Latest publications

PLoS Pathog. 2025 Jun 9;21(6):e1013227. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013227. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are prime examples of emerging viruses in humans and animals. IAV circulation in domestic animals poses a pandemic risk as it provides new opportunities for zoonotic infections. The recent emergence of H5N1 IAV in cows and subsequent spread over multiple states within the USA, together with reports of spillover infections in humans, cats and mice highlight this issue. The horse is a domestic animal in which an avian-origin IAV lineage has been circulating for >60 years. In 2018/19, a Florida Clade 1 (FC1) virus triggered one of the largest epizootics recorded in the UK, which led to the replacement of the Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) Florida Clade 2 (FC2) lineage that had been circulating in the country since 2003. We integrated geographical, epidemiological, and virus genetic data to determine the virological and ecological factors leading to this epizootic. By combining newly-sequenced EIV complete genomes derived from UK outbreaks with existing genomic and epidemiological information, we reconstructed the nationwide viral spread and analysed the global evolution of EIV. We show that there was a single EIV FC1 introduction from the USA into Europe, and multiple independent virus introductions from Europe to the UK. At the UK level, three English regions (East, West Midlands, and North-West) were the main sources of virus during the epizootic, and the number of affected premises together with the number of horses in the local area were found as key predictors of viral spread within the country. At the global level, phylogeographic analysis evidenced a source-sink model for intercontinental EIV migration, with a source population evolving in the USA and directly or indirectly seeding viral lineages into sink populations in other continents. Our results provide insight on the underlying factors that influence IAV spread in domestic animals.

PMID:40489557 | DOI:10.1371/journal.ppat.1013227

PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025 Jun 6;5(6):e0004675. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004675. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

This study examines the use and translation of epidemiological modelling by policy and decision makers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to COVID-19, there was little readiness for global health systems, and many science-policy networks were assembled ad-hoc. Moreover, in the field of epidemiological modelling, one with significant sudden influence, there is still no international guidance or standard of practice on how modelled evidence should guide policy during major health crises. Here we use a multi-country case study on the use of epidemiological modelling in emergency COVID-19 response, to examine the effective integration of crisis science and policy in different countries. We investigated COVID-19 modelling-policy systems and practices in 13 countries, spanning all six UN geographic regions. Data collection took the form of expert interviews with a range of national policy/ decision makers, scientific advisors, and modellers. We examined the current use of epidemiological modelling, introduced a classification framework for outbreak modelling and policy on which best practice can be structured, and provided preliminary recommendations for future practice. Full analysis and interpretation of the breadth of interview responses is presented, providing evidence for the current and future use of modelling in disease outbreaks. We found that interviewees in countries with a similar size and type of modelling infrastructure, and similar level of government interaction with modelling reported similar experiences and recommendations on using modelling in outbreak response. From this, we introduced a helpful grouping of country experience upon which a tailored future best practice could be structured. We concluded the article by outlining context-specific activities that modellers and policy actors could consider implementing in their own countries. This article serves as a first evidence base for the current use of modelling in a recent major health crisis and provides a robust framework for developing epidemiological modelling-to-policy best practice.

PMID:40478854 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pgph.0004675

Vet Clin Pathol. 2025 Jun 6. doi: 10.1111/vcp.70029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil cell population data (CPD), including fluorescent light intensity (NE-SFL) and side scatter (NE-SSC), are promising inflammatory markers in human sepsis but remain unexplored in dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the diagnostic utility of NE-SSC and NE-SFL for detecting systemic inflammation in dogs and cats.

METHODS: Dogs and cats with archived CPD, blood films, and acute phase protein (APP) measurements were included. Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) in dogs and Serum Amyloid A (SAA) in cats were considered indicative of systemic inflammation. CPD was compared with APPs, white cell count (WCC), neutrophil count, band neutrophil count, and toxic change grade. Optimal cut-offs and associated sensitivities and specificities were calculated using ROC curve analysis. Correlations were assessed using Spearman's coefficient.

RESULTS: NE-SFL and NE-SSC were significantly increased in dogs and cats with systemic inflammation. The area under the curve (AUC) of NE-SFL was higher than that of NE-SSC, WCC, and band neutrophil count in both dogs (0.82) and cats (0.77). The optimal NE-SFL cut-off for detecting systemic inflammation was > 41.7 ch in dogs (sensitivity 80%; specificity 66%) and > 37.4 ch in cats (sensitivity 75%; specificity 67%). NE-SFL was positively correlated with APPs, WCC, neutrophil count, and band neutrophil count in both species. NE-SSC was positively correlated with APPs in both species and, in dogs, also with WCC, neutrophil count, and band neutrophil count.

CONCLUSION: CPD, particularly NE-SFL, is a promising marker of inflammation in dogs and cats and could be especially useful when APP quantification or blood smear examination are unavailable.

PMID:40476643 | DOI:10.1111/vcp.70029

Emerg Microbes Infect. 2025 Jun 6:2511132. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2025.2511132. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/H5 viruses poses a pandemic threat. Circulating clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have demonstrated rapid transcontinental dissemination, extensive reassortment, epizootic spread and potential sustained mammal-to-mammal transmission, signifying a heightened risk of becoming a human pathogen of high consequence. A broadly protective, future-proof vaccine against multiple clades of H5 influenza is urgently needed for pandemic preparedness. Here, we combine two novel vaccine technologies to generate a Digitally Immune Optimised and Selected H5 antigen (DIOSvax-H5inter) displayed multivalently on the mi3 nanocage using the SpyTag003/SpyCatcher003 conjugation system. Mice immunised with DIOSvax-H5inter Homotypic Nanocages at low doses demonstrate potent, cross-clade neutralising antibody and T cell responses against diverse H5 strains. DIOSvax-H5inter Homotypic Nanocages provide a scalable vaccine candidate with the potential for pan-H5 protection against drifted or newly emergent H5 strains. This World Health Organization preferred characteristic is essential for prospective strategic stockpiling in the pre-pandemic phase.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06145178..

PMID:40476519 | DOI:10.1080/22221751.2025.2511132

Sci Rep. 2025 Jun 5;15(1):19728. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-05223-6.

ABSTRACT

Tuberculin skin tests (TST), the primary diagnostic tool for bovine tuberculosis (bTB), cross-react with BCG vaccine. Recently developed defined antigen skin tests (DSTs) aim to differentiate infected amongst vaccinated animals. We evaluated the field performance of different interpretations of the TST and DSTs relative to IGRA and IDEXX M. bovis antibody tests. This panel of tests was assessed in 446 unvaccinated cattle across 22 Ethiopian dairy herds using Bayesian latent class models. We extended the standard Walter-Hui model to include age-related effects to explore evidence of the presence of diagnostic anergy. The latent class models estimate sensitivity and specificity of the DSTs to be between 84-88% and 79-85% respectively. The DSTs perform intermediately between the comparative intradermal test (CIT, sensitivity 77%, specificity 100%) and single intradermal test (SIT, sensitivity 99%, specificity 76%). We observed significant age-related declines in test sensitivity, most notably for CIT (declining from 75 to 52% over 9 years) and DST10 (83% to 68%), while other tests showed more stable sensitivity across age groups. This variable pattern across tests suggests mechanisms beyond simple age-related anergy. Together, these findings demonstrate that DSTs' superior sensitivity to CIT and comparable or better specificity than SIT, combined with their ability to distinguish vaccinated animals, creates a viable pathway for implementing BCG vaccination programs. Given the absence of any gold standard definition of infection with bTB, latent class analyses are essential to assess the relative performance of different diagnostic tests. While our results provide encouraging news for the sensitivity of the new DST tests, the high prevalence of bTB within our study population makes our design underpowered to assess the specificity of the DSTs. Future research, including assessment of the specificity of DSTs in disease-free populations and optimization of test formulation and validation through large-scale field trials is essential to fully establish the case for use in vaccination and surveillance programs.

PMID:40473835 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-05223-6

Vet Surg. 2025 Jun 2. doi: 10.1111/vsu.14270. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the complication rate and outcomes of dogs undergoing multilevel airway surgery for brachycephalic airway syndrome (BOAS) with and without the addition of uni- or bilateral cuneiformectomy.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.

ANIMALS: A total of 180 dogs undergoing BOAS surgery: 94 dogs undergoing modified multilevel surgery (non-PC); 86 additionally undergoing cuneiformectomy (PC).

METHODS: Case records from the University of Cambridge and Animal Health Trust databases between 2014 and 2021 were analyzed including data on laryngeal collapse grade, respiratory functional grading scores, BOAS index, hospitalization length and complications.

RESULTS: Neither the incidence risk of overall (non-PC = 19.4%, PC = 16.3%, p = .758), nor major (non-PC = 7.4%, PC = 11.6%, p = .482) complications differed between non-PC and PC dogs. Median hospitalization duration (non-PC = 1 day, PC = 1 day) did not differ between the two groups (p = .743). Both BOAS grade (median reduction = 1, p < .0001) and BOAS index (median reduction = 28.5%, p < .0001) reduced in dogs that underwent cuneiformectomy. Lower BCS was associated with increased postoperative complications (odds ratio = 0.452, p = .004) when preoperative BOAS grade and gender were controlled.

CONCLUSION: Cuneiformectomy was not associated with a higher incidence risk of complications than multilevel BOAS surgery alone. Significant improvements in respiratory parameters were observed following cuneiformectomy in addition to multilevel airway surgery.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cuneiformectomy represents a safe and effective adjunctive technique to manage higher grade laryngeal collapse in dogs with BOAS.

PMID:40457630 | DOI:10.1111/vsu.14270

J Appl Microbiol. 2025 May 29:lxaf131. doi: 10.1093/jambio/lxaf131. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of bacteriophage therapy alone or in combination with antibiotics in the treatment of acute infection caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae.

METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we isolated and characterized a lytic bacteriophage vB_Kpn_FOPMU1, which exhibits potent antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae. Whole-genome sequencing identified vB_Kpn_FOPMU1 as a member of the Przondovirus genus and revealed the presence of key lysis-associated genes, including those encoding endolysin, holin, and Rz-like spanin proteins. In vitro work demonstrated that incubation of bacteriophage and cefotaxime with K. pneumoniae significantly decreased the MIC of cefotaxime from 128µg mL-1 to 1 µg mL-1, indicating strong synergistic activity. Using a murine model of acute K. pneumoniae lung infection, we further demonstrated that the combination therapy significantly enhanced bacterial clearance compared to phage monotherapy. This synergistic approach restored sensitivity of K. pneumoniae to cefotaxime, prevented the emergence of phage-resistant bacterial mutants, and achieved superior bacterial eradication from both the lung and blood. Moreover, administration of the phage-antibiotic combination resulted in complete protection of infected mice, with a 100% survival rate, compared to a 60% survival rate observed in animals that received phage monotherapy. Therapeutic application of the bacteriophage-cefotaxime combination resulted in significantly improved lung pathology, characterized by reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and diminished tissue damage, compared to bacteriophage monotherapy.

CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the potential of bacteriophage-antibiotic synergy as a promising therapeutic strategy to combat MDR K. pneumoniae infections and mitigate the risk of phage resistance development.

PMID:40440204 | DOI:10.1093/jambio/lxaf131

Vet Oncol. 2025;2(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s44356-025-00026-3. Epub 2025 May 26.

ABSTRACT

Canine malignant insulinoma is a rare, highly metastatic and life-threatening neuroendocrine tumour of pancreatic beta cells. To map the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of canine insulinoma for the first time, transcriptomic profiles of 5,532 cells were captured from two spontaneous insulinomas (Patient 1 and 2) and one associated metastasis (Patient 2) in two Boxer dogs. Distinct cancer, endocrine, and immune cell populations were identified. Notably, all three tumour samples contained two transcriptionally distinct insulin-expressing tumour cell populations (INS+ and INS+FOS low ), characterised here for the first time. These two cancer cell populations significantly differed by ~ 8,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), particularly tumour suppressor genes (e.g. TP53, EGR1) and cancer-related pathways (e.g., MAPK, p53). In contrast, COX7A2L was one of a few genes ubiquitously expressed and significantly upregulated (> 20-fold) in both insulin-expressing tumour populations compared to other captured populations. Both populations were also characterised by expression of chromogranin/secretogranin neuroendocrine tumour marker genes (e.g. CHGA, SCGN). There were far fewer gene expression differences observed between insulin-expressing tumour cells from the two patients (~ 600 DEGs) than between the two cancer cell populations within each patient. These DEGs included CLTRN, TMSB4X, CSRP2, LGALS2, and C15orf48. Unexpectedly for a tumour of endocrine origin, the metastasis in Patient 2 exhibited > 20-70 fold upregulation of exocrine pancreatic genes including CLPS, PRSS2, PRSS and CTRC. Immune cell analyses identified distinct infiltrating immune populations, including memory T cells and macrophages and revealed likely tumour-immune interactions, including the CD40-CD40L interaction. This study provides the first single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of naturally occurring insulinoma in any species, revealing tumour cell heterogeneity, novel immune microenvironment features, and potential therapeutic targets. Despite its small scale, the findings highlight the utility of scRNA-seq in veterinary oncology and its translational potential for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours across species.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44356-025-00026-3.

PMID:40438247 | PMC:PMC12106163 | DOI:10.1186/s44356-025-00026-3

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025 May 28;19(5):e0013072. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013072. eCollection 2025 May.

ABSTRACT

Parasitic diseases represent a substantial public health challenge worldwide. Traditional educational strategies have often fallen short in driving sustained behavioral shifts that are nonetheless essential for reducing the burden of these diseases. Edutainment, a blend of education and entertainment, is the synthesis of pedagogical content with recreational frameworks, leveraging narrative and visual appeal to elevate the learning experience through enriched experiences, aligning with the principles of "warm cognition". Human cognitive processes, including attention, learning and memory, are influenced by emotions. As a result, emotional experiences are remembered vividly and accurately, with great resilience over time. Several edutainment approaches have been successfully utilized to inspire positive behavioral changes against soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), schistosomiasis, echinococcosis, and other diseases. This scoping review delves into several documented approaches with sustainable positive post-intervention outcomes. Approaches such as animated cartoons, gamification, songs, videos, and music, mobile health applications, hands-on experience, posters, comics and educational booklets, puppet shows, toy animals, cardboard and plastic-coated drawings, drawing activities and competitions, group discussions, illustrated booklets and questionnaires have yielded statistically significant improvements in participant's knowledge related to parasitic diseases (up to 60% increase in knowledge scores), alongside notable reductions in risks of parasite transmission and infection prevalence. These improvements highlight the potential of edutainment to enhance community awareness, promote long-term behavioral changes, and ultimately contribute to reducing spread of disease. Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into edutainment approaches to meet the growing demand for personalized and effective learning methods. We argue that such AI-driven edutainment can underpin sustainable progress in the control of parasitic diseases.

PMID:40435280 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0013072

Thorax. 2025 May 27:thorax-2024-222060. doi: 10.1136/thorax-2024-222060. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease of lung parenchymal scarring that is triggered by repeated microinjury to a vulnerable alveolar epithelium. It is increasingly recognised that cellular ageing, whether physiological or accelerated due to telomere dysfunction, renders the epithelium less able to cope with injury and triggers changes in epithelial behaviour that ultimately lead to the development of disease.

AIMS: This review aims to highlight how, with increasing age, the alveolar epithelium becomes vulnerable to exogenous insults. We discuss the downstream consequences of alveolar epithelial dysfunction on epithelial phenotype, alveolar repair and pro-pathogenic interactions with other alveolar niche-resident cell types which drive IPF pathogenesis.

NARRATIVE: We highlight how a wide array of cellular mechanisms that maintain cellular homeostasis become dysfunctional with ageing. Waning replicative capacity, genomic stability, mitochondrial function, proteostasis and metabolic function all contribute to a phenotype of vulnerability to 'second hits'. We discuss how in IPF the alveolar epithelium becomes dysfunctional, highlighting changes in repair capacity and fundamental cellular phenotype and how interactions between abnormal epithelium and other alveolar niche-resident cell types perpetuate disease.

CONCLUSIONS: The ageing epithelium is a vulnerable epithelium which, with the cumulative effects of environmental exposures, fundamentally changes its behaviour towards stalled differentiation, failed repair and profibrotic signalling. Further dissection of aberrant epithelial behaviour, and its impact on other alveolar cell types, will allow identification of novel therapeutic targets aimed at earlier pathogenic events.

PMID:40425299 | DOI:10.1136/thorax-2024-222060

Nat Ecol Evol. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1038/s41559-025-02704-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

With biodiversity loss escalating globally, a step change is needed in our capacity to accurately monitor species populations across ecosystems. Robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) offer technological solutions that may substantially advance terrestrial biodiversity monitoring, but this potential is yet to be considered systematically. We used a modified Delphi technique to synthesize knowledge from 98 biodiversity experts and 31 RAS experts, who identified the major methodological barriers that currently hinder monitoring, and explored the opportunities and challenges that RAS offer in overcoming these barriers. Biodiversity experts identified four barrier categories: site access, species and individual identification, data handling and storage, and power and network availability. Robotics experts highlighted technologies that could overcome these barriers and identified the developments needed to facilitate RAS-based autonomous biodiversity monitoring. Some existing RAS could be optimized relatively easily to survey species but would require development to be suitable for monitoring of more 'difficult' taxa and robust enough to work under uncontrolled conditions within ecosystems. Other nascent technologies (for instance, new sensors and biodegradable robots) need accelerated research. Overall, it was felt that RAS could lead to major progress in monitoring of terrestrial biodiversity by supplementing rather than supplanting existing methods. Transdisciplinarity needs to be fostered between biodiversity and RAS experts so that future ideas and technologies can be codeveloped effectively.

PMID:40404926 | DOI:10.1038/s41559-025-02704-9

Infect Dis Model. 2025 Apr 23;10(3):924-934. doi: 10.1016/j.idm.2025.04.005. eCollection 2025 Sep.

ABSTRACT

Effective communication of modelling results to policy and decision makers has been a longstanding challenge in times of crises. This communication takes many forms - visualisations, reports, presentations - and requires careful consideration to ensure accurate maintenance of the key scientific messages. Science-to-policy communication is further exacerbated when presenting fundamentally uncertain forms of science such as infectious disease modelling and other types of modelled evidence, something which has been understudied. Here we assess the communication and visualisation of infectious disease modelling results to national COVID-19 policy and decision makers in 13 different countries. We present a synthesis of recommendations on what aspects of visuals, graphs, and plots policymakers found to be most helpful in their COVID-19 response work. This work serves as a first evidence base for developing guidelines on the communication and translation of infectious disease modelling into policy.

PMID:40390802 | PMC:PMC12088752 | DOI:10.1016/j.idm.2025.04.005

Nat Commun. 2025 May 17;16(1):4605. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59757-4.

ABSTRACT

Due to its climatic variability, complex mobility networks and geographic expanse, the United States represents a compelling setting to explore the transmission processes that lead to heterogeneous yearly seasonal influenza epidemics. By analyzing genomic and epidemiological data collected in the US from 2014 to 2023, we show that epidemics consisted of multiple co-circulating transmission lineages that could emerge from all regions and often rapidly expanded. Lineage spread was characterized by strong spatiotemporal hierarchies and lineage size correlated with timing of establishment in the US. Mechanistic epidemic simulations, supported by phylogeographic analyses, suggest that competition between lineages on a network of human mobility consistent with commuting flows drove lineage dynamics. Our results suggest that the processes that disseminate viruses nationwide are highly structured, but variability in the short-term processes that determine the locations, timing, and explosiveness of initial epidemic sparks limits predictability of regional and national epidemics.

PMID:40382319 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-59757-4

J Vet Intern Med. 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70077. doi: 10.1111/jvim.70077.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing epilepsy and dyskinesia in dogs relies on seizure semiology, laboratory workup, brain imaging, and electroencephalography. Variability in existing epilepsy surveys complicates comparison and impedes epidemiologic and genetic research.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the semiology of epileptic seizures and dyskinesia episodes using a novel, owner-completed, multi-language online questionnaire.

ANIMALS: A cohort of 606 dogs from 96 breeds with paroxysmal events, perceived by their owners as epilepsy or dyskinesia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive epilepsy and dyskinesia questionnaire featuring pragmatic seizure categories and video upload was developed in German, Finnish, and English. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed, and the study cohort analyzed.

RESULTS: The questionnaire demonstrated strong internal consistency and interrater agreement. Owners correctly classified paroxysmal events in 90.1% of cases (95% CI 88.18-92.11). Video footage was submitted from 23.8% (143/606) and supported the seizure type in the questionnaire in 96.5%. The age of onset ranged from 6 months to 6 years in 80.2% (median 2 years; IQR 1-5 years). Generalized (epileptic) convulsive seizures occurred in 58.6% of dogs, non-generalized paroxysmal motor events without convulsions in 58.1%, sudden falls without movement in 6.1%, episodes of impaired awareness in 15.8%, and other unclassified events in 7.1%. Multiple seizure types were reported in 25.2% of the dogs. Labrador Retrievers exhibited a higher prevalence of non-generalized motor events compared to Border Collies, Siberian Huskies, and other breeds (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire reliably characterizes epileptic seizures and dyskinesia episodes in dogs, making it a valuable tool for large-scale epidemiological and genetic studies.

PMID:40375574 | DOI:10.1111/jvim.70077

Vet J. 2025 May 13:106372. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106372. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The impact of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs (BOAS) on respiratory mechanics is unclear and may affect the choice of ventilation strategies during anaesthesia. This prospective study included 56 client-owned brachycephalic dogs, allocated to be BOAS (n = 26) or non-BOAS dogs (n = 30) based on functional grading. All dogs were anaesthetised using a standardised anaesthetic protocol. Pressure-controlled ventilation was initiated around 30minutes post-induction, maintaining peak inspiratory pressure at 7-12cm H2O. Static respiratory compliance (Cstat) was recorded at predetermined time points in sternal, right and left lateral recumbency. Thorax dimensions were assessed with a tape measure. Body surface area (BSA) was calculated and the ratio Cstat/BSA used as the main outcome variable. Comparison of means/medians, analysis of proportions, the Spearman correlation coefficient and both logistic and linear regression were used for data analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Non-BOAS dogs showed significantly higher Cstat/BSA compared to BOAS dogs in sternal (41.6 (31.1-51.8) vs. 32.9 (24.4 - 39.2), respectively, P = 0.028), right lateral (36.2 (25.7 - 46.4) vs. 27.0 (22.7 - 35.6); P = 0.026) and left lateral (33.6 (22.6 - 45.5) vs. 24.6 (18.4 - 32.2); P = 0.020) recumbencies. For all dogs, the Cstat/BSA ratio was higher in sternal compared to lateral recumbencies. BOAS dogs had a significantly shorter distance between thoracic inlet and last rib compared to non-BOAS dogs (20 ± 4 vs. 23 ± 6cm, respectively; P = 0.043). Reduced respiratory compliance in BOAS-affected dogs should be considered during mechanical ventilation.

PMID:40374099 | DOI:10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106372

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2025 May 8. doi: 10.1055/a-2591-7747. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To use kinetic and kinematic analysis to determine whether a cementless femoral implanted with a bioactive coating can be an effective alternative to a cemented femoral stem.In the Cemented group, six dogs were implanted with a 316L stainless steel hip prosthesis. The six dogs in the Cementless group were implanted with a 316L stainless steel hip prosthesis with a biphasic calcium phosphate coating. Kinetic gait analysis was performed before the surgery and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Kinematic analyses were carried out before the surgery and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks.A slow and sustained improvement in kinetic parameters occurred over time. Dogs implanted with the cemented prosthesis recovered normal preoperative values for maximal hip extension angle by 4 weeks after surgery. Dogs with cementless prosthesis had not recovered normal hip extension by 4 weeks. Despite this short-term change in hip mobility, there were no significant differences in gait between the two groups over the 4-month study period.No differences in gait between cementless and cemented prosthesis were observed throughout the postoperative period to the fourth month. Additionally, compensation and adaptation with gradual recovery of kinetic and kinematic parameters were evident.

PMID:40341514 | DOI:10.1055/a-2591-7747

Emerg Microbes Infect. 2025 May 6:2502011. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2025.2502011. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40326334 | DOI:10.1080/22221751.2025.2502011

Microbiol Res. 2025 Apr 25;297:128196. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2025.128196. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The globally disseminated Staphylococcus aureus ST5 clone poses a major public health threat due to its multidrug resistance and virulence. Here, we identified an agr-dysfunctional (agrA-I238K) ST5 MRSA clone that has spread across East and Southeast Asia, with recent increases in China since its emergence in the 1970s. Comparative genomic analyses identified distinct single-nucleotide polymorphisms and mobile genetic elements linked to enhanced resistance and virulence. This clone exhibits resistance to seven antimicrobial classes, including third-generation tetracyclines and fusidic acid, and shares phenotypic and genetic similarities with the vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus Mu50 strain, including reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin, and daptomycin. The agrA-I238K mutation attenuates hemolytic activity, increases biofilm formation, and reduces daptomycin susceptibility, suggesting a key role in the clone's success. Our results demonstrate the important role of agrA-I238K mutation in the widespread distribution of agr-dysfunctional MRSA and highlight the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking the spread of agr-dysfunctional ST5 MRSA.

PMID:40311457 | DOI:10.1016/j.micres.2025.128196

Transbound Emerg Dis. 2023 Aug 14;2023:2277409. doi: 10.1155/2023/2277409. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Dairy production is an important livelihood source for smallholder dairy farmers who produce the majority of milk consumed and traded in Ethiopia. Dairy production is, however, constrained by livestock diseases that impact farm productivity, food safety, and animal welfare. Biosecurity measures (BSM) include all risk reduction strategies designed to avoid the introduction of pathogenic infections from outside and minimise the spread of diseases within dairy herds. This study used a cross-sectional survey to investigate the adoption of BSM in dairy farms in Addis Ababa and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Using a questionnaire, scores for adopted external and internal BSM were calculated based on the Ghent's University Biocheck tool to compare the performance of different farms in Ethiopia. The weighted external biosecurity score was 49.1%, which was below average (below 50% adoption), while the weighted internal biosecurity score was 55.5%. Low adoption of crucial BSM increases the risk of disease introduction into dairy farms and transmission within herds. Adoption of BSM at the farm level was driven by individual, demographic, and socio-economic drivers, including education, farming system, milk value chain, and farming experience among others. Results of this research reveal low adoption of BSM and the imperative to encourage farmers to implement BSM can lead to a reduction in disease pressures and, thus, a reduction in antibiotic use and increased dairy farms productivity, and improved animal health and welfare. Farmers can be encouraged through proactive engagement with veterinarians and extension professionals. Moreover, creating a favourable policy environment can support farmers to adopt and implement BSM, given the known fact that "prevention is better and cheaper than curing diseases."

PMID:40303828 | PMC:PMC12016702 | DOI:10.1155/2023/2277409

J Vet Intern Med. 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70113. doi: 10.1111/jvim.70113.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is categorized into several subgroups, including seronegative MG. Seronegative human patients are well documented, but seronegative dogs remain clinically uncharacterized and their prevalence unknown.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of canine MG subgroups.

ANIMALS: One hundred sixty-seven owner-owned dogs diagnosed with MG from three referral centers.

METHODS: Retrospective case series. We classified myasthenic dogs into subgroups, adhering to human guidelines.

RESULTS: We classified 167 dogs into four subgroups: acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive generalized (49.7%, n = 83/167), focal (19.2%, n = 32/167) and thymoma-associated MG (9%, n = 15/167) and seronegative MG (22.2%, n = 37/167). Dogs with thymoma-associated MG were older (median 102 months; Interquartile Range (IQR) 96-120; p < 0.001) and seronegative dogs were younger (median 30 months; IQR 11.5-66; p = 0.017), compared to the generalized subgroup (median 67 months; IQR 36-96). Seronegative dogs presented less frequently with megaesophagus, compared to the generalized subgroup (63.8% vs. 85.7%; Odds Ratio 3.4; 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) 1.4-8.9; p = 0.025). Myasthenic dogs' survival time was significantly reduced when thymoma (Hazard Ratio (H.R.) 3.7; 95% C.I. 1.4-9.9; p = 0.028) or esophageal weakness (H.R. 3.8; 95% C.I. 2.0-7.0; p < 0.001) was present. Conversely, a higher likelihood of remission was achieved when esophageal weakness was absent (H.R. 3.8; 95% C.I. 1.4-10.0; p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with seronegative MG are more common than previously reported. Myasthenic subgroups differ in presentation and outcome, with esophageal weakness key to survival and remission. Diagnostic tests for seronegative dogs and effective treatments for esophageal weakness in myasthenic dogs are urgently needed.

PMID:40298067 | DOI:10.1111/jvim.70113