Background: Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus is a catfish of great economic value, abundantly exploited in the artisanal fisheries of Burkina Faso. Despite its importance, few studies have been devoted to the parasites that affect it, in particular monogenes, which are known to impact fish health and compromise aquaculture productivity. The objective of this study is to identify the monogeneans present in this species and to evaluate the factors influencing their infestation, from a sustainability and food security perspective. Methods: This study was conducted from February 2021 to July 2022 in the Bagré River, covering a period of 18 months during which samples of C. nigrodigitatus were collected and their gills analyzed in the laboratory according to morphological criteria. Data were examined in terms of size, sex of fish, distribution of parasites on the gills, as well as seasonal variations. Results: Three species of Monogenes of the genus Protoancylodiscoides were identified for the first time in Burkina Faso: P. spirovagina (the most dominant), P. valentini and P. sanagaensis, all specific to C. nigrodigitatus. Infestation is correlated with fish size, with males being more exposed to P. sanagaensis, and more frequent during the rainy season. Conclusion and outlook: These results call for increased monitoring in aquaculture. Research extended to other areas and species is needed to better understand the diversity and distribution of Monogeneans and support sustainable fish farming.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. It is considered a major zoonotic concern globally, particularly in regions where livestock such as sheep are raised in close contact with dogs, the definitive hosts of the parasite. In Albania, CE remains endemic, affecting both humans and domestic animals. The current study was conducted in the Korça region in southeastern Albania, to determine the prevalence, distribution, and characteristics of hydatid cysts in sheep slaughtered at local abattoirs. Between January and December 2024, a total of 1,072 sheep were inspected post-mortem. Organs, including the lungs and liver, were examined for the presence of hydatid cysts, and infected tissues underwent both macroscopic and histological evaluation. Hydatid cysts were detected in 19.8% (n = 213) of the animals. Pulmonary involvement was slightly more common (53.5%) than hepatic (46.5%). Among the identified cysts, 71% were fertile, 26.7% sterile, and 2.3% calcified. Histomorphological analysis revealed significant fibrotic and inflammatory changes in affected organs, with more advanced lesions seen in older sheep. The presence of collagen fibers surrounding the cysts was confirmed using Masson’s trichrome staining. These findings provide valuable insight into the epidemiological burden of hydatidosis in southeastern Albania. Understanding the distribution and fertility of cysts is essential for evaluating the risk of transmission and for designing effective control strategies aimed at limiting the spread of this zoonosis among both livestock and human populations.

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) expressed by immune cells play a crucial role in sensing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), thereby initiating innate immune responses. As professional antigen-presenting cells, dendritic cells (DCs) regulate the pericellular environment, capture antigens, and present them to T lymphocytes following their migration to secondary lymphoid organs. The migration of immature DCs is facilitated by specialized adhesion structures, such as podosomes.

Since podosome assembly and disassembly are highly associated with immunoregulatory and migratory functions of DCs, we evaluated the effects of various PRR agonists on podosome organization in mouse bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs).

Primary cultures of BMDCs were generated using mouse recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rmGM-CSF) and subsequently stimulated for 24 hours with selected PRR ligands, including TLR agonists (Pam2CSK4, Pam3CSK4, Poly I:C, LPS, flagellin, CpG ODN) and NOD agonists (C12-iE-DAP, MDP). Podosome types were morphologically classified as single, clustered or rosette structures and quantified in individual cells following immunofluorescent staining for F-actin and vinculin.

Our data demonstrate that PRR stimulation promotes podosome dissolution and significantly alters podosome organization. In unstimulated control BMDCs, more than 85% of cells exhibited podosomes, predominantly clustered (70%), followed by rosettes (10%) and single podosomes (6%). The most pronounced podosome disassembly was induced by LPS, resulting in over 80% of cells losing podosomes and an increased proportion of cells displaying single podosomes (11%). Similar effects were observed following stimulation with Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4. Weaker podosome-disrupting effects were noted with flagellin, C12-iE-DAP, MDP, and Poly I:C, where podosome-negative cells accounted for 60%, 42%, 40%, and 36%, respectively.

Conclusion: PRR stimulation influences podosome dynamics in BMDCs, suggesting a regulatory role in DC maturation and functional plasticity.

Bluetongue, caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), is a widespread arthropod-borne disease of livestock that entails a recurrent threat to the agricultural primary sector. In 2023, serotype BTV-3 emerged in the Netherlands and spread rapidly to neighboring countries including Spain. This new strain of BTV-3 courses with more severe clinical signs and faster spread of the virus than other serotypes that caused outbreaks in Europe. To better understand these aspects of the new BTV-3 strain, we have analyzed viral replication of BTV-3 (SPA/2024), BTV-4 (MOR/2009) and BTV-8 (BEL/2006) in mammalian (Vero and BSR) and insect (KC) cells. Growth kinetics showed significant differences in viral titers at 48 and 72 hpi in BSR and Vero cells, with higher viral titers in the supernatants of cells infected with BTV-3 than in those infected with BTV-4 or BTV-8. At 72 hpi, a greater cytopathic effect and a decrease in BTV-3 viral RNA in Vero cells were observed. In contrast, no significant differences were observed at other timepoints and in BSR cells. Interestingly, neither viral titers nor viral RNA showed significant differences among serotypes in KC cells.

In addition, BTV-3 virulence was analyzed in vivo in the IFNAR(-/-) mouse model. Mice infected with 10 PFU of virus developed clinical signs, RNAemia and viraemia between days 5 and 7 post-infection and all the animals died between days 7 and 10. For other BTV serotypes analyzed, lethal doses were established at 10² PFU for BTV-1 (ALG/2006) and BTV-8 (BEL/2006) and 5x10² PFU for BTV-4 (SPA/2005), indicating that this BTV-3 (SPA/2024) is also more virulent in the mouse model than other serotypes of BTV, as observed in the natural host.

These data suggest that BTV-3 presents greater transmissibility and virulence than other BTV serotypes in the mammalian host, but these dynamics are not altered in the vector cells.

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) remains a widespread yet underdiagnosed issue in dairy herds, causing significant economic losses, particularly in low-resource environments with limited early detection tools. Somatic cell count (SCC) is a well-established and cost-effective method for detecting SCM in dairy production systems. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SCM and identify associated cow-level risk factors using on-farm SCC screening in a high-producing commercial dairy herd in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in January 2025, involving 227 lactating cows. Milk samples were analyzed using the Ekomilk Horizon Analyzer (Bulteh 2000 Ltd., Bulgaria). SCM was defined as SCC ≥200,000 cells/mL, a threshold commonly applied in both industry and research. Cow-level data—including breed, body condition score (BCS), age, pregnancy status, reproductive disorders, abortion history, retained placenta, number of calves, lactation stage, and milk yield—were recorded. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with elevated SCC. The overall SCM prevalence was 63.4%. Multivariable analysis showed significant associations between reproductive disorders and SCM. Anestrus cows had 2.68 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.20–5.95; P = 0.015), and repeat breeders had 3.85 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.69–8.76; P < 0.001), compared to cows without reproductive issues. Additionally, cows weighing ≥345 kg had a 3.26-fold higher risk (95% CI: 1.77–5.99; P < 0.001). This pilot study confirms the feasibility of on-farm SCC screening for early SCM detection and identifies reproductive disorders and higher body weight as significant risk factors. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive herd health monitoring and targeted interventions. Larger-scale studies are essential to validate these results and inform effective management strategies aimed at improving dairy herd productivity and animal welfare in resource-constrained systems.

Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) and adenoviral gizzard erosion (AGE), which are caused by fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs), have emerged as significant health concerns in poultry production in Sabah, Malaysia. Here, we present molecular surveillance data collected from 2019 to 2023 to characterise the FAdV serotypes associated with these diseases in broiler chickens. A total of 66 liver and gizzard samples were collected from birds exhibiting gross lesions consistent with IBH or AGE. Of these, 49 samples tested positive for FAdV by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and all 49 underwent partial sequencing of the hexon gene, a major capsid protein used for FAdV serotyping. We identified three FAdV serotypes over the five-year period, namely, FAdV-1 (species A), FAdV-8b (species E) and FAdV-11 (species D). We found that FAdV-8b was the most prevalent and was detected in 69.4% (34/49) of the positive samples and was present in all five years. Meanwhile, FAdV-11 (4/49) was limited to 2019 and 2020, and FAdV-1 (12/49) was detected only in 2023. We observed a notable increase in IBH cases in 2023, coinciding with a sharp rise in FAdV-8b detection. We also identified FAdV-1 only in 2023 and observed gizzard erosion during necropsy, suggesting the presence of AGE. From the sequence analysis of the Hexon gene, we identified several single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) within samples of the same serotype, which indicates intra-serotype genetic variation reflecting viral adaptation or local evolution. Our study provides the first molecular evidence of FAdV-1, -8b, and -11 associated with IBH and AGE cases in Sabah and demonstrates shifting patterns in FAdV serotype prevalence over time. Our findings highlight the importance of molecular surveillance and targeted farm-level biosecurity measures to control the spread and impact of FAdV infections in Sabah poultry flocks.

This study determined the epidemiology and molecular identification of intestinal parasites of domesticated animals slaughtered in Amosun Abattoir, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, in relation to nature of infection, host type, and sex of host. A total of 150 faecal samples were collected and examined for the eggs of the parasites using parasitological examination (sedimentation and microscopy) and molecular identification (PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis). Descriptive analysis was performed using an SPSS Package and T-testing was used to compare the abundance of parasites in these domesticated animals at p≤0.05. A total of 89 (59.53%) samples were infected, with at least one parasite type in goats (49 [32.67%]) and sheep (40 [26.67%]). Fourteen genera of intestinal parasites were encountered; these include the following: Strongyloides, Eimeria, Haemonchus, Trichostongylus, Taenia, Ascaris, Monezia, Oesophagostomum, Dircocoelum, Nematodius, Enterobius, Fasciola, Trichuris, and Giardia species. The number of single parasitic infections was 41 (88.89%) in goats, while sheep had 32 single infections (85.71%), and for mixed infection there was a prevalence of 26 (11.11%) in goats, while theparasitic prevalence in sheep was 22 (14.29%). The most prevalent parasites in sheep and goats were Strongyloides, Eimeria, and Haemonchus species. Strongyloides had the highest parasite mean intensity in goats (3.76±0.08) and sheep (3.64±0.09), closely followed by Haemonchus (goats; 4.00±0.08, sheep; 3.25± 0.08) and Eimeria (goats; 3.13±0.06, sheep; 4.00± 0.1), while Giardia (goats; 3.00±0.06, sheep; 0.00± 0.00), Nemadius (goats; 2.00±0.04, sheep; 0.00± 0.00), Trichuris (goats; 0.00±0.00, sheep; 2.00± 0.05), Dircocoelum (goats; 1.00±0.02, sheep; 0.00± 0.00), and Enterobius (goats; 1.00±0.02, sheep; 3.25± 0.08) had the lowest mean intensity, occurring in just one of the animals. The mean EPG of host type showed no significant difference, p< 0.05 (p=0.87), in the intensity between sheep and goats. Using the PCR method, only the DNA of Eimeria arloingi from goats was amplified. The intestinal parasites encountered in the domesticated animals slaughtered in Amosun Abattoir pose a zoonotic risk to the human population living in Ibadan and its environs, since the location is the source of its meat supply.

Introduction
Tick-borne infections caused by bacterial pathogens such as Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma spp., protozoa like Babesia spp., and viruses including Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) represent a growing concern for both veterinary and public health, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Western Sicily (Italy), due to its favorable climatic and ecological conditions, is considered a potentially endemic area for several of these pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and flaviviruses in the canine population of this region.

Materials and Methods
Canine blood samples were analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect antibodies against Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to assess antibodies against flaviviruses and Babesia spp.

Results
A total of 386 dogs from various provinces of western Sicily were sampled. Seroprevalence rates were as follows: Rickettsia spp.—47.08%, Anaplasma spp.—21.33%, Ehrlichia spp.—15.49%, and Babesia spp.—32.38%. A subset of 121 samples (approximately 30%) was tested for flaviviruses, revealing a seropositivity rate of 26.45%.

Conclusions
The findings confirmed the circulation of the investigated bacterial, protozoan, and viral pathogens in the canine population of western Sicily. These results underscore the need for ongoing serological surveillance to better elucidate the epidemiology of these infections and to support the development of effective prevention and control strategies, in alignment with the One Health framework. Dogs represent effective sentinels for monitoring vector-borne diseases due to their frequent exposure to the same environmental risk factors as humans and their accessibility for sampling. Their role as sentinel species provides valuable insights for both veterinary and public health efforts aimed at the early detection and management of emerging infectious threats.
This research was funded by the Italian Ministry of Health: IZSSI 03/23 RC.

Introduction: Bluetongue virus (BTV), an Orbivirus from the Reoviridae family, is characterized by a segmented double-stranded RNA responsible for high genetic plasticity. A pathogen mainly transmitted by biting midges belonging to the Culicoides genus, it causes viral disease in ruminants with economic and health impacts on livestock and wild animals. There are more than 30 BTV serotypes that differ in antigenic and pathogenicity characteristics and can also undergo reassortment phenomena, producing new variants. The first outbreak of BTV infection in Sicily was reported in 2000 (2). In this study, we analyzed cases of co-infections in animals and insects by BTV 4-8, BTV 3-8, which occurred in Sicily (Italy) from January 2024 to May 2025, highlighting the risk of genetic reassortment between strains with different pathogenic and diffusion characteristics.

Methods: Blood, tissue samples, and insect traps were collected. Insect vectors were sampled and morphologically identified at the species and aggregate levels. Insects and blood samples were then subjected to RNA extraction and amplification by real-time RT-PCR for the BTV NS3 gene. Specific real-time RT-PCR for serotypes 1-3-4-8 was carried out on positive samples.

Results: Coinfection with BTV 4-8 was detected in 4/27 (14.81%) positive insects of the species Culicoides imicola, Culicoides new steady, and Culicoides spp., and in 2/77 (2.6%) positive blood samples from cattle. Coinfection with BTV 3-8 was identified in 2 additional blood samples and 4/32 (12.5%) sheep spleens.

Conclusions: The work carried out allowed us to the identification of BTV serotypes circulating and also documented cases of co-infections in animals and insects during the 2024-2025 transmission seasons in southern Italy. Some serotypes, such as BTV-8, have a greater impact on health and economy, so expanding epidemiological knowledge is essential to strengthen surveillance systems and methods for the early detection of new or more virulent strains.

Introduction: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is a zoonotic disease with significant implications for animal health, public health, and livestock productivity worldwide. Despite the implementation of national and regional eradication plans, Sicily remains one of the areas in Italy with the highest bTB prevalence. Several epidemiological factors contribute to this persistence, including extensive and semi-free-range farming practices, shared pastures, interspecies interactions with wildlife and local pig breeds, and the island's complex geography, which fosters ecological conditions favorable to pathogen survival and transmission.

Methods: M. bovis isolates were obtained from pathological samples, such as lymph nodes and lung lesions, collected from cattle slaughtered due to suspected tuberculosis. Bacterial cultures were performed using standard solid (Löwenstein–Jensen and Stonebrink) and liquid (BACTEC MGIT 960) media. Genomic DNA from culture-positive samples was extracted and subjected to spoligotyping. This molecular technique was used to identify the genotypes circulating in the region and to assess their spatial distribution.

Results: In 2024, a total of 745 animals were analyzed, of which 213 tested positive for Mycobacterium bovis. Spoligotyping revealed that the genetic landscape of M. bovis in Sicily is characterized by a limited number of predominant genotypes, particularly SB0120, followed by others such as SB0134 and SB0841. A wider range of minor and sporadic genotypes was also detected. The distribution of genotypes varied geographically, with some provinces showing higher genetic diversity than others. These findings point to a combination of localized endemic transmission and sporadic new introductions, influenced by environmental, management, and ecological factors.

Conclusions: The observed genetic heterogeneity of M. bovis reflects the complex epidemiology of bTB in Sicily. Molecular data such as spoligotyping provide crucial insights into strain circulation, supporting the design of more effective and geographically tailored control strategies aimed at the progressive eradication of the disease.