In recent years, the rapid advancement of scientific research focused on microbial communities has led to the emergence of novel molecular approaches. Among these, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology has become one of the most effective tools, enabling high-precision and rapid analysis of the genetic material of microorganisms. This technology is widely applied in microbiome research, allowing for the identification of taxonomic composition, assessment of microbial diversity, and analysis of functional potential.

Milk and dairy products provide a favorable environment for microbial growth; therefore, investigating their microbiological composition is essential for ensuring food safety and quality control. The application of NGS technology offers significant opportunities to characterize microbial community structures in milk and dairy products, analyze microbial interactions, and evaluate microbiological factors affecting product quality.

This article reviews the historical development of NGS technology, metagenomic analysis methods, and key approaches to microbiome research. In addition, it examines the main directions of NGS application in the study of milk and dairy product microbiomes. The analysis of literature data demonstrates that NGS technology serves as an important scientific tool for investigating the microbiological composition of dairy products and ensuring food safety. 

Sheep pox remains one of the most significant viral diseases of small ruminants and poses a serious threat to the sustainable development of sheep farming, causing substantial economic losses due to mortality, decreased productivity, and restrictions on animal movement. The aim of the study was to analyze the epizootic situation of sheep pox in the Republic of Kazakhstan during the period 2021–2024.

The study was based on official veterinary reporting data, materials from outbreak investigations, results of serological monitoring, and laboratory diagnostics. A spatial and temporal assessment of infection spread was performed. The re-emergence of virus circulation was identified, with outbreaks recorded in several regions, including the East Kazakhstan Region, where no cases had been reported for a prolonged period.

To assess the probability of further disease spread, an integral risk assessment model was developed, incorporating the likelihood of adverse factor realization, the severity of potential consequences, and the controllability of the epizootic process. In addition, whole-genome sequencing data of field virus isolates were analyzed, confirming their genetic similarity and suggesting a possible transboundary pattern of circulation.

The findings indicate the need to strengthen preventive measures, expand serological monitoring, and implement modern molecular genetic methods in veterinary practice. A comprehensive risk-based approach will improve the effectiveness of sheep pox control and reduce the likelihood of new epizootic foci.

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of the resistance of winter soft wheat varieties and accessions to rust species under artificially created infectious background conditions in the southern region of Kazakhstan. The research was conducted in 2021 at the Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems. The objects of the study were varieties from Central Asia and

Transcaucasia, as well as collection accessions from the international nurseries 27FAWWON-SA and 27FAWWON-IR. Resistance assessment was carried out based on a range of phytopathological parameters, including disease severity, infection type, area under the disease progress curve, and the coefficient of infection. The studies established that under an artificial infectious background, a significant differentiation of accessions by the level of resistance to stem, leaf, and yellow rust is observed. The maximum disease severity in susceptible accessions reached 60-80%, while in resistant forms this indicator did not exceed 10-20%. Weather conditions during the growing season influenced the development of yellow rust, whose severity remained low in most cases. The results showed that foreign accessions possess a higher level of resistance compared to varieties from CA&T. Specifically, the proportion of forms resistant to stem rust in the 27FAWWON-IR nursery reached 72.1%. Overall, 125 accessions with complex resistance to all three rust species were identified. It was established that the use of an artificial infectious background is an effective and reliable method for phytopathological screening, providing an objective evaluation of genotypes. The identified accessions are of significant interest for breeding practice and can be used as donors of resistance in the development of new high-yielding winter wheat varieties adapted to the conditions of Kazakhstan.

Cowpox virus, belonging to the genus Orthopoxvirus, is widely used as a model for studying orthopoxvirus infections. Despite the availability of data on the susceptibility of different animal species, its assessment under standardized experimental conditions remains limited.

The aim of this study was to assess the susceptibility of laboratory animals to cowpox virus and to substantiate the selection of an optimal experimental model.

The epizootic strain “COWPOX-CAM” of cowpox virus was used in this study. White mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits were employed as experimental models and infected via the intradermal route. Clinical observations were performed, and the course of the infectious process and the development of pathological changes were evaluated.

In guinea pigs, the infection was mild and not associated with mortality. In white mice, the clinical manifestations of infection were mild and were not accompanied by the development of characteristic skin lesions. In rabbits, a pronounced clinical course was observed, including both local and systemic manifestations of infection.

The results obtained indicate that rabbits demonstrate the highest susceptibility to cowpox virus and can be considered the most appropriate experimental model for studying the pathogenesis of infection and evaluating the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutic agents.

The article presents the results of epizootiological monitoring of Q fever conducted in 2023 in the territory of the Zhambyl region. The objects of the study were small and large ruminants in 10 districts of the Zhambyl region. A total of 2,850 whole blood samples, 2,975 blood serum samples, and 131 tick specimens were analyzed using ELISA, complement fixation test (CFT), and real-time PCR methods. A high seroprevalence of antibodies to the causative agent of Q fever was established, predominantly among small ruminants. Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected more frequently during the spring period. The obtained results indicate the endemic nature of this infection in the region and emphasize the need to improve preventive and veterinary-sanitary measures.

Using the microbiological agar diffusion method, the daily dynamics of tylosin antibiotic concentration in the blood serum of six cattle after a single intramuscular administration of injectable tylosin tartrate (Tylosin 50, investigational product) and tylosin base (Tylanic 5%, reference product) were evaluated. In contrast to Tylanic 5%, Tylosin 50 additionally contained ascorbic acid, sodium metabisulfite, and Trilon B. A sequential study design was used.

The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters demonstrated that Tylosin 50 penetrated the systemic circulation more actively than Tylanic 5%. Meanwhile, the differences in distribution volumes, elimination constants, and clearance values were not statistically significant. Thus, the antibiotic form in the preparation, the composition of excipients, and the acidity of the injection solution affected the absorption rate of the active substance but did not influence the distribution and elimination of the drug from the calves’ organism.

The two-sided 90% confidence interval for the ratios of Cmax and AUCt ranged from 80.00 to 125.00%, while for the ratios of Cmax/AUCt and Cmax/AUC∞ it ranged from 75 to 133%, which corresponds to the established bioequivalence acceptance criteria.