly useful to study, as they share their environment with humans and typically present with clinical disease that phenocopies human symptoms. One such disease in domestic cats, hypersomatotropism (HST, feline acromegaly), is a disorder of excessive growth hormone and increased IGF-1 (Insulin like Growth Factor 1), usually caused by hyperplasia or neuroendocrine tumors of the pars distalis of the pituitary gland. This retrospective study used serum IGF-1 results to investigate population characteristics for domestic cats with HST in the United States and Canada. Laboratory records from 1Jan06 to 31Dec22 were reviewed and animals with a circulating IGF-1 hormone concentration of 190 nmol/L (1,450 ng/mL) or greater were presumed to have acromegaly. This review identified 4,620 such cats with a mean age (n=4,351) of 11.2 years (median: 11.2, range: .5-20.3yr) and mean weight (n=2,086) of 6.03 Kg (median: 5.91, range: 2.27-15.0 Kg). Males outnumbered females in the database, which included 3,048 males and 1,181 females. Domestic Short/Medium/Longhair cats were the most prevalent breed (n=3,563; 77%), followed by Maine Coon cats (n=120; 2.6%) and Siamese cats (n=111, 2.4%). Just under half of the animals (n=2,037, 44%) had a history of diabetes mellitus on the submission form. Most submissions were from the US (n=4,347, 94%) with the most hypersomatotropic cats from California (n=841, 18.2%), New York (n=604, 13.1%), Massachusetts (n=402, 8.7%), Colorado (225, 4.9%), and Texas (200, 4.3%). The mean serum IGF-1 concentration of these animals was 358 nmol/mL (median: 345, range 190-761 nmol/mL). For comparison, an age and sex matched control group of 95 animals with residual samples previously submitted for unrelated testing was selected. The mean IGF-1 concentration for the control group was 97 nmol/mL (median: 85, range 0-311 nmol/mL). In summary, HST is diagnosed most frequently in older male cats in urbanized North America, and potentially displays some breed disposition, suggesting both a genetic and environmental component to the disease etiology. Presentation: 6/2/2024

8596 Brain Type 3 Deiodinase Is Induced in Two Disease Models That Lead to Cognitive Impairment: Liver Dysfunction and Alzheimer Disease

Abstract Disclosure: S. Wajner: None. T. Oliveira: None. M. Dreher: None. R. Ribeiro: None. C. Gonçalves: None. M.R. Alveres-da-Silva: None. Thyroid hormone is the leading regulator of cell energy production in most tissues, mainly the brain. While the activation process of T4 into T3 depends on D1 and D2 deiodinases, type 3 is the main enzyme that inactivates T3. Several mechanisms, among them oxidative stress, led by disease, imbalances and induces D3, diminishing T3 levels. The response of D3 in the brain in the context of different disease models has yet to be studied. Here we evaluated D3 induction in the brain in two animal disease models, one systemic and the other local. Methodology: To the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis liver disease model Male/adult Sprague Dawley rats (n=20) were assigned to control group (standard diet-2.93kcal/g) or high-fat-diet group (CDHF-4.3kcal/g). In the streptozotocin-induced (STZ) Alzheimer's model Adult Wistar rats (n=16) were allocated to the control group (5uL of citrate) or 5uL of streptozotocin. Sham animals were used as controls. D3 expression, oxidative stress parameters, endoplasmic stress and mitochondrial amount measured in the brain. Levels of D3 increased in the brain (∼30% in each group, P<0.0001) in both MASLD and STZ groups. Cerebral tissue from both groups had augmented carbonyl levels (P<0.001) and reduced sulfhydryl (P<0.001). Glutathione was diminished. Antioxidant defenses endoplasmic reticulum function and mitochondrial concentration were altered (P=0.001). The augmented T3 inactivation by D3 dysfunction in brain due to oxidative stress disrupts ER-mitochondrial contact interaction, changing the function of organelles in both brain disease models, shedding light to new mechanisms of action of thyroid hormone in severe brain disease. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Evaluation of the Safety and Immunogenicity of a Multiple Epitope Polypeptide from Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) in Mice.

Morbillivirus canis is the etiological agent of a highly contagious disease that affects diverse domestic and wild animals. Vaccination is considered the most suitable strategy for controlling CDV dissemination, transmission, and distemper disease. However, the emergence of new CDV strains has led to the need to update the current vaccine strategies employed to prevent CDV infection in domestic and wild animals. Currently, there is a lack of effective alternatives for wild animals. Diverse computational tools, especially peptide-based therapies, enable the development of new universal vaccines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and humoral and cellular immune response of a new generation of vaccines based on CDV peptides as single-peptide mixtures or multiepitope CDV polypeptides in mice. Twenty-four BALB/c mice were subjected to a three-dose regimen for 28 days. Seroconversion was evaluated via ELISA, and cellular immune responses were evaluated via flow cytometry through activation-induced markers (AIMs). Compared with the placebo, the peptide mixture and multiepitope CDV polypeptide were safe, and seroconversion was statistically significant in the multiepitope CDV polypeptide and commercial vaccine (CV) groups. The numbers of antigen-specific CD4+CD134+ and IFN-γ+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and TNF-α- and IL-6-producing cells were greater in the mice immunized with the multiepitope CDV polypeptide than in the control mice. This combined approach represents a potential step forward in developing new immunization candidates or enhancing current commercial vaccines to control CDV disease in domestic dogs and wild animals.

Strategic Infectious Diseases in Beef Cattle in Balongpanggang during 2023

Strategic infectious animal diseases have a great impact on the national economy as they may cause great economic loss, public anxiety, and high mortality. In Indonesia, among the diseases considered as strategic infectious animal diseases is foot and mouth disease (FMD). This study reported the incidence of strategic infectious animal diseases in Balongpanggang district during 2023. Throughout 2023, FMD only accounted for 4% of the total diseases of the year and was the only strategic infectious animal disease reported that year. Meanwhile, bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) incidence reached 57% (876/1546) of the total diseases in beef cattle in 2023. In addition to BEF, official veterinary services reported a total case of 1546 throughout 2023 that comprises; diarrhea (99), limping (24), helminthiasis (91), ectoparasite (11), hematochezia (3), wound (3), mastitis (4), allergy (1), dystocia (28), vaginal prolapse (11), dermatitis (45), enteritis (27), tympani (11), scabiosis (122), arthritis (67), ophthalmic problem (11), endometritis (1), uterine retention (13), indigestion (2), pneumonia (21), hypoglycemia (5), abscess (21), ovariohysterectomy (1), orchitis (1), intoxication (1), and papilloma (1). In conclusion, the only strategic infectious animal disease reported in 2023 in Balongpanggang was FMD with the incidence as high as 3% as compared to the non-strategic infectious animal diseases, BEF, which reached 54% of the total cases during 2023.