| 1. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on the assessment of studies on the use of carbon dioxide for stunning rabbits
- 2015
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW Panel) was asked by the European Commission to deliver a scientific opinion on two studies concerned with the use of carbon dioxide for stunning rabbits. The European Commission had received from the Spanish authorities a report of a study entitled ‘Carbon dioxide stunning of rabbits' and another study entitled ‘Stunning of rabbits with carbon dioxide', provided as a complement to the first study. The latter was undertaken in a commercial abattoir where a commercial carbon dioxide stunner was installed. The results of electrocardiography and animal-based measures (nasal discomfort and vocalisation) produced in the experimental slaughterhouse study clearly indicated that the rabbits were subjected to pain and suffering prior to the loss of consciousness. The data presented do not describe stable, controlled or repeatable experimental conditions. The statistical tests used to analyse the data were not appropriate. The study in the commercial abattoir was not based on sound scientific conclusions resulting from the experimental slaughterhouse study. For all of these reasons, the submitted studies did not meet the minimum criteria for eligibility in the EFSA guidance on the assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions. Therefore, they were not further assessed.
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| 2. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on the scientific assessment of studies on electrical parameters for stunning of small ruminants (ovine and caprine species)
- 2015
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW Panel) was asked by the European Commission to deliver a scientific opinion on three studies evaluating electrical parameters for the stunning of lambs and kid goats. The Commission received the studies from the Spanish authorities. One study was in the form of a manuscript entitled ‘Electrical stunning effectiveness with current levels lower than 1 A in lambs and kid goats'. The second study consisted of a summary in English entitled ‘Effect of the electrical stunning with inferior intensities of current to 1 Ampere on the carcass quality in Pascuales lambs', and the third study consisted of a summary in English entitled ‘Effect of electrical stunning with inferior intensities to 1 Ampere on the induction to the unconsciousness in lambs'. Reported outcomes for different animal categories were inconsistent and contradictory, indicating a need to validate if the stunning equipment delivered the intended current levels to the animals. The head-only stunning and slaughter intervention failed to achieve and/or maintain unconsciousness during bleeding and the head-to-body stunning and slaughter intervention failed to achieve cardiac ventricular fibrillation in all of the animals, as evidenced by the presence of corneal reflex and rhythmic breathing. No evidence of absence of pain and suffering is presented in the studies. The submitted studies are not considered adequate for a full welfare assessment of the alternative stunning method because they do not fulfil the eligibility criteria and the reporting quality criteria defined in the EFSA guidance on the assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions or the EFSA opinion on monitoring welfare at slaughter of small ruminants.
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| 3. |
- Ström Hallenberg, Gunilla, et al.
(författare)
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Antimicrobials in small-scale urban pig farming in a lower middle-income country - arbitrary use and high resistance levels
- 2018
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Ingår i: Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2047-2994. ; 7:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2018 The Author(s). Background: Administration of antimicrobials to food-producing animals is regarded as a major contributor to the overall emergence of resistance in bacteria worldwide. However, few data are available on global antimicrobial use and resistance (AMR) in livestock, especially from low- and middle-income countries. Methods: We conducted a structured survey of 91 small-scale pig farms in the urban and peri-urban areas of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to assess the farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to antimicrobial use in their pig production. Commensal Escherichia coli was isolated from three healthy pigs from each farm (n = 261) and susceptibility testing was performed against 14 antimicrobials, using broth microdilution. Univariable logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate potential associations between farm characteristics, management factors and resistance to different types of antimicrobials. Results: We found a widespread and arbitrary use of antimicrobials, often based on the farmer's own judgment. Around 66% of the farmers reported frequently self-adjusting treatment duration and dosage, and 45% had not heard about the term 'antimicrobial resistance'. The antimicrobials most commonly mentioned or kept by the farmers were amoxicillin, tylosin, gentamicin and colistin. Around 37% used a feed concentrate that contained antimicrobials, while antimicrobials for humans were used as a last-line treatment by 10% of the farmers. Commensal E. coli exhibited high prevalence of resistance to several antimicrobials considered to be of critical importance for human medicine, including ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and colistin, and multidrug-resistance was found in 79% of the samples. Higher prevalence of resistance was observed on farms that administered prophylactic antimicrobials and on farms that treated the entire group or herd in the event of disease. Conclusion: The widespread and arbitrary use of antimicrobials in pig farming in Cambodia is highly worrisome. Overall, farmers had a low awareness of the risks and consequences related to antimicrobial use and AMR. The results presented in this study confirm the hypothesis that non-rational use of antimicrobials results in higher prevalence of AMR and highlight the need for professional animal health systems that involve medically rational use of antimicrobials in emerging economies such as Cambodia.
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| 4. |
- Skiöldebrand, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein neoepitope in the synovial fluid of horses with acute lameness: A new biomarker for the early stages of osteoarthritis
- 2017
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Ingår i: Equine Veterinary Journal. - : Wiley. - 0425-1644 .- 2042-3306. ; 49:5, s. 662-667
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundClinical tools to diagnose the early changes of osteoarthritis (OA) that occur in the articular cartilage are lacking. ObjectivesWe sought to identify and quantify a novel cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) neoepitope in the synovial fluid from the joints of healthy horses and those with different stages of OA. Study designIn vitro quantitative proteomics and assay development with application in synovial fluids samples obtained from biobanks of well-characterised horses. MethodsArticular cartilage explants were incubated with or without interleukin-1 for 25 days. Media were analysed via quantitative proteomics. Synovial fluid was obtained from either normal joints (n = 15) or joints causing lameness (n = 17) or with structural OA lesions (n = 7) and analysed for concentrations of the COMP neoepitope using a custom-developed inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Explants were immunostained with polyclonal antibodies against COMP and the COMP neoepitopes. ResultsSemitryptic COMP peptides were identified and quantified in cell culture media from cartilage explants. A rabbit polyclonal antibody was raised against the neoepitope of the N-terminal portion of one COMP fragment (sequence SGPTHEGVC). An inhibition ELISA was developed to quantify the COMP neoepitope in synovial fluid. The mean concentration of the COMP neoepitope significantly increased in the synovial fluid from the joints responsible for acute lameness compared with normal joints and the joints of chronically lame horses and in joints with chronic structural OA. Immunolabelling for the COMP neoepitope revealed a pericellular staining in the interleukin-1-stimulated explants. Main limitationsThe ELISA is based on polyclonal antisera rather than a monoclonal antibody. ConclusionsThe increase in the COMP neoepitope in the synovial fluid from horses with acute lameness suggests that this neoepitope has the potential to be a unique candidate biomarker for the early molecular changes in articular cartilage associated with OA.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Chenais, Erika
(författare)
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African swine fever in Uganda : epidemiology and socio-economic impact in the smallholder setting
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In the last decade millions of people have been able to leave poverty, increasing the regional demand for meat and livestock products. In combination with reforms in market and agricultural policy, this has led to an increase in pig production in sub-Saharan Africa, most notably in Uganda. The growing pig sector could be an important contributor to poverty reduction among smallholder pig keepers. However, the growing pig population has been followed by an increase in African swine fever (ASF) incidence. ASF is a contagious, typically very lethal, haemorrhagic, viral disease of domestic pigs. The overall goal of this doctoral project was to develop the understanding of ASF epidemiology in the smallholder setting in Uganda. Four studies were conducted in two districts in northern Uganda among smallholder farmers, other pig production value-chain actors, and a medium-sized farm. The studies included group- and individual interviews as well as biological and environmental sampling and testing for the virus. Data were analysed using semi-qualitative and quantitative methods. The thesis concluded that ASF was endemic in the study area, and that outbreaks could be detected using retrospective and real-time farmer reports. ASF outbreaks were associated with activities of humans, such as trade in pigs and pig products and free-range management systems. ASF outbreaks had long-term negative social and economic impact for pig production value-chain actors on all investigated levels in the value chain. For smallholder farmers, the impact was aggravated with increasing herd size. Trade and consumption of sick and dead pigs were commonly used as coping strategies. Farm-level biosecurity was insufficient for ASF protection and awareness of control methods did not guarantee their implementation. The continuous ASF transmission in the study area was not driven by lack of knowledge, but rather by cultural circumstances, taboos and poverty. Therefore, in order for control methods to be successfully and sustainably implemented, they need to be developed in participation with the communities, adapted to the local context, socially acceptable, flexible, and cost-effective.
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| 7. |
- Cuevas Romero, Julieta Sandra
(författare)
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Studies of the molecular genetics and epidemiology of porcine rubulavirus infection
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Porcine rubulavirus (PorPV) infection emerged spontaneously in pigs in Mexico in the early 1980s. Since the report of the initial outbreak of the disease, only one full-length genome from a strain isolated in 1984 (PorPV-LPMV/1984) has been sequenced. There is therefore limited information about the genetic variation of this virus. The overall objective of this thesis was to develop molecular techniques to help in the diagnostic field and to investigate in greater detail the full genomes of several isolates, and if possible, gain insights into the persistence, molecular epidemiology and the possible reservoirs of PorPV. In addition, a characterisation of the immune response during acute and persistent infection was included. A real-time RT-PCR was developed for the detection of viral RNA from PorPV in clinical samples using TaqMan technology and primers for the P gene. This assay was highly sensitive (approximately 10 copies per reaction), specific, reproducible and a very useful tool for molecular diagnostics and for enabling studies of various aspects of PorPV throughout this thesis. RT-PCRs based on the NP and P genes were used to study the tissue distribution of the virus. Viral mRNA in the lymph nodes showed that the NP gene was consistently detected in the parotid, submaxilar, cervical and mesenteric nodes and the pancreas. Full-length genomes were sequenced from new isolates obtained from clinical cases of infected swine. The genetic comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicated that three different genetic variants of PorPV had spread in the swine population and that a new generation of circulating virus with a pronounced attenuation has begun to emerge in nature. We also report the isolation of PorPV, or a related virus, from frugivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous bats. A partial genome sequence analysis showed a 99.97 - 100% amino acid identity to the reference strain isolated from swine. However, larger parts of the genome must be sequenced to ascertain the genetic relationship between these viruses. The study of the immune response during acute and persistent infection revealed enhanced levels of CD8+, CD4+ and CD2+ T-cells in all infected pigs at 10 days PI. CD8+ T-cell subpopulations were significantly higher (p<0.05) at 10 and 250 days PI, and CD4+ T-lymphocytes were also significant at 250 days PI. In summary, this work developed molecular techniques that can be used to study the pathogenesis and molecular epidemiology of PorPV. The knowledge of the presence of different virus variants in nature, associated with a wildlife reservoir of PorPV can provide greater knowledge regarding the molecular genetic changes and useful data to establish new strategies in the control of this virus in Mexico.
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| 8. |
- Novobilsky, Adam, et al.
(författare)
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First report of closantel treatment failure against Fasciola hepatica in cattle
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance. - : Elsevier BV. - 2211-3207. ; 5, s. 172-177
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Control of Fasciola hepatica infection in livestock is based on annual treatment using flukicides such as triclabendazole, albendazole and closantel. However, triclabendazole resistant F. hepatica populations are emerging worldwide and resistance is emerging to albendazole, whereas it has until now never been described for closantel. In Sweden, a topical formulation containing a combination of closantel and ivermectin (Closamectin Pour On) has been registered for use in cattle only since 2011. This study evaluated the efficacy of closantel against F. hepatica in naturally infected beef cattle using both coproantigen and faecal egg count reduction tests.Faecal egg counts (FEC) and coproantigen ELISA examinations were conducted in February 2014 in three beef cattle herds (A, B, C) in south-western Sweden. On each farm, 10 F. hepatica coproantigen-positive and F. hepatica egg-positive animals were allocated after 12-16 weeks of housing into groups and treated topically with a minimum of 20 mg closantel per kg body weight. Faecal samples were collected from selected animals on 0, 7 and 21 day post-treatment (PT).Based on FEC, closantel efficacy 21 days PT was 72% (95% CI: 65-77%) and 97% (95% CI: 95-98%) on farms A and B, respectively. No FEC reduction at all was observed on farm C. In total, 4, 1 and 6 animals remained coproantigen-positive at 21 days PT on farms A, B and C, respectively.Closantel treatment failure was confirmed on two of the farms. As the animals were housed 12 -16 weeks before treatment and thereafter during the entire study, failure due to the presence of juvenile flukes was excluded. Although the cause of closantel failure currently remains unclear, development of resistance or/and absorption failure of topical administration should be considered. To our knowledge, this is the first report of closantel treatment failure against F. hepatica in cattle. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian Society for Parasitology.
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| 9. |
- Riihimäki, Miia, et al.
(författare)
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Viral load of equine herpesviruses 2 and 5 in nasal swabs of actively racing Standardbred trotters: Temporal relationship of shedding to clinical findings and poor performance
- 2015
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Ingår i: Veterinary Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1135 .- 1873-2542. ; 179, s. 142-148
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The equine gamma herpesviruses 2 and 5 (EHV-2 and -5) have frequently been observed in the equine population and until recently presumed low to nonpathogenic. However, recent reports linking presence of equine gamma herpesviruses with clinical signs of mild to severe lung disease, suggest that the role of these viruses in respiratory disease and poor performance syndrome is still unclear. Moreover, baseline data regarding the temporal pattern of shedding of EHV-2 and EHV-5 within stables and within individual actively racing horses have been lacking. In a prospective longitudinal study, we followed elite racing Standardbred trotters at monthly intervals for 13 months, to investigate whether the amount of EHV-2 and EHV-5 shedded in nasal secretions varied over time within and between individual horses. Sixty-six elite horses were investigated by analyzing nasal swabs and serum samples, a health check and evaluation of athletic performance monthly during the study period. Nasal swabs were analyzed with two newly developed qPCR assays for EHV-2 and EHV-5, respectively. Of 663 samples, 197 (30%) were positive for EHV-2 and 492(74%) positive for EHV-5. Furthermore, 176(27%) of the samples were positive for both EHV-2 and EHV-5 simultaneously. There was considerable variation in the amount and frequency of shedding of EHV-2 and EHV-5 within and between individual horses. Viral load varied seasonally, but neither EHV-2 nor EHV-5 viral peaks were associated with clinical respiratory disease and/or poor performance in racing Standardbred trotters. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Skarin, Hanna
(författare)
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Investigations into an Outbreak of Botulism Caused by Clostridium botulinum Type C/D in Laying Hens
- 2015
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Ingår i: Avian Diseases. - 0005-2086. ; 59, s. 335-340
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This case report describes a recent botulism outbreak in commercial laying hens with a history of increased mortality and flaccid paralysis. Routine diagnostic gross examination and microscopy from seven hens were inconclusive, but botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in peripheral blood was neutralized with both type C and type D antitoxins in the mouse bioassay. During a farm visit, 10 additional hens from a 34-wk-old flock on the farm were selected for clinical examination and further sampling. Nine hens were observed in sternal recumbency, with flaccid paralysis of the neck, drooping wings and tail, inability to escape, and bilateral ptosis, and one hen showed nonspecific clinical signs. Samples from cecum and liver were collected, and the gene coding for BoNT was detected by PCR in all 10 cecal samples and in four of the liver samples. Clostridium botulinum mosaic type C/D was isolated from 5 out of 10 hens from either cecum or liver, and the isolates were subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis subtyping. All five isolates produced the same banding pattern, which was identical or showed >90% similarity to isolates from three different outbreaks on broiler farms in Sweden and Denmark during the 2007-10 period. However, they were clearly distinguishable from the predominantly reported pulsotype associated with avian botulism outbreaks in Europe. The authors are unaware of any previous report of C. botulinum mosaic type C/D isolates from laying hens.
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