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The Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Animals

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A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2025 | Viewed by 6621

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Selwyn Arlington Headley

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Laboratory of Animal Pathology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
Interests: bovine respiratory disease; diagnostic immunohistochemistry; histological patterns of infectious disease agents; malignant catarrhal fever; molecular epidemiology; pathogenesis
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Prof. Dr. Fabiano José Ferreira De Sant'Ana

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Laboratory of Veterinary Pathological Diagnosis, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
Interests: diseases of cattle; infectious diseases of livestock animals; poxviruses; vaccinia virus; histopathology; veterinary neuropathology; pathology of reproduction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and diagnosis of infectious diseases in livestock animals. Infectious diseases in livestock can have a significant impact on animal health and productivity, as well as on human health and the economy. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and to develop effective strategies for their prevention, control, and diagnosis. For this Special Issue, we are inviting the scientific community to submit original scientific articles, reviews, opinion articles, and/or short communications from fields of research related to infectious diseases in livestock animals.

The articles in this Special Issue will cover a range of topics related to infectious diseases in livestock. They will provide insights into the pathogenesis of various infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other parasitic pathogens, and how these agents interact with their hosts to cause disease. Papers related to the epidemiology of infectious diseases in livestock that address the factors that contribute to their dissemination and the methods used to control their transmission are also welcome in this Special Issue.

In addition, this Special Issue will highlight the latest advances in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in livestock. We invite articles describing various diagnostic techniques, including traditional methods such as bacteriology, mycology, and virology, as well as newer diagnostic approaches such as molecular biology, new-generation sequencing, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. The use of these techniques in the detection, pathogenesis, and identification of infectious agents of livestock animals as well as their advantages and limitations can be presented in this Special Issue.

Overall, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of infectious diseases in livestock, as well as the tools and strategies available for their prevention, control, and diagnosis. It is a valuable resource for veterinarians, researchers, and policymakers involved in the fight against infectious diseases in livestock.

Prof. Dr. Selwyn Arlington Headley
Prof. Dr. Fabiano José Ferreira De Sant'Ana
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

pathogenesis
epidemiology
diagnosis
livestock animals
infectious diseases

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2512 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serological Detection of Ovine Gammaherpesvirus 2 Antibodies in Dairy Farms from Southern Brazil

by Selwyn Arlington Headley, Dawn Marie Grant, Juliana Torres Tomazi Fritzen, Felippe Danyel Cardoso Martins, Stefany Lia Oliveira Camilo, Eloiza Teles Caldart, Júlio Augusto Naylor Lisbôa, Amauri Alcindo Alfieri and George Cameron Russell

Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2629; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122629 - 19 Dec 2024

Viewed by 588

Abstract

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) is a severe lymphoproliferative vascular disease of cattle that is caused by ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvGHV2), which is a Macavirus within the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily. SA-MCF occurs worldwide in several mammalian hosts. Alternatively, alcelaphine gammaherpesvirus 1 (AlGHV1) is a Macavirus that causes wildebeest-associated malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), which principally occurs in cattle from Africa. Previous serological assays to evaluate the presence of MCF in mammals used a competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI-ELISA). This CI-ELISA is based on the 15A antigenic epitope that is common to all Macavirus associated with the development of MCF in their respective hosts. This study evaluated an indirect MCF-specific ELISA assay based on the AlGHV1 C500 strain to detect antibodies against OvGHV2 in 43 closed dairy cattle farms from Southern Brazil. These farms are located in a region where subclinical infections by OvGHV2 have been detected in free-ranging wild boars (Sus scrofa). Sheep or goats were not reared at these farms or within the proximity of these farms. Risk factors associated with seropositivity to OvGHV2 were evaluated, while the possible participation of subclinically infected wild boars in the dissemination of OvGHV2 was estimated using spatial analysis. Sera from 29 dairy cows from 16 farms demonstrated sample/positive (S/P) values considered positive with this MCF-specific ELISA (cutoff S/P, 0.063). The S/P values for the positive dairy cows varied between 0.0633 and 0.2510 (mean, 0.0998; standard deviation, 0.0476). At least one cow was seropositive in 16/43 (37.2%) of these farms, with seropositivity identified in 29/367 (7.9%) of dairy cows maintained at these farms. Additionally, dairy cows raised within the intensive system had a more than threefold higher chance of being seropositive to OvGHV2 relative to those reared within the semi-intensive system. Furthermore, the spatial evaluation revealed that cows on dairy farms within a 50 km radius of the home range of subclinically infected wild boars had an increased risk of being seropositive to this assay. These findings demonstrated that the AlGHV1 C500-specific MCF ELISA can be efficiently used to monitor the occurrence of OvGHV2 in cattle. In addition, the occurrence of subclinically infected free-ranging wild boars within a radius of 50 km from susceptible cattle may be a possible risk factor for the occurrence of OvGHV2-related infections in these animals from Southern Brazil. These initial results are fundamental to understanding the epidemiology of OvGHV2-associated infections and clinical SA-MCF in mammals in Brazil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Animals)

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15 pages, 6279 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pasteurella multocida Serotype D Infection Induces Activation of the IL-17 Signaling Pathway in Goat Lymphocytes

by Yujing Fu, Yong Meng, Hejie Qian, Taoyu Chen, Xiangying Chen, Qiaoling Chen, Hongyan Gao, Churiga Man, Li Du, Si Chen and Fengyang Wang

Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2618; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122618 - 18 Dec 2024

Viewed by 675

Abstract

(1) Background: Pasteurellosis is a global zoonotic bacterial disease, which has caused significant economic impacts in animal husbandry. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding of the immune response between goat peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and goat-derived Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida). (2) Methods: To investigate the immune response of host PBLs during infection with P. multocida type D, we established an in vitro cell model utilizing isolated primary goat PBLs. Utilizing this in vitro infection model, we employed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the cytokine profile variation in goat PBLs following infection. Meanwhile, RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods were employed to analyze the gene expression profile. (3) Results: The ELISA test results indicated that the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IFN-γ, CXCL10, and IL-17A, were significantly elevated within 12 h after infection with P. multocida. In contrast, the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were found to be reduced. RNA sequencing and functional enrichment analysis identified 2114 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were primarily associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, viral protein-cytokine interactions, and the IL-17 signaling pathway. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and qPCR highlighted CD86, CCL5, CD8A, CXCL8, CTLA4, TNF, CD274, IL-10, IL-6, CXCL10, IFNG, and IL-17A that were crucial for the response of PBLs to P. multocida infection. (4) Conclusions: This study systematically revealed the characteristics of PBLs in goats following infection with goat-derived P. multocida type D through the analysis of cytokines and gene expression, providing important theoretical insights for a deeper understanding of the defense mechanisms in goats against P. multocida. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Animals)

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14 pages, 1859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transplacental Infections Associated with Macavirus in Aborted Bovine Fetuses

by Flávia Helena Pereira Silva, Juliana Torres Tomazi Fritzen, Julia Raisa Ximenes Figueiredo, Rafaela Maria Boson Jurkevicz, Ana Flávia Ferrreira Domingues, Milena Patzer Rose, Luara Evangelista Silva, João Luis Garcia, Amauri Alcindo Alfieri and Selwyn Arlington Headley

Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1608; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081608 - 7 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1071

Abstract

The Macavirus genus, Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily, Herpesviridae family, contains ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvGHV2), the cause of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF). Members of the Macavirus genus associated with the development of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in their respective hosts share the 15A antigenic epitope, are conserved within the DNA polymerase gene and are collectively referred to as the malignant catarrhal fever virus (MCFV) complex. The ability of MCFV and/or OvGHV2 to produce abortions in ruminants is currently unknown, with little documentation of infections by these agents in bovine fetuses. This report presents the findings observed due to the detection of OvGHV2 DNA and MCFV tissue antigens in aborted bovine fetuses from southern Brazil. Four aborted bovine fetuses from three farms, located in a geographical region of Paraná State with elevated immunohistochemical (IHC) prevalence of MCFV tissue antigens, with gestational ages varying between 78 to 208 days were investigated. Significant gross and histopathological alterations were not observed in any of these fetuses. An IHC assay using the 15A-monoclonal antibody (15A-MAb), which is based on the 15A antigenic epitope of Macavirus, identified MCFV tissue antigens in multiple organs from two fetuses (#1 and #4); however, positive immunoreactivity to the 15A-MAb IHC assay was not detected in Fetus #2 and #3. Molecular testing amplified OvGHV2 DNA only from the myocardium and lungs of Fetus #1 that had positive intracytoplasmic immunoreactivity to the 15A-MAb IHC assay in these tissues. Furthermore, infections by Leptospira spp. were confirmed by molecular assays in fetuses #1, #3, and #4, while PCR detected Neospora caninum in the myocardium of Fetus #2. Additionally, molecular assays to identify well-known fetopathy agents of cattle, including bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, Histophilus somni, and Listeria monocytogenes, did not amplify the nucleic acids of these pathogens. PCR assays to identify bovine gammaherpesvirus 6 (BoGHV6), another Macavirus known to infect cattle in Brazil, were unsuccessful. These findings confirmed that the 15A-MAb IHC assay can be efficiently used to detect MCFV antigens in organs of aborted bovine fetuses. The identification of MCFV antigens with the simultaneous detection of OvGHV2 DNA confirmed that Fetus #1 was infected by OvGHV2 and added to the few descriptions of this infection in aborted fetuses of ruminants worldwide. Moreover, the IHC detection of MCFV in multiple organs of Fetus #4, without the molecular detection of OvGHV2 or BoGHV6, may suggest that this fetus was infected by a Macavirus that was not previously diagnosed in cattle herds from Brazil. These findings strongly suggest that OvGHV2 and MCFV can produce transplacental infections in cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Animals)

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12 pages, 1770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brain Abscesses in Domestic Ruminants: Clinicopathological and Bacteriological Approaches

by Lucas Vinícius de Oliveira Ferreira, Thaís Gomes Rocha, Regina Kiomi Takahira, Renée Laufer-Amorim, Vânia Maria de Vasconcelos Machado, Márcio Garcia Ribeiro, Wanderson Adriano Biscola Pereira, José Paes Oliveira-Filho, Alexandre Secorun Borges and Rogério Martins Amorim

Microorganisms 2024, 12(7), 1424; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12071424 - 13 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1338

Abstract

Brain abscesses in ruminants often arise from primary infection foci, leading to an unfavorable prognosis for affected animals. This highlights the need for comprehensive studies on brain abscesses across different ruminant species. We retrospectively investigated medical records of epidemiological, clinical, neuroimaging, anatomopathological, and bacteriological findings in six ruminants (three goats, two cows, and one sheep) diagnosed with brain abscesses. All animals studied were female. Apathy (50%), compulsive walking (33%), decreased facial sensitivity (33%), head pressing (33%), seizures (33%), semicomatous mental status (33%), strabismus (33%), unilateral blindness (33%), and circling (33%) represented the most common neurologic signs. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia were the main findings in the hematological evaluation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed predominant hyperproteinorrachia and pleocytosis. In three cases, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were used, enabling the identification of typical abscess lesions, which were subsequently confirmed during postmortem examination. Microbiological culture of the abscess samples and/or CSF revealed bacterial coinfections in most cases. Advanced imaging examinations, combined with CSF analysis, can aid in diagnosis, although confirmation typically relies on postmortem evaluation and isolation of the causative agent. This study contributes to clinicopathological aspects, neuroimages, and bacteriological diagnosis of brain abscesses in domestic ruminants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Animals)

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11 pages, 2206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Real-Time Recombinase-Aided Amplification Method for the Rapid Detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi

by Haoyu Zu, Rongkuan Sun, Jiaxin Li, Xing Guo, Min Wang, Wei Guo and Xiaojun Wang

Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040777 - 11 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1359

Abstract

Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is the causative pathogen of strangles in horses, donkeys, and other equine animals. Strangles has spread globally and causes significant losses to the horse industry. In response to the urgent need for effective disease control, this study introduces a novel nucleic acid diagnostic method known as a real-time recombinase-assisted amplification (RAA) assay, developed based on the eqbE gene, for the rapid detection of S. equi nucleic acid. The real-time RAA method employs specifically designed probes and primers targeting the eqbE gene, enhancing the overall specificity and sensitivity of the detection. After efficiency optimization, this real-time RAA method can detect 10 or more copies of nucleic acid within 20 min. The method demonstrates high specificity for S. equi and does not cross-react with other clinically relevant pathogens. Real-time RAA diagnostic performance was evaluated using 98 nasal swab samples collected from horses and compared with the real-time PCR detection method. Results revealed that 64 and 65 samples tested positive for S. equi using real-time RAA and real-time PCR, respectively. The overall agreement between the two assays was 96.94% (95/98), with a kappa value of 0.931 (p < 0.001). Further linear regression analysis indicated a significant correlation in the detection results between the two methods (R² = 0.9012, p < 0.0001), suggesting that the real-time RAA assay exhibits a detection performance comparable to that of real-time PCR. In conclusion, the real-time RAA assay developed here serves as a highly specific and reliable diagnostic tool for the detection of S. equi in equine samples, offering a potential alternative to real-time PCR methods. In conclusion, the real-time RAA nucleic acid diagnostic method, based on the eqbE gene, offers rapid and accurate diagnosis of S. equi, with the added advantage of minimal equipment requirements, thus contributing to the efficient detection of strangles in horses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Animals)

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Review

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16 pages, 635 KiB

Open AccessReview

Coccidia Species and Geographical Distribution in Genus Sus: A Scoping Review

by Hongyu Han, Hui Dong, Qiping Zhao, Shunhai Zhu and Bing Huang

Microorganisms 2025, 13(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010014 - 25 Dec 2024

Viewed by 464

Abstract

Swine coccidiosis is a widespread disease caused by species of the apicomplexan parasites Eimeria and Cystoisospora. Coccidiosis is a common cause of diarrhea in suckling piglets worldwide that directly reduces piglets’ immunity and increases the risk of infection with other enteropathogens, leading to increased clinical infection and mortality and consequent economic losses in the global pig industry. We searched the available literature to date, including English and Chinese articles, using six electronic bibliographic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP Chinese Journal Database, and Wanfang Data. A standard approach for conducting scoping reviews was used to identify studies on the species and distribution of genus Sus coccidia worldwide. A quality assessment was done for each study reviewed and relevant information reported in the identified studies was collated, categorized, and summarized. A total of 149 publications and references were eligible for the final review. The distribution of 18 species of genus Sus coccidia recorded in 63 countries was collated. These included 15 Eimeria and 3 Cystoisospora species. C. suis was found in 48 countries, E. debliecki in 45 countries, E. scabra in 33 countries, E. polita in 31 countries, E. suis in 28 countries, E. perminuta in 26 countries, E. porci in 24 countries, E. neodebliecki and E.spinosa in 21 countries each, E.guevarai in 5 countries, C. almataensis in 4 countries, E. betica in 2 countries, and E. almataensis, E. ibrahimovae, E. residualis, E. szechuanensis, E. yanglingensis, and C. sundarbanensis were each found in only 1 country. Each species was listed according to its scientific name, host name, finding location, and geographical distribution. This review reflects the distribution and infection of genus Sus coccidia worldwide and provides more complete basic information to aid our understanding of the species and geographical distribution of coccidia in the genus Sus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Animals)

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