E-ISSN: 3023-7378 Indexing: ERIH+

Volume 2 (2017) Archives

Explore all published peer-reviewed issues and multidisciplinary research from Volume 2.

Sylvatic Reservoirs and Urban Spillover Dynamics of Leptospirosis: A Molecular Epidemiological Analysis
Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Australia

Abstract: Leptospirosis is an emerging global zoonosis maintained primarily by renal carriage in synanthropic and sylvatic mammalian reservoirs, leading to severe public health challenges in rapidly expanding urban centers. This study investigates the molecular epidemiology and strain diversity of pathogenic *Leptospira* species circulating among commensal rodent populations and domestic canines within informal urban settlements, assessing the pathways of environmental contamination and human exposure. Kidney tissue and urine samples collected across diverse socio-environmental zones were analyzed using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and real-time PCR assays. Our empirical findings indicate an alarming overall carriage rate of 34.2% among Rattus norvegicus populations, with predominant sequence types showing high genetic homology to clinical isolates recovered from human leptospirosis patients in the same neighborhoods. Environmental persistence models demonstrated that prolonged soil saturation and elevated ambient temperatures following seasonal monsoons significantly amplify spirochete survival in surface water pools. Furthermore, spatial regression analyses revealed strong correlations between open drainage infrastructure deficiencies, high rodent density indices, and local infection incidence. We emphasize that conventional rodent control interventions remain insufficient without concurrent investments in community sanitation, wastewater management, and localized veterinary vaccination programs. Establishing integrated epidemiological surveillance uniting rodent ecology, veterinary medicine, and human clinical diagnostics is critical to mitigating severe leptospirosis outbreaks in vulnerable urban populations worldwide.

Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Food Webs and Associated Dietary Risk Assessments for Coastal Communities
Department of Environmental Chemistry, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Japan; Institute of Marine Sciences, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract: Rapid industrialization and coastal urbanization have driven severe heavy metal contamination in marine and estuarine ecosystems, raising profound concerns regarding toxicant biomagnification through aquatic food webs and subsequent human dietary health risks. This investigation evaluates the tissue concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic across sediment matrices, primary benthic invertebrates, and commercially harvested fish species collected from multi-industrialized coastal embayments. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses revealed that apex predatory fish and bottom-feeding crustaceans exhibited heavy metal burdens substantially exceeding international safety guidelines established by the FAO and WHO. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotients (THQ) calculated for local subsistence fishing communities demonstrated elevated non-carcinogenic health risks, particularly from cumulative mercury and cadmium exposure. Histopathological assessments of fish gill and liver tissues further corroborated chronic toxic stress, exhibiting cellular degeneration and necrosis. The findings underscore the interconnectedness of industrial effluent management, marine ecosystem health, and human nutritional safety. We advocate for stricter enforcement of marine discharge regulations, continuous biological monitoring of commercial fisheries, and dietary advisory programs to protect coastal populations from chronic heavy metal toxicity.

Climate-Mediated Shifts in Tick Phenology and the Spatiotemporal Expansion of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Risk
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey; Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne viral zoonosis distributed widely across Eurasia and Africa, with its epidemiological trajectory highly sensitive to climatic variability and land-use modifications. This research models the spatiotemporal expansion of *Hyalomma* vector habitats and evaluates how changing temperature profiles and humidity anomalies alter tick questing phenology and viral transmission potential. Utilizing long-term meteorological datasets, satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) metrics, and field surveillance records of livestock infestations, we constructed advanced ensemble niche models to project future risk zones. Our findings reveal that rising spring temperatures have accelerated larval and nymphal developmental rates, resulting in extended seasonal activity windows and a northward expansion of established vector populations into cooler highland and temperate agricultural regions. Serological screening of sentinel livestock cohorts confirmed active viral circulation in areas previously considered non-endemic, placing rural farmers, veterinarians, and abattoir workers at heightened occupational risk. We highlight the urgent need for integrated early-warning systems combining meteorological forecasting with active veterinary surveillance and targeted acaricide application. Proactive regional management strategies are indispensable to curtailing the geographic encroachment of CCHF and protecting public health.

Nutritional Immunity and Trace Mineral Interplay in Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex: A One Health Perspective
Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Guelph, Canada; School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland

Abstract: Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) remains the most economically devastating and clinically complex disease syndrome affecting feedlot cattle globally, driven by intricate interactions among viral pathogens, bacterial colonizers, environmental stressors, and host nutritional status. This study explores the physiological mechanisms of nutritional immunity, specifically focusing on the homeostasis of trace minerals—such as zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese—and their profound influence on mucosal immune competence and resistance to secondary bacterial pneumonia. Blood serum, liver biopsy, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples collected from feedlot cohorts undergoing weaning and transport stress were analyzed for trace mineral concentrations, acute-phase protein responses, and leukocyte subpopulations. Our empirical results demonstrate that marginal or deficient trace mineral status significantly impairs neutrophil oxidative burst capacity and epithelial repair mechanisms, exacerbating lung pathology following bovine coronavirus and *Mannheimia haemolytica* co-infection. Furthermore, dietary supplementation protocols optimized for trace mineral bioavailability markedly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced clinical morbidity rates. These findings underscore the crucial role of livestock nutrition in disease prevention, minimizing antimicrobial reliance, and promoting sustainable livestock production systems within a broader One Health framework.

Agricultural Runoff and Estuarine Eutrophication: Multi-Trophic Impacts on Coastal Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai; Department of Marine Ecology, University of Kiel, Germany

Abstract: Intensive agricultural land use characterized by heavy synthetic fertilizer application is a primary driver of nutrient loading in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, precipitating widespread eutrophication, hypoxia, and severe biodiversity loss. This comprehensive investigation examines the multi-trophic ecological consequences of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff across three distinct estuarine watersheds. Water column nutrient assays, phytoplankton biomass monitoring, benthic macroinvertebrate community surveys, and fish abundance metrics were evaluated over an annual cycle. The findings document frequent algal blooms dominated by toxic cyanobacterial and dinoflagellate species, leading to severe diurnal dissolved oxygen depletion in bottom waters and extensive fish mortality events. Benthic species diversity indices declined by up to 50% in heavily impacted zones, favoring opportunistic, stress-tolerant polychaete assemblages over sensitive molluscs and crustaceans. Economic valuation models indicated significant degradation of regional ecosystem services, including commercial fisheries yield reductions and recreational water quality depreciation. We advocate for rigorous watershed nutrient management plans, riparian buffer strip restoration, and precision agriculture adoption to curtail fertilizer leaching at the source. Restoring estuarine equilibrium requires coordinated policy actions linking agricultural economics with coastal conservation goals.

Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Pathogens in Abattoir Workers: Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors
Department of Public Health and Pharmacology, University of Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: Abattoir workers represent a high-risk occupational group continuously exposed to a spectrum of zoonotic pathogens through direct contact with infected livestock blood, tissues, amniotic fluids, and aerosolized visceral contents. This cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study evaluates the seroprevalence of brucellosis, Q fever (*Coxiella burnetii*), and leptospirosis among 850 slaughterhouse workers across multiple regional processing facilities, examining underlying behavioral, environmental, and infrastructural risk factors. Serum samples tested via ELISA and micro-agglutination assays revealed high cumulative seropositivity rates: 28.4% for brucellosis, 35.1% for Q fever, and 22.6% for leptospirosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified specific occupational risk factors, including frequent handling of aborted animal fetuses, absence of waterproof personal protective equipment (PPE), skin lacerations during evisceration, and poor hand hygiene compliance. Qualitative evaluations of slaughterhouse facilities highlighted deficient ventilation systems, inadequate waste disposal mechanisms, and limited occupational health monitoring. The study demonstrates that neglected zoonoses are highly prevalent among abattoir workforces, posing an unrecognized public health burden. We recommend compulsory workplace safety training, mandatory PPE enforcement, routine veterinary inspection, and subsidized occupational health screening programs to safeguard vulnerable meat-processing personnel.

Urban Green Spaces as Ecological Buffers: Mitigating Urban Heat Island Effects and Enhancing Mental Health Resilience
Department of Urban Planning and Design, Politecnico di Milano, Italy; Institute of Urban Public Health, University of Melbourne, Australia

Abstract: Rapid urbanization and the replacement of natural vegetation with impervious artificial surfaces have intensified urban heat island (UHI) effects and elevated chronic psychological stress among urban residents. This multidisciplinary study explores the dual role of urban green spaces acting simultaneously as ecological microclimate regulators and psychological restorative environments within densely built metropolitan areas. Using high-resolution thermal infrared remote sensing imagery, microclimate sensor networks, and standardized psychological well-being questionnaires administered to 1,200 participants across varied neighborhoods, we evaluate the cooling capacity and mental health benefits of diverse green infrastructure typologies. Empirical results demonstrate that mature urban parks and tree-lined corridors reduce local ambient temperatures by up to 3.5°C during peak summer heatwave events, mitigating cardiovascular and respiratory heat stress risks. Concurrently, regular engagement with urban green spaces correlated significantly with reduced cortisol levels, lower anxiety scores, and improved cognitive restoration. The findings reinforce the core tenets of urban One Health by linking vegetative environmental design directly to human physiological and psychological resilience. We advocate for municipal planning frameworks that mandate equitable distribution of green infrastructure, prioritizing climate-vulnerable and socioeconomically disadvantaged urban districts to foster sustainable, healthy cities.

Antimicrobial Stewardship in Small Animal Veterinary Practice: Assessing Prescribing Determinants and Client Expectations
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Alfort National Veterinary School, France; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bristol, UK

Abstract: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in companion animals represents a growing clinical crisis, with household pets acting as important reservoirs and transmission vectors of multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogens to humans. This study investigates the behavioral, economic, and client-related determinants influencing small animal veterinary prescribing practices across 300 clinical veterinary hospitals. A mixed-methods research design combining practitioner prescription audits, randomized clinical case vignettes, and structured client exit surveys revealed that empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing remains widespread, particularly for canine dermatological and feline lower urinary tract disorders. Multivariable regression analyses indicated that perceived client pressure, fear of diagnostic uncertainty, and lack of immediate in-house culture and sensitivity testing facilities are primary drivers of inappropriate antimicrobial selection. Client surveys demonstrated varying degrees of public awareness regarding pet-mediated AMR transmission risks, with many pet owners harboring misconceptions regarding antibiotic efficacy for viral infections. We argue that effective veterinary antimicrobial stewardship requires comprehensive interventions, including rapid point-of-care diagnostic integration, mandatory continuing education in clinical pharmacology, and structured client communication strategies designed to align expectations with evidence-based prescribing guidelines.

Ecotoxicology of Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Freshwater Wetlands: Impacts on Amphibian Populations and Aquatic Biodiversity
Department of Environmental Biology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands; Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Widespread agricultural application of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides has led to pervasive contamination of adjacent freshwater wetland ecosystems, precipitating severe ecotoxicological consequences for aquatic invertebrates and amphibian populations. This research evaluates the acute and chronic toxicity of imidacloprid and clothianidin exposure on amphibian embryonic development, larval metamorphosis success, and immune function across multiple sentinel frog and salamander species. Water chemistry assays and sediment sampling from agricultural drainage wetlands confirmed sustained environmental concentrations of neonicotinoids exceeding chronic toxicity thresholds. Laboratory microcosm and field enclosure experiments demonstrated that environmentally relevant concentrations of these compounds significantly impaired tadpole swimming performance, reduced feeding efficiency, and caused histological damage to renal and hepatic tissues. Furthermore, neonicotinoid exposure suppressed innate immune responses, elevating susceptibility to opportunistic fungal pathogens such as *Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis*. The findings provide compelling evidence that agricultural chemical runoff contributes directly to global amphibian declines. We emphasize the necessity for stringent regulatory restrictions on agricultural pesticide use near protected wetland reserves and advocate for integrated pest management approaches that prioritize wetland biodiversity preservation.

Microbial Source Tracking in Watersheds Impacted by Intensive Livestock Production and Wastewater Discharges
Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, South Korea; Institute of Hydrogeology and Water Management, Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract: Faecal contamination of freshwater river basins utilized for drinking water extraction and agricultural irrigation poses an ongoing threat to public health. Identifying the precise geographical and biological origins of faecal pollution is critical for targeted remediation. This study applies microbial source tracking (MST) methodologies, combining quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting host-associated Bacteroidales genetic markers with high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, to differentiate between human sewage, swine slurry, and bovine manure inputs across a multi-use agricultural watershed. Water samples collected across baseflow and storm-flow hydrologic regimes revealed pervasive faecal pollution, with human-specific genetic markers dominating urban stream segments and livestock-associated markers prevailing in agricultural sub-catchments. Storm-flow events triggered dramatic spikes in pathogen indicator concentrations, washing unmanaged manure storage runoff and failing septic systems into aquatic channels. Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) profiling demonstrated high co-occurrence of tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance determinants in livestock-impacted zones. The study highlights the efficacy of MST as a diagnostic tool for watershed management and underscores the necessity for upgraded rural sanitation infrastructure and stringent containment protocols for agricultural waste.

Socio-Ecological Drivers of Arboviral Emergences: Integrating Entomology, Climatology, and Public Health Policy
Department of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Institute of Medical Microbiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan

Abstract: The global resurgence and geographic expansion of mosquito-borne arboviral diseases—including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever—highlight the complex socio-ecological drivers underpinning modern vector-borne disease emergence. This paper presents a holistic analytical framework integrating entomological vector competence, climatic telemetry, rapid unplanned urbanization, and public health policy implementation. By analyzing multi-city surveillance data and historical epidemic trajectories across tropical and subtropical settings, we evaluate how infrastructural deficits, water storage behaviors, and localized microclimatic warming synergistically expand *Aedes aegypti* and *Aedes albopictus* population densities. Spatiotemporal regression models indicate that extreme precipitation anomalies combined with inadequate municipal solid waste collection significantly elevate container-breeding habitat availability. Furthermore, human mobility patterns accelerate urban-to-rural viral dispersion. The research critically assesses current vector control paradigms, emphasizing the limitations of reactive chemical fogging and advocating for community-based participatory source reduction, Wolbachia-based biocontrol deployment, and climate-resilient urban water governance. Safeguarding populations against future arboviral pandemics requires cohesive interdisciplinary collaboration bridging entomology, climatology, and urban municipal planning.

Mycotoxin Contamination in Animal Feed and Carryover into Dairy Products: A Toxicological Threat to Human Health
Department of Veterinary Food Hygiene, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Institute of Animal Nutrition, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Germany

Abstract: Climate change-induced weather extremes, including prolonged droughts and unseasonal humidity during grain maturation and storage, have escalated fungal proliferation and mycotoxin contamination in cereal crops utilized for livestock feed. This toxicological investigation examines the prevalence of aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and deoxynivalenol in dairy cattle feed rations and quantifies the subsequent carryover rates of mycotoxins and their hydroxylated metabolites into raw and processed dairy products. Feed and milk samples collected from 150 commercial dairy farms were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results confirmed widespread co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in feed inventories, with detectable levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) exceeding European Union regulatory limits in 14% of raw milk samples derived from herds fed improperly stored silage. Chronic dietary exposure to AFM1 poses well-documented carcinogenic and hepatotoxic risks to human consumers, particularly vulnerable pediatric populations. The study demonstrates that mycotoxin management requires rigorous pre-harvest crop protection, advanced anti-fungal feed additives, and stringent mycotoxin screening protocols throughout the agricultural supply chain. Protecting consumer health necessitates a unified One Health approach linking agricultural feed safety with veterinary oversight and dairy processing quality assurance.

Wildlife-Livestock Interface Dynamics: Tuberculosis Transmission Pathways in Agro-Pastoral Ecosystems
Centre for Wildlife and Veterinary Research, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Makerere University, Uganda

Abstract: The expansion of agricultural and pastoral activities into wildlife habitats has intensified the wildlife-livestock interface, facilitating the interspecies transmission of infectious pathogens such as *Mycobacterium bovis*, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). This study investigates the epidemiological transmission dynamics, environmental persistence, and spatial overlap of bTB between free-ranging wildlife reservoirs and domestic cattle herds within peripheral buffer zones of protected national parks. Utilizing GPS telemetry collars on wildlife species, livestock movement tracking, and spoligotyping of *M. bovis* isolates recovered from tissue biopsies, we identified shared watering holes and communal grazing pastures as primary contact loci mediating cross-species pathogen transfer. Molecular strain typing confirmed identical genetic profiles between wildlife hosts and domestic cattle, verifying bidirectional transmission pathways. Furthermore, environmental persistence assays demonstrated that bacillary survival in soil and feces is heavily modulated by solar radiation and ambient humidity. We advocate for science-based wildlife-livestock separation strategies, including fencing maintenance, restricted watering access, and enhanced abattoir surveillance. Implementing collaborative herd health management programs is essential to mitigating bTB transmission risks and protecting agrarian economies and wildlife conservation goals.

Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal Polluted Soils: Plant-Microbiome Synergies and Restoration of Agro-Ecosystem Health
Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal; Institute of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, University of Athens, Greece

Abstract: Soil contamination by toxic heavy metals resulting from mining operations, industrial waste disposal, and intensive agrochemical usage represents a severe global environmental crisis that threatens food security and subterranean biodiversity. This experimental study evaluates the efficacy of phytoremediation using hyperaccumulating plant species inoculated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance the extraction and immobilization of lead, cadmium, and nickel in chronically polluted agricultural soils. Microcosm pot trials and field plot experiments monitored plant biomass accumulation, metal translocation factors, and shifts in rhizosphere microbial community composition over two growing seasons. Inoculation with specialized bacterial strains (*Pseudomonas* and *Bacillus* species) significantly enhanced root elongation and phytoextraction efficiency by solubilizing bound metal fractions through organic acid exudation and siderophore production. Metagenomic profiling revealed restoration of beneficial microbial functional diversity following successful contaminant reduction. The research demonstrates that harnessing plant-microbiome synergies offers a sustainable, cost-effective green technology for remediating degraded soils and reviving agroecosystem health. Integrating phytoremediation into regional land restoration policies bridges environmental engineering, soil science, and sustainable agricultural development.