Spatio‐Temporal Scan Statistics for the Detection of Outbreaks Involving Common Molecular Subtypes: Using Human Cases of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Provincial PFGE Pattern 8 (National Designation ECXAI.0001) in Alberta as an Example

Molecular typing methods have become a common part of the surveillance of foodborne pathogens. In particular, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) has been used successfully to identify outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in humans from a variety of food and environmental sources. However, some PFGE patterns appear commonly in surveillance systems, making it more difficult to distinguish between outbreak and sporadic cases based on molecular data alone. In addition, it is unknown whether these common patterns might have unique epidemiological characteristics reflected in their spatial and temporal distributions. Using E. coli O157:H7 surveillance data from Alberta, collected from 2000 to 2002, we investigated whether E. coli O157:H7 with provincial PFGE pattern 8 (national designation ECXAI.0001) clustered in space, time and space–time relative to other PFGE patterns using the spatial scan statistic. Based on our purely spatial and temporal scans using a Bernoulli model, there did not appear to be strong evidence that isolates of E. coli O157:H7 with provincial PFGE pattern 8 are distributed differently from other PFGE patterns. However, we did identify space–time clusters of isolates with PFGE pattern 8, using a Bernoulli model and a space–time permutation model, which included known outbreaks and potentially unrecognized outbreaks or additional outbreak cases. There were differences between the two models in the space–time clusters identified, which suggests that the use of both models could increase the sensitivity of a quantitative surveillance system for identifying outbreaks involving isolates sharing a common PFGE pattern.     

生态文明建设背景下退捕渔民参与渔业监督管理研究

生态文明建设背景下,我国渔业监督管理要求不断提高,捕捞能力压减和禁渔范围扩大产生的退捕渔民安置成为重要课题。从公共参与社会治理理论、渔业监督管理现实需求、退捕渔民安置需求方面分析退捕渔民参与渔业监督管理的必要性,从法律依据、渔民意愿调查结果和渔民能力优势、相关实践基础方面分析退捕渔民参与渔业监督管理的可行性,并对林业管理中的护林人、治安管理中的辅协警的制度化发展情况进行分析借鉴。对我国退捕渔民参与渔业监督管理提出如下建议:(1)明确渔业巡护员的法律地位与职责;(2)根据所在水域面积、退捕渔民的实际情况以及巡护难易程度等设置人员数量;(3)建立统一的招录标准;(4)建立统一的管理机构;(5)加强岗前培训和在职培训;(6)建立以培训结果和平时工作表现为考核标准的考核制度;(7)建立多角度监督体系;(8)将部分经费纳入政府财政预算中,确保资金来源的稳定性,保障渔业巡护员的基本权益。     

First report of the use of mucosal swabs of the palatine tonsillar crypt for detection of Mycoplasma bovis in naturally infected calves

ABSTRACT

Aims: To compare detection by real-time PCR of DNA from Mycoplasma bovis on mucosal swabs taken from the palatine tonsillar crypt and the mainstem bronchi of clinically asymptomatic calves after slaughter.

Methods: We compared the sensitivity of mucosal swabs taken from two sites: the palatine tonsillar crypt and the mainstem bronchi. Paired samples were taken post-mortem at slaughter from 55 clinically well calves from an infected herd and were tested by real-time PCR for the presence of M. bovis-specific DNA.

Results: Mycoplasma bovis DNA was detected in 51 palatine tonsillar crypt swabs (92.7 (95% CI?=?82.4–98.0)%) and seven mainstem bronchial swabs (12.7 (95% CI?=?5.3–24.5)%). All seven calves with positive mainstem bronchial swabs also had positive palatine tonsillar crypt swabs.

Conclusions: When compared to mucosal swabs of the mainstem bronchi, mucosal swabs of the palatine tonsillar crypt were seven times more sensitive for the post-mortem detection of M. bovis DNA. The viability of detected M. bovis was not assessed, because any cattle carrying viable or non-viable M. bovis DNA were determined to be a potential risk to eradication. Palatine tonsillar crypt mucosa may be a useful anatomical site for real-time PCR detection of M. bovis DNA in naturally infected calves. More work is needed to define the persistence and viability of M. bovis at this anatomical site.

Clinical relevance: The results of this study helped form the basis of surveillance tools used in M. bovis control and eradication efforts. Familiarity with these results may help veterinarians better communicate with their clients about the science behind the eradication efforts.     

Evaluation of effectiveness and efficiency of wild bird surveillance for avian influenza

This study aimed to assess which method of wild waterbird surveillance had the greatest probability of detecting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 during a period of surveillance activity, the cost of each method was also considered. Lake Constance is a major wintering centre for migratory waterbirds and in 2006 it was the site of an HPAI H5N1 epidemic in wild birds. Avian influenza surveillance was conducted using harmonised approaches in the three countries around the lake, Austria, Germany and Switzerland, from 2006–2009. The surveillance consisted of testing birds sampled by the following methods: live birds caught in traps, birds killed by hunters, birds caught in fishing nets, dead birds found by the public and catching live Mute Swans (Cygnus olor); sentinel flocks of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were also used. Scenario tree analysis was performed including sensitivity analysis, followed by assessment of cost-effectiveness. Results indicated that if HPAI H5N1 was present at 1% prevalence and assuming HPAI resulted in bird mortality, sampling dead birds found by the public and sentinel surveillance were the most sensitive approaches despite residual uncertainty over some parameters. The uncertainty over the mortality of infected birds was an influential factor. Sampling birds found dead was most cost-effective, but strongly dependent on mortality and awareness of the public. Trapping live birds was least cost-effective. Based on our results, we recommend that future HPAI H5N1 surveillance around Lake Constance should prioritise sentinel surveillance and, if high mortality is expected, the testing of birds found dead.     

Assessment of current disease surveillance activities for pigs post-farmgate in New South Wales

Objectives Evaluate current disease surveillance activities at saleyards and abattoirs in New South Wales (NSW) in order to establish the prevalence of clinical anomalies in pigs at different sites and to compare the sensitivity of detecting anomalies inside versus outside of pens. Procedure Routine inspections of pigs by staff and government inspectors were observed at two saleyards and two abattoirs in NSW during three visits over a 2-month period (January 2008–March 2008). All pigs presented for sale or slaughter were examined for 19 clinical anomalies from either the side of the pen or while animals were moving outside the pen, with data being combined to give an assumed ‘gold standard’. We compared the prevalence of anomalies among animals at the four sites using logistic regression, as well as the sensitivity of detection of the two inspection methods. Results Frequency and methodology of routine inspection varied among sites. Of the 7747 pigs inspected, 822 (10.6%) showed at least one clinical anomaly. There was moderate agreement between detecting anomalies in penned pigs versus while being moved. Pigs at one abattoir exhibited significantly fewer anomalies than pigs at the other sites. Conclusion The prevalence of anomalies among pigs at saleyards and abattoirs in NSW was relatively high (≈10%). Weaknesses in current disease surveillance activities for pigs post-farmgate have been identified. Increased regulation, surveillance training and modification of standard operational procedures for inspection have the potential to improve the current system.     

基于GPRS的茶园环境参数无线监测系统的设计

茶园一般建在比较偏远的山区,所以对茶树的管理以及获悉茶树周围每天的生长环境便是一大难题。针对这一情况,设计了一套基于GPRS茶园环境参数的无线监测系统,能够监测茶园大气温度、湿度,土壤温度、含水量以及光照强度等环境参数。该系统硬件部分包括太阳能供电、单片机控制、A/D转换、数据采集与处理、GPRS无线传输5个模块。软件通过KEIL C51进行C程序的编写与调试,主要包括环境参数的采集与处理、数据的无线传输及利用TCP进行网络通讯。采用LabVIEW 8.20开发环境进行上位机监测中心人机界面设计,调用LabVIEW里的文件输入输出函数建立数据库,对茶园环境参数进行每日每月定时的储存与访问,以便对茶树的生长环境进行连续监测。     

无线传感网技术在现代设施农业中的应用开发

利用无线传感网等技术来设计现代农业管理的自动化。基于无线传感网、高速传输网络、视频监控等物联网核心技术,实现农业种植环境的全面实时监控管理,达到科学施肥与种植环境参数的实时调整,促进植物的良好生长,提高生产效率。由于采用了物联网技术,具备了灵活应用和扩充的能力,适用于大面积的智能农业自动化管理。     

Relative effectiveness of irish factories in the surveillance of slaughtered cattle for visible lesions of tuberculosis, 2005-2007

Background

In Ireland, every animal is examined at slaughter for its fitness for human consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of factories in submitting and subsequently in having suspect lesions confirmed as bovine tuberculosis (TB) lesions during the years 2005-2007. This work provides an update from previously published data for years 2003-2004. During 2005-2007 data were available on 4,401,813 cattle from attested herds (i.e. herds classified free of bovine TB), from which data for potential confounding factors were available for 3,344,057 slaughtered animals at one of the 37 export-licensed factories.

Findings

From these animals, 8,178 suspect lesions were submitted for laboratory confirmation. Lesions from 5,456 (66.7%) animals tested as positive, and 269 (3.2%) were inconclusive for bovine TB. Logistic regression was used to determine adjusted submission and confirmation risks for each factory while controlling for confounding factors. Factory rankings based on adjusted and crude risks were similar. The average crude submission risk for all the factories was 25 lesions per 10,000 animals slaughtered, ranging from 0 to 52. The crude confirmation risk varied between 30.3% and 91.3%.

Conclusions

Substantial variation in the effectiveness of lesion submission and subsequent confirmation as bovine TB was found among the 37 factories. Compared to previous years (2003-2004), there was an increased bovine TB lesion submission and confirmation risk. Continued monitoring of the effectiveness of slaughter surveillance in Ireland is recommended; emphasis should be placed on efforts to improve bovine TB surveillance in factories with lower rankings.     

猪全血中多种病原流行病学监测的初步研究

本文利用PCR或RT-PCR技术连续两年对规模猪场采集的猪全血分别进行猪瘟病毒（CSFV）、猪繁殖障碍综合征病毒（PRRSV）、猪伪狂犬病病毒（PRV）、猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）、牛病毒性腹泻病毒（BVDV）和日本乙型脑炎病毒（JEV）的检测,结果发现2008年猪全血中CSFV、PRRSV、PRV、PCV2的感染率为30.0%、50.0%、4.0%和30.0%,2009年猪全血中CSFV、PRRSV、PRV、PCV2、BVDV和JEV的感染率分别为19.8%、13.7%、1.1%、31.9%、0.7%和2.7%,这表明用猪的全血可进行猪瘟等6种疫病的监测和流行,为更深入研究疫病的流行病学奠定了基础。