Fighting cocks: risk for the Caribbean regarding avian influenza and Newcastle disease

Cockfighting is an important tradition in many Caribbean countries and territories, with the legal status of cockfights varying by country. Uncontrolled movement of poultry may represent an important route for pathogen introduction and spread. The Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET) conducted a survey in order to assess the risk of circulation of Avian Influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND) through movement of fighting cocks. Potential risk pathways were identified by the CaribVET Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Working Group. A questionnaire was designed and sent to the 32 Chief Veterinary Officers of the Caribbean while additional information was collected through interviews with bird owners, breeders and fighting pit owners in five countries. Data analysis aims to: (1) improve the knowledge on gamecocks and understand activities carried out in the Caribbean, especially: the legal status of cockfighting, disease surveillance and control within the fighting cock population, as well as biosecurity measures; (2) assess the likelihood of contact between fighting cocks and commercial poultry in the countries/territories; (3) assess countries/territories' risk profiles based on the above-mentioned results. The movement patterns of fighting cocks were studied in order to identify pivotal countries/territories where increased surveillance for AI and ND may be warranted. Preliminary results show that almost all Caribbean countries/territories, as well as the American continent and Europe, are connected, either directly or indirectly. These results are being used for the development of adapted awareness campaigns for basic bird health and management and avian disease prevention and surveillance, in participating Caribbean countries/territories. (Texte intégral

Key factors for sustainability of regional animal health networks: CaribVET example

CaribVET is a collaborative network of veterinary services, research institutes and regional/international organizations whose objective is to improve animal and veterinary public health in the Caribbean. Set up on a bottom-up process about 15 years ago, CaribVET progressively achieved recognition and was officially endorsed in 2006 by the CARICOM as the Caribbean Animal Health Network. In 2010, it expanded to 32 countries and territories and 10 regional/international organizations. Its operation relies on a Steering Committee, a Coordination Unit and 6 working groups. Efficient and coordinated set of initiatives, projects and funding from different partners, mutual trust and responsibilities handover are essential for its sustainability. Quality Assurance principles are being implemented including formalized organization, clear rules (trilingual charter), and traceability (members, data) to improve network efficiency and operation. Interaction between professionals working in research, surveillance or control allows the definition of (1) relevant research questions according to needs evidenced in the field; (2) scientifically-based recommendations/tools to improve prediction of emergence (pathogen evolution, population dynamics); disease surveillance (design risk-based surveillance) and control strategies (appropriate treatment, vaccine, vector controls). Such interactions ensure implementation by decisions makers of research outputs, guarantee of sustainable improvement of animal health. These approaches contribute to network long-term operation to be complemented by cost-benefit studies and performance indicators development to gain advocacy of policy makers at the highest level of country members, about the essential role of CaribVET to support national networks and improve their prediction, prevention and control capacities. (Texte intégral

Building capacities in Caribbean animal health in the : The VEP (Veterinary Epidemiologist / Para-Epidemiologist) Project

Disease surveillance and control within the Caribbean has historically been difficult. The region is made up of over 31 countries, territories, and protectorates, with concomitant differences in language, culture, and historical experiences. Given the diversity of challenges the region faces in terms of disease introduction and spread, there is a need for longer-term, sustainable training in epidemiology, surveillance, and emergency response. The Veterinary Epidemiology/Para-epidemiology Project (VEP) was a four-year, capacity-building project conducted in 9 countries in the Caribbean region: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Project participants (10) received training in 7 key domains: epidemiologic methods, disease surveillance, diagnostic tests and sample handling, emergency preparedness and response, data management, communication and coordination, and management and leadership. Both didactic and hands-on trainings were emphasized, and all participants were required to complete an epidemiologic study in their respective countries. Project participants were mentored by experienced epidemiologists in the design and implementation of their studies. Lessons learned were identified which contributed to the success of the project overall. Coordination of the technical component of the project through the regional network for animal health, CaribVET, ensured that the project had both national and regional relevancy. Although costly, the VEP brought the participants together frequently and provided opportunities to build relationships, which strengthened cross-border communication and collaboration in the region overall. (Texte intégral

Prevalence of Salmonella on commercial layer farms in Barbados, 2009-2010

During January-March 2009, an outbreak of Salmonella was detected in four commercial layer farms in Barbados. During the outbreak, a total of 511 layers died, and 3,257 layers were voluntarily culled from one affected farm. Salmonella Enteritidis was identified in avian tissues (ovaries, liver, uterus), and egg samples submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Industry and Small Business Development (MAFFI) Veterinary Services (VS) Laboratory by managers of the affected farms. As a result of this outbreak, MAFFI VS conducted a survey to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella on commercial layer farms in Barbados. In addition, the relationships between farm-level exposure factors and diagnosis of Salmonella were examined. This paper describes the results of this survey. (Texte intégral

Factors associated to Amblyomma variegatum presence on farms in Nevis and determination of high risks TBR areas

Tropical Bont Tick (TBT), Amblyomma variegatum, is an invasive tick species of ruminants present in 10 Caribbean islands. TBT and the associated disease dermatophilosis, have been a challenge to livestock development in Nevis, Northern West Indies, for the past 30 years. After the end of a regional eradication program, active surveillance and control was conducted by veterinary services between 2007 and 2009. However, prevalence of dermatophilosis increased with some areas more infested, highlighting the need to determine the factors associated with TBT presence on farms. A case-control study was conducted to identify (1) the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the TBT on Nevis; and (2) the areas at high risk of tick persistence. Cases were selected as farms with clinical signs consistent with dermatophilosis and confirmed to have TBT present between 2007-2009. Control farms, without evidence of TBT presence or dermatophilosis cases during same period, were selected from a regularly maintained list of all active farms on the island, and matched to the cases based on parish. A questionnaire was administered to all cases and controls, which collected information on control practices, awareness level to ticks issues, etc. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression performed to explore the relationship between measured variables and the presence of TBT. Risk factors related to TBT include farmer attitudes toward TBT control and species hold on the farms. After many years of unsuccessfully employing various strategies for the control and eradication for TBT and dermatophilosis, the Veterinary Authority in Nevis anticipate using the results of this study as the scientific foundation for a more sustainable, targeted approach to the control of this pest. (Texte intégral

DNA array analysis of Candida albicans gene expression in response to adherence to polystyrene.

Candidiasis is often initiated by the colonization of inert surfaces. In order to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this adherence process, DNA macroarrays were used to analyze the transcriptome of Candida albicans, the main causative agent of this mycoses, in a simple adherence model using germ tubes produced in polystyrene Petri dishes. Non-adherent germ tubes produced on glass surface were used as a control. Analysis of gene expression displayed 77 genes identified as statistically overexpressed in adherent germ tubes. Among these genes, some encoded enzymes participating in metabolism of lipids (such as LIP6), of proteins (such as SAP1) or of carbohydrates (like PGI1, PMI40 and PSA1. Some of these genes have already been reported as playing a role in pathogenesis of C. albicans. However, functions were unknown for a large part (45.5%) of the overexpressed genes which will be analyzed further in order to define their relationship with adherence

Observables in Topological Yang-Mills Theories

Using topological Yang-Mills theory as example, we discuss the definition and determination of observables in topological field theories (of Witten-type) within the superspace formulation proposed by Horne. This approach to the equivariant cohomology leads to a set of bi-descent equations involving the BRST and supersymmetry operators as well as the exterior derivative. This allows us to determine superspace expressions for all observables, and thereby to recover the Donaldson-Witten polynomials when choosing a Wess-Zumino-type gauge.Comment: 39 pages, Late

Magnetic properties of the honeycomb oxide Na2_2Co2_2TeO6_6

We have studied the magnetic properties of Na$_2$Co$_2$TeO$_6$, which features a honeycomb lattice of magnetic Co$^{2+}$ ions, through macroscopic characterization and neutron diffraction on a powder sample. We have shown that this material orders in a zig-zag antiferromagnetic structure. In addition to allowing a linear magnetoelectric coupling, this magnetic arrangement displays very peculiar spatial magnetic correlations, larger in the honeycomb planes than between the planes, which do not evolve with the temperature. We have investigated this behavior by Monte Carlo calculations using the $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_3$ model on a honeycomb lattice with a small interplane interaction. Our model reproduces the experimental neutron structure factor, although its absence of temperature evolution must be due to additional ingredients, such as chemical disorder or quantum fluctuations enhanced by the proximity to a phase boundary.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figure

Are N=1 and N=2 supersymmetric quantum mechanics equivalent?

After recalling different formulations of the definition of supersymmetric quantum mechanics given in the literature, we discuss the relationships between them in order to provide an answer to the question raised in the title.Comment: 15 page