Chicken coccidiosis is an intestinal protozoan disease caused by Eimeria, which is distributed worldwide and causes significant economic losses in the poultry industry. Owing to prolonged anticoccidial use, drug resistance has become an important obstacle to the control of coccidiosis. This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of three mixed-species Eimeria isolates collected from chicken farms in Sichuan Province, China. The drug resistance of the isolates was also evaluated, including synthetic drugs, ionophores, and a natural herb. A total of 132 newborn chicks were grouped, including an infected-treated group, a positive control for each isolate, and a negative control. Survival rate, weight gain, oocyst excretion, and lesion scores were recorded. The pathogenicity and drug resistance of the three isolates were determined by four indices, including the anticoccidial index (ACI), the optimal percentage of anticoccidial activity (POAA), the relative oocyst production (ROP), and the reduction of lesion score (RLS). The results showed that only one Eimeria spp. isolated from Xichang was sensitive to sulfaclozine, whereas the rest of the isolates exhibited resistance to all tested drugs, with most isolates demonstrating severe or complete resistance. These findings are crucial for the selection of a regional drug administration program to control coccidiosis in chickens.

Thanatosociology examines the social dimensions of death, focusing on how societies perceive and navigate the realities of mortality. A key argument in this field posits that, in certain contemporary Western societies, direct experiences with dying and death are increasingly rare, leading to the emergence of death as a taboo topic. Given the emotional bond between pet owners and their pets, it becomes essential to examine the implications of companion animal loss within this framework. As pets often die at home, this topic warrants investigation to better understand how these experiences can influence societal perceptions of mortality. This study aims to highlight this often-overlooked perspective, emphasizing the significance of companion animal loss in shaping collective attitudes toward death and dying. To investigate this phenomenon, qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 small animal veterinarians specializing in hospice and palliative care. The findings corroborate the notion of a taboo surrounding death, as veterinarians highlighted the physical and emotional distancing from dying individuals and the pervasive fear and uncertainty when confronting mortality. Further, respondents argued that other cultures engage with death more openly and suggest that the experience of accompanying a dying pet can challenge societal repression, thereby fostering a more reflective approach to death for both adults and children. Relatedly, veterinarians stated that this experience provides a unique opportunity to bring death into the public consciousness, transforming it from a taboo into a more visible aspect of life. Further, respondents described the loss of a companion animal as a “training ground” for confronting death, noting that past negative experiences can complicate decision-making regarding animal care. This research suggests that veterinarians are not only perceived as medical professionals but also as “experts on death,” providing critical emotional support during end-of-life care. The findings highlight the need to integrate discussions about death into veterinary education, emphasizing the critical role veterinarians play in facilitating conversations about mortality and supporting bereaved companion animal owners. By recognizing this dual role, we can enhance the capacity of the veterinary profession to address the complexities of grief and mortality, ultimately fostering a more open dialogue about these important issues.

The ongoing evolution of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) continues to significantly threaten the swine industry, necessitating extensive surveillance for the emergence of new PEDV variants in the field. Although genotype 2b (G2b) PEDV strains have been predominant in Korea since 2013, this study reports PEDV strains distinct from Korean G2b strains from two Korean pig farms experiencing severe diarrhea and mortality in sucking piglets. We report the first isolation and detailed characterization of a PEDV strain, designated KPED2021-1, from clinical specimens collected during outbreaks. At the whole-genome level, KPED2021-1 demonstrated over 99G2c PEDV strains, which exhibit substantial genetic variation in China. In contrast, it shared 96.6%-98.7% homology with PEDV strains from Korea and other countries. Furthermore, KPED2021-1 showed greater nucleotide divergence in the NSP1, ORF3, and N genes from Korean and other global PEDV strains, while remaining more closely related to Chinese G2c strains in these regions. The amino-acid sequence of the spike (S) protein from KPED2021-1 was compared with that of the S protein from the Korean G2b strains, revealing 27 amino- acid substitutions and a unique deletion (11197). In experimental infection of suckling piglets, severe clinical symptoms and histopathological lesions were observed, resulting in a 100% mortality rate, suggesting that the KPED2021-1 strain is virulent. This is the first report on the emergence of a G2c-subtype PEDV closely related to Chinese variants in Korea, and the isolate may serve as a useful reference strain for future vaccine development and cross-protection studies.

Duck circovirus (DuCV) is an emerging immunosuppressive virus that causes growth retardation, feather loss, and increased susceptibility to secondary infections in ducks, leading to significant economic losses in the duck industry. However, existing serological assays for DuCV detection often lack accuracy and reproducibility due to antigen instability, limiting effective disease surveillance. To develop a more reliable diagnostic tool, the full-length capsid (Cap) gene of DuCV-2 was codon-optimized, expressed in Escherichia coli, purified under denaturing conditions, and refolded to self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs). The morphology of the assembled VLPs (~15 nm) was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, and their immunogenicity was evaluated in ducks. Based on these VLPs, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) was established and optimized. The VLPs elicited stronger antibody responses than Cap monomers at equivalent doses, confirming their superior antigenicity. The optimized VLP-based iELISA (250 ng/well coating concentration, 1,200 serum dilution) exhibited high sensitivity (detectable up to 1:6400 dilution), strong specificity (no cross-reactivity with other avian pathogens), and good repeatability (CV < 5%). Application of the assay to 290 field duck sera collected in Jiangsu Province (2022-2024) revealed a 19.96% positivity rate, showing a gradual yearly increase. This study developed a highly specific, sensitive, and reproducible VLP-based iELISA for DuCV antibody detection. The method provides a practical tool for large-scale epidemiological surveillance and vaccine evaluation, and the VLP-based diagnostic strategy offers a universal framework for serological assays of other avian circoviruses.

Chlamydia pecorum is globally recognised as an important pathogen of both agricultural and conservation concerns, contributing to significant production losses in livestock and debilitating disease in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). This scoping review evaluates the current C. pecorum research trends and identifies critical knowledge gaps. A systematic literature search across six major databases yielded 2,099 records. Following screening and eligibility assessment using the PRISMA-ScR framework, supplemented with the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis: Scoping Reviews, 194 studies were included and categorised into seven thematic areas: diagnostics and surveillance (n = 56), genotyping (n = 32), genomics (n = 14), co-infections (n = 28), vaccines and therapeutics (n = 39), cell biology (n = 14), and literature reviews (n = 11). While the literature is dominated by studies on diagnostics and molecular epidemiology of livestock and koala infections, C. pecorum genomic data remain sparse, with only seven complete genomes available. The significance of C. pecorum infections in non-koala marsupials, wildlife and other domestic animals remains unclear. Similarly, the contributions of bacterial, viral, and protozoal co-pathogens to disease outcomes across hosts are still poorly defined. Functional cell biology studies are similarly underrepresented and rely on a narrow range of livestock and koala strains. Vaccine trials in koalas and sheep, while promising, have shown limited protection, with current formulations failing to achieve sterilising immunity. Overall, this review highlights the substantial progress in diagnostic and surveillance research while emphasising the urgent need for expanded genomic resources, broader isolate biobanks, and integrated, multidisciplinary approaches, to advance our understanding of C. pecorum cell biology, evolution, transmission, and host-pathogen interactions.

Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) is the primary pathogen responsible for hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome (HHS) and is associated with high mortality rates (20–80%) in 3–6-week-old chickens. This study aimed to develop a rapid and specific method for detecting FAdV-4. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs 6B3 and 8G11) against the FAdV-4 penton protein were successfully generated using hybridoma technology, both of which exhibited high titers (1:100,000) and strong serotype specificity. Specificity analysis confirmed that these mAbs recognized 12 FAdV-4 isolates from diverse origins without cross-reactivity to other FAdV serotypes or common avian pathogens. On this basis, a colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay was developed; systematic optimization of its key parameters yielded an optimal labeling pH of 8.3, an antibody labeling concentration of 7.2 μg/mL, and optimal coating concentrations for the test line (T-line) and control line (C-line) of 2.5 mg/mL and 1.5 mg/mL, respectively. Performance evaluation of the method demonstrated that it achieved a detection sensitivity of 7.81 × 104 TCID₅₀/0.1 mL with a detection time of 15 min. Clinical sample validation revealed a positive concordance rate of 91.6%, a negative concordance rate of 100%, and an overall concordance rate of 98.6% relative to those of the ELISAs. The proposed colloidal gold immunochromatographic method offers advantages such as ease of operability, rapid visualization and high specificity and serves as a practical technical tool for onsite rapid diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of FAdV-4 infection, thus it has high potential in the prevention and control of HHS.

IntroductionLumpy skin disease (LSD) threatens cattle health and productivity in Ivory Coast, where limited resources for livestock management hinder disease control. Moreover, the lack of studies on its prevalence and genetic profile leaves critical gaps in understanding its epidemiology and local risk factors. This study addresses these gaps by investigating LSD viruses’ prevalence, its molecular characteristic and the associated risk factors among cattle in the Poro Region of northern Ivory Coast.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, nodule and nasal swab samples were collected from 405 cattle across 36 villages between September 2023 and December 2024 based on syndromic surveillance. The samples were analyzed PCR to confirm LSD virus presence, followed by sequencing of four viral genes: RPO30, GPCR, EEV glycoprotein, and B22R.ResultsOverall, LSD prevalence among cattle showing pox-like lesions and clinical symptoms was found to be 51.85% and varied significantly across localities, reaching 66.67% in M’bengué and 70.87% in Dikodougou. Larger herds (over 50 cattle) had a higher prevalence (76.51%) compared to smaller herds (34.72%), and transhumant herds showed increased prevalence (p < 0.001). No significant associations were identified between sex, age, or breed. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Ivory Coast LSDV strains clusters with other African field strains, distinct from South-East Asian and Russian recombinants.DiscussionThe present study shows a notable regional difference in the prevalence of LSD in cattle in Ivory Coast, with big and transhumant herds having a higher prevalence rate making the herd size and movement a major risk factor. Molecular analysis demonstrated that Ivory Coast LSD strains are in the same group with other strains found in the African field, indicating that it is necessary to take control measures within the region and provide further surveillance.

Subclinical endometritis (SCE) is a postpartum uterine disorder characterized by cytological inflammation without clinical signs, impairing fertility and productivity in dairy cattle. Diagnosis relies on endometrial cytology, which is invasive and impractical under field conditions. Doppler ultrasonography enables non-invasive assessment of uterine blood flow (UBF) and may detect inflammation-associated vascular changes. However, uterine hemodynamic characterization in indigenous Bos indicus breeds affected with SCE remains limited. This study evaluated Doppler-derived uterine perfusion dynamics in healthy and SCE-affected Tharparkar cows. Twenty lactating multiparous Tharparkar cows (70 ± 3.34 days postpartum) were screened using endometrial cytology; cows with ≥5% polymorphonuclear cells were classified as SCE-positive (n = 10), and healthy cows served as controls (n = 10). Transrectal color and spectral Doppler examinations of the middle uterine artery (MUA) were performed every three days throughout one complete estrous cycle. Resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV), blood flow volume (BFV), and MUA diameter were recorded. Serum progesterone (P4) was measured by ELISA. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, repeated-measures ANOVA (GLM), and Pearson correlation. SCE cows exhibited significantly lower RI and PI across multiple cycle days (P < 0.05), indicating increased uterine perfusion. TAMV, BFV, and MUA diameter were significantly higher in SCE cows (P < 0.05). RI positively correlated with P4 concentration (r = 0.77; P < 0.0001) and corpus luteum size (r = 0.64; P < 0.0001), while BFV showed positive correlations with TAMV (r = 0.82; P < 0.0001) and MUA diameter (r = 0.78; P < 0.0001), and negative correlations with RI (r = -0.57; P < 0.0001) and P4 (r = -0.59; P < 0.0001). Production traits had no significant influence on Doppler indices (P > 0.05). Subclinical endometritis in Tharparkar cows is associated with distinct uterine hemodynamic alterations characterized by increased blood flow and reduced Doppler resistance indices. These findings establish baseline Doppler reference patterns for an indigenous Bos indicus breed and support the potential utility of Doppler ultrasonography as a non-invasive adjunct tool for detecting uterine inflammation. Further studies integrating vascular and biochemical markers are warranted to enhance diagnostic precision.

"Crucial" conversations occur commonly in the veterinary profession and students require exposure to, and training in, these difficult communication dynamics. To introduce the concept of how people respond during perceived crucial, intense, or difficult communication dynamics, we asked first-semester veterinary students to complete a "Style Under Stress™" self-assessment offered by the Crucial Conversations© (Crucial Learning) educational platform. This tool is used in the training of the Crucial Conversations© model and provides important insight into how people may respond during crucial conversations. First-year veterinary students in the initial (fall) semester of their curriculum completed this assessment beginning in 2016 (Class of 2020) continuing annually through fall of 2024 (Class of 2028). Responses were compared between classes (years) to determine student style consistency between years. Most students were assigned a "Silence" style (examples including "withdrawing," "masking," or "avoiding") and this was preserved throughout the different years. The feedback provided through the assessment is used as a component of medical communication training in developing competency during crucial communication encounters. Students learn about their individual defaults as well as how others may respond in similar crucial conversation situations.

BackgroundPlague, as a highly infectious and fatal zoonotic disease, has shown a resurgence in multiple regions worldwide in recent years. Qinghai Province, a significant natural plague focus of the plateau type in China, has experienced periodic outbreaks. However, existing research has primarily focused on the spatial prediction of marmot-suitable habitats, with relatively few studies targeting the spatial prediction of animal plague risk zones.MethodsData on animal plague occurrence sites in Qinghai Province from 1956 to 2022 were collected. Terrain features, bioclimatic variables, land use types, and human disturbance variables related to plague spatial distribution were extracted. A maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was used to construct a spatial prediction model for animal plague risk zones, and The model’s performance was evaluated using the average Area Under the Curve (AUC) and True Skill Statistic (TSS) values on the testing datasets. Based on the model results, the animal plague risk zones were delineated, and the area size and population residing within predicted risk zones were calculated.ResultsThe Maxent model achieved average AUC and TSS values of 0.827 and 0.5, respectively, on the testing datasets. The predicted animal plague risk zones in Qinghai Province covers 234,000 km2 (approximately 32.4% of the total area of Qinghai), with a population of 3.902 million residing within predicted risk zones (65.8% of the province’s total population).ConclusionThis study utilized the MaxEnt model combined with GIS spatial analysis technology to predict the spatial distribution of animal plague risk zones in Qinghai Province and estimate the area size and population residing within predicted risk zones. The findings can provide a scientific basis and decision-making support for targeted plague prevention and control in Qinghai.