The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Prevalence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive wild hedgehogs (Erinaceus amurensis) in China

Guo-Liang Chen, Yu-Lin Zhou, Xin Liu, Ming Shu, Can Yin — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is now recognised as an emerging pathogen, which can cause a series of intestinal diseases in humans and animals. However, limited information is available about the occurrence of E. bieneusi in hedgehogs. In this study, a total of 205 fecal samples of captive wild hedgehogs (Erinaceus amurensis) were collected from two wildlife conservation centers in Henan and Anhui provinces, China. Genomic DNA was extracted from the stool samples and screened by nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in captive wild hedgehogs was 44.4% (91/205). Five zoonotic genotypes were identified, including four known genotypes (IV, D, K and WildBoar3) and one new genotype designated (AHCW-1). Of these, genotype IV was the most prevalent in the present study (n = 63; 69.2%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all five genotypes clustered within the zoonotic Group 1, suggesting their zoonotic potential. To our knowledge, this study reports the novel genotype AHCW-1 and provides the first epidemiological data on E. bieneusi in captive wild hedgehogs from Henan and Anhui Provinces, China. The identification of these zoonotic genotypes in captive wild hedgehogs indicates that these animals may serve as a potential reservoir, highlighting the need for further investigation into zoonotic transmission to humans in the studied regions.

Value-chain factors influencing production volume and gross margin: Evidence from a Thai dairy processing firm

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The dairy industry is vital for food security and economic stability, particularly in developing markets such as Thailand. Understanding factors related to production volume and gross margin in dairy processing firms can help inform performance and profitability considerations. Based on Porter’s value chain framework and a perception-based survey approach, this study used document reviews, in-depth interviews with 14 key informants, and an employee perception survey (n = 21) covering 74 relevant factors. Results indicated significant differences across ten activity categories for both production volume (Χ2 = 53.59, df = 9, P < 0.001) and gross margin (Χ2 = 26.89, df = 9, P < 0.001). For production volume, research and development (3.96 ± 0.66), human resources management (3.93 ± 0.63), and external factors (3.82 ± 0.82) had the highest mean perceived importance scores. For gross margin, external factors recorded the highest mean score (3.96 ± 0.81). At the factor level, the Thai government-regulated raw milk price was classified as the most important factor associated with production volume, while fuel prices were the most important factor related to gross margin. Both factors had the highest proportion of “High” and “Very High” responses (90.5%). These findings highlight the importance of aligning internal activities with external conditions within an institutional and policy context. This study provides insights into how institutional and policy constraints shape the way firm-level activities and external conditions are perceived and prioritized, and how these perceptions relate to performance in dairy processing firms in Thailand.

Evaluation of diclazuril and amprolium against Eimeria spp. in Vietnamese broilers: Implications for intestinal integrity and claudin gene expression

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to assess the resistance status of Eimeria spp. in Vietnam to diclazuril and amprolium and to evaluate their effects on intestinal recovery following infection. One hundred 12-day-old chicks were randomly allotted to four groups: a non-infected negative control (NC), an infected untreated as positive control (PC), an infected group treated with diclazuril (DI), and an infected group treated with amprolium (AM). At day 14, chicks from all groups except NC were orally challenged with 2 × 10⁴ sporulated Eimeria oocysts (E. tenella, E. maxima, E. acervulina, and E. mitis). On day 7 post-infection, chickens were euthanized to assess gross and microscopic intestinal lesions and to analyze the expression of tight-junction genes. Anticoccidial resistance was determined using four indicators: anticoccidial index, percentage of optimum anticoccidial activity, reduction of lesion score, and reduction of oocyst production. The results showed that Eimeria isolate exhibited complete resistance to diclazuril across all four indices, while remaining fully sensitive to amprolium. Chicks in the AM group demonstrated markedly reduced oocyst shedding, lower gross and microscopic lesion scores, and enhanced expression of Claudin family genes, particularly Claudin-3, which plays a key role in reinforcing epithelial barrier integrity during recovery. These findings identify amprolium as an effective therapeutic option for controlling coccidiosis under the current field conditions in Vietnam and highlight the necessity of ongoing monitoring of anticoccidial drug resistance to inform sustainable poultry health management strategies.

Molecular detection of chlamydiales in captive zoo animals at Songkhla Zoo, southern Thailand

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Several species of Chlamydia are recognized as significant zoonotic pathogens that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic characteristics of Chlamydiales–related bacteria in captive animals at Songkhla Zoo, southern Thailand. A total of 92 cloacal and rectal swab samples were collected from mammals (n = 22), birds (n = 55), and reptiles (n = 15). Genomic DNA was screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the Chlamydiales 16S rRNA gene and the ompA gene specific for Chlamydia psittaci. Positive amplicons were subjected to Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. A single sample obtained from an asymptomatic giant Asian pond turtle (Heosemys grandis) tested positive for the Chlamydiales 16S rRNA gene, resulting in a detection rate of 1.09% (95% CI: 0.03–5.91%). Sequence analysis revealed 100% nucleotide identity to the previously reported Chlamydiales bacterium AY845420.1 and divergence from recognized pathogenic species. This study provides preliminary molecular evidence of Chlamydiales–related DNA in a captive giant Asian pond turtle in Thailand and supports the need for continued surveillance in zoological collections.

Impact of social media-driven feeding practices on the gut microbiome of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Surin, Thailand

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigated the effects of social media-driven live-streaming dietary supplementation on the gastrointestinal microbial community of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at the Elephant Kingdom, Surin Province, Thailand. A hierarchical two-tier observational design was used: Tier 1 compared a minimal-supplementation control group (Group H, n = 6) with a frequent heterogeneous-supplementation group (Group L, n = 18); Tier 2 compared, within Group L, low-frequency (Group A, ≤ 3 sessions per week, n = 7) and high-frequency (Group B, > 3 sessions per week, n = 11) live-streaming sub-groups. Faecal microbial profiles were obtained by 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4) sequencing on an Illumina NovaSeq platform. Alpha diversity was tested by pairwise Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann–Whitney U) tests; beta diversity by PERMANOVA on Bray–Curtis, weighted UniFrac and unweighted UniFrac distances; differential abundance by Metastats with Benjamini–Hochberg FDR correction and by LEfSe biomarker discovery. The community was dominated by Firmicutes (54.80%), Bacteroidota (26.30%), Verrucomicrobiota (5.28%), Actinobacteriota (3.63%), and Spirochaetota (3.47%). Alpha diversity did not differ between Groups H and L or between Groups A and B (all P > 0.05), and the dietary contrast in beta diversity was not statistically significant (Bray–Curtis PERMANOVA R² = 0.053, P = 0.092). Caldisericota was the only phylum to retain significance after FDR correction, being detected exclusively in Group H (Q = 0.022); LEfSe additionally identified Prevotellaceae as enriched in Group L (LDA = 4.17). These findings indicate that the captive Asian elephant gut microbiome is largely resilient at the community level to social media-driven dietary supplementation, while specific lineage-level signals — notably Caldisericota and Prevotellaceae — distinguish the dietary groups and warrant confirmation in larger longitudinal and functionally resolved studies.

Serial radiographic and ultrasonographic evaluation of discospondylitis in a cat: A case report of progressive vertebral lysis despite clinical improvement

Geunah Kim, Jungho Lee, Seulgi Bae, Sang-Kwon Lee, Kija Lee — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700

A 10-year-old castrated male Korean Shorthair cat was presented with a 5-day history of lethargy and nonambulatory paraparesis. Neurological examination revealed delayed postural reactions in both pelvic limbs. Initial radiography of the lumbar spine revealed narrowing of the L7–S1 intervertebral disc space with ventral bony proliferation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed collapse of the L7–S1 intervertebral disc space with heterogeneous T2-weighted hyperintensity and ventral contrast enhancement of the affected disc, as well as contrast enhancement of the adjacent paraspinal musculature. These findings suggested the presence of discospondylitis. Coccoid bacteria detected in both urine and splenic fine-needle aspirate indicated hematogenous spread. The cat was treated with broadspectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids. It showed neurological improvement within 1 month and complete resolution by 6 months. However, serial radiographs revealed progressive L7 vertebral endplate lysis and vertebral body shortening despite clinical improvement. In contrast, serial ultrasonography more clearly delineated the resolution of paravertebral soft tissue changes and the disappearance of perilesional fat edema, which correlated with clinical remission. Serial radiographic follow-up of feline discospondylitis is rarely reported. This case documents progressive vertebral lysis in a cat despite clinical recovery, demonstrating that radiographic severity may not correlate with clinical status in cats with discospondylitis and underscoring the complementary role of ultrasonography in monitoring paraspinal

Advances in gene editing strategies for viral disease resistance in pigs: Knock-out, knock-in, and overexpression approaches

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Highly contagious viral pathogens—such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, classical swine fever, and African swine fever—continue to pose serious threats to the swine industry and cause major global economic losses. Conventional disease control approaches, such as vaccination and biosecurity, are limited by viral heterogeneity and immune escape mechanisms. Gene editing technologies, most notably the CRISPR/Cas9 system, offer an innovative means of introducing innate viral disease resistance or resilience in pigs. The continuous improvement of these tools can provide a sustainable strategy to enhance animal welfare and global food security and reduce reliance on traditional control measures. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the development of genetically engineered pigs with enhanced resistance to major viral diseases, focusing on targeted gene modifications using knockout, knock-in, and overexpression approaches.