Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
05:51
Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
20.1K
Viral Diseases that Affect Donkeys and Mules.
Rebeca Jéssica Falcão Câmara1, Bruna Lopes Bueno1, Cláudia Fideles Resende1
1Laboratório de Retroviroses, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|December 1, 2020
Summary
Donkeys and mules are vital but neglected equines facing threats from viral diseases. Limited research on these infections impacts their health, well-being, and poses risks to public health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Equine Health
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Donkeys (Equus asinus) and mules comprise 50% of the global equine population, crucial for human livelihoods, especially in developing nations.
- These equids are increasingly neglected, facing threats from abandonment, slaughter, and poor sanitation, leading to a vulnerable status.
- Existing knowledge on infectious viral diseases affecting donkeys and mules is limited, with a frequent lack of consideration for their unique physiology compared to horses (Equus caballus).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of significant viral diseases affecting donkeys and mules.
- To highlight the impact of these infections on the performance and welfare of these equids.
- To underscore the potential risks these diseases pose to the conservation of donkeys and mules, as well as to public and animal health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on viral pathogens impacting donkeys and mules.
- Comparative analysis of disease prevalence and impact in donkeys/mules versus horses.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on disease transmission, clinical signs, and economic implications.
Main Results:
- Viral infections significantly compromise the health, productivity, and well-being of donkeys and mules.
- Lack of species-specific research leads to inadequate management and treatment protocols.
- Cross-species viral transmission poses a potential zoonotic risk and impacts the broader equine industry.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need for increased research and targeted veterinary care for donkeys and mules concerning viral diseases.
- Addressing these health challenges is critical for the conservation of these species and for mitigating public health risks.
- Recognizing and managing viral infections specific to donkeys and mules is essential for their welfare and their continued role in human societies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:57Viral Recombination
24.5K
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
24.5K
00:36Viral Mutations
38.1K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
38.1K
01:29Subviral Agents
320
Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...
320
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
271
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
271
01:27Diversity of Protists II
621
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
621
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
6.1K
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
6.1K