Risk factors for fecal shedding of Salmonella from horses in a veterinary teaching hospital

Identification of risk factors for horses shedding Salmonella in their feces helps identify patients at-risk of infection and protect the overall population through heightened biosecurity. Fecal samples from 230 hospitalized horses were cultured for Salmonella spp. Historical data were collected on 21 putative risk factors and assessed for association with the risk of a horse being culture positive using forwards stepwise logistic regression. Salmonella was isolated from 13 horses—most commonly from either the first (n=5) or second (n=4) sample collected. Only presenting complaint (confounded by age, breed and gender) was significantly (P≤0.05) associated with positive Salmonella-culture results. Analysis of residuals showed that the model was robust, but individual risk-factor estimates were changed by removal of outliers. Overall, presenting complaint (for example, lower-respiratory-tract disease) was the most important indicator of culture status.     

Association of growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions with the prevalence of Developmental Orthopaedic Disease in limbs of French foals at weaning

Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD) in limb joints of horses is frequent and is a common cause of pain and lameness. DOD is a multifactorial disease involving genetics, growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions leading to joint injuries. However, there is no clear understanding of the contribution of each factor. The aim of this cohort study was to assess the adjusted effects of breed and gender, growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions on the prevalence of DOD in the limbs of foals at weaning and on the prevalence restricted to osteochondrosis (OC).Twenty-one farms in Normandy, France, were convenience sampled and enrolled in a cohort study. The study sample consisted of 401 foals from 3 breeds, followed from the 8th month of pregnancy of the mares until weaning period at approximately 6 months of age of the foals. Stud farms were regularly visited to collect growth, feeding practices and exercise conditions data. The carpus, the front and hind digits, the hock and the stifle of the foals were X-rayed at the end of follow-up. Foals were categorised as affected or unaffected by DOD or by OC. Two mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors for DOD or OC, adjusting for clustering by farm.Of the 378 foals with complete data, 47% (95% CI: 42–52) were affected by DOD and 36% (95% CI: 31–41) by OC. Risk was significantly increased for DOD and for OC in Warmblood foals compared to Thoroughbreds (OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.2–6.5 for DOD, OR 2.9; 95% CI: 1.1–7.5 for OC), in foals with a high wither height at 30 days of age, and in foals with a rapid increase of wither height (for DOD only). Exercise conditions such as large area of pasture, some irregular exercise, or some batch changes were also significant risk factors for DOD or OC. No association was found with quantitative feeding practices; it was likely due to the limited variability of horse regimens and to the partial inclusion of nutritional effects in other factors such as breed and growth. In order to reduce the prevalence of DOD or OC in foals, following the growth and reducing nutritional supply in subjects growing fast, limiting the pasture areas offered and providing a regular exercise to foals seems appropriate. To our knowledge, to date the assessment of adjusted effects of potential risk factors for DOD has never been proposed.     

Evaluation of dietary and management risk factors for enterolithiasis among horses in California

Enteroliths are intestinal calculi that result in intestinal obstruction and colic in horses. Equine enterolithiasis occurs worldwide, but the disease is particularly prevalent in some geographic locations, including California. The objectives of this study were to evaluate dietary and environmental risk factors for the disease. This was accomplished through a case–control study by comparing horses with colic from enterolithiasis presenting to the University of California, Davis VMTH, to horses with colic of other causes. Data were collected on 61 horses with enterolithiasis and 75 controls via evaluation of patient records and questionnaires completed by owners at the time of admission. Following multiple logistic regression analysis, the following factors were found to be significantly associated with enterolithiasis: feeding 50% of the diet as alfalfa; feeding <50% of the diet as oat hay; feeding <50% of the diet as grass hay; and lack of daily access to pasture grazing.     

Relationship between biochemical markers and radiographic scores in the evaluation of the osteoarticular status of Warmblood stallions

Establishing the osteoarticular status of the horse is often performed by means of radiological screening of the animals. Widespread blood sampling could reveal to be an interesting alternative to this procedure which is time consuming and sometimes technically difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radiological status of the horses and the levels of biochemical markers of cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. A specific radiological scoring and classification system was therefore developed and applied on 63 stallions presented for studbook admission. Additionally, groups of horses were established according to the occurrence of osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease and distal interphalangeal joint effusion. Insulin growth factor-I, myeloperoxidases, Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO₂ were used as blood markers. The combination of the blood parameters did not seem to correlate with the used scoring system. Coll2-1NO₂ levels however tended to increase with poorer radiological class and this could therefore potentially be a useful predictor of the osteoarticular status in the horse. Coll2-1 levels were significantly higher in the degenerative joint disease group. A high percentage of horses with distal interphalangeal joint effusion was present in this study and was associated with decreased IGF-I and increased Coll2-1 levels.     

天府肉鸭IFN-α基因的密码子使用法特征分析

密码子简并性特征造成了不同物种密码子使用的偏好性不同,这对外源基因的表达强度有着较大的影响。运用软件对选取的16种IFN-α和天府肉鸭IFN-α基因（EU925650）进行了密码子偏爱性分析。通过进化树的构建结果显示天府肉鸭IFN-α,与北京鸭、河南肉鸭以及绍兴鸭IFN-α的亲缘关系最为接近。通过CAI,ENC,GC3S等数据分析进行了密码子偏爱性特征的分析。结果显示,天府肉鸭IFN-α系统保守基因,与禽类IFN-α基因的密码子使用类似。     

Genetic variability in the endangered Asturcón pony assessed using genealogical and molecular information

The aim of this analysis is to assess the genetic diversity in the black-coated Asturcón pony population using genealogical and molecular methods in order to ascertain the possible impact of the inclusion of the bay Asturcón individuals on the breed's recovery programme. Pedigree information registered in the studbook of the black-coated Asturcón (including a total of 1080 individuals) was analysed. Additionally, 261 blood samples from the black-coated Asturcón individuals were obtained and genotyped for 15 microsatellites. Furthermore, 58 blood samples were obtained and genotyped from bay Asturcón individuals in order to place the results within the context of an unselected population with no known genealogies. The results indicated high losses of genetic representation of founders in the present population of black-coated Asturcón ponies. Roughly 60% and 30% of the founder stallion and dam lines, respectively, are lost in the present population. Average inbreeding was 4.7%. The equivalent number of founders and equivalent number of ancestors were 18.1 and 13. The most relevant founders and ancestors identified belonged to the three major studs involved in the recovery of the breed. However, the results highlight the dependence of the breed on the management of the government-run Cayón stud, which has increased its genetic contribution to the breed over time from 35.6% to 50.1%. At a molecular level, genetic variability assessed in the black-coated Asturcón was lower than that observed in the bay Asturcón. Expected heterozygosity, F_IS(m) and rarefacted average number of alleles per locus were 0.755 and 0.828, 4.1% and 1.3%, and 9.5 and 9.2, respectively, for the black-coated and bay Asturcón. The expected molecular coancestry in the black-coated Asturcón base population (Ef₀) took a value of 0.229, which was near to the molecular coancestry computed in the bay Asturcón (0.231). Implications of the reported results in the recovery programme of the Asturcón pony breed are discussed.     

Epidemiology of the colonization and acquisition of methicillin-resistant staphylococci and vancomycin-resistant enterococci in dogs hospitalized in a clinic veterinary hospital in Spain

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to human and animal health. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (MRS) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) are of increasing importance in hospital and/or nosocomial infections and represent a potential risk of transmission to humans from infected or colonized companion animals. Studies on the risk factors associated with colonization by multiresistant bacteria in animals are scarce. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of MRS and VRE in canine patients hospitalized in a veterinary hospital and to identify the risk factors for its acquisition and persistence.Nasal and perianal swabs were obtained from 72 dogs. Antimicrobial susceptibility assays and molecular detection of mecA and van genes were performed.A prevalence of 13.9% and incidence of 26.5% was observed in dogs colonized by MRS at hospital admission and release, respectively, higher values than those described in most veterinary studies. Thirty-five Staphylococcus isolates had mecA gene and showed higher resistance levels to most of the antimicrobials evaluated. Previous and concomitant use of antibiotics and corticosteroids has been associated with an increase in MRS colonization. The use of antibiotics in other animals living with the canine patients has also been identified as an associated factor, suggesting cross transmission. The presence of van-resistant genes from Enterococcus spp. was not detected.Pets should be considered possible vehicles of transmission and reservoirs for MRS bacteria and veterinary hospitals should be considered high-risk environments for the occurrence and spread of nosocomial infections and resistant bacteria.     

猪链球菌感染风险因子分析及控制要点

为控制猪场链球菌感染的风险,降低猪链球菌发病率。我们对猪链球菌感染的可能风险因素进行了分析,引入HACCP理念,绘制了猪场猪链球菌感染的流程图,识别出猪场猪链球菌感染的风险因子及关键控制点(CCP-like),即隐性带菌猪、混群饲养、精液、蓝耳病、伪狂犬及PCV-2型感染等病毒性免疫抑制病、疫苗免疫、药物预防。针对各关键控制点制定出相应的防控措施,为猪链球菌的防控提供了技术思路。     

Overview of the Current Situation in a Sample of Headshakers and Owner Assessment of Effective Therapeutic Measures Used in Germany

Equine headshaking syndrome is a problematic behavior that has been described in literature for more than 100 years. The signs of headshaking syndrome appear frequently and violently so that riding the horse can be dangerous. The aim of this research was to gain an overview of the underlying causes of equine headshaking syndrome to identify effective treatment options, reduce the distress of horses and, in a second step, potentially improve therapeutic possibilities for horse owners and veterinarians. Most studies on prevalence originate from Anglo-American countries, so this research was to provide an overview of German horses; therefore, an online survey was designed by experts in the field (researchers and veterinarians) and answered by German horse owners. Questionnaires were pretested by a small group of horse owners (n = 5) and redesigned accordingly. The final questionnaire consisted of 27 questions, which were divided into seven open questions with an associated text field and 20 multiple-choice questions (Supplementary Material 1). For some of the multiple-choice questions, multiple answers were permitted. In total, 163 completed questionnaires were obtained from owners of headshaking horses (n_total = 163). Gender distribution of the horses resulted in 64.4% geldings, 33.7% mares, and 1.8% stallions. Most horses were German warmbloods (55.4%). The average age was 12.7 years (with a wide range of 5 to 34 years). The vertical movement of the head was the most frequently mentioned symptom in 75.5% of the evaluated horses. In 18.4% of the cases, the horse owners identified stress as the main trigger for headshaking. Furthermore, 18.4% claimed that their horses suffered from additional stereotypical behavior. The percentages do not refer to the same horses here. 11.0% of the participants in this study tried scientifically evaluated therapies such as surgical therapy (1.2%) or medical treatment (9.8%). In addition, 54.0% of the owners utilized a nose cover to reduce the symptoms of the headshaking syndrome. A high percentage of 84.0% used alternative therapies such as physiotherapy (31.9%), change of equipment (22.7%), or change of riding style (29.4%). Overall, this study provides a useful overview of causes and effective therapies.     

Influence of feeding management, concentrate intake and energy intake on the risk of hyperketonæmia in Swedish dairy herds

The risk of hyperketonaemia (clinical and subclinical ketosis) and how it is influenced by feeding and management routines was analyzed in 291–354 dairy herds over a 3 year period. The overall frequencies of cows with milk acetone ≥ 0.40 mM ranged between 4.2 and 6.2% in Parity 1 and 12.7 and 13.8% in Parity 2+. The incidence was probably underestimated, as samples were taken once per 30 day period. The risk of hyperketonæmia was higher at low than at high feeding frequencies; most odds ratios (OR) were in the range of 1.0–2.7 for two versus four meals per day. The effect of feeding frequency was most evident on high concentrate rations. A larger amount of concentrate in early lactation was deemed to increase the risk of hyperketonæmia, but not consistently so; OR ranged between 0.4 and 2.7, with highest risks for the Swedish Red and White breed. Feeding forage before concentrate and feeding the cows a meal close to milking time reduced the risk of hyperketonæmia, but the results were inconsistent. Hyperketonæmia occurred more often in herds with feeding barriers than in short stall without feeding barrier. Our findings suggest that a high feeding frequency and a cautious feeding strategy of concentrate early in lactation are important factors in the prevention of subclinical or clinical ketosis.     

Efficacy of an Extract of Blue-Green Algae in Amelioration of Lameness Caused by Degenerative Joint Disease in the Horse

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis in the equine is largely a result of biomechanical stressors that result in inflammation within the joint, which with continual exposure, leads to progressive degeneration. A myriad of therapies are available for treatment of horses with DJD including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, physiological modifiers, and biological therapies. C-phycocyanin, a protein-bound pigment found in blue-green algae, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is available as a diet supplement in people, dogs, and horses. Forty-one horses with naturally occurring lameness as a result of DJD were selected for this study. In a blinded study, horses were randomly assigned to either the commercial or placebo product that was fed once daily for 12 months. At selected time points, lameness evaluation was performed through objective gait analysis. Previous medical records for management of lameness were reviewed for all enrolled horses. No statistically significant differences existed within or between the two groups when gait was evaluated objectively nor within individual horses between time points. Review of medical records found that five treated horses had a decreased in frequency of intra-articular injection of corticosteroids. Although this study did not find statistically significant improvement of lameness with oral daily supplementation of C-phycocyanin in equine athletes, there appeared to be a trend of improvement in lameness during the loading period and a decrease in frequency of administration of intra-articular corticosteroids. Further investigations using a higher dose seem warranted.     

紫花苜蓿bZIP基因家族的鉴定、 进化及表达分析

碱性亮氨酸拉链(bZIP)转录因子是真核生物转录因子中分布最广泛、最保守的一类蛋白。目前在许多植物中已发现大量的bZIP转录因子,这些bZIP转录因子成员广泛参与种子贮藏基因的表达、植物的生长发育、光信号传导、病害防御、生物和非生物胁迫应答以及ABA的敏感性等各种信号的反应。本研究首次从紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)全转录组水平鉴定出bZIP转录因子家族共包含138个基因,根据bZIP蛋白序列进行系统进化分析可以将其分为10类;对MsbZIP基因的系统进化分析表明该基因家族在分类上有很高的保守性。该转录因子家族的基因密码子偏好性分析表明,MsbZIP基因密码子偏好使用A/T碱基。此外,MsbZIP基因GO功能注释分析结果显示,138个MsbZIP基因最终分为23个GO分类,总体包括分子功能和生物学过程两类。相关性分析结果表明,共有372对基因表达相关性极显著(P0.01)。本研究可为紫花苜蓿bZIP转录因子功能特性、进化历程和生物功能的深入研究奠定基础。     

First report of Chlamydophila abortus infection in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) population in eastern Algeria

Chlamydiosis is caused by an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium of the genus Chlamydophila which is a zoonotic pathogen. The objectives of the study were to identify the seroprevalence of antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus in dromedary camel herds from four districts in eastern Algeria, as well as to estimate the association between seroprevalence and certain factors present at the animal and herd levels. Blood samples were collected from a random sample of animals within each of 82 camel herds. Serum samples were subjected to a C. abortus ELISA test, and association between the presence of antibodies and potential risk factors was estimated. Animal and herd seroprevalence were 2.5 % and 15.8 %, respectively, indicating substantial exposure of camels to C. abortus in the four districts studied. Age, breed, and sex did not influence seroprevalence in tested animals. Based on the univariate analysis, contact with sheep and goats, contact with other camel herds, and histories of abortion were major risk factors for infection. By using multivariate analysis, contact of camels with sheep and goats and with others camel herds, through shared grazing or watering points, were important factors for transmission of chlamydiosis with an odds ratio of 3.3 and 9.4, respectively. At the herd level the introduction of purchased animals was the major risk factor. This baseline information will be highly useful for launching C. abortus control programs in the region and potentially elsewhere.     

Intake and apparent digestibility of hay or hay plus concentrate diets determined in horses by the total collection of feces and n-alkanes as internal markers

The apparent digestibility of hays plus two commercial mixed feeds containing about 14% and 11.8% crude fiber (CF), respectively as feeds was determined by means of two in vivo digestibility trials, each performed on 4 or 5 saddle horses weighing on average about 550 and 535 kg, respectively, over a 6 day feces total collection period with a previous 14 day adaptation period. The diets were based on a first cut meadow hay – whose digestibility was estimated in each trial – and different percentages of the mixed feeds at a feeding level close to maintenance. The two mixed feeds were rich respectively in a by-product from the citrus fruit industry (citrus pulp) and in a by-product from the apple fruit industry (apple pectin pulp). The forage to concentrate ratio was, respectively, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 on a dry matter basis (Diets 1, 2 and 3) in the first trial and, 50:50 and 100:0 (Diets 4 and 5) in the second trial.

The apparent digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, and crude protein was measured by the ingesta/excreta procedure and using the most abundant n-alkanes (C₂₇, C₂₉, and C₃₁) as internal markers for all the rations and the hays.

No differences were found among the digestibility coefficients obtained by the total collection method or using the different n-alkanes.

The use of n-alkanes for digestibility determinations in horses is neither precise nor accurate, but can be advised for free ranging animals, when the total collection of feces is impossible. Taking into account that the accuracy of this later method is comparable, we suggest selecting n-alkanes with a high concentration and the highest fecal recovery; C₂₉ and C₃₁ n-alkanes (the first in particular) resulted to be the best choice.     

The characteristics of short- and long-term surviving Shiba dogs with chronic enteropathies and the risk factors for poor outcome

Background

The objectives of this study were to investigate the differences in the characteristics of short- and long-term surviving dogs, and the factors that predict poor outcome in Shiba dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE).

Methods

A total of 25 Shiba dogs were included in this study, and classified as either short-term (≤6 months) survivors (Ss; n=16) or long-term (>6 months) survivors (Ls; n=9). The clinical and clinicopathological variables, histopathology, response to therapy, and outcomes were investigated between groups. Furthermore, these factors were tested for their ability to predict poor outcome.

Results

All CE dogs were diagnosed as having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE). Age and canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index (CIBDAI) were significantly higher in the Ss group than in the Ls group (age: p = 0.035, CIBDAI: p = 0.018), as determined via univariate logistic regression analysis. According to receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the best predictors of poor outcome were age and CIBDAI, with the cutoffs determined as 7 years and 9 points, respectively. The majority of the cases (84%) responded to initial treatment; in particular, 75% of dogs in Ss group responded to therapy. The time to response (days) to the initial treatment in the Ss group (median 42.5 days, range: 20-91 days) was significantly shorter than that of the Ls group (median 285 days, range: 196-1026 days). Approximately half (55.5%) of the dogs in the Ls group died due to relapse of CE.

Conclusions

This study suggested that there is a high risk of early mortality in Shiba dogs with CE, particularly if the dogs are older (>7 years) and have a high CIBDAI score (>9 points). There appears to be a possibility of early mortality even if the initial treatment was efficacious. Furthermore, Shiba dogs with CE that become less responsive to initial therapy in the short-term (approximately 3 months) are more likely to have an early mortality. Thus, it is necessary to follow-up Shiba dogs with CE in the long-term, as approximately half of the long-term survivors eventually died due to a relapse of the signs.     

Epidemiological Analysis of Leptospira spp. Infection in Equids from the Brejo Paraibano Microregion of Brazil

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that occurs in humans and several animal species, including cattle, pigs, and horses, and it has a worldwide distribution. In equids, leptospirosis manifests through recurrent uveitis and abortion and other reproductive disorders. The objective of the present study was to investigate the epidemiological situation of Leptospira spp. infection in equids from the Brejo Paraibano microregion in the northeast of Brazil, that is, to assess the prevalence of and identify the major risk factors for infection. For this purpose, blood samples were taken from 257 equids (204 horses, 46 mules, and 7 donkeys), and a microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used as serological analysis, with 24 serovars of Leptospira spp. as antigens. Antibodies were observed in 16.2% of horses, 13.0% of mules, and 28.6% of donkeys. Animals between the ages of 2.5 and 11 years had a risk of infection 0.4 times lower than those younger than 2.5 years old (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.90). Further studies are needed to identify potential wild reservoirs and the main routes of infections.     

Evaluation of the Integrity of Horse Hoof Dermal and Epidermal Tissues Collected by Dorsal Transmural Access

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the integrity of dermal and epidermal tissues collected by dorsal transmural access. Eight healthy adult horses were subjected to two biopsies of the right hoof, with a 24-hour interval. To ensure hoof integrity, a radiographic evaluation with dorsopalmar and lateromedial positions was performed. The animals were sedated, and the pedal tissue was collected from two sites that were 2 cm distal to the coronary band. For each biopsy, the hoof wall was perforated using an aluminum oxide drill bit, 4.8 mm in diameter that was connected to a drilling machine, yielding a hole of approximately 9.0 mm. The perforation procedure was performed slowly in the stratum medium until 1 mm of it remained, which was determined by evaluating the movement in response to pressure applied with a Halstead forceps. Laminar deep incisions were performed with a number 11 scalpel blade until the distal phalanx was reached. The laminar tissue was then removed using a Frahm scaler. A cuboid laminar sample measuring approximately 5 mm at the base and 7 mm in height was obtained. The samples were suitable for analysis by histology and transmission electron microscopy showing that the ends of the secondary epidermal laminae were round, the basement membrane was intact between the secondary epidermal laminae and secondary dermal laminae, and the ultrastructural analysis of the cells showed their structural integrity.     

Enthesophytosis and Impingement of the Dorsal Spinous Processes in the Equine Thoracolumbar Spine

Impingement of the dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) is a common cause of pain and poor performance in sport horses, but there is limited information regarding regional differences in the prevalence and severity of DSP osseous lesions in the equine thoracolumbar spine. It was hypothesized that lesion severity would increase with horse age and height, and that severe lesions would be more prevalent in the mid-caudal thoracic region. The thoracolumbar spines of 33 horses were removed postmortem, disarticulated, and boiled out. The thoracic and lumbar DSPs were examined for the presence of proliferative or lytic osseous lesions of the DSPs. Age and height of the horses were recorded, and severity of pathologic changes at each vertebral level was scored using an ordinal grading system (grades 0–3) and a continuous visual analog scale (VAS). Osseous lesions of the DSPs were present at every vertebral level from C7–T1 to L6–S1, and 70% of horses had at least one lesion of severity grade 2 or higher. Grade 3 lesions were found in the cranial thoracic (T2–T4), mid-thoracic to cranial lumbar (T11–L1) and mid-lumbar (L4–L5) segments. Analysis of VAS data using analysis of variance indicated that increasing age and height were associated with more severe osseous lesions (P < .001). DSP osseous lesions occur frequently in horses with more severe lesions in the cranial thoracic, mid to caudal thoracic, and mid-lumbar regions. Lesions in the cranial thoracic and lumbar regions present a challenge for diagnostic imaging and may be underdiagnosed clinically.     

Physiology and Treatment of Retained Fetal Membranes in Cattle

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) in cattle have adverse effects on fertility and production. Understanding the pathophysiology and causes of RFM is important for managing this disease. The hormonal processes that lead to normal placental separation are multifactorial and begin before parturition. A variety of risk factors, including early or induced parturition, dystocia, hormonal imbalances, and immunosuppression, can interrupt these normal processes and result in retention of the placenta. Current research does not support the efficacy of many commonly practiced treatments for RFM. Systemic administration of antibiotics can be beneficial for treating metritis after RFM, but antibiotic administration has not been shown to significantly improve future reproduction in cows with RFM. Collagenase injected into the umbilical arteries of retained placentas specifically targets the lack of placentome proteolysis and might enhance placental release. However, such therapy is costly and its benefits in terms of improving subsequent reproductive function have not been evaluated.     

The role of epidemiology in the prevention, diagnosis, and control of infectious diseases of fish

Epidemiologic methods are essential to understanding infectious diseases in aquaculture. Unfortunately, many of these methods are poorly understood or not utilized by fish-health scientists and aquaculturists — often because of the lack of contact with epidemiologists who are willing to investigate fish diseases. In this paper, we describe direct interactions between epidemiologists and fish-health specialists that have resulted in an improved understanding of the causes and management of infectious diseases in aquaculture. We focus on risk-factor studies, risk analysis and infectious-disease modeling, evaluation of diagnostic tests and experimental studies. We also describe characteristics of confined fish populations that make them ideal for developing and testing epidemiologic models and the theoretical and practical challenges of designing and conducting epidemiologic studies in fish farms. Throughout our presentation, emphasis is given to characteristics, opportunities and problems associated mainly with conducting epidemiologic studies to intensive aquaculture systems. We conclude that the development of increased cooperation among epidemiologists, fish-health scientists and aquaculturists will be mutually beneficial and, therefore, efforts for such collaboration should be initiated from all parties involved.