Herpesviruses are highly diverse and widely distributed pathogens infecting a broad range of animal hosts, including bats. Despite this wide distribution, they are typically extremely species-specific in their host associations. To better understand herpesvirus diversity in Sri Lankan bats, we screened 391 oral swab samples collected from five different bat species inhabiting Wavulgalge cave, Wellawaya (Uva Province, Sri Lanka) during three sampling periods (March 2018, July 2018, and January 2019) for herpesvirus DNA. A nested PCR assay was used, targeting the DNA polymerase gene of Herpesviruses. In total, 152 samples (38.87
Caprine tuberculosis (cTB) is a chronic zoonotic disease primarily caused by Mycobacterium caprae and M. bovis affecting mainly goats, but also other mammalian species, including humans. Despite its epidemiological significance, Spain lacks a national eradication programme in goats, but regional efforts have been implemented, mainly based on a test and cull strategy. This 13-year longitudinal study (2011–2023) aimed to analyze spatiotemporal trends in cTB distribution to assess the programme's effectiveness and to identify persistent 'hot spots' of the disease. The cTB programme in Castilla y León has reduced the apparent herd prevalence from 5.5
Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) causes severe hemorrhagic disease and poses a major threat to grass carp aquaculture. Meteorin-like (Metrnl) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in immune regulation, but its adjuvant potential in fish remains poorly understood. This study evaluated whether grass carp Metrnl could serve as a molecular adjuvant for a DNA vaccine encoding the GCRV-II VP35 protein (pcDNA3.1-s11). Fish were divided into four groups: PBS, pcDNA3.1 vector, VP35 alone, and VP35 + Metrnl. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed local expression of VP35 and Metrnl at the injection site, which persisted for at least five weeks. Co-injection with Metrnl significantly increased white blood cell count and lymphocyte proportion. Furthermore, serum IgM antibody levels and IgM mRNA expression in the head kidney, spleen, and intestine were markedly elevated in the VP35 + Metrnl group. Serum enzyme activities (ACP, AKP, LZM, and T-AOC) were also significantly increased following co-vaccination, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity and non-specific immune defense. Expression levels of immune-related genes such as TLR22, IFN-I, and Mx1 in the head kidney, spleen, and intestine were substantially upregulated. Importantly, Metrnl was associated with upregulated expression of MHC I and CD8, suggesting a potential role in MHC I/CD8-related antigen presentation of the VP35 vaccine, following the booster immunization, it also moderately enhanced MHC II and CD4 expression, further supporting humoral and helper T-cell responses. Protective efficacy testing showed that the relative percent survival (RPS) in the VP35 + Metrnl group reached 70
Honey bees are vital pollinators, responsible for about one-third of global food crop pollination. Despite their importance, their populations are declining worldwide, largely due to Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite that feeds on both adult bees and pupae. Although synthetic acaricides have been widely used, their overuse has driven mite resistance development. In Ethiopia, Lippia adoensis var. koseret has been used to control mites and ticks, though not yet specifically tested against Varroa mites. Hydrodistillation of L. adoensis var. koseret leaves yielded 0.5
Gastrointestinal (GI) helminthiasis poses a persistent challenge to smallholder cattle production in free-ranging grazing systems. Designing targeted control strategies requires understanding how host and agroecological factors influence parasite distribution. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and egg-shedding intensity of GI helminth infections in free-ranging cattle across the Buno Bedele Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 cattle across midland and lowland agroecological settings. Faecal samples were evaluated using flotation, sedimentation, and McMaster egg-counting techniques, with coproculture and Baermann recovery used to differentiate GI strongyle third-stage larvae (L3). Associations were examined using univariable analyses followed by multivariable generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs), with body condition, age, sex, and altitude category as fixed effects and peasant association nested within district as random intercepts. The highest prevalence values were observed for GI strongyles (41.67
