What veterinary practitioners should know about scrapie

Scrapie is the longest known and most widely spread of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and remains the model for much of the research regarding these diseases. Because scrapie is a reportable disease and the subject of an active eradication program in the United States, veterinary practitioners should have a basic understanding of the disease.     

Beyond Lyme: aetiology of tick-borne human diseases with emphasis on the south-eastern United States

Since its emergence in the north-eastern and upper mid-western United States in the 1970s, Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, has captured the public's attention as the nation's most prevalent vector-borne zoonotic disease. In contrast, recent publications on tick-pathogen systems in the eastern United States, and findings from Department of Defense investigations of ticks found biting military personnel, indicate that residents of the south-eastern United States are primarily at risk from emerging diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens other than B.?burgdorferi. The risk of contracting these diseases varies greatly among states as a consequence of regional variation in the abundance of the key vector tick species. Moreover, this risk is changing, because tick distributions are in flux. To improve health outcomes, health providers need better information and awareness regarding which tick species bite humans in each state and which zoonotic pathogens are prevalent in these ticks. Effective diagnosis, treatment, control and reporting of tick-borne disease in the south-eastern United States require that health providers think 'beyond Lyme' and consider the marked regional differences in the tick species that bite humans and in the pathogens that these ticks carry.     

Contagious Equine Metritis Within the United States: A Review of the 2008 Outbreak

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a reportable foreign animal disease in the United States caused by the organism Taylorella equigenitalis. Import and export regulations regarding transport of horses into the United States from countries which either have a high prevalence of CEM or those that trade freely with countries having a high prevalence of CEM have failed to prevent the 2008 outbreak, which has not yet been traced to the original horse. It is important to recognize the clinical signs of acute CEM infections (endometritis, infertility, and abortion) to prevent further outbreak of disease. With early recognition, proper testing, and quarantine measures, the outbreaks and economic losses to the United States can be kept to a minimum. However, there are certain characteristics of the disease that are difficult to diagnose and control, such as the ability of the organism to infect an animal without creating clinical signs and the difficulty in culturing it. A review of the transmission, clinical signs, diagnostic methods, treatment, and prevention of CEM as well as a brief summary of the 2008 outbreak of CEM within the United States has been discussed in this article.     

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.     

Molecular weapons against agricultural vulnerability and the war on terror

The multiple reports in this issue of the Journal from the Agenda for Action conference, coupled with the analysis by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Research Council, and the Auditor General (UK) on bioterror preparedness and homeland security, highlight the immediate need for rapid disease detection and advanced diagnostic capabilities to protect the public health, animal agriculture, and the numerous associated economies in the United States. In response to the potentially devastating consequences that could arise, there is an acute need for rapid detection of a variety of the lethal foreign animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza, classical swine fever, rinderpest, exotic Newcastle disease virus (END), and domestic, vesicular look-alike diseases that include bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, vesicular stomatitis, bovine herpes IBR, contagious ecthyma, bovine herpes mammilitis virus, vesicular exanthema, malignant catarrhal fever, and papular stomatitis. Some striking advances are occurring in the creation of rapid technology, including microfluidics, robotics, miniaturization, and biostabilization that are quickly being applied to the development of rapid microbial detection assays. These are now providing important weapons to combat this agricultural vulnerability.     

病毒性动物疫病诊断技术研究进展

动物疫病的大暴发不仅严重影响畜牧业的生产与发展，造成巨大经济损失，而且会严重危害人类健康。病毒性疫病的增加使得动物疫病更加复杂，流行趋势更加严峻。灵敏、特异、快速地诊断动物疫病是实施疫病防控措施的关键环节。基于PCR技术及等温扩增技术的分子生物学诊断解决了传统病原学诊断费时费力、免疫血清学存在的窗口期等问题并摆脱了对高精度温控设备的依赖，成为目前常用的病原体筛查方法。但大多数检测方法一次只能检测到一个或几个病原体，且复杂的试验流程及对设施的高要求降低了立即干预突发疫情的能力，同时无法满足某些检测分析需求。近年来，学科间相互渗透融合的高通量诊断技术发展迅速，具有同时监测、检测和表征成百上千个靶点的能力，能满足在多种环境下的病原体快速检测的需求，是生命科学发展过程中一种重要的生物学检测手段。笔者从病原学、免疫血清学、分子生物学及高通量诊断等方面对主要的病毒性动物疫病检测技术进行了综述，展望未来动物疫病诊断检测技术的发展，以期为动物疫病快速诊断提供更多的方案思路，提升动物疫病的防控能力。     

Reports of zoonotic disease outbreaks associated with animal exhibits and availability of recommendations for preventing zoonotic disease transmission from animals to people in such settings

OBJECTIVE: To assess the number of zoonotic disease outbreaks associated with animal exhibits and identify published recommendations for preventing zoonotic disease transmission from animals to people in exhibit settings. DESIGN: Literature review and survey of state public health veterinarians and state epidemiologists. PROCEDURE: MEDLINE and agriculture databases were searched from 1966 through 2000. Retrieved references and additional resources provided by the authors were reviewed. A survey was sent to state public health veterinarians and state epidemiologists to determine whether their states had written recommendations or guidelines for controlling zoonotic diseases in animal exhibition venues, whether their states maintained a listing of animal exhibitors in the state, and whether they had any information on recent outbreaks involving animals in exhibitions. RESULTS: 11 published outbreaks were identified. These outbreaks occurred in a variety of settings including petting zoos, farms, and a zoological park. An additional episode involving exposure to a potentially rabid bear required extensive public health resources. A survey of state public health veterinarians identified 16 additional unpublished outbreaks or incidents. Most states did not have written recommendations or guidelines for controlling zoonotic diseases or any means to disseminate educational materials to animal exhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Recent outbreaks of zoonotic diseases associated with contact with animals in exhibition venues highlight concerns for disease transmission to public visitors. Only a handful of states have written guidelines for preventing zoonotic disease transmission in animal exhibition venues, and published recommendations currently available focus on preventing enteric diseases and largely do not address other zoonotic diseases or prevention of bite wounds.     

几种兽用合成抗菌药基于抗体快速检测技术研究进展

合成抗菌药在预防、治疗动物疾病等方面应用十分广泛,但不合理使用造成的耐药及残留问题日益严重,因此对兽用合成抗菌药的残留检测势在必行,而基于抗体的快速检测技术具有简便、灵敏度高、成本低等优点,发展前景十分广阔。作者综述了近年来针对磺胺类、氟喹诺酮类、喹噁啉类、硝基呋喃类、硝基咪唑类5大类兽用合成抗菌药物的抗体检测技术最新研究趋势,旨在促进残留快速检测技术的发展。     

EXTENSION EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM: The future of biosecurity and antimicrobial use in livestock production in the United States and the role of extension1

As the global population continues to grow, food needs will increase as well. The amount of land and other resources devoted to agriculture production is not expected to grow significantly, leading most to agree that the substantial increases in food production to meet food security needs will come through the development of technologies that improve production efficiency. Diseases are constant threats to efficiency in all segments of agriculture. In livestock production, many of the bacterial pathogens that infect food animals are controlled through the use of antimicrobials. Antimicrobials are currently used in the United States not only to treat specific diseases, but also as feed additives to prevent bacterial disease in general or to improve growth performance. In recent years, there have been several proposals in the United States, both at state and federal levels, aimed at curtailing or dramatically reducing the use antimicrobials as feed additives, creating a policy similar to that of the European Union. Here we review the current policies on antimicrobial use in the European Union and their impact on food animal production. In addition, we discuss the future of antimicrobial use in food animal production in the United States and the increasing role of biosecurity programs. Finally, we discuss the role of Cooperative Extension Service in creating improved biosecurity programs and extension programs that provide policy makers and voters information on modern food animal production practices and technologies so that policies and regulations are effective and appropriate.     

Research Progress on Antibodies Rapid Detection Technology for Veterinary Synthetic Antibacterial Agents

Synthetic antibacterial agents are widely used in prevention and treatment of animal diseases. However, the irrational drugs use has caused severe drug residues issues and bacteria resistance.Therefore,it is particularly important to develop the rapid detection technology.The antibodies rapid detection technology has broad prospects because of its high sensitivity, simplicity, and low cost. The author reviewed the latest research on antibodies preparation and rapid detection methods for sulfonamides,fluoroquinolones, quinoxalines, nitrofurans and nitroimidazoles. It is great significant for the development of antibody rapid detection methods on the veterinary drug residues.     

Evaluation of pathways for release of Rift Valley fever virus into domestic ruminant livestock, ruminant wildlife, and human populations in the continental United States

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility for Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) to enter the continental United States by various routes as well as to identify states in which domestic and wild ruminant and human populations would be most vulnerable to exposure to RVFV. STUDY DESIGN: Pathways analysis. SAMPLE POPULATION: Animals, commodities, and humans transported from RVFV-endemic countries to the continental United States between 2000 and 2005. PROCEDURES: Initially, agent, host, and environmental factors important in the epidemiologic aspects of RVFV were used to develop a list of potential pathways for release of RVFV into the continental United States. Next, the feasibility of each pathway was evaluated by use of data contained in governmental and public domain sources. Finally, entry points into the continental United States for each feasible pathway were used to identify the domestic and wild ruminant and human populations at risk for exposure to RVFV. RESULTS: Feasible pathways for entry of RVFV into the continental United States were importation of RVFV-infected animals, entry of RVFV-infected people, mechanical transport of RVFV-infected insect vectors, and smuggling of live virus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Domestic ruminant livestock, ruminant wildlife, and people in 14 states (Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia) appeared to be most vulnerable to exposure to RVFV. Pathways analysis can provide the requisite information needed to construct an effective targeted surveillance plan for RVFV to enable rapid detection and response by animal health and public health officials.     

Animal-based national surveillance for zoonotic disease: quality, limitations, and implications of a model system for monitoring rabies

Surveillance for zoonotic diseases among wildlife is a research and public health challenge. The inherent limitations posed by the requisite human–animal interactions are often undefined and underappreciated. The national surveillance system for animal rabies in the United States was examined as a model system; reporting of animal rabies is legally mandated, each case of rabies is laboratory confirmed, and data have been consistently collected for more than 50 years. Factors influencing the monthly counts of animal rabies tests reported during 1992–2001 were assessed by univariate and multivariable regression methods. The suitability of passively collected surveillance data for determining the presence or absence of the raccoon-associated variant of rabies within states and within individual counties was assessed by determining critical threshold values from the regression analyses. The size of the human population and total expenditures within a county accounted for 72% and 67%, respectively, of the variance in testing. The annual median number of rabies tests performed was seven for counties without rabies, 22 for counties with non-raccoon rabies, and 34 for counties with raccoon rabies. Active surveillance may be required in locales with sparse human populations when a high degree of confidence in the status of rabies is required.     

A history of the Pathological Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, between 1891-1921

As part of a continuing historical study of the evolution of the discipline of veterinary pathology in North America, this paper relates the role played by the Pathological Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), formerly a unit of the United States Department of Agriculture. The work of this division of the BAI during its first three decades is examined with respect to its leadership, activities and attainments, and these are compared with similar activities in veterinary colleges and state experiment stations in the United States and in foreign veterinary colleges and research establishments. The Pathological Division devoted a good deal of its efforts to the production of biologic prophylactic products, with resounding success in controlling blackleg and other diseases. Its other activities were in laboratory diagnostic work and in research into animal diseases. The picture that emerges in those spheres is of an organizational unit that despite its name, made little use of the approaches and methods of pathology, but rather availed itself of the tools of microbiology whether or not these were appropriate. In so doing, it lagged considerably behind the comparable institutions both in the United States and abroad.     

A proposal to leverage high-quality veterinary diagnostic laboratory large data streams for animal health,public health,and One Health

Test data generated by ~60 accredited member laboratories of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) is of exceptional quality. These data are captured by 1 of 13 laboratory information management systems (LIMSs) developed specifically for veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs). Beginning ~2000, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) developed an electronic messaging system for LIMS to automatically send standardized data streams for 14 select agents to a national repository. This messaging enables the U.S. Department of Agriculture to track and respond to high-consequence animal disease outbreaks such as highly pathogenic avian influenza. Because of the lack of standardized data collection in the LIMSs used at VDLs, there is, to date, no means of summarizing VDL large data streams for multi-state and national animal health studies or for providing near-real-time tracking for hundreds of other important animal diseases in the United States that are detected routinely by VDLs. Further, VDLs are the only state and federal resources that can provide early detection and identification of endemic and emerging zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are estimated to be responsible for 2.5 billion cases of human illness and 2.7 million deaths worldwide every year. The economic and health impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is self-evident. We review here the history and progress of data management in VDLs and discuss ways of seizing unexplored opportunities to advance data leveraging to better serve animal health, public health, and One Health.     

环介导等温扩增技术及其在动物疫病检测中的应用

环介导等温扩增技术(LAMP)是一种新型的体外等温扩增特异核酸片段的技术,具有灵敏度高、特异性强及快速检测等优点,现已经广泛应用于动物疫病的快速检测。文章对LAMP的反应原理、技术特点及其近年来在动物疫病检测中的应用作一综述,旨在为该技术的深入研究和应用提供参考。     

West Nile virus: lessons from the 21st century

Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV) first appeared in the United States in 1999, causing illness and death in birds, horses, and humans. While the initial outbreak of this sometimes deadly viral disease was limited to the northeastern United States, the virus had an inexorable migration across the continental United States over the next 3 years, causing huge losses among the affected species. The purpose of this review is to present currently available information regarding the epi‐demiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of WNV infection. Veterinarians, particularly those in an emergency practice, serve as an important source of reliable information regarding this disease for animal owners and the public in general. Data sources: Data sources used for the preparation of this review include computer‐based searches of PubMed and Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB) abstracts. A search in PubMed using ‘West Nile’ retrieved 1468 ‘hits’ or references, while a similar search in CAB abstracts produced 815 references. Additional information was obtained from various meeting proceedings, particularly data presented in abstract form, and from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website dedicated to WNV. Human data synthesis: Prior to the mid‐1990s, reported large‐scale epidemics of WNV infection in humans predominantly presented as acute, mild, febrile disease, sometimes associated with lymphadenopathy and skin rash. The recent large epidemic in the United States, in contrast, has prominently featured encephalitis, particularly among the elderly. Additionally, polio‐encephalomyelitis‐like complications resulting in long‐term neurologic sequelae have been reported. There are many WNV‐permissive native avian and mosquito hosts in the Unites States and there appear to be few limitations to the spread of the disease in the United States. It is expected that the virus will be identified in all 48 continental states, Mexico, and Canada by the end of 2003. Veterinary data synthesis: The horse is the animal species most affected by the recent WNV epidemic in the United States, and losses to the equine industry have been large and unprecedented. A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)‐approved vaccine against WNV has been in use in horses since 2001 and appears to be effective in limiting the incidence of disease in well‐vaccinated populations. WNV infection has been documented in other species of mammals, including camelids (alpaca/llamas) and dogs, and veterinarians should include WNV as a differential diagnosis for animals presenting with clinical signs consistent with central nervous system infection. A large concern exists for endangered bird populations, particularly birds of prey, whether in zoos or in the wild.     

Contagious Equine Metritis: A Review

Contagious equine metritis is a highly contagious genital infection of mares, spread venereally, and was first described in 1977. Although most contagious equine metritis outbreaks involved Thoroughbreds, infection in other breeds has also occurred. The disease has been reported in Europe, Australia and the United States. In Canada, contagious equine metritis has been designated a reportable disease under the Animal Disease and Protection Act.Contagious equine metritis is characterized by an endometritis and infertility and infected mares show no signs of systemic infection. Clinical signs have not been observed in stallions. An asymptomatic carrier state exists in both mares and stallions.Infected mares respond clinically to the topical and parenteral administration of antibacterial drugs. However, a proportion of mares remain carriers of the contagious equine metritis organism. Treatment of stallions is successful. Haemophilus equigenitalis has been proposed as the species name of the Gram-negative, microaerophilic coccobacillus.Sample collection and laboratory methods for the diagnosis of contagious equine metritis are described.     

国外公路动物卫生检查站情况综述

公路动物检查站作为控制动物疫病传播最有效的手段之一,已被FAO、OIE等国际组织及世界各国广泛认可和接受。目前主要畜牧业发达国家均已建立了公路动物防疫检查机制。本文通过全面介绍美国和欧盟公路动物检查站运行机制,分析其值得借鉴之处,以期为今后我国完善公路检查站体系提供参考。     

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) brucellosis eradication program in the United States

Efforts to eradicate brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus in the United States began in 1934 as part of an economic recovery program to reduce the cattle population because of the Great Depression and concurrent severe drought conditions. A number of states saw this as an opportunity to reduce the level of brucellosis, which was the most significant livestock disease problem in the US at the time. In 1934 and 1935, the reactor rate in adult cattle tested was 11.5%. In 1954, the magnitude of the brucellosis problem in the United States in terms of economics to the cattle industry and human health prompted Congress to appropriate funds for a comprehensive national effort to eradicate brucellosis. The brucellosis eradication program was designed as a cooperative effort between the federal government, the states, and livestock producers. As the science and technology of brucellosis has developed over the years through research and experience, the eradication program has been modified many times.

As of 31 December 2000, there were no affected cattle herds in the United States. This was the first time in the history of the brucellosis program that the United States had no known brucellosis affected herds. However, brucellosis has a variable, sometimes quite lengthy incubation period, so it is expected that additional affected herds will be disclosed. It is likely that additional affected herds will be disclosed before brucellosis is finally eradicated from cattle. Animal health officials remain prepared to aggressively pursue any newly disclosed affected herds to eliminate the disease as quickly as possible.

The State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program has made tremendous progress since its inception. In an eradication program, it is critically important to recognize that, despite all the tools that are available to eliminate the disease, an effective surveillance system is the critical first step that must be in place in order to be successful. It is imperative, not only to be able to find the disease and eliminate it, but to find it before it spreads to susceptible herds. When brucellosis can be identified, contained, and eliminated before spread occurs, eradication can be achieved.