University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Immunopathology, reproductive effects, and diagnostic challenges of Toxoplasma gondii infection in large animals: A narrative review 1248 1266 22032 10.22034/jzd.2026.22032 EN Narges Lotfalizadeh Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran 0000-0003-4910-5498 Saeed Nazifi Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Journal Article 2026 05 24 In large animals, Toxoplasma gondii infection is usually primarily a reproductive disease rather than an overt systemic illness. It is a significant cause of abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal weakness in domestic animals. This review incorporates much of the available information on the biology of the parasite and the host immune system, reproductive outcomes, and the clinical pathology of toxoplasmosis in large animals. Following consumption of sporulated oocysts, a persistent infection is initiated through the development of a tissue cyst, and a Th1-type of immunity is considered to constrain the systemic disease seen in the adult host. However, the gestational immunomodulation leads to a hospitable environment at the maternal-fetal interface, permitting vertical transmission. The reproductive disease is characterized by necrotizing placentitis, vascular damage, and fetal tissue damage, depending on the stage of gestation. There are usually minor and variable clinical pathologic alterations in adults. Therefore, blood testing has limited utility in diagnosing pathologic changes. Diagnosis is primarily based on testing of placental and fetal tissues by histopathology and molecular assays. Serological tests are mainly useful for detecting exposure, but they cannot distinguish prior infection from active reproductive disease. Improving mechanistic insight into maternal–fetal immune interactions alongside the development of reliable ante-mortem biomarkers and validated diagnostic tools is essential to better link immunopathology with clinically relevant outcomes in large animal toxoplasmosis.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22032_a3cdc5ea715b1652eb528da8cab763a4.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Integrated One Health approaches to zoonotic disease control and antimicrobial resistance: From policy barriers to practical solutions 1267 1284 22031 10.22034/jzd.2026.22031 EN Sara Basiri Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Journal Article 2026 05 16 Zoonotic diseases continue to pose significant threats to global health, food systems, and socioeconomic stability, driven by the intricate interdependence of humans, animals, and the environment. This review synthesizes current knowledge within a One Health framework to examine how ecological processes, environmental reservoirs, and human activities shape the emergence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Environmental compartments such as soil, water, and polluted ecosystems act as reservoirs for pathogens and resistance genes. At the same time, climate change, habitat disruption, and pollution alter disease dynamics and increase the potential for spillover. Human-driven factors—including urban expansion, deforestation, wildlife exploitation, and globalized food production—further intensify transmission pathways. The review evaluates surveillance systems, biosecurity practices, and stewardship policies across diverse settings, highlighting persistent gaps in diagnostic capacity, infrastructure, and cross-sectoral coordination, particularly in resource-limited regions. Emerging alternatives to conventional antibiotics, including bacteriophage therapy, anti-virulence strategies, and microbiome based interventions, are discussed as complementary tools to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. The analysis also integrates animal welfare and food security considerations, emphasizing that sustainable agriculture, healthy livestock systems, and environmental integrity are essential for resilient food supplies and effective zoonotic disease prevention. By unifying these domains, the review proposes a coordinated roadmap that strengthens surveillance, enhances stewardship, and promotes collaborative action across human, animal, and environmental sectors to improve preparedness and resilience against current and future infectious threats.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22031_597e9aa9263e00f626d12c208d4ceb2b.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Artificial intelligence in zoonotic disease surveillance: A systematic review with One Health implications for low- and middle-income countries 1285 1295 22120 10.22034/jzd.2026.22120 EN Kunta Adnan Sahiman Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia Muhammad Halim Natsir Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia Kuswati Kuswati Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia Budi Hartono Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia Nurul Isnaini Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia Herly Evanuarini Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia 0000-0001-5080-8858 Andi Moh Iekam Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Siti Azizah Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia Journal Article 2026 06 07 Zoonotic diseases account for approximately 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of emerging threats, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This systematic review synthesises evidence on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in veterinary surveillance relevant to zoonotic disease monitoring, with attention to LMIC implementation contexts. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and JBI methodology, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2015–December 2025). Two reviewers independently performed screening, full-text assessment, and data extraction. Methodological quality was appraised using a six-item framework integrating JBI and PROBAST elements. Thirty empirical studies met inclusion criteria (20 primary empirical + 10 descriptive operational evaluations); 50.0% addressed LMIC settings. Four application domains were identified: predictive surveillance (30.0%), event-based surveillance (23.3%), automated monitoring (23.3%), and disease detection (23.3%). Fourteen studies (46.7%) demonstrated direct zoonotic relevance. A machine learning rabies risk-stratification approach yielded an approximately three-fold increase in epidemiologically useful surveillance data, and event-based syndromic classification achieved F1-macro of 0.9995 under retrospective validation. Edge AI and transfer learning approaches demonstrated feasibility for resource-constrained settings. AI-enabled approaches may strengthen zoonotic disease surveillance within One Health frameworks, particularly in LMIC settings, though most evidence reflects proof-of-concept and retrospective validation; prospective operational research is needed.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22120_652e6745d142e8581cbd1662abb41b49.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 High prevalence of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 contamination in raw pork and edible organs from retail markets in Phayao, Thailand 1296 1304 22112 10.22034/jzd.2026.22112 EN Kanittapon Supadej Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand 0000-0002-3014-9477 Benjamart Suradej Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand Supaporn Khamchun Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand/Research Unit of Biomedical Molecular Innovation, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand Journal Article 2026 06 02 Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a Gram-positive bacterium that is causing public health concern worldwide, especially in Northern Thailand. In Phayao province, the cultural preference for consuming raw or undercooked pork has led to a persistent risk of severe human infections. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and distribution of S. suis contamination in retail pork products sole in Phayao province. We reported the prevalence of S. suis contamination in raw pork samples, fresh pig blood and edible pork organ samples (livers, lungs, hearts, and pharynx) collected from retail markets in 7 districts in Phayao province, Thailand between April to June 2025. From a total of 200 samples, S. suis and S. suis serotypes 1, 2, 1/2 and 14 were identified using the multiplex PCR method. The result revealed a high contamination rate, with 114 (57.0 %) of the samples identified as S. suis; specifically, 3 % were serotype 2 and 54 % comprised unknown serotypes. Among the S. suis-positive samples, serotype 2 was identified at 5.3 % (6/114). Notably, serotypes 1, 1/2, and 14 were absent in this study. Analysis of sample types showed that the highest contamination rate of S. suis was found in the pharynx, while the lungs exhibited the highest prevalence of serotype 2. These findings underscore the critical need for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of consuming uncooked pork and highlight the necessity for more stringent food safety policies and continuous monitoring within the pork supply chain to prevent future outbreaks.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22112_44ca9db2a9170dfa07195031c5e516c1.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Rapid identification and quantification of Campylobacter jejuni by culture and real-time PCR from slaughtered poultry carcasses in Tehran, Iran 1305 1312 22103 10.22034/jzd.2026.22103 EN Merdad Zare Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shab.C., Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran Jalal Shayegh Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shab.C., Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran Journal Article 2026 06 29 Campylobacter species are the main cause of infectious gastroenteritis in human beings. Consumption of poultry meat has been proposed as one of the important sources of campylobacteriosis in human beings. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) in freshly slaughtered poultry in Tehran using culture and molecular methods. It is a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study. Fifty samples of whole fresh poultry were randomly collected from supply centres in Tehran from January to February 2024. The standard method of enrichment and cultivation in modified Charcoal Cefoperazone Deoxycholate agar (mCCD) was used to identify Campylobacter spp. DNA was extracted from the confirmed colonies using a commercial kit. Then the real-time PCR method by amplification of the specific region of C. jejuni (ORF-C) was used to determine the C. jejuni. Out of 50 examined samples, 19 samples (38%) showed positive Campylobacter spp. cultures. The results of the Molecular tests showed that C. jejuni was isolated from 13 samples (26%). The results indicated Campylobacter contamination in poultry carcasses in Tehran. Quality control must be improved to reduce contamination in slaughterhouses.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22103_364432eadb1722976a763129219083c9.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies and associated variables among veterinary clinic personnel in Medellín, Colombia 1313 1323 22113 10.22034/jzd.2026.22113 EN Valentina Rodríguez Vásquez Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Remington University Corporation, Medellín, Colombia Jhon Manuel Agudelo Camacho Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Remington University Corporation, Medellín, Colombia Martha Cecilia Ocampo Mejía Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Remington University Corporation, Medellín, Colombia Miguel Octavio Pérez Navarro Faculty of Health Sciences, Colegio Mayor de Antioquia University Institution, Medellín, Colombia Juan Aicardo Segura Caro Faculty of Health Sciences, Colegio Mayor de Antioquia University Institution, Medellín, Colombia Marcela Patricia Eraso Cadena Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Remington University Corporation, Medellín, Colombia Journal Article 2026 06 17 Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease of major public health importance. Veterinary clinic personnel may be exposed to the parasite through frequent contact with companion animals, biological materials, and contaminated environments. This exploratory analytical cross-sectional study aimed to determine the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG seropositivity and identify factors associated with previous exposure among personnel working in companion-animal veterinary clinics in Medellín, Colombia. Blood samples were collected from 71 participants, and anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected using a commercial ELISA kit. Sociodemographic, occupational, behavioral, and epidemiological information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Associations with seropositivity were evaluated using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 22 participants (30.99%). In the multivariate analysis, cat ownership was strongly associated with seropositivity, whereas consistent use of personal protective equipment was associated with significantly lower odds of previous exposure. No other evaluated variables reached statistical significance in the bivariate analysis. Although the wide confidence intervals reflect the limited sample size and the exploratory nature of the analysis, these findings provide the first evidence of previous T. gondii exposure among veterinary clinic personnel in Medellín and identify cat ownership and consistent PPE use as variables associated with seropositivity in this population. The results reinforce the importance of strengthening biosafety practices in veterinary clinics and support larger multicenter studies to better characterize occupational risk factors for toxoplasmosis.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22113_0a721aafcbed47a68b9979996ad18267.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Zoonotic risks of household pets among children in urban and periurban Iraq: Antimicrobial resistance insights 1324 1337 22070 10.22034/jzd.2026.22070 EN Enass Waad Al-Hadidi Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq Journal Article 2026 05 14 Pet-associated zoonotic diseases in children represent a public health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of prevalence of the carriage of zoonotic pathogens among children living with domestic pets, to determine the most common pathogenic agents, to characterize the distribution of antimicrobial resistance, and to define the major risk factors that predispose to transmission. Stool, nasal swab, skin swab, and blood samples were collected from children, while rectal swabs, fecal samples, fur/feather swabs, and nasal swabs were collected from pets. Microbiological culture, PCR-based identification of the pathogen, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and broth microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done. Independent risk factors were identified using logistic regression analysis. Zoonotic pathogen prevalence was 48.4% in dog-owning children (n=124), 52.0% in cat-owning children (n = 98), 38.8% in bird-owning children (n = 67), and 14.6% in control children (n = 89), all groups p<0.001 vs. control. Toxocara spp., Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Pasteurella multocida and Chlamydia psittaci (the latter detected exclusively in the bird group, at 11.9%) were the most common pathogens. Campylobacter exhibited 22.6% multidrug resistance. Unvaccinated pets (aOR = 4.19), child age less than 5 years (aOR = 3.65), and lack of handwashing (aOR = 3.07) were independent risk factors. Of total annual cases, 39.3% occurred during summer. The fact that the antimicrobial resistance rates are high highlights the necessity of diverse One Health surveillance and public health programs such as compulsory vaccination of pets, hygiene training, and regular veterinary check-ups.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22070_32bdfa64e9198823cfe045887ba00b8a.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Bacterial isolation from domestic cats: Detection of biofilm formation and the ica gene 1338 1350 22106 10.22034/jzd.2026.22106 EN Amna Yarub Hameed Department of Medical Laboratory Technologies, Mosul Medical Technical Institute, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq Abeer Mahmood Faraj Department of Pharmacy Techniques, Mosul Medical Technical Institute, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq Alaa Saeed Sheet Department of Radiology Techniques, Mosul Medical Technical Institute, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq Shahad Ismael Saeed Department of Optometry Techniques, Mosul Medical Technical Institute, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq Journal Article 2026 06 02 This study was intended to isolate and to identify bacterial species in domestic cats, to determine their capability to form biofilms, and identify the presence of ica genes (icaA and icaB). There were a total of 22 samples collected at three anatomical locations namely; the oral cavity, skin and forepaws. The isolation of bacteria was carried out in the conventional culture media, which was then subjected to phenotypic and biochemical identification and VITEK 2 automated identification system to identify the species accurately. The findings indicated that the presence of bacteria growth in all samples of the skin and paws (100%) and the presence of bacteria in oral samples (54.54%). Various kinds of bacterial species were obtained. Staphylococcus sciuri is the most common (30%), followed by Staphylococcus xylosus (15%). Antibiotic susceptibility test showed that a majority of isolates are susceptible to a wide spectrum of antibiotics though some patterns of multidrug resistance were also observed. Congo Red Agar (CRA) test proved that 70 percent of the isolates were able to form biofilm. At the molecular level, icaA gene was not found in any of the isolates and icaB gene was found in 77.7% of the samples tested. These results show that domestic cats can be a source of bacteria that are biofilm forming and having antibiotic resistance and this can pose a threat of the spread of the disease to humans as a zoonotic disease carrier.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22106_c4b0e79be15953b81876de266fd58e0a.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Economic burden of Dengue Fever and awareness among small-scale livestock farmers in Kerala 1351 1362 22137 10.22034/jzd.2026.22137 EN Bibin Bose Center for Studies in Population and Development, Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Christ University, Bengaluru, India Journal Article 2026 06 07 Dengue fever is a vector-borne disease that poses significant public health and economic challenges in tropical regions. This study combined a state-level economic burden assessment with a community-level awareness survey to provide complementary evidence on the economic impact of Dengue in Wayanad, Kerala. A longitudinal secondary data analysis and cross-sectional survey were conducted to understand the situation. Economic burden estimates used DALY data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and Gross State Domestic Product per capita from the Government of Kerala, with a 3% discount rate. Primary data were collected from 382 dairy farmers using a validated KAP questionnaire. The findings showed a significant rise in the economic burden of Dengue in Kerala, from ₹924.95 million in 2011–12 to ₹1.65 billion in 2023–24. Even after discounting, it remained high at ₹1.15 billion in 2023–24. Awareness was good in 55.76% of the respondents, while 44.24% showed poor awareness. Knowledge was satisfactory, with 84.0% of the participants reporting moderate to high levels of knowledge. However, 64.70% had very low attitude scores, and 36.90% had very low preventive practice scores. No significant associations were found between awareness and socio-demographic or farm-level characteristics of the farmers. The study concludes that Dengue continues to exert a considerable economic burden on Kerala, while awareness gaps, particularly in attitudes and preventive behaviours, persist among rural dairy farmers. Community-based health education and behavioural change interventions are essential for strengthening Dengue prevention and reducing its long-term socioeconomic impact.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22137_48421b99d73f5333b687fcb043f11836.pdf

University of Tabriz Journal of Zoonotic Diseases 2476-535X 10 3 2026 08 01 Hygiene hands in livestock care: Evaluating the effect of interventions on hand hygiene practices among goat and sheep handlers 1363 1369 22033 10.22034/jzd.2026.22033 EN Vidya Rao Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India Chaithra Kanishan Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India 0000-0002-2671-367X Krishna Kumar Dharman Department of Emergency Medicine Technology, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India Vijaya Doddangoudar Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India Journal Article 2026 06 09 Goat and sheep farming is an important source of livelihood in India, and animal farms are the most common setup for animal-human interactions, which could contribute to zoonosis. However, in the absence of reports on the effect of intervention on hand hygiene practices among this set of animal handlers, this work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on hand hygiene practices among goat and sheep handlers. A total of 20 goat and sheep farms located in the peri-urban area of Bangalore, India, were included in the study. A convenient sampling method was employed inviting farm workers present on day one of the study at that farm to participate voluntarily. Data were collected by pre- and post-intervention observation on hand hygiene practices among goat and sheep handlers. The intervention was delivered through manual demonstration and posters. The obtained data were assessed by the McNemar test. Pre-intervention data for safety parameters showed that employees consistently performed hand washing before having food and after handling animal waste. The intervention led to significant improvement in handwashing technique, safety practices, and other parameters (P < 0.001). This work advocates the availability of guidelines for hand hygiene practices among animal handlers as a part of a One Health approach to reduce zoonoses.

https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_22033_4d5790597a0d4c9f588f8c28f8dc2584.pdf