One hundred twenty-four water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) originating from 9 farms located in southern Italy were tested to investigate simultaneously, for the first time, the seroprevalence of the protozoa Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti by ELISA tests and to evaluate the clinical findings potentially associated to the presence of these aborting parasitic pathogens. Twenty-five of 124 buffaloes (20.2%) were positive for N. caninum, while 17/124 (13.7%) for T. gondii. No buffalo showed specific antibodies for B. besnoiti. Nineteen of 124 animals (15.3%) were found seropositive for both T. gondii and N. caninum. The univariate statistical analysis showed that the seroprevalence of N. caninum is significantly associated with abortion and presence of retained foetal membranes, while the seroprevalence of T. gondii is significantly associated with an increase of days open. The logistic regression models showed that the co-infection by N. caninum and T. gondii strengthened the abortive effects (OR = 7.330) and showed further negative effects on the parameter embryonic death (OR = 2.607). The outcome revealed herein represents a high exposure of N. caninum and T. gondii in water buffaloes with reproduction disorders that deserves attention for both economic reasons, animal health and welfare.

A complete ultrasound examination (cUS) of the liver was performed on 172 female sheep and compared to the performance of a fast-focused ultrasound technique to diagnose echinococcal cysts. The scanned area was divided in: HYP (right hypocondrium), zone (Z)1 from HYP to the 11th intercostal space (IS), Z2 (10th–8th IS) and Z3 (7th–5th IS). Contiguous scans were also examined (HYP + Z1, Z1 + Z2, Z2 + Z3). Furthermore, during the procedures, the sheep were divided into three groups according to the body weight: Group (G) 1 (lighter), G2 (medium), and G3 (heavier). Finally, diagnostic outcomes were compared with necropsy findings. cUS obtained the highest values of sensitivity (Se) (91%), Specificity (Sp) (80%), and positive-zones (124/138, 90%), as compared to the other scans. cUS was also characterized by high values of Se and Sp and was able to identify a great number of positive-zones, when sheep were divided by body-weight groups. Similar performances were obtained in G1 by HYP (Se: 91%–Sp: 82%; 18/20, 90% of positive-zones) and HYP + Z1 scans (Se: 91%–Sp: 82; 90% of positive-zones, 18/20). Thus, in lighter breeds, the examination of HYP and HYP + Z1 scan windows could be considered reliable techniques for identifying the infected animals, while in heavier sheep the cUS still represents the best option.

Goats are often affected by respiratory diseases and, despite ultrasonography can assess lung consolidations in several species, it is rarely used in these animals. So, this study evaluated the effectiveness of on-farm lung ultrasonography in detecting lung consolidations on 27 goats. The goats, scheduled for slaughter, underwent complete clinical examinations and lung ultrasonography. For the latter, both sides of the thorax were divided in four quadrants and examined using convex and linear probes before and after shaving the hair. Each quadrant was classified based on presence/absence of lung consolidation and maximum consolidation’s depth (4-point scale: 0 healthy; 1 depth < 1 cm; 2 depth < 3 cm; 3 depth > 3 cm). The lungs were examined at necropsy, 66% of goats exhibited lung consolidations and sensitivity (83%-89%), specificity (100%), and κ coefficient values (0.67–0.72) were high with all techniques. An higher (p ≤ 0.01) percentage of class 1 lesions were found at necropsy compared to all the ultrasonographic techniques. All the ultrasonographic techniques effectively detected lung consolidation deeper than 1 cm. So, ultrasonography seems an effective tool for lung examination in goats with chronic pneumonia. The examination using the linear or the convex probes without shaving the hair could be a promising tool for the on-field diagnosis of pneumonia, although further research on larger sample sizes are necessary to validate these findings.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) impacts beef cattle health and farming systems. To better understand the BRD predisposing factors, a study was conducted in northwest Italy on a population of 26 batches (760 animals) of beef cattle imported from France. Of these, 173 underwent physical examination for clinical signs of BRD (rectal temperature > 39.5 °C, respiratory rate > 36 bpm, cough, nasal or ocular discharge) and blood sampling to detect antibodies against bovine viral respiratory infectious agents (e.g., parainfluenza 3, bovine herpesvirus type 1), haptoglobin and reactive oxygen metabolites concentrations, on arrival. Data on BRD treatments performed within 60 days of arrival were extracted from farm registers. The two most frequent cattle breeds were Blonde d’Aquitaine (80/173, 46.2%) and Limousine (61/173, 35.3%); the median batch weight was 332 kg (range, 195–470). At least one clinical sign of BRD was noted in 57.2% (99/173) of the animals. Most animals tested positive for BPIV3 (131/173, 75.7%) and BRSV (112/172, 64.7%). Bovine respiratory disease treatment was associated with transport time and average weight on arrival. Moreover, reactive oxygen metabolites levels differed between treated and untreated animals; this difference could help predict the onset of BRD, though further studies are needed to draw conclusions.

Sepsis, a dysregulated host response to infection, severely affects calf health. To date, sepsis diagnosis relies on clinical examination and positive blood culture. Differently, in humans 16S rRNA gene analysis is a valuable adjunct to blood culture as it allows for broader assessment of bacterial DNA in whole blood and its fractions. However, its efficacy in cattle remains unknown. Therefore, this study characterized and compared the bacterial DNA detected in whole blood and its fractions between healthy calves and those showing clinical signs of sepsis. The study sample was 18 Piedmontese calves classified according to their clinical status as suspected septic (S, 8/18) or healthy (H, 10/18). Aseptic blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes for 16S rRNA gene analysis of whole blood (WB), plasma (PL), buffy coat (BC), and red blood cells (RBC). Aseptic samples were additionally taken only from the S calves for blood culture. Clinical and microbiological parameters were compared between the two groups and between the blood fractions within each group. The S calves were diagnosed with pneumonia (3/8, 37.5%), enteritis (3/8, 37.5%), and omphalitis (2/8, 25%). Microbiome analysis revealed significant intra-group differences in α and β diversity indices between PL and the other blood fractions for both groups. Comparison between the S and the H calves showed differences in β diversity indices for PL and WB. DNA of known pathogens (e.g., Escherichia coli) and species not commonly associated with sepsis (e.g., Cutibacterium acnes) were more abundant in the S calves. Moreover, in S calves, 16S rRNA gene sequencing detected E. coli DNA more often (8/8, 100%) than blood culture (2/8, 25%). While the DNA of several bacteria can be detected in calves showing clinical signs of sepsis, further studies are needed to clarify its origin, role, and distribution in blood fractions.

Bovine dermatophytosis is common in young cattle, especially in intensive veal-calf systems, yet large-scale longitudinal field data remain limited. Theref