Frontiers in Veterinary Science最新文献

{"title":"Tannin alleviated reproductive dysfunction in pregnant ewes infected with <i>Haemonchus contortus</i>.","authors":"Xin Li, Hai Xiang, Rong Liang, Xinyu Han, Rongzhen Zhong, Hongyu Liu, Yi Fang","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1531233","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1531233","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Haemonchus contortus</i> (<i>H. contortus</i>) infection has a significant impact on the health of pregnant ewes and adversely affects fetal development, highlighting the critical need for a non-toxic feed additive as an alternative and sustainable control strategy. Tannin is a kind of polyphenol compound, which has certain antiparasitic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of dietary tannin supplementation on fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), complete blood count (CBC), hormone levels, inflammatory markers, placental inflammation, and fetal growth and development in pregnant ewes infected with <i>H. contortus</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Hulunbuir ewes were randomly divided into three groups: control group (CON), gastrointestinal nematode infection group (GIN), and tannin group, which was infected by <i>H. contortus</i> with tannin feeding therapy (TAN). After artificial insemination was completed, and the ewes were confirmed for pregnancy and infection; stools were collected for FEC, and blood samples were collected for PCV and CBC, hormonal, and inflammation levels. The mRNA levels of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis-related hormone receptors and placental tissue inflammation genes were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Finally, fetal weights were measured, and fetal ovarian tissue samples were taken for transcriptomic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that tannins increased the levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E₂), progesterone (P₄), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), red blood cell (RBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), and mRNA levels of gonadotropic axis receptors in pregnant ewes infected with <i>H. contortus</i> (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, tannin reduced fecal egg count (FEC), leukocyte counts, and mRNA levels of inflammatory markers (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, fetal ovarian sequencing further showed that tannin may alleviate the delay in fetal growth and development induced by <i>H. contortus</i> infection (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In summary, tannins have anthelmintic effects, restore reproductive hormone levels in pregnant ewes, reduce inflammation levels, and alleviate fetal growth retardation caused by <i>H. contortus</i> infection. Therefore, tannin is a suitable potential alternative to antibiotics as a feed additive.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1531233"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11851946/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tick species, tick-borne pathogen distribution and risk factor analysis in border areas of China, Russia and North Korea.","authors":"Pengfei Min, Jianchen Song, Shaowei Zhao, Zhen Ma, Yinbiao Meng, Zeyu Tang, Zhenyu Wang, Sicheng Lin, Fanglin Zhao, Meng Liu, Longsheng Wang, Lijun Jia","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1529253","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1529253","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Ticks are important ectoparasites of livestock. Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) cause losses to the animal husbandry industry and also present a major hidden danger to public health and safety. However, the tick species and prevalence of TBDs in border regions of China, Russia, and North Korea remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify the tick species and tick-borne pathogens endemic in these regions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Morphological and molecular identification of ticks was performed by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the distribution of tick species, pathogen, and risk factors of infection were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 1,187 ticks were collected from the border areas of 13 localities in eight cities. Five tick species were identified: <i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> (39.68%), <i>Ixodes persulcatus</i> (25.36%), <i>Haemaphysalis japonica</i> (15.50%), <i>Dermacentor silvarum</i> (15.42%), and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (4.04%). There were more female than male ticks, and nymphs were the least frequently collected. <i>I. persulcatus</i> was the main species in the forest environment, while <i>H. longicornis</i> was the main species in grasslands and animal surface. Four pathogens were detected: <i>Rickettsia</i>, <i>Bartonella</i>, <i>Anaplasma</i>, and <i>Babesia</i>.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Pathogen detection in ticks differed significantly among the environments and between Sexes. There were significant differences in the proportion of ticks infected with <i>Rickettsia</i>, <i>Bartonella</i>, <i>Anaplasma</i>, and <i>Babesia</i> among regions, species, sexes, and environments. The results of this survey of the tick species in border areas of China, Russia, and North Korea provided a scientific basis for the prevention and control of TBDs.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1529253"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11851528/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological investigation of poultry infectious in Kazakhstan (2021-2024).","authors":"Karlygash B Zikibayeva, Asset A Svanbayev, Nurlan N Akhmetsadykov, Kamshat N Kudaibergenova, Shynar N Akhmetsadykova, Ernur N Nurolda, Aidyn I Kydyrmanov","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2024.1520606","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2024.1520606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study examines the epidemiological dynamics and genetic diversity of major avian infectious diseases in Kazakhstan, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and others. Using official data, laboratory diagnostics, and surveys, we identified high prevalence rates and virulent strains, exposing gaps in vaccination coverage and biosecurity practices. Continuous monitoring, improved vaccination strategies, and robust biosecurity measures are essential to reduce disease impact and ensure sustainable poultry farming.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of major avian infectious diseases in Kazakhstan. Data sources included official reports, laboratory diagnostics (RT-PCR, ELISA, and sequencing), and a survey of veterinary specialists. Serum samples were analyzed to evaluate antibody responses and vaccine efficacy. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses were conducted for key pathogens, while a questionnaire provided insights into farm-level disease control practices.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis of official data recorded 27 outbreaks of avian diseases in Kazakhstan from 2005 to 2023, primarily involving HPAI and NDV. Our research further identified virulent strains such as NDV genotype VII and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) variants linked to global lineages. Serological studies revealed widespread exposure to pathogens, including Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), chicken anemia virus (CAV), Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT), and low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9, underscoring deficiencies in vaccination coverage. Farm surveys also identified weaknesses in biosecurity measures and inconsistencies in vaccination protocols.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced biosecurity measures, standardized vaccination programs, and routine monitoring to mitigate the impact of avian infectious diseases. This integrated approach offers valuable insights to support evidence-based decision-making for effective poultry health management in Kazakhstan.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"11 ","pages":"1520606"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11851941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrocardiographic changes induced by temperature variations in newly hatched Aperema (<i>Rhinoclemmys punctularia,</i> Daudin, 1801).","authors":"Deise de Lima Cardoso, Brenda Stefany Dos Santos Braga, Daniella Bastos de Araújo, Clarissa Araújo da Paz, Luciana Eiró-Quirino, Thaysa de Sousa Reis, Luana Vasconcelos de Souza, Rayllan da Cunha Ferreira, Gabriela Brito Barbosa, Raíssa Vieira de Souza, Yris da Silva Deiga, Maria Klara Otake Hamoy, Diva Anelie de Araújo Guimarães, Moisés Hamoy","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1516112","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1516112","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Aperema (<i>Rhinoclemmys punctularia</i>) is a South American semi-aquatic freshwater turtle characterized by a highly curved, dark brown to black carapace and is distributed across Central and South America. Climate change affects freshwater turtles in a number of ways, including temperature, hatchling sex, and survival.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Therefore, we analyzed temperature variations in these turtles through electrocardiographic recordings, since studies on temperature variations in <i>R. punctularia</i> are limited.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>Electrocardiography (ECG) is a highly relevant diagnostic tool as it allows for precise assessments of cardiac events and is non-invasive. The development of non-invasive ECG measurement methods is crucial for evaluating and maintaining the health of chelonian individuals during veterinary treatment or experimental procedure. Our findings revealed that heart rate is temperature-dependent, showing that lower environmental temperatures result in decreased heart rates. Therefore, we demonstrated through the electrocardiographic patterns observed during the experiment that a reduction in the ambient temperature to which <i>Rhinoclemmys punctularia</i> are exposed can modulate the conductivity and automaticity of cardiac cells, subsequently leading to a decrease in heart rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1516112"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11851934/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research progress on <i>Haemophilus parasuis</i> vaccines.","authors":"Yu Duan, Yue Hao, Huapeng Feng, Jianhong Shu, Yulong He","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1492144","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1492144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Haemophilus parasuis</i> (HPS) is the causative agent of porcine Glässer's disease, which has become prevalent in China in recent years. It is characterized by fibrinous polyserositis, arthritis, and meningitis, but often shows mixed infection with other upper respiratory tract pathogens, causing heavy economic losses to the pig industry. Vaccination is an important means to prevent and control HPS infection, and the currently available vaccines are mainly the inactivated type or subunit vaccines containing immunogenic HPS proteins. This study reviews recent advances in HPS vaccines, analyzes the relative effectiveness of the components of subunit vaccines and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each vaccine type. The goal is to provide insights for the development of more effective vaccines against <i>Haemophilus parasuis</i> infections in pigs.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1492144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11851532/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occurrence and diagnostic of intermittent shedding of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in bovine mammary infection.","authors":"Lena Mues, Nicole Kemper, Julia Anna Blumenberg","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1523698","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1523698","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bovine mastitis is a major problem with huge economic losses in dairy farming worldwide. One of the most common pathogens is <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, which is highly contagious and often spread during milking. A sanitation of a dairy herd can be challenging particularly in terms of diagnostics, because of intermittent shedding of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in milk. The observation of intermittent shedding of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in longitudinal studies and applied detection methods were reviewed in this study. Categorization of detection methods is used to describe the basic influence of intermittent shedding on sensitivity of diagnostic of each category. The laboratory diagnostic methods evaluated have a wide range regarding the detection limit (40 cfu/mL-10⁶ cfu/mL). A low detection limit is essential for the detection of even chronically infected cows with intermittent shedding of the pathogen. The literature overview shows that only a few studies (<i>n</i> = 6) examined occurrence of intermittent shedding of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in milk at cow level. A detection-free period of ≤ 0.5-1 d was only observed in 3 studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1523698"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11850531/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum: Comparison of postoperative pain and stress using a multimodal approach in cats: open vs. laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy.","authors":"Changwoo Jeong, Kangwoo Yi, Yong Yu, Suyoung Heo","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1558304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1558304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1519773.].</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1558304"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11848065/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143491657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial drug use and its association with antimicrobial resistance in fecal commensals from cows on California dairies.","authors":"Essam M Abdelfattah, Pius S Ekong, Emmanuel Okello, Tapakorn Chamchoy, Betsy M Karle, Randi A Black, Wagdy ElAshmawy, David Sheedy, Deniece R Williams, Terry W Lehenbauer, Barbara A Byrne, Sharif S Aly","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2024.1504640","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2024.1504640","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The current study objective was to investigate the risk factors associated with the isolation of antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Enterococcus</i> spp., and <i>Streptococcus</i> spp. (ES) from the feces of dairy cows in California (CA). A longitudinal study was conducted on ten dairies, and a random sample of cattle (late pregnant heifers and dry cows) stratified by each herd's parity distribution were followed monthly from close-up to 120 days in milk during fall to winter 2018 (winter season) and spring to summer 2019 (summer season). Gastrointestinal commensals were isolated from fecal samples and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the broth microdilution method against a selected panel of antimicrobial drugs (AMD). Eight dairies used blanket AMD therapy at dry-off for all lactating cows, while the remaining two dairies did not use any AMD treatment at dry-off. Clinical mastitis was identified as the most common indication for AMD use across the study dairies. Intramuscular administration of ceftiofur hydrochloride to treat lameness and unknown disease during lactation was significantly associated with the isolation of tetracycline-resistant fecal <i>E. coli</i>. Resistance to ceftiofur, tetracycline, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in fecal <i>E. coli</i> was significantly higher in the winter than in the summer season. In contrast, resistance to tetracycline, florfenicol, tilmicosin, tildipirosin, or tiamulin in fecal gram-positive commensals was significantly higher in the summer than in the winter. In conclusion, AMD usage practices and seasonal variations significantly influenced the AMR of <i>E. coli</i> and ES in the feces of dairy cattle.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"11 ","pages":"1504640"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11848851/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143491643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic efficacy of LysGH15 against necrotising pneumonia caused by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in a rabbit model.","authors":"Bowei Zhang, Liran Song, Yongran Wang, Meimei Zhang, Chong Chen, Hui Ning, Li Wang, Cao Qiu, Xinwu Wang, Changjiang Sun, Xin Feng, Wenyu Han, Bin Wang, Yalu Ji, Jingmin Gu","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1529870","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1529870","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (<i>S. aureus</i>) is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens and can be transmitted to humans through the meat diet routes, causing necrotising pneumonia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study investigated the therapeutic effect of bacteriophage lysin LysGH15 on necrotising pneumonia in rabbit model caused by <i>S. aureus</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the <i>in vitro</i> experiments, 50 μg/mL LysGH15 not only significantly reduced the viable count (approximately 3.24 × 10⁶ CFU/g) of chicken meat stored at 4°C for 48 h but also effectively reduced the viable count of chicken meat thawed at 4°C and 30°C, with reductions of approximately 1.42 × 10⁶ CFU/g and 2.78 × 10⁶ CFU/g, respectively. In the <i>in vivo</i> experiments, a single intranasal administration of 300 μg/rabbit increased the survival rate of rabbits to 60%. At 72 h postinfection, the number of bacteria in the lung tissues of the rabbits treated with LysGH15 was 7 × 10⁴ CFU/g, which was significantly lower than that in the lung tissues of rabbits treated with PBS (7.76 × 10⁶ CFU/g) or linezolid (6.38 × 10⁵ CFU/g). In addition, LysGH15 treatment alleviated lung tissue damage in infected rabbits and significantly reduced the levels of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), alpha-toxin (Hla), and the cytokines IFN-<i>γ</i>, TNF-<i>α</i>, and IL-8 in their lung tissues, similar to those in rabbits treated with linezolid.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These results suggest that LysGH15 has the potential to be used as a novel antimicrobial agent for the treatment of necrotising pneumonia caused by <i>S. aureus</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1529870"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11841505/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143467849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral delivery of bovine tuberculosis vaccine to free-ranging white-tailed deer.","authors":"Kurt VerCauteren, Abigail Feuka, Michael Lavelle, Michael Glow, Keely Kohen, Patrick Ryan, Tony Aderman, Anthony Duffiney, Mitchell Palmer, Paola M Boggiatto, Carly Kanipe, Hayden Hamby, Emily Ruell, Melinda Cosgrove, Michael Vanderklok, Nathan Snow, Kim M Pepin, Henry Campa","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1548627","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1548627","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Free-ranging white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) are a self-sustaining reservoir for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in northeastern lower Michigan, (United States) continually putting the area's cattle industry at risk. Liberal recreational deer harvest, baiting bans, and mitigation measures on farms have reduced but not eliminated bTB in deer nor have they eliminated transmission to cattle. With apparent prevalence in deer being low (1-2%) but constant, vaccination could be an additional tool to aid in addressing the problem and merits investigation. <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a widely used human vaccine for tuberculosis that has also been well studied in domestic livestock and wildlife. It is the primary vaccine candidate, and oral delivery is the logical means for delivering it to free-ranging deer, although this has never previously been attempted.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Building off methods and strategies developed for vaccinating deer, we incorporated BCG vaccine into vaccine delivery units (DUs), consisting of a food-based matrix. We deployed DUs at sites in Michigan with a historically high prevalence of bTB. At each site, 100 DUs were placed systematically 2.5-m apart on 50-m x 10-m grids and monitored with still and video cameras. Consumption, still images, and video data were analyzed to assess uptake of vaccine DUs by deer.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>Vaccine DUs were deployed in 2024 at 11 agricultural sites on private land which had previously demonstrated moderate to high deer activity and at all but two sites >50% of distributed vaccine DU's were consumed, with 100% consumed at two sites. Deer learned to seek out and consume vaccine DU's in just 1 to 3 days, with individuals often eating more than the 1 or 2 needed to vaccinate themselves. This high level of consumption was in spite of an exceptionally warm and dry winter, where deer were less food stressed than usual.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1548627"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11847888/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143491576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}