36 research outputs found

    Implementation of PRRSV status classification system in swine breeding herds from a large integrated group in Spain

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    Background: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is an endemic swine disease causing significant productive and economic losses. Knowledge of PRRS epidemiology is crucial to develop control strategies against this disease. In that regard, classifying farms according to PRRS virus (PRRSV) shedding and exposure, and understanding key drivers of change in status over time, provides great applied knowledge for developing disease control programs. In most European countries, PRRSV monitoring is performed most frequently at the individual farm level although criteria selected for monitoring varies among different regions and farms. The aim of this study was to implement a systematic monitoring program for PRRSV in Spanish sow farms. Breeding herds were classified according to a standardized PRRSV infection status using sampling programs and terminology currently adopted in the United States (US), which allowed an evaluation of PRRSV epidemiology in a large integrated Spanish group during a one-year study period (February 2017–March 2018). Results: Fifteen farms achieved a stable PRRSV status after the first 4 consecutive samplings and 20 farms were classified as unstable. One of the farms maintained a stable status throughout the duration of the whole monitoring period. Among the 20 farms classified as unstable at the beginning of the monitoring protocol, 9 farms (45%) never reached the stable status and 11 farms (55%) reached stable status afterwards during the monitoring study period. From PRRSV PCR positive pools, there were 47 different PRRSV nucleotide sequences from 24 different farms. More than one PRRSV sequence was obtained from 15 farms. In the farms with more than one sequence detected, we observed recirculation of the same PRRSV field strain in 7 farms and introduction of a different PRRSV strain in 5 farms and both events in 3 farms. Conclusions: Systematic monitoring for PRRSV in breeding herds established a basis of knowledge of PRRSV epidemiology at the farm level and provided key data to classify farms according to PRRSV exposure and shedding status. These data allow further evaluation of the impact of the PRRSV farm status on production and economic performance in breeding herds and additional investigation of factors related to PRRSV epidemiology

    A Multi-Center, Qualitative Assessment of Pediatrician and Maternal Perspectives on Rotavirus Vaccines and the Detection of Porcine circovirus

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2010, researchers using novel laboratory techniques found that US-licensed rotavirus vaccines contain DNA or DNA fragments from <it>Porcine circovirus </it>(PCV), a virus common among pigs but not believed to cause illness in humans. We sought to understand pediatricians' and mothers' perspectives on this finding.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted three iterations of focus groups for pediatricians and non-vaccine hesitant mothers in Seattle, WA, Cincinnati, OH, and Rochester, NY. Focus groups explored perceptions of rotavirus disease, rotavirus vaccination, and attitudes about the detection of PCV material in rotavirus vaccines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pediatricians understood firsthand the success of rotavirus vaccines in preventing severe acute gastroenteritis among infants and young children. They measured this benefit against the theoretical risk of DNA material from PCV in rotavirus vaccines, determining overall that the PCV finding was of no clinical significance. Particularly influential was the realization that the large, randomized clinical trials that found both vaccines to be highly effective and safe were conducted with DNA material from PCV already in the vaccines.</p> <p>Most mothers supported the ideal of full disclosure regarding vaccination risks and benefits. However, with a scientific topic of this complexity, simplified information regarding PCV material in rotavirus vaccines seemed frightening and suspicious, and detailed information was frequently overwhelming. Mothers often remarked that if they did not understand a medical or technical topic regarding their child's health, they relied on their pediatrician's guidance.</p> <p>Many mothers and pediatricians were also concerned that persons who abstain from pork consumption for religious or personal reasons may have unsubstantiated fears of the PCV finding.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pediatricians considered the detection of DNA material from PCV in rotavirus vaccines a "non-issue" and reported little hesitation in continuing to recommend the vaccines. Mothers desired transparency, but ultimately trusted their pediatrician's recommendation. Both vaccines are currently approved for their intended use, and no risk of human PCV illness has been reported. Communicating this topic to pediatricians and mothers requires sensitivity to a broad range of technical understanding and personal concerns.</p

    A História da Alimentação: balizas historiográficas

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    Os M. pretenderam traçar um quadro da História da Alimentação, não como um novo ramo epistemológico da disciplina, mas como um campo em desenvolvimento de práticas e atividades especializadas, incluindo pesquisa, formação, publicações, associações, encontros acadêmicos, etc. Um breve relato das condições em que tal campo se assentou faz-se preceder de um panorama dos estudos de alimentação e temas correia tos, em geral, segundo cinco abardagens Ia biológica, a econômica, a social, a cultural e a filosófica!, assim como da identificação das contribuições mais relevantes da Antropologia, Arqueologia, Sociologia e Geografia. A fim de comentar a multiforme e volumosa bibliografia histórica, foi ela organizada segundo critérios morfológicos. A seguir, alguns tópicos importantes mereceram tratamento à parte: a fome, o alimento e o domínio religioso, as descobertas européias e a difusão mundial de alimentos, gosto e gastronomia. O artigo se encerra com um rápido balanço crítico da historiografia brasileira sobre o tema

    AVALIAÇÃO DE INICIADORES E PROTOCOLO PARA O DIAGNÓSTICO DA PANCITOPENIA TROPICAL CANINA POR PCR

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    Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de padronizar um protocolo para a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e selecionar oligonucleotídeos iniciadores para a detecção específica de Ehrlichia canis, em uma única etapa de reação. Inicialmente foram obtidas seqüências depositadas no Genbank, referentes ao gene que codifica o 16S rRNA das espécies E. canis (número de acesso = AF162860), E. ewingii (U96436), E. platys (AF1567844), E. chaffeensis, (U86665), E. phagocytophila genogrupo (U02521), E. bovis (AF294789) e E. risticii (M21290), as quais foram submetidas ao alinhamento genético para a construção dos iniciadores. Do alinhamento foi selecionado, a partir de uma região semiconservada, um iniciador específico para E. canis, designado EBR1 (5’-cctctggctataggaaattg- 3’) e, de uma região conservada, um iniciador genérico EBR5 (5’-ggagtgcttaacgcgttag- 3’). Paralelamente foram obtidas amostras de sangue de dez cães que apresentavam infecção aguda por E. canis, confirmado pela presença de mórulas intracitoplasmáticas, características da riquétsia, em células mononucleares sangüíneas. O DNA genômico extraído dessas amostras foi utilizado para a avaliação da reação de PCR, empregando-se um protocolo adaptado de outros autores e o par de oligos EBR1/EBR5, selecionado neste trabalho. A reação de PCR apresentou resultados positivos para os 10 isolados de E. canis, amplificando o fragmento esperado de 765 pares de bases do gene 16S rRNA. Resultados negativos verificados nas reações de PCR para amostras de DNA genômico de Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Haemobartonella sp., Trypanosoma evansi e do hospedeiro (Canis familiaris) livre de infecção indicaram a segurança do método quanto à especificidade para a discriminação de E. canis.&#13; PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Cães, Ehrlichia canis, erliquiose canina, hemoparasitose, reação em cadeia da polimeras
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