In The Gambia, malaria transmission persists due to insecticide resistance and residual vector behavior, despite extensive use of indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated nets. Community-led larval source management using Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) offers a sustainable vector control alternative. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of community-led Bti application for reducing Anopheles mosquito populations, compared to expert-supervised application and non-intervention control arms. A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted across malaria-endemic regions in The Gambia from 2023 to 2024. Intervention arms included: (1) community-led Bti application, (2) expert-supervised Bti application, and (3) untreated control. Trained volunteers and entomologists applied Bti to breeding sites at weekly or biweekly intervals. Entomological surveys were conducted biweekly to monitor larval, pupal, and adult mosquito densities. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and negative binomial regression, adjusting for environmental covariates. By round 10, community-led and expert-supervised interventions achieved 96.8% and 98.6% reductions in larval density, 97.4% and 99.1% reductions in pupal emergence, and 96.2% and 98.8% reductions in adult mosquito populations, respectively. Statistically significant declines in mosquito densities were observed by 2024 (p < 0.001). Community participation enabled high coverage and operational sustainability, with over 85% of participants reporting visible mosquito reduction. Seasonal Bti application, especially when led by trained community members, significantly suppresses Anopheles populations. Although expert-supervised methods yielded slightly higher efficacy, community-led biolarviciding offers a scalable, sustainable, and environmentally safe vector control strategy, supporting The Gambia’s malaria elimination goals.

Local Indonesian chickens possess valuable dual-purpose traits for both meat and egg production, but exhibit lower productivity compared to commercial breeds. Genetic enhancement through selective crossbreeding and molecular marker analysis, such as growth hormone (GH) gene polymorphism, offers a strategy to improve performance traits. This study aimed to characterize quantitative traits and analyze GH gene polymorphism in crossbred chickens resulting from mating Arab chickens with five indigenous breeds. Five local breeds, Kampung Super, Sentul, Bangkok, Kampung, and Merawang, were each crossed with Arabian chickens using a 1:7 male-to-female ratio. Phenotypic evaluations included body weight (BW), weight gain, and 18 morphometric traits measured at various ages. Egg traits were monitored for 4 weeks. GH gene polymorphism was identified in 500 crossbred individuals using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with the AluI enzyme restriction. Data were analyzed through a one-way analysis of variance and General Linear Models to determine phenotypic and genotypic associations. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in BW, BW gain, morphometric size, and egg traits were observed among parental and crossbred groups. Kampung Super × Arab chickens showed the highest performance across growth and reproductive metrics. The highest weight gain occurred between 2 and 3 months of age. Back height emerged as a key morphometric indicator of growth differences. PCR-RFLP revealed GH gene polymorphism with three genotypes: (+/+), (+/−), and (−/−). The (+/+) genotype had a significant (p < 0.05) positive impact on BW, weight gain, and back height. All populations were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and polymorphic information content values (~0.437) indicated moderate genetic diversity. This study is the first comprehensive integration of morphometric, phenotypic, and GH genotypic data in Indonesian crossbred chickens. The findings support the implementation of marker-assisted selection to enhance growth traits in breeding programs. Future work should assess multi-generational effects and integrate additional molecular markers to optimize breeding strategies across tropical poultry systems.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen notorious for its biofilm formation and persistence in clinical and veterinary settings. Its resistance is exacerbated by quorum sensing (QS) pathways that regulate virulence and biofilm maturation. Disrupting QS and biofilm integrity using plant-derived compounds presents a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm and anti-QS potential of Paederia foetida Linn. ethanolic extract against A. baumannii, integrating gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling, molecular docking, and in vitro assays. Leaves of P. foetida were extracted with ethanol and analyzed by GC-MS to identify major bioactive constituents. Molecular docking was conducted against five QS and biofilm-associated A. baumannii proteins (AF-A0A7S8WE28-F1-v4, AF-A0A059ZL64-F1-v4, AF-Q2VSW6-F1-v4, AF-A0A2P1B9S4-F1-v4, and AF-A0A5P9VY74-F1-v4). Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles and drug-likeness of key compounds were assessed in silico. Antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]/minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]), and biofilm inhibition was evaluated through crystal violet microtiter assays. Morphological damage was examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). GC-MS identified 30 phytoconstituents, with 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, 4H-pyran-4-one derivative, and eugenol as predominant compounds. Eugenol exhibited the highest binding affinity, particularly with AbaR (−6.3 kcal/mol). The extract showed significant antimicrobial activity (MIC = 7.81 mg/mL; MBC = 31.25 mg/mL) and dose-dependent inhibition of biofilm biomass (p < 0.001). FE-SEM imaging confirmed dose-responsive membrane damage and disruption of the biofilm. ADMET predictions revealed favorable oral bioavailability and low toxicity for selected compounds. P. foetida extract exhibits potent antibacterial, anti-QS, and antibiofilm activity against MDR A. baumannii, supported by its phytochemical diversity, favorable pharmacokinetics, and strong protein-ligand interactions. These findings suggest its promise as a plant-derived therapeutic aligned with the One Health framework to combat antimicrobial resistance in both human and veterinary medicine.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a devastating pathogen in shrimp aquaculture, with viral protein 28 (VP28) playing a critical role in host cell attachment and entry. The extracellular domain of VP28 (residues 35–95) is immunogenic and essential for infection; however, its receptor interaction mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the tissue-binding affinity of full-length VP28 and its derived peptides (P1: Residues 35–65; P2: Residues 66–95) as well as a multimeric chimeric virus-like particle (K5-VLP) displaying VP28 on the surface of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus capsids to enhance host tissue interaction. Recombinant VP28, synthetic peptides (P1, P2), and chimeric K5-VLP were produced and characterized. Binding and inhibition assays were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence microscopy on shrimp gill, hemocyte, muscle, stomach, and hepatopancreas tissues. Full-length VP28 exhibited strong binding to gill, hemocyte, and muscle tissues. The P1 and P2 peptides showed moderate binding compared to rVP28. Notably, K5-VLP demonstrated a 1.7-fold higher binding affinity than rVP28 in gill tissues and significantly outperformed P1 and P2 peptides. Inhibition assays confirmed that K5-VLP more effectively interfered with VP28 binding than peptides. Structural analysis and transmission electron microscopy confirmed correct assembly and surface presentation of VP28 on the VLPs. Multimeric display of VP28 on K5-VLP enhances its binding affinity to shrimp tissues compared to monomeric or peptide forms. This suggests a promising platform for antiviral strategies, including competitive inhibition of WSSV entry and targeted therapeutic delivery in shrimp aquaculture.

The small intestinal microbiota plays a pivotal role in poultry digestion and immune function. Rearing systems can influence their composition, thereby affecting the overall health and performance of the birds. This study aimed to investigate how rearing systems (intensive [IN] vs. free-range [FR]) and immune status, reflected by leukocyte profiles, influence the small intestinal microbiome of IPB-D3 chickens, a genetically improved Indonesian local breed. Ninety IPB-D3 chickens were reared for 12 weeks under either IN or FR systems. Hematological profiling was conducted to assess health status, with leukocyte counts used to stratify birds. Microbiota samples from the small intestine were analyzed using full-length 16S ribosomal RNA (V1–V9) sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore platform. Taxonomic identification was performed using the SILVA database. Statistical comparisons were made using t-tests, and microbial diversity was assessed through alpha and beta diversity metrics. While most hematological parameters did not differ significantly between rearing systems, total leukocyte counts were higher in intensively reared chickens (p = 0.002). FR chickens exhibited significantly greater microbial diversity (p < 0.05) across multiple alpha diversity indices. A total of 1,294 unique species were identified in FR birds versus 720 in the IN group, with 1,761 shared species. Leukocyte level further influenced microbial profiles; chickens with high leukocyte (HL) counts were dominated by Ligilactobacillus aviarius, whereas low-leukocyte chickens had a higher abundance of Bacteroides caecigallinarum. Gallibacterium anatis, a potential pathogen, dominated in IN systems with elevated leukocytes. This study demonstrates that both the rearing environment and immune status substantially influence small intestinal microbial composition in IPB-D3 chickens. FR systems promoted richer, more beneficial microbial communities, while IN systems, especially with HL levels, were associated with opportunistic pathogens. Leukocyte profiling may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for gut health, supporting future development of precision poultry management strategies and immune-responsive probiotics.

Coccidiosis is a widespread protozoan disease that severely impacts poultry health and productivity. The Qinghao Changshan (QHCS) formula, composed of multiple traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, is widely used in China for coccidiosis control. Despite its proven clinical efficacy, the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic action remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the active components and molecular mechanisms of QHCS against coccidiosis using an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and molecular docking. Active compounds of QHCS were identified from public pharmacological databases based on criteria of oral bioavailability ≥ioa and drug-likeness ≥rug-l Targets of these compounds were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper, and disease-related genes were retrieved from GeneCards, DrugBank, OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man), and Therapeutic Target Database. Overlapping targets were visualized using Venn diagrams, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using STRING and Cytoscape. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted to explore relevant biological functions and pathways. Molecular docking was used to validate interactions between selected active compounds (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin) and key targets (epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], estrogen receptor 1 [ESR1], progesterone receptor [PGR]). Sixty-nine active compounds and 3476 potential targets of QHCS were identified, with 11 targets overlapping with 87 coccidiosis-related genes. Eight core targets–Amyloid Beta Precursor Protein, interleukin 6, TNF Receptor Associated Factor 1, Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Beta, EGFR, ESR1, Erb-B2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 2, and PGR–were identified through PPI network analysis. GO and KEGG enrichment revealed key pathways including focal adhesion, calcium signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase, ErbB signaling pathway, forkhead box O, and gap junction pathways. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities of isorhamnetin, kaempferol, and quercetin to EGFR, ESR1, and PGR, supporting their regulatory roles in these signaling pathways. QHCS exhibits anti-coccidial activity by modulating multiple signaling pathways and molecular targets through its key bioactive constituents. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the therapeutic effects of QHCS and lay a theoretical foundation for its broader application in veterinary parasitology.