OBJECTIVE To identify associations between microbes and host genes in cats with feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a debilitating inflammatory oral mucosal disease with no known cause, compared with healthy cats and cats with periodontitis (control cats). ANIMALS 19 control cats and 23 cats with FCGS. PROCEDURES At least 1 caudal oral mucosal swab specimen was obtained from each cat. Each specimen underwent unbiased metatranscriptomic next-generation RNA sequencing (mNGS). Filtered mNGS reads were aligned to all known genetic sequences from all organisms and to the cat transcriptome. The relative abundances of microbial and host gene read alignments were compared between FCGS-affected cats and control cats and between FCGS-affected cats that did and did not clinically respond to primary treatment. Assembled feline calicivirus (FCV) genomes were compared with reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) primers commonly used to identify FCV. RESULTS The only microbe strongly associated with FCGS was FCV, which was detected in 21 of 23 FCGS-affected cats but no control cats. Problematic base pair mismatches were identified between the assembled FCV genomes and RT-PCR primers. Puma feline foamy virus was detected in 9 of 13 FCGS-affected cats that were refractory to treatment and 5 healthy cats but was not detected in FCGS-affected cats that responded to tooth extractions. The most differentially expressed genes in FCGS-affected cats were those associated with antiviral activity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that FCGS pathogenesis has a viral component. Many FCV strains may yield false-negative results on RT-PCR-based assays. Coinfection of FCGS-affected cats with FCV and puma feline foamy virus may adversely affect response to treatment.

Objective: The study was conducted to identify the molecular mechanism of the phenotype formation of Youzhou black sheep by histological cytology and transcriptomics. Materials and Methods: In this study, HE and IHC staining were used to explore the patterns and cytological differences in skin pigment deposition between Youzhou Dark goats and Banjiao goats. In addition, the DEGs related to the black skin phenotype were identified via transcriptomic analyses. Finally, the expression pattern of the agouti signal protein (ASIP) gene in the skin from individuals with different skin color phenotypes was verified by FISH. Results: The results showed that compared with that on the skin surface of Banjiao goats, melanin deposition on the skin surface of Youzhou Dark goats was abnormally increased. The transcriptomic analyses showed that the expression of the ASIP genes decreased significantly in Youzhou Dark goats. FISH confirmed that the expression of the ASIP gene in Youzhou Dark goats was significantly lower than that in Banjiao goats. Conclusion: The present study showed that a decrease in ASIP gene expression and an increase in melanin production are important factors associated with skin pigmentation in Youzhou Dark goats. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 1139-1148]

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) or otherwise called equine piroplasmosis (EP) are the foremost economic limitations to equids production. Thus, reducing the breeding capability and athletic performance of equids globally. Identification of these haemoparasites is crucial in understanding their distribution in the population and it is imperative to discern between species and subspecies that are responsible for the occurrence of the disease conditions. Conventional procedures such as microscopic and serological evaluations do not usually meet these prerequisites. Diagnostic contrivances, such as the complement fixation test (CFT), the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been efficaciously used for many years. Furthermore, DNA-based investigations for identification, differentiation and classification of different haemoparasites have also been established. Molecular diagnostic procedures, such as DNA hybridization, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transcriptomics, proteomics, metagenomics and metabolomics, permit the uncovering of parasites in blood, tissues or ticks with optimal sensitivity, specificity and consistency. In addition, these procedures can be exploited to detect definite species and subspecies. The prerequisite of these investigations must include proper premeditation and validation, these investigations provide an effective device for molecular studies, with greater benefits of flexibility to standardization. The application of these procedures for studying TBDs or EP globally will be irreplaceable for a long period from now. Therefore, the aim of this review is to draw up the specifics of the procedures in more convenient form for practitioners and researchers. KEY WORDS: Diagnosis, equids, molecular, transcriptomics, proteomics, metagenomics, metabolomics, haemoparasites, tick-borne diseases [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 84-91]