The role of livestock in food security, poverty reduction and wealth creation in West Africa

Peer reviewe

Comparative Field Trial Effect of <em>Brucella</em> spp. Vaccines on Seroconversion in Goats and Their Possible Implications to Control Programs

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in a goat flock and the seroconversion of three groups of animals vaccinated with Rev-1 (Brucella melitensis), RB51, and RB51-SOD (Brucella abortus) to estimate the level of protection conferred on susceptible females. Seventy-two animals were used by group. Goats were older than 3 months, seronegative to brucellosis, not vaccinated previously, and kept within positive flocks. Vaccinated animals received 2 mL of product subcutaneously in the neck region. The first block was injected with Rev-1; the second received RB51, and the third group was injected with RB51-SOD. Follow-up sampling was performed at 30, 60, 90, and 365 days postvaccination. The general prevalence of brucellosis for the three groups was 1.2% (95%CI:0.5–2.7). The seroconversion rate by day 30 after vaccination was 77.7% (95%CI:61.9–88.2) for goats vaccinated with Rev-1. At 365 days post vaccination, the percentage of seropositive goats declined to 13.8% (95%CI:6.0–28.6). At day 365 after vaccination, 2.7% (95%CI:0.4–14.1) and 5.5% (95%CI:1.5–18.1) of animals vaccinated with RB51 and RB51-SOD, respectively, became positive. Results show that the seroconversion induced by Brucella abortus RB51 and RB51-SOD vaccines is lower than that by Brucella melitensis Rev-1

Every Dog Has Its Data:Evaluation of a Technology-Aided Canine Rabies Vaccination Campaign to Implement a Microplanning Approach

Background: Robust dog vaccination coverage is the primary way to eliminate canine rabies. Haiti conducts annual canine mass vaccination campaigns, but still has the most human deaths in the Latin American and Caribbean region. We conducted an evaluation of dog vaccination methods in Haiti to determine if more intensive, data-driven vaccination methods, using smartphones for data reporting and geo-communication, could increase vaccination coverage to a level capable of disrupting rabies virus transmission.Methods: Two cities were designated into “Traditional” and “Technology-aided” vaccination areas. Traditional areas utilized historical methods of vaccination staff management, whereas Technology-aided areas used smartphone-supported spatial coordination and management of vaccination teams. Smartphones enabled real time two-way geo-communication between campaign managers and vaccinators. Campaign managers provided geographic instruction to vaccinators by assigning mapped daily vaccination boundaries displayed on phone handsets, whilst vaccinators uploaded spatial data of dogs vaccinated for review by the campaign manager to inform assignment of subsequent vaccination zones. The methods were evaluated for vaccination effort, coverage, and cost.Results: A total of 11,420 dogs were vaccinated during the 14-day campaign. The technology-aided approach achieved 80% estimated vaccination coverage as compared to 44% in traditional areas. Daily vaccination rate was higher in Traditional areas (41.7 vaccinations per team-day) compared to in technology-aided areas (26.8) but resulted in significantly lower vaccination coverages. The cost per dog vaccinated increased exponentially with the associated vaccination coverage, with a cost of $1.86 to achieve 25$2.51 for 50% coverage, and $3.19 for 70% coverage.Conclusions: Traditional vaccination methods failed to achieve sufficiently high vaccination coverages needed to interrupt sustained rabies virus transmission, whilst the technology-aided approach increased coverage above this critical threshold. Over successive campaigns, this difference is likely to represent the success or failure of the intervention in eliminating the rabies virus. Technology-aided vaccination should be considered in resource limited settings where rabies has not been controlled by Traditional vaccination methods. The use of technology to direct health care workers based on near-real-time spatial data from the field has myriad potential applications in other vaccination and public health initiatives

Defining new pathways to manage the ongoing emergence of bat rabies in Latin America

Rabies transmitted by common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) has been known since the early 1900s but continues to expand geographically and in the range of species and environments affected. In this review, we present current knowledge of the epidemiology and management of rabies in D. rotundus and argue that it can be reasonably considered an emerging public health threat. We identify knowledge gaps related to the landscape determinants of the bat reservoir, reduction in bites on humans and livestock, and social barriers to prevention. We discuss how new technologies including autonomously-spreading vaccines and reproductive suppressants targeting bats might manage both rabies and undesirable growth of D. rotundus populations. Finally, we highlight widespread under-reporting of human and animal mortality and the scarcity of studies that quantify the efficacy of control measures such as bat culling. Collaborations between researchers and managers will be crucial to implement the next generation of rabies management in Latin America

First inter-laboratory comparison of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato diagnosis in Latin America

To compare the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for diagnosing Echinococcus granulosus in dog feces among national reference laboratories in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay

The genetic ancestry of American Creole cattle inferred from uniparental and autosomal genetic markers

Cattle imported from the Iberian Peninsula spread throughout America in the early years of discovery and colonization to originate Creole breeds, which adapted to a wide diversity of environments and later received influences from other origins, including zebu cattle in more recent years. We analyzed uniparental genetic markers and autosomal microsatellites in DNA samples from 114 cattle breeds distributed worldwide, including 40 Creole breeds representing the whole American continent, and samples from the Iberian Peninsula, British islands, Continental Europe, Africa and American zebu. We show that Creole breeds differ considerably from each other, and most have their own identity or group with others from neighboring regions. Results with mtDNA indicate that T1c-lineages are rare in Iberia but common in Africa and are well represented in Creoles from Brazil and Colombia, lending support to a direct African influence on Creoles. This is reinforced by the sharing of a unique Y-haplotype between cattle from Mozambique and Creoles from Argentina. Autosomal microsatellites indicate that Creoles occupy an intermediate position between African and European breeds, and some Creoles show a clear Iberian signature. Our results confirm the mixed ancestry of American Creole cattle and the role that African cattle have played in their development

The genetic ancestry of american creole cattle inferred from uniparental and autosomal genetic markers.

Cattle imported from the Iberian Peninsula spread throughout America in the early years of discovery and colonization to originate Creole breeds, which adapted to a wide diversity of environments and later received influences from other origins, including zebu cattle in more recent years. We analyzed uniparental genetic markers and autosomal microsatellites in DNA samples from 114 cattle breeds distributed worldwide, including 40 Creole breeds representing the whole American continent, and samples from the Iberian Peninsula, British islands, Continental Europe, Africa and American zebu. We show that Creole breeds differ considerably from each other, and most have their own identity or group with others from neighboring regions. Results with mtDNA indicate that T1c-lineages are rare in Iberia but common in Africa and are well represented in Creoles from Brazil and Colombia, lending support to a direct African influence on Creoles. This is reinforced by the sharing of a unique Y-haplotype between cattle from Mozambique and Creoles from Argentina. Autosomal microsatellites indicate that Creoles occupy an intermediate position between African and European breeds, and some Creoles show a clear Iberian signature. Our results confirm the mixed ancestry of American Creole cattle and the role that African cattle have played in their development

Evaluación de indicadores productivos en rebaños caprinos vacunados con cepas RB51–SOD, RB51 (Brucella abortus) y Rev-1 (Brucella melitensis)

Kidding rates, miscarriages and births of weak offspring were determined in herds vaccinated with the RB51-SOD (B. abortus) strain in order to evaluate the productive improvement and compare it with Rev-1 (B. melitensis) and RB51 (B. abortus) vaccines. Three subgroups of 36 goats each were vaccinated with Rev-1 (1-2x109 CFU), RB51 (3x108-3x109 CFU) and RB51-SOD (3x108-3x109 CFU) strains, with each strain having a control subgroup. Individual records were established for calculating post-vaccination rates in two kidding seasons.  In the first, the kidding  rate for Rev-1  was 66.6 %  (95%CI: 48.9-80.9),  RB51 50.0 % (95%CI:33.2-66.7), and RB51-SOD 69.4 % (95%CI:51.7-83.0). Miscarriages occurred in all three vaccinated subgroups, Rev-1 and RB51-SOD 5.5 % (95%CI: 0.9-20.0) and RB51 2.7 % (95%CI: 0.1-16.2). Weak offspring births occurred only in animals vaccinated with Rev-1 5.5 % (95%CI: 0.9-20.0). During the second epoch, the kidding rate in Rev-1 vaccinated females was 91.6 % (95% CI:76.4-97.8), RB51 94.4 % (95% CI:79.9-99.0), and RB51-SOD 94.4 % (95% CI:79.9-99.0). Animals vaccinated with Rev-1 and RB51 strains had 5.5 % (95%CI: 0.9-20.0) and 2.7 % (95%CI: 0.1-16.2) miscarriages, respectively; in vaccinated subgroups there were no births of weak offspring. The control subgroups behaved similarly to the vaccinated subgroups. Animals vaccinated with the RB51-SOD strain showed no significant difference from those that received the Rev-1 and RB51 strains, nor from the control subgroups (P>0.01); therefore, the RB51-SOD vaccine can generate protection against brucellosis and benefits in the production of goat herds.Se determinaron tasas de pariciones, abortos y nacimiento de crías débiles en rebaños vacunados con la cepa RB51–SOD (B. abortus) para evaluar la mejora productiva y compararla con las vacunas Rev–1 (B. melitensis) y RB51 (B. abortus). Se vacunaron tres subgrupos de 36 cabras cada uno con cepas Rev–1 (1–2x109 UFC), RB51 (3x108-3x109 UFC) y RB51–SOD (3x108-3x109 UFC), cada cepa tuvo un subgrupo control. Se establecieron registros individuales para calcular las tasas posvacunación en dos épocas de pariciones. En la primera, la tasa de partos para Rev-1 fue 66.6 % (IC95%: 48.9–80.9), RB51 50.0 % (IC95% :33.2–66.7) y RB51-SOD 69.4 % (IC95% :51.7–83.0). Los abortos se presentaron en los tres subgrupos vacunados, Rev-1 y RB51-SOD 5.5 %  (IC95% :0.9–20.0)  y  RB51 2.7 % (IC95%: 0.1–16.2). Los nacimientos de crías débiles se presentaron solo en animales vacunados con Rev-1 5.5 % (IC95%: 0.9–20.0). Durante la segunda época, la tasa de partos en hembras vacunadas con Rev-1 fue de 91.6 % (IC95% :76.4–97.8), RB51 94.4 % (IC95% :79.9–99.0) y RB51-SOD 94.4 % (IC95% :79.9–99.0). Tuvieron abortos animales vacunados con cepas Rev-1 y RB51, 5.5 % (IC95%: 0.9–20.0) y 2.7 % (IC95%: 0.1–16.2), respectivamente; en subgrupos vacunados no hubo nacimiento de crías débiles. Los subgrupos controles tuvieron un comportamiento similar a los vacunados. Los animales vacunados con la cepa RB51–SOD no mostraron diferencia significativa con los que recibieron las cepas Rev-1 y RB51, ni con los subgrupos control (P>0.01); por lo anterior, la vacuna RB51-SOD puede generar protección contra la brucelosis y beneficios en la producción de rebaños caprinos

Convergence : mensuel de la solidarité / Secours populaire français ; dir. publ. Julien Lauprêtre ; réd. Antonio Garcia, Valmont Ponceau

avril 20052005/04 (N247)-2005/04.Appartient à l’ensemble documentaire : UnivJeun

Dog vaccine expenditure for years 2013–2014 showing the average unit cost per dose and type of vaccine (Nerve Tissue Vaccines (NTV) vs. cell culture) as reported by the countries, the number of doses applied, and the estimated total expenditure on vaccine (only vaccine, not including logistics costs) for 16 LAC countries.

<p>Dog vaccine expenditure for years 2013–2014 showing the average unit cost per dose and type of vaccine (Nerve Tissue Vaccines (NTV) vs. cell culture) as reported by the countries, the number of doses applied, and the estimated total expenditure on vaccine (only vaccine, not including logistics costs) for 16 LAC countries.</p