Vaccination strategies to conserve the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Pathogens such as rabies virus and canine distemper virus present a significant risk to the long-term survival of some endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) populations. Vaccination of wild dogs is one approach that might reduce population extinction risks; however clear guidelines for how best to do this are lacking. Hence, we developed a mathematical model of wild dog population dynamics that integrates a pathogen transmission model and a vaccination process. Simulations indicated that the most effective vaccination strategy includes all age classes (when pups are 2-months old), prioritizes the breeding pair, and vaccinates at least 4 animals per pack included in the vaccination effort. In addition, populations for which an Allee effect, high rates of pathogen introduction, or low rates of recovery and immunity were simulated, required greater vaccination coverage (dogs/pack), to protect an equivalent number of packs compared to populations for which no Allee effect, low rates of pathogen introduction, or high rates of recovery and immunity were simulated. For populations in which some packs (high-risk) have a greater risk of pathogen exposure than others (low-risk), vaccinating both high- and low-risk packs, or only low-risk packs, is more effective than vaccinating only high-risk packs when pathogen introduction rates are high. Finally, model results suggest that vaccination of wild dog populations against pathogens, such as canine distemper virus, that do not cause 100% mortality and against which some wild dogs develop acquired immunity, may be unnecessary.     

The impact of sport-hunting on the population dynamics of an African lion population in a protected area

Between 1999 and 2004 we undertook an ecological study of African lions (Panthera leo) in Hwange National Park, western Zimbabwe to measure the impact of sport-hunting beyond the park on the lion population within the park, using radio-telemetry and direct observation. 34 of 62 tagged lions died during the study (of which 24 were shot by sport hunters: 13 adult males, 5 adult females, 6 sub-adult males). Sport hunters in the safari areas surrounding the park killed 72% of tagged adult males from the study area. Over 30% of all males shot were sub-adult (<4 years). Hunting off-take of male lions doubled during 2001-2003 compared to levels in the three preceding years, which caused a decline in numbers of adult males in the population (from an adult sex ratio of 1:3 to 1:6 in favour of adult females). Home ranges made vacant by removal of adult males were filled by immigration of males from the park core. Infanticide was observed when new males entered prides. The proportion of male cubs increased between 1999 and 2004, which may have occurred to compensate for high adult male mortality.     

The lesional changes and pathogenesis in the kidney in african swine fever

African swine fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease of pigs which has been used as a model for the study of viral haemorrhagic diseases in man. The acute course of the disease is characterized by acute proliferative glomerulonephritis, with viral replication in mesangial cells and occasional focal necrosis of the renal tubular system; hyperplasia of the collecting ducts is associated with evident virus replication. Haemorrhages have been attributed to endothelial dysfunction, aggravated by virus replication in endothelial cells in the final stages of the disease. The renal interstitium displays intense oedema and an infiltrate largely composed of macrophages. Virus replication has also been observed in fibroblasts and in the smooth0muscle cells of arterioles and venules.In subacute-chronic forms of the disease, various types of glomerulonephritis are observed, ranging from mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis to focal and segmental hyalinosis associated with immune-mediated phenomena. No striking changes are reported in the renal tubular system. Interstitial haemorrhages are associated with diapedesis due to immunologically mediated events. The interstitium has also been found to contain a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with abundant plasma cells. No evidence has been reported of viral replication in any cell population.Abbreviations ASF African swine fever - ASFV African swine fever virus - C complement component - DNA deoxyribonucleic acid - HAD₅₀ 50% haemoadsorbing doses - Ig immunoglobulin - MPS mononuclear phagocytic system - PAS periodic acid-Schiff reagent     

Synovial fluid from an African spur-thighed tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)

A 4.5-year old, male African spur-thighed tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) was presented to the University of Florida Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 2-week history of lethargy, anorexia, constipation, dyspnea, and coughing up fluid or vomiting. Laboratory results included an inflammatory leukogram and a marked increase in plasma uric acid concentration. Synovial fluid from multiple joints was thick, chalky white, and opaque, with a grainy consistency. Microscopically, the fluid contained numerous brown, needle-like crystals consistent with urates (gout). Gross necropsy findings and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of systemic gout, with urate deposition, gout tophi, and underlying necrosis in multiple organs, including kidneys, lung, and liver. Dehydration with concurrent renal insufficiency may have impaired urate excretion and led to a build-up of urates in the blood and tissues of this tortoise. A high protein diet also may have contributed to the development of gout. Cytologic evaluation of synovial fluid can be used as a quick and definitive tool to diagnose gout in tortoises.     

Evaluation of Gmelina arborea Leaves Supplemented with Grasses (Panicum Maximum and Pennisetum purpureum) as Feed for West African Dwarf Goats

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

A review of African horse sickness and its implications for Ireland

ABSTRACT: African horse sickness is an economically highly important non-contagious but infectious Orbivirus disease that is transmitted by various species of Culicoides midges. The equids most severely affected by the virus are horses, ponies, and European donkeys; mules are somewhat less susceptible, and African donkeys and zebra are refractory to the devastating consequences of infection. In recent years, Bluetongue virus, an Orbivirus similar to African horse sickness, which also utilises Culicoides spp. as its vector, has drastically increased its range into previously unaffected regions in northern Europe, utilising indigenous vector species, and causing widespread economic damage to the agricultural sector. Considering these events, the current review outlines the history of African horse sickness, including information concerning virus structure, transmission, viraemia, overwintering ability, and the potential implications that an outbreak would have for Ireland. While the current risk for the introduction of African horse sickness to Ireland is considered at worst 'very low', it is important to note that prior to the 2006 outbreak of Bluetongue in northern Europe, both diseases were considered to be of equal risk to the United Kingdom ('medium-risk'). It is therefore likely that any outbreak of this disease would have serious socio-economic consequences for Ireland due to the high density of vulnerable equids and the prevalence of Culicoides species, potentially capable of vectoring the virus.     

Serotype- and serogroup-specific detection of African horsesickness virus using phage displayed chicken scFvs for indirect double antibody sandwich ELISAs

There is an ongoing need for standardized, easily renewable immunoreagents for detecting African horsesickness virus (AHSV). Two phage displayed single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies, selected from a semi-synthetic chicken antibody library, were used to develop double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (DAS-ELISAs) to detect AHSV. In the DAS-ELISAs, the scFv previously selected with directly immobilized AHSV-3 functioned as a serotype-specific reagent that recognized only AHSV-3. In contrast, the one selected with AHSV-8 captured by IgG against AHSV-3 recognized all nine AHSV serotypes but not the Bryanston strain of equine encephalosis virus. Serving as evidence for its serogroup-specificity. These two scFvs can help to rapidly confirm the presence of AHSV while additional serotype-specific scFvs may simplify AHSV serotyping.     

Trypanocidal Activity of Marine Natural Products

Marine natural products are a diverse, unique collection of compounds with immense therapeutic potential. This has resulted in these molecules being evaluated for a number of different disease indications including the neglected protozoan diseases, human African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, for which very few drugs are currently available. This article will review the marine natural products for which activity against the kinetoplastid parasites; Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T.b. rhodesiense and T. cruzi has been reported. As it is important to know the selectivity of a compound when evaluating its trypanocidal activity, this article will only cover molecules which have simultaneously been tested for cytotoxicity against a mammalian cell line. Compounds have been grouped according to their chemical structure and representative examples from each class were selected for detailed discussion.     

非洲猪瘟对中国生猪市场和产业发展影响分析

受非洲猪瘟疫情、环保等因素影响,生猪产能快速深度下降,未来2 a猪肉供给偏紧特征明显,生猪价格快速进入新一轮上涨周期,未来养殖收益将连续3 a处于较好水平,未来2 a猪肉进口预期创新高。短期来看,非洲猪瘟影响下产销区供给过剩和供给偏紧交替出现,猪价由区域分化演变为普遍性上涨。受非洲猪瘟防控政策、产业生物安全水平提升需求和近期出台的产业支持政策等因素影响,中国生猪产业的生产和屠宰布局、流通模式、消费结构、猪肉贸易、价格周期等发生深刻变革。非洲猪瘟导致中国生猪养殖模式向适度规模转变,"公司+农户"成为主要发展模式,屠宰产能由销区向产区转移,管理和防疫成本提高,生猪产能恢复速度将较缓慢,猪肉消费加速向冷鲜肉转变,在肉类消费结构中比重将进一步下降,未来猪肉进口保持较高水平将成为常态。要有效实施非洲猪瘟分区防控、保障生猪市场稳定,需要通过加强区域化防控机制的顶层设计和立法,优化非洲猪瘟强制性扑杀补贴机制,加强基层兽医体系建设,实施"政府+企业+养殖户"联防联控,降低疫病传播风险,推动生猪产业可持续发展。