Attaques massives de simulies et mort brutale

peer reviewe

New insight in lymnaeid snails (Mollusca, Gastropoda) as intermediate hosts of Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda, Digenea) in Belgium and Luxembourg

<b>Background</b><p></p> The present study aims to assess the epidemiological role of different lymnaeid snails as intermediate hosts of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica in Belgium and Luxembourg.<p></p> <b>Methods</b><p></p> During summer 2008, 7103 lymnaeid snails were collected from 125 ponds distributed in 5 clusters each including 25 ponds. Each cluster was located in a different biogeographic area of Belgium and Luxembourg. In addition, snails were also collected in sixteen other biotopes considered as temporary wet areas. These snails were identified as Galba truncatula (n = 2474) (the main intermediate host of F. hepatica in Europe) and Radix sp. (n = 4629). Moreover, several biological and non-biological variables were also recorded from the different biotopes. DNA was extracted from each snail collected using Chelex® technique. DNA samples were screened through a multiplex PCR that amplifies lymnaeid internal transcribed spacer 2 gene sequences (500–600 bp) (acting as an internal control) and a 124 bp fragment of repetitive DNA from Fasciola sp.<p></p> <b>Results</b><p></p> Lymnaeid snails were found in 75 biotopes (53.2%). Thirty individuals of G. truncatula (1.31%) and 7 of Radix sp. (0.16%) were found to be positive for Fasciola sp. The seven positive Radix sp. snails all belonged to the species R. balthica (Linnaeus, 1758). Classification and regression tree analysis were performed in order to better understand links and relative importance of the different recorded factors. One of the best explanatory variables for the presence/absence of the different snail species seems to be the geographic location, whereas for the infection status of the snails no obvious relationship was linked to the presence of cattle.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b><p></p> Epidemiological implications of these findings and particularly the role of R. balthica as an alternative intermediate host in Belgium and Luxembourg were discussed

Linear regression with stationary errors : the R package slm

The associated R package 'slm' is available on the CRAN website (https://cran.r-project.org) or on the GitHub website (https://github.com/E-Caron/slm).This paper introduces the R package slm which stands for Stationary Linear Models. The package contains a set of statistical procedures for linear regression in the general context where the error process is strictly stationary with short memory. We work in the setting of Hannan (1973), who proved the asymptotic normality of the (normalized) least squares estimators (LSE) under very mild conditions on the error process. We propose different ways to estimate the asymptotic covariance matrix of the LSE, and then to correct the type I error rates of the usual tests on the parameters (as well as confidence intervals). The procedures are evaluated through different sets of simulations, and two examples of real datasets are studied

Bibliothèques et résidence d\u27auteurs : quelles opportunités en 2010 ?

Mémoire de fin d\u27étude du diplôme de conservateur, promotion DCB19, portant sur les enjeux d\u27une résidence d\u27écrivain pour une bibliothèque

Evaluating the potential for the environmentally sustainable control of foot and mouth disease in Sub-Saharan Africa

Strategies to control transboundary diseases have in the past generated unintended negative consequences for both the environment and local human populations. Integrating perspectives from across disciplines, including livestock, veterinary and conservation sectors, is necessary for identifying disease control strategies that optimise environmental goods and services at the wildlife-livestock interface. Prompted by the recent development of a global strategy for the control and elimination of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), this paper seeks insight into the consequences of, and rational options for potential FMD control measures in relation to environmental, conservation and human poverty considerations in Africa. We suggest a more environmentally nuanced process of FMD control that safe-guards the integrity of wild populations and the ecosystem dynamics on which human livelihoods depend while simultaneously improving socio-economic conditions of rural people. In particular, we outline five major issues that need to be considered: 1) improved understanding of the different FMD viral strains and how they circulate between domestic and wildlife populations; 2) an appreciation for the economic value of wildlife for many African countries whose presence might preclude the country from ever achieving an FMD-free status; 3) exploring ways in which livestock production can be improved without compromising wildlife such as implementing commodity-based trading schemes; 4) introducing a participatory approach involving local farmers and the national veterinary services in the control of FMD; and 5) finally the possibility that transfrontier conservation might offer new hope of integrating decision-making at the wildlife-livestock interface

Cas de gale sarcoptique chez des renards en Belgique

Eight cases of sarcoptic mange in foxes were reported during summer 2014 (n=3) and winter 2015 (n= 5) in Belgium. All animals came from the same restricted forest zones near urbanized areas and some of them were discovered in private gardens (Forest District of Thuin, Hainaut, Belgium). Three of them were found dead, the others were shot for sanitary reasons. At necropsy, all of them presented large areas of alopecia and extensive skin lesions such as hyperkeratosis and suppurative lacerations. Animals presented poor body condition and some of them were severely emaciated (absence of visceral fat). Mange has profound influences on population since, if untreated, death follows in four to six months. In the present cases, cutaneous scrapings and histopathological examinations were systematically performed. Numerous parasites were observed in skin scrapings and marked dermo-epidermatitis with several parasites was observed in histopathological sections. These results suggest an outbreak of sarcoptic mange in red foxes in a limited area of the country. This is a first record for the country. Furthermore, investigations on lungs and digestive tracts performed on 3 of these foxes revealed they were also infected by parasites transmissible to pets and/or humans: Angiostrongylus vasorum was observed in the respiratory tract of one fox whereas Toxocara canis, Uncinaria stenocephala, Taenia spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis worms were detected in the digestive tract. In conclusion, urban foxes represent a source of parasites of public health and veterinary importance and foxes surveillance should be strengthened in these areas