Antonio J. Villatoro

Veterinarians are routinely exposed to occupational infectious hazards at the human–animal interface, making vaccination an important preventive measure within a One Health framework. However, evidence on vaccination coverage and immunization practices in this professional group remains limited. This study assessed self-reported vaccination coverage, attitudes toward vaccination, perceived barriers, and training needs among registered veterinarians in Málaga, Spain. A cross-sectional anonymous survey was distributed to all actively practicing veterinarians registered with the Official Veterinary Association of Málaga. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic and professional information, self-reported vaccination status, attitudes toward vaccination, and perceived training needs. A total of 164 veterinarians participated (response rate: 15.2%). Given the voluntary nature of participation, findings should be interpreted as descriptive. Vaccination coverage was low for several vaccines relevant to occupational or adult immunization, including seasonal influenza (21.3%), rabies (23.2%), and tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis boosters (47.3%). Nearly half of respondents (49.1%) were uncertain about their hepatitis B vaccination status. In contrast, COVID-19 vaccination uptake was high (96.9% received at least one dose). Although most participants considered vaccination highly important, self-reported coverage remained limited for several recommended vaccines. Qualitative responses identified barriers related to access to vaccination, information, and the absence of structured occupational vaccination programmes. Among the surveyed veterinarians in Málaga, these findings support the need for clearer occupational vaccination recommendations, improved access to immunization services, and enhanced vaccinology training. Such measures could strengthen occupational health protection and support One Health prevention strategies at the human–animal interface.

Veterinarians are occupationally exposed to zoonotic pathogens and may therefore be at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. However, evidence on vaccination coverage and immunization practices in this professional group remains limited. This study assessed vaccination coverage, perceptions, and barriers to immunization among registered veterinarians in Málaga, Spain, within a One Health framework. A cross-sectional anonymous survey was distributed to all registered veterinarians in the province. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic and professional information, self-reported vaccination status, attitudes toward vaccination, and training needs. A total of 164 veterinarians participated. Vaccination coverage was low for several occupationally relevant vaccines, including seasonal influenza (21.3%) and rabies (23.2%). Nearly half of respondents were unaware of their hepatitis B vaccination status. In contrast, COVID-19 vaccine uptake was high (96.9%). Although most participants considered vaccination highly important, a marked gap between positive attitudes and actual vaccination practices was identified. These findings highlight important gaps in occupational immunization among veterinarians and support the need for improved vaccination strategies, easier access to immunization programs, and enhanced vaccinology training. Strengthening vaccination coverage among veterinary professionals may also contribute to zoonotic disease prevention and preparedness at the human–animal interface within a One Health approach.

The feline calicivirus (FCV) causes infections in cats all over the world and seems to be related to a broad variety of clinical presentations, such as feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a severe oral pathology in cats. Although its etiopathogeny is largely unknown, FCV infection is likely to be a main predisposing factor for developing this pathology. During recent years, new strategies for treating FCGS have been proposed, based on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. The main mechanism of action of MSC seems to be paracrine, due to the secretion of many biomolecules with different biological functions (secretome). Currently, several pathologies in humans have been shown to be related to functional alterations of the patient’s MSCs. However, the possible roles that altered MSCs might have in different diseases, including virus-mediated diseases, remain unknown. We have recently demonstrated that the exosomes produced by the adipose-tissue-derived MSCs (fAd-MSCs) from cats suffering from FCV-positive severe and refractory FCGS showed altered protein contents. Based on these findings, the goal of this work was to analyze the proteomic profile of the secretome produced by feline adipose-tissue-derived MSCs (fAd-MSCs) from FCV-positive patients with FCGS, in order to identify differences between them and to increase our knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of this disease. We used high-resolution mass spectrometry and functional enrichment analysis with Gene Ontology to compare the secretomes produced by the fAd-MSCs of healthy and calicivirus-positive FCGS cats. We found that the fAd-MSCs from cats with FCGS had an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an altered proteomic profile compared to the secretome produced by cells from healthy cats. These findings help us gain insight on the roles of MSCs and their possible relation to FCGS, and may be useful for selecting specific biomarkers and for identifying new therapeutic targets.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a pathology with a complicated therapeutic approach and with a prevalence between 0.7 and 12%. Although the etiology of the disease is diverse, feline calicivirus infection is known to be a predisposing factor. To date, the available treatment helps in controlling the disease, but cannot always provide a cure, which leads to a high percentage of refractory animals. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a pivotal role in the homeostasis and reparation of different tissues and have the ability to modulate the immune system responses. This ability is, in part, due to the capacity of exosomes to play a part in intercellular cell communication. However, the precise role of MSC-derived exosomes and their alterations in immunocompromised pathologies remains unknown, especially in veterinary patients. The goal of this work was to analyze the proteomic profile of feline adipose tissue-derived MSCs (fAd-MSCs) from calicivirus-positive FCGS patients, and to detect possible modifications of the exosomal cargo, to gain better knowledge of the disease’s etiopathogenesis. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry and functional enrichment analysis with Gene Ontology, exosomes isolated from the fAd-MSCs of five healthy cats and five calicivirus-positive FCGS patients, were pooled and compared. The results showed that the fAd-MSCs from cats suffering from FCGS not only had a higher exosome production, but also their exosomes showed significant alterations in their proteomic profile. Eight proteins were exclusively found in the exosomes from the FCGS group, and five proteins could only be found in the exosomes from the healthy cats. When comparing the exosomal cargo between the two groups, significant upregulation of 17 and downregulation of 13 proteins were detected in the FCGS group compared to the control group. These findings shed light on new perspectives on the roles of MSCs and their relation to this disease, which may help in identifying new therapeutic targets and selecting specific biomarkers.

The study of cancer biology should be based around a comprehensive vision of the entire tumor ecosystem, considering the functional, bioenergetic and metabolic state of tumor cells and those of their microenvironment, and placing particular importance on immune system cells. Enhanced understanding of the molecular bases that give rise to alterations of pathways related to tumor development can open up new therapeutic intervention opportunities, such as metabolic regulation applied to immunotherapy. This review outlines the role of various oncometabolites and immunometabolites, such as TCA intermediates, in shaping pro/anti-inflammatory activity of immune cells such as MDSCs, T lymphocytes, TAMs and DCs in cancer. We also discuss the extraordinary plasticity of the immune response and its implication in immunotherapy efficacy, and highlight different therapeutic intervention possibilities based on controlling the balanced systems of specific metabolites with antagonistic functions.