Czech family confirms the new 1p36.13-1p36.12 microdeletion syndrome.

Confirmation of the newly described 1p36.13-1p36.12 microdeletion syndrome by finding of a 2,2 Mb deletion in the critical region in a Czech two generation family with a very similar phenotype, but in addition also polyneuropathy of lower limbs.

Relationship between the probability of veterinary-diagnosed bovine mastitis occurring and farm management risk factors on small dairy farms in Austria.

Bovine mastitis is the most frequently reported disease among dairy cows worldwide. Treatment of udder disease often involves the use of antimicrobial substances, which is difficult to justify with respect to their possible effect on the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Prevention of udder disease is therefore always preferable to treatment. The study presented here statistically analyzed the probability of mastitis occurring during 3,049 lactation periods on 208 farms and attempted to ascertain which on-farm management factors contributed to the occurrence of this udder disease in Austria. Farm management was assessed via online surveys completed by 211 farmers (211/251; response rate = 84.1%) as well as national milk performance recorders observing milking technique and herd veterinarians evaluating farm hygiene levels. Veterinary treatment records were used as a basis for mastitis reporting. The analysis was carried out using a generalized linear mixed model. The study population was not randomized but was part of a larger observational study. More than three fourths of the study farms were run conventionally, and the remainder were organic. Freestalls (and straw yards) made up 66% of the study population, and 34% of farms had tiestalls. Herd size ranged from 8 to 94 dairy cows (mean = 26.9; median = 21), with the most common breed (74% of all cows) being dual-purpose Simmental (Austrian Fleckvieh). A mastitis risk of 14.4% was reported via veterinary treatment records. The following factors were shown to be associated with a reduction in the risk of mastitis occurring: regular access to pasture (odds ratio, OR = 0.73), automatic milking machine shut-off (OR 0.67), and access to feed immediately after milking (OR = 0.43). Detrimental effects, which were likely to increase the probability of mastitis occurring, included lactation number (OR = 1.18), farming part time (OR = 1.55), and udders on the farm being classed by herd veterinarians as medium to severely soiled (OR = 1.47). The study presented here was able to confirm several management factors recommended to reduce the probability of mastitis occurring during a cow's lactation period, with particular relevance for the small dairy herds common to Austria.

Antimicrobial consumption on Austrian dairy farms: an observational study of udder disease treatments based on veterinary medication records.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial use in livestock production is an important contemporary issue, which is of public interest worldwide. Antimicrobials are not freely available to Austrian farmers and can only be administered to livestock by veterinarians, or by farmers who are trained members of the Animal Health Service. Since 2015, veterinarians have been required by law to report antimicrobials dispensed to farmers for use in food-producing animals. The study presented here went further than the statutory framework, and collected data on antimicrobials dispensed to farmers and those administered by veterinarians. METHODS: Seventeen veterinary practices were enrolled in the study via convenience sampling. These veterinarians were asked to contact interested dairy farmers regarding participation in the study (respondent-driven sampling). Data were collected from veterinary practice software between 1st October 2015 and 30th September 2016. Electronic data (89.4%) were transferred via an online interface and paper records (10.6%) were entered by the authors. Antimicrobial treatments with respect to udder disease were analysed by number of defined daily doses per cow and year (nDDDvet/cow/year), based on the European Medicines Agency technical unit, Defined Daily Dose for animals (DDDvet). Descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to analyse the results. RESULTS: Antimicrobial use data from a total of 248 dairy farms were collected during the study, 232 of these farms treated cows with antibiotics; dry cow therapy was excluded from the current analysis. The mean number of DDDvet/cow/year for the antimicrobial treatment of all udder disease was 1.33 DDDvet/cow/year. Of these treatments, 0.73 DDDvet/cow/year were classed as highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIAs), according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition. The Wilcoxon rank sum test determined a statistically significant difference between the median number of DDDvet/cow/year for acute and chronic mastitis treatment (W = 10,734, p < 0.001). The most commonly administered antimicrobial class for the treatment of acute mastitis was beta-lactams. Intramammary penicillin was used at a mean of 0.63 DDDvet/cow/year, followed by the third generation cephalosporin, cefoperazone, (a HPCIA) at 0.60 DDDvet/cow/year. Systemic antimicrobial treatments were used at a lower overall level than intramammary treatments for acute mastitis. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrated that Austrian dairy cows in the study population were treated with antimicrobial substances for udder diseases at a relatively low frequency, however, a substantial proportion of these treatments were with substances considered critically important for human health. While it is vital that sick cows are treated, reductions in the overall use of antimicrobials, and critically important substances in particular, are still possible.

Antimicrobial drug use on Austrian dairy farms with special consideration of the use of "highest priority critically important antimicrobials".

The use of antibiotics in livestock production is coming under growing criticism. Beside overall antimicrobial use, specific substances listed by the WHO as "highest priority critically important antimicrobials" (HPCIAs)--these include fluoroquinolones, macrolides, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, as well as glycopeptides--have been placed under specific restrictions and should only be applied in particular cases according to strict indication criteria. In this study, the consumption of antimicrobial substances on Austrian dairy farms was evaluated quantitatively. The data covered 8,027 prescription records on the use of antibiotics on 465 dairy farms. Eleven veterinary practices provided data from between four to 27 months during the period from 2008 to 2010 and the total consumption of antimicrobials was estimated. The amount of active substance(s) in grams used per livestock unit (g/LU) per year and the number of product-related daily doses used per livestock unit (n PrDD(LU)/LU) per year were determined as units of measurement. These parameters were estimated by applying Monte Carlo simulation techniques, respecting variances in annual working days of the veterinary practices as well as variances in the proportion of non-treated populations. Total antimicrobial consumption in the population-at-risk was determined to be 2.59 g/LU and 1.30 PrDD(LU)/LU per year. HPCIAs were used at a proportion of 24.6% (0.31 PrDD(LU)/LU) of the total consumption of antimicrobials for systemic and intramammary use. Of these, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins were most frequently administered, particularly for the treatment of mastitis and foot diseases. The total consumption of antimicrobials in Austrian dairy cattle production is negligible compared to their use in pig and poultry production systems. However, the use of HPCIAs, especially 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, should be minimised further.

Outdoor and indoor monitoring of livestock-associated Culicoides spp. to assess vector-free periods and disease risks.

BACKGROUND: Within the last few decades Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) emerged Europe-wide as a major vector for epizootic viral diseases e.g. caused by Bluetongue (BT) or Schmallenberg virus. In accordance with the EU regulation 1266/2007, veterinary authorities are requested to determine vector-free periods for loosing trade and movement restrictions of susceptible livestock. Additionally, the widely used basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] is optionally applied for risk assessment of vector-borne diseases. Values of R0 < 1 indicate periods with no disease transmission risk. For the determination of vector-free period and R0 a continuously operating daily Culicoides spp. monitoring in Vienna (Austria) was established. It covered the period 2009-2013 and depicts the seasonal vector abundance indoor and outdoor. Future BT and African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak risks were estimated by projecting R0 to climate change scenarios. Therefore, temperature-dependent vector parameters were applied. RESULTS: The vector-free period lasted about 100 days inside stables, while less than five Culicoides were trapped outdoors on 150 days per season, i.e. winter half year. Additionally, the potential outbreak risk was assessed for BT and AHS. For BT, a basic reproduction number of R0 > 1 was found each year between June and August. The periods without transmission risk, i.e. R0 < 1, were notably higher (200 days). Contrary, values of R0 < 1 were estimated for AHS during the whole period. Finally, the basic reproduction numbers were projected to the future by using temperature forecasts for the period 2014-2100. While the mean summer peak values for BT increase from of R0 = 2.3 to R0 = 3.4 until 2100 (1.1/100 years), no risk for AHS was estimated even under climate warming assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: Restrictions to trade and movement are always associated with an economic impact during epidemic diseases. To minimize these impacts, risk assessments based on the vector-free period or the basic reproduction number R0 can essentially support veterinary authorities to improve protection and control measurements.

The effect of bovine viral diarrhoea virus on fertility in dairy cows: two case-control studies in the province of Styria, Austria.

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) leads to substantial economic losses in beef and dairy herds worldwide. Two case-control studies were carried out using production data from 1996 to 2012 to analyse the impact of BVD virus (BVDV) on fertility in dairy herds in the province of Styria during an eradication programme. In study 1, herds in which at least one persistently BVDV-infected (PI) animal was detected (case herds) were compared to a group of control herds proven free from BVDV infection (contro herds). In study 2, within BVD infected herds the period during which P animals were present (exposed period) was compared to the period after successful BVD eradication (unexposed period). Calving interval (CAl) and the probability of a first service conception (FSC) were used as indicators in a mixed regression model to investigate the impact of BVD on reproductive performance. The model results indicated that BVD had a significant influence on CAl and FSC. Cows from control herds were 1.1 times more likely to conceive at first service compared to cows from case herds and cows served during the BVDV unexposed period were 1.3 times more likely to conceive at first service than those inseminated during the exposed period. In BVD-infected herds the CAI averaged seven days shorter in unexposed periods than in exposed periods. Besides BVD the animal breed and the parity substantially impact the analysed fertility indicators.

Cost analysis of bluetongue virus serotype 8 surveillance and vaccination programmes in Austria from 2005 to 2013.

This study was designed to evaluate the costs between 2005 and 2013 of the national bluetongue virus (BTV) surveillance and vaccination programmes before, during and after the BTV serotype 8 (BTV-8) outbreak in Austria commencing in 2008. In addition to an assessment of the temporal development of costs, a spatial cost analysis was performed. Within the context of this study, the term 'costs' refers to actual financial expenditure and imputed monetary costs for contributions in-kind. Costs were financed directly by the private-public sectors, by the European Commission (EC), and (in-kind) by responsible national institutions and individuals (e.g. blood sampling by veterinarians). The total net cost of the BTV-8 surveillance and vaccination programmes arising from the outbreak amounted to €22.8 million (0.86% of the national agricultural Gross Value Added), of which 32% was allocated to surveillance and 68% to the vaccination programme. Of the total programme costs, the EC supplied €4.9 million, while the remaining costs (€18 million) were directly financed from national resources. Of the latter, €14.5 million was classed as public costs, including €2 million contributions in-kind, and €3.4 million as private costs. The assessment of the costs revealed heterogeneous temporal and spatial distributions. The methodology of this analysis might assist decision makers in calculating costs for other surveillance and intervention programmes. The assessment of contributions in-kind is of importance to public authorities as it increases visibility of the available resources and shows how they have been employed. This study also demonstrates the importance of tracking changing costs per payer over time.

[Analysis of the impact of animal health parameters on the average daily net gain in pigs for fattening]. / Analyse des Einflusses von Tiergesundheitsparametern auf die durchschnittliche tägliche Nettozunahme von Mastschweinen.

According to regulation (EC) No. 854/2004 all pigs slaughtered in Austria are subject to a routine meat inspection at the slaughterhouse in order to detect pathological-anatomical organ alterations due to disease. This mandatory meat inspection constitutes an important contribution to ensure food safety and the resulting post-mortem findings provide a possibility to process optimization by reporting the routinely recorded results to the producers. We analyzed the impact of 18 post-mortem findings on the average daily net gain of 6119 pigs. All findings were recorded at an Austrian slaughterhouse within a quality assurance system. A linear mixed model (LMM) was applied incorporating the farm of origin as random effect in order to take non-observed farm specific risk factors (e. g. feed management, housing system, hygiene status) into account. As a result the expected average daily net gain of 490 g could be estimated and several post-mortem findings could be identified as significant factors (at the significance level 0.05) affecting the average daily net gain. The expected average daily net gain decreases significantly for pigs with at least one of the post-mortem findings arthritis (-64 g), abscess (-32 g), severe pneumonia (-13 g), visceralis pleuritis (-7 g) and hepatitis (-9 g). The expected average daily net gain increases by 5 g for pigs with post-mortem finding bursitis. The estimated random farm effect indicates the relevant impact of the farm environment on the average daily net gain. The results reinforce that there is still a great potential to improve efficiency in fattening, although the quality assurance system was implemented twelve years ago.

[Implementation and results of the EU-wide baseline studies on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in slaughter and breeding pigs in Austria]. / Umsetzung und Ergebnisse der EU-weiten Grundlagenerhebung zur Prävalenz von Salmonella spp. in Schlacht- und Zucht- schweinen in Osterreich.

The Member States of the European Union are following a common strategy on the control of Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens (Anonym, 2003). Within that framework baseline studies on the most relevant animal populations have been carried out. This paper describes the implementation and the results of the baseline studies on Salmonella spp. in slaughter and breeding pigs in Austria. A total of 647 slaughter pigs were sampled in 28 slaughterhouses between October 2006 and September 2007. Samples were taken from the ileocaecal lymphnodes to detect infection in pigs and from the surface of the carcasses to detect contamination. Out of the 617 datasets included in the final analysis, Salmonella prevalences of 2% in lymphnodes and 1.1% on the carcass surface were observed. S. Derby, S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were the three most frequently identified serovars. In an additional study, a total of 252 holdings with breeding pigs has been sampled between January and December combined multiplier herds. Respectively prevalences of 5, 8, 5, 3 and 9.1% were obtained, with S. Typhimurium being the most frequently isolated serovar. Overall, compared to neighbouring Member States a rather low prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs was documented for Austria, in particular in slaughter pigs.The serovar distribution seemed to be similar throughout the pig populations, some also being represented in Austrian human isolates. Contamination of feed seems to play a minor role considering the overall low prevalence, but nevertheless has to be taken into account in any future control or monitoring strategy for Salmonella spp. in pigs.

The use of the "highest priority critically important antimicrobials" in 75 Austrian pig farms--evaluation of on-farm drug application data.

The World Health Organization lists antimicrobial substances which are essential for the treatment of specific infections in humans as "highest priority critically important antimicrobials" (HPCIAs): macrolides, fluoroquinolones, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins as well as glycopeptid antibacterials. The use of these substances in livestock husbandry should be restricted in order to minimise the risk of antimicrobial resistance. To date, there is little knowledge about the amounts of HPCIAs used in animal husbandry and the different animal species and diagnoses these antimicrobials are prescribed for. In a retrospective study, drug application data recorded from 2008 until 2011 from 75 conventional pig farms were evaluated. Data were assessed directly by the farmer at farm-level. The annual antimicrobial consumption was expressed in "weight of active substance(s) in [mg]" and "number of Daily Doses". Results were referred to the animal biomass, evaluated per pig age class (piglets, weaners, fattening pigs < 60 kg biomass; fattening pigs > 60 kg biomass, sows, boars) and broken down to some variables such as the substance class and the therapy indication. The focus was especially laid on the HPCIAs. The total usage of the HPCIAs in the study population was on average 3.0 mg/ kg/year; 1.1 UDD(kg)/kg/year; 0.2 ADD(kg)/kg/year and 0.6 PrDD(kg)/kg/year. This represents about 9%, 22%, 12% and 22% of total antimicrobial consumption, respectively, depending on the unit of measurement. Fattening farms showed the highest consumption of the named substances. The main part of the HPCIAs (nADD(kg)/year) was applied to weaners, piglets and fattening pigs < 60 kg. They played an important role in the therapies of piglets (approximately 40% of the total antimicrobial consumption in piglets). Macrolides played the major role within the HPCIAs and were mainly used for digestive tract diseases. A not negligible portion of macrolides was prescribed for metaphylactic and prophylactic measures.

[Implementation and results of the EU-wide baseline study on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in flocks of turkeys in Austria]. / Umsetzung und Ergebnisse der EU-weiten Grundlagenstudie zur Prävalenz von Salmonella spp. in Putenherden in Osterreich.

The member states of the European Union (EU) are following a common strategy on the control of Salmonella and other foodborne zoonotic pathogens (Anonym, 2003). In order to establish the prevalence of Salmonella (S.) spp. in turkeys, a baseline survey was organised in between October 2006 and September 2007. In Austria a total of 202 turkey flocks in 104 holdings was included. By doing so, all holdings with fattening turkeys were covered by the sampling scheme, whereas breeding turkey flocks did not exist in the survey period. A prevalence of Salmonella spp. of 17.3% in flocks or 25% of holdings was obtained. A total of nine different serovars were identified, S. Hadar being the most frequently isolated with eleven flocks infected representing 31.4% of all. S. Montevideo and S. Saintpaul were both found in eight flocks, and S. Senftenberg in six flocks. Two flocks were colonized with S. Newport, while one flock each had S. Typhimurium, S. Derby, S. Blockley and a monophasic strain of Salmonella group B. Of the two serovars of highest relevance for human health, S. Typhimurium was detected in only 0.5% of flocks or 1% of holdings tested and S. Enteritidis was not detected at all. Taking into account the high prevalence of the various Salmonella serovars however control measures to prohibit horizontal transmission and entry of Salmonella spp. from the turkey reservoir into the food chain in Austria seem justified.

First detection of hepatitis E virus in Austrian pigs by RT-qPCR.

Long known to cause disease outbreaks in man in countries with poor sanitary conditions, an increasing number of autochthonous HEV genotype 3 infections have been reported in industrialised countries. Genotype 3 poses an important potential zoonotic threat, with infected pigs functioning as the main reservoir. This study reports the first detected emergence of HEV in Austrian pigs. Five Austrian strains were partially sequenced and phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that they cluster within genotype 3. In addition, a reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) method using a MGB-hydrolysis probe was developed offering the possibility to detect the HEV genotype 3 in faeces, liquid- and tissue-samples from domestic pigs. The method was adapted to the strains found in Austria. Sensitivity of the assay was tested with different pig organs (liver, mesenteric lymph nodes and kidney) as well as with serum, bile and faeces samples. Within the dynamic range of the assay, a quantitative determination of virus loads was performed. For specificity testing several common swine pathogens were used. Results demonstrated that the proposed method allows implementation of reliable high-throughput screening of Austrian swine samples in the future.

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in Austrian broiler flocks in the context of the EU-wide baseline survey 2005-2006.

In Austria an EU-wide baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in broilers organized by the EU commission was conducted from October 2005 to September 2006. The aim of this study was to produce comparable data on the prevalence of Salmonella in broiler flocks and holdings for all member states and for the EU-Commission to set EU-wide targets for the control of Salmonella in the broiler populations. A randomised sampling plan was designed according to EU-commission parameters (p = 50%; CI = 95%, a = 5%). Sampling was carried out regularly throughout the whole year. On every farm one flock was sampled with five pairs of boot swabs and analysed in the lab according to appendix D of ISO 6579 (2002). In Austria, 363 flocks on farms consisting of at least 5000 broilers each were tested. 28 flocks (7.7%) showed infections with Salmonella spp., eight flocks (2.2%) had either S. Enteritidis (six flocks) or S. Typhimurium (two flocks). In detail, S. Enteritidis (1.7%), S. Typhimurium (0.6%), S. Montevideo (4.1%), S. Infantis 0.6%, S. Senftenberg, S. Tennessee and S. Virchow (0.3% each) have been found. Data indicated that the risk of vertical transmission of Salmonella spp. to broiler flocks has almost been kept at bay; however, the risk of horizontal transmission still needs attention. Contamination of feeding stuff, possible persistence, spreading between barns of a farm as well as introduction of Salmonella spp. through individuals or materials are important factors for future control strategies.

Detection and molecular characterization of Suid herpesvirus type 1 in Austrian wild boar and hunting dogs.

Aujeszky's disease (AD), caused by Suid herpesvirus type 1 (SuHV-1), is an economically important disease in domestic swine. Thus, rigorous control programmes have been implemented and consecutively AD in domestic swine was successfully eradicated in many countries, including Austria. However, SuHV-1 continues to thrive in wild boar populations, as indicated by high seroprevalences in a number of European countries and by occasional cases of AD in hunting dogs. For the first time, SuHV-1 was detected in Austrian wild boar and a molecular characterization of SuHV-1 isolated from wild boar and hunting dogs was performed. Results of preliminary serological analyses suggest a regional SuHV-1 seroprevalence of over 30% in free-living and almost 70% in fenced wild boar from Eastern Austria. Molecular typing of Austrian SuHV-1 isolates of wild boar origin revealed the presence of two genetically distinct variants of SuHV-1, both capable of infecting dogs that have been exposed to infected wild boar during hunting.

A Two-Years' Survey on the Prevalence of Tuberculosis Caused by Mycobacterium caprae in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Tyrol, Austria.

A survey of 143 hunter-harvested red deer for tuberculosis was conducted in an Alpine area in Western Austria over two subsequent years. There, single tuberculosis cases caused by Mycobacterium caprae had been detected in cattle and red deer over the preceding decade. The area under investigation covered approximately 500 km(2), divided into five different hunting plots. Lymph nodes of red deer were examined grossly and microscopically for typical tuberculosis-like lesions and additionally by microbiological culturing. Executing a detailed hunting plan, nine M. caprae isolates were obtained. Six out of nine originated from one single hunting plot with the highest estimated prevalence of tuberculosis, that is, 23.1%. All isolates were genotyped by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing of 24 standard loci plus VNTR 1982. All nine isolates belonged to a single cluster termed "Lechtal" which had been found in cattle and red deer in the region, demonstrating a remarkable dominance and stability over ten years. This is the first report on a systematic prospective study investigating the prevalence and strain variability of M. caprae infection in red deer in Austria and in the Alpine countries.

[Slaughter findings feedback systems--its use for farms of origin?]. / Schlachtbefundrückmeldesysteme--Nutzen für die Primärproduktion?

Over a period of 22 months 13 official meat inspection authorities examined a number of 152 520 swine at an Austrian slaughterhouse for pathologic-anatomic changes (five parameters). Of those veterinarians whose reliability in the recording of findings was a given, the results were analysed by employing a mathematical model which assessed whether the activities of 25 attending veterinarians and 223 farmers actually lead to an improvement of animal health in their livestock. Mild pneumonia was registered in 14.5% of swine; no attending veterinarians had any influence whatsoever on the occurrence of this parameter. Farmers' activities improved animal health on two farms (0.9%), six farms of origin (2.69%) showed significantly lower findings than the average of all farms. Pleurisy was ascertained in 22% of all slaughter pigs. Through measures taken, four attending veterinarians (16%) caused a reduction of incidents, two works managers (0.9%) made worse, six farmers (2.69%) improved animal health of their live stock. Seven farmers (3.14%) showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher, 28 farms (12.6%) lower prevalence. Pericarditis affected 4.5% of the animals in question. On all farms of origin the condition of health remained unchanged by measures taken by veterinarians. On two farms (0.9%) the influence exercised by farmers led to a deterioration of the health of swine, six businesses (2.69%) showed higher, one (0.45%) lower prevalence than on average. 6.2% of swine showed white spots. Attending veterinarians did not influence this parameter at all. With preventive measures taken five farms (2.24%) showed less, three farms (1.35%) higher prevalence by the end of the 22 month term. Mange concerned 2.2% of all slaughter pigs. The activities of one veterinarian (4%) caused the number of incidents to double; on six farms (2.69%) a significantly higher prevalence was registered. Whatever influence exercised, the status of health of slaughter pigs remained unchanged throughout the duration of the study.

Novel real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection and differentiation of Clostridium chauvoei and Clostridium septicum in clostridial myonecrosis.

A real-time PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence was designed for differentiation of blackleg-causing Clostridium chauvoei and Clostridium septicum, a phylogenetically closely related bacterium responsible for malignant edema. In order to exclude false-negative results, an internal amplification control was included in the assay. A set of three probes, one specific for C. chauvoei, one specific for C. septicum, and one specific for both species, permitted unequivocal detection of C. chauvoei in tests of 32 Clostridium sp. strains and 10 non-Clostridium strains. The assay proved to be sensitive, detecting one genome of C. chauvoei or C. septicum per PCR and 1.79 x 10(3) C. chauvoei cells/g artificially contaminated muscle tissue. In tests of 11 clinical specimens, the real-time PCR assay yielded the same results as an established conventional PCR method.

Genetic diversity of pestivirus isolates in cattle from Western Austria.

The genetic diversity of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) isolates in infected cattle from Tyrol and Vorarlberg (Austria) was investigated. Blood samples were collected within the compulsory Austrian BVDV control programme during 2005 and 2006. The 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) and partially the N-terminal autoprotease (N(pro)) were amplified by one-step reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the PCR products were subsequently sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 5'-UTR and N(pro) sequences demonstrated that almost all isolates (307/310) were of the BVDV-1 genotype. They were clustered into eight different subtypes, here listed by their frequency of occurrence: BVDV-1h (143), BVDV-1f (79), BVDV-1b (41), BVDV-1d (28), BVDV-1e (6), BVDV-1a (4), BVDV-1g (3) and BVDV1-k (3). Two pestivirus isolates were typed as BVDV-2 and one isolate as BDV closely related to Gifhorn strain (BDV-3). Correlation among isolates could only be observed at the farm level, i.e., within a herd. However, no correlation between the genetic and geographical distances could be observed above the farm level. Because of the wide distribution of certain BVDV-1 subtypes and the low prevalence of herd-specific strains, a determination of tracing routes of infection was not possible. Furthermore, recombination events were not detected.

Analysis of the resistance behaviour of indicator bacteria to several antibiotics in bulk milk using spatial point pattern methodology.

Between 2002 and 2004, indicator bacteria (Enterococcus, Escherichia coli) isolated from 799 bulk milk samples were tested against thirty different antibiotics for resistance. Systematic sampling over space (every eighth Styrian cattle breeding farm on an unaligned grid) was conducted within the scope of the bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) control programme. Results of resistance testing were assigned to their respective farms by means of LFBIS (information system for agricultural and forestry enterprises: land- und forstwirtschaftlichen Betriebsinformationssystem) numbers. The distribution of resistance was evaluated using a geographic information system. To show the application of spatial point pattern analysis, results of resistance testing of Enterococcus to tetracycline and streptomycin is presented. Kernel density estimation and K functions were used to determine whether the distribution of the resistant samples was clustered, relative to isolates from samples that were sensitive to these antibiotics. Initially, spatial clustering of resistance (tetracycline and streptomycin separately) was investigated. The space-time scan statistic was subsequently used to search for space-time clusters of resistance for both antibiotics simultaneously.

High prevalence of VanA-type vancomycin-resistant Enterococci in Austrian poultry.

Fecal samples from humans and food-producing animals were analyzed for the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The VRE carriage rate in humans was 6%, and there was a predominance of VanC-type resistance. Enterococcus faecium with vanA-mediated resistance was frequent in broiler chickens (42%) but rare in cattle and pig samples.