Risk factors against bovine respiratory diseade in suckling calves from Argentina

An observacional cross-sectional study was performed to determine the risk factors associated to the main viral agents of the bovine respiratory disease: bovine herpesvirus type 1 (HVB1), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (VDVB), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (VRSB) and parainfluenza 3 virus (VPI3). Blood samples from dairy calves in the provinces of Cordova and Santa Fe (Argentina) were obtained, and an epidemiological ques-tionnaire was filled. Antibodies against studied viruses were detected by commercial ELISA kits. A total of 852 blood samples from 55 dairy operations were obtained between years 2000 and 2002. Four epidemiologic logistic regression models were performed. We found significant associations between infection and variables related to the age of the calf, the season, the size population, the vaccinations, the feeding or the breeding system, among many others.Se ha realizado un estudio epidemiológico observacional de tipo transversal para conocer los factores que actúan sobre la seropositividad de los principales agentes víricos del síndrome respiratorio bovino: el herpesvirus bovino tipo 1 (HVB1), el virus de la diarrea vírica bovina (VDVB), el virus respiratorio sincitial bovino (VRSB) y el virus de la parainfluenza 3 (VPI3). Se tomaron muestras de sangre de terneros procedentes de explotaciones lecheras situadas en las provincias argentinas de Córdoba y Santa Fé, y se cumplimentaron cuestionarios epide-miológicos. Los análisis serológicos se realizaron mediante la técnica ELISA. En total se tomaron muestras de sangre de 852 terneros procedentes de 55 explotaciones entre los años 2000 y 2002. Se realizaron cuatro modelos epidemiológicos mediante regresión logística, uno por cada virus donde, entre otras, aparecen variables asociadas a la infección relacionadas con la edad del ternero, la estación del año, el número de animales, la alimentación, las vacunaciones o el sistema de crianza

La carne de caza es segura

El riesgo toxicológico por plomo derivado del consumo de carnes de caza es tolerable, recomendándose potenciar el consumo de este tipo de carnes por la población general

Surveillance of Influenza Viruses in Waterfowl Used As Decoys in Andalusia, Spain

A longitudinal study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in waterfowl used as decoys in Andalusia, southern Spain. A total of 2319 aquatic birds from 193 flocks were analyzed before and after the hunting season 2011–2012. In the first sampling, 403 out of 2319 (18.0%, CI95%: 15.8–19.0) decoys showed antibodies against AIVs by ELISA. The AI seroprevalence was significantly higher in geese (21.0%) than in ducks (11.7%) (P,0.001). Besides, the spatial distribution of AIVs was not homogeneous as significant differences among regions were observed. The prevalence of antibodies against AIVs subtypes H5 and H7 were 1.1% and 0.3%, respectively, using hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). The overall and H5 seroprevalences slightly increased after the hunting period (to 19.2% and 1.4%, respectively), while the H7 seroprevalence remained at the same level (0.3%). The proportion of flocks infected by AIVs was 65.3%, while 11.2% and 4.9% of flocks were positive for H5 and H7, respectively. Viral shedding was not detected in any of the 47 samples positive by both ELISA and HI, tested by RRT-PCR. The individual incidence after the hunting season was 3.4%. The fact that 57 animals seroconverted, 15 of which were confirmed by HI (12 H5 and 3 H7), was indication of contact with AIVs during the hunting period. The results indicate that waterfowl used as decoys are frequently exposed to AIVs and may be potentially useful as sentinels for AIVs monitoring. The seroprevalence detected and the seropositivity against AIVs H5 and H7, suggest that decoys can act as reservoirs of AIVs, which may be of animal and public health concer

Seroprevalencia de las infecciones por el virus Diarrea Vírica Bovina en ganado bovino en Andalucía

Se ha realizado un estudio seroepidemiológico frente al virus de la Diarrea Vírica Bovina (vDVB) en la cabaña bovina andaluza, utilizando para ello un ELISA indirecto para la detección de anticuerpos frente a una proteína altamente conservada (p80). Después de eliminar los animales vacunados, la encuesta se realizó sobre 4.768 individuos pertenecientes a 227 colectivos no vacunados frente al vDVB, mediante muestreo estadístico para un nivel de confianza del 95 por ciento. La seropositividad obtenida ha sido del 42,3 por ciento de los individuos analizados, mientras que la prevalencia estimada de rebaños seropositivos alcanzó el 70,9 por ciento. La proporción de bovinos persistentemente infectados (IP) encontrada en la muestra (0,063 % de los individuos y 1,32 de los colectivos), ha sido más baja de la esperada en función de la alta seroprevalencia detectada, hecho que demuestra que la supervivencia de estos animales lógicamente está condicionada

Monitoring of Schmallenberg virus in Spanish wild artiodactyls, 2006-2015

Schmallenberg disease is an emerging disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants in Europe. An epidemiological survey was carried out to assess exposure to Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in wild artiodactyls in Spain between 2006 and 2015. A total of 1751 sera from wild artiodactyls, including 1066 red deer, 304 fallow deer, 192 mouflon, 109 wild boar, 49 roe deer and 31 Spanish ibex were tested for antibodies against SBV by ELISA and confirmed by virus neutralization test. SBV was not detected between the 2006/2007 and the 2010/2011 hunting seasons. Overall seroprevalence (including samples collected between the 2011/2012 and 2014/2015 hunting seasons) was 14.6% (160/1099; 95%CI: 12.7-16.6). Mean SBV seroprevalence was 13.3±2.6% in red deer, 23.9±4.2% in fallow deer, 16.4±6.1% in mouflon and 2.8±3.1% in wild boar. No antibodies against SBV were found in roe deer or Spanish ibex. The presence of SBV RNA was confirmed in three of 255 (1.2%) spleen samples from wild ruminants analysed by rRT-PCR. In a multivariate mixed-effects logistic regression model, the main risk factors associated with SBV seroprevalence were: species (fallow deer, red deer and mouflon), age (adults) and interactions between hunting areas of more than 1000 hectares and hunting season (2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015). The hypothesis of endemic circulation of SBV in the last few years is supported by the detection of SBV RNA in animals sampled in 2011 and 2015, as well as antibodies detected at low level in juveniles in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The results indicate that SBV circulated in wild ruminant populations in Spain during the same period when the virus was first reported in northern Europe, and at least five months before the first case was officially reported in livestock in Spain

Productive and sanitary characterization of suckling calves breeding in Córdoba and Santa Fé (Argentina)

A study has been made in 72 dairy farms in the Argentine provinces of Cordoba and Santa Fe between years 2000 and 2002. This article is mainly referring to the calves in suckling stage, before its transfer to the pasture. The objective was to make a valuation of the main charac-teristics of farms and the breeding system of dairy calves in the zone. A questionnaire was designed, structuring the questions in six different sections: questions of general type, workers, feeding, handling, other species and contagious, and biosecurity and health. Among the results, it emphasizes the big size of farms, the great diffusion of open systems and the little pursuit of biosecurity measures.Se ha realizado un estudio, entre los años 2000 y 2002, en 72 explotaciones bovinas de aptitud láctea situadas en las provincias argentinas de Córdoba y Santa Fé. El estudio se centró principalmente en las primeras fases de producción de terneros, previamente a su traslado a los pastos. El objetivo fue realizar una valoración de las principales características de las explotaciones y el sistema de cría de terneros en la zona. Para ello, se diseñó un cuestionario, estructu-rándose las preguntas en seis apartados: cuestiones de tipo general, personal, alimentación, prácticas de manejo, otras especies y contagio y, bioseguridad y sanidad. Entre los resultados, destaca el gran tamaño de las explotaciones, la amplia difusión de sistemas abiertos y el escaso seguimiento de medidas de bioseguridad

Use of algorithms for the differential diagnosis of digestive and respiratory infectious disorders of pigs

La utilidad de los algoritmos en las especialidades médicas ha sido ampliamente documentada, aunque su empleo en sanidad animal resulta poco frecuente. Para este estudio se ha creado un algoritmo que incluyó el diagnóstico diferencial de los procesos infecciosos respiratorios y digestivos en la especie porcina. A continuación, se realizó una práctica con alumnos de tercer curso del Grado en Veterinaria de la asignatura “Enfermedades Infecciosas”, a los que se les ha facilitado información y la posibilidad de solicitar hasta cuatro pruebas diagnósticas laboratoriales para identificar correctamente el agente etiológico. Tras un período para la resolución del caso, en la que solo algunos grupos identificaron correctamente la enfermedad, se les facilitó el algoritmo, lo que permitió que todos los alumnos acertaran el diagnóstico. Finalizada la práctica, a los alumnos se les pasó una encuesta acerca de su experiencia con los algoritmos y su grado de satisfacción. El uso de algoritmos ha demostrado ser útil para la resolución de casos en la asignatura de enfermedades infecciosas según el 100% de los alumnos, habiendo un 96,9% de los mismos que los consideran útiles en el ámbito profesional. La práctica ha sido evaluada con un elevado grado de satisfacción (8,72 de media).The use of algorithms in medical specialties has been well documented. However, its use in animal health is not frequent. For this study, an algorithm on differential diagnosis of porcine infectious digestive and respiratory disorders has been designed. Then, a practice was carried out with third year students of the Degree in Veterinary Science enrolled in the subject "Infectious Diseases". During this practice, information on the outbreak was provided to the students, which had the possibility to request until four laboratory tests in order to identify the etiological agent. After a time for the resolution of the case, in which only some groups determined correctly the cause of the outbreak, the algorithm was provided to the students, which allowed to all of them the correct diagnosis of the disorder. After the practice, the students made a survey about their experience with the algorithms and their satisfaction degree. The use of algorithms was useful for the resolution of cases in the subject of infectious diseases according to 100% of the students, with 96.9% of them considering them useful in the professional work. The practice has been evaluated with a high degree of satisfaction (8.72 on average)

Development of skills and contents on wildlife within the Degree of Veterinary Medicine and Master's Degree of Animal Medicine, Healthcare and Improvement

El número y variedad de especies silvestres presentes en Andalucía hacen de esta Comunidad una de las regiones de mayor biodiversidad de Europa. Así mismo, los cambios en materia medioambiental producidos en la sociedad en las últimas décadas se han visto reflejados en una mayor integración y unificación de los distintos mecanismos de conservación y aprovechamiento de recursos naturales. Todo ello, implica una mayor demanda por parte de la sociedad de profesionales cualificados en materia de biología, gestión, sanidad y conservación de las especies silvestres. El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue proporcionar a los estudiantes de Grado en Veterinaria y Máster en Medicina, Sanidad y Mejora Animal de la Universidad de Córdoba (UCO; España), competencias, habilidades y destrezas necesarias para su desarrollo profesional en materia de biología, gestión, sanidad y conservación de las especies silvestres. Este estudio implicó la participación de un equipo multidisciplinar de profesores de diversas Áreas de conocimiento. En total, han participado 10 profesores y dos becarios de dos Departamentos y tres Áreas de conocimiento diferentes. Los resultados del estudio implicaron también el desarrollo de nuevas metodologías y material didáctico que se incorporó a la docencia teórico-práctica de cinco asignaturas del Grado en Veterinaria y del Máster Máster en Medicina, Sanidad y Mejora Animal. Un total de 105 alumnos matriculados en las asignaturas Enfermedades infecciosas en el Grado en Veterinaria y Enfermedades en animales silvestres y de zoológico en el Máster en Medicina, Sanidad y Mejora Animal de la UCO participaron en 28 salidas entre los meses de octubre de 2015 y junio de 2016. Las actividades realizadas permitieron a los estudiantes adquirir competencias básicas, transversales y específicas relacionadas con las principales funciones del veterinario que desarrolla su actividad profesional en el ámbito de la fauna silvestre y habilidades y destrezas relativas a la identifiación de especies silvestres, identificación de lesiones y técnicas de toma de muestras biológicas en estas especies. Además, los resultados de este estudio ha permitido elaborar material audiovisual y material biológico dirigidos a la asimilación de conceptos teóricos-prácticos de las diferentes asignaturas.The diversity of wildlife species present in Andalusia makes this community one of the most biodiverse within Europe. Furthermore, the environmental changes affecting the society over the last few decades show a greater integration and unification of conservation mechanisms and exploitation of natural resources. These factors implicate an higher demand of specialists in biology, management, healthcare and wildlife conservation. The main objective of this study was to provide undergraduates studying the Degree in Veterinary Medicine as well as postgraduates studying the Master's Degree in Animal Medicine, Health and Improvement at the University of Cordoba (Spain), the skills and abilities needed for their professional training, particularly across biology, management, health and wildlife conservation. This work involved the cooperation of a multidisciplinary team which included professors from different fields of knowledge. The present study was carried out by 10 professors and two PhD students from two departments and three fields of knowledge. New methodologies and teaching materials were developed and implemented as theoretical and practical teaching in at least four subjects of the Degree in Veterinary Medicine and another one in the Master's Degree in Animal Medicine, Healthcare and Improvement. A total of 105 students participated in 28 external fieldwork between October 2015 and June 2016. The activities enabled students to obtain basic, transversal and specif skills in the Degree in Veterinary Medicine related to the main functions of the wildlife vets, including species and diseases recognition and sampling methods in wildlife. Moreover, biological and audiovisual tools were developed in order to help the assimilation of theoretical-practical concepts of the differents subjets