Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) infections lead to chronic diseases and remarkable economic losses undermining health and welfare of animals and the sustainability of farms. Early and definite diagnosis of SRLVs infections is the cornerstone for any control and eradication efforts; however, a “gold standard” test and/or diagnostic protocols with extensive applicability have yet to be developed. The main challenges preventing the development of a universally accepted diagnostic tool with sufficient sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy to be integrated in SRLVs control programs are the genetic variability of SRLVs associated with mutations, recombination, and cross-species transmission and the peculiarities of small ruminants’ humoral immune response regarding late seroconversion, as well as intermittent and epitope-specific antibody production. The objectives of this review paper were to summarize the available serological and molecular assays for the diagnosis of SRLVs, to highlight their diagnostic performance emphasizing on advantages and drawbacks of their application, and to discuss current and future perspectives, challenges, limitations and impacts regarding the development of reliable and efficient tools for the diagnosis of SRLVs infections.

This study focused on comparing broiler meat quality across different production systems and seasons. Chicken carcasses from intensive, free-range, and dual-purpose poultry systems were analyzed for intrinsic and extrinsic quality traits. The results revealed significant effects of the production system and season. Carcasses from dual-purpose and intensive systems were heavier. Greater carcass weight was recorded in autumn and winter. The mean post-mortem pH of breast and thigh was lower in extensive and dual-purpose systems and significantly lower in winter and spring. Colorimetric parameters varied by system, as higher means of redness (intensive), yellowness (free-range), and lightness (dual-purpose) were observed. Meat from intensive systems was less firm, showed higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids and better oxidation stability. Dual-purpose displayed higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The interaction effect was significant for most quality parameters.

This study assessed the impact of farming systems on aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) content and the prevalence of mastitis-causing bacteria in goat milk. A total of 233 milk samples were collected from two Skopelos goat farms—one intensive and one extensive farm—and analyzed for AFM1 content using a competitive ELISA. An additional 219 samples from goats suspected of subclinical mastitis were tested for bacterial prevalence with microbial culturing. The results showed that AFM1 concentration was significantly higher in the intensive farming system (7.76 ± 0.76 ng/kg) than in the extensive farming system (3.78 ± 0.79 ng/kg), though it remained below the legal limit of 50 ng/kg. The main effects of season and year were not significant, though higher levels of AFM1 were observed during winter. The interaction effects of season–farming system and year–season–farming system on AFM1 levels were significant. The prevalence of mastitis-causing bacteria varied by system, with Streptococcus spp. being more common in the extensive farming system, and Staphylococcus aureus was more frequently detected in milk samples from the intensive farming system. Binomial regression indicated that both the farming system and lactation stage significantly influenced Streptococcus spp. prevalence (p = 0.05; OR = 1.9 and 2.7, respectively). It is concluded that the farming system affects those quality parameters in goat milk.

This study investigated the effect of different farming systems and lactation stages on the physicochemical characteristics, somatic cell count (SCC), and total bacterial count (TBC) of milk from Skopelos goats. This study was conducted over two consecutive lactation periods on two commercial farms in Greece, an extensive system on Skopelos Island and an intensive system in the Attica region, involving 237 goats of shared genetic background, thereby minimizing genetic variability and strengthening the validity of the comparisons between the production systems. Higher milk yields were observed in the extensive system (0.98 vs. 0.85 kg/day), while milk from this system also had a higher protein (3.57% vs. 3.47%; p < 0.001) and casein content (2.72% vs. 2.57%; p < 0.001), which are traits favorable for cheese production. Fat content peaked during mid-lactation (4.83%; p < 0.05) and remained unaffected by the farming system. Lactose declined from early (4.74%) to late lactation (4.42%; p < 0.001). Both SCC and TBC were significantly elevated in the extensive system (p < 0.001), possibly due to hand milking, environmental exposure, and less-controlled hygiene conditions. These findings highlight a trade-off between the nutritional advantages of extensive systems and challenges related to milk hygiene. A balanced approach, optimizing both quality and sustainability, is recommended.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of egg quality between three different farming systems. Eggs collected from intensive (IS), extensive (ES), and dual-purpose systems (DPSs) at three stages of the production cycle (age) were analyzed for both external and internal traits. ISs represent high-input systems while ESs and DPSs represent low-input systems. Both the farming system and age had significant effects on quality characteristics. Eggs from the ES displayed a greater egg weight (64.3 ± 0.20 g) and shell weight (6.6 ± 0.03 g). Eggs from the IS farms displayed a higher Haugh unit score (83.2 ± 0.50), darker colored yolks (12.0 ± 0.06), and a lower incidence of blood spots (0.2 ± 0.05). The age and farming system influenced the fatty acid profile of eggs across farming systems. In particular, DPS eggs showed higher levels of unsaturated (62.2 ± 0.20%) and lower levels of saturated (37.8 ± 0.10%) fatty acids. The effect of age was also significant on the oxidation stability of yolks. The interaction effect (farming system × age) had significant effects on most traits. However, the farming system alone accounted for a greater portion of the variation in most egg quality parameters.

This study assessed the effects of farming system and season on foodborne pathogen levels of chicken meat. Chicken carcasses from intensive, free-range, and dual-purpose poultry systems were analyzed for Salmonella and Campylobacter levels (CFU/g). A total of 233 samples from commercial chilled carcasses were collected and analyzed. The samplings were done on a seasonal basis from each farm. The results showed that seasonality (S), farming system (FS) and their interaction (FS × S) affected (p < 0.05) the levels of Salmonella spp. Increases were observed in dual-purpose and extensive farms during Autumn and Winter, whereas Salmonella levels did not differ (p > 0.05) between the seasons for the intensive farming system. Campylobacter spp. levels were only affected by S (p < 0.001), with higher levels being recorded in Summer. Intensive, high-input farming practices can help control Salmonella positivity rate, while warmer weather conditions tend to predispose the flocks to Campylobacter colonization. These findings indicate that production methods, seasonal variations and their interaction are important factors influencing the microbiological safety of chicken meat.