Madhu Goswami,
- Student, Department of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Zoonotic diseases, which are transmissible between animals and humans, pose a significant threat to global public health, food security, and economic stability. Veterinary immunology plays a pivotal role in understanding host–pathogen interactions, developing preventive strategies, and mitigating the impact of these diseases. Animals serve as reservoirs for a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which can persist asymptomatically or cause clinical disease. Understanding the immune mechanisms in both natural and domestic animal hosts is crucial for controlling pathogen transmission to humans. Innate and adaptive immune responses form the first line of defense against zoonotic pathogens, influencing infection susceptibility, disease severity, and transmission dynamics. Veterinary immunology enables the identification of immune correlates of protection, guiding vaccine development and immunotherapeutic interventions. Prophylactic vaccination of livestock and companion animals has proven effective in reducing the incidence of diseases such as rabies, brucellosis, and avian influenza. Serological and molecular immune monitoring further support early detection and surveillance, allowing timely interventions and outbreak control. The One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, highlighting the role of veterinarians in zoonotic disease surveillance, vaccination programs, and public health education. Advances in genomics, proteomics, and immunoinformatics have accelerated the development of novel vaccines, diagnostics, and immunomodulatory therapies. Moreover, understanding immune evasion strategies of zoonotic pathogens helps in designing targeted interventions and predicting emerging threats. This review provides a comprehensive overview of veterinary immunology in zoonotic disease control, addressing immune mechanisms, vaccination strategies, diagnostic approaches, and the integration of immunological knowledge into One Health frameworks. By leveraging immunological insights and innovative tools, veterinary medicine can significantly contribute to preventing zoonotic spillover events, protecting both animal and human populations, and strengthening global health security.
Keywords: Veterinary immunology, zoonotic diseases, One Health, vaccination, host–pathogen interaction, livestock, companion animals, disease surveillance, immune response, public health
[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology ]
References
- Mandl JN, Ahmed R, Barreiro LB, Daszak P, Epstein JH, Virgin HW, et al. Reservoir host immune responses to emerging zoonotic viruses. Cell. 2015;160(1):20–35.
- Bean AG, Baker ML, Stewart CR, Cowled C, Deffrasnes C, Wang LF, et al. Studying immunity to zoonotic diseases in the natural host – keeping it real. Nat Rev Immunol. 2013;13(12):851–61.
- Li Y. The immunology of zoonotic infection. 2022;11(8):995. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11080995.
- Rahman MT, Islam MA, Rahman MM, Rahman MA, Rahman MM. Zoonotic diseases: Etiology, impact, and control. Vet World. 2020;13(7):1289–97. doi:10.14202/vetworld.2020.1289-1297.
- Meurens F, Summerfield A, Nauwynck H, Saif L, Gerdts V. The immunology of the porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2021;232:110122. doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110122.
- Elsohaby I, Al-Majali AM, Al-Dahash R. Zoonotic diseases: Understanding the risks and mitigating the impact. BMC Vet Res. 2023;19(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12917-023-03736-8.
- Magouras I, Goutard FL, Pfeiffer DU, Gilbert M. Emerging zoonotic diseases: Should we rethink the animal-human-environment interface? Front Vet Sci. 2020;7:582743. doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.582743.
- Loving CL, McGill JL, McReynolds L, et al. Immunology of zoonotic diseases and relevant animal models. J Immunol. 2023;211(8):1169–80. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.2300533.
- Plowright RK, Parrish CR, McCallum H, et al. Pathways to zoonotic spillover. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2017;15(8):502–10. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.45.
- Ed-Dra A, Benomar S, El Mouden H, et al. Editorial: Zoonotic bacteria: Genomic evolution, antimicrobial resistance and public health implications. Front Vet Sci. 2024;11:1390732. doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1390732.
- Mhlanga A. Assessing the impact of optimal health education programs on the control of zoonotic diseases. Comput Math Methods Med. 2020;2020:6584323. doi:10.1155/2020/6584323.
| Volume | 14 | |
| Issue | 03 | |
| Received | 12/09/2025 | |
| Accepted | 18/09/2025 | |
| Published | 19/09/2025 | |
| Publication Time | 7 Days |