Canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) can cause abortion and foetal and neonatal deaths in the bitch. The reactivation of latent infections with asymptomatic virus shedding represents a mechanism, whereby the virus can persist in a dog population. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of CHV-1 in a population of breeding dogs in Piedmont, Northern Italy, and to investigate the distribution of herpesvirus vaccination. The study was carried out in 370 animals that were housed in 33 breeding kennels. Antibodies against CHV-1 in serum samples were measured by means of serum neutralization. Vaccination had been performed in 21.2% of the kennels and 8.4% of the dogs. The overall seroprevalence of CHV-1 was 50.3%. In ten kennels (30.3%), no seropositive dogs were identified. The percentage of seropositive dogs ranged from 7.1% to 100% in positive kennels. More than 40% of the seropositive dogs showed high titres. Sex had no significant effect on either seroprevalence or the category of the serum titre. The number of positive animals was significantly lower in the groups of prepuberal bitches and animals younger than 1.5 years. The majority of younger animals showed very high titres, suggesting recent contact with the virus. Our data show that CHV-1 is a common infection in breeding dogs in Piedmont. Vaccination is rarely performed but might be an option, because, although many animals of breeding age already show high antibody titres, seronegative pregnant bitches will be at high risk of contracting the infection due to viral circulation in kennels where the virus is enzootic.

Background: Current guidelines recommend parvovirus revaccination of adult dogs no more frequently than every 3 years. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dogs showing protective serum antibody titres against canine parvovirus 2 in breeding kennels in Northern Italy and to assess the effect of time from vaccination and the sex of the dog on antibody titres. The study was carried out on 370 animals of different breeds kept in 33 breeding kennels. Antibodies to canine parvovirus 2 in serum samples were measured with an indirect immunoenzymatic assay validated by the manufacturer in relation to the ‘gold standard’ haemagglutination inhibition test. The number of months that had elapsed since the last vaccination was calculated for each animal and categorized into the following classes: < 12 months; 13–24 months; 25–36 months; 37–48 months; and > 49 months.Results: The prevalence of ‘unprotected’ dogs was 4.6%. A satisfactory solid herd immunity was present in the majority of breeding kennels, although some vaccination failures were detected. A significant negative correlation was found between antibody titre and months since last vaccination. Comparable antibody titres were found in the first 3 years after vaccination. Although the antibody titre over time was not affected by the sex of the dog, ‘unprotected’ females had been vaccinated more recently than males with analogous low titres.Conclusions: Parvovirus revaccination of adult dogs every 3 years, as currently recommended, is also the appropriate recommendation for breeding kennels. Serological tests could be a useful tool to assess the effectiveness of vaccination.

Background/Objectives: The spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health concern. Wild animals can play an important role in the amplification and dissemination of AMR and in conservation efforts aiming at controlling diseases in vulnerable wild animal populations. These animals can serve as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes and are key in the spread of AMR across ecosystems and hosts. Therefore, monitoring AMR in wild animals is crucial in tackling the spread of resistance in the environment and human population. This study investigated the phenotypic and genotypic resistance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from semi-wild oryx (Oryx leucoryx) in Qatar. Methods: One hundred fecal samples were collected from oryx in diverse natural reserves across Qatar. A selective agar medium was used to isolate E. coli, and the identity of the isolates was further confirmed using the VITEK^® 2 Compact system. The Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method was used to test antibiotic susceptibility. Genetic resistance determinants were identified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses and sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). Results: The results revealed that 18% (n = 18) of the samples harbored E. coli with resistance to a single antibiotic, 28% (n = 28) were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 2% (n = 2) were multidrug-resistant (MDR). No resistance was observed against colistin. tetA and tetB encode tetracycline resistance were the most frequently detected genes (57.7%). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to expand on AMR gene-PCR analyses and analyze the resistome of 12E. coli isolates. WGS identified several important antibiotic resistance determinates, including bla_CTX-M-encoding Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) resistance, soxR associated with tetracycline target alteration, and mdtE, emrB, AcrE, mdtF, and marA related to ciprofloxacin efflux pump resistance. Conclusions: This study provides essential information regarding AMR in Qatari semi-wild animals, which will guide conservation strategies and wildlife health management in a world experiencing increasing antibiotic-resistant infections. Furthermore, these findings can inform policies to mitigate AMR spread, improve ecosystems, and enhance public and environmental health while paving the way for future research on AMR dynamics in wildlife.