Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from humans to animals: is there a risk of novel reservoirs?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a zoonotic virus able to infect humans and multiple nonhuman animal species. Most natural infections in companion, captive zoo, livestock, and wildlife species have been related to a reverse transmission, raising concern about potential generation of animal reservoirs due to human-animal interactions. To date, American mink and white-tailed deer are the only species that led to extensive intraspecies transmission of SARS-CoV-2 after reverse zoonosis, leading to an efficient spread of the virus and subsequent animal-to-human transmission.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRSV2) Viral Diversity within a Farrow-to-Wean Farm Cohort Study.

Describing PRRSV whole-genome viral diversity data over time within the host and within-farm is crucial for a better understanding of viral evolution and its implications. A cohort study was conducted at one naïve farrow-to-wean farm reporting a PRRSV outbreak. All piglets 3-5 days of age (DOA) born to mass-exposed sows through live virus inoculation with the recently introduced wild-type virus two weeks prior were sampled and followed up at 17-19 DOA.

Spatial scale influences the distribution of viral diversity in the eukaryotic virome of the mosquito .

Our knowledge of the diversity of eukaryotic viruses has recently undergone a massive expansion. This diversity could influence host physiology through yet unknown phenomena of potential interest to the fields of health and food production. However, the assembly processes of this diversity remain elusive in the eukaryotic viromes of terrestrial animals.

Quantification of camelid cytokine mRNA expression in PBMCs by microfluidic qPCR technology.

Camelids are economically and socially important in several parts of the world and might carry pathogens with epizootic or zoonotic potential. However, biological research in these species is limited due to lack of reagents. Here, we developed RT-qPCR assays to quantify a panel of camelid innate and adaptive immune response genes, which can be monitored in a single run.

Impact of genetic diversity and antibiotic-resistance of Salmonella isolated from feral cats: One Health approach.

Free-living cats usually live in colonies in urban areas, especially close to parks and neighbourhoods where people feed them without any sanitary control. This can pose a human, animal and environmental health concern due to the close contact between uncontrolled colonies, the population and other domestic and/or wild animals. Thus, this study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Salmonella enterica subsp.

Understanding the key features of the spontaneous formation of bona fide prions through a novel methodology that enables their swift and consistent generation.

Among transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases affecting humans, sporadic forms such as sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are the vast majority. Unlike genetic or acquired forms of the disease, these idiopathic forms occur seemingly due to a random event of spontaneous misfolding of the cellular PrP (PrP) into the pathogenic isoform (PrP). Currently, the molecular mechanisms that trigger and drive this event, which occurs in approximately one individual per million each year, remain completely unknown.

First identification and characterization of ovine gammaherpesvirus type 2 in horses and artiodactyla from an outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in Mexico.

Ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), a member of the genus Macavirus, causes sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF), a fatal lymphoproliferative disease affecting a wide variety of ungulates in addition to horses. This study described an outbreak of SA-MCF in Mexico and the identification of the OvHV-2 virus in primary rabbit testis cultures through the generation of intranuclear inclusion bodies, syncytia, immunofluorescence (IF), immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC), endpoint polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and partial sequencing of the ORF75 gene. The animals involved in this outbreak showed mucogingival ulcers in the vestibule of the mouth and tongue, hypersalivation, corneal opacity, reduced food consumption, and weight loss of variable severity.

Protection provided by a commercial modified-live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) 1 vaccine (PRRSV1-MLV) against a Japanese PRRSV2 field strain.

Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccines do not provide full cross-protection, mainly due to the virus genetic variability. Despite this, vaccines based on modified-live PRRSV (PRRSV-MLV) reduce the disease impact.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of two commercial vaccines-one based on PRRSV1 (PRRSV1-MLV) and another on PRRSV2 (PRRSV2-MLV)-against a Japanese PRRSV2 field strain.

Animal models to study the neurological manifestations of the post-COVID-19 condition.

More than 40% of individuals infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have experienced persistent or relapsing multi-systemic symptoms months after the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) has debilitating effects on the daily life of patients and encompasses a broad spectrum of neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms including olfactory and gustative impairment, difficulty with concentration and short-term memory, sleep disorders and depression. Animal models have been instrumental to understand acute COVID-19 and validate prophylactic and therapeutic interventions.

Metabolic Pathway Modeling in Muscle of Male Marathon Mice (DUhTP) and Controls (DUC)-A Possible Role of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Metabolic Flexibility.

In contracting muscles, carbohydrates and fatty acids serve as energy substrates; the predominant utilization depends on the workload. Here, we investigated the contribution of non-mitochondrial and mitochondrial metabolic pathways in response to repeated training in a polygenic, paternally selected marathon mouse model (DUhTP), characterized by exceptional running performance and an unselected control (DUC), with both lines descended from the same genetic background. Both lines underwent three weeks of high-speed treadmill training or were sedentary.

Disentangling transport movement patterns of trucks either transporting pigs or while empty within a swine production system before and during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Transport of pigs between sites occurs frequently as part of genetic improvement and age segregation. However, a lack of transport biosecurity could have catastrophic implications if not managed properly as disease spread would be imminent. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive study of vehicle movement trends within swine systems in the Midwest.

Porcine Forebrain Vacuolization Associated with Wasting in Pigs: A Novel Pathological Outcome Associated with Vitamin-Mineral Deficiency?

The term wasting refers to a clinical sign used to describe a physical condition characterized by growth retardation, usually of multifactorial origin. The objective of the present study was to describe for the first time a pathological process characterized by forebrain neuropil vacuolization in pigs showing wasting without conspicuous neurological signs. To characterize the lesions pathologically, affected and non-affected pigs from eight of these farms were investigated.

Preclinical evaluation of PHH-1V vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates.

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in December 2019 and quickly spread worldwide, continuously striking with an unpredictable evolution. Despite the success in vaccine production and mass vaccination programs, the situation is not still completely controlled, and therefore accessible second-generation vaccines are required to mitigate the pandemic. We previously developed an adjuvanted vaccine candidate coded PHH-1V, based on a heterodimer fusion protein comprising the RBD domain of two SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Exploring the Decision-Making Process of People Living with HIV Enrolled in Antiretroviral Clinical Trials: A Qualitative Study of Decisions Guided by Trust and Emotions.

The informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement for potential participants to enroll in a study. There is ample of evidence that understanding consent information and enrollment is challenging for participants in clinical trials. On the other hand, the reasoning process behind decision-making in HIV clinical trials remains mostly unexplored.

A single, episodic event of unilateral/bilateral scrotal swelling in a group of adult boars at an Austrian boar stud.

Background: Scrotal swelling is a clinical situation which can be caused by different aetiologies. In this case report, we describe a multi-week episode of unilateral and bilateral scrotal swelling in boars at an Austrian boar stud and its diagnostic work-up.

Case Presentation: In the summer of 2020, the herd veterinarian of an Austrian boar stud reported that over a period of six weeks, five out of 70 boars presented with unilateral severe swelling of the left scrotum and three out of 70 boars with bilateral severe swelling of the left and moderate swelling of the right scrotum, respectively.

Are Hamstring Grafts a Predisposing Factor to Infection in R-ACL Surgery? A Comparative In Vitro Study.

Background: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the formation of biofilms in bone patellar tendon bone grafts (BPTB grafts), and to compare it to the formation of biofilm formation in quadrupled hamstring anterior cruciate ligament grafts (4×Ht graft).

Methods: A descriptive in vitro study was conducted. One 4×Ht graft and one BPTB graft were prepared.

Immune responses following neonatal vaccination with conserved F4 fragment of VtaA proteins from virulent adjuvanted with CAF®01 or CDA.

is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the upper airways of swine, capable of causing a systemic infection called Glässer's disease. This disease is more frequent in young post-weaning piglets. Current treatments against infection are based on the use of antimicrobials or inactivated vaccines, which promote limited cross-protection against different serovars.

Detection and genetic characterization of enteric viruses in diarrhoea outbreaks from swine farms in Spain.

Background: The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and distribution of Porcine astrovirus (PAstV), Porcine kobuvirus (PKoV), Porcine torovirus (PToV), Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) and Porcine mastadenovirus (PAdV) as well as their association with widely recognized virus that cause diarrhoea in swine such as coronavirus (CoVs) and rotavirus (RVs) in diarrhoea outbreaks from Spanish swine farms. Furthermore, a selection of the viral strains was genetically characterized.

Results: PAstV, PKoV, PToV, MRV and PAdV were frequently detected.

β-Cyclodextrins as affordable antivirals to treat coronavirus infection.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic made evident that there are only a few drugs against coronavirus. Here we aimed to identify a cost-effective antiviral with broad spectrum activity and high safety profile. Starting from a list of 116 drug candidates, we used molecular modelling tools to rank the 44 most promising inhibitors.

Foodborne Pathogens at the Livestock-Wildlife-Human Interface in Rural Western Uganda.

Foodborne pathogens are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. To assess the presence of Salmonella, Campylobacter and Arcobacter spp. in livestock, wildlife, and humans from different regions across western Uganda, 479 faecal samples were tested by PCR.

Feeding Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma to Pigs Improves the Protection Afforded by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) BA71∆CD2 Vaccine Prototype against Experimental Challenge with the Pandemic ASFV-Study 2.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on the protection afforded by the BA71∆CD2 African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccine prototype. Two groups of pigs acclimated to diets without or with 8% SDPP were intranasally inoculated with 10 plaque-forming units (PFU) of live attenuated ASFV strain BA71∆CD2 and, three weeks later, left in direct contact with pigs infected with the pandemic Georgia 2007/01 ASFV strain. During the post-exposure (pe) period, 2/6 from the conventional diet group showed a transient peak rectal temperature >40.

Feeding Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma to Pigs Reduces African Swine Fever Virus Load in Infected Pigs and Delays Virus Transmission-Study 1.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of feeding spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) to pigs infected with African swine fever virus (ASFV). Two groups of twelve weaned pigs each were fed with CONVENTIONAL or 8% SDPP enriched diets. Two pigs (trojans)/group) were injected intramuscularly with the pandemic ASFV (Georgia 2007/01) and comingled with the rest of the pigs (1:5 trojan:naïve ratio) to simulate a natural route of transmission.

Efficacy of multivalent recombinant herpesvirus of turkey vaccines against high pathogenicity avian influenza, infectious bursal disease, and Newcastle disease viruses.

Vaccines are an essential tool for the control of viral infections in domestic animals. We generated recombinant vector herpesvirus of turkeys (vHVT) vaccines expressing computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) H5 of avian influenza virus (AIV) alone (vHVT-AI) or in combination with virus protein 2 (VP2) of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) (vHVT-IBD-AI) or fusion (F) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) (vHVT-ND-AI). In vaccinated chickens, all three vHVT vaccines provided 90-100% clinical protection against three divergent clades of high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), and significantly decreased number of birds and oral viral shedding titers at 2 days post-challenge compared to shams.