Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Global prevalence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in pigeons: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Farzad Mahdavi ,&nbsp;Mina Mamizadeh ,&nbsp;Mohammad Reza Mohammadi ,&nbsp;Ali Pouryousef ,&nbsp;Giovanni Sgroi ,&nbsp;Ali Asghari ,&nbsp;Fariba Shadfar","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. are globally important protozoan pathogens infecting many vertebrates, including birds. Pigeons, which live in close contact with humans, may contribute to environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission, yet their infection patterns have not been comprehensively reviewed. We conducted a systematic search of international databases from inception to November 25, 2025, identifying 52 eligible studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software, with subgroup analyses by continent, country, publication year, sample size, age, sex, and diagnostic method. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, publication bias using funnel plots and Egger’s test, and robustness through sensitivity analysis. Univariable random-effects meta-regression examined potential sources of heterogeneity. The pooled global prevalence of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. in pigeons was 10 % (95 % CI: 6.9–14.4 %), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 95.2 %). Prevalence differed significantly by continent, publication year, and sample size. Higher infection rates were reported in younger pigeons, whereas sex and diagnostic method showed minimal impact. Sequential study exclusion did not materially alter the pooled estimate. Funnel-plot asymmetry and Egger’s test (p = 0.01) indicated significant publication bias. Meta-regression identified publication year and sample size as significant predictors of variability, though considerable residual heterogeneity persisted. Winter exhibited the highest detection rate. Eight species and seven gp60 subtypes were reported, including five zoonotic species (<em>C. meleagridis</em>, <em>C. parvum</em>, <em>C. hominis</em>, <em>C. andersoni</em>, and <em>C. muris</em>). These findings highlight the potential zoonotic relevance of <em>Cryptosporidium</em> spp. detected in pigeons and reinforce the need for improved surveillance and molecular characterization within a One Health framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"126 ","pages":"Article 102437"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145866174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"MLVA_5: A reduced marker scheme for phylogeographic analysis of Brucella canis\"","authors":"Eduardo Jorge Boeri ,&nbsp;Paula Becker ,&nbsp;Silvia Noemi Akiyama ,&nbsp;Maria Luz Dominguez ,&nbsp;Sebastian Elena ,&nbsp;Natalia Mercedes Fernandez ,&nbsp;Paula Ruybal ,&nbsp;Gabriela Ileana Escobar ,&nbsp;Deborah Beatriz Hasan ,&nbsp;Marcos David Trangoni","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Canine brucellosis, caused by <em>Brucella canis</em>, is a globally significant zoonosis. This study characterized the genetic diversity of <em>B. canis</em> in Argentina and South America using the MLVA_16 scheme, comparing 110 Latin American strains with 84 Asian strains (from Korea and China). The analysis revealed high overall diversity (Hunter-Gaston Index: 0.97) and marked geographical structuring. Using LASSO logistic regression, we identified a minimal panel of five markers (MLVA-5: BRUCE19, BRUCE18, BRUCE11, BRUCE07, BRUCE16) that optimally preserves the phylogeographic signal on a global scale. This optimized scheme, unlike hypervariable markers, proves robust and efficient for conducting traceability studies and determining the geographical origin of <em>B. canis</em> strains, thus offering an ideal balance between discriminatory power and evolutionary resolution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"126 ","pages":"Article 102441"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146221878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological investigation of Coxiella burnetii in farms after an outbreak of Q fever in slaughterhouse workers","authors":"Tatiana Evelyn Hayama Ueno ,&nbsp;Natalia de Moura Fagundes ,&nbsp;Fábio Gregori ,&nbsp;Sérgio Santos de Azevedo ,&nbsp;Eidi Yoshihara ,&nbsp;Luiz Henrique Barrochelo ,&nbsp;Marcelo B. Labruna","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102452","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102452","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacterium <em>Coxiella burnetii</em>. In January/2015, a Q fever outbreak occurred among workers at a cattle slaughterhouse in southeastern Brazil. This study investigated if <em>C. burnetii</em> was circulating on farms that sent cattle to the slaughterhouse at the time of the 2015-Q fever outbreak. Blood, milk, vaginal swab and tick samples were collected from livestock on 35 farms surrounding the slaughterhouse. Serological analyses with <em>C. burnetii</em> whole antigens indicated that 68.6 % farms (24/35) had at least one seropositive animal, 76.7 % (23/30) farms had seropositive cattle, 37.5 % (3/8) had seropositive sheep, 16.7 % (5/30) had seropositive horses, and 20.8 % (5/24) had seropositive dogs. The overall seropositivity rates were 18.8 % (96/510) for cattle, 4.1 % (4/97) for sheep, 4.7 % (5/106) for horses, and 12.7 % (8/63) for dogs. Antibody endpoint titers ranged from 64 to 8192 in cattle, and up to 128 in sheep, 256 in horses, and 512 in dogs. Cattle had 1.9 times higher odds of seropositivity compared to other species tested. Pregnant females showed 1.6 times higher odds than non-pregnant ones. Molecular analyses revealed <em>C. burnetii</em> DNA (partial sequences of IS<em>1111</em> and <em>cap</em> genes) in 0.5 % (1/213) cattle milk samples, and in a <em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em> tick. We conclude that <em>C. burnetii</em> exposure was widespread among livestock in the study region. The highest seropositivity rate in cattle suggests their potential utility as sentinels for monitoring bacterial circulation. <em>C. burnetii</em> DNA was detected in a <em>R. microplus</em> tick in Brazil for the first time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"126 ","pages":"Article 102452"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146229784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative synthesis and spatial epidemiology of animal cystic echinococcosis in Algeria (2003–2024)","authors":"Chaima Fennouh ,&nbsp;Safia Yousfi ,&nbsp;Soumia Saadet ,&nbsp;Omar Salhi ,&nbsp;Nadjet Amina Khelifi Touhami ,&nbsp;Nassim Ouchene","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102450","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102450","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by <em>Echinococcus granulosus</em> sensus lalo (<em>E. granulosus</em> s.l.), remains a major zoonotic and economic concern in Algeria. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the national prevalence of CE in domestic animals, identify spatial patterns, and evaluate factors contributing to epidemiological variability. Literature searches were performed across nine international and regional databases, and eligible studies published between 2003 and 2024 were screened following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 22 studies were included, yielding 68 independent prevalence estimates from 20 Algerian regions. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, and statistical analyses including random-effects models, meta-regression, and spatial autocorrelation were conducted in R. Among definitive hosts (dogs), the pooled prevalence was 15.24 % (95 % CI: 4.52–40.61 %; k = 4), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 94.7 %). For intermediate hosts, analysis of 763,662 animals revealed an overall pooled prevalence of 4.16 % (95 % CI: 2.59–6.63 %), with marked inter-species variability: cattle (12.44 %), camels (7.81 %), sheep (6.31 %), goats (5.21 %), and wild boars (6.32 %). After applying the trim-and-fill method to account for potential missing studies, the adjusted pooled prevalence was 6.42 %. Significant regional disparities were identified, with hyperendemic clusters in Tébessa, M’Sila, and Setif, contrasted with low-risk zones such as Tindouf and Batna. Spatial analysis detected significant positive autocorrelation (Global Moran’s I = 0.273; p = 0.033), indicating geographical clustering. Meta-regression revealed sample size and geographic location as key moderators of heterogeneity. This study provides the most comprehensive synthesis of CE prevalence in Algerian livestock to date, highlighting persistent endemicity and spatial hotspots. Findings emphasize the need for strengthened One-Health surveillance, targeted control strategies, and standardized diagnostic protocols to reduce transmission risk and associated economic losses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"126 ","pages":"Article 102450"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146203638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) are major carriers of ESBL-producing and diarrheagenic E. coli in an Ecological Park in São Paulo, Brazil","authors":"Gabriel Siqueira dos Santos ,&nbsp;Natália Carrillo Gaeta ,&nbsp;Denise Batista Nogueira Silva ,&nbsp;Nathália da Silveira Guimarães ,&nbsp;Gisele Oliveira de Souza ,&nbsp;Gabrielli Santana Abreu ,&nbsp;Bruno Simões Sergio Petri ,&nbsp;Haroldo Furuya ,&nbsp;José Soares Ferreira Neto ,&nbsp;Marcos Bryan Heinemann","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Escherichia coli</em> is widely distributed in the intestinal microbiota of vertebrates, and the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains in wild animals in urban areas is a result of anthropogenic factors. A total of 232 <em>E. coli</em> isolates were obtained from samples of rectal swabs from 149 coatis. Among the strains, 106 (45.7 %) were classified as MDR, and 47 (20.3 %) showed the ESBL phenotype. Among the 149 animals, 84 (56.4 %) were carriers of MDR strains, and 33 (22.1 %) carried ESBL-producing strains. Regarding beta-lactamase-encoding genes, 54 isolates (23.3 %) were positive for <em>bla</em>_TEM, 26 (11.2 %) for <em>bla</em>_CTX-M group 2, 16 (6.9 %) for <em>bla</em>_CTX-M group 1, two (0.9 %) for <em>bla</em>_CTX-M group 8, and one (0.4 %) for <em>bla</em>_CTX-M group 9. No isolate was positive for <em>bla</em>_SHV. Seven strains (3.0 %) were classified as aEPEC, one (0.4 %) as tEPEC, one (0.4 %) as ETEC, and one (0.4 %) as EAEC. Two aEPEC strains were classified as MDR and ESBL producers, one positive for <em>bla</em>_CTX-M group 1 and the other for <em>bla</em>_CTX-M group 2. In addition, the strain identified as EAEC was also classified as MDR and presented the <em>bla</em>_TEM gene. The high prevalence of MDR and ESBL-producing bacteria in ring-tailed coatis indicates the impact of the environment´s anthropomorphization on the intestinal microbiota of wild animals in urban environments, and the presence of diarrheagenic strains may indicate that coatis are reservoirs of enteropathogenic <em>E. coli.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"126 ","pages":"Article 102451"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146229789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adenovirus, herpesvirus, and parvovirus survey in Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus) of Cantabria, Spain","authors":"Manena Fayos ,&nbsp;Irene Sacristán ,&nbsp;Ana Carolina Ewbank ,&nbsp;Ana de la Torre ,&nbsp;Irene Iglesias ,&nbsp;Roser Velarde ,&nbsp;Adrián Wipf ,&nbsp;Carlos Sacristán","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102449","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102449","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study of infectious diseases in wild carnivores is essential to their conservation. Adenovirus, herpesvirus and parvovirus are DNA viruses able to cause severe disease in carnivores; however, data on their occurrence in Iberian wolves (<em>Canis lupus signatus</em>) are limited. Herein, 130 spleen samples from Iberian wolves in Cantabria, northern Spain, were tested for these viruses using broad-range nested PCRs and real time PCR. All positive amplicons were confirmed by direct Sanger sequencing in both directions. Additionally, exposure to adenovirus and <em>Carnivore protoparvovirus 1</em> (CCPV1) was evaluated by serology in available samples. All wolves were herpesvirus-negative. Overall, five out of 130 (3.8 %) wolves were adenovirus-positive. Four of the obtained adenovirus sequences were identical to those of <em>Canine mastadenovirus A</em> type 1 previously described<em>.</em> The remaining sequence was most similar (99.6 %) to <em>Canine mastadenovirus A</em> type 2. CCPV1 was molecularly detected in 32.3 % (42/130) of the wolves. Two of the wolves were coinfected by adenovirus and CCPV1. Adenovirus seroprevalence was 98.4 % (62/63), while CCPV1 seroprevalence was 78.9 % (45/57). Both, <em>Canine mastadenovirus A</em> type 1 - the causative agent of infectious canine hepatitis - and CCPV-1 are especially important in pups and can impact endangered carnivores. Our findings broaden the current knowledge on the epidemiology of adenovirus and parvovirus in Iberian wolves. Further studies are required to assess the presence of impacting pathogens in other wild carnivores and sympatric dogs of northern Spain in order to elucidate a possible co-circulation of these agents at the wildlife-domestic interface.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"126 ","pages":"Article 102449"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular detection of hemoplasmas and genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale in a dairy water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) farm from southeastern Brazil","authors":"Caroline Tostes Secato ,&nbsp;Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Inalda Angélica de Souza Ramos ,&nbsp;Renan Bressianini do Amaral ,&nbsp;Anna Claudia Baumel Mongruel ,&nbsp;Thiago Merighi Vieira da Silva ,&nbsp;Rosangela Zacarias Machado ,&nbsp;Marcos Rogério André","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Brazil has the largest water buffalo (<em>Bubalus bubalis</em>) herd outside the Asian continent. As buffalo farming has become an economically important activity and has grown in recent years, studies are needed on the occurrence of pathogens shared between cattle and water buffaloes, since, in most locations, these animals graze together. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular occurrence of hemoplasmas and genetic diversity of <em>Anaplasma marginale</em> in water buffaloes and associated ectoparasites in southeastern Brazil. DNA was extracted from 81 blood samples, 165 <em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em> ticks, and 92 <em>Haematopinus tuberculatus</em> lice from water buffaloes. In 16S rRNA gene-based PCR assays, 25.9 % (21/81) of buffalo blood samples were positive for <em>‘Ca.</em> M. haemobos’, 50.6 % (41/81) for <em>M. wenyonii</em>, and 23 (28.4 %) for both hemoplasma species. In the <em>A. marginale</em> qPCR targeting the <em>msp1β</em> gene, 46.9 % of buffalo blood samples, 1.08 % of louse samples, and 49.1 % of tick samples were positive. High genetic diversity of <em>A. marginale</em>, including 10 new strains and three previously reported strains, was found in water buffaloes and associated ticks in the studied region. <em>Anaplasma marginale</em> genotype E was the most prevalent. Genetic diversity indices indicated that the short sequence repeats (SSRs) of <em>A. marginale msp1α</em> were highly diverse within the studied region, but showed low dispersion to other regions of the country. The absence of anemia in water buffaloes co-infected with <em>M. wenyonii</em>, ‘<em>Ca.</em> M. haemobos’, and <em>A. marginale</em> suggests a possible resistance of these animals to infection by these agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 102433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparing the respiratory tract microbiome in captive elephants and humans in Chitwan National Park: Implications for conservation medicine","authors":"Rajesh Man Rajbhandari ,&nbsp;Seily Shrestha ,&nbsp;Prajwol Manandhar ,&nbsp;Rajindra Napit ,&nbsp;Amir Sadaula ,&nbsp;Ashok Chaudhary ,&nbsp;Roji Raut ,&nbsp;Christian Gortázar ,&nbsp;Paulo Célio Alves ,&nbsp;José de la Fuente ,&nbsp;João Queirós ,&nbsp;Giovanni Forcina ,&nbsp;Dibesh Karmacharya","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102422","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102422","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study of gut microbiome in both animals and humans living in proximity has proven crucial in understanding their coevolution, the potential for microbial transfer and the dynamics behind various diseases. Similarly, the investigation of respiratory microbiomes has been gaining popularity due to its significance and impact on respiratory health. Here, we use 16S rRNA metabarcoding to explore the respiratory microbiome of captive Asian elephants (<em>Elephas maximus</em>) and their <em>mahouts</em> (i.e., trainers and handlers) in Chitwan National Park (Nepal), with local villagers residing out of the protected area acting as control. Sputum samples were collected to characterize their bacterial composition, while its functional profile was inferred with PICRUSt2. Additionally, the occurrence of genera hosting potentially pathogenic <em>ESKAPE-E</em> species was evaluated. Our findings revealed high similarity in the bacterial and functional composition of the respiratory microbiome of elephants and <em>mahouts</em>, with Bacillota and Pseudomonadota emerging as the most abundant phyla across all host categories and the controls displaying the highest diversity. A striking difference was observed in relation to the family <em>Bacillaceae</em> that dominated the microbial composition of both <em>mahouts</em> and elephants but not controls. Genera hosting potentially pathogenic <em>ESKAPE-E</em> bacteria were found in all host categories, which underscores the need for in-depth analyses to identify the species involved. Our study delivers valuable insights in the respiratory microbial community of both Asian elephants and humans, thus laying the basis for further investigations on their diversity and function, unveiling their role in respiratory health of both host species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 102422"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145594751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic characterization of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) from 2022 to 2023 outbreaks in yaks (Bos grunniens) and cattle in the Himalayan state of Sikkim, India, reveals dominant circulation of the LSDV 1.2.1 variant strain","authors":"Shashi Bhushan Sudhakar ,&nbsp;Niranjan Mishra ,&nbsp;Semmannan Kalaiyarasu ,&nbsp;Seema Rai ,&nbsp;Aniket Sanyal","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102432","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102432","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a major threat to global cattle production with an expanding host range. In India, although LSDV-associated mortality in yaks (<em>Bos grunniens</em>) is a major concern, LSD epidemiology in yaks is poorly understood and genetic profile of LSDV from the Northeast is scarce. This study aimed to molecularly detect and genetically characterize the LSDV strains from the 2022–2023 LSD outbreaks in yaks and cattle in the Himalayan state of Sikkim. Infected yaks exhibited clinical signs akin to cattle and necropsy revealed lesions on vital organs. Testing of 23 yak samples and 123 cattle samples by LSDV real-time PCR and antibody ELISA demonstrated LSDV infection. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of four selected marker genes (GPCR, RPO30, EEV, and B22R) revealed that LSDV sequences from yaks and cattle belonged to the 1.2.1 sub-cluster, closely related to the circulating 1.2.1 variants from India and Tibet. However, they were distinct from the dominant LSDV strains circulating in India (1.2.2) and China (2.5 recombinant). Detection of identical LSDV sequences and close proximity between yaks and local cattle implied a spillover from cattle. Additionally, our findings showed that concatenated sequence-based analysis could function as a proxy to whole-genome sequence analysis, and the C-terminal 717 bp of the B22R gene may represent a potential single-gene sequencing target for classifying LSDV into well-supported clusters. These findings improved our understanding of LSDV molecular epidemiology and host range and highlight the necessity of LSD control in yaks, and monitoring of cross-border transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 102432"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroepidemiological investigation and public health implications of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in southern Algeria","authors":"Meriem Mekroud ,&nbsp;Amel Titi ,&nbsp;Abdesslem Mekroud ,&nbsp;Ikram Chettih ,&nbsp;Ali Dahmani ,&nbsp;Nadjet Amina Khelifi Touhami ,&nbsp;Nassim Ouchene","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is a ubiquitous zoonotic protozoan with significant veterinary and public health implications. Despite the economic and cultural importance of dromedary camels (<em>Camelus dromedarius</em>) in the Saharan regions of Algeria, little is known about their role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study represents a comprehensive seroepidemiological investigation of <em>T. gondii</em> in Algerian dromedaries. A total of 76 adult camels were sampled during January–February 2025 across four Saharan provinces (Biskra, Laghouat, Tindouf, and Oued Souf). Serum samples were analyzed using a commercial ELISA kit to detect specific anti-<em>T. gondii</em> antibodies. Seroprevalence was calculated with 95 % confidence intervals (CI), and regional differences were assessed through χ² test, odds ratios (OR), and Kruskal–Wallis analysis of antibody titers. Overall, the study revealed a high seroprevalence of <em>T. gondii</em> infection (61.8 %) in Algerian dromedaries. Significant heterogeneity was observed between regions (p &lt; 0.01). The lowest prevalence occurred in Oued Souf (25 %; 95 % CI: 8.9–53.2), which served as the reference. In contrast, Biskra exhibited an extremely high prevalence (90 %; OR = 27.0; 95 % CI: 2.4–298.8; p = 0.001), followed by Tindouf (69.7 %; OR = 7.8; 95 % CI: 1.8–34.3; p = 0.005) and Laghouat (57.1 %; OR = 4.1; 95 % CI: 0.9–18.7; p = 0.048). Antibody titers correlated with prevalence, with notably elevated values (&gt;180–250) in Biskra and Tindouf, suggesting intense or repeated exposure. The strong regional disparities likely reflect differences in feline density, water source hygiene, herd management, and microclimatic conditions. The exceptionally high prevalence observed, particularly in Biskra, raises concerns for both animal productivity and zoonotic transmission, given the common consumption of raw camel milk and undercooked meat. This pioneering study highlights the epidemiological significance of dromedaries in the transmission of toxoplasmosis in Algeria and emphasizes the need for integrated surveillance, molecular confirmation of infections, and targeted preventive measures to mitigate zoonotic risks in arid ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 102430"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145594754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}