Low cost, disposable biosensors allow detection of antibodies with results equivalent to ELISA in 15 min.

An assay for detection of antibodies to bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) was developed by combining a commercial low cost, disposable biosensor system (Vantix™) and reagents from an established Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The biosensor assay produced equivalent results to ELISA within 15 min when testing 194 bovine serum and 50 bulk milk samples submitted for routine testing. The biosensor assay can provide quantitative analysis demonstrated by measuring the level of antibody in milk samples. The results of this study suggest that Vantix™ is a promising platform for routine immunological testing. The technology may be particularly useful for low to medium throughput tests where rapid results are required. The biosensors could also form the basis of a future point-of-care test platform.

Using scenario tree modelling for targeted herd sampling to substantiate freedom from disease.

BACKGROUND: In order to optimise the cost-effectiveness of active surveillance to substantiate freedom from disease, a new approach using targeted sampling of farms was developed and applied on the example of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) in Switzerland. Relevant risk factors (RF) for the introduction of IBR and EBL into Swiss cattle farms were identified and their relative risks defined based on literature review and expert opinions. A quantitative model based on the scenario tree method was subsequently used to calculate the required sample size of a targeted sampling approach (TS) for a given sensitivity. We compared the sample size with that of a stratified random sample (sRS) with regard to efficiency. RESULTS: The required sample sizes to substantiate disease freedom were 1,241 farms for IBR and 1,750 farms for EBL to detect 0.2% herd prevalence with 99% sensitivity. Using conventional sRS, the required sample sizes were 2,259 farms for IBR and 2,243 for EBL. Considering the additional administrative expenses required for the planning of TS, the risk-based approach was still more cost-effective than a sRS (40% reduction on the full survey costs for IBR and 8% for EBL) due to the considerable reduction in sample size. CONCLUSIONS: As the model depends on RF selected through literature review and was parameterised with values estimated by experts, it is subject to some degree of uncertainty. Nevertheless, this approach provides the veterinary authorities with a promising tool for future cost-effective sampling designs.

A three year field study of preconditioning native Illinois beef calves sold through a cooperative marketing association--1969 to 1971.

During the fall of 1969, 1970 and 1971, Central Illinois practitioners preconditioned (PC) 1,576 beef calves at a cost range of $3.02 to $4.72. The PC program included weaning calves 30 days before sale, having calves eating grain from a bunk and drinking from a tank, vaccinated against blackleg, malignant edema, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine parainfluenza virus (PI3). Calves were tagged in the right ear with the green certified preconditioned for health (CPH) tag of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) vaccine was added to the program in 1970 and 1971 since clinical cases of the disease occurred in PC calves not receiving the vaccine in 1969. Intranasal PI3 vaccine and Pasteurella hemolytica and multocida bacterin was added to the 1971 program to attempt better immunization. In 1969, more PC than non-preconditioned (NPC) calves were treated for acute respiratory disease after sale. The 1970 study showed that fewer PC than NPC calves were treated for acute respiratory tract disease. The 1971 finding showed the greatest differences. A comparison of 389 PC and 227 NPC calves sold at auction in 1971 and moved into the same feedlots showed a statistically significant reduction in number of cases of acute respiratory tract disease treated in PC calves. Generally, PC calves sold at a higher price than NPC calves.