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Veterinary Sciences
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Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis,...
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Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Innovative Control Strategies in Zoonoses

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 3408

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qinfang Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: animal virology
Dr. Yingjie Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014, China
Interests: animal infectious disease; veterinary microbiology; poultry genetics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the era of One Health, veterinary microbial infectious diseases are increasingly being recognized as critical drivers of zoonotic outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance and as threats to animal production and public health. This Special Issue, “Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Innovative Control Strategies in Zoonoses”, will highlight cutting-edge research on microbial pathogens affecting livestock, companion animals, and wildlife and their potential spillover to humans. We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies addressing pathogenesis, molecular epidemiology, and host–pathogen interactions in veterinary pathogens. We particularly encourage studies on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, novel diagnostics, vaccines, and innovative disease control strategies, such as precision livestock management, microbiome modulation, and genomic surveillance. By integrating veterinary science into One Health approaches, this Special Issue will advance our understanding of emerging microbial threats, promote evidence-based interventions, and support sustainable animal health and food security on a global scale.

Prof. Dr. Qinfang Liu
Dr. Yingjie Wang
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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

  • veterinary infectious diseases
  • One Health
  • zoonotic pathogens
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • pathogenesis
  • molecular epidemiology
  • novel diagnostics
  • vaccines and therapeutics
  • microbiome modulation
  • precision livestock management

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1145 KB  
Article
Enhancing Vaccine Immunogenicity of H9N2 Influenza HA by Locking Its Pre-Fusion Conformation via Cleavage Site Engineering
by Xiaoyu Xu, Weihuan Shao, Kehui Zhang, Meimei Wang, Mingqing Wu, Yixiang Wang, Guanlong Xu, Zhaofei Wang, Yuqiang Cheng, Heng’an Wang, Yaxian Yan, Jingjiao Ma and Jianhe Sun
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020147 - 3 Feb 2026
Viewed by 561
Abstract
Avian influenza (AI) significantly threatens poultry health and causes major economic losses in the poultry industry. Vaccination remains crucial for AI prevention and control. The major protective epitopes of influenza viruses are located on hemagglutinin (HA), a surface glycoprotein essential for viral infection. [...] Read more.
Avian influenza (AI) significantly threatens poultry health and causes major economic losses in the poultry industry. Vaccination remains crucial for AI prevention and control. The major protective epitopes of influenza viruses are located on hemagglutinin (HA), a surface glycoprotein essential for viral infection. Most influenza vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies against HA to block viral entry. HA maturation requires the HA0 precursor to be proteolytically cleaved at a conserved site by host proteases to yield HA1 and HA2 subunits. A subsequent acidic condition triggers HA conformational changes, enabling viral–host membrane fusion. However, whether HA conformational variations affect immunogenicity remains unclear. In this study, the cleavage site of the HA gene from an H9N2 avian influenza virus was modified to block the proteolytic cleavage of the HA protein. Our results revealed distinct proteolytic patterns of certain mutants, which exhibited either increased or decreased cleavage efficiencies compared to the wild-type (WT) HA. However, none of the mutants exhibited completely abolished HA0 cleavage. To assess the immunogenicity of these variants, BALB/c mice were immunized with DNA vaccines expressing either WT or mutant HA proteins. Strikingly, the mutant HA protein with a 19-amino-acid deletion Dlt5 (P6~P1, P1’~P′13) at the cleavage site exhibited reduced cleavage efficiency and induced significantly higher HI antibody titers compared to the WT. These results offer valuable perspectives for enhancing avian influenza vaccine efficacy through strategic modification of HA cleavage properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Innovative Control Strategies in Zoonoses)
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23 pages, 962 KB  
Article
Virulence Gene Profiles of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Turkeys in Hungary: A Whole-Genome Sequencing Study
by Ádám Kerek, Ábel Szabó, Gergely Tornyos, Eszter Kaszab, Krisztina Bali and Ákos Jerzsele
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(12), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12121141 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 773
Abstract
Background: Escherichia coli strains associated with poultry are increasingly recognized as reservoirs of both virulence and resistance genes, posing significant zoonotic risks throughout the food production chain. However, the genotypic architecture and pathogenic potential of isolates from large-scale turkey farms remain under [...] Read more.
Background: Escherichia coli strains associated with poultry are increasingly recognized as reservoirs of both virulence and resistance genes, posing significant zoonotic risks throughout the food production chain. However, the genotypic architecture and pathogenic potential of isolates from large-scale turkey farms remain under characterized, particularly in the context of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production. Methods: A total of 160 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were collected from healthy turkeys on intensive Hungarian farms. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to characterize virulence factors. Functional annotation included screening for fimbrial adhesins, iron acquisition systems, secretion pathways, and autotransporter toxins, using VirulenceFinder and Prodigal-based genome annotations. Data analysis included assembly quality control with QUAST and BUSCO, and comprehensive virulome profiling. Results: The isolates exhibited a functionally diverse virulence profile encompassing classical ExPEC-associated colonization factors (type I, P, S fimbriae; curli; ECP), multiple iron acquisition systems (enterobactin, salmochelin, aerobactin, yersiniabactin, and heme uptake), and key secretion systems (LEE-associated T3SS and T2SS). Genetic hallmarks of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), uropathogenic pathogenic E. coli (UPEC), and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) pathotypes co-occurred in 44% of the isolates, indicating a mosaic virulence landscape. Notably, serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) toxins (Vat, Pic) and ColV-type plasmid-associated modules were frequently detected. All isolates were confirmed by ESBL producers, highlighting their antimicrobial resistance potential. Conclusions: This study reveals that E. coli strains isolated from turkeys possess a complex, host-adapted virulence repertoire capable of supporting both enteric and extraintestinal infections. The co-occurence of APEC-, UPEC-, and EPEC-like traits—combined with ESBL production—underscores their One Health relevance. These findings support the need for host-specific surveillance, functional validation, and integrative control strategies in poultry systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Innovative Control Strategies in Zoonoses)
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Review

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28 pages, 3309 KB  
Review
Prevalence, Virulence, and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Mastitis-Associated Klebsiella pneumoniae in Herds and Phage-Based Control Strategies
by Wenhui Li, Jianwei Wang, Yangsen Wang, Pu Yan, Zhihua Ren and Tong Fu
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040352 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 321
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an opportunistic and environmental mastitis pathogen prevalent in dairy herds worldwide. Owing to their genetic and genomic diversity, K. pneumoniae strains associated with bovine mastitis exhibit significant variation in virulence. Certain types of mastitis-causing K. pneumoniae [...] Read more.
Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an opportunistic and environmental mastitis pathogen prevalent in dairy herds worldwide. Owing to their genetic and genomic diversity, K. pneumoniae strains associated with bovine mastitis exhibit significant variation in virulence. Certain types of mastitis-causing K. pneumoniae strains exhibit enhanced pathogenicity and mammary adaptability, posing a serious threat to global public health. Bovine mastitis-causing K. pneumoniae strains can cause ultrastructural damage to bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs), leading to inflammatory injury, oxidative damage, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and immune evasion in bMECs. In this review, we summarize the prevalence, virulence genes, and pathogenic mechanisms of K. pneumoniae strains related to bovine mastitis. Given the increasing multidrug resistance of K. pneumoniae, we also outline the methods and mechanisms of phage therapy for K. pneumoniae infections, as well as future directions for treatment and prevention. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the population structure of mastitis-associated K. pneumoniae and provide valuable insights for future research on pathogenic mechanisms, vaccine development, and control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Innovative Control Strategies in Zoonoses)
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15 pages, 1270 KB  
Review
Capillaria hepatica—A Neglected Zoonotic Parasite
by Juntao Liu, Ruoyan Liu, Jingfei Huang, Qing Liu, Jiarun Cui and Huimei Yu
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010100 - 20 Jan 2026
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Abstract
As an important zoonotic parasite, Capillaria hepatica poses a threat to human health that cannot be ignored due to its association with high mortality and serious damage to the liver, although there are relatively few human infections. The infection rate of Capillaria hepatica [...] Read more.
As an important zoonotic parasite, Capillaria hepatica poses a threat to human health that cannot be ignored due to its association with high mortality and serious damage to the liver, although there are relatively few human infections. The infection rate of Capillaria hepatica in rodents is very high, which poses a great threat to the health of rodents, and Rattus norvegicus has been found to be the main group carrying Capillaria hepatica. Capillaria hepatica’s unique biological characteristics, including its morphological features and complex life history, determine the specificity of its infection and pathogenicity. In terms of epidemiology, Capillaria hepatica has a worldwide distribution, a wide variety of hosts (mainly rodents), and various transmission routes, all of which increase the difficulty of its prevention and control. Children are more likely to be infected by it, and there is little gender difference among the infected population. Although there are a variety of diagnostic methods for hepatic capillariasis, all of them have certain limitations. In addition, due to its non-specific clinical manifestations, early accurate diagnosis of hepatic capillariasis is still a challenge. This article reviews the biological characteristics and pathogenic mechanism of Capillaria hepatica, the epidemiology of human infection, the epidemiology of animal infection, and the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic capillariasis, so as to provide a useful reference for related research and clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Innovative Control Strategies in Zoonoses)
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Other

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10 pages, 653 KB  
Case Report
Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Causing Respiratory and Systemic Infection in a Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) in Romania: A Case Report
by Alexandru Gligor, Vlad Iorgoni, Paula Nistor, Sebastian Alexandru Popa, Ionela Popa, Ionica Iancu, Ileana Nichita, Kalman Imre, Emil Tîrziu and Viorel Herman
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040370 (registering DOI) - 11 Apr 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli has increasingly been recognized as a pathogen capable of causing severe systemic infections in various animal species. However, reports describing respiratory and septicemic infections caused by MDR E. coli in guinea pigs remain scarce. The objective of this [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli has increasingly been recognized as a pathogen capable of causing severe systemic infections in various animal species. However, reports describing respiratory and septicemic infections caused by MDR E. coli in guinea pigs remain scarce. The objective of this report was to describe the clinical, pathological, and microbiological findings associated with a fatal infection in a domestic guinea pig. Case Study: A 10-month-old female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), kept as a companion animal in a household environment, presented with acute respiratory distress, lethargy, and anorexia, progressing rapidly to death within approximately 36 h of onset. Post-mortem examination revealed severe pulmonary congestion, diffuse inflammatory lesions in the trachea, and generalized vascular congestion in multiple organs. Bacteriological cultures obtained from lung and bone marrow samples yielded pure growth of Escherichia coli. Identification was confirmed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated resistance to several antibiotic classes, including β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and phenicols, while susceptibility was retained only to aminoglycosides. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of virulence genes involved in adhesion and iron acquisition, supporting the pathogenic potential of the isolate. Conclusions: This report highlights the ability of MDR E. coli to cause severe respiratory and systemic infections in guinea pigs. The findings underline the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate antimicrobial stewardship, and improved husbandry conditions in preventing such infections. From a One Health perspective, the circulation of resistant strains in companion animals may represent a potential risk for both environmental and human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbial Infectious Diseases in the One Health Era: Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Innovative Control Strategies in Zoonoses)
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