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Advances in Small Ruminant Pathology: A Focus on Prevention and...
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Advances in Small Ruminant Pathology: A Focus on Prevention and Diagnosis

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 3945

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sergio Martín

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canaria, Spain
Interests: ruminants; surgery; internal medicine; livestock; camels; parasitology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ruben Rosales

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canaria, Spain
Interests: mycoplasmas

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the field of livestock production, the most significant health concerns revolve around viral and bacterial infections, as well as parasitic diseases. Hence, understanding the pathology of small ruminants holds utmost importance across various domains such as veterinary sciences and livestock management. This comprehension enables the development of appropriate disease management techniques, the formulation of vaccines, and the improvement of overall herd health and productivity.
By mitigating the effects of avoidable and manageable illnesses in livestock, the field of pathology actively fosters a healthier outlook for all animals, while concurrently enhancing the economic prospects for farmers.

We invite original research papers showcasing the latest advancements in understanding, preventing, and diagnosing diseases affecting small ruminants. Whether it is about discovering new causes of diseases, exploring innovative vaccination strategies, or uncovering how diseases interact with their hosts, we are eager to feature research that leads us toward more effective prevention measures.

Dr. Sergio Martín
Dr. Ruben Rosales
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

  • goat
  • sheep
  • small ruminants
  • livestock
  • diagnosis
  • prevention
  • metaphylaxis
  • prophylaxis
  • vaccines
  • protection

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3570 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Primary Pathogenic Bacteria in Abscess Disease of Musk Deer Using Metagenomic Approaches
by Jingyao Hu, Xian An, Pengcheng Yang, Rongzeng Tan, Taoyue Chen, Jiatong Chen, Yifan Tao, Xuxin Li, Runbin Sun, Shouyun Zhang, Shuqiang Liu and Liangliang Yang
Animals 2025, 15(8), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15081105 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 185
Abstract
Abscesses are among the diseases affecting the survival of captive musk deer and are difficult to identify in their early stages. In this study, metagenomic sequencing, 16S rRNA sequencing, and paraffin sectioning were used to analyze the microbiota in the abscess musk deer [...] Read more.
Abscesses are among the diseases affecting the survival of captive musk deer and are difficult to identify in their early stages. In this study, metagenomic sequencing, 16S rRNA sequencing, and paraffin sectioning were used to analyze the microbiota in the abscess musk deer pus group (AMP), abscess musk deer oral group (AMO), and healthy musk deer oral group (HMO) to compare the differences in microbiota in musk deer. By detecting differences in the oral microbiota through throat swabs, we aimed to monitor the early onset of abscess disease to facilitate timely intervention and treatment. The results showed that the alpha diversity of HMO microbiota was significantly higher than that of the AMP and AMO samples. Beta diversity results indicated that there were significant differences in the bacterial communities of HMO and AMO samples, and no significant difference was found between AMO and AMP samples. A taxonomic analysis of the bacterial species indicated that differences between HMO and AMP groups were found in the Fusobacterium and Trueperella species. Fusobacterium and Trueperella were the main pathogenic bacteria responsible for the occurrence of abscess diseases in forest musk deer in this study. Furthermore, the appearance of Fusobacterium and Trueperella in the oral cavity can serve as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of abscess disease in musk deer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Ruminant Pathology: A Focus on Prevention and Diagnosis)
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14 pages, 3387 KiB  
Article
Oxazolone-Induced Immune Response in Atopic Dermatitis Using a Goat Model and Exploration of the Therapeutic Potential of Pomegranate Peel Extract
by Ahmed Elfadadny, Haney Samir, Ahmed S. Mandour, Rokaia F. Ragab, Besheer G. Elshafey, Fawaz E. Alanazi, Helal F. Hetta, Ahmad A. Alharbi, Abdullah S. Albalawi, Suhailah S. Aljameel, Maha Abdullah Alwaili, Wedad M. Nageeb and Mahmoud H. Emam
Animals 2025, 15(3), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030411 - 2 Feb 2025
Viewed by 848
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) remains a challenging condition, necessitating effective models for investigation and therapeutic exploration. In this study, we employed a goat skin model to assess the immune response triggered by topical oxazolone (OX) application. The OX simulates a Th2-driven immune reaction typified [...] Read more.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) remains a challenging condition, necessitating effective models for investigation and therapeutic exploration. In this study, we employed a goat skin model to assess the immune response triggered by topical oxazolone (OX) application. The OX simulates a Th2-driven immune reaction typified by elevated Th2 cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) expression and the infiltration of mononuclear cells magnified by the presence of CD3+ and CD4+ T-cells in the epidermal and dermal layers. Additionally, the application of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) demonstrated a mitigating effect on OX-induced skin alterations, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits. This study underscores the value of goats as a reliable and accessible model for studying AD in humans and/or large animals. While the therapeutic potential of PPE dosage requires further exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Ruminant Pathology: A Focus on Prevention and Diagnosis)
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18 pages, 3466 KiB  
Article
Isolation of a Novel Caprine Eimeria christenseni Strain (GC) in Canary Islands and Analysis of Parasitological, Clinical, and Pathological Findings on Experimentally Infected Goat Kids
by Emilio Barba, José Manuel Molina, Francisco Rodríguez, Otilia Ferrer, María Carmen Muñoz, Liliana M. R. Silva, María Cristina Del Río, José Adrián Molina, Anja Taubert, Carlos Hermosilla and Antonio Ruiz
Animals 2025, 15(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020139 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 876
Abstract
Eimeria christenseni is considered among the most pathogenic Eimeria species in goats. The aim of this study was to isolate an E. christenseni strain and to assess its infectivity, pathogenicity, and ability to develop a protective immune response. After previous collection of E. [...] Read more.
Eimeria christenseni is considered among the most pathogenic Eimeria species in goats. The aim of this study was to isolate an E. christenseni strain and to assess its infectivity, pathogenicity, and ability to develop a protective immune response. After previous collection of E. christenseni-positive faeces, purification of oocysts, and amplification in donor animals, an experimental infection was carried out. A total of 19 kids were divided into three groups: primary-infected and challenged, challenge control, and uninfected control. Infections were performed orally with 2 × 105 sporulated oocysts per animal. Oocyst shedding, clinical signs, and production parameters, in addition to haematological and histopathological features, were monitored. The results showed that the Gran Canaria (GC) E. christenseni strain had similar morphological and biological characteristics to those previously described, but no significant clinical signs were observed despite the high oocyst counts here recorded. The novel strain isolated would therefore be of low pathogenicity but still able to develop significant immunoprotective responses upon challenge infections. Its biological similarities to highly pathogenic species such as Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae and Eimeria arloingi might enable comparative studies aimed at developing alternative strategies for drug treatments, including Eimeria species (strain)-specific vaccination strategies for the efficient control of goat coccidiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Ruminant Pathology: A Focus on Prevention and Diagnosis)
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18 pages, 3568 KiB  
Article
No Evidence of Neutrophil Response Modulation in Goats after Immunization against Paratuberculosis with a Heat-Inactivated Vaccine
by Miguel Criado, Marta Silva, Pedro Mendívil, Elena Molina, Valentín Pérez, Julio Benavides, Natalia Elguezabal and Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
Animals 2024, 14(11), 1694; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111694 - 5 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1482
Abstract
Neutrophils are believed to play a role in the initial stages of paratuberculosis, and it has recently been demonstrated that vaccination can modulate their function via priming or through epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming (training). Modulation of the neutrophil response against Mycobacterium avium subspecies [...] Read more.
Neutrophils are believed to play a role in the initial stages of paratuberculosis, and it has recently been demonstrated that vaccination can modulate their function via priming or through epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming (training). Modulation of the neutrophil response against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) through vaccination has been demonstrated in a rabbit model but not in ruminants. Therefore, in the present work, the effect of vaccination on the response of caprine neutrophils against Map was studied. Neutrophils were isolated from non-vaccinated (n = 7) and Gudair®-vaccinated goat kids (n = 7), before vaccination and 30 days post-vaccination. Then, several neutrophil functions were quantified ex vivo: cell-free and anchored neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release, phagocytosis, and the differential expression of several cytokines and TLR2. The induction of cell-free NETosis and TLR2 expression by Map is reported for the first time. However, vaccination showed no significant effect on any of the functions studied. This suggests that the protection conferred by Gudair® vaccination is based on mechanisms that are independent of the neutrophil function modulation. Further research into the impact of alternative vaccination strategies or the paratuberculosis infection stage on ruminant neutrophil function could provide valuable insights into its role in paratuberculosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Ruminant Pathology: A Focus on Prevention and Diagnosis)
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