Reindeer husbandry takes a leading position in the agricultural sector of the Russian Federation Arctic zone. The purpose of the research is to analyze the science-based assurance of the freedom from highly dangerous infectious diseases in reindeer herds of the Arctic zone. It has been established that diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis, footrot, rabies are still relevant for the reindeer husbandry and can cause not only significant economic damage, but also diseases in humans. The analysis of the archival data and literary sources, as well as own research data lead to the following conclusions: the greatest risk of anthrax occurrence and spread is posed by old carcass sites; to eradicate brucellosis, vaccination of animals along with the general disease control measures is necessary; in case of footrot, special attention should be paid to the control of blood-sucking insects and warble flies; to prevent rabies in reindeer herds, it is important to avoid contacts between deer and wild carnivores and consider emergency vaccination. Undoubtedly, the eradication and prevention of the above-mentioned infectious diseases requires constant epidemiological surveillance, including its element – monitoring, with all necessary special management, animal health measures. There is an obvious need for constant surveillance of infectious diseases in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation using GIS technologies. It is important to pay special attention to the generation of special information layers related to disease characteristics, including deer herd migration routes, sites where anthrax outbreaks were recorded, and the location of disease-infected facilities.

Livestock industry efficiency strongly depends on the livability of young animals, mainly during the early postnatal period. Infectious gastroenteritis of newborns manifested as diarrhea occupies the leading place among the diseases of young animals and brings the production and economic losses. The cause of numerous gastrointestinal disorders are physiological, hygienic, infectious and other factors. This pathology is reported in 50–80% of newborn calves, while 15–55% of diseased animals die. The investigations of the etiology of numerous diarrhea cases revealed rota-, corona-, parvo-, enteroviruses and bovine viral diarrhea virus in fecal samples from calves. Inactivated vaccines have been developed in the Russian Federation to prevent viral diarrhea in cattle. Despite their high antigenicity and field effectiveness, numerous cases of diarrhea in newborn calves have been reported in a number of large livestock farms. In fecal samples collected from diseased individuals, noroviruses along with the above-mentioned viruses were detected by electron microscopy. The noroviruses were detected in fecal samples from humans, cattle, pigs, sheep, dogs, cats, mice, as well as in pork and milk samples. The norovirus genome is prone to mutations, resulting in antigenic shifts and recombination, as well as the emergence and rapid spread of new epidemic and epizootic variants. Epidemiological features of norovirus infection include: prolonged shedding of the virus by the diseased animals and carriers, various transmission routes (fecal-oral, contact) and high contagiousness. In late 20th and early 21st century a large number of dairy and meat cattle were imported to the Russian Federation from various countries, including norovirus-infected countries. All this suggests the need to take noroviruses and other viruses (neboviruses, toroviruses, astroviruses, kobuviruses) into account when investigating the etiology of numerous diarrhea cases in newborn calves and necessitates the development of norovirus diagnostic tools and methods, as well as control measures.

Aquaculture in the Russian Federation is an integral part of the agricultural industry of the state economy. Countries with high rates of aquaculture growth (Norway, USA, China, Japan, Canada, etc.) and increasing efficiency of fish farming are the cradles of infectious diseases, which, in case of improper control, invade the territory of other countries and spread to new areas, bearing the risks for the domestic industry too. In recent years, infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) has caused significant damage to fish farms. In 2020, Estonia suffered heavy losses; more than 65 tons of rainbow trout died and were destroyed during the IHN outbreak with a mortality rate of 71%. This was the first IHN case in this country. The aggravation of the epidemic situation at Estonian fish farms poses a threat to the northwestern regions of the Russian Federation, where aquaculture is practiced (the Leningrad Oblast and the Republic of Karelia). In 2022, IHN outbreaks were reported in France, Italy, Finland, Germany, Denmark and Macedonia. IHN-caused deaths were reported at the river trout farm in Georgia in 2023 for the first time. The domestic aquaculture depends on the import of eggs and seed material from Norway, Denmark, Finland and other countries, therefore a regular disease monitoring is urgently needed. The paper provides a brief description of the IHN causative agent, describes its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, post-mortem lesions, diagnostic tests, infection control and prevention measures. We have reviewed 88 literature sources to summarize the information.

Livestock and poultry diseases occurring due to mineral or vitamin deficiencies are widely reported and belong to the factors restraining the development of livestock industry. Almost until the 90s of the last century, the conditions associated with trace element deficiency were prevented and treated using inorganic compounds. In recent decades, scientists have synthesized chelate metal compounds using organic carriers, determining the high bioavailability of these compounds and the efficiency that repeatedly exceeds the efficiency of inorganic compounds. Amino acids are preferably used as organic carriers. In addition to their main function, i.e. replenishing the trace element deficiency, chelate compounds increase the enzymatic activity, the functional activity of the immune system, and are also able to enhance the absorption of other trace elements, showing a synergistic effect. Due to the immunostimulatory activity resulting from increase in the content of sialic acids, properdin, ceruloplasmin, gamma globulin protein fraction, the metal chelates (copper, cobalt, iodine) can be used as immune response modulators. Iron chelate compounds are used for therapy and prevention of iron deficiency anemias not only in veterinary, but also in human medicine. This paper is based on data analysis of Scopus, CyberLeninka, PubMed, RSCI and other databases and systematizes scientific knowledge on the problem of designing and synthesizing metal chelate compounds using organic carriers. The scientific rationale is given for the use of amino acids and organic acids as organic carriers of metal, vitamin and other compounds. The mechanism of biological action of chelate compounds and the pathogenesis of trace element deficiencies in animals are considered, while the advantages of chelate compound use in microelementoses therapy and prevention are specified.

The helminth fauna of cattle in the Russian Federation is represented, on average, by 80 parasite species, including 10 trematode species, 13 cestode species and 57 nematode species. In Kabardino-Balkaria and Dagestan, up to 65–100% of cattle population are Strongylata and Anoplocephalata infected, up to 87% are Dicrocoelium infected, up to 40% are Fasciola infected, and up to 23% are Echinococcus infected. Continuous helminth fauna monitoring tests and studies of the epizootic patterns of helminth infections in transhumant livestock in the North Caucasus are an urgent task. Parasitological examinations were carried out on the farms of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic that practise vertical transhumance at different altitudes in 2018–2022. The animals of various ages were observed on a year-round basis. The examinations covered transhumant cattle in the subalpine and alpine-subnival subzones of the mountain zone of the Republic, 100 animals per subzone. In the subalpine subzone of the mountain zone of Kabardino-Balkaria, 25 helminth species were detected in the transhumant cattle in the summer and autumn periods, and 7–11 helminth species were detected in the winter and spring periods. The following species prevailed: Dicrocoelium lanceatum, Paramphistomum cervi, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Nematodirus helvetianus, Nematodirus spathiger, Ostertagia ostertagi, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Ostertagiella occidentalis, Haemonchus placei. In the alpine-subnival subzone of the mountain zone of the Republic, 16 helminth species were detected in the transhumant cattle in the summer and autumn periods, and 3–7 helminth species were detected in the winter and spring periods. The following species were found to prevail in this subzone: Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Dicrocoelium lanceatum, Nematodirus helvetianus, Ostertagia ostertagi, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Haemonchus placei, Oesophagostomum radiatum.

Postmortem diagnosis of enzootic bovine leukosis is made on the basis of the results of tests of biological materials from emergently slaughtered or fallen animals using pathomorphological, histological and molecular genetic methods that have some disadvantages. Results of post-slaughter diagnostic tests for bovine leukosis with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are described in the paper. For this purpose, 83 swabs were collected from different carcass parts including 71 swabs from carcasses of the animals that were not pre-slaughter tested and 12 samples from the carcasses of the animals that were pre-slaughter tested with immunodiffusion assay and found bovine leukemia virus-seronegative (control samples). Sterile scalpels, cotton wool, 5 mL tubes with caps were used for swab collection. The samples were taken from incisions in carcasses and internal organs of slaughtered animals with sterile cotton-wool swabs and placed in single-use tubes. Distilled water (or isotonic solution – 0.85% NaCl) was added to the tubes with samples, 0.1 to 0.2 mL per tube depending on the sample size, and the tubes were left at room temperature (22–26 °С) for 1.5–2.0 hours and regularly shaken. Resulting homogeneous substrate was used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay carried out in accordance with the instructions for the test-kit for detection of antibodies against bovine leukemia virus. Specific antibodies to bovine leukemia virus gp51 antigen were detected in 6 (8.5%) out of 71 swabs subjected to the laboratory tests. Therewith, the antibodies were detected only in 3 swabs (4.2%) when the swabs were tested with immunodiffusion assay. All 12 control samples from animals that were pre-slaughter tested and found seronegative were negative when tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Therefore, the above-said serological method can be used for post-slaughter diagnosis of bovine leukosis together with conventional methods.

One of the topical issues of current primatology is spontaneous pathology in monkeys, primarily gastrointestinal infections, which are the leading ones in the morbidity and mortality patterns of the animals raised in captivity. Gastrointestinal pathology in monkeys involves complicated infectious processes, most often of associative type, with the formation of various bacterial and parasitic associations. The study demonstrates the results of gastrointestinal disease and helminth infestation monitoring as well as of the microbial flora spectrum analysis in monkeys in 2017–2022. Mortality of monkeys due to gastrointestinal diseases in the specified period amounted to 60.5%. The postmortem study demonstrated that the leading position in this pathology pattern in monkeys was taken by gastroenterocolitis (62.5%), with dominated chronic atrophic gastroenterocolitis in the acute phase (53.9%). The analysis of the six-year trend in animal mortality showed that the percentage of gastrointestinal diseases remained approximately at the same level every year. Helminth infestations were detected in 22.0% of the diseased animals and in 30.2% of the dead ones. Trichocephalus trichiurus was found in 93.3% of the diseased and in 99.7% of the dead monkeys, Strongyloides sp. – in 12.2% of the diseased and in 3.3% of the dead animals. Helminths were detected as mono- and less often as mixed infestations. In the isolated microflora, the top position was taken by the representatives of genus Proteus. The percentage of pathogenic enterobacteria detections was low, and Shigella flexneri was the leader among them. In monkeys that died from gastrointestinal diseases without parasitic infestation, the pathogenic enterobacteria detection rate was 2 times higher than in the infested animals. The microorganisms were isolated as monocultures and in associations. The microorganisms were isolated as monocultures and in associations Proteus spp. were detected more often. Gastrointestinal diseases of helminth-bacterial etiology in monkeys require complex therapy of the animals.

Viral infections in cats can cause serious diseases and even death. Vaccines protect animals from diseases by inducing antibody production and cellular immune response. Primary and booster vaccinations are performed in accordance with the recommendations for the use of vaccines prescribed by the manufactures depending on the minimum duration of immunity. In case of feline panleukopenia, antibody titers correlate with the protection against infection, as for feline calicivirus infection and feline rhinotracheitis, there is no such correlation or it is less clear. Vaccination of cats against these diseases has been performed in the Russian Federation for many years, nevertheless, the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus (FHV) are still the main common cause of morbidity and mortality among cats. Virus-carrying cats play an important role in the transmission of respiratory viruses such as FHV and FCV in the feline population, and the long-term persistence of FPV in the body, stability in the environmental conditions and resistance to disinfecting agents can be a potential cause of the infection in susceptible kittens. Due to variety of antigenically different FCV strains, the use of the vaccines containing two or more viral strains may induce a broader heterologous protection. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine against feline panleukopenia, feline calicivirus infection and feline viral rhinotracheitis developed at the Federal Center for Animal Health (Vladimir) subordinate to the Rosselkhoznadzor, containing 2 heterologous FCV strains (Pers strain genotype I and Fauna strain genotype II), FPV Sheba strain and FHV Lavr strain. The product was developed and tested for its quality in accordance with the requirements of the Russian Federation law. Clinical studies were conducted using 8–12 week-old kittens from different litters born from seronegative, non-vaccinated cats and kept in the household, in a veterinary hospital and animal shelters. The product has successfully passed comprehensive quality control and is registered in the territory of the Russian Federation.

The proportion of infectious diseases in general avian pathology is known to vary significantly, while bacterial infections play a critical role in avian disease occurrence and incidence. Most of them are registered in the country’s large-scale poultry holdings, poultry farms and backyards and pose a serious risk in terms of epidemic and veterinary-sanitary aspects. This paper presents the results of analysis of avian colibacillosis and salmonellosis occurrence in 2018–2022, taking into account the number of outbreaks and diseased poultry for each disease. A retrospective analysis showed that these infections are registered annually in poultry farms of the Russian Federation, within a 5-year-period the number of poultry with colibacillosis ranged from 66.18% in 2018 to 0.15% in 2021 of the total number of diseased birds, and the number of Salmonella-infected poultry ranged from 65.91% in 2019 to 0.57% in 2021. In 2018–2020 219,020 samples of poultry meat and poultry products were tested for Salmonella, while Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella infantis were detected in 0.80% cases. It should be noted that in accordance with the requirements of Technical Regulations TR CU 021/2011 and TR EAEU 051/2021, no Salmonella is allowed in 25 g of poultry meat. According to the VESTA automated system, during the study period, incompliances with microbiological safety parameters were detected in 16.11% of poultry meat and poultry product samples, of which 10.98% of the samples contained mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, and 5.13% contained Escherichia coli. The data obtained indicate the need for a retrospective analysis of the occurrence of some avian bacterial infections in order to study the animal disease situation in poultry farms for the purpose of improving the set of measures to ensure the disease freedom in poultry industry, while addressing the laboratory test results.

Searching for a preparation that would meet all the requirements for modern adjuvants remains a matter of critical importance for specific immunoprophylaxis. Much information is available now on chitosan positive effect, including its effect on the immune response. The article provides results of the preclinical tests for different affordable chitosan-based products. For the test purposes, we took the following three products manufactured by LLC Bioprogress (Shchelkovo, Russia): water-soluble chitosan (succinate) – 2% solution edible chitosan (water-soluble) – 2% solution; edible chitosan (acid-soluble) – 2% solution, as well as antirabies vaccine RABIKOV manufactured by Shchelkovo Biocombinat (Russia). Immunogenic properties of chitosan-based products were tested in 85–100-day-old female white laboratory mice weighing 21–35 g. The animals were divided into 37 groups (6 mice in each group). Chitosan-based products were administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, either together with the anti-rabies vaccine or without it. Animals from the control groups received either saline solution or the vaccine only. There was also a group of intact animals. The experiment demonstrated that the water-soluble chitosan (succinate) administered subcutaneously, acid-soluble edible chitosan (at a concentration of 1:64 and more), and water-soluble edible chitosan (at a concentration of 1:108) administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly increase the level of post-vaccination anti-rabies antibodies. Thus, the tested chitosan-based products do not have any negative impact on the laboratory animals and have immunogenic properties.

The paper reports on the research into the immunotherapeutic properties of a conjugate based on BCG antigens with betulonic acid after experimental infection of guinea pigs with Mycobacterium scrofulaceum culture, belonging to nontuberculosis mycobacteria type II according to the Runyon classification. Fifteen guinea pigs were used for the experimental purposes, divided into 3 groups. Mycobacterium scrofulaceum was subcutaneously injected into animals of Groups 1 and 2 (n = 10) at a dose of 5 mg. Fourteen days later, a conjugate based on BCG antigens with betulonic acid was subcutaneously injected into animals of Group 2 (n = 5) at a dose of 500 µg/mL of protein. Five intact animals were used as controls. During the experiment, neutrophil bactericidal activity was assessed, and histopathological examination of inguinal lymph nodes was done. The experiment showed that the inoculation of Mycobacterium scrofulaceum into guinea pigs activates cationic proteins and neutrophil myeloperoxidase, and on experiment day 42 (preceded by mycobacteria withdrawal from the body) their concentration reduced to the level of the control group. The vaccine administration induced a more active intracellular phagocyte metabolism during the entire observation period, which resulted in the elimination of nontuberculosis mycobacteria in animals as early as day 7 after treatment with the conjugate. The elimination was confirmed by the absence of mycobacterial antigen in blood smears tested in indirect immunofluorescence, as well as by histopathological changes in inguinal lymph nodes demonstrated as a reduction of germinal centers within lymphoid follicles.

The results of the use of DIABAX feed additive alone and in combination with a biogenic stimulant for the correction of biochemical, hematological blood parameters in young cattle after gastrointestinal infections taking into account the disease and survival rates, as well as their performance indicators are presented. Three groups of calves at the age of less than 30 days old, two test groups and one control group, were formed for analogous pairs-based trial. Calves of control group were subcutaneously injected with saline solution at a dose of 8 mL on day 1, 5, 10 of the trial; calves of test group 1 (О-1) were fed with DIABAX feed additive with milk at a dose of 3.0 mL once a day; calves of test group 2 (О-2) were intramuscularly injected with the biogenic stimulant at a dose of 0.5 mL/10 kg of body weight on day 1, 5, 10 of the trial and also received DIABAX at a dose of 3.0 mL once a day during 15 days. The tests showed that co-administration of the biogenic stimulant and DIABAX feed additive (in О-2 group) contributed to 100% survival rate in calves, as well as significant increase in calcium and magnesium levels in animal sera by 14.5–23.8% and 61.2–79.5%, respectively, as compared with the initial levels and the levels in control group; increase in albumin and α-globulin protein fraction concentrations by 10.1% and 43.2% (p ≤ 0.05), respectively, albumin/globulin ratio – by 17.5%, color index – by 1.1%, increase in the total immunoglobulin G amount by 2.7 times as compared to the initial values. Daily administration of DIABAX feed additive to calves of О-1 group for 15 days reduced recurrent disease rate in the calves by 14.4%, resulted in significant increase in calcium and magnesium levels in sera by 10.1% and 75.0% (p ≤ 0.05), respectively, as well increase in immunoglobulin G level by 2.3 times, erythrocyte level – by 3.8%, hemoglobin level – by 8.0%, leukocyte level – by 21.8%, albumin/globulin ratio – by 35.1% in sera as compared to initial values.