Eimeria tenella is among the most pathogenic chicken-infecting Eimeria species; hence, coccidiosis remains one of the most economically damaging diseases in the poultry industry globally due to poor growth performance, reduced feed efficiency, intestinal pathology, and increased mortality. Conventional control measures, including chemotherapeutic drugs and live-attenuated vaccines, are increasingly limited due to drug resistance, residue concerns, safety concerns, and high production costs, prompting interest in alternative strategies such as apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA1), a conserved and highly immunogenic microneme protein essential for host-cell invasion. Previous studies in Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Babesia have demonstrated the successful use of AMA1 in recombinant and immunoinformatic-designed vaccines, underscoring its potential as a cross-species subunit vaccine candidate. This study explored Eimeria tenella AMA1 (EtAMA1) with the aim of investigating the physicochemical and structural properties, identifying antigenic T-cell and B-cell epitopes using immunoinformatic tools and evaluating the effectiveness of EtAMA1 in inducing an immune response within the host. The structural analysis revealed a z-score of -6.86 and a Ramachandran plot of 97.19%. EtAMA1 contained three CD8+, seven CD4+ T-cell epitopes, one linear, and eight discontinuous B-cell epitopes. The ability of EtAMA1 to elicit an immune response was assessed via an in silico immune simulation. The binding interaction energy generated via molecular docking and dynamics simulations indicated a strong binding interaction of EtAMA1 to Toll-like receptor 5. The results indicate that EtAMA1 is a strong vaccine candidate; however, experimental validation is required.
ABSTRACT Background While the guinea pig is a highly valued translational model for osteoarthritis, its cervical spine remains largely uncharacterised. The lack of detailed reference data limits its application in spinal research. This study aims to establish the first three‐dimensional morphological and morphometric baseline of the guinea pig cervical spine (C1–C7) utilising high‐resolution micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). Materials and Methods Ten healthy adult male guinea pigs underwent high‐resolution micro‐CT imaging. A total of 13 morphometric parameters—encompassing vertebral body, spinal canal, pedicle, transverse process, spinous process, and endplate dimensions—were precisely measured for each vertebra. Segmental variations along the cervical axis were statistically analysed using a General Linear Model (GLM) for repeated measures. Results Morphologically, the guinea pig cervical spine displays highly specialised features. The atlas (C1) possesses a unique communicating foramen between the transverse and vertebral foramina, alongside a horizontally orientated transverse foramen. Additionally, the transverse processes of C3–C5 are uniquely unipartite, sharply contrasting with the segmented structures seen in rabbits. Morphometrically, the cervical spine demonstrated complex, fluctuating segmental variations (P < 0.05) rather than simple linear gradients. Key load‐bearing parameters, including vertebral body dimensions, spinal canal geometry, and pedicle metrics, exhibited non‐uniform oscillations reflecting quadrupedal biomechanical demands. In contrast, endplate dimensions maintained relative intervertebral stability. Conclusion This study highlights significant morphological and morphometric distinctions between the quadrupedal guinea pig and other experimental models, as well as humans. By defining these structural characteristics, this research provides a comprehensive micro‐CT reference dataset for the guinea pig cervical spine. These anatomical findings provide a basis for future investigations evaluating the suitability of the guinea pig as a translational model for cervical spinal disorders and degenerative diseases.
ABSTRACT A 6‐year‐old neutered male Miniature Pinscher with poorly regulated diabetes mellitus was evaluated for recurrent abdominal effusion, lethargy and inappetence secondary to chronic septic peritonitis. Across four discrete clinical episodes, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was repeatedly isolated in pure culture from peritoneal fluid and omental tissue, with consistent antimicrobial susceptibility profiles across submissions, a pattern suggestive of strain persistence rather than serial reinfection. Histopathology of omental biopsies demonstrated severe, chronic pyogranulomatous peritonitis with prominent Splendore–Hoeppli material surrounding bacterial colonies, consistent with bacterial pseudomycetoma. Despite two exploratory laparotomies with extensive abdominal lavage, closed‐suction peritoneal drainage, broad‐spectrum systemic antimicrobial therapy, and a subsequent salvage protocol of combined intravenous and intraperitoneal meropenem administered via an ultrasound‐guided peritoneal catheter, infection ultimately recurred and the dog was humanely euthanized. The case is consistent with biofilm‐associated chronic infection compounded by immune‐complex deposition and concurrent endocrine disease, and supports consideration of regional antimicrobial delivery as a salvage strategy in refractory septic peritonitis when source control and systemic therapy alone prove insufficient.
ABSTRACT Background Non‐typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) causes an estimated 93.8 million infections and 155,000 deaths annually worldwide; antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella increasingly complicates treatment where antimicrobial use in livestock is poorly regulated. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and associated factors of Salmonella Spp. in slaughterhouses and butchery shops of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted from October 2024 to June 2025. A total of 390 samples across three districts were collected, comprising bovine carcass swabs (n = 180), faecal samples (n = 180), cutting board swabs (n = 15) and knife swabs (n = 15). Salmonella spp. was isolated by ISO 6579:2002 and confirmed biochemically. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi‐square tests and a mixed‐effects logistic regression model with random intercepts at the animal level. Results Salmonella spp. was isolated from 42 of 390 samples (10.8%; 95% CI: 7.9–14.2). Carcass swabs had the highest isolation rate (16.1%, 29/180), followed by faecal samples (5.6%, 10/180). Among butchery environmental samples, cutting boards yielded 13.3% (2/15) and knives 6.7% (1/15). Carcass swabs carried 3.22 times higher odds of Salmonella contamination than faecal samples (AOR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.52–6.82, p < 0.001). Resistance was highest to tetracycline (83.3%), ampicillin (78.6%) and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (71.4%); while ciprofloxacin (85.7%) and gentamicin (78.6%) showed the highest susceptibility. Multidrug resistance was identified in 64.3% (27/42) of isolates. Conclusions Salmonella contamination is substantial among cattle carcasses and butchery environments in the Horo Guduru Wollega zone, with alarming levels of multidrug resistance. Higher contamination in carcass swabs suggests slaughter and handling practices drive cross‐contamination, while contamination of cutting boards and knives indicates hygiene gaps in retail butcheries, underscoring the needs for improved hygiene protocols, antimicrobial stewardship and consumer awareness.
ABSTRACT Background Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Brucella that can infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals. A recent brucellosis outbreak was reported at a dairy farm in the peri‐urban region of Khanewal District, Punjab, Pakistan. Objective In response, this study aimed to improve understanding of the dynamics of Brucella abortus infection in cattle and dairy farm workers in the local context. Methods In November 2024, a total of 83 cattle, representing six different breeds, along with blood samples from 11 farm workers directly involved in handling these animals, were sampled. Relevant epidemiological data were also collected to support the investigation. To detect Brucella infection in cattle, both the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the IS711 gene were employed. Results All sampled cattle tested seropositive for Brucella antibodies by RBPT, indicating widespread exposure to Brucella. Molecular detection through partial IS711 sequence amplification revealed that 48% of the cattle and 45% of the farm workers (5 out of 11) tested positive for Brucella spp. infection. Subsequent DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis confirmed the presence of B. abortus in both cattle and humans. The obtained IS711 sequences closely matched those previously reported in ruminants and humans in China. Data analysis further showed that cows were more susceptible to B. abortus infection compared to bulls (p = 0.01). However, no significant association was observed between infection status and cattle breed, age, presence or absence of ectoparasites, or history of abortion (for all p > 0.05). Conclusion The present study provides evidence of B. abortus detection among cattle at the investigated dairy farm in Khanewal. The findings should be interpreted within the context of the studied farm, as the purposive sampling of a single dairy farm does not permit extrapolation to the wider cattle population of Khanewal District or Pakistan. Further multi‐farm studies involving geographically diverse cattle populations are warranted to determine the broader occurrence and epidemiological pattern of B. abortus.
