Emergence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 in the archipelago of Madeira, Portugal (2016-2017).

We report the detection of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in the Madeira archipelago, Portugal. Viral circulation was confirmed by RT-qPCR and vp60 sequencing. Epidemiological data revealed the outbreak initiated in October 2016 in Porto Santo affecting wild and domestic rabbits. It was then detected three months later on the island of Madeira. Five haplotypes were identified and a genetic overall similarity of 99.54 to 99.89% was observed between the two viral populations. Unique single nucleotide polymorphisms were recognised in the Madeira archipelago strains, two of which resulting in amino acid substitutions at positions 480 and 570 in the VP60 protein. Phylogenetic investigation by Maximum Likelihood showed all the vp60 sequences from the Madeira archipelago group together with high bootstraps. The analysis also showed that the Madeira archipelago strains are closely related to the strains detected in the south of mainland Portugal in 2016, suggesting a possible introduction from the mainland. The epidemiological data and high genetic similarity indicate a common source for the Porto Santo and Madeira RHDV2 outbreaks. Human activity related to hunting was most probably at the origin of the Madeira outbreak.

Dermatophytosis in Companion Animals in Portugal: A Comprehensive Epidemiological Retrospective Study of 12 Years (2012-2023).

Dermatophytosis, commonly referred to as ringworm, is a common superficial fungal infection in companion animals and humans. Between 2012 and 2023, plucked hair and scraped scale samples from domestic dogs and cats with clinical suspicion of dermatophytosis were collected from 355 veterinary medical centres across mainland Portugal. A total of 4716 animal samples were inoculated onto DERM agar, incubated at 25 °C for up to 4 weeks, and periodically examined macro- and micro-scopically to observe and evaluate fungal growth. Of these, 271 samples were removed due to contaminant fungi. Of the 568 positive cultures, the highest number were from the North (48.1%; 95% CI: 44.0-52.2%) and Centre (32.4%; 95% CI: 28.7-36.4%) regions. Microsporum canis was the most frequently isolated species (63.9%), followed by Trichophyton spp. (20.3%) and Nannizia gypsea (formerly Microsporum gypseum) (8.1%). Felines exhibited a higher frequency (17.4%) compared with dogs (9.1%) (p < 0.001). In dogs, the Yorkshire Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Dalmatian and Miniature Schnauzer demonstrated a significant predisposition to dermatophytosis (p < 0.05). In cats, the Persian and Scottish Fold breeds were significantly predisposed (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between sexes (p > 0.05). These findings underscore dermatophytosis as an increasing public health concern due to its zoonotic and contagious nature, providing comprehensive insights into the epidemiology of dermatophytosis in Portugal.

Distribution of and Relationships between Epidemiological and Clinicopathological Parameters in Canine Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of 15 Years (2009-2023).

Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, which are zoonotic and have an important impact on animal and public health globally. Between 2009 and 2023, blood samples from domestic dogs with clinical suspicion of leishmaniosis were received from 286 veterinary medical centres throughout mainland Portugal. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilised to detect antibodies against Leishmania infantum antigens. Additionally, a complete blood count and tests for total proteins, urea, creatinine and alanine aminotransferase, as well as protein electrophoresis, were also performed. No significant relationship between sex and breed was observed. The age distribution was bimodal, with the highest prevalence of disease occurring at 2-5 years of age and a secondary peak occurring at 6 years or over (p < 0.001). No statistical correlation was observed between creatinine and urea across the ELISA serological groups. In contrast, both the gamma globulin levels (r = 0.45; p < 0.001) and the albumin/globulin ratio (r = -0.36; p < 0.001) exhibited moderate correlations with the ELISA. These findings support recent seroprevalence studies in dogs, with some geographical areas in Northern Portugal exhibiting the highest values, which may be the result of geographical shifts in parasite circulation due to climate change.

Maternal dietary exposure to mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 promotes intestinal immune alterations and microbiota modifications increasing infection susceptibility in mouse offspring.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi occurring in food that are toxic to animals and humans. Early-life mycotoxins exposure has been linked to diverse pathologies. However, how maternal exposure to mycotoxins impacts on the intestinal barrier function of progeny has not been explored. Here, exposure of pregnant and lactating C57Bl/6J female mice to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1; 400 µg/kg body weight/day; 3 times a week) in gelatine pellets, from embryonic day (E)11.5 until weaning (postnatal day 21), led to gut immunological changes in progeny. The results showed an overall increase of lymphocyte number in intestine, a reduction of expression of epithelial genes related to microbial defence, as well as a decrease in cytokine production by intestinal type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). While susceptibility to chemically induced colitis was not worsened, immune alterations were associated with changes in gut microbiota and with a higher vulnerability to infection by the protozoan Eimeria vermiformis at early-life. Together these results show that maternal dietary exposure to AFB1 can dampen intestinal barrier homeostasis in offspring decreasing their capability to tackle intestinal pathogens. These data provide insights to understand AFB1 potential harmfulness in early-life health in the context of intestinal infections.

Corrigendum: Overview of Cattle Diseases Listed Under Category C, D or E in the Animal Health Law for Which Control Programmes Are in Place Within Europe.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.688078.].

Overview of Cattle Diseases Listed Under Category C, D or E in the Animal Health Law for Which Control Programmes Are in Place Within Europe.

The COST action "Standardising output-based surveillance to control non-regulated diseases of cattle in the European Union (SOUND control)," aims to harmonise the results of surveillance and control programmes (CPs) for non-EU regulated cattle diseases to facilitate safe trade and improve overall control of cattle infectious diseases. In this paper we aimed to provide an overview on the diversity of control for these diseases in Europe. A non-EU regulated cattle disease was defined as an infectious disease of cattle with no or limited control at EU level, which is not included in the European Union Animal health law Categories A or B under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002. A CP was defined as surveillance and/or intervention strategies designed to lower the incidence, prevalence, mortality or prove freedom from a specific disease in a region or country. Passive surveillance, and active surveillance of breeding bulls under Council Directive 88/407/EEC were not considered as CPs. A questionnaire was designed to obtain country-specific information about CPs for each disease. Animal health experts from 33 European countries completed the questionnaire. Overall, there are 23 diseases for which a CP exists in one or more of the countries studied. The diseases for which CPs exist in the highest number of countries are enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhoea and anthrax (CPs reported by between 16 and 31 countries). Every participating country has on average, 6 CPs (min-max: 1-13) in place. Most programmes are implemented at a national level (86%) and are applied to both dairy and non-dairy cattle (75%). Approximately one-third of the CPs are voluntary, and the funding structure is divided between government and private resources. Countries that have eradicated diseases like enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhoea have implemented CPs for other diseases to further improve the health status of cattle in their country. The control of non-EU regulated cattle diseases is very heterogenous in Europe. Therefore, the standardising of the outputs of these programmes to enable comparison represents a challenge.