Genomic analysis of Mycobacterium bovis and other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by isoenzyme analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Initially, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis was used to examine genetic relationships among 63 isolates of Mycobacterium bovis and 13 other members of the M. tuberculosis complex. The isolates were divided into five electrophoretic types, with a mean genetic diversity of 0.1. The strains were genetically homogenous, indicating that members of the complex were closely related. This supported the suggestion that they should be considered as subspecies of a single species. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was then used to differentiate these isolates, as well as 59 additional isolates of M. bovis from different parts of the world. PFGE differentiated these strains into 63 patterns (53 patterns for M. bovis). Isolates of M. bovis from Western Australia (n = 46) were more homogenous than isolates from other regions. Eight strains were identified in that state, and one predominantly bovine strain was isolated from two human beings and a feral pig. Although M. bovis isolates from different parts of the world had distinct DNA patterns, some were very similar. PFGE is a highly discriminatory technique for epidemiological studies of bovine tuberculosis. For example, it allowed differentiation between isolates of M. bovis cultured from animals in separate outbreaks of tuberculosis, it suggested the transmission of infection between certain properties, and it demonstrated the existence of multiple infections with different strains at certain farms

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of farmers on foot and mouth disease in cattle in Baghlan Province, Afghanistan: A descriptive study

This study was performed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of farmers, animal traders, and veterinary professionals on FMD in Baghlan province, Afghanistan. Four structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents. Almost half (48.5%) of the farmers had heard of the occurrence of FMD in their neighbourhood or knew the name of the disease. The majority of farmers could recognise the clinical signs of FMD in their animals (salivation, 85.9%; tongue ulcers, 78.8%; gum lesions, 78.2%; hoof lesions, 76.8%). Most farmers stated that the “introduction of new animals” was the primary cause of FMD appearing on their farms and to control the spread of the disease, over half of the farmers (56%) preferred not to buy cattle from unknown or potentially infected sources. Animal traders’ knowledge was limited to recognising some clinical signs of the disease such as: salivation, and lesions in the mouth and on the feet. No animals were directly imported by the traders from outside Afghanistan. Over half of the local veterinary professionals (65%) kept record books of the animal diseases seen and/or treatment plans undertaken, and 80% of them reported the occurrence of FMD to the provincial, regional, and central veterinary authorities. No regular vaccination programme against FMD was implemented in the province. Poor import controls and quarantine were considered to be the main barriers to the control of FMD in the study area and the surrounding provinces. It can be concluded that, despite relatively good knowledge about FMD in the study area, there are gaps in farmers’ and traders’ knowledge that need to be addressed to overcome the burden of the disease in the province. These should focus on strengthening interprovincial quarantine measures and implementation of regular vaccination campaigns against the circulating FMDV within the area

Evaluation of vaccination and diet for the control of Serpulina pilosicoli infection (porcine intestinal spirochaetosis)

Porcine intestinal spirochaetosis (PIS) is a diarrhoeal disease of weaners and growers, associated with a mild colitis. Control of the aetiological agent, Serpulina pilosicoli, has relied mainly on the use of antimicrobial agents. In contrast, besides the use of antimicrobials and appropriate management practices, it is our experience that the closely related Serpulina hyodysenteriae (the agent of swine dysentery) can also be partially controlled by bacterin vaccines (1), whilst experimentally-infected pigs totally resist challenge if fed a diet based on cooked white rice and animal protein (4, 5). This diet results in reduced microbial fermentation in the large intestine, and it appears that these conditions inhibit colonisation by the spirochaete. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the use of a bacterin vaccine or a rice-based diet could similarly inhibit colonisation by S. pilosicoli

Utilising group-size and home-range characteristics of free-roaming dogs (FRD) to guide mass vaccination campaigns against rabies in India

Adequate vaccination coverage of free roaming dogs (FRD) against canine rabies is not achieved primarily due to difficulties in administering parenteral vaccinations to this population. One factor associated with this difficulty is the tendency of FRD to form groups, which increases their aggressive behavior, resulting in a significant risk of dog-bites for the vaccinators. This study investigated factors that influenced FRD forming groups and their home-ranges, using data obtained from photographic capture-recapture/sight-resight surveys conducted in rural Shirsuphal (584 sightings) and urban Panchkula (3208 sightings), India. In the rural site, older dogs (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–0.9, p = 0.03) and FRD sighted within 20 m of garbage sites (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9, p = 0.02) were less likely to be in groups. The number of dogs sighted with an FRD decreased with increased resight-probability of that dog (β= –1.0, p < 0.001). The rural FRD with smaller home-ranges were more likely to be sighted alone (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–95, p = 0.04) than those with larger home-ranges. In the urban site, females (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.5, p = 0.002) and older dogs (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1, p = 0.07) were more likely to be found in groups, and groups of dogs were more likely to be seen within 20 meters of garbage sites (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–2.0, p < 0.001). The distribution of urban FRD sighted alone, in pairs, triads, and in packs of ≥4 dogs were not random in the administrative (p = 0.02), and the two industrial (p = 0.03 & 0.01) survey tracks of the urban site, implying stable groups. The resighting probability of a dog (β = 0.3, p < 0.0001) and presence of garbage within 20 m (β = 0.2, p < 0.0001) in the urban site increased the likelihood of sighting a FRD with other dogs. It is concluded that data on the resighting probability, presence of garbage points, and home-ranges can be utilised to guide the selection of parenteral or oral rabies vaccination to achieve a population vaccination coverage of 70% to break the transmission cycle of rabies virus in FRD in India

History and epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease in Afghanistan: A retrospective study

Background Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Afghanistan with serotypes O, A and Asia 1 being prevalent. A retrospective study of data collected through passive surveillance of outbreaks of FMD in Afghanistan from 1995 to 2016 was undertaken to determine the temporal and spatial distribution of FMD in the country. Results A total of 4171 outbreaks were reported between 1995 and 2008 with a strong correlation between the number of outbreaks and the number of provinces (r = 0.85, s = 68.2, p < 0.001); and between the number of outbreaks and the number of districts containing infected animals (r = 0.68, s = 147.8, p = 0.008). Of 7558 samples collected from livestock originating from 34 provinces in 2009, 2011 and 2013–2015, 54.1% were test positive (FMDV 3ABC-trapping ELISA) and the prevalence varied significantly between years (χ2 = 263.98, df = 4, P < 0.001). Clinically suspected cases were reported in 2016 with a substantial positive correlation (r = 0.70, P < 0.001) between the number of districts with cases and the number of reported cases. Serotype O was the predominant serotype detected during the study period, although serotypes A and Asia1 were also detected. Cattle were involved in all outbreaks in the study period and infections were detected in all years of the study in Hirat province in the north-west (bordering Iran), Nangarhar province in the east (bordering Pakistan) and Kabul province in the centre of the country. Conclusions The current paper was the first analysis of existing data focusing on the spatiotemporal distribution of FMD in Afghanistan. The findings from this study provide valuable direction for further research to understand the epidemiology of FMD and its control in Afghanistan

Molecular identification of naturally acquired strongylid infections in lambs - An investigation into how lamb age influences diagnostic sensitivity

Faecal samples (n= 1155) were collected from n= 111 (Farm A) and n= 124 (Farm B) 2-6 week old female lambs on two farms in southern Western Australia across five sampling occasions (spanning 8 months). Genomic DNA was extracted directly from faecal samples and screened by PCR for ITS-2 nuclear ribosomal DNA to detect patent strongylid infections, specifically Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus spp., Haemonchus contortus, Oesophagostomum spp. and Chabertia ovina. The minimum amount of extracted genomic DNA necessary for successful PCR amplification was 2.0-5.0. pg.During the five sampling occasions for the two farms, the sensitivities for WEC and PCR identification of strongylid infections varied, with levels of agreement between the two sets of diagnostic results ranging from 85 to 100%. Strongylid species prevalences were high (90.3-97.3%), with T. circumcincta and Trichostrongylus spp. the most prevalent species and together they were the most common mixed strongylid infection; H. contortus was not identified in either flock. T. circumcincta was the only species associated with an increased risk of non-pelleted faeces on Farm B, where T. circumcincta-positive lambs were 2.3 and 2.6 times more likely to have non-pelleted faeces than negative lambs at the second and final samplings, respectively. The highest strongylid prevalence, mixed strongylid prevalence and mean number of strongylid species detected per lamb coincided with the highest average flock faecal worm egg counts (WECs) on both farms. There was a positive correlation between the number of strongyle species detected per lamb and both WEC and adjusted WEC (P<0.01; r 2 0.026-0.591).These results indicate that strongylid eggs were likely to be the main source of strongylid DNA in the faecal DNA extracts. Despite the progress made by the molecular approach utilised in this study, it is incapable of distinguishing between patent and non-patent sources of strongylid DNA. However there is potential for further investigation into the development of a similar molecular procedure which could be used for early larvae detection on pastures

Author Correction: Demographic characteristics of free-roaming dogs (FRD) in rural and urban India following a photographic sight-resight survey

Correction to: Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52992-y, published online 12 November 201

Author Correction: Demographic characteristics of free-roaming dogs (FRD) in rural and urban India following a photographic sight-resight survey

Correction to: Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52992-y, published online 12 November 201

Bar shoes and ambient temperature are risk factors for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses

Reasons for performing study Ambient temperature has been identified as a risk factor for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in racing Thoroughbreds. This warranted a more expansive investigation of climatic conditions on the incidence and severity of EIPH. The impact of other variables such as the type of bit used, tongue ties and nonstandard shoes has not been reported and also warrant investigation. Objectives To examine the effect of various climatic variables as contributing risk factors for EIPH. Other previously uninvestigated variables as well as standard track and population factors will also be examined. Study design Cross-sectional study. Methods Thoroughbred racehorses competing at metropolitan racetracks in Perth, Western Australia were examined 30–200 min post race with tracheobronchoscopy. Examination took place at 48 race meetings over a 12 month period. Examinations were graded (0–4), independently by two experienced veterinarians. Univariable analyses were performed and variables with a P<0.25 were entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis. The analysis was performed twice using the presence of blood (EIPH grade 0 vs. grades ≥1) and EIPH grades ≤1 vs. EIPH grades ≥2 as dependent variables. Results Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage was diagnosed in 56.6% of observations. Lower ambient temperature was significantly associated with EIPH grades ≥1 (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.93–0.98) and EIPH grades ≥2 (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.94–1.0). Bar shoes were significantly associated with EIPH grades ≥1 (OR 6.35; 95% CI 2.17–18.54) and EIPH grades ≥2 (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.3–5.68). Increasing race distance was significantly associated with EIPH grade ≥1 and increasing lifetime starts was significantly associated with EIPH grade ≥2. Conclusions Ambient temperature is a risk factor for EIPH in Thoroughbred racehorses, with lower temperatures associated with increased risk. Bar shoes are a novel risk factor for EIPH in this population

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards dog-bite related rabies in para-medical staff at rural primary health centres in Baramati, western India

The lack of awareness regarding rabies amongst rural primary care health staff and their adverse practices towards the management of dog-bite wounds is a major contributor to the high incidence of rabies infection and subsequent human mortality in India. A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey was carried out involving 54 nursing and non-nursing staff working in 18 rural Primary Health centres and sub-centres around Baramati town of Pune district in Western India. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to assess factors that influenced knowledge of rabies and practices towards management of dog-bite related wounds. The more experienced and better-educated workers were found to have a good awareness of rabies (OR 3.4, 95%CI 1.0–12.1) and good practices towards dog-bite wound management (OR 5.6, 95%CI 1.2–27.0). Surprisingly, non-nursing staff were significantly more knowledgeable about rabies (OR 3.5, 95%CI 1.0–12.3), but their practices towards dog-bite wound management were inadequate (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.04–0.8) compared to the nursing staff. It is recommended that a mandatory training module for primary care health staff be developed and implemented to improve their knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog-bite wounds to reduce the incidence of human rabies in rural India