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Micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of maturation, proliferation, differentiation, and activation of immune cells. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-29a antagonizes IFN-γ production at early times post-LSDV infection in cattle. miR-29a was predicted to target upstream IFN-γ regulators, and its inhibition resulted in enhanced IFN-γ production in sensitized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Further, stimulation of PBMCs with LSDV antigen exhibited lower levels of miR-29a, concomitant with a potent cell-mediated immune response (CMI), characterized by an increase in LSDV-specific CD8+ T cell counts and enhanced levels of IFN-γ, which eventually facilitated virus clearance. In addition, a few immunocompromised cattle (developed secondary LSDV infection at ~ 6 months) that failed to mount a potent cell-mediated immune response, were shown to maintain higher miR-29a levels. Furthermore, as compared to the sensitized crossbred cattle, PBMCs from sensitized Rathi (a native Indian breed) animals exhibited lower levels of miR-29a along with an increase in CD8+ T cell counts and enhanced levels of IFN-γ. Finally, we analysed that a ≥ 60% decrease in miR-29a expression levels in the PBMCs of sensitized cattle correlated with a potent CMI response. In conclusion, miR-29a expression is involved in antagonizing the IFN-γ response in LSDV-infected cattle and may serve as a novel biomarker for the acute phase of LSDV infection, as well as predicting the functionality of T cells in sensitized cattle. In addition, Rathi cattle mount a more potent CMI response against LSDV than crossbred cattle.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) was reported for the first time in India in 2019 and since then, it has become endemic. Since a homologous (LSD-virus based) vaccine was not available in the country, goatpox virus (GPV)-based heterologous vaccine was authorized for mass immunization to induce protection against LSD in cattle. This study describes the evaluation of safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a new live-attenuated LSD vaccine developed by using an Indian field strain, isolated in 2019 from cattle. The virus was attenuated by continuous passage ( P  = 50) in Vero cells. The vaccine (50 th LSDV passage in Vero cells, named as Lumpi-ProVac Ind ) did not induce any local or systemic reaction upon its experimental inoculation in calves ( n  = 10). At day 30 post-vaccination (pv), the vaccinated animals were shown to develop antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses and exhibited complete protection upon virulent LSDV challenge. A minimum Neethling response (0.018% animals; 5 out of 26,940 animals) of the vaccine was observed in the field trials conducted in 26,940 animals. There was no significant reduction in the milk yield in lactating animals ( n  = 10108), besides there was no abortion or any other reproductive disorder in the pregnant animals ( n  = 2889). Sero-conversion was observed in 85.18% animals in the field by day 30 pv.

To provide more complete data on SARS-CoV-2 infections in dogs and cats in the U.S., we conducted a serosurvey on convenience serum samples from dogs ( n =1336) and cats ( n =956) collected from 48 states of the USA in 2020. An ELISA targeting the antibody against nucleocapsid identified eleven positive and two doubtful samples in cats, and five positive and five doubtful samples in dogs. A surrogate neutralization assay detecting antibodies blocking the attachment of the spike protein to ACE2 was positive with three of the ELISA positive and doubtful samples, and one of 463 randomly selected ELISA negative samples. These four positive samples were confirmed by SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization testing. All were from cats, in New York, Florida, and New Jersey ( n =2). The serosurvey results, one of the largest yet completed on dogs and cats globally, support the OIE and CDC positions that currently there is no evidence that pets play a role in the spread of SARS CoV-2 in humans.

Purpose: Dysphagia is reported following lung transplantation. Characteristics and trajectory for dysphagia are poorly understood. This retrospective study explored dysphagia and medicine regimes in patients following lung transplant., Method: Medical records and endoscopic recordings of 101 patients (M:50yrs, range 20-67yrs, SD 13yrs) were reviewed. Standardised endoscopic swallowing measures were reported. Discharge reports were analysed for medicines known to cause dysphagia., Result: All patients received bilateral sequential single-lung transplant. Prevalence of referral to speech pathology was 65% with 37 requiring more than one instrumental assessment. Twenty-nine patients were referred to otorhinolaryngology with suspected laryngeal abnormalities. Seventy-five percent of patients ( n  = 49/65) who received an instrumental assessment aspirated; of whom 63% aspirated silently (31/49). Diet on first day transferred from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was significantly associated with intubation duration, ICU and hospital length of stay, tracheostomy and vocal fold paralysis ( p  < 0.001). In contrast, pre-operative reflux was significantly associated with diet on discharge ( p  < 0.05). Only three patients remained enterally fed on discharge. Polypharmacy (concurrent use of 5+ medicines) was prevalent., Conclusion: Endoscopic, radiographic and/or manometric assessment of dysphagia in patients prior to, and following, lung transplant may allow for early management and prevention of secondary complications. Teams must consider pre-surgical reflux, length of stay in ICU and current medicine regimes when managing patients.

Background: In 2017 hundreds of thousands of 'Rohingya' fled to camps for Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh., Objective: To describe the FDMNs presenting for care at public health facilities in Bangladesh so as to understand the health problems faced by the FDMNs and the burden on these public health facilities., Methods: This study combined a retrospective review of existing hospital and clinic data with prospective surveillance in government health care centres., Findings: The retrospective data showed a 26% increase in the number of consultations at the Kutupalong community clinic, the primary health facility closest to the camps, from 19,567 in 2015 to 26,309 in 2019. There was a corresponding 11% increase in admissions to health facilities in the area, from 80,991 in 2017 to 91,424 in 2019. Prospective surveillance of 9,421 FDMNs seeking health care from July 2018 to December 2019 showed that 29% had an infectious disease, 20% nutritional problems, 12% pregnancy-related conditions and 7% trauma or injury., Conclusions: Great uncertainty remains regarding the return of FDMN to their home country of Myanmar. The current on-going protests following the military coup adds further insecurity to the status of the Rohingya. The presence of a large migrant population relative to a smaller host community burdens the limited facilities and resources of the public health sector. Continued support by the international public health community and civil society organizations is needed.

Understanding SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in companion animals is critical for evaluating their role in viral transmission and their potential as sentinels for human infections. This large-scale serosurvey analyzed serum samples from 706 cats and 2,396 dogs collected across the USA in 2023 using a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Overall, 5.7% of cats and 4.7% of dogs tested positive for antibodies, with younger animals (under 12 months) showing significantly lower seropositivity rates ( p  = 0.0048). Additionally, we analyzed 153 positive samples for variant-specific antibody responses using six sVNT kits targeting the Delta variant and five Omicron sublineages. Among cats, 67.5% showed antibodies to Delta, with positivity rates for Omicron sublineages as follows: BA.1 (62.5%), BA.2 (42.5%), BA.4/BA.5 (77.5%), XBB (52.5%), and XBB.1.5 (45.0%). In dogs, 55.8% were positive for Delta, and Omicron sublineage rates were BA.1 (46.0%), BA.4/BA.5 (37.2%), XBB (58.4%), BA.2 (13.3%), and XBB.1.5 (9.7%). Given the close contact between companion animals and humans, and the persistence of antibodies against various SARS-CoV-2 variants and sublineages, our findings suggest that seroprevalence in cats and dogs may serve as valuable tool for tracking COVID-19 epidemiology.