Monitoring results of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in The Netherlands: analyses of serological results and the first identification of Brucella suis biovar 2.

In Europe, wild boar populations pose an increasing risk for livestock and humans due to the transmission of animal and zoonotic infectious diseases, such as African swine fever and brucellosis. Brucella suis is widespread among wild boar in many European countries. In The Netherlands the prevalence of B. suis among wild boar has not been investigated so far, despite the high number of pig farms and the growing wild boar population. The Netherlands has a Brucella-free status for the livestock species. The objective of this study is to investigate the presence and distribution of B. suis in wild boars in The Netherlands and to assess the value of the different laboratory tests available for testing wild boars. A total of 2057 sera and 180 tonsils of wild boar were collected between 2010 and 2015. The sera were tested for Brucella antibodies and the tonsils were tested for Brucella spp. B. suis biovar 2 was detected by MLVA/MLST and culture in wild boar from the province of Limburg, while seropositive wild boar were obtained from the provinces of Limburg, Noord Brabant and Gelderland suggesting the northwards spread of B. suis biovar 2. In this paper, we describe the first isolation of B. suis biovar 2 in wild boar in The Netherlands.

[Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in treating young diabetic patients]. / Doswiadczenia w zastosowaniu ciaglego podskórnego wlewu insuliny (CPWI) w leczeniu cukrzycy u mlodocianych chorych.

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is used in selected type 1 diabetic subjects to achieve strict blood glucose control. A quarter of a century after its introduction, worldwide use of CSII is increasing. Review of controlled trials shows that, in most patients, mean blood glucose concentrations and glycated hemoglobin percentages are either slightly lower or similar on CSII versus multiple insulin injections. However, hypoglycemia is markedly less frequent than during intensive injection therapy. Ketoacidosis occurs at the same rate. Nocturnal glycemic control is improved with insulin pumps, and automatic basal rate changes help to minimize a pre-breakfast blood glucose increase (the "dawn phenomenon") often seen with injection therapy. Patients with "brittle" diabetes characterized by recurrent ketoacidosis are often not improved by CSII, although there may be exceptions. Insulin pump therapy has been shown to be beneficial in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Our experience with insulin pump therapy in young children, has been positive. Our young patients have had a reduction in HbA1c, mean blood glucose levels, and glycemic excursion; a decrease in episodes of severe hypoglycemia; and an increase in family functioning around diabetes. We believe the success of pump program in young patients can be attributed to the fact that we have employed appropriate criteria for patient selection and have a standardized method to initiate pump therapy and to follow and support our patients/ families. Experience with insulin-pump therapy indicates that candidates for CSII must be strongly motivated to improve self-monitoring of blood glucose, they must also understand and demonstrate use of the insulin pump.