Pathogens in the Wildlife–Livestock–Human Interface

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Wildlife".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2024 | Viewed by 2928

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
Interests: One Health; microbiology; mycoplasma; bacteria; public health; animal health; environment; wildlife
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
Interests: molecular zoonosis (mainly through real-time PCR, PCR and sequencing) and serological diagnosis (mainly through ELISA, IFAT, SAR); experience in isolation of both pathogenic bacteria and lactic bacteria
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
Interests: One Health; microbiology; mycoplasma; bacteria; public health; animal health; environment; wildlife
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diseases are increasingly emerging into animal and human populations as a consequence of the complex, and often unseen, processes of interaction among wildlife, livestock, human, vectors and the environment. In many countries of the world, urbanization is leading to dramatic changes in the natural landscape, favoring the adaptation of some wild animals to urban, peri-urban and rural habitats, owing to the greater availability of a food supply. Unfortunately, some of these highly adaptable species are also hosts for a great number of pathogens of public health and veterinary significance. In this regard, it is vital to understand the dynamics present among wildlife, domestic animal species, humans and arthropod vectors sharing the same environmental areas in order to conduct more focused research on the transmission of pathogens. The aim of this Special Issue is to publish original research papers or reviews concerning the emergence, spread and maintenance of pathogens in complex eco-systems characterized by interactions among wildlife, livestock, human, vectors and the environment.

We invite you to share your recent findings by contributing to this Special Issue.

Dr. Sergio Migliore
Dr. Paola Galluzzo
Dr. Guido Ruggero Loria
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pathogens
  • environment
  • wildlife
  • vector livestock
  • human parasite
  • virus bacteria
  • One Health
  • eco-systems interaction

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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24 pages, 2672 KiB  
Article
Potential Inhibitors of Lumpy Skin Disease’s Viral Protein (DNA Polymerase): A Combination of Bioinformatics Approaches
by Sabbir Zia, Md-Mehedi Sumon, Md-Ashiqur Ashik, Abul Basar, Sangjin Lim, Yeonsu Oh, Yungchul Park and Md-Mafizur Rahman
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1283; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14091283 - 24 Apr 2024
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Abstract
Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by a virus within the Poxviridae family and Capripoxvirus genus, induces nodular skin lesions in cattle. This spreads through direct contact and insect vectors, significantly affecting global cattle farming. Despite the availability of vaccines, their efficacy is limited [...] Read more.
Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by a virus within the Poxviridae family and Capripoxvirus genus, induces nodular skin lesions in cattle. This spreads through direct contact and insect vectors, significantly affecting global cattle farming. Despite the availability of vaccines, their efficacy is limited by poor prophylaxis and adverse effects. Our study aimed to identify the potential inhibitors targeting the LSDV-encoded DNA polymerase protein (gene LSDV039) for further investigation through comprehensive analysis and computational methods. Virtual screening revealed rhein and taxifolin as being potent binders among 380 phytocompounds, with respective affinities of −8.97 and −7.20 kcal/mol. Canagliflozin and tepotinib exhibited strong affinities (−9.86 and −8.86 kcal/mol) among 718 FDA-approved antiviral drugs. Simulating the molecular dynamics of canagliflozin, tepotinib, rhein, and taxifolin highlighted taxifolin’s superior stability and binding energy. Rhein displayed compactness in RMSD and RMSF, but fluctuated in Rg and SASA, while canagliflozin demonstrated stability compared to tepotinib. This study highlights the promising potential of using repurposed drugs and phytocompounds as potential LSD therapeutics. However, extensive validation through in vitro and in vivo testing and clinical trials is crucial for their practical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogens in the Wildlife–Livestock–Human Interface)
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12 pages, 293 KiB  
Communication
Detection of Antibodies for Pathogenic Leptospira in Wild Mammals and Birds from Southern Chile—First Record of Seropositivity in a Guiña (Leopardus guigna)
by Luis Balcázar, Lucía Azócar-Aedo, Violeta Barrera, Gloria Meniconi, Victoria Muñoz and Carola Valencia-Soto
Animals 2024, 14(4), 601; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14040601 - 12 Feb 2024
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Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected bacterial zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that is present in different animal species. This epidemiological study determined the seroprevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in animals at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Puerto Montt, southern Chile, by sampling 60 animals [...] Read more.
Leptospirosis is a neglected bacterial zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution that is present in different animal species. This epidemiological study determined the seroprevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in animals at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Puerto Montt, southern Chile, by sampling 60 animals belonging to three classes (birds, mammals, and reptiles). Diagnosis was performed using the microscopic agglutination test with a panel of eight serovars and serogroups. The results showed that 15 animals had anti-Leptospira antibodies, obtaining a seroprevalence of 25.00%, with Leptospira borgpetersenii serogroup Tarassovi presenting reactivity in 13 of the seropositive animals. Among the classes of mammals, chilla foxes (Lycalopex griseus) and pudus (Pudu puda) were seropositive. A guiña (Leopardus guigna) was also seropositive, which was described for the first time in mammals. Among the classes of birds, choroy parrots (Enicognathus leptorhynchus), bandurrias (Theristicus melanopis), and Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) were seropositive. Routine examinations to diagnose leptospirosis, perform epidemiological surveillance, and apply prevention and control measures are necessary, and additional research focusing on the One Health approach to explore the epidemiological role of different wild animal species in the maintenance and transmission of leptospirosis at the local and global levels are recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogens in the Wildlife–Livestock–Human Interface)

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8 pages, 219 KiB  
Commentary
African Swine Fever and Its Control Measures in Wild Boar: A “De Iure Condito” Analysis in the European Union
by Sergio Migliore, Hany A. Hussein, Paola Galluzzo, Roberto Puleio and Guido Ruggero Loria
Animals 2024, 14(1), 14; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14010014 - 19 Dec 2023
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Abstract
Recently, the African swine fever (ASF) epizootic has been reported in domestic pigs and wild boars in several European Union Member States (EU MS) and epidemiological evidence has accumulated which indicates that wild boar play a key role in maintaining and spreading the [...] Read more.
Recently, the African swine fever (ASF) epizootic has been reported in domestic pigs and wild boars in several European Union Member States (EU MS) and epidemiological evidence has accumulated which indicates that wild boar play a key role in maintaining and spreading the disease. Thanks to the experience gained when managing ASF outbreaks in Sardinia (Italy) and Eastern Europe, Directive 2002/60 CE was issued. This directive represented an important step forward in controlling the disease, particularly the risk of spreading the virus to wild animals. Since 2021, according to Regulation (EU) 2016/429, which is also called “Animal Health Law—AHL”, when the MS competent authority suspects or confirms ASF (a cat. A listed disease) in wild animals, it is mandatory to conduct surveillance in the wild boar population and implement the necessary control measures. Within AHL, Regulations (EU) 2020/687 and 2023/594 established special ASF control measures in kept and wild porcine animals, and their products and by-products, focusing on and underlying old and new responsibilities that vets (both public and private ones) have to accomplish under the new regulations. The new change in the legal framework deals with specific measures to be applied in the wild and represents a great challenge for MS veterinary services. Some of these measures have been well established in the last two decades, particularly those related to application in the farming system, while other measures are still new to veterinary health management and require a holistic approach in terms of intensity, considering all geographical, ecological, productive, cultural and social features of the involved EU MS. In this contribution, the authors intend to focus on specific measures which have been issued in order to limit or stop the spread of ASF in a wild, “boundless” ecosystem. These measures expand the field of competence of the official veterinary service to wild areas in addition to farm activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogens in the Wildlife–Livestock–Human Interface)
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