A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019 to evaluate the occurrence of ectoparasites and associated skin diseases in ruminants in and around Bishoftu town, central Ethiopia. A total of 437 ruminants (216 cattle, 141 sheep, and 80 goats) brought to the open-air Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, were sampled using simple random sampling. Accordingly, the occurrence of ectoparasites and associated skin diseases was found to be 59% (258), and out of these animals, 195 (44.6%) were infected with ectoparasites, of which 111 (25.4%) were bovine, 27 (6.2%) were caprine, and 57 (13%) were ovine. The major ectoparasite species identified were Amblyomma variegatum (13%), A. gemma (0.7%), A. cohaerens (1.8%), A. nymph (3.2%), H. truncatum (2.7%), Boophilus decoloratus (6.2%), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (1.8%), R. eversi (0.7%), Damalinia ovis (3%), Linognatus vituli (5.5%), Psoroptes (0.7%), Demodex bovis (0.5%), Ctenocephalides canis (0.7%) and Ct. felis (5.03). On the other hand, the associated skin diseases infesting animals were: 63 (14.4%), lumpy skin disease (0.9%), sheep pox (5.5%), goat pox (5%), dermatophilosis (0.2%), contagious ecthyma in caprine (2.1%), and contagious ecthyma in ovine (0.7%). The findings of the present study suggest that ectoparasites and associated skin diseases in and around Bishoftu are still widespread and economically important constraints for the productivity and use of ruminants. Hence, stringent adherence to the control of ectoparasites and associated skin diseases is required as a responsibility of the concerned government body based on professional research results in the study area.

Human rabies transmitted by dogs still kills thousands of people each year worldwide. Dog bites are common in the city of Beni (Democratic Republic of Congo), which shows low rabies vaccination coverage. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the rabies vaccination status of dogs. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the town of Beni among dog owners, during a household survey selected using a multistage sampling. The information sought concerned the knowledge and characteristics of the dog owners as well as the vaccination status of these dogs. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between the vaccination status of the dogs and the main independent factors. Rabies vaccination coverage in Beni was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22% – 30%). The main factors associated with the rabies vaccination status of the dog were primary education level of household head (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:4.8; 95% CI: 1.2– 19.8); university education level of household head (aOR: 5.9; 95% CI: 1.6–22); perceived rabies severity (aOR: 44. 4; 95% CI: 10.4–188), having more than one dog in the household (aOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6–4.3); age range 7–12 months (aOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1–0.6) and confined dog breeding (aOR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.1–14.9). The low vaccination coverage in Beni requires mass vaccination campaigns against canine rabies targeting the dog owners with low education levels, those raising more than one dog, with stray dogs or dogs less than 12 months old.

The current study aimed to determine the effect of silver and chitosan nanoparticles of size 10 to 30 nm on the dead of lice in vitro and in vivo to determine the optimal time and concentration to combat chicken lice. One hundred local chickens Gallus gallus domesticus were collected from Al-Diwaniyah province and 6 species of local chicken lice were isolated: Menacanthus stramineus, Menacanthus pallidullus, Menacanthus cornutus, Goniodes gigas, Cuclotogaster heterographus and Bonomiella columbae. The results of treating lice with chitosan and silver nanoparticles at concentrations (40, 60, and 80 mg/mL) in vitro and at different periods (5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes) after treatment showed that chitosan and silver nanoparticles at a concentration of 80 mg/mL are the most effective in killing lice. The dead rate of lice reached 100% after 15 minutes of treatment with chitosan nanoparticles and 100% in the case of silver nanoparticles after 30 minutes. The results of spraying chitosan and silver nanoparticles on the body of chickens infected with lice experimentally, based on the relative therapeutic efficacy within 30 minutes, indicated that silver nanoparticles were the most effective in completely killing lice in the group treated with a concentration of 80 mg/kg after 30 minutes, where the percentage of therapeutic efficacy was 96.7%. This was followed by chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 80 mg/kg, and the percentage of therapeutic efficiency was 91.5%. Chitosan and silver nanocomposite have a promising effect in the elimination of lice infestation in chickens.

The surveillance and epidemiological investigation systems for companion animals in South Korea are significantly underdeveloped compared to those for humans and livestock. Recent outbreaks, such as idiopathic neuromuscular syndrome and highly pathogenic avian influenza among cats, have highlighted the need for reliable systems. This short review conducts situation analysis regarding disease surveillance and epidemiological investigation for companion animals in South Korea. The current challenges include an absence of administrative leadership, a lack of legal support, and unreliable medical data. The recommendations for future directions include clear leadership by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, amending the Act on the Prevention of Contagious Animal Diseases to include companion animals, and enhancing the quality of medical data through standardized coding systems, such as Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms. In addition, sentinel surveillance rather than universal systems should be established to provide adequate incentives for local practitioners to provide data and develop sustainable public–private networks. These recommendations could be important for developing a comprehensive and sustainable system for disease surveillance and epidemiological investigation in the companion animal field.

Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is a common causative agent of respiratory disease in canines. There have been no reports of CAV-2 variants isolated from raccoon dogs. This study aims to investigate the biological and genetic characteristics of a novel Korean CAV-2 variant. Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were used to isolate the CAV-2 variant from 45 fecal swab samples. Diagnostic tools such as the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence and hemagglutination assays were used to confirm the presence of the CAV-2 isolate. A cross-virus neutralization assay was performed to verify the novelty of this CAV variant. Genetic analysis was performed using nucleotide sequences obtained through next-generation sequencing. The isolate was confirmed to be a CAV-2 variant based on the aforementioned methods and designated CAV2232. The number of bases in the fiber and E3 genes of CAV2232 were 1,626 and 414, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the fiber and E3 genes confirmed that CAV2232 was classified into a different clade from the known CAV-1 and CAV-2 strains. Mice inoculated with the CAV2232 vaccine developed high virus neutralization antibody titers of 1,024 (2¹⁰) against CAV2232, while mice inoculated with CAV-1 and CAV-2 vaccines had low virus neutralization antibody titers of 12.9 (2³·⁷) and 6.5 (2²·⁷), respectively, against CAV2232. CAV2232 isolated from wild raccoon dog feces was classified as a novel CAV-2 variant. CAV2232 may therefore be used as an antigen for new vaccine development and serological investigations.

Blue light in the visible spectrum naturally fights bacteria and effectively deactivates various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi using photodynamic processes. It works against drug-resistant strains within these species and is gentler on mammalian cells than ultraviolet rays or chemicals. This study evaluated blue light as an affordable way to sanitize surfaces in poultry settings, such as eggs and litter. The study used an light-emitting diode array to remove harmful Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus from these items and observed how blue light affected their survival rates. Blue light (455 nm) at 30 mW/cm² for one hour decreased the survival of S. aureus and E. coli on solid agar plates to 29.88% and 21.04%, respectively, compared to non-irradiated cultures. Similarly, on untreated surfaces (such as plastic used for feeding and drinking), the survival rates dropped to 25.8% and 15.6%, respectively. The survival percentages on treated eggs were 50% (S. aureus) and 36.47% (E. coli) and 49% (S. aureus) and 48.2% (E. coli) on treated litter. Hence, blue light technology offers a promising alternative to traditional antimicrobial methods by leveraging specific wavelengths to target microbial cells. This approach can significantly reduce the microbial load in poultry environments, enhancing food safety and animal health. This paper reports the first use of blue light as an antibacterial within poultry research in Iraq, offering a fresh approach to disinfection in this field.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common disorder characterized by the inflammation of the exocrine pancreas in dogs, and the severity of the clinical signs of pancreatitis varies greatly. Therefore, the diagnosis of pancreatitis is challenging. The canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test (SNAP cPL; IDEXX Laboratories Inc., USA) is rapid and relatively accurate in diagnosing pancreatitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the positivity rate of the SNAP cPL test in dogs regarding the severity of gastrointestinal (GI) signs and concurrent diseases. Electronic medical records of dogs were reviewed. For retrospective classification, 80 dogs with GI signs who underwent the SNAP cPL test were enrolled. Additionally, concurrent diseases on the day of the SNAP cPL test were reviewed. A positive SNAP cPL test result was observed in 26 of the 80 dogs (32.5%) with GI signs. The severity of GI signs using a scoring system and the positivity rate of SNAP cPL were statistically related. Furthermore, dogs with concurrent chronic kidney disease had a significantly higher positivity rate of SNAP cPL than those without chronic kidney disease. This information might help clinicians to decide whether a SNAP cPL test is needed.

Two gold-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax chosenicus) experienced anorexia, buoyancy without diving, and systemic swelling for 1 month and died several days later. On necropsy, the liver had protruding dark gray nodules scattered on its surface, and the kidneys were fat-like beige. Bacteriology showed the presence of Citrobacter braakii, Delftia acidovorans, Elizabethkingia spp., and Chryseobacterium indologenes. On microscopy, the liver showed melanomacrophagic aggregates, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis. In the case of these frogs, the edema disease is suspected to have been caused by long-term exposure to chlorine and chloramines in tap water rather than infection.

In the livestock field, human body sterilizer is one of the methods used to prevent the spread of contagious animal diseases. Disinfection methods include spraying disinfectants, irradiating ultraviolet rays, and generating anions using photocatalysts; however, their effectiveness remains to be clarified. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to verify the pathogen-killing efficacy of the human body sterilizer and propose improvements. Experiments were conducted using a disinfectant spraying model and an ultraviolet single and ultraviolet-photocatalyst composite model. In the bactericidal experiment using Salmonella Typhimurium, the killing effect recorded in both hard and organic conditions did not exceed the standard value. The disinfectant spraying model showed a relatively high effect on the mannequin’s shoulders and arms. Meanwhile, in the virucidal experiment using low pathogenic avian influenza, the killing effect observed in both hard and organic conditions did not exceed the standard value, and no significant difference was observed between the models by site. Notably, the disinfectant spraying model showed a tendency to increase pathogen reduction with increasing exposure time in both bacterial and viral experiments. Human body sterilizer has limitations such as damage from drug exposure, short periods of physical exposure, and the lack of their own disinfection function. Given the current challenges in manufacturing an ideal human body sterilizer, supplementary measures should be implemented to prevent the spread of pathogens by farm entrants. These measures include efficiently utilizing shoe disinfectants, which are crucial in pathogen prevention, and providing disposable clothing.

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars, with devastating global economic and ecological impacts. Since its initial outbreak in Korea in September 2019, extensive measures, including preventive culling and biosecurity protocols, have been implemented. However, these measures have caused significant socio-economic challenges, including environmental issues and compensation disputes. This study examines the evolution of Act on the Prevention of Contagious Animal Diseases post-ASF outbreak, focusing on changes in culling policies, compensation frameworks, and their alignment with global practices. By analyzing policy modifications and international case studies, the research highlights the effectiveness and limitations of Korea’s ASF management strategies. It also proposes the adoption of digital precision livestock farming systems to enhance early disease detection and reduce culling through advanced technologies like Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data. These innovative approaches aim to mitigate ASF’s impacts and provide sustainable solutions for disease prevention and livestock management and production.