Report on Sea Lice Epidemiology and Management in Ireland with Particular Reference to Potential Interactions with Wild Salmon (Salmo salar) and Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) Populations

In 2009 two Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) submitted a legal complaint (Anon. 2009 a) against Ireland to the EU Commission (EU Pilot Case 764/09/ENV1). The substance of the complaint was that Ireland was failing to comply with the Habitats Directive and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive in three named fisheries; the Delphi (Bundorragha River), the Newport Fishery (Newport River) and the Ballynahinch Fishery (Ballynahinch River). The complainants also cited a failure to protect both the salmon (Salmo salar) and the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). In responding to the complaint a detailed scientific investigation was undertaken. Long term research and specifically commissioned studies were accessed and their data drawn on to ensure a comprehensive and accurate response based on the best available scientific data and information. This report sets out this information, together with the associated studies and data which formed the basis of the scientific response to the complaint. The complaint was closed in favour of the State on the 11th of October 2012.Funder: Marine Institut

Psychosocial factors and ageing in older lesbian, gay and bisexual people: a systematic review of the literature

Aims and objectives: To synthesise and evaluate the extant literature investigating the psychosocial influences on ageing as a lesbian, gay or bisexual person, in order to develop understanding about these influences and guide future research in the area. Background: Research suggests there may be specific psychological and social factors relevant to ageing for individuals with a non-heterosexual identity. Design: A systematic review was conducted on empirical research involving lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals aged 60 or above. Methods: The Cochrane Database, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched and 41 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority had not been reviewed in earlier review articles. Results: Findings were within two domains: psychological, consisting of sub-themes relating to identity, mental health and body image; and social, consisting of relationships, social support, discrimination, caregiving and receiving, community, accessing services and housing. The results suggest lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals mostly adjust well to ageing identities, with mediating influences including self-acceptance and connection with peers. Challenges experienced included ageism and heteronormative health and social care services; intimate friendships, social support and respectful professionals mitigated such threats and facilitated successful ageing. Methodological issues related to sampling procedures, such as purposive sampling through the gay community and limited generalisability due to the homogeneity of participants. Additionally, there was a widespread lack of heterosexual control groups. However, most studies used appropriate measures and acknowledged inherent limitations. Conclusion: Psychosocial influences included the challenge of societal stigma, but also resilience individuals demonstrate through a positive attitude. These factors must continue to be investigated for services to best meet the needs of this population. Relevance to clinical practice: Clinicians are well placed to assist individuals draw on resilience when facing ageing challenges. Also, clinicians should be aware older people may have prior negative experiences of accessing services and try to involve ‘families of choice’ in care planning

The Genome of a Pathogenic Rhodococcus: Cooptive Virulence Underpinned by Key Gene Acquisitions

We report the genome of the facultative intracellular parasite Rhodococcus equi, the only animal pathogen within the biotechnologically important actinobacterial genus Rhodococcus. The 5.0-Mb R. equi 103S genome is significantly smaller than those of environmental rhodococci. This is due to genome expansion in nonpathogenic species, via a linear gain of paralogous genes and an accelerated genetic flux, rather than reductive evolution in R. equi. The 103S genome lacks the extensive catabolic and secondary metabolic complement of environmental rhodococci, and it displays unique adaptations for host colonization and competition in the short-chain fatty acid–rich intestine and manure of herbivores—two main R. equi reservoirs. Except for a few horizontally acquired (HGT) pathogenicity loci, including a cytoadhesive pilus determinant (rpl) and the virulence plasmid vap pathogenicity island (PAI) required for intramacrophage survival, most of the potential virulence-associated genes identified in R. equi are conserved in environmental rhodococci or have homologs in nonpathogenic Actinobacteria. This suggests a mechanism of virulence evolution based on the cooption of existing core actinobacterial traits, triggered by key host niche–adaptive HGT events. We tested this hypothesis by investigating R. equi virulence plasmid-chromosome crosstalk, by global transcription profiling and expression network analysis. Two chromosomal genes conserved in environmental rhodococci, encoding putative chorismate mutase and anthranilate synthase enzymes involved in aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, were strongly coregulated with vap PAI virulence genes and required for optimal proliferation in macrophages. The regulatory integration of chromosomal metabolic genes under the control of the HGT–acquired plasmid PAI is thus an important element in the cooptive virulence of R. equi

National Survey of Sea Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kroyer and Caligus elongatus Nordmann) on Fish Farms in Ireland - 2010

This bulletin reports on the National Sea Lice Monitoring Programme carried out by the Marine Institute in 2010. Results presented in this report are mean ovigerous sea lice levels and mean mobile sea lice levels for Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus.Funder: Marine Institut

National Survey of Sea Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kroyer and Caligus elongatus Nordmann) on Fish Farms in Ireland - 2013

This bulletin reports on the National Sea Lice Monitoring Programme carried out by the Marine Institute in 2013. Results presented in this report are mean ovigerous sea lice levels and mean mobile sea lice levels for Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus.Funder: Marine Institut

National Survey of Sea Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kroyer and Caligus elongatus Nordmann) on Fish Farms in Ireland - 2015

This bulletin reports on the National Sea Lice Monitoring Programme carried out by the Marine Institute in 2015. Results presented in this report are mean ovigerous sea lice levels and mean mobile sea lice levels for Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus.Marine Institut

National Survey of Sea Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kroyer and Caligus elongatus Nordmann) on Fish Farms in Ireland - 2009

This bulletin reports on the National Sea Lice Monitoring Programme carried out by the Marine Institute in 2009. Results presented in this report are mean ovigerous sea lice levels and mean mobile sea lice levels for Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatusFunder: Marine Institut