Cosmin Șonea

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild birds, caused by influenza A viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Continuous genetic surveillance is essential for monitoring viral evolution and identifying molecular determinants associated with pathogenicity and host adaptation. In this study, the PB1 and PB2 polymerase genes of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses detected in Romania between 2017 and 2024 were genetically characterized. A total of 18 organ samples collected from domestic and wild birds in several Romanian counties were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR, followed by conventional RT-PCR, Sanger sequencing, mutational analysis, and phylogenetic reconstruction. High-quality sequence data were obtained for six PB1 and eight PB2 gene fragments. Sequence analysis revealed a high degree of conservation within the PB1 gene, particularly across regions involved in viral replication, indicating strong evolutionary constraints. In contrast, the PB2 gene exhibited several amino acid substitutions, including changes at positions 464 and 678 in selected isolates. Notably, all analyzed strains lacked the mammalian adaptation marker E627K. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the Romanian isolates within Eurasian H5N1 lineages and demonstrated close genetic relationships with contemporary strains circulating in Eastern Europe and Russia. These findings highlight the genetic stability of PB1, the ongoing diversification of PB2, and the importance of continuous molecular surveillance for the early detection of viral variants with potential implications for host adaptation and zoonotic risk.

Skin wound management in veterinary medicine requires therapies able to control inflammation, limit microbial burden, and support tissue repair. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and immunomodulatory effects of four novel topical formulations combining synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and plant extracts in rat experimental models. Burn injury was induced in male Wistar rats for wound-healing assessment, while kaolin- and dextran-induced paw edema models were used to assess anti-inflammatory activity. The tested formulations were meloxicam, dexamethasone, and levofloxacin; thyme extract with meloxicam and dexamethasone; burdock extract with dexamethasone and levofloxacin; and thyme extract combined with burdock extract. Wound evolution was monitored macroscopically, edema was quantified by plethysmometry, and selected inflammatory mediators were measured by immunoassay. In the burn model, the thyme-containing formulation with meloxicam and dexamethasone, and the thyme–burdock formulation, achieved complete wound closure by the end of follow-up, whereas the reference product did not. In the acute inflammation models, all innovative formulations significantly reduced edema at the main early time points compared with the negative control and outperformed the reference product. The thyme–burdock formulation also showed the most favorable immunomodulatory profile, including normalization of interleukin-10 and marked reduction in interleukin-1 beta in both models. These results support the potential of multi-component topical formulations, particularly plant extract-based combinations, as promising candidates for veterinary wound care.

This narrative review examines topical anti-inflammatory therapies in veterinary medicine through the lens of the One Health framework, integrating pharmacology, dermatology, ecotoxicology, food safety, and regulatory science. It discusses the interconnected roles of veterinarians, pharmacists, environmental scientists, public health authorities, and regulatory bodies in addressing antimicrobial resistance, environmental contamination, zoonotic transmission, and drug residues in food-producing animals. By emphasising cross-sector collaboration, the review highlights how coordinated strategies can enhance animal welfare, safeguard human health, and reduce ecological burden. The article analyses inflammatory conditions in companion and farm animals and compares systemic versus topical anti-inflammatory approaches. Particular attention is given to corticosteroids, NSAIDs, immunomodulators, pro-resolving lipid mediators, and plant-derived bioactives, alongside advances in vehicles such as lipid nanocarriers and biodegradable film-forming systems designed to minimise systemic absorption and environmental dispersion. Regulatory considerations, residue control, pharmacovigilance gaps, and sustainability-oriented formulation strategies are critically addressed. Topical anti-inflammatory therapies, when rationally designed and monitored under One Health principles, represent a strategic opportunity to improve therapeutic precision while limiting systemic toxicity and ecological impact. Future directions should prioritise translational research, eco-compatible formulation design, and harmonised regulatory frameworks.