Plasmid Gene Therapy for Monogenic Disorders: Challenges and Perspectives.

Monogenic disorders are a group of human diseases caused by mutations in single genes. While some disease-altering treatments offer relief and slow the progression of certain conditions, the majority of monogenic disorders still lack effective therapies. In recent years, gene therapy has appeared as a promising approach for addressing genetic disorders.

Screening Wild Birds for Tick-Borne Zoonotic Pathogens in Portugal.

Wild birds may be involved in the transmission of agents of infectious diseases, including zoonoses, a circumstance which raises a number of public and animal health issues. Migratory bird species play a significant role in the introduction of tick-borne pathogens to new geographic areas, contributing to the dissemination of various etiological agents. This preliminary study aimed to assess the occurrence of four potentially zoonotic pathogens ( spp.

Investigating SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibody Response in Sheep.

SARS-CoV-2 can cause clinical and inapparent disease and mortality in several animals cohabitating with humans, and sheep are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 due to virus-receptor interactions similar to those in humans. Hence, sheep have the potential to be infected, spread, and develop neutralising antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 NAbs in farm animals after natural exposure to the virus.

First Report on the Frequency and Subtype Distribution of sp. in Extensively Reared Holstein-Friesian Cattle from Terceira Island, Azores Archipelago, Portugal.

This study is the first to report sp. in dairy cattle from Terceira Island, part of the Azores Archipelago. sp.

Molecular Survey of Protist Enteroparasites in Bats (Order Chiroptera) from Portugal.

Purpose: Bats constitute 20% of all mammal species, playing a vital role in ecosystem health as pollinators, seed dispersers, and regulators of insect populations. However, these animals can also be reservoirs for infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and enteroparasites such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli, raising questions about their role in the epidemiology of these agents.