Prakash G. Koringa

BackgroundEgg production to 64 weeks (EN64) is a commercially relevant trait in laying hens. We re-evaluated a targeted seven-gene autosomal variant panel for association with EN64 in two White Leghorn lines, ABWL and ASWL, previously examined for a three-gene subset using uncorrected permutation testing (Pal et al., 2023).MethodsThe analysis cohort comprised 87 hens (45 ABWL, 42 ASWL) with complete EN64 and line data. All 109 genotype-QC-passing biallelic autosomal SNPs (chromosomes 2, 4, 10, 24) were tested using pooled line-adjusted and within-line additive linear regression on continuous EN64, plus a secondary pooled line-adjusted High-versus-Low logistic analysis. Benjamini–Hochberg false-discovery-rate (FDR) correction was applied within each model family.ResultsNo pooled autosomal SNP reached FDR significance for continuous EN64; the minimum P was 0.007199 at chr24:5,752,256 A>G (DRD2; FDR = 0.784669). Within-line leads were chr4:88,169,076 C>T in ABWL (P = 0.0203854, FDR = 0.745951) and chr24:5,748,172 T>C in ASWL (P = 0.019255, FDR = 0.545432); neither survived correction. No pooled High-versus-Low test was significant after correction; a nominal chr4:88,167,779 signal was excluded due to quasi-complete separation from sparse genotype counts.ConclusionsNo robust autosomal association with EN64 was identified in this 109-SNP panel. The chromosome-4, chromosome-2, and DRD2 patterns were nominal, line- or model-specific, and non-significant after FDR correction, and should be treated as hypothesis-generating, requiring independent validation and direct retesting of the variants previously reported significant for this panel (Pal et al., 2023).

Background and Aim: Feline parvovirus (FPV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) are highly contagious pathogens that cause severe enteritis in companion animals, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality, particularly in young and unvaccinated animals. The continuous evolution of CPV variants and increasing evidence of cross-species transmission present major challenges for disease diagnosis, surveillance, and control. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FPV and CPV infections among cats and dogs in Gujarat, India, compare the diagnostic performance of rapid antigen testing (RAT), conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and quantitative PCR (qPCR), characterize circulating viral variants through VP2 gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and investigate evidence of cross-species circulation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2024 and September 2025 using 200 fecal samples collected from 100 cats and 100 dogs presented to veterinary clinics, shelters, and rescue organizations in Gujarat, India. Samples were examined using RAT, conventional PCR targeting the VP2 gene, and duplex probe-based qPCR to differentially detect FPV and CPV. Representative positive samples were subjected to VP2 gene sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and virus isolation in Crandell-Rees feline kidney cell cultures to evaluate viral replication. Epidemiological characteristics, including species, age, breed, vaccination status, and clinical presentation, were also assessed. Results: RAT detected FPV and CPV in 10 (5.0%) and 80 (40.0%) samples, respectively, whereas conventional PCR identified 39 (19.5%) parvovirus-positive samples. Duplex qPCR demonstrated markedly superior sensitivity, detecting 124 (62.0%) positive samples, comprising 27 FPV and 97 CPV infections. Cross-species circulation was demonstrated by detection of CPV in 12% of cats and FPV in 1% of dogs. Sequencing of the VP2 gene revealed genetically conserved FPV isolates and predominance of CPV-2c among canine isolates, including a novel CPV-2c variant carrying unique amino acid substitutions suggestive of ongoing viral evolution. Virus isolation successfully confirmed replication in four of nine inoculated samples, producing characteristic cytopathic effects in Crandell-Rees feline kidney cells. Conclusion: FPV and CPV co-circulate among companion animals in Gujarat, with molecular evidence of cross-species transmission and predominance of CPV-2c variants. Duplex qPCR substantially outperformed RAT and conventional PCR, supporting its routine application for accurate diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, and early detection of emerging parvovirus variants. Continuous molecular surveillance combined with sustained vaccination programs is essential to limit viral dissemination and improve control of parvoviral infections. Keywords: canine parvovirus, cross-species transmission, feline parvovirus, molecular epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, VP2 gene, viral evolution.

Golaviya A, et al. J Vet Sci. 2024 Jul;25(4):e55. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.24124

Background: The poultry industry in India, estimated to be worth about one trillion INR, was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted in Gujarat, India to unpack the processes through which COVID-19-related factors affected the poultry production and distribution network and explore the impacts on the relevant actors. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted among 34 poultry stakeholders using semi-structured interviews. The data were thematically analyzed by adopting an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results: Convincing evidence emerged that the lockdown and the pandemic significantly impacted the production, distribution, and consumption of poultry products. Movement restrictions during the first lockdown disrupted the supply of inputs and the distribution of poultry and poultry products. Between March and June 2020, rumors contributed to a substantial decrease in the consumption of poultry products. Consumption picked up following the reopening after the lockdown and the prices and availability of poultry products. The profits, however, failed to compensate for the losses that had been incurred. Conclusions: The experience and impacts of the first COVID-19 lockdown on the poultry industry unraveled several short- and medium-term challenges in the poultry sector in India that need to be addressed to make it more resilient to similar shocks.

This study is designed to investigate Escherichia coli for the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and integrons from healthy as well as diarrhoeic/diseased animals/birds’ faecal samples. A total of eight samples were selected for the study; from each animal, two samples were taken, one from healthy animals/birds and one from diarrhoeic/diseased animals/birds. Antibiotic sensitivity testing (AST) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for selected isolates. The E. coli isolates showed resistance to moxifloxacin, followed by erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfadiazine (4/8, 50.00% each). The E. coli isolates were 100% sensitive to amikacin, followed by chloramphenicol, cefixime, cefoperazone, and cephalothin. A total of 47 ARGs from 12 different antibiotic classes were detected among the eight isolates by WGS. The different classes of antibiotics included aminoglycoside, sulphonamide, tetracycline, trimethoprim, quinolone, fosfomycin, phenicol, macrolide, colistin, fosmidomycin, and multidrug efflux. The class 1 integrons were detected in 6/8 (75.00%) isolates with 14 different gene cassettes.

Introduction: The COVID-19 severely marred the Indian poultry industry, worth approximately one trillion INR. Hence, this study was conducted to understand the COVID-19 related factors that harmed the poultry production and distribution network and explore their varied impact on its actors in Gujarat, India. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews, was conducted with 34 poultry stakeholders in Gujarat. The data were thematically analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results: The study revealed that COVID-19 and the associated lockdown had hugely impacted the production, distribution and consumption of poultry products. The first COVID-19 lockdown disrupted the supply of production inputs and the distribution of poultry and poultry products because of movement restrictions. Rumours also played a crucial role in decreasing the consumption of poultry products between March and June 2020. The market situation, including the prices and availability of poultry products, was found to be improved post-lockdown as there was an increase in consumption; however, the profits were not sufficient to immediately compensate for the losses incurred during the lockdown. Conclusion: The first COVID-19 lockdown restricted the production and distribution of essential goods and influenced the perception of consumers regarding poultry products. COVID-19 resulted in many short- and medium-term challenges in the poultry sectors in India, which need to be addressed to make this sector more resilient to face any such crisis in future.

The aim of study was to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exon regions of GnRH-I, GnRH-II/MRPS26 and GnRHR genes and to assess their association with egg production up to 64 weeks of age (EN64) in chicken. Blood samples were collected from 48 Anand Synthetic White Leghorn (ASWLH) and 48 Anand Bantamised White Leghorn (ABWLH) chicken. Custom panel was designed for these genes’ exon regions and amplicon sequencing was performed on Illumina Miseq platform. Total 41 SNPs (19 previously reported and 22 novel SNPs) were identified from 96 samples. Association analysis revealed that rs314996211 (p<0.05), rs313100310 (pC (pC of GnRHR can be implemented as selection markers associated with EN64 in chicken.