RESUMEN
A 2022 canine gastroenteritis outbreak in the United Kingdom was associated with circulation of a new canine enteric coronavirus closely related to a 2020 variant with an additional spike gene recombination. The variants are unrelated to canine enteric coronavirus-like viruses associated with human disease but represent a model for coronavirus population adaptation.
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Infecciones por Coronavirus , Brotes de Enfermedades , Enfermedades de los Perros , Gastroenteritis , Filogenia , Animales , Perros , Brotes de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/virología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Reino Unido/epidemiología , Gastroenteritis/virología , Gastroenteritis/epidemiología , Gastroenteritis/veterinaria , Infecciones por Coronavirus/veterinaria , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/virología , Coronavirus Canino/genética , Coronavirus Canino/clasificación , Humanos , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genéticaRESUMEN
The lack of population health surveillance for companion animal populations leaves them vulnerable to the effects of novel diseases without means of early detection. We present evidence on the effectiveness of a system that enabled early detection and rapid response a canine gastroenteritis outbreak in the United Kingdom. In January 2020, prolific vomiting among dogs was sporadically reported in the United Kingdom. Electronic health records from a nationwide sentinel network of veterinary practices confirmed a significant increase in dogs with signs of gastroenteric disease. Male dogs and dogs living with other vomiting dogs were more likely to be affected. Diet and vaccination status were not associated with the disease; however, a canine enteric coronavirus was significantly associated with illness. The system we describe potentially fills a gap in surveillance in neglected populations and could provide a blueprint for other countries.
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Infecciones por Coronavirus/veterinaria , Coronavirus Canino , Brotes de Enfermedades , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Vómitos/veterinaria , Animales , Enfermedades de los Perros/virología , Perros/virología , Reino Unido/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Antimicrobial stewardship is a cornerstone of efforts to curtail antimicrobial resistance. To determine factors potentially influencing likelihood of prescribing antimicrobials for animals, we analyzed electronic health records for unwell dogs (n = 155,732 unique dogs, 281,543 consultations) and cats (n = 69,236 unique cats, 111,139 consultations) voluntarily contributed by 173 UK veterinary practices. Using multivariable mixed effects logistic regression, we found that factors associated with decreased odds of systemic antimicrobial prescription were client decisions focused on preventive health: vaccination (dogs, odds ratio [OR] 0.93, 95% CI, 0.90-0.95; cats, OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.95), insurance (dogs, OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.84-0.90; cats, OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.79-0.86), neutering of dogs (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88-0.92), and practices accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (OR 0.79, 95% 95% CI 0.68-0.92). This large multicenter companion animal study demonstrates the potential of preventive healthcare and client engagement to encourage responsible antimicrobial drug use.
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Antiinfecciosos , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Enfermedades de los Perros , Preparaciones Farmacéuticas , Animales , Antiinfecciosos/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/prevención & control , Gatos , Enfermedades de los Perros/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/prevención & control , Perros , Prescripciones , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Little is known about lay understanding and decision making in response to colic. Horse-owners/carers are key to identifying colic and initiating veterinary intervention. Understanding how owners think and act in relation to colic could assist veterinary surgeons in tailoring information about colic with the aim of improving colic outcomes. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was employed including qualitative in-depth interviews and a cross-sectional questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed using Grounded theory to conceptualise processes involved in horse-owner management of colic. Following this, a cross-sectional survey was designed to test these concepts. Cluster analysis explored the role of the human-horse relationship upon colic management strategies. RESULTS: Fifteen horse-owners with a range of colic experience participated in the interviews. A theoretical conceptual model was developed and described how horse-owners' recognised, assessed and responded to colic. Three main management strategies were used including 'wait and see', 'lay treatments' and 'seek veterinary assistance'. Actions in response to colic were moderated by owners' experience of colic and interpretation of the severity of colic signs. A postal questionnaire gathered data from 673 horse-owners from the North-West of the UK. The majority (605, 89.9%) of respondents were female. Cluster analysis revealed 5 meaningful groups of horse-owners based upon assessment of questionnaire items on the human-horse relationship. These groups included 2 professional and 3 amateur owner typologies. There were differences in the responses to some questionnaire items among the identified groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes lay understanding and management of colic among a population of horse-owners from the North-West of the UK. The information may serve as a basis upon which to tailor existing programmes designed to educate owners about colic management strategies, and may inform veterinarians' interactions with horse-owners.
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Cólico/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Caballos/diagnóstico , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Cólico/diagnóstico , Cólico/patología , Recolección de Datos , Toma de Decisiones , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Enfermedades de los Caballos/patología , Caballos , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Propiedad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal nematode infections constitute a threat to the health and welfare of donkeys worldwide. Their primary means of control is via anthelmintic treatments; however, use of these drugs has constraints in developing countries, including cost, limited availability, access to cheaper generic forms of variable quality and potential anthelmintic resistance. As an alternative, bioactive plants have been proposed as an option to treat and control gastrointestinal helminths in donkeys. This study aimed to use participatory methodology to explore donkey owner knowledge, attitudes and beliefs relating to the use of plant-based treatments for gastrointestinal parasites of donkeys in Ethiopia. RESULTS: In focus groups, 22/29 groups stated they knew of plants used for the treatment of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys. All groups volunteered plants that were used in cattle and/or small ruminants. In total, 21 plants were named by participants. 'Koso' (Hagenia abyssinica) 'Grawa' (Vernonia amygdalina) and a mixed roots and leaves preparation were the most frequently named plant preparations. 'Enkoko' (Embelia shimperi) and 'a mixture of roots and leaves' were ranked highly for effectiveness in donkeys. However, 'Grawa' and 'Koso' were the highest ranked when taking into account both the rank position and the number of groups ranking the plant.Thematic analysis of participants' current attitudes and beliefs surrounding traditional plant-based remedies for gastrointestinal parasites revealed that anthelmintics obtained from clinics were generally favoured due to their ease of administration and perceived higher effectiveness. There was doubt surrounding the effectiveness of some plant-based treatments, but there were also perceived advantages including their low cost, ease of cultivation and availability. However, plant-based treatments were considered a "past trend" and people favoured "modern" medicine, particularly among the younger generation. CONCLUSIONS: There was extensive knowledge of plant-based treatments for gastrointestinal parasites in livestock in Ethiopia. In donkeys, Koso (Hagenia abyssinica), Grawa (Vernonia amygdalina), Enkoko (Embelia shimperi) and 'mixed roots and leaves' were the most frequently named and/or highest ranked plants with reported efficacy against gastrointestinal parasites. Further in vitro and in vivo investigation of these plants is now required to determine viable alternatives for the treatment and control of gastrointestinal parasites in Ethiopia.
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Equidae , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/veterinaria , Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales/terapia , Plantas Medicinales/clasificación , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Animales , Etiopía/epidemiología , Femenino , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/parasitología , Humanos , Masculino , Medicinas Tradicionales Africanas , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Risk factors for a first episode of primary uveitis in horses have not been determined. In addition, disease progression and the proportion of horses that develop recurrence following the original episode are not known. OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors for the development of a first episode of primary uveitis in horses in the UK and to document the proportion of cases that experience recurrence following this first episode. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case-control longitudinal study. METHODS: Horses with a first episode of primary uveitis between July 2014 and August 2018 were recruited to the study. For each case, two controls were selected. A questionnaire was completed for each horse and multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify associations between horse and management-level variables and the risk of uveitis. Each case was then followed longitudinally to determine the rate of recurrence of uveitis. RESULTS: Twenty-three cases and 46 controls were recruited. Being close to a pig farm (OR 27.8, CI 1.31-592.06) and a recent history of flooding of the pasture (OR 15.43, CI 2.80-84.98) was associated with increased risk of uveitis. Being in the same owner's possession for a longer amount of time had a protective effect (OR 0.79, CI 0.68-0.93). Horses recovered uneventfully following treatment and showed no evidence of recurrence in 59.1% of the cases (n = 13). In five horses (22.7%), the initial episode of uveitis could not be controlled and required surgical therapy. Recurrence was observed in four horses (18.2%). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Small sample size. Recall bias from owners for some of the data. Possibility of selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians can use this information to identify horses with increased risk of uveitis and provide advice to the owners of these horses. The proportion of cases that experience recurrence appears low in the UK.
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Enfermedades de los Caballos , Leptospira , Leptospirosis , Enfermedades de los Porcinos , Uveítis , Caballos , Animales , Porcinos , Leptospirosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/etiología , Estudios Longitudinales , Uveítis/epidemiología , Uveítis/veterinaria , Factores de Riesgo , Reino Unido/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Ear cropping for cosmetic purposes was made illegal in the UK in 2006. Despite this, a lack of import regulations and celebrity and media influences mean cropped dogs are increasingly reported. METHODS: The demographics, temporal trends and patient-level associated factors for dogs with cropped ears were evaluated in a large sentinel population of dogs visiting UK veterinary practices. RESULTS: A total of 132 dogs with cropped ears were identified, with rates peaking in 2021. In 84 cases (63.6%), there was evidence of importation, most commonly from countries where cropping is also illegal, including Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Spain, Poland and Ireland. American Bulldogs, Dobermanns, Italian Mastiffs (Cane Corso), Bulldogs and Mastiffs were all significantly overrepresented. Affected dogs were more likely to be unneutered (odds ratio 11.04, 95% confidence interval 5.84-20.90). LIMITATIONS: The study likely underestimates true levels of ear cropping. Identified cases are from a sentinel network of veterinary practices, and as such may not be representative of the wider UK population. CONCLUSION: These data suggest a need to educate owners and veterinary surgeons about the welfare and legal implications of ear cropping. The data presented can inform future targeted policies in veterinary practices and at a governmental level.
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Enfermedades de los Perros , Registros Electrónicos de Salud , Perros , Animales , Oído/cirugía , Polonia , Hungría , Reino Unido/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Introduction: Systemically-administered antimicrobials are often prescribed in canine and feline gastrointestinal clinical presentations. Responsible use of antimicrobials, particularly those considered Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials (HPCIAs) is vital to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Although practice-level prescription guidance is available, further strategies based on a greater understanding of antimicrobial prescription at the population-level are needed. Here, we used a mixed-methods approach, harnessing veterinary electronic health records (EHRs) to characterise the use of antimicrobials in canine and feline gastrointestinal presentations, and to explore justification and reasoning around antimicrobial prescribing, particularly of HPCIAs. Methods: This observational study used 23,337 EHRs complemented with veterinary practitioner-completed questionnaires, from canine and feline gastrointestinal consultations from 225 volunteer UK veterinary practices between April 2014 and September 2018. Results: A total of 83.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 82.6-84.3) gastrointestinal presentations were reported as mild, with non-haemorrhagic diarrhoea and vomiting the most frequently reported clinical signs. Systemically-administered antimicrobials occurred in 28.6% of canine (95% CI 26.9-30.3) and 22.4% of feline (95% CI 20.4-24.4) gastrointestinal consultations, with HPCIA prescription occurring more frequently in cats. Results of multivariable analysis showed the presence of non-haemorrhagic diarrhoea (canine Odds Ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.9-2.3; feline OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.1), haemorrhagic diarrhoea (canine OR 4.2, 95% CI 3.8-4.7; feline OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.4-3.8), and moderate/severe presentations (canine OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.7-2.8; feline OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.7-2.5) were positively associated with receiving a systemically-administered antimicrobial. Thematic analysis of clinical narrative content of 516 gastrointestinal consultations where HPCIAs were prescribed allowed the identification of ten factors underpinning reasoning or decision-making for HPCIA prescription: perceived animal/owner compliance; owner's expectations; perceived risk of infection; clinical signs; recent clinical history; perceived positive previous response to antimicrobial therapy; geriatric patients and euthanasia; concomitant conditions; diagnostic testing and the behavioral trend to trial antimicrobial therapy empirically in gastrointestinal cases. No explicit justification for HPCIA prescription was recorded in 77% of cases. Discussion: Improving recorded justification represents a clear target for stewardship programmes. By utilising a complementary mixed-methods approach to EHRs, this study unlocks previously untapped data recorded within EHRs. These results can help inform targeted interventions, contributing towards enhanced antimicrobial stewardship.
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BACKGROUND: Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in horses is important to aid empirical treatment decisions and highlight emerging AMR threats. OBJECTIVE: To describe the AMR patterns of common groups of bacteria from clinical submissions from horses in the UK during 2018, and to determine how this varies by sample site and type of submitting veterinary practice. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: All data on bacterial culture and subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) collected in 2018 from six large equine diagnostic laboratories were included. Resistance patterns were analysed including resistance to 1 or 2 antimicrobial classes, multidrug resistance (MDR), extensively drug resistant (XDR), resistance to highest priority critically important antimicrobials and isolates where there was no readily available treatment for adult horses in the UK. Submitting practices were classified according to whether they treated referral cases or not (first opinion). Comparisons between proportions and resistance for each bacterial group and sample site was performed using Chi-squared (or Fisher's exact test). RESULTS: A total of 6,018 bacterial isolates from 4,038 diagnostic submissions were included from respiratory (n = 1555), urogenital (n = 1,010), skin/hair/wound/abscess (n = 753), surgical site infection (SSI) /catheter-related-infection (CRI) /orthopaedic infections (n = 347) and unknown/'other' submissions (n = 373). There were 2,711 Gram-negative isolates and 3,307 Gram-positive isolates. Prevalence of MDR for E. coli was 31.7%, Staphylococcus spp. 25.3% and > 25% for the majority of bacterial isolates from SSI/CRI/orthopaedic submissions. For Enterococcus spp. there was no readily available treatment for adult horses in the UK in 30.2% of positive submissions. MDR was significantly higher from referral hospital than first opinion submissions for the majority of pathogens (except Actinobacillus spp. and Pasteurella spp. and ß-haemolytic Streptococcus spp.). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Since culture and susceptibility results are not systematic analyses based on harmonised methods, selection bias could impact the findings. CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing surveillance is essential to understand emerging patterns of resistance. MDR is high in SSI/CRI/orthopaedic infections, which is important for hospital biosecurity and guiding treatment decisions. Harmonisation of diagnostic procedures and interpretation of results amongst veterinary laboratories will improve AMR surveillance and data comparison among laboratories.
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Antibacterianos , Enfermedades de los Caballos , Animales , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple , Escherichia coli , Enfermedades de los Caballos/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Caballos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana/veterinaria , Infección de la Herida Quirúrgica/veterinaria , Reino Unido/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the entire joint but the relationship between pathological events in various joint tissues is poorly understood. We examined concurrent changes in bone, cartilage, and synovium in a naturally occurring equine model of joint degeneration. Joints (n = 64) were grossly assessed for palmar/plantar osteochondral disease (POD) in racehorses that required euthanasia for unrelated reasons and assigned a grade of 0 (n = 34), 1 (n = 17), 2 or 3 (n = 13) using a recognized grading scheme. Synovium, cartilage, and subchondral bone were collected for histological and gene expression analysis. Relations between POD grade, cartilage histological score, and gene expression levels were examined using one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation coefficient with corrections for multiple comparisons. Cartilage histological score increased in joints with POD grade 1 (p = 0.002) and 2 or 3 (p < 0.001) compared to 0. At grade 1, expression of COL1A1, COL2A1, and MMP1 increased and BGN decreased in subchondral bone while expression of BGN and ACAN decreased in cartilage. These changes further progressed at grades 2 and 3. POD grades 2 and 3 were associated with decreased expression of osteoclast inhibitor OPG and increased markers of cartilage degeneration (MMP13, COL1A1). Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor decreased with POD grade and negatively correlated with cartilage histological score. Synovium showed no histological or transcriptomic changes related to pathology grade. Cartilage degeneration in POD is likely to be secondary to remodeling of the subchondral bone. Limited activation of proinflammatory and catabolic genes and moderate synovial pathology suggests distinct molecular phenotype of POD compared with OA.
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Enfermedades de los Cartílagos , Cartílago Articular , Osteoartritis , Osteocondritis Disecante , Animales , Huesos/metabolismo , Huesos/patología , Cartílago/metabolismo , Cartílago/patología , Enfermedades de los Cartílagos/patología , Cartílago Articular/patología , Perfilación de la Expresión Génica , Caballos , Osteoartritis/genética , Osteoartritis/metabolismo , Osteocondritis Disecante/genética , Osteocondritis Disecante/metabolismo , Membrana Sinovial/metabolismo , Membrana Sinovial/patología , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismoRESUMEN
Little is known about the rate at which protein turnover occurs in living tendon and whether the rate differs between tendons with different physiological roles. In this study, we have quantified the racemization of aspartic acid to calculate the age of the collagenous and non-collagenous components of the high strain injury-prone superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and low strain rarely injured common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in a group of horses with a wide age range. In addition, the turnover of collagen was assessed indirectly by measuring the levels of collagen degradation markers (collagenase-generated neoepitope and cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen). The fractional increase in D-Asp was similar (p = 0.7) in the SDFT (5.87 x 10(-4)/year) and CDET (5.82 x 10(-4)/year) tissue, and D/L-Asp ratios showed a good correlation with pentosidine levels. We calculated a mean (+/-S.E.) collagen half-life of 197.53 (+/-18.23) years for the SDFT, which increased significantly with horse age (p = 0.03) and was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that for the CDET (34.03 (+/-3.39) years). Using similar calculations, the half-life of non-collagenous protein was 2.18 (+/-0.41) years in the SDFT and was significantly (p = 0.04) lower than the value of 3.51 (+/-0.51) years for the CDET. Collagen degradation markers were higher in the CDET and suggested an accumulation of partially degraded collagen within the matrix with aging in the SDFT. We propose that increased susceptibility to injury in older individuals results from an inability to remove partially degraded collagen from the matrix leading to reduced mechanical competence.
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Envejecimiento/metabolismo , Ácido Aspártico/metabolismo , Colágeno Tipo I/metabolismo , Traumatismos de los Tendones/metabolismo , Tendones/metabolismo , Envejecimiento/patología , Animales , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Femenino , Caballos , Masculino , Traumatismos de los Tendones/patología , Tendones/patologíaRESUMEN
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) refers to the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence from research for the care of an individual patient. Central to the adoption of EBM is both producing and identifying the best possible evidence for a particular intervention or therapy. This article identifies and reviews the approaches to producing and identifying the best possible evidence that is necessary for the full acceptance of stem cell therapies in the horse and reviews the approaches that will allow future clinical studies in stem cell therapies to provide the best evidence for determining efficacy.
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Medicina Basada en la Evidencia/normas , Caballos/lesiones , Ligamentos/lesiones , Trasplante de Células Madre/veterinaria , Traumatismos de los Tendones/veterinaria , Medicina Veterinaria/normas , Animales , Enfermedades de los Caballos/terapia , Artropatías/terapia , Traumatismos de los Tendones/terapia , Medicina Veterinaria/tendenciasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is poorly described. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of EMS in native UK ponies and cobs in England and Wales and identify associated risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Breeders registered with UK native pony breed societies and registered riding schools and livery yards within a set radius were invited to participate. All native UK ponies and cobs aged 3-14 years and not diagnosed or being treated for conditions likely to affect insulin regulation at participating premises were eligible. Animals underwent a clinical examination and an oral glucose test while their owner or keeper completed a questionnaire by face-to-face interview. Data were analysed by multilevel uni- and multivariable modelling using insulin concentration and EMS diagnosis as outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 354 animals were examined at 64 properties (19 studs, 19 livery yards, 26 riding schools). The overall prevalence of EMS adjusted for clustering within yard was 23.3% (95%CI 17.9%-29.8%). Risk factors associated with a diagnosis of EMS included age, being female, more sedentary main activity, obesity, and shorter periods on pasture during the summer. Compared to the Welsh section A, the other Welsh, Connemara and cob breeds all had decreased odds of EMS. Clinical manifestations of hoof growth ring and supraorbital fat scores of 3/3 were more frequent in EMS ponies and animals with a history of laminitis within the last 5 years (9.7%) were 14.4 (95% CI 5.9-35.3) times more likely to be positive for EMS than those without. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Results may not be transferable to other breeds or age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Equine metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in UK native ponies and cobs with modifiable risk factors including obesity and sedentary activities. Modifying risk factors could help reduce the risk of laminitis in susceptible animals.
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Enfermedades del Pie , Enfermedades de los Caballos , Síndrome Metabólico , Animales , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Enfermedades del Pie/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/etiología , Caballos , Síndrome Metabólico/epidemiología , Síndrome Metabólico/etiología , Síndrome Metabólico/veterinaria , Factores de Riesgo , Reino Unido/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most important global health crises in recent times and is driven primarily by antimicrobial consumption. In East Africa, there is a paucity of data regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to antimicrobial use (AMU). We investigate the ways in which antimicrobial users in the veterinary sector accessed veterinary antimicrobials, and common behaviors of veterinary antimicrobial users and prescribers associated with AMU and AMR. Methods: In total, 70 farmers, staff at 49 agricultural-veterinary antimicrobial shops (agrovet staff) and 28 veterinary animal healthcare workers or veterinary surgeons (veterinary professionals) were interviewed in Busia county, western Kenya in 2016 using a standard questionnaire as a framework for structured interviews. Data recorded included participant demographics, level of education, access to and sources of veterinary antimicrobials, prescribing patterns, and knowledge of AMR and antimicrobial withdrawal periods. Results: The majority of antimicrobials were accessed through informal means, purchased from agroveterinary shops; more than half of staff did not hold nationally mandated qualifications to advise on or sell veterinary antimicrobials. Approximately 40% of veterinary antimicrobials were sold without a prescription and it was noted that both price and customer preference were important factors when selling antimicrobials in almost all agrovet shops. Knowledge of the dangers associated with AMR and AMU were mostly superficial. Treatment failure occurred often, and there was a lack of differentiation between AMR and simply treatment failure. Conclusion: In this study area in East Africa with high-density human and livestock populations, AMU was primarily for maintenance of livestock health. These findings have highlighted several aspects surrounding inappropriate access to antimicrobials, and as such require attention from policy makers concerned with AMR in both livestock and human medicine sectors. Improving prescribing practices and ensuring a minimum level of general education and awareness of prescribers, as well as expanding the role of agrovet staff in antimicrobial stewardship programmes, may help begin to mitigate the maintenance and transmission of AMR, particularly amongst livestock.
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BACKGROUND: There is a lack of national population data concerning infectious disease in companion animals. Here, we piloted the feasibility of linking diagnostic laboratories, population surveillance and modern sequencing approaches to extract targeted diagnostic samples from laboratories before they were discarded, as a novel route to better understand national epidemiology of major small animal pathogens. METHODS: Samples tested for canine or feline parvovirus were requested from a national veterinary diagnostic laboratory and analysed by Sanger or next generation sequencing. Samples were linked to electronic health data held in the SAVSNET database. RESULTS: Sequences obtained from positive samples, together with associated metadata, provided new insights into the recent geographical distribution of parvovirus strains in circulation in the United Kingdom (UK). CONCLUSIONS: This collaboration with industry represents a 'National Virtual Biobank' that can rapidly be called on, to efficiently add new layers of epidemiological information of relevance to animal, and potentially human, population health.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos , Enfermedades de los Perros , Infecciones por Parvoviridae , Parvovirus Canino , Parvovirus , Animales , Bancos de Muestras Biológicas , Gatos , Perros , Virus de la Panleucopenia Felina , Infecciones por Parvoviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Parvoviridae/veterinaria , Parvovirus/genética , Proyectos PilotoRESUMEN
Robust evidence supporting strategies for companion animal antimicrobial stewardship is limited, despite frequent prescription of highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA). Here we describe a randomised controlled trial where electronic prescription data were utilised (August 2018-January 2019) to identify above average HPCIA-prescribing practices (n = 60), which were randomly assigned into a control group (CG) and two intervention groups. In March 2019, the light intervention group (LIG) and heavy intervention group (HIG) were notified of their above average status, and were provided with educational material (LIG, HIG), in-depth benchmarking (HIG), and follow-up meetings (HIG). Following notification, follow-up monitoring lasted for eight months (April-November 2019; post-intervention period) for all intervention groups, though HIG practices were able to access further support (i.e., follow-up meetings) for the first six of these months if requested. Post-intervention, in the HIG a 23.5% and 39.0% reduction in canine (0.5% of total consultations, 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.6, P = 0.04) and feline (4.4%, 3.4-5.3, P < 0.001) HPCIA-prescribing consultations was observed, compared to the CG (dogs: 0.6%, 0.5-0.8; cats: 7.4%, 6.0-8.7). The LIG was associated with a 16.7% reduction in feline HPCIA prescription (6.1% of total consultations, 5.3-7.0, P = 0.03). Therefore, in this trial we have demonstrated effective strategies for reducing veterinary HPCIA prescription.
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Antibacterianos , Programas de Optimización del Uso de los Antimicrobianos , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina , Drogas Veterinarias , Animales , Gatos , Perros , Femenino , Masculino , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana/efectos de los fármacos , Registros Electrónicos de Salud , Prescripción Electrónica , Mascotas , Drogas Veterinarias/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Cancer is a major reason for veterinary consultation, especially in companion animals. Cancer surveillance plays a key role in prevention but opportunities for such surveillance in companion animals are limited by the lack of suitable veterinary population health infrastructures. In this paper we describe a pathology-based animal tumour registry (PTR) developed within the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) built from electronic pathology records (EPR) submitted to this network. From an original collection of 180232 free text (non-structured) EPRs reported between April 2018 and June 2019, we used specific text-mining methodologies to identify 109895 neoplasias. These data were normalized to describe both the tumour (type and location) and the animal (breed, neutering status and veterinary practice postcode). The resulting PTR, the largest of its kind for companion animals to date, is an important research resource being able to facilitate a wide array of research in areas including surveillance, clinical decision making and comparative cancer biology.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Minería de Datos , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Neoplasias/veterinaria , Animales , Gatos , Perros , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Reino Unido/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Companion animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and sporadic cases of pet infections have occurred in the United Kingdom. Here we present the first large-scale serological survey of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the UK. Results are reported for 688 sera (454 canine, 234 feline) collected by a large veterinary diagnostic laboratory for routine haematology during three time periods; pre-COVID-19 (January 2020), during the first wave of UK human infections (April-May 2020) and during the second wave of UK human infections (September 2020-February 2021). Both pre-COVID-19 sera and those from the first wave tested negative. However, in sera collected during the second wave, 1.4% (n=4) of dogs and 2.2% (n=2) cats tested positive for neutralising antibodies. The low numbers of animals testing positive suggests pet animals are unlikely to be a major reservoir for human infection in the UK. However, continued surveillance of in-contact susceptible animals should be performed as part of ongoing population health surveillance initiatives.
RESUMEN
Companion animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and sporadic cases of pet infections have occurred in the United Kingdom. Here we present the first large-scale serological survey of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the UK. Results are reported for 688 sera (454 canine, 234 feline) collected by a large veterinary diagnostic laboratory for routine haematology during three time periods; pre-COVID-19 (January 2020), during the first wave of UK human infections (April-May 2020) and during the second wave of UK human infections (September 2020-February 2021). Both pre-COVID-19 sera and those from the first wave tested negative. However, in sera collected during the second wave, 1.4% (n â= â4) of dogs and 2.2% (n â= â2) of cats tested positive for neutralising antibodies. The low numbers of animals testing positive suggests pet animals are unlikely to be a major reservoir for human infection in the UK. However, continued surveillance of in-contact susceptible animals should be performed as part of ongoing population health surveillance initiatives.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a globally important one health threat. The impact of resistant infections on companion animals, and the potential public health implications of such infections, has not been widely explored, largely due to an absence of structured population-level data. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to efficiently capture and repurpose antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results data from several veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) across the United Kingdom to facilitate national companion animal clinical AMR surveillance. We also sought to harness and genotypically characterize isolates of potential AMR importance from these laboratories. METHODS: We summarized AST results for 29,330 canine and 8,279 feline Enterobacteriaceae isolates originating from companion animal clinical practice, performed between April 2016 and July 2018 from four VDLs, with submissions from 2,237 United Kingdom veterinary practice sites. RESULTS: Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most commonly isolated Enterobacteriaceae in dogs (69.4% of AST results, 95% confidence interval, CI, 68.7-70.0) and cats (90.5%, CI 89.8-91.3). Multi-drug resistance was reported in 14.1% (CI 13.5-14.8) of canine and 12.0% (CI 11.1-12.9) of feline E. coli isolates. Referral practices were associated with increased E. coli 3rd generation ≤ cephalosporin resistance odds (dogs: odds ratio 2.0, CI 1.2-3.4). We selected 95 E. coli isolates for whole genome analyses, of which seven belonged to sequence type 131, also carrying the plasmid-associated extended spectrum ß-lactamase gene bla CTX-M- 15. The plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene mcr-9 was also identified for the first time in companion animals. CONCLUSIONS: Linking clinical AMR data with genotypic characterization represents an efficient means of identifying important resistance trends in companion animals on a national scale.