Defining the term "underserved:" A scoping review towards a standardized description of inadequate access to veterinary services.

This scoping review aims to establish a comprehensive definition of the term "underserved" as it applies to communities, individuals, and populations with inadequate access to animal health services, particularly for dogs. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and analyzed 30 articles, applying concepts of One Health and social determinants of health, by using 3 pre-determined categories of contributors to and indicators of underservice. The review categorized article-specific exemplars into veterinary-dependent barriers; community- and individual-related barriers; and health and welfare indicators; with subcategories illustrating features of underserved communities, individuals, or populations in each category. Ultimately, 3 definitions were developed. Animal Health Underserved Areas (AHUA) identify negative human and animal health and welfare outcomes secondary to inadequate access to animal health services in the community. Individuals may identify as underserved based on the same criteria (Animal Health Underserved Individuals, AHUI), and certain groups within otherwise adequately served areas may be identified as Animal Health Underserved Populations (AHUP). The AHUA, AHUI, and AHUP are frequently characterized as rural, remote, and/or Indigenous, and often face systemic marginalization. This inequitable access to animal health services creates human, animal, and community health challenges, underscoring the need for veterinary professionals and other stakeholders to prioritize equitable access to care. Findings from this review should inform development of a scoring system to enable comparative assessment of communities, individuals, and populations and allow strategic service and resource allocation in the future.

Définition du terme « mal desservi ¼ : un examen de la portée vers une description normalisée de l'accès inadéquat aux services vétérinaires. Cet examen de la portée vise à établir une définition complète du terme « mal desservi ¼ tel qu'il s'applique aux communautés, aux individus et aux populations ayant un accès inadéquat aux services de santé animale, en particulier pour les chiens. La revue a adhéré aux directives PRISMA et a analysé 30 articles, appliquant les concepts d'Une seule santé et des déterminants sociaux de la santé, en utilisant 3 catégories prédéterminées de contributeurs et d'indicateurs de sous-service. La recension a classé les exemples spécifiques à l'article en barrières dépendantes des vétérinaires; les obstacles liés à la communauté et à l'individu; et indicateurs de santé et de bien-être; avec des sous-catégories illustrant les caractéristiques des communautés, des individus ou des populations mal desservis dans chaque catégorie. Pour finir, 3 définitions ont été élaborées. Les zones mal desservies en santé animale (AHUA) identifient les résultats négatifs en matière de santé et de bienêtre humains et animaux secondaires à un accès insuffisant aux services de santé animale dans la communauté. Les individus peuvent être identifiés comme mal desservis sur la base des mêmes critères (Individus mal desservis en santé animale ­ AHUI), et certains groupes dans des zones par ailleurs correctement desservies peuvent être identifiés comme des populations mal desservies en santé animale (AHUP). Les AHUA, AHUI et AHUP sont souvent qualifiées de rurales, éloignées et/ou autochtones et sont souvent confrontées à une marginalisation systémique. Cet accès inéquitable aux services de santé animale crée des problèmes de santé humaine, animale et communautaire, soulignant la nécessité pour les professionnels vétérinaires et les autres parties prenantes de donner la priorité à un accès équitable aux soins. Les conclusions de cet examen devraient éclairer le développement d'un système de notation pour permettre une évaluation comparative des communautés, des individus et des populations et permettre à l'avenir une allocation stratégique des services et des ressources.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Developing a framework for a western Canadian companion animal surveillance initiative: Case definitions and the role of the veterinarian.

Objective: Surveillance data on companion animals in western Canada are extremely limited. Previous research by the principal investigators established a list of potential canine pathogens of relevance to public health for inclusion in the Western Canadian Companion Animal Surveillance Initiative (CASI). Our objective was to assess veterinary interest in contributing to companion animal surveillance, and to gather baseline data on specific canine pathogens of interest to create surveillance-specific case definitions. Procedure: An invitation to participate in an online survey was disseminated to all clinical veterinarians across the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Results: There was a moderate level of interest (median: 7.5/10) from veterinarians to participate in the surveillance of companion animals. The majority (85%, 51/60) of veterinarians participating in the survey recorded diagnosing at least 1 of the pathogens of interest over a 5-year interval. Based on survey responses, several surveillance case definitions were formulated for pathogen groups of interest, most of which require laboratory testing for confirmation. Conclusion and clinical relevance: This study identified the willingness, practicality, and importance of veterinarians or veterinary clinics participating in companion animal surveillance.

Élaboration d'un cadre pour une initiative de surveillance des animaux de compagnie dans l'Ouest canadien : définitions de cas et r ô le du vétérinaire. Objectif: Les données de surveillance sur les animaux de compagnie dans l'Ouest canadien sont extrêmement limitées. Des recherches antérieures menées par les chercheurs principaux ont établi une liste d'agents pathogènes canins potentiels pertinents pour la santé publique à inclure dans l'Initiative de surveillance des animaux de compagnie de l'Ouest canadien (CASI). Notre objectif était d'évaluer l'intérêt des vétérinaires à contribuer à la surveillance des animaux de compagnie et de recueillir des données de base sur des agents pathogènes canins spécifiques d'intérêt afin de créer des définitions de cas spécifiques à la surveillance. Procédure: Une invitation à participer à un sondage en ligne a été diffusée à tous les vétérinaires cliniques des provinces de l'Alberta, de la Saskatchewan et du Manitoba. Résultats: Il y avait un niveau d'intérêt modéré (médiane : 7,5/10) de la part des vétérinaires pour participer à la surveillance des animaux de compagnie. La majorité (85 %, 51/60) des vétérinaires participant à l'enquête ont déclaré avoir diagnostiqué au moins un des agents pathogènes d'intérêt sur un intervalle de 5 ans. Sur la base des réponses à l'enquête, plusieurs définitions de cas de surveillance ont été formulées pour des groupes d'agents pathogènes d'intérêt, dont la plupart nécessitent des tests de laboratoire pour confirmation. Conclusion et pertinence clinique: Cette étude a identifié la volonté, l'aspect pratique et l'importance des vétérinaires ou des cliniques vétérinaires participant à la surveillance des animaux de compagnie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Investigating SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility in Animal Species: A Scoping Review.

In the early stages of response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was imperative for researchers to rapidly determine what animal species may be susceptible to the virus, under low knowledge and high uncertainty conditions. In this scoping review, the animal species being evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, the methods used to evaluate susceptibility, and comparing the evaluations between different studies were conducted. Using the PRISMA-ScR methodology, publications and reports from peer-reviewed and gray literature sources were collected from databases, Google Scholar, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), snowballing, and recommendations from experts. Inclusion and relevance criteria were applied, and information was subsequently extracted, categorized, summarized, and analyzed. Ninety seven sources (publications and reports) were identified which investigated 649 animal species from eight different classes: Mammalia, Aves, Actinopterygii, Reptilia, Amphibia, Insecta, Chondrichthyes, and Coelacanthimorpha. Sources used four different methods to evaluate susceptibility, in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological analysis. Along with the different methods, how each source described "susceptibility" and evaluated the susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2 varied, with conflicting susceptibility evaluations evident between different sources. Early in the pandemic, in silico methods were used the most to predict animal species susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and helped guide more costly and intensive studies using in vivo or epidemiological analyses. However, the limitations of all methods must be recognized, and evaluations made by in silico and in vitro should be re-evaluated when more information becomes available, such as demonstrated susceptibility through in vivo and epidemiological analysis.

Understanding and strengthening wildlife and zoonotic disease policy processes: A research imperative.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgency and importance of monitoring, managing and addressing zoonotic diseases, and the acute challenges of doing so with sufficient inter-jurisdictional coordination in a dynamic global context. Although wildlife pathogens are well-studied clinically and ecologically, there is very little systematic scholarship on their management or on policy implications. The current global pandemic therefore presents a unique social science research imperative: to understand how decisions are made about preventing and responding to wildlife diseases, especially zoonoses, and how those policy processes can be improved as part of early warning systems, preparedness and rapid response. To meet these challenges, we recommend intensified research efforts towards: (i) generating functional insights about wildlife and zoonotic disease policy processes, (ii) enabling social and organizational learning to mobilize those insights, (iii) understanding epistemic instability to address populist anti-science and (iv) anticipating evolving and new zoonotic emergences, especially their human dimensions. Since policy processes for zoonoses can be acutely challenged during the early stages of an epidemic or pandemic, such insights can provide a pragmatic, empirically-based roadmap for enhancing their robustness and efficacy, and benefiting long-term decision-making efforts.

Establishment of apiary-level risk of American foulbrood through the detection of Paenibacillus larvae spores in pooled, extracted honey in Saskatchewan.

Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), produces spores that may be detectable within honey. We analyzed the spore content of pooled, extracted honey from 52 large-scale (L) and 64 small-scale (S) Saskatchewan beekeepers over a two-year period (2019-2020). Our objectives were: (i) establish reliable prognostic reference ranges for spore concentrations in extracted honey to determine future AFB risk at the apiary level; (ii) identify management practices as targets for mitigation of risk. P. larvae spores were detected in 753 of 1476 samples (51%). Beekeepers were stratified into low (< 2 spores/gram), moderate (2- < 100 spores/gram), and high (≥ 100 spores/gram) risk categories. Of forty-nine L beekeepers sampled in 2019, those that reported AFB in 2020 included 0/26 low, 3/18 moderate, and 3/5 high risk. Of twenty-seven L beekeepers sampled in 2020, those that reported AFB in 2021 included 0/11 low, 2/14 moderate, and 1/2 high risk. Predictive modelling included indoor overwintering of hives, purchase of used equipment, movement of honey-producing colonies between apiaries, beekeeper demographic, and antimicrobial use as risk category predictors. Saskatchewan beekeepers with fewer than 2 spores/gram in extracted honey that avoid high risk activities may be considered at low risk of AFB the following year.

The epidemiology and economics of pooled testing for disease investigations of lead exposure involving beef cattle in Saskatchewan (2007-2019).

From 2007 to 2019, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Disease Investigation Unit conducted lead investigations in 12 beef cow-calf herds and tested 1104 presumed exposed but clinically unaffected cattle, 49 of which were unsafe for slaughter (blood lead ≥ 0.1 ppm). In all investigations, the lead source should be evaluated, and all potentially exposed animals intended for food should be tested. Clinically affected animals should be tested individually. Individual testing of clinically unaffected animals may be expensive for large groups. However, pooling a conservative number of blood samples (n = 2 to 5) from clinically unaffected cattle may efficiently identify groups that are safe for slaughter. If a pooled test produces a blood lead concentration over the minimum threshold (0.1 ppm/n), these samples should be individually re-tested. Herd size, lead toxicity prevalence, pool size, and number of pools that require individual re-testing all affect the potential cost savings of pooled testing.

L'épidémiologie et l'économie des tests d'échantillons groupés pour les enquêtes sur les maladies d'exposition au plomb chez les bovins de boucherie en Saskatchewan (2007­2019). De 2007 à 2019, l'Unité d'investigation des maladies du Western College of Veterinary Medicine a mené des enquêtes sur le plomb dans 12 troupeaux de vaches-veaux de boucherie et a testé 1104 bovins présumés exposés mais cliniquement non affectés, dont 49 étaient dangereux pour l'abattage (plomb sanguin ≥ 0,1 ppm). Dans toutes les enquêtes, la source de plomb doit être évaluée et tous les animaux potentiellement exposés destinés à l'alimentation doivent être testés. Les animaux cliniquement atteints doivent être testés individuellement. Les tests individuels d'animaux cliniquement indemnes peuvent être coûteux pour les grands groupes. Cependant, le regroupement d'un nombre prudent d'échantillons de sang (n = 2 à 5) provenant de bovins cliniquement indemnes peut identifier efficacement les groupes qui sont sans danger pour l'abattage. Si un test groupé produit une concentration sanguine de plomb supérieure au seuil minimum (0,1 ppm/n), ces échantillons doivent être retestés individuellement. La taille du troupeau, la prévalence de la toxicité du plomb, la taille du pool et le nombre de pools qui nécessitent un nouveau test individuel affectent tous les économies de coûts potentielles des tests groupés.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Comparison of individual hive and apiary-level sample types for spores of Paenibacillus larvae in Saskatchewan honey bee operations.

Three commercial honey bee operations in Saskatchewan, Canada, with outbreaks of American foulbrood (AFB) and recent or ongoing metaphylactic antibiotic use were intensively sampled to detect spores of Paenibacillus larvae during the summer of 2019. Here, we compared spore concentrations in different sample types within individual hives, assessed the surrogacy potential of honey collected from honey supers in place of brood chamber honey or adult bees within hives, and evaluated the ability of pooled, extracted honey to predict the degree of spore contamination identified through individual hive testing. Samples of honey and bees from hives within apiaries with a recent, confirmed case of AFB in a single hive (index apiaries) and apiaries without clinical evidence of AFB (unaffected apiaries), as well as pooled, apiary-level honey samples from end-of-season extraction, were collected and cultured to detect and enumerate spores. Only a few hives were heavily contaminated by spores in any given apiary. All operations were different from one another with regard to both the overall degree of spore contamination across apiaries and the distribution of spores between index apiaries and unaffected apiaries. Within operations, individual hive spore concentrations in unaffected apiaries were significantly different from index apiaries in the brood chamber (BC) honey, honey super (HS) honey, and BC bees of one of three operations. Across all operations, BC honey was best for discriminating index apiaries from unaffected apiaries (p = 0.001), followed by HS honey (p = 0.06), and BC bees (p = 0.398). HS honey positively correlated with both BC honey (rs = 0.76, p < 0.0001) and bees (rs = 0.50, p < 0.0001) and may be useful as a surrogate for either. Spore concentrations in pooled, extracted honey seem to have predictive potential for overall spore contamination within each operation and may have prognostic value in assessing the risk of future AFB outbreaks at the apiary (or operation) level.

IIB or not IIB, part 1: retrospective evaluation of Kenney-Doig categorization of equine endometrial biopsies at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory and comparison with published reports.

The Kenney-Doig scale is a histopathology categorization (grading) system often used as the standard for assessing endometrial disease and communicating prognostic fertility information for equine breeding prospects. We investigated how Kenney-Doig categories compared within the same institution and across different institutions to determine if observer variability may contribute to category frequencies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all equine endometrial submission records between 1998 and 2018 at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and Prairie Diagnostic Services (PDS). Of 726 biopsies, we found the following category distribution: 46 of 726 (6.3%) I, 307 of 726 (42.3%) IIA, 326 of 726 (44.9%) IIB, and 47 of 726 (6.5%) III. We also conducted a review of the literature and included 6 studies reporting Kenney-Doig category distributions. Chi-square analysis showed significant differences between the category distribution found at WCVM and PDS and the category distribution reported in the 6 studies. To account for differences in mare populations, individual category distributions were generated for 5 pathologists at the WCVM and PDS. The Fisher exact test among these 5 Kenney-Doig categories revealed significant differences in category tendencies, suggesting that observer variation affects the use of the scale. Our results suggest that there is a need for prospective inter-rater and intra-rater agreement studies of the repeatability of the Kenney-Doig scale.

IIB or not IIB, part 2: assessing inter-rater and intra-rater repeatability of the Kenney-Doig scale in equine endometrial biopsy evaluation.

Inter- and intra-rater variability negatively affects the reliability of various histopathology grading scales used as prognostic aids in human and veterinary medicine. The Kenney-Doig categorization (grading) scale, which is used to associate equine endometrial histologic lesions with prognostic estimation of a broodmare's reproductive potential, has not been evaluated for inter- or intra-rater variability, to our knowledge. To assess whether the Kenney-Doig system produces reliable results among observers, 8 pathologists, all with American College of Veterinary Pathologists certification, were recruited to blindly categorize the same set of 63 digital equine endometrial biopsy slides as well as to re-evaluate anonymously 21 of 63 of these slides at a later time. Cohen kappa values for pairwise comparison of final Kenney-Doig categories were -0.05 to 0.46 (unweighted) and 0.08-0.64 (weighted), with an average Light kappa of 0.19 (unweighted) and 0.36 (weighted) across all 8 pathologists, 0.14 (unweighted) and 0.33 (weighted) for pathologists at different institutions, and 0.22 (unweighted) and 0.46 (weighted) for pathologists at the same institution. Intra-class correlations measuring intra-rater agreement were 0.12-0.77 with an average of 0.55 for all 8 pathologists. We found that only slight-to-moderate inter-rater agreement and poor-to-good intra-rater agreement was produced by 8 pathologists using the Kenney-Doig scale, suggesting that the system is subject to significant observer variability and care should be taken when communicating Kenney-Doig categories to submitting clinicians with emphasis on the quality of endometrial lesions present instead of the category and associated expected foaling rate.

Defining important canine zoonotic pathogens within the Prairie Provinces of Canada.

The goal of this study was to establish a short list of zoonotic pathogens involving the domestic dog that can be prioritized for a companion animal surveillance program specific to the Prairie Provinces of Canada. A list of pathogens documented in dogs was created through a comprehensive review of infectious disease textbooks for the following taxonomical categories: bacteria, ectoparasites, fungi, helminths, protozoa, rickettsia, and viruses. This created an initial list of 594 pathogens that was then pared down through an extensive review of the literature using the following criteria: i) the pathogen is zoonotic/sapronotic/anthroponotic; ii) the dog is involved in transmission to humans, maintenance, or detection of the pathogen; and iii) there is a level of risk for occurrence of the pathogen in Canada. This process yielded a final list of 84 pathogens and 3 supplementary lists of canine zoonotic/sapronotic/anthroponotic pathogens that may become relevant to future surveillance programs.

Définition des agents pathogènes zoonotiques canins importants dans les provinces des Prairies du Canada. Le but de cette étude était d'établir une courte liste d'agents pathogènes zoonotiques impliquant le chien domestique qui peuvent être priorisés pour un programme de surveillance des animaux de compagnie propre aux provinces des Prairies du Canada. Une liste d'agents pathogènes documentés chez les chiens a été créée grâce à un examen complet des manuels sur les maladies infectieuses pour les catégories taxonomiques suivantes : bactéries, ectoparasites, champignons, helminthes, protozoaires, rickettsies et virus. Cela a créé une liste initiale de 594 agents pathogènes qui a ensuite été réduite grâce à un examen approfondi de la littérature en utilisant les critères suivants : i) l'agent pathogène est zoonotique/sapronotique/anthroponotique; ii) le chien est impliqué dans la transmission à l'homme, le maintien ou la détection de l'agent pathogène; et iii) il existe un niveau de risque d'apparition de l'agent pathogène au Canada. Ce processus a donné une liste finale de 84 agents pathogènes et trois listes supplémentaires d'agents pathogènes zoonotiques/sapronotiques/anthroponotiques canins qui pourraient devenir pertinents pour les futurs programmes de surveillance.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Traceback of the Psoroptes outbreak in British Columbian bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis).

Psoroptes are a non-burrowing, ectoparasitic, mange-causing mite that has been documented in American bighorn sheep populations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries; however, it was not seen on Canadian bighorn sheep until 2006. The aim of this study was to determine the potential source of the Psoroptes outbreak in Canadian bighorn sheep. Morphological and molecular analyses were used to compare mites recovered from outbreak-associated bighorn sheep, pet rabbits in Canada, and on historically infested bighorn sheep in the USA. The results revealed that Psoroptes acquired from the Canadian and outbreak-associated American bighorn sheep were morphologically more similar to those collected from rabbits than mites on historically infested bighorn sheep. Outer opisthosomal setae lengths measured an average of 81.7 µm (±7.7 µm) in outbreak associated bighorn mites, 88.9 µm (±12.0 µm) in rabbit mites and 151.2 µm (±16.6 µm) in historically infested bighorn mites. The opisthosomal lobe morphology of bighorn mites in the outbreak herds was also more similar to that of rabbit mites, previously described as P. cuniculi, than historically infested bighorn mites, which match previous descriptions of P. ovis. This finding was supported by DNA sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome B gene. This is the first report of Psoroptes of the rabbit ecotype on bighorn sheep. The morphological and molecular data therefore support the hypothesis that the source of Psoroptes outbreak in Canadian bighorn sheep represented a disease spillover event from rabbits rather than transmission from infested American bighorn sheep populations.

Investigation of clinical outbreaks of American foulbrood in honey-bee operations in Saskatchewan.

Four outbreaks of American foulbrood were investigated in honey-bee operations in Saskatchewan during the summer of 2019. Clinical signs were confirmed by the Saskatchewan Provincial Specialist in Apiculture and the causative agent was cultured and identified through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Evaluation of management practices revealed off-label metaphylactic use of oxytetracycline in 3 of 4 operations and a discontinuation of antibiotic use in the fourth. Recent regulatory changes regarding access to medically important antimicrobials has provided an opportunity for veterinarians to promote evidence-based use of antimicrobials in apiculture while safe-guarding the health of commercial honeybee populations and the economic viability of their producers.

Enquête sur des poussées de cas cliniques de loque américaine dans des opérations d'abeilles mellifères en Saskatchewan. Quatre poussées de cas de loque américaine furent investiguées dans des opérations d'abeilles mellifères en Saskatchewan durant l'été 2019. Les signes cliniques furent confirmés par le Spécialiste provincial en apiculture de la Saskatchewan et l'agent causal fut cultivé et identifié par spectroscopie de masse par ionisation laser assistée par une matrice et analyse à temps de vol (MALDI-TOF MS). Une évaluation des pratiques de gestion a révélé l'utilisation métaphylactique en dérogation d'oxytétracycline dans trois des quatre opérations et un arrêt de l'utilisation d'antibiotique dans la quatrième. Des changements réglementaires récents concernant l'accès à des antimicrobiens importants médicalement ont fourni une opportunité aux vétérinaires de faire la promotion de l'utilisation factuelle des antimicrobiens en apiculture tout en conservant la santé des populations d'abeilles mellifères et la viabilité économique des apiculteurs.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Equus caballus Papillomavirus Type 2 Infection in Equine Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Western Canadian Horses.

Equus caballus papillomavirus type-2 (EcPV-2) has been proposed as a causal factor in equine genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study had 2 objectives: first, calculate the frequency of papillomavirus (PV) and EcPV-2 infection in papillomas, carcinomas in situ (CIS), and SCCs in Western Canadian horses; and second, determine if EcPV-2 status of equine SCCs is associated with overall survival (OS). EcPV-2 status of 115 archived tissue samples, spanning 6 years, was determined using broad spectrum (MY09/11) and EcPV-2-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, EcPV-2-E6/E7 chromogenic RNA in situ hybridization (R-ISH), and amplicon sequencing. A retrospective survey gathered data on history, outcome, breeding, treatment, and rationales of referring veterinarians when managing PV-associated diseases. Histologic grade and completeness of surgical margins of SCCs were also considered. EcPV-2 DNA was identified in 10/58 (17%) SCC, 8/27 (30%) papillomas, 0/5 CIS, and 0/11 lesions identified as "other." Overall, 18/101 (18%) of these lesions were positive for EcPV-2. EcPV-2 was identified in 10/35 (29%) SCCs arising from genital tissues but in 0/22 SCCs from other locations. There was no association between breeding history and EcPV-2 status of genital SCCs. EcPV-2 status of genital SCCs was not associated with OS (P = .76). The strongest negative predictors of OS were a lack of treatment (P < .01) and recurrence post-treatment (P < .01). Weaker predictors of OS included older age at time of diagnosis (P = .02). Completeness of margins at surgical excision, concurrent disease, treatment type, anatomic location of the SCC (anogenital vs other), and histologic grade of the SCC did not influence OS (P > .1).

Effects of the Glucosinolate Sinigrin in Combination With a Noniodine Supplemented Diet on Serum Iodine and Thyroid Hormone Concentrations in Nonpregnant Mares.

Exposure to plants containing glucosinolates (GSLs) affects thyroid function in many species, in horses is implicated in the birth of foals with congenital hypothyroidism. The present study was performed to determine the effect of feeding a GSL (sinigrin) in combination with a low-iodine diet for 12 weeks on thyroid hormones and serum iodine concentrations in nonpregnant mares. Nineteen mares aged 2-14 years were divided into control (n = 6), low (20 mmol/day) (n = 7) and high GSL (35 mmol/day) (n = 6) groups. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests and serum iodine measurements were performed at 0 and 12 weeks. Total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were measured at the baseline and in post-TRH samples. The post-TRH value minus the basal value (Delta Δ) and fold change (FC) were calculated for TSH, TT3, and TT4. Data were analyzed at P < .05. Highlights included Delta Δ and FC TT4 and TT3 concentrations having a group and week interaction (P < .001) with week 12 control mares having higher values than mares in week 12 low and high GSL groups. TT4 FC values had a group (P < .001) and group by week interaction (P < .001) with week 12 control concentrations higher (P < .006) than all groups. Iodine concentrations decreased (P < .002) over time in GSL mares. In conclusion, feeding mares a low-iodine diet with 20 and 35 mmol sinigrin/day resulted in lower serum iodine concentrations.

A Field Study of Serum, Colostrum, Milk Iodine, and Thyroid Hormone Concentrations in Postpartum Draft Mares and Foals.

Iodine, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are required for normal fetal growth, maturation, and neonatal survival. There is a lack of robust information on iodine levels found in colostrum, milk, and serum of mares and foals after a healthy pregnancy. Our objective was to characterize colostrum, milk, and serum iodine levels in healthy postpartum mares and foals (n = 10) and explore relationships with thyroid hormone concentrations. Colostrum, milk, and jugular blood samples from draft breed mares and foals with an estimated average iodine daily intake of 39 mg per mare during pregnancy were obtained at Day 0 (foaling date) and/or 10 days later. Parameters studied were (1) mare basal concentrations of serum: TT3, TT4, and iodine; (2) iodine in colostrum at Day 0 and milk iodine (Day 10); and (3) foal basal: TT3, TT4, and serum iodine (Days 0 and 10). Median ± median error colostrum iodine levels (165 ± 15.1 µg/L) were higher than milk (48 ± 5.6 µg/L; P = .007) levels. Median ± median error foal serum iodine (268.5 ± 7.6 µg/L), TT4 (1,225 ± 47.8 nmol/L), and TT3 (14.2 ± 1.1 nmol/L) at foaling date were higher than at 10 days (serum iodine: 70 ± 3.6 µg/L; TT4: 69.6. ± 20.4 nmol/L; and TT3: 5.4 ± 0.3 nmol/L). In conclusion, equine mammary tissue concentrates iodine beyond plasma levels, making colostrum and milk a significant source of iodine. Foal serum iodine levels are high in the neonatal period and are positively correlated with TT4, which is important for neonatal adaptation.

In Vitro Effects of Pesticides on European Foulbrood in Honeybee Larvae.

Neonicotinoid and fungicide exposure has been linked to immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to disease in honeybees (Apis mellifera). European foulbrood, caused by the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, is a disease of honeybee larvae which causes economic hardship for commercial beekeepers, in particular those whose colonies pollinate blueberries. We report for the first time in Canada, an atypical variant of M. plutonius isolated from a blueberry-pollinating colony. With this isolate, we used an in vitro larval infection system to study the effects of pesticide exposure on the development of European foulbrood disease. Pesticide doses tested were excessive (thiamethoxam and pyrimethanil) or maximal field-relevant (propiconazole and boscalid). We found that chronic exposure to the combination of thiamethoxam and propiconazole significantly decreased the survival of larvae infected with M. plutonius, while larvae chronically exposed to thiamethoxam and/or boscalid or pyrimethanil did not experience significant increases in mortality from M. plutonius infection in vitro. Based on these results, individual, calculated field-realistic residues of thiamethoxam and/or boscalid or pyrimethanil are unlikely to increase mortality from European foulbrood disease in honeybee worker brood, while the effects of field-relevant exposure to thiamethoxam and propiconazole on larval mortality from European foulbrood warrant further study.

Effects of chronic dietary thiamethoxam and prothioconazole exposure on Apis mellifera worker adults and brood.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure of honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) to the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam and the fungicide prothioconazole is common during foraging in agricultural landscapes. We evaluated the survival and hypopharyngeal gland development of adult worker honey bees, and the survival of the worker brood when chronically exposed to thiamethoxam or thiamethoxam and prothioconazole in combination. RESULTS: We found that 30 days of exposure to 40 µg kg-1 of thiamethoxam significantly (P < 0.001) increased the frequency of death in worker adults by four times relative to solvent control. The worker brood required 23 times higher doses of thiamethoxam (1 mg L-1 or 909 µg kg-1 ) before a significant (P = 0.04), 3.9 times increase in frequency of death was observed relative to solvent control. No additive effects of simultaneous exposure of worker adults or brood to thiamethoxam and prothioconazole were observed. At day 8 and day 12, the hypopharyngeal gland acinar diameter was not significantly different (P > 0.05) between controls and adult workers exposed to thiamethoxam and/or prothioconazole. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that chronic exposure to field-realistic doses of thiamethoxam and/or prothioconazole are unlikely to affect the survival of adult workers and brood. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Disease investigations for equine infectious anemia in Canada (2009-2012) - Retrospective evaluation and risk factor analysis.

This retrospective study describes the detection of equine infectious anemia (EIA) during Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) disease investigations in Canada, examines aspects of importance for disease control, and evaluates potential animal-level risk factors for EIA in high-risk horses. Based on review of all EIA-positive samples and all samples collected during disease investigations (N = 4553) over a 4-year period (2009 to 2012), 409 EIA cases were detected. Horse owners with EIA cases owned between 1 and 60 affected animals, and 49 horses seroconverted during a disease investigation period. Twenty-nine percent of cases (n = 68) for which this information was available had, or possibly had, clinical signs of EIA. Using a mixed effects logistic regression model, horses in older age groups were at greater odds of having a positive EIA status. The study emphasizes the importance of disease investigation activities when EIA is detected and identifies age as an animal-level risk factor in high-risk horses.

Enquêtes médicales pour l'anémie infectieuse équine au Canada (2009­2012) ­ Évaluation rétrospective et analyse des facteurs de risques. Cette étude rétrospective décrit la détection de l'anémie infectieuse équine (EIA) durant les enquêtes médicales de l'Agence canadienne d'inspection des aliments (CFIA) au Canada, examine les aspects importants pour la maitrise de la maladie, et évalue les facteurs de risque potentiels au niveau des animaux pour l'EIA chez les chevaux à risque élevé. Sur la base d'une revue de tous les échantillons positifs pour l'EIA et tous les échantillons prélevés durant les enquêtes (N = 4553) pendant une période de 4 ans (2009­2012), 409 cas d'EIA furent détectés. Les propriétaires de chevaux avec EIA possédaient entre 1 et 60 animaux affectés, et 49 chevaux ont séro-converti durant une période d'enquête. Vingt-neuf pourcents des cas (n = 68) pour lesquels l'information était disponible avaient, ou avaient possiblement eu, des signes cliniques d'EIA. Utilisant un modèle de régression logistique à effets mixtes, les chevaux des groupes d'animaux plus âgés étaient à plus grand risque d'avoir un statut positif pour l'EIA. Cette étude fait ressortir l'importance des activités d'enquêtes médicales lorsque l'EIA est détectée et identifie l'âge comme étant un facteur de risque au niveau de l'animal chez les chevaux à risque élevé.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Tuberculosis in Canada and the United States: a review of trends from 1953 to 2015.

OBJECTIVES: To explore tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Canada and the United States from 1953 to 2015. In the most recent decade, the US incidence was lower than that of Canada. Since both countries are high income and have low TB incidence with similar TB surveillance programs, we hypothesized that rates should be similar. METHODS: TB incidence data from 1953 to 2015 were retrieved for both countries. Joinpoint regression was performed to identify change points in the trend, and direct standardization of US rates using Canadian ethnic population distribution was calculated. Adjusted rate and average annual percent change (AAPC) were estimated. RESULTS: Canada rates/100,000 were higher from 1953 to 1974 and similar from 1975 to 1985. This coincided with a change in US case definition in 1975. US rates were higher from 1986 to 1996. HIV/TB coinfection in the USA was 10.2% compared to that of Canada, 1.6%. Rates were similar from 1997 to 2004. Canada rates were again higher from 2005 to 2015. The Canada average AAPC rate in 1975-2015 was lower, - 2.9%, compared to that of the USA, - 4.1%. Foreign-born and Indigenous population proportions were 20.2% and 4.2% for Canada and 12.9% and 1.7% for the USA. The US rate adjusted to the Canada ethnic composition was 4.8 compared to the Canadian rate of 4.7. CONCLUSION: Case definition change and HIV coinfection contributed to the 1980 US rate increase. TB rates decreased in both countries from 1997, but more rapidly in the USA. The Canada proportion of foreign-born and Indigenous populations was higher. When US rates were standardized by Canada ethnic distribution, the national rates were similar. Further exploration of factors contributing to differences between these countries is needed.

The global distribution of Bacillus anthracis and associated anthrax risk to humans, livestock and wildlife.

Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming, Gram-positive bacterium responsible for anthrax, an acute infection that most significantly affects grazing livestock and wild ungulates, but also poses a threat to human health. The geographic extent of B. anthracis is poorly understood, despite multi-decade research on anthrax epizootic and epidemic dynamics; many countries have limited or inadequate surveillance systems, even within known endemic regions. Here, we compile a global occurrence dataset of human, livestock and wildlife anthrax outbreaks. With these records, we use boosted regression trees to produce a map of the global distribution of B. anthracis as a proxy for anthrax risk. We estimate that 1.83 billion people (95% credible interval (CI): 0.59-4.16 billion) live within regions of anthrax risk, but most of that population faces little occupational exposure. More informatively, a global total of 63.8 million poor livestock keepers (95% CI: 17.5-168.6 million) and 1.1 billion livestock (95% CI: 0.4-2.3 billion) live within vulnerable regions. Human and livestock vulnerability are both concentrated in rural rainfed systems throughout arid and temperate land across Eurasia, Africa and North America. We conclude by mapping where anthrax risk could disrupt sensitive conservation efforts for wild ungulates that coincide with anthrax-prone landscapes.