Background/Objectives: This report documents the first confirmed case in Romania of fatal pneumonia and septicemia in a domestic rabbit caused by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, highlighting both its pathogenic potential and One Health implications. Case Study: An 8-month-old male German Giant Spotted rabbit raised on a rural farm under poor husbandry conditions developed acute respiratory distress and died within 48 h. Post-mortem examination revealed severe pulmonary congestion, tracheal inflammation, serofibrinous pericarditis, and systemic vascular lesions. Bacteriological analysis confirmed E. coli from lung, trachea, and bone marrow samples. The isolate demonstrated strong Congo red binding, was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and showed resistance to beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, macrolides, and phenicols, remaining susceptible only to aminoglycosides. PCR screening identified virulence genes (fimH, papC, iutA, ompA) linked to adhesion, immune evasion, and iron acquisition, with potential for horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions: This first documented case in Romania emphasizes the clinical threat posed by multidrug-resistant E. coli in rabbits and the importance of early diagnosis, improved biosecurity, and responsible antimicrobial use. The zoonotic and environmental risks in backyard farming underscore the urgent need for integrated surveillance. Alternative control strategies, including phage therapy and probiotics, should be explored to reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the seroprevalence and clinical impact of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses from three ecologically high-risk counties in western Romania (Timiș, Arad, and Bihor) between 2023 and 2025. A total of 306 unvaccinated horses were tested using a commercial ELISA, with 8.17% testing positive for WNV antibodies, indicating prior exposure. Passive surveillance for clinical signs during mosquito seasons identified 16 horses with acute neurological symptoms, four of which were confirmed as clinical cases based on WNV-specific IgM positivity, suggesting probable silent WNV circulation in the region. The overall case fatality rate among confirmed clinical cases was 25.0%. WNV seropositivity was highest in Bihor (8.85%), followed by Arad (8.57%) and Timiș (7.32%). Statistical comparisons using χ² tests and binary logistic regression indicated no significant differences in seroprevalence between counties, sexes, or age groups, consistent with the overlapping 95% confidence intervals. These findings suggest the continued silent circulation of WNV in the region and support the integration of equine surveillance into the One Health framework as a potential tool for early detection and risk mitigation. However, in the absence of molecular confirmation (e.g., RT-PCR or virus isolation), these results should be interpreted as indicative of prior exposure rather than direct evidence of ongoing viral activity.

Bovine uterine infections remain a widespread challenge in dairy production systems, contributing to reduced fertility and overall herd performance. Background/Objectives: Postpartum uterine infections significantly affect dairy cattle fertility and productivity. This study aimed to identify aerobic bacterial pathogens associated with clinical endometritis in Romanian dairy cows and evaluate their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Methods: Uterine swab samples (n = 348) were collected from clinically affected cows across multiple farms. Bacteria were isolated and identified using conventional culture methods and MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK^® 2 system with GN 96 and GP 79 cards. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square (χ²) test. Results: A total of 387 bacterial isolates were recovered, with over half of the samples showing mixed bacterial contamination. Escherichia coli was the most frequently identified pathogen (44.9%), followed by Staphylococcus spp. (17.3%) and Klebsiella spp. (14.5%). Gram-negative isolates showed high resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin, while retaining susceptibility to imipenem and polymyxin B. Among Gram-positive isolates, Streptococcus spp. were highly susceptible to β-lactams, while Staphylococcus spp. showed moderate resistance to penicillin and macrolides. Conclusions: This study highlights the prevalence of key aerobic pathogens and their resistance profiles in Romanian dairy herds. These findings support the need for targeted diagnostics and rational antimicrobial use to improve uterine health and therapeutic outcomes in dairy cattle.

Donkey milk is increasingly recognized as a functional food due to its unique nutritional profile and richness in bioactive compounds. This longitudinal observational study investigated changes in both chemical composition (total solids, protein, fat, lactose, and ash) and immune-active proteins (lactoferrin, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, and lysozyme) across lactation. A total of 153 donkey milk samples were collected from five farms from very early (1–3 days in milk) to late lactation (30–210 days in milk). Chemical composition was determined using mid-infrared spectroscopy, while the concentrations of the immune-active proteins were determined by ELISA Quantitative Sandwich. Chemical analysis showed high values in colostrum, including total solids (10.13%), protein (3.1%), and ash (0.73%), which declined progressively during lactation to 8.45%, 1.14%, and 0.64%, respectively. Fat varied modestly, between 0.55 and 0.25%, while lactose remained stable at 5.75–6.41%. In parallel, bioactive proteins measured between 31 and 210 days exhibited distinct trajectories. Lactoferrin increased from 0.07 to 0.14 mg/mL, α-lactalbumin peaked mid-lactation at 2.58 mg/mL (compared with 1.91 mg/mL early and 2.25 mg/mL late), β-lactoglobulin declined from 0.84 to 0.55 mg/mL, and lysozyme decreased from 0.95 mg/mL early to 0.64 mg/mL late. Across lactation, we observed dilution of total solids and protein, relatively stable lactose and fat, and distinct trajectories of lactoferrin, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, and lysozyme, indicating that donkey milk modulates rather than loses its protective protein profile. These results refine reference values for donkey milk and support its nutraceutical relevance for human nutrition and health.

The annual rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern. This Romanian questionnaire-based survey aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of routine antimicrobial use by veterinary practitioners in food-producing animals and to gauge their concerns about AMR. To gather data, an online questionnaire with 28 questions was developed and distributed nationwide to veterinarians via the Google Drive network and Google Forms. Despite this increased awareness, deviations in antimicrobial administration persist, often due to insufficient knowledge about AMR and the mechanisms of antimicrobial action. This study underscores the urgent need for prudent antimicrobial use in livestock production in Romania.

Background/Objectives: Canine otitis externa (OE) is frequently complicated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infections, which are often associated with treatment failure due to intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolates from dogs with OE in Timiș County, Romania, with a focus on aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones, to provide region-specific, clinically relevant data and address potential public health implications. Methods: Exudate samples were collected from 435 dogs diagnosed with OE across multiple veterinary clinics between 2022 and 2025. P. aeruginosa isolates were identified using standard culture methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the VITEK^® 2 Compact system according to CLSI VET01, Fifth Edition (2018) guidelines. Tested antibiotics included amikacin, gentamicin, enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and pradofloxacin. Resistance profiles were analyzed at both the individual antibiotic and class levels. Results:P. aeruginosa was isolated in 14.0% (61/435) of dogs. All isolates were susceptible to amikacin and gentamicin, whereas resistance to enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin was 27.9%, and pradofloxacin resistance reached 63.9%. A total of 24.6% of isolates were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. The most frequent multidrug-resistant combination among fluoroquinolones was ENR (R) + MAR (R) + PRA (R), observed in 23.0% of isolates. Conclusions: This study provides recent, region-specific data on P. aeruginosa prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility in canine OE, offering clinically relevant insights into aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolone resistance. The findings highlight the potential public health significance of resistant P. aeruginosa strains at the human–animal interface and underscore the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice.