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COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75 million deaths and restricting the movement of most of the world population during the past 6 months. COVID-19 became the leading health, economic, and humanitarian challenge of the twenty-first century. In addition to the considerable COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in humans, several cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animal hosts (dog, cat, tiger, lion, and mink) have been reported. Thus, the concern of pet owners is increasing. Moreover, the dynamics of the disease requires further explanation, mainly concerning the transmission of the virus from humans to animals and vice versa. Therefore, this study aimed to gather information about the reported cases of COVID-19 transmission in animals through a literary review of works published in scientific journals and perform genomic and phylogenetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal hosts. Although many instances of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, caution and further studies are necessary to avoid the occurrence of maltreatment in animals, and to achieve a better understanding of the dynamics of the disease in the environment, humans, and animals. Future research in the animal-human interface can help formulate and implement preventive measures to combat the further transmission of COVID-19.

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a neglected emerging and zoonotic disease reported worldwide. This study sought to determine the molecular and serological prevalence of Leptospira spp. and the associated risk factors in slaughtered cattle from the Bahr El Ghazal region of South Sudan. Materials and methods: Between January 16th and February 25th, 2023, blood and urine samples were collected from 402 cattle at the Lokoloko Municipal Slaughterhouse in Western Bahr El-Ghazal State. Serum samples were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), with a panel of 12 serovars (sv) from 12 serogroups (sg) and 4 species (spp) of Leptospira spp. These serovars had been previously identified in Sudan and the East African region. Simultaneously, 400 corresponding urine samples were screened using qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the shedding of Leptospira spp. in urine. To identify the associated risk factors, the age, sex, breed and body condition score of each sampled cattle was noted at the time of sampling and subsequently analysed using logistic regression models. Results: Among the 402 serum samples screened, a substantial 81.8% (329/402, 95% CI 77.9–85.3) displayed seropositivity for Leptospira spp. with a MAT titre ≥ 100. The prevalence of urine shedding determined by PCR was 6% (23/400, 95% CI 3.8–8.4), while probable recent leptospirosis with a MAT ≥ 1:800 was observed in 33.1% (133/402, 95% CI 28.6–37.8) of the cattle. Multiple reactions were detected in 34.8% (140/402, 95% CI 30.6–39.5) serum samples. The seropositivity was against L. borgpetersenii sg. Tarassovi (78.6%; 316/402, 95% CI 74.4–82.3), followed by L. borgpetersenii sg. Ballum at 20.4% (82/402, 95% CI, 16.7–24.4%), L. kirschneri sg. Autumnalis At 8.7% (35/402, 95% CI 5.7–11.7), L. interrogans sg. of Pomona at 7.0% (28/402, 95% CI 4.5–9.5), and L. interrogans sg. Hebdomadis was 5.0% (20/402, 95% CI 2.8–7.2). Several risk factors are associated with seropositivity. Older animals (≥ 2 years) had 2.0 times greater odds (95% CI 1.14–3.5) of being seropositive than younger animals (< 2 years), P-value = 0.016. Female animals demonstrated 2.1 times greater odds (95% CI 1.2–3.6) of seropositivity than males did (P-value = 0.008). Additionally, Felata/Mbororo cattle exhibited 2.4 times greater odds (95% CI 1.3–4.5) of being seropositive than did local Nilotic cattle (P-value = 0.005). The agreement between the MAT and PCR results was poor, as indicated by a kappa statistic value of 0.001 and a P-value of 0.913. But there was a moderate agreement between MAT high titres ≥ 800 and PCR positivity with a kappa statistic value = 0.501 and a P-value < 0.001. Conclusion: In addition to the high seroprevalence, Leptospira spp. were found in the urine of slaughtered cattle, suggesting that leptospirosis is endemic to the study area. This finding underscores the significance of cattle as potential sources of infection for slaughterhouse workers, the general public, and other animal species. To address this issue effectively in the Bahr El Ghazal Region and South Sudan, a comprehensive strategy involving a multidisciplinary approach is essential to minimize disease among animals, hence reducing potential zoonotic risks to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Contagious ecthyma (contagious pustular dermatitis, orf) occurs world-wide in sheep and goats and is caused by orf virus (genus Parapoxvirus, family Poxviridae). Contagious ecthyma outbreaks have been described in semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Sweden, Finland and Norway, occasionally with high mortality. Fourteen one-year-old reindeer were corralled in mid-April. One week after arrival, two animals received a commercial live orf virus vaccine for sheep (Scabivax®) on scarified skin of the medial thigh. Four weeks later, the two vaccinated and six additional animals were inoculated in scarified oral mucosa with parapoxvirus obtained from reindeer with clinical contagious ecthyma. The remaining six reindeer were kept as sentinels, sharing feed and water with the inoculated animals. A small whitish lesion appeared on the inoculation site and the labial skin-mucosa junction of three animals five days post inoculation (p.i.). Twelve days p.i., typical ecthyma lesions were visible on the inoculation site in six of eight animals, including both vaccinees. Four inoculated animals (including both vaccinees) and one sentinel seroconverted 12 days p.i., and five animals (including one sentinel) seroconverted 20 days p.i. No contagious ecthyma-like lesions were detected in the sentinels. All animals were euthanized at 26–29 days p.i. Histological examination of lesions showed proliferative dermatitis with epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, intra-epithelial pustules and ulcers. Orf virus DNA was detected in mandibular lymph nodes, tonsils and mucosal lesions of four animals, including one sentinel, which showed that virus transmission took place. The commercial orf virus vaccine may be difficult to administer due to the need for close-cropping and its zoonotic nature, and did not indicate significant protection, although the latter has to be verified with a larger number of animals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]