Gulmira Kalikhanovna Murzakayeva

Background and Aim: Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT), also known as transmissible venereal sarcoma, is a naturally occurring, contagious neoplasm primarily transmitted by the transfer of viable tumor cells during mating. Although the disease is widely distributed worldwide, epidemiological and clinicopathological data from Central Asia remain scarce. This study aimed to characterize the epizootological distribution, clinical manifestations, hematological and biochemical alterations, microbiological findings, and morphological features of CTVT in dogs presented to a Veterinary Diagnostic Center in Astana, Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from February 2024 to February 2025. A total of 2,500 dogs were screened, and 425 dogs with tumor-like lesions underwent clinical, laboratory, cytological, histopathological, and microbiological investigations. Twenty-three dogs with confirmed CTVT were included in the final analysis. Animals were categorized according to the presence (n = 13) or absence (n = 10) of purulent complications. Clinical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, cytological evaluation using smear-imprint and fine-needle aspiration techniques, histopathological assessment, and microbiological testing were performed. Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact test, and odds ratio estimation, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: CTVT accounted for 23 of 425 tumor-bearing dogs (5.4%). The disease was more frequently observed in males (73.9%) and in dogs aged 1.5–5 years (65.2%). Mixed-breed dogs represented the largest affected group (47.8%). Clinically, all dogs exhibited friable genital masses accompanied by hemorrhagic discharge, while purulent exudation occurred in 56.5% of cases. Extragenital involvement was identified in 8.7% of dogs. Animals with purulent complications showed significantly elevated heart rate and respiratory rate (p < 0.001), leukocytosis, reduced hemoglobin concentration, and lower hematocrit values. Biochemical analysis revealed increased concentrations of urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase in dogs with purulent lesions. Cytological examination demonstrated round tumor cells with eccentrically positioned nuclei, coarse chromatin, prominent nucleoli, abundant cytoplasmic vacuoles forming a characteristic “string-of-pearls” pattern, and marked mitotic activity. Histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis and supported the observed cytomorphological features. Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive clinicopathological, epizootological, microbiological, and morphological characterization of CTVT in dogs from Kazakhstan. Male sex, reproductive age, and inadequate reproductive control were associated with disease occurrence. Cytoplasmic vacuolization and high mitotic activity were reliable morphological indicators of CTVT. The findings provide valuable baseline data to improve diagnosis, surveillance, and disease management strategies in Central Asia. Keywords: biochemistry, canine transmissible venereal tumor, cytology, dog, epidemiology, histopathology, microbiology, oncology.

This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of clinical, hematological, and morphological changes observed in dogs affected by canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT). The study was conducted in 2024–2025 at a veterinary diagnostic center in Astana. The aim of the research was to assess the prevalence of CTVT among dogs, identify risk factors for disease development, and characterize the main diagnostic features of the tumor. A total of 2,500 dogs of various breeds, age groups, and housing conditions underwent clinical examination. Among the examined animals, oncological pathology was identified in 425 cases, of which 23 dogs (5.4%) were diagnosed with CTVT. Analysis of anamnestic data demonstrated that the incidence of CTVT depends on sex, age, breed, and housing conditions. The disease was predominantly recorded in male dogs, which accounted for 73.9% of cases, likely due to transmission mechanisms and behavioral factors. Clinical investigations revealed that the main clinical signs of the disease included bloody or purulent discharge from the external genital organs and the formation of tumor-like masses in the genital area. In complicated cases, signs of general intoxication were observed, including increased body temperature, general weakness, and decreased appetite. Hematological studies revealed the development of anemia and leukocytosis in severe forms of the disease. Cytological examination identified characteristic morphological features of tumor cells, fully confirming the diagnosis. The obtained results expand current knowledge of CTVT pathogenesis and may be used to improve early diagnostic approaches and enhance the effectiveness of veterinary oncological practice.

Background and Aim. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most important retroviral pathogens in domestic cats, causing immunosuppression, anemia, lymphoma, and leukemia. FeLV exists in two forms: exogenous (exFeLV), which is infectious and horizontally transmitted, and endogenous (enFeLV), which is inherited as integrated proviral sequences. Differentiating between these forms is essential for accurate epidemiological assessment and diagnostics, since enFeLV sequences can interfere with molecular assays and lead to false-positive results. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of endogenous FeLV sequences in domestic cats in Astana and to determine whether exogenous FeLV was actively circulating in this population. Materials and Methods. A total of 203 whole-blood samples from domestic cats were collected during routine veterinary examinations, and genomic DNA was extracted using a modified Kanai method. Two independent real-time PCR systems were employed: primers targeting the conserved env region to detect enFeLV, and primers specific to the U3 region of the long terminal repeat (LTR) to identify exFeLV. Amplifications were performed on the CFX96 Touch platform, and samples with quantification cycle (Cq) values <40 were interpreted as positive. Results. Of the 203 analyzed samples, 197 (97%) were positive for enFeLV sequences, confirming the widespread presence of endogenous retroviral elements in the genome of cats, while no amplification was detected with U3-specific primers, indicating the absence of active exFeLV infection. The Cq values for enFeLV-positive samples ranged from 11.24 to 37.04, reflecting variability in proviral copy number among individuals. These findings demonstrate that enFeLV is nearly ubiquitous among domestic cats in Astana, while no evidence of exFeLV circulation was detected. Conclusion. The results underscore the importance of using U3-LTR specific assays to reliably differentiate endogenous from exogenous forms of FeLV and to avoid false-positive diagnoses. Further studies should focus on monitoring potential recombination events between enFeLV and exFeLV, evaluating the expression of endogenous loci, and assessing their role in disease pathogenesis.

Background and Aim. In line with the One Health concept, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health, the global burden of rabies remains relevant given the current increase in zoonotic and vector borne diseases. For successful rabies control, monitoring the changing patterns of infection spread is vital. This paper is devoted to the spatial analysis of the spread of rabies among animals in Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods. The Spatial Autocorrelation (Moran’s I) and Anselin Local Moran’s I statistics of the Geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS Pro were used. Results. Several types of spatial distribution were noted: clusters in the northeast, south, and west of the country; sparse type in the border areas of the north and northwest; and random distribution in the central and southwestern regions. High-Low Outliers indicating sporadic outbreaks of rabies caused by the migration of infected animals, as well as Low-High Outliers indicating the containment of the epizootic due to preventive measures or natural barriers were also revealed. Conclusion. The study highlights the need to strengthen control over the spread of rabies, implement measures to prevent the migration of infected animals, and optimize vaccination and monitoring programs. The use of spatial analysis methods allows us to identify epidemiological patterns and develop effective strategies to combat the disease in regions with different risk levels.

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by species belonging to the genus Brucella and leading to high economic consequences in animal husbandry. Brucella spp. It can be transmitted to humans and leads to a serious illness requiring specific and long-term antibiotic treatment, which adversely affects human morbidity and health. The zoonotic nature of the infection increases the need to monitor the spread and dynamics of outbreaks in animals and humans. Since brucellosis is a zooanthroponous disease, it becomes relevant to study the spread of this disease among humans. A comparative analysis was carried out and a direct relationship was established between the number of people with brucellosis infection and the degree of infection of farm animals in the areas of Kostanay region. The presented data indicate the need for an integrated approach to solving the problem of brucellosis prevention as a socially significant disease. An assessment of the incidence of brucellosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2022-2024 was carried out in all regions and cities of national significance. The distribution of patients with brucellosis in the republic by well-off and disadvantaged brucellosis settlements and farms is shown. It is noted that the greatest epidemiological disadvantage of brucellosis among the population and animals over the past three years has persisted in the southern regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Almaty, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, Kyzylorda, Turkestan regions and Shymkent). Also, the risks of the incidence of brucellosis in the population associated with professional activity are described. The results of the analysis of statistical data on brucellosis of farm animals in Kostanay region, including the number of livestock examined and the number of sick animals, are presented.

This article reveals the features of the resistance of Staphylococcus аureus strains isolated from animals, birds and animal products in the territory of Kostanay region. Staphylococci can infect any tissue or organ of an animal, causing more than 100 different diseases. According to literary sources, more than a dozen species of non-pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic staphylococci are isolated from many agricultural and domestic animals and birds. For the first time in the Kostanay region, the analysis of antibiotic resistance of staphylococcus strains isolated in livestock farms and animal products was carried out.The analysis of antibiotic resistance of staphylococcus strains isolated in livestock farms of Kostanay region and animal products was carried out. The study showed that the largest number of isolates of Staphylococcus аureus showed high resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics by an average of 55.3%, fluoroquinolones by 47.1% and tetracyclines by 45.6%.Of the 69 studied isolates of Staphylococcus аureus, antibiotic resistance was shown by 43 (62.3%) isolates, 26 (37.7%) isolates were sensitive to all groups of AMD.It was found that the largest number of isolates is 62.3% in the group of beta-lactams resistant to various antibiotics, the least resistant strains are 7.9% in the group of aminoglycosides and 20.3% in the group of sulfonamides.