Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most economically significant viral diseases affecting livestock globally, particularly in developing countries. This highly contagious disease causes severe productivity losses in affected animals, primarily cattle, sheep, and goats. This short review summarizes the prevalence, clinical presentation, and management strategies of FMD in cattle within Iraq. Data were obtained from published studies, governmental veterinary reports, and field observations between 2015 and 2024. The findings reveal that FMD outbreaks occur periodically, with higher incidence during the colder months when animal movements increase and biosecurity measures are often relaxed. Clinical signs observed in affected cattle include fever, excessive salivation, vesicular lesions on the mouth and feet, lameness, and decreased milk production, which collectively contribute to significant economic burdens for farmers and the livestock industry. Current management strategies in Iraq rely mainly on vaccination campaigns, quarantine measures, movement control, and supportive care for affected animals. However, challenges remain due to inconsistent vaccine coverage, limited laboratory diagnostic capacity, lack of public awareness, and unregulated animal trade practices. Strengthening vaccination programs, improving biosecurity measures, increasing farmer education, and enhancing regional cooperation are essential to reducing the impact of FMD in the region. This review emphasizes the importance of continuous surveillance and coordinated efforts among veterinary authorities to effectively control and prevent future FMD outbreaks in Iraq, ultimately supporting food security and livestock sustainability.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a widespread vector-borne pathogen of major concern for animal health, mainly affecting both wild and domestic ruminants. This virus stands out for its ability to cause significant disease and its impact on livestock production. In 2023, BTV serotype 3 was detected in the Netherlands and spread rapidly to neighbouring countries. Compared to other serotypes circulating in Europe, BTV-3 shows greater virulence and transmissibility. The aim of this study is the design and rescue of reporter-expressing BTV-3 viruses using a BTV-1 (ALG2006/01) genetic backbone and the VP2 and VP5 outer capsid proteins from BTV-3 (SPA/2024). Using a plasmid-based reverse genetic system, we have designed and rescued rBTV-3 reporter-expressing viruses encoding NanoLuc luciferase (Nluc) or the fluorescent proteins Venus and mCherry. Rescue was achieved by transfecting BSR-T7 cells with plasmids encoding BTV genome segments. The reporter-expressing viruses were generated by chaining segment 5, which encodes the NS1 protein, with a Porcine teschovirus-1 (PTV-1) 2A autoproteolytic cleavage site, followed by the reporter genes. Consequently, fluorescence and luminescence signals are only detected following viral replication and expression of non-structural proteins. BSR cells were mock-infected or infected (MOI 0.1) with rBTV-3, rBTV-3/Venus, rBTV-3/mCherry or rBTV-3/Nluc. Fluorescence was detected in the cytoplasm of the cells infected with rBTV-3/Venus or rBTV-3/mCherry but not in those infected with rBTV-3 or rBTV-3/Nluc. Moreover, Nluc activity was only detected in rBTV-3/Nluc infected cells. The use of replication-competent viruses that encode a traceable fluorescent or luciferase reporter protein may be promising tools for studying BTV infectivity, transmissibility, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and vector competence.

Quantitative structure–retention relationships (QSRR) offer a powerful approach to predict chromatographic retention times of compounds based on their molecular structures. In this study, we developed a practical and user-friendly QSRR model using multiple linear regression (MLR) to forecast the retention behavior of three classes of illicit veterinary drug additives in food matrices. A total of 95 drugs were analyzed, divided into a training set (62 compounds), a test set (30 compounds), and a real-sample validation set (3 compounds). Molecular descriptors were generated using freely available software tools, including Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD) and the Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (TEST).

The final MLR-QSRR model demonstrated excellent predictive performance, with a strong correlation between observed retention times and selected molecular descriptors (R² = 0.966). Key descriptors influencing retention time included ACDlogP, ALOGP, ALOGP2, Hy, Ui, ib, BEHp1, BEHp2, GATS1m, and GATS2m. Validation through four independent approaches—leave-one-out, k-fold cross-validation, external test set, and real-sample application—confirmed the robustness and reliability of the model.

These findings highlight the potential of QSRR modeling as a valuable analytical tool in food safety, particularly for detecting and monitoring illegal veterinary drug residues. By enabling accurate retention time prediction, this approach supports enhanced screening efficiency in chromatographic workflows and contributes to safeguarding public health.

Introduction. The aim of the work was to isolate bacterial microflora from chickens that died from influenza and determine their resistance profile to antimicrobial drugs.

Materials and Methods. Pathological material from five dead chickens from private households was delivered to the Laboratory. Detection of the genetic material of the virus was carried out using RT-qPCR according to the protocols recommended by WOAH. The biomaterial was sown on special nutrient media for the isolation of bacterial microflora and determination of pathogenicity for laboratory animals. The sensitivity of the isolated bacterial cultures to 44 antimicrobial drugs was determined by the disk diffusion method according to the EUCAST recommendations with disks with minimal inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial drugs and Mueller-Hinton agar medium.

Results. In the biomaterial studied from chickens the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza pathogen (type A, H5N1) was confirmed. As a result of bacteriological studies, cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated and identified from the bone marrow, which were pathogenic for white mice. The results of antibiotic sensitivity studies showed that the isolated culture of Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to antibacterial drugs from the groups of cephalosporins, macrolides, nitrofurans, and fluoroquinolones; the isolated culture of Escherichia coli was resistant to cephalosporins and macrolides.

Discussion. Analysis of the obtained data provided grounds to classify the studied isolates as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Importantly, the anamnesis data does not confirm the use of antimicrobials in households where the death of poultry from highly pathogenic influenza was recorded.

Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the risks of the spread of bacterial pathogens with multiple antibiotic resistance during avian influenza outbreaks, which poses an additional potential threat to personnel.

Acknowledgements: Funded by the EU Next Generation EU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V01- 00151.

This report describes the case of a Mixed-breed dog brought to the teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex of the College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Based on clinical signs, a canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) infection was diagnosed. A rectal swab sample was collected and the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by the positive results obtained by a commercially available rapid antigen testing kit (Ubio QuickVet CPV antigen testing kit. The prognosis of this disease depends on the virulence of the virus strain as well as the response of the organism to the treatment. However, it is also important that the treatment is started as soon as possible, because without it, the prognosis could be fatal. The necessary Antibiotic, Anti-diarrheal, Antacid, Anti-emetic, Vitamin B & C and fluids for restoring the fluid lost and the electrolyte imbalance, were administered in proper dosages according to the level of dehydration and body weight of the dog. The treatment regimen was continued for 6 days, and the pet owner was instructed not to give food and water for 6 days and the prognosis of dog was satisfactory. After six days of intensive supportive therapy, the dog showed marked clinical improvement with cessation of vomiting and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Hydration status, mucous membrane color, and appetite gradually normalized. The overall prognosis was satisfactory with complete recovery observed.

_{Introduction: Zoonotic diseases are a persistent threat to public health and veterinary systems worldwide, with sub-Saharan Africa particularly vulnerable due to high livestock density, porous borders, and limited disease surveillance capacity. Strengthening veterinary biosecurity within a One Health framework is essential for preventing, detecting, and responding to these risks.}

_{Methods: This work draws on professional experience in biosecurity regulation at the National Biosafety Management Agency of Nigeria, combined with a review of relevant literature on zoonotic disease management. Case examples, including the spread of African swine fever and the increasing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in livestock, were examined to highlight current gaps in veterinary biosecurity systems.}

_{Results: Findings indicate that weaknesses in laboratory infrastructure, limited access to molecular diagnostic tools, and insufficient coordination between veterinary and public health agencies hinder timely outbreak detection and response. However, targeted interventions—such as the application of molecular diagnostics, improved vector control strategies, and capacity building for veterinary professionals—show significant potential for strengthening surveillance and containment efforts.}

_{Conclusions: Integrating veterinary biosecurity into national and regional One Health strategies offers a pathway to improve resilience against transboundary animal diseases and emerging zoonoses. Strengthening policies, enhancing international collaboration, and investing in diagnostic and biosafety infrastructure are critical to safeguarding both animal and human health. This contribution underscores the urgent need for sustainable, evidence-based approaches to protect sub-Saharan Africa from future biological threats.}

Sarcoptic mange in wild canids poses important challenges for both species conservation and public health, primarily due to the risk of cross-species transmission, including to humans. Cerdocyon thous is widely distributed across Brazil, except for the Amazon lowlands. This species occupies a range of habitats, including forests, savannas, grasslands, and areas altered by human activity, such as agricultural lands, pastures, and regenerating zones. Despite its broad distribution, there is limited documentation of sarcoptic mange in wild canid roadkill specimens, particularly involving Cerdocyon thous in Brazil. This case report describes the findings from an adult male Cerdocyon thous specimen found dead during a roadkill monitoring campaign. Upon examination of the carcass, extensive skin lesions were observed, primarily on the face, ears, and extremities. These lesions were characterized by areas of hair loss, dandruff, and crust formation. Skin samples from the affected regions were carefully collected, preserved in a container with 70% alcohol, and submitted to the Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory at PUC-PR (Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná) for analysis. Microscopic examination confirmed the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei, with both eggs and adult mites identified. Notably, live mites were still present on the carcass, underscoring the zoonotic potential of sarcoptic mange and the risk of transmission to other mammals, including domestic animals, wildlife, and humans. This also highlights its potential impact on species conservation. These findings emphasize the importance of enhanced epidemiological surveillance, environmental education, and integrated One Health strategies to monitor and mitigate the spread of sarcoptic mange in wildlife populations.

Gastrointestinal parasites are a major health challenge in captive wildlife, reducing Tthe survival, reproduction, and conservation value of endangered and vulnerable species. The health and sustainability of captive deer species that are significant to the environment, culture, and economy are compromised by parasitic illnesses. Limited information is available on parasitic prevalence in captive deer species of Pakistan, creating gaps in wildlife health management. In this study, a total of 120 fresh fecal samples were collected from Hog Deer (Axis porcinus), Fallow Deer (Dama dama), and Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) housed in zoological gardens of Punjab. Samples were examined using flotation, sedimentation, and McMaster egg-per-gram (EPG) quantification techniques. Identified parasites were categorized, and infection prevalence was analyzed in relation to host factors (species, age, sex) and environmental seasonality. Overall, 65.8% of fecal samples were positive for at least one parasite species. Different parasite taxa were recorded, including protozoa (Trypanosoma, Babesia), cestodes (Moniezia expansa, M. benedeni), nematodes (Trichuris globulosa, Strongyloides papillosus, Haemonchus contortus), and trematodes (Paramphistomum cervi). Trypanosoma spp. had the highest prevalence (37.5%), followed by Babesia (20.0%). Hog Deer exhibited the greatest infection burden (50%), followed by Fallow Deer (26.6%) and Blackbuck (23.3%). Significant correlations between infection prevalence and host-related parameters were found through epidemiological study. Male deer showed a somewhat higher incidence than females, and younger animals were more vulnerable to parasitic diseases. Environmental conditions substantially encourage parasite survival and transmission, as seen by seasonal patterns showing higher parasite burdens during warm and humid months. This study highlights a high prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in captive deer populations of Punjab. The findings underscore the need for routine surveillance, targeted deworming, and improved management of captive environments to reduce parasite loads. These measures are critical for safeguarding deer health, preventing cross-transmission to domestic animals, and strengthening wildlife conservation programs in Pakistan.

Introduction: Abortion in sheep, a major global economic concern, causes significant losses in livestock industries, particularly in regions reliant on sheep farming. It is often caused by infectious agents like Neospora caninum, Chlamydia abortus, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycoplasma spp., and Brucella spp. These pathogens induce abortions at varying gestational stages with distinct clinical signs, such as placental damage (N. caninum), late-gestation placentitis (C. abortus), or systemic infections with mastitis or lameness (Mycoplasma, Brucella),

Methods: Samples from aborted fetuses, placentas, and maternal tissues in four affected flocks were analyzed. PCR assays targeted N. caninum (Nc-5), C. abortus (omp1), L. monocytogenes (hly), Mycoplasma spp., and Brucella spp., with primer sets validated against reference strains for specificity and sensitivity.

Results: Two flocks tested positive for N. caninum, showing mid-gestation abortions with placental lesions. Two flocks had Mycoplasma spp., linked to late abortions, mastitis, and lameness. No L. monocytogenes was detected, despite some respiratory or neurological signs in ewes.

Conclusion: Diverse pathogens cause sheep abortions, with distinct gestational timing and clinical signs aiding diagnosis. Molecular detection enables rapid pathogen identification, vital for early intervention and preventing disease spread in flocks. Targeted control reduces economic losses. Molecular tools enhance veterinary epidemiology, improving disease management in livestock.

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is a key avian pathogen that causes respiratory, joint, and reproductive issues in poultry, resulting in significant economic losses. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and pathological changes linked to MS infection in commercial broiler flocks in District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 200 blood samples were collected from 13 broiler farms and tested using an indirect ELISA kit to detect MS-specific antibodies. Additionally, tissue samples from the trachea and lungs were taken from naturally infected birds and examined histopathologically. The serological results showed that 41 out of 200 samples (20.5%) tested positive for MS antibodies, indicating moderate pathogen circulation in the area. Risk factor analysis revealed higher seroprevalence in birds over three weeks old (23%) compared to those under three weeks (12%), and in smaller flocks (<2000 birds; 25%) versus larger flocks (>2000 birds; 19%). However, statistical analysis (Chi-square test) found no significant associations (p > 0.05) with age, flock size, feed, or mortality. Clinical signs like respiratory distress, anorexia, ascites, and white diarrhea were weakly linked to seropositivity. Gross lesions included tracheal hemorrhages, splenomegaly, synovitis, and lung consolidation. Histopathology showed epithelial desquamation, leukocytic infiltration, hemorrhage in the trachea, and alveolar septal thickening and congestion in the lungs, consistent with septicemia progression of MS infection. This study confirms that Mycoplasma synoviae is endemic in broiler flocks of District Karak, with characteristic respiratory lesions. The findings highlight the importance of regular surveillance, biosecurity, and improved diagnostic methods to reduce the impact of MS on poultry production in Pakistan.