Contingency planning: preparation of contingency plans

Outbreaks of infectious animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, Newcastle disease and avian influenza may have a devastating impact, not only on the livestock sector and the rural community in the directly affected areas, but also beyond agriculture and nation wide. The risk of introducing disease pathogens into a country and the spread of the agent within a country depends on a number of factors including import controls, movement of animals and animal products and the biosecurity applied by livestock producers. An adequate contingency plan is an important instrument in the preparation for and the handling of an epidemic. The legislation of the European Union requires that all Member States draw up a contingency plan which specifies the national measures required to maintain a high level of awareness and preparedness and is to be implemented in the event of disease outbreak. This paper describes the main elements to be included in the contingency plans submitted by Member States to the European Commission for approval.     

A brief summary of European legislation regarding animal welfare

An overview of the current European legislation concerning animal welfare is given. The legal requirements concern the housing and care of production animals (poultry, calves and swine), the transport of animals and the killing of animals (not only in slaughterhouses, but also in case of contagious animal disease outbreaks). General information concerning the principles and contents of European pieces of legislation as well as detailed information concerning requirements for individual animal species is given. Furthermore, other elements concerning animal welfare such as castration of piglets, ritual slaughter and animals used for experimental purposes are also reviewed. Finally, some recent initiatives in the field of animal welfare are mentioned and useful links are provided for finding the various legislative acts and additional supportive information.     

Reproductive science in the global village

Livestock production contributes not only to national economies, but also to sustainability and profitability of agriculture, as well as to the fabric of local societies. Efficient and viable animal production systems are dependent upon the effective management of animal reproduction. Similar arguments can be made in support of the importance of reproduction for companion and performance animals, whereas its key role in preserving endangered species is indisputable. Despite such considerations, the widespread dissemination of current and credible information regarding animal reproduction faces challenges, not only in the developing world, but also in developed countries, where animal reproduction education is apparently in decline. This review will examine these issues, as well as various ways in which animal reproduction education and knowledge transfer is currently being pursued throughout the world. It will conclude with suggested avenues and opportunities for improvement.     

中草药饲料添加剂的研究进展

中草药中富含多种营养物质、微量元素及生物活性物质，在动物饲料中添加一定量的中草药添加剂，不但可以起到诱食剂的作用，提高动物的摄食率，提高饲料利用率，降低饲料系数，增加动物的体重，而且还能提高动物体的免疫力，抑菌、杀菌、保肝、保肾，防治多种动物疾病，提高成活率，是一种新型的具有较大开发潜力的动物饲料添加剂。     

Stratospheric ozone depletion and animal health.

There is an increasing concern over ozone depletion and its effects on the environment and human health. However, the increase in ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) that would result from significant losses of ozone is also potentially harmful to animals. Any increase in disease in domestic species would not only have serious animal welfare implications but may also be economically important. The diseases which are likely to increase if ozone depletion continues include the squamous cell carcinomas of the exposed, non-pigmented areas of cats, cattle, sheep and horses. Uberreiter's syndrome in dogs is also associated with exposure to UV-B and may be expected to increase, as may the severity of conditions such as infectious keratoconjunctivitis (New Forest eye) in cattle. Aquaculture systems in which fish often have little or no protection by shading may also be at risk. Cataracts and skin lesions have been associated with the exposure of farmed fish to ultraviolet radiation and have resulted in significant losses.     

丙酸钙及其在动物生产中的应用

丙酸钙是一种新型饲料添加剂,近年来在饲料生产、动物生产中的应用越来越广泛。作为一种有机酸盐,丙酸钙不仅作为防腐剂,也常常作为酸化剂在饲料工业中应用,对预防疾病与提高动物生产性能发挥了积极的作用。文中综述了丙酸钙的理化性质与功用,对反刍动物产奶量、消化代谢与代谢疾病预防的影响及其在家禽生产中的应用。     

Animal contact as a source of human non-typhoidal salmonellosis

ABSTRACT: Non-typhoidal Salmonella represents an important human and animal pathogen world-wide. Most human salmonellosis cases are foodborne, but each year infections are also acquired through direct or indirect animal contact in homes, veterinary clinics, zoological gardens, farm environments or other public, professional or private settings. Clinically affected animals may exhibit a higher prevalence of shedding than apparently healthy animals, but both can shed Salmonella over long periods of time. In addition, environmental contamination and indirect transmission through contaminated food and water may complicate control efforts. The public health risk varies by animal species, age group, husbandry practice and health status, and certain human subpopulations are at a heightened risk of infection due to biological or behavioral risk factors. Some serotypes such as Salmonella Dublin are adapted to individual host species, while others, for instance Salmonella Typhimurium, readily infect a broad range of host species, but the potential implications for human health are currently unclear. Basic hygiene practices and the implementation of scientifically based management strategies can efficiently mitigate the risks associated with animal contacts. However, the general public is frequently unaware of the specific disease risks involved, and high-risk behaviors are common. Here we describe the epidemiology and serotype distribution of Salmonella in a variety of host species. In addition, we review our current understanding of the public health risks associated with different types of contacts between humans and animals in public, professional or private settings, and, where appropriate, discuss potential risk mitigation strategies.     

Babesiosis of companion animals and man

Babesiosis is caused by numerous organisms and is seen in a wide range of vertebrate hosts. The spectrum of disease is broad and ranges from asymptomatic carrier states to fulminant disease that results in rapid death. The importance of babesiosis in companion animals is well-recognized in parts of the world where virulent strains exist and where the diagnosis and treatment of both typical and atypical presentations is part of the everyday course of events for the small animal clinician. In parts of the world such as the United States where less virulent strains are found, diagnosis is more difficult. Diagnosis requires an astute eye examining the blood smear and a keen mind willing to "consider the zebras without forgetting the horses." Babesiosis is not uncommon in the United States; it is merely uncommonly diagnosed. The small animal clinician needs to be aware of the disease and its myriad possible presentations. A clearer understanding of the disease will lead to a truer picture of its importance not only in the United States but also worldwide.     

Pestiviruses in wild animals

Pestiviruses are not strictly host-species specific and can infect not only domestic but also wild animals. The most important pestivirus, CSFV, infects domestic pigs and wild boars, which may cause a major problem for successful CSFV eradication programmes. Mainly BVDV specific antibodies have been reported in captive and free-living animals. Virus has been isolated from some of these animal species, but since BVDV can contaminate cell cultures and foetal calf serum, early reports of BVDV isolation have to be considered with caution. Genetic typing of early pestivirus isolates from wild species revealed that the majority were BVDV-1. Of the pestiviruses identified so far three species (CSFV, BVDV-1, giraffe pestivirus) and three genotypes (BDV-2, BDV-4, pronghorn) appear to circulate in wildlife animal populations. The potential for pestiviruses to spread between farm animals and free-living animals is discussed as are epidemiological and technical problems, and the future direction of research.     

The role of wild animal populations in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in domestic animals: how to assess the risk

Tuberculosis is present in wild animal populations in North America, Europe, Africa and New Zealand. Some wild animal populations are a source of infection for domestic livestock and humans. An understanding of the potential of each wild animal population as a reservoir of infection for domestic animals is reached by determining the nature of the disease in each wild animal species, the routes of infection for domestic species and the risk of domestic animals encountering an infectious dose. The mere presence of infection in a wild animal population does not of itself provide evidence of a significant wildlife reservoir. Although at times counterintuitive, wildlife populations with high disease prevalence may not necessarily have a role in the epidemiology of disease in domestic livestock. The key concepts used in deciding whether an infected wild animal population is involved in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in domestic livestock is illustrated by reference to six well-researched cases: the feral pig (Suis scrofa) and feral Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Australia, white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Michigan, and the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and other species, such as the ferret (Mustela furo), in New Zealand. A detailed analysis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in Ireland and their role as a reservoir of infection for cattle is also presented.     

Pseudotuberculosis in marmosets, tamarins, and Goeldi's monkeys (Callithrichidae/Callimiconidae) housed at a European zoo.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is an insidious bacterial infectious agent distributed worldwide and endemic to European countries. It has caused several animal deaths and may threaten the effectiveness of breeding projects for endangered species. In this retrospective study, we examine the prevalence of pseudotuberculosis in Jersey Zoo (Channel Islands, U.K.) over a period of 16 yr to obtain information that can be applied to prevent the infection. The efforts made to control the disease through vaccination are also explored. Our results show that pseudotuberculosis has been endemic to Jersey Zoo since 1979 and is responsible for significant animal loss in the Callithrichidae/Callimiconidae group. Mortality due to Y. pseudotuberculosis was seasonal; a high percentage of deaths occurred during wet and cold seasons. No significant difference was found in mortality rates of vaccinated versus nonvaccinated animals. Although the efficacy of vaccination has not been confirmed, we believe that an improved vaccination program could be an important tool in controlling outbreaks of infection in marmosets and tamarins.     

裂谷热研究进展

裂谷热是一种烈性毒性人畜共患病,被OIE列为必须报告的疫病.幼年动物感染后,病死率高达100%.人感染此病后,病死率约为1%.2010年3月,南非再度发生疫情,导致186人感染,18人死亡;并调查出154例动物感染,146例死亡,感染动物病死率高达95%.该病的流行不但对人类健康和养殖业构成威胁,其病毒还可能被用于生物...     

Psychologic well-being: conceptual issues, behavioral measures, and implications for dogs

The best means of providing for the physical and psychologic well-being of animals maintained in captive environments for research, teaching, testing, and exhibition is a problem being debated by scientists, veterinarians, animal rights and welfare groups, zoos, and others. Even a cursory examination of this question reveals its complexity and the inherited difficulties not only in assessing an animal's well-being but also in designing housing environments and implementing enforceable regulations. Assessment of well-being should not be based on a single category of measures but rather on a variety of physiologic and behavioral parameters. Most behavioral (and physiologic) methods used to assess well-being have problems of quantitation and interpretation. Preference tests and the application of economic demand theory to welfare assessment are examples of improved behavioral methodology, but much more research is needed on dogs and other species so that animal care and use guidelines can be based on objective data rather than on controversial opinions.     

Characterization of Ehrlichia ruminantium replication and release kinetics in endothelial cell cultures

Ehrlichia ruminantium is the causative agent of Heartwater, a fatal tick-borne disease affecting ruminants in African countries and West Indies and can be used as an inactivated vaccine for wild and domestic animals. In order to improve E. ruminantium production yields we characterize E. ruminantium growth kinetics in terms of duplication time, maximum production yield, and peak of infectivity. After a 24 h period for E. ruminantium attachment/internalization and a lag phase of 12 h, the exponential growth occurred within 36-108 h post-infection (hpi) with a net increase of up to 2.2 orders of magnitude. Maximum E. ruminantium infectivity was observed at 120 hpi and was defined as the best time of harvesting (TOH) for propagation of E. ruminantium cultures. This study showed that considering the quality constraint of the final product (E. ruminantium vaccine), the E. ruminantium suspension should be harvested at 113 hpi. Overall, the characterization of E. ruminantium progression through the average infection cycle, not only can contribute to the maximization of E. ruminantium production yield, with important consequences for the large scale production and utilization of an inactivated Heartwater vaccine, but also to elucidate growth mechanisms of some of the other ehrlichial species, with emerging impact in human and animal health.     

Advances in BHV1 (IBR) research.

Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 (BHV1) is the aetiological agent of a number of diseases and not only of IBR, namely infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV), infectious balanoposthitis (IBP), conjunctivitis, encephalomyelitis, mastitis, abortion, enteritis, and lesions in the interdigital space. The serological identical strains differ, however, in some aspects. Typical genital strains usually cause a mild illness, sometimes not even detected clinically, but serologically. They hamper eradication programmes and do not cause IBR when inoculated intranasally. The other--modern--strains are, however, always able to induce a severe disease in the genital tracts. But infection of field or vaccine virus leads to the development of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The latter is, however, not transmitted to neonates via colostrum. BHV1 antibodies can be found in bovines in all continents, and in many wild species. Prevalences vary greatly depending on herd size and management. Because seronegative cattle play a role in international trade a number of European countries have eradicated BHV1, with very high costs involved. Marker and conventional vaccines can prevent disease but not infection followed by the state of latency. The genomes of several strains, including the marker strains can remain latent in the same animal and be reactivated after stress or injection of corticosteroids. For the detection of humoral antibodies the ELISA is widely used. It is useful for testing bulk milk samples for antibodies derived from field virus and conventional vaccines but not from gE-deleted marker vaccines. Importing countries should consider only vaccinated animals for import. They should require that the animals are seronegative prior to vaccination.     

猪伪狂犬病研究进展

伪狂犬病也称奥叶基氏病、奇痒症,是由甲型疱疹病毒引起的一种传染病。该病毒可感染人类和无尾猿以外的所有哺乳动物。文章主要对该病的病原学、流行病学、临床症状、免疫学特点、诊断、防治作了阐述,为研究该病提供理论参考。     

分子生物学技术在临床兽医学上的应用

近几年,生物技术不断向深度和广度迅猛发展。它的发展与动物疫病的诊断、预防和治疗技术之间已并无明显的界限，并且起了不可替代的作用；如转基因动物既能用于抗病育种，也能用于生产疫苗和药品；核酸疫苗具有预防和治疗的双重作用；单克隆抗体不但用于免疫诊断，也可用于被动免疫和导向药物治疗等。生物技术已经不是一项单一的技术，而是一个综合的技术体系，尤其是在兽医临床上的应用、发展中，需要多种不同技术、学科和领域的相互渗透、相互配合。     

Eye infections due to Listeria monocytogenes in three cows and one horse.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine case histories, microbiological characteristics, and molecular subtypes associated with Listeria monocytogenes infections of the eye in large animals. For selected cases, environmental L. monocytogenes contamination patterns on case farms were also evaluated to probe for potential sources and spread of listerial eye infections. Records of 170 L. monocytogenes isolates from animal infections were reviewed to determine the fraction of isolates associated with eye infections (conjunctivitis, keratitis, and uveitis) of animals and to gather information on the clinical history of these cases. Overall, 4 of 170 Listeria monocytogenes isolates were associated with eye infections; 3 of these had occurred in cows and 1 in a horse. Molecular subtyping (by EcoRI ribotying) showed that 4 different L. monocytogenes subtypes were isolated from these 4 cases; the same ribotypes had previously been found among invasive animal listeriosis infections. Although a variety of L. monocytogenes subtypes were isolated from environmental sources, on 1 farm, the same ribotype associated with the eye infection was also isolated from a fecal sample of a healthy animal and from a soil sample. The data reported in this study further suggest that L. monocytogenes can be a cause of eye infections in several animal species. Listerial eye infections do not seem to require specific pathogen-related virulence characteristics but rather seem to be a function of environmental or host factors, such as direct exposure of the eyes of susceptible animals to high numbers of the pathogen. Although listerial eye infections are rarely diagnosed because of its ubiquitous nature, L. monocytogenes may have to be considered more commonly as a causative agent of eye infections in ruminants and horses.     

Diagnostic methods in infectious respiratory disease

For laboratory diagnosis of respiratory disease it is of overwhelming importance that the specimens taken are adequate, taken from the correct site and at the correct time. The lower regions of the respiratory tract are particularly difficult to sample but are more likely to yield the causative agent of a pneumonia. Infections involving the upper respiratory tract are much easier to sample and appropriate aspiration apparatus can be used. Consideration must be given to the timing of sample collection in relation to the life cycle of the causative micro-organism. Sampling of several animals is recommended. Diagnosis may be achieved by isolation in culture of the causative agent or the demonstration of the agent by indirect methods such as electron microscopy and ELISA. Clinical biochemical tests may reflect systemic metabolic changes induced by microbial infections and give an indication of the severity of the disease and its prognosis. Pulmonary function tests have limited application in animals and are only likely to be used under experimental conditions and in horses and small animals.