Unaffected semen quality parameters in Neospora caninum seropositive Belgian Blue bulls.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion, perinatal mortality, and subfertility in cattle worldwide. Despite the presence of the DNA of the parasite in semen of infected bulls, the effect on semen quality has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a natural Neospora caninum infection on fresh and frozen semen quality parameters in Belgian Blue bulls. Two hundred and fourteen bulls were serologically screened with an indirect ELISA-test specific for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies, every two months during one year. In addition to serological screening, semen was collected twice weekly using an artificial vagina. The following semen quality parameters were assessed: ejaculate volume, concentration, total motility of fresh semen samples, as well as morphology, total and progressive motility for frozen/thawed semen samples. Bulls were semen sampled throughout the whole year, but only semen samples of bulls that had six consecutive positive or negative ELISA-test results were included in our dataset (n = 98). Generalized linear and binomial mixed models were used for statistical analysis of each outcome variable. In these models the explanatory variables were defined as: age, barn location, mean Temperature Humidity Index (THI) during sperm production (14-42 days before sampling), maximum daily THI at collection, season of sperm production, season at collection and the Neospora caninum antibody test results. Initially, individual explanatory variables were tested in univariable models for each outcome variable. Akaike information criterion (AIC) values were used to select explanatory variables to build a multivariable model, where the Neospora caninum test result was forced in all models. The present study reveals an overall apparent seroprevalence of Neospora caninum of 9,2% in the study population. No significant associations were detected between natural neosporosis, substantiated by ELISA-antibody levels, and any of our tested outcome variables on fresh and frozen/thawed semen samples. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that Neospora caninum seropositive bulls do not have lower semen quality parameters compared with seronegative bulls.

How to Assess Data Availability, Accessibility and Format for Risk Analysis?

Risk assessments are mostly carried out based on available data, which do not reflect all data theoretically required by experts to answer them. This study aimed at developing a methodology to assess data availability, accessibility and format, based on a scoring system and focusing on two diseases: Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE), still exotic to Europe, and alveolar echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis (EM), endemic in several Member States (MSs). After reviewing 36 opinions of the EFSA-AHAW Panel on risk assessment of animal health questions, a generic list of needed data was elaborated. The methodology consisted, first, in implementing a direct and an indirect survey to collect the data needed for both case studies: the direct survey consisted in a questionnaire sent to contact points of three European MSs (Belgium, France and the Netherlands), and the organization of a workshop gathering experts on both diseases. The indirect survey, focusing on the three MSs involved in the direct survey plus Spain, relied on web searches. Secondly, a scoring system with reference to data availability, accessibility and format was elaborated, to, finally, compare both diseases and data between MSs. The accessibility of data was generally related to their availability. Web searches resulted in more data available for VEE compared to EM, despite its current exotic status in the European Union. Hypertext markup language and portable document files were the main formats of available data. Data availability, accessibility and format should be improved for research scientists/assessors. The format of data plays a key role in the feasibility and rapidness of data management and analysis, through a prompt compilation, combination and aggregation in working databases. Harmonization of data collection process is encouraged, according to standardized procedures, to provide useful and reliable data, both at the national and the international levels for both animal and human health; it would allow assessing data gaps through comparative studies. The present methodology is a good way of assessing the relevance of data for risk assessment, as it allows integrating the uncertainty linked to the quality of data used. Such an approach could be described as transparent and traceable and should be performed systematically.

Comparison of four refractometers for the investigation of the passive transfer in beef calves.

BACKGROUND: Failure of passive transfer (FPT) in beef calves can be detected by refractometry. Nevertheless, different models of refractometers are available, and few studies compare them for the detection of FPT. OBJECTIVES: To compare the accuracy of 4 different refractometers for measuring serum total protein concentrations in comparison with results obtained by the biuret method and, based on the serum IgG threshold of 1,600 mg/mL, to determine, for each refractometer, the optimal serum protein concentration's lowest threshold for successful passive transfer. ANIMALS: One hundred and eight healthy beef calves, 3-8 days of age. METHODS: Observational study. The concentrations of serum total proteins were determined with 4 different models of refractometers and compared with the biuret method by a Bland-Altman statistical method. The optimal serum protein concentration's lowest threshold for successful passive transfer was determined for each refractometer by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In addition, the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration was compared with the serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) activity and with the total immunoglobulin concentration. RESULTS: The refractometric measurements were highly correlated with those obtained by the biuret method. Serum total protein concentration threshold values of 56, 58, 54, and 56 g/L were found respectively for the Atago, Atago ATC, Wolf ATC, and digital ATC refractometers. Immunoglobulins were highly correlated with IgG, whereas γ-GT only reflected colostrum uptake by the calf. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: All refractometers could be used for the assessment of passive transfer using their individual serum protein concentration threshold.

[Economic management of health crises affecting production animals in Europe]. / Instruments de gestion economique des crises sanitaires touchant les animaux de production en Europe.

The importance of animal health crises has considerably increased over the last few years. When a crisis occurs, farmers can receive financial support through various public, private and mixed compensation schemes. Economic losses resulting from diseases may be direct and indirect. If a disease is covered by European Union regulations then countries have a legal obligation to partly compensate farmers for direct losses, either directly through the national budget, or through a specific fund. The European Veterinary Fund also co-finances these losses. Only a few countries provide compensation for indirect losses. The private insurance sector also provides protection against some direct and indirect losses but the risks covered are variable. To encourage farmers to subscribe to this kind of insurance, some public authorities provide subsidies to help pay the premium. Insurance companies do not generally cover the risks linked to contagious diseases, but some companies do extend cover to include this type of risk. Several alternatives, such as mutual funds, are available to improve risk coverage. There is a lack of harmonisation among the various compensation schemes of different countries. Public authorities cannot provide full compensation, but mutual funds and private insurance companies are alternatives that should be further investigated and their use should be extended to other countries. A classification of diseases would harmonise the situation at the European level.

Sputum induction in young cystic fibrosis patients.

A culture from the lower airway secretions is the optimal sample to guide antibiotic therapy in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. The authors therefore examined whether sputum induction is an efficient, safe and acceptable procedure in CF children without spontaneous expectorations. Nineteen patients were studied. Their mean age (range) was 8.6 yrs (4.3-15.2 yrs). Their mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 88% predicted (46-122%). NaCl solutions from 0.9-6% were inhaled, after baseline lung function tests before and after salbutamol. All patients did produce secretions. Alveolar macrophages were present in 16/19 induced samples. The procedure induced minor but significant bronchoconstriction: the mean change (range) in postsalbutamol FEV1 (% pred) was -7 (-24-16). Percutaneous oxygen saturation remained above 90% in all children. The test had to be discontinued in one child because of cough and wheeze. Acceptability of the procedure evaluated using a visual analogue scale from -7-7 showed a mean value (range) at the final concentration of -1.23 (-6.16-5.88). It is concluded that sputum induction is possible, safe and acceptable in cystic fibrosis children who do not expectorate spontaneously.