Summer seasonal prevalence of Culicoides species from pre-alpine areas in Switzerland.

Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are arthropods of veterinary importance since they can transmit pathogens and cause severe allergic dermatitis in horses. Very little is known about the species at higher altitudes and their seasonal dynamics. In this work, adult Culicoides were collected with Onderstepoort UV-light suction traps (OVI) from June to September 2016 at two areas situated at around 1600 m asl (pre-alpine area I, 2 farms) and 2030 m asl (pre-alpine area II, 1 farm) in the Canton of Grisons (south-east Switzerland). Overall, 17 049 Culicoides were collected, including 871 parous females. A total of 50 individuals/trap/night (n = 1050) were identified to species (17 species) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. The remaining 15 128 Culicoides were classified to species groups' level. Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen, 1818), a multivoltine species, was mainly present at 1600 m asl, whereas at high altitudes (2030 m asl), C. grisescens Edwards, 1939 I&II were the most abundant species. In particular, C. grisescens II, which seems to be univoltine, occurred later in the season but significantly increasing over time. Species diversity was higher at pre-alpine I area (n = 16 species) compared to pre-alpine II (n = 10 species).

Effects of diets differing in dietary cation-anion difference and calcium concentration on calcium homeostasis in neutered male sheep.

Feeding low dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) diets is one strategy to prevent milk fever in cows. The mechanism of action, as well as whether the calcium (Ca) supply of such diets combined with this feeding regimen should meet the requirements, is still unclear. Small ruminants are commonly used as models for cows. The goal of the present study was to demonstrate basic effects of DCAD against a background of different Ca supplies in a sheep model. Twenty-three castrated male East Friesian milk sheep, aged 11 to 12 mo, were randomly assigned to 4 different feeding groups. The ration of each group was either high (highDCAD) or low in DCAD (lowDCAD) combined with adequate (nCa) or restricted Ca supply (lowCa). At baseline, serum and urine were collected from all sheep and a peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the left metatarsus was performed. After a 14-d adaptation period to the different diets, the experiment started (d 0). Urine, feces, and serum were collected on d 0, 4, 7, 14, and 22, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography was performed on d 0 and 22. On d 22, the sheep were killed and sampled for functional studies. LowDCAD was significantly associated with lower urine pH, higher urinary Ca excretion, higher ionized Ca in blood, and higher serum Ca concentrations. Blood pH and bone parameters did not differ significantly between groups. It is unclear from which compartment the high amounts of Ca excreted with urine in the lowDCAD groups originated. Interestingly, lowDCAD resulted in higher renal mRNA abundance of parathyroid hormone receptor but unaffected mRNA abundance of Ca transporters. As neither renal abundance of these transporters nor Ca excretion were influenced by dietary Ca supply, our results support the hypothesis that increased urinary Ca observed with low DCAD diets represents a loss rather than an excretion of surplus Ca.

Studies on the population biology of helminth parasites of fish species from the Caspian Sea drainage basin.

The northern section of the Caspian Sea and lower reaches of the Zhaiyk (Ural) River is an important fishery for Kazakhstan. In the present study, a total of 1597 individuals of ten fish species were analysed. The fish were caught over three years, from 2018 to 2020. For each species studied - Abramis brama, Alosa saposchnikowii, Atherina boyeri caspia, Carassius gibelio, Chelon auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Leuciscus aspius, Rutilus caspius, Sander marinus and Sander volgensis - between 100 and 200 individuals were examined. A series of generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to examine the association between individual parasite intensity of infection and the Fulton index, age, year the fish was captured, where the fish was captured (northern Caspian or Zhaiyk River) and sex. For each GLM, the best-fitting probability distribution was used -either Poisson, zero-inflated Poisson, negative binomial or zero-inflated negative binomial. For some fish/parasite species, an increased Fulton index was associated with higher intensities of parasite infection, whilst, for others, the Fulton index decreased with the intensity of parasite infection. This was also true of age-related intensity of infection, with some parasites having an increased intensity of infection with age whilst others had a decreased intensity of infection with age. There was also some evidence of variation in intensity of parasite infection between different years when the fish were caught. For some species of fish that are endemic to both the fresh waters of the Zhaiyk River and the low-saline waters of the northern Caspian, there were variations in intensity of parasite infection between the two environments. The best-fitting probability distribution also gave some information about the dynamics of infection. No fish species had a Poisson distribution of parasites, which is consistent with an entirely random infection process, with all fish being potentially exposed. For some parasites, the distribution was a zero-inflated Poisson, which is consistent with either the fish being exposed to parasite infection or not; and, if exposed, infection was a random process. Other parasites had a negative binomial distribution, consistent with the entire fish population being exposed, but the infection process was clumped or there were variations in the susceptibility of infection between fish. Finally, some of the parasites had a zero-inflated negative binomial distribution, which can be interpreted as part of the fish population not being exposed and the remainder of the population being exposed to a clumped or aggregated infection process and/or a variation in individual susceptibility to infection.

Helminth Parasites of Fish of the Kazakhstan Sector of the Caspian Sea and Associated Drainage Basin.

The northern section of the Caspian Sea is an important fishery for Kazakhstan. In the present study, a total of 606 individuals of 13 fish species were collected. For each of Abramis brama, Alosa saposchnikowii, Atherina boyeri caspia, Carassius auratus, Clupeonella cultriventris, Cyprinus carpio, Liza aurata, Leuciscus aspius, Rutilus rutilus caspius, Sander lucioperca, Sander marinus, and Sander volgensis 50 individuals were examined whilst 6 individuals of Siluris glanis were examined. The nematode parasite Anisakis schupakovi was found in all fish species except Liza aurata, Carassius aurata, Cyprinus carpio and Rutilus rutilus at intensities ranging from 1 to 1197 parasites per infected fish. Trematodes of family Diplostomidae were also isolated from all fish except Alosa saposhnikowii, Clupeonella cultriventris and Sander marinus at intensities ranging from 1 to 242 parasites per infected fish. Other parasites found included the nematodes Porrocaecum reticulatum, Contracecum sp, Camallanus sp and Eustrongylus excisus; the cestodes Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus, Bothriocephalus opsariichthydis; the monogenean parasites Mazocraes alosa, Ancyrocephalus paradocus, Gyrodactylus spp, Ligophorus vanbenedenii and Dactylogyrus spp; and the crustacean parasites Ergasilus sp. and Synergasilus sp. In addition one unidentified species of nematode and a bivalve of the genus Unio was recovered from Rutilus rutilus caspius. There was no association between Fulton's condition index and intensity of parasite infection.

Genotypes of Echinococcus isolated from domestic livestock in Kazakhstan.

The diversity and importance of Echinococcus species in domesticated animals in Kazakhstan are poorly understood. In this study, 17 cysts of Echinococcus were collected from cattle and a further 17 cysts from sheep. DNA was extracted from the individual cysts and used for polymerase chain reaction amplification of mitochondrial subunit 1 of the cox1 and nadh1 gene. Amplicon sequencing results revealed the presence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto G1 in 15 cattle and 15 sheep, and G3 genotype from two cattle. Echinococcus canadensis (G6/G7 strain) was found in two cysts originating from sheep.

[Differences by geographical information system in prevalence of disease in a farm animal practise]. / Räumliche Unterschiede in der Prävalenz von Rinderkrankheiten in einer Nutztierpraxis.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, the incidence of diseases in cattle in the area of a veterinary practice was analyzed spatially. Furthermore, the relationship between the incidence of diseases and the distance to geographical elements was investigated. For this study, all cattle farms that were customers of the ambulatory clinic of the animal hospital in Zurich (Tierspital Zürich) were exactly localized on a map. From clinical and treatment data program (Oblon Data®) all services and drugs between January 1st 2013 and December 31st 2013 were evaluated and added as attributes to the according farm. Along with the data of the animals kept on the respective farm, the relationship between prevalences and geographical elements was analyzed. Using these data, it was possible to define fifteen diseases of which incidences were spatially analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS). The results indicate that also on the level of a veterinary practice there are spatial differences in the incidence of diseases to find. However, the majority of diseases occur mainly in regions where the density of animals is also very high. As in earlier findings, this suggests that the size, the management and the proximity of a farm to the next farm (density) have a strong impact. A connection could be found between the distance to the geographical elements street, water and forest and the incidences of gastrointestinal parasitosis, claw disorders, reproduction disorders and cryptosporidiosis.

INTRODUCTION: Dans la présente étude, l'incidence des maladies chez les bovins à l'intérieur d'une clientèle rurale a été analysée spatialement. En outre, la relation entre l>incidence des maladies et les éléments géographiques a été étudiée. Pour cette étude, toutes les exploitations d'élevage clientes de la clinique ambulatoire de l'hôpital vétérinaire de Zurich (Tierspital Zürich) ont été exactement localisées sur une carte. Toutes les interventions facturées et les médicaments prescrits entre le 1er janvier 2013 et le 31 décembre 2013 ont été évalués et liés en tant qu'attributs à chaque exploitation. À l'aide de ces données, il a été possible de définir quinze maladies dont les incidences ont été analysées spatialement à l'aide d'un système d'information géographique (SIG). Les résultats indiquent que, également au niveau de la pratique vétérinaire, il existe des différences spatiales dans l'incidence des maladies. Cependant, la plupart des maladies surviennent principalement dans des régions où la densité animale est également très élevée. Comme dans les conclusions précédentes, cela suggère que la taille, la gestion et la proximité d'une exploitation à l'autre (densité) ont un impact important. Un lien pourrait être trouvé entre la distance aux éléments géographiques route, cours d'eau et forêts et les incidences de parasitoses gastro-intestinales, de corps étrangers, de pathologie des onglons, de troubles de la reproduction et de cryptosporidiose.

Diversity and seasonal abundances of mosquitoes at potential arboviral transmission sites in two different climate zones in Switzerland.

Pathogens of medical or veterinary significance that are transmitted by mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are (re-)emerging in Europe [e.g. West Nile virus (WNV), Dirofilaria nematodes]. Little is known about the spatiotemporal abundances of mosquito species in Switzerland. Therefore, mosquito population dynamics were investigated, focusing on areas of risk for sylvatic or synanthropic transmission, such as natural sites and suburban sites on either side of the Alpine crest. Repeated collections were made using Centers for Disease Control (CDC) traps, juvenile sampling and ovitrapping. A total of 122 831 mosquito specimens of 21 taxa were identified. Levels of mosquito species richness were similar at suburban sites and in natural zones in Switzerland. Mosquito abundances and seasonality were analysed with generalized linear mixed models based on 382 CDC trap samples (29 454 females) and revealed Aedes annulipes/cantans, Aedes geniculatus, Aedes japonicus, Aedes sticticus, Aedes vexans, Coquillettidia richiardii and Culex pipiens/torrentium as the dominant species overall. Abundances of these species were season-dependent in most cases. There was an effect of site with regard to abundance (higher in natural zones), but not with respect to seasonality. Together with data on vector competence and the host preferences of different species, the present data contribute to assessments of risk for pathogen transmission. For example, both natural and suburban environments seem feasible as sites for amplification cycles of WNV and transmission to mammals.

[Defining daily doses and total doses for the measurement of antibiotic usage in Swiss pig production]. / Etablierung von definierten Tages­dosierungen und definierten Gesamt­behandlungsdosierungen zur Messung des Antibiotikaverbrauchs in der ­Schweizer Schweineproduktion.

INTRODUCTION: A significant Antibiotic-Monitoring-System is essential to analyse the use of antibiotics and to a better understanding of trends in resistance development. In human and veterinary medicine, for example, a system based on defined daily and treatment doses (Defined Daily Dose: DDD and Defined Course Dose: DCD) is applied. These definitions can be used to estimate the number of treatment days and treatments with antimicrobial agents in a population. For veterinary medicine, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published the European values DDDvet and DCDvet in the farm animal sector. The aim of this study was to define Swiss daily and treatment doses (DDDch and DCDch) for the treatment of pigs and to compare them with the EMA values in order to investigate the differences between individually collected national doses and average international doses. For the comparison, the quotient of Swiss and European values was calculated and the influence of the application form of an active substance and the number of active substances contained in a preparation was investigated. One hundred and three veterinary preparations with 138 active substances were assigned a DDDch and DCDch value. A comparison with EMA values was possible for 118 active substances. The comparison showed median values of 0.91 for the daily doses and 0.90 for the treatment doses, so that the daily and treatment doses in Switzerland are lower than the corresponding EMA doses. Both the form of application (injection solutions: 1.00; premixes: 0.76; P=0.02) and the number of active substances in the preparation (one active substance: 1.00; two active substances: 0.76; three active substances: 0.43; each P.

INTRODUCTION: Pour analyser l'utilisation des antibiotiques et mieux comprendre les tendances dans le développement de résistances, un système significatif de surveillance des antibiotiques est essentiel. En médecine humaine et vétérinaire, un système basé sur des dosages journaliers et des dosages par traitement définis (Defined Daily Dose: DDD et Dose Course Dose: DCD) est par exemple utilisé. Ces définitions peuvent être utilisées pour estimer le nombre de jours de traitement et le nombre de traitements antimicrobiens dans une population. L'Agence européenne des médicaments (EMA) a publié les valeurs européennes DDDvet et DCDvet dans le secteur de l'élevage pour la médecine vétérinaire. Le but de cette étude était de définir les doses journalières et les doses par traitement en Suisse (DDDch et DCDch) pour le traitement des porcs et de les comparer aux valeurs de l'EMA pour examiner les différences entre les doses nationales collectées individuellement et les doses internationales moyennes. Pour la comparaison, le quotient des valeurs suisses et européennes a été calculé et l'influence de la forme d'application d'une substance active ainsi que le nombre de substances actives contenues dans une préparation ont été examinés. Cent trois médicaments vétérinaires contenant 138 substances actives ont reçu une valeur DDDch et DCDch. Pour 118 médicaments, une comparaison avec les valeurs EMA était possible. D'après la comparaison, les valeurs médianes pour les quotients calculés étaient de 0,91 pour les doses journalières et de 0,90 pour les doses de traitement, de sorte qu'en Suisse, les doses journalières et de traitement sont inférieures aux doses correspondantes de l'EMA. La forme d'application (solutions injectables: 1.00, prémélanges médicamenteux: 0.76, P = 0.02) et le nombre de substances actives dans la préparation (une substance active: 1.00, deux substances actives: 0.76, trois substances actives: 0.43, P.

Evaluation of the impact of 2 years of a dosing intervention on canine echinococcosis in the Alay Valley, Kyrgyzstan.

Echinococcosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease in Kyrgyzstan. In 2012, an echinococcosis control scheme was started that included dosing owned dogs in the Alay Valley, Kyrgyzstan with praziquantel. Control programmes require large investments of money and resources; as such it is important to evaluate how well these are meeting their targets. However, problems associated with echinococcosis control schemes include remoteness and semi-nomadic customs of affected communities, and lack of resources. These same problems apply to control scheme evaluations, and quick and easy assessment tools are highly desirable. Lot quality assurance sampling was used to assess the impact of approximately 2 years of echinococcosis control in the Alay valley. A pre-intervention coproELISA prevalence was established, and a 75% threshold for dosing compliance was set based on previous studies. Ten communities were visited in 2013 and 2014, with 18-21 dogs sampled per community, and questionnaires administered to dog owners. After 21 months of control efforts, 8/10 communities showed evidence of reaching the 75% praziquantel dosing target, although only 3/10 showed evidence of a reduction in coproELISA prevalence. This is understandable, since years of sustained control are required to effectively control echinococcosis, and efforts in the Alay valley should be and are being continued.

Test characteristics of milk amyloid A ELISA, somatic cell count, and bacteriological culture for detection of intramammary pathogens that cause subclinical mastitis.

Bovine mastitis is an important disease in the dairy industry, causing economic losses as a result of withheld milk and treatment costs. Several studies have suggested milk amyloid A (MAA) as a promising biomarker in the diagnosis of mastitis. In the absence of a gold standard for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis, we estimated the diagnostic test accuracy of a commercial MAA-ELISA, somatic cell count (SCC), and bacteriological culture using Bayesian latent class modeling. We divided intramammary infections into 2 classes: those caused by major pathogens (e.g., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, and lacto-/enterococci) and those caused by all pathogens (major pathogens plus Corynebacterium bovis, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Bacillus spp., Streptomyces spp.). We applied the 3 diagnostic tests to all samples. Of 433 composite milk samples included in this study, 275 (63.5%) contained at least 1 colony of any bacterial species; of those, 56 contained major pathogens and 219 contained minor pathogens. The remaining 158 samples (36.5%) were sterile. We determined 2 different thresholds for the MAA-ELISA using Bayesian latent class modeling: 3.9 µg/mL to detect mastitis caused by major pathogens and 1.6 µg/mL to detect mastitis caused by all pathogens. The optimal SCC threshold for identification of subclinical mastitis was 150,000 cells/mL; this threshold led to higher specificity (Sp) than 100,000 cells/mL. Test accuracy for major-pathogen intramammary infections was as follows: SCC, sensitivity (Se) 92.6% and Sp 72.9%; MAA-ELISA, Se 81.4% and Sp 93.4%; bacteriological culture, Se 23.8% and Sp 95.2%. Test accuracy for all-pathogen intramammary infections was as follows: SCC, sensitivity 90.3% and Sp 71.8%; MAA-ELISA, Se 88.0% and Sp 65.2%; bacteriological culture, Se 83.8% and Sp 54.8%. We suggest the use of SCC and MAA-ELISA as a combined screening procedure for situations such as a Staphylococcus aureus control program. With Bayesian latent class analysis, we were able to identify a more differentiated use of the 3 diagnostic tools. The MAA-ELISA is a valuable addition to existing tools for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis.

DALYs, dollars and dogs: how best to analyse the economics of controlling zoonoses.

Decision-makers increasingly require comprehensive economic metrics summarising and comparing the benefits and costs of controlling zoonotic diseases. The impact of disease in people is conventionally quantified in non-monetary terms, usually a disability-adjusted life year (DALY), whereas the losses due to disease in animals, particularly livestock, are quantified in monetary terms. The potential for the development of a non-monetary metric for ill health in animals, based on life years lost and disability, is discussed and rejected. Within and across animal species and livestock production systems, maximising life spans is not a consistent goal and morbidity/disabilities have very different weights and often lead to culling. By relating livestock losses to a measure of national income forgone, the recently developed alternative of converting monetary losses due to livestock illness into an animal loss equivalent (ALE) provides a viable solution. Based on this, the literature on the economics of controlling zoonoses is revisited and four options for quantifying and comparing benefits and costs are examined and illustrated using numerical examples. These are i) the simplistic grouping of all monetary elements and their comparison to DALYs averted (described as the aggregate net cost method), ii) the separable costs method, iii) the use of ALEs to convert all benefits to a non-monetary equivalent, termed the zoonotic DALY (zDALY), or iv) the use of a full monetary cost-benefit analysis, based on converting DALYs to a monetary equivalent. The strengths and weaknesses of each are discussed. For effective prioritisation and decision-making, it is vital that an analytical approach is widely adopted which yields consistent results and which supports the control of zoonoses.

Les décideurs politiques sont de plus en plus dépendants de méthodes exhaustives de mesure économique permettant de synthétiser et de comparer les avantages et les coûts de la lutte contre les zoonoses. Par convention, l'impact des maladies humaines est quantifié en des termes non monétaires, à savoir, le plus souvent, en « années de vie corrigées de l'incapacité ¼ (DALY), tandis que les pertes dues aux maladies animales, en particulier celles affectant les animaux d'élevage, sont quantifiées en termes monétaires. Dans cet article, les auteurs envisagent (et réfutent) la possibilité de mettre en oeuvre un système de mesure non monétaire des problèmes sanitaires chez les animaux qui soit basé sur les années de vie perdues ou d'incapacité. La longévité n'est pas un objectif uniformément recherché dans tous les systèmes de production, ni pour toutes les espèces animales, voire pour tous les individus au sein d'une même espèce, et la morbidité et l'incapacité représentent des fardeaux très variables, conduisant souvent à l'abattage. Parce qu'elle relie les pertes animales à une mesure de la réduction du revenu intérieur entraînée, la récente proposition de convertir les pertes monétaires dues aux maladies du bétail en un « équivalent pertes animales ¼ (indicateur ALE : animal loss equivalent) constitue une solution viable. À partir de ces considérations, les auteurs examinent la littérature dédiée aux aspects économiques de la lutte contre les zoonoses en détaillant quatre méthodes possibles pour en quantifier et comparer les avantages et les coûts, avec des exemples chiffrés. Ces possibilités sont : i) le simple regroupement de tous les éléments monétaires et leur comparaison en termes de DALY évitées (méthode dite de la présentation agrégée des coûts nets) ; ii) la méthode des coûts séparables ; iii) l'utilisation d'un indicateur ALE pour convertir l'ensemble des bénéfices en leur équivalent non monétaire, désigné sous le terme de DALY zoonotique (zDALY) ; iv) le recours à une analyse monétaire coûts-avantages exhaustive, après avoir converti les DALY en leur équivalent monétaire. Les auteurs font ressortir les atouts et les faiblesses de chacune de ces méthodes. La priorisation et la prise de décisions gagneront en efficacité si les décideurs adoptent et appliquent largement une approche analytique permettant d'obtenir des résultats cohérents et de renforcer la lutte contre les zoonoses.

Cada vez más, las instancias decisorias necesitan parámetros econométricos integrales, que sirvan para sintetizar y comparar los costos y beneficios de la lucha contra enfermedades zoonóticas. Convencionalmente, los efectos de una enfermedad en las personas se cuantifican en términos no monetarios, por lo general en forma de «años de vida ajustados en función de la discapacidad¼ (AVAD), mientras que las pérdidas inducidas por las enfermedades en animales, en particular el ganado, se cuantifican en valores monetarios. Los autores examinan y descartan la posible definición de parámetros no monetarios, basados en los años de vida perdidos y en la discapacidad, para cuantificar problemas zoosanitarios. Con independencia de la especie animal o el sistema de producción ganadera de que se trate, el de lograr una longevidad máxima no es un objetivo habitual, y los niveles de morbilidad o discapacidad, que suelen desembocar en el sacrificio sanitario, tienen un peso muy variable. En fechas recientes ha aparecido una alternativa que, al establecer una relación entre las pérdidas de ganado y una medida de la renta nacional prevista, ofrece una solución viable: se trata de convertir las pérdidas monetarias causadas por enfermedades del ganado en un «equivalente a las pérdidas animales¼ (animal loss equivalent: ALE). Partiendo de esta idea, los autores repasan la bibliografía sobre la economía de la lucha contra las zoonosis y examinan cuatro opciones para cuantificar y comparar beneficios y costos, ilustrándolas con ejemplos numéricos. Se trata de las siguientes: i) el simplificador procedimiento de agrupar todos los elementos monetarios y compararlos con los AVAD evitados (método que describen como del «costo agregado neto¼); ii) el método de los costos específicos; iii) el uso de «equivalentes a las pérdidas animales¼ para convertir todos los beneficios en un equivalente no monetario que denominan AVAD por zoonosis; y iv) el uso de un análisis monetario completo de la relación entre beneficios y costos, basado en la conversión de los AVAD en un equivalente monetario. A continuación examinan los puntos fuertes y débiles de cada uno de esos métodos, y concluyen que para fijar prioridades y adoptar decisiones con eficacia es vital aplicar de forma generalizada un mismo planteamiento analítico, que arroje resultados coherentes y ayude así a combatir las zoonosis.

[Effect of herd health management on the prevalence of Postpartum Dysgalaktie Syndrome (PPDS) and the treatment incidence]. / Auswirkungen einer Bestandesbetreuung auf das Vorkommen des Postpartalen Dysgalaktie Syndroms (PPDS) und die Tierbehandlungsinzidenz.

INTRODUCTION: The Postpartum Dysgalaktie Syndrome (PPDS) also known as metritis agalactia mastitis (MMA), is considered the most common disease of the sow after farrowing. The reasons for PPDS are multifactorial and are to be found in the areas of management and hygiene, feeding, water supply and animal specific factors such as body condition and age of the sows. In this study a veterinary herd health management was carried out in 28 pig farms with PPDS, with the aim to reduce the PPDS prevalence and animal treatment incidence (TI). In 20 of 28 problem farms the PPDS-prevalence could be decreased from 37.4% (± 21.8%) to 24.5% (± 14.1%). The TI was not significantly reduced. The most effective procedures to reduce the PPDS-prevalence were the use of a prepartal transition feed, optimizing the PPDSdiagnostic and the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) and oxytocin in the PPDS-treatment.

Le syndrome de dysgalactie postpartum (PPDS), aussi appelé mammite, métrite, agalactie (MMA) est considéré comme la pathologie des truies la plus fréquente en période post partum. Ses causes sont multifactorielles et doivent être recherchées aussi bien dans le domaine de la gestion, de l'hygiène, de l'alimentation et de l'abreuvement que dans des facteurs propres aux animaux, comme la condition et l'âge. Dans le cadre de cette étude, on a effectué un suivi d'exploitation dans 28 exploitations d'élevage porcin avec une problématique de PPDS, dans le but de réduire la prévalence de cette affection et l'index des traitements. La prévalence de la PPDS s'est réduite dans 20 des 28 exploitations de 37.4% (± 21.8%) à 24.5% (± 14.1%). L'index des traitements n'a pas pu être abaissé significativement. Les mesures les plus efficaces pour abaisser la prévalence de la PPDS ont été l'utilisation d'un aliment de préparation à la mise-bas, l'optimisation du diagnostic de PPDS et l'utilisation d'antiinflammatoires non-stéroïdiens (AINS) et d'ocytocine pour traiter les cas de PPDS.

Field evaluation of baited traps for surveillance of Aedes japonicus japonicus in Switzerland.

The efficacy of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) miniature light traps and ovitraps was tested in the outskirts of the city of Zurich in Switzerland for their use in the surveillance of Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), the invasive Asian bush mosquito. Sets of single CDC traps were run overnight (n = 18) in three different environments (forest, suburban and urban) in 3 × 3 Latin square experimental designs. Traps were baited with: (a) carbon dioxide (CO2 ); (b) CO2 plus light, or (c) CO2 plus lure blend [Combi FRC 3003 (iGu® )]. At the same locations, mosquito eggs were collected weekly using standard ovitraps baited with different infusions (oak, hay or tap water) and equipped with different oviposition substrates (a block of extruded polystyrene, a germination paper strip or a wooden stick). Data were analysed using Poisson and negative binomial general linear models. The use of light (P < 0.001) or lure (P < 0.001) significantly increased the attractiveness of CDC traps baited with CO2 . Oak and hay infusions did not increase the attractiveness of ovitraps compared with standing tap water (P > 0.05), and extruded polystyrene blocks were preferred as an oviposition substrate over wooden sticks (P < 0.05) and seed germination paper (P < 0.05). Carbon dioxide-baited CDC miniature light traps complemented with light or iGu® lure and ovitraps containing standing tap water and polystyrene oviposition blocks can be considered as efficient and simple tools for use in Ae. j. japonicus surveillance programmes.

Risk factors for Echinococcus coproantigen positivity in dogs from the Alay valley, Kyrgyzstan.

Echinococcosis, caused by the zoonotic cestodes Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato) and Echinococcus multilocularis, is highly endemic in the Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and is being identified increasingly as a public health problem, especially amongst pastoral communities. As domestic dogs are considered to be the main source of human infection, the identification of potential transmission pathways is of relevance when considering implementing an echinococcosis control scheme. The current report describes the results of an analytical study of canine Echinococcus coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) prevalence in the Alay valley of southern Kyrgyzstan prior to the commencement of regular praziquantel dosing of dogs. A logistic regression model using a form of Bayes modal estimation was used to identify possible risk factors for coproantigen positivity, and the output was interpreted in a Bayesian context (posterior distributions of the coefficients of interest). The study found that sheepdogs had lower odds of coproantigen positivity, as did dogs in households with donkeys, where owners had knowledge of echinococcosis, and households which engaged in home slaughtering. Surprisingly, there was no evidence of an association between free roaming or previous praziquantel dosing and coproantigen positivity, as has been found in previous studies. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed in the context of the epidemiology of echinococcosis and potential intervention approaches.

Echinococcus multilocularis in Kyrgyzstan: similarity in the Asian EmsB genotypic profiles from village populations of Eastern mole voles (Ellobius tancrei) and dogs in the Alay valley.

Echinococcus multilocularis is a cestode that causes human alveolar echinococcosis, a lethal zoonosis of public health concern in central Asia and western China. In the present study, one of 42 Eastern mole voles (Ellobius tancrei) caught in Sary Mogol (Alay valley, southern Kyrgyzstan) presented liver lesions with E. multilocularis from which the EmsB target was amplified. The Asian profile obtained was almost identical to one amplified from domestic dog faeces collected in a nearby village. This observation adds additional information to the potential role of E. tancrei in the transmission of E. multilocularis, and to the known distribution range of E. multilocularis (Asian strain) in central Asia.

Epidemiology of echinococcosis in Kazakhstan: an update.

Kazakhstan is highly endemic for echinococcosis. Both Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are widely distributed in the country. Official records of human cystic echinococcosis over the past 5-10 years suggest a stable incidence of approximately 800-1000 cases per year, which is 5 cases per 100,000 per year. This followed a rapid increase in the incidence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Between 2007 and 2013, 5949 cases were reported in the national surveillance data. The prevalence in sheep, based on slaughterhouse studies, suggests that between 30 and 50% of sheep are infected with hydatid cysts, while cattle have a prevalence of approximately 7%. Rural dogs have a high prevalence of infection of between 5 and 10%, with shepherd dogs having prevalences of over 20%. G1 and G6/7 strains of E. granulosus have been isolated from dogs in Kazakhstan. Wolves are also infected, with one prevalence estimate of approximately 20%. The incidence of human alveolar echinococcosis is less clear, although estimates from Kazakhstani expatriates living in Germany and the hospital records of a single referral centre in Almaty suggest 34 or 130 cases per year (or an annual incidence of 0.20 or 0.76 cases per 100,000), respectively, could be occurring in Kazakhstan. Studies suggest that in some rural dog populations the prevalence may be about 5%. The parasite is widely distributed in foxes and small mammals through much of Kazakhstan.

Canine echinococcosis: genetic diversity of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) from definitive hosts.

Canids, particularly dogs, constitute the major source of cystic echinococcosis (CE) infection to humans, with the majority of cases being caused by Echinococcus granulosus (G1 genotype). Canine echinococcosis is an asymptomatic disease caused by adult tapeworms of E. granulosus sensu lato (s.l.). Information on the population structure and genetic variation of adult E. granulosus is limited. Using sequenced data of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) we examined the genetic diversity and population structure of adult tapeworms of E. granulosus (G1 genotype) from canid definitive hosts originating from various geographical regions and compared it to that reported for the larval metacestode stage from sheep and human hosts. Echinococcus granulosus (s.s) was identified from adult tapeworm isolates from Kenya, Libya, Tunisia, Australia, China, Kazakhstan, United Kingdom and Peru, including the first known molecular confirmation from Gaza and the Falkland Islands. Haplotype analysis showed a star-shaped network with a centrally positioned common haplotype previously described for the metacestode stage from sheep and humans, and the neutrality indices indicated population expansion. Low Fst values suggested that populations of adult E. granulosus were not genetically differentiated. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities for E. granulosus isolates from sheep and human origin were twice as high as those reported from canid hosts. This may be related to self-fertilization of E. granulosus and/or to the longevity of the parasite in the respective intermediate and definitive hosts. Improved nuclear single loci are required to investigate the discrepancies in genetic variation seen in this study.

Reversal of arterial oxygen desaturation with the use of an oxygen concentrator during injectable anaesthesia in feral cats positioned in the Trendelenburg, dorsal or lateral surgical position.

INTRODUCTION: This study observed the effects of oxygen supplementation, via an oxygen concentrator, on peripheral arterial blood oxygenation (SpO2) measured by pulse oximetry in anaesthetised cats undergoing spay in three different surgical positions. A total of 192 female feral cats were investigated for a large-scale trap-neuter-release program. Cats were anaesthetised with an intramuscular combination of butorphanol (0,4 mg / kg), ketamine (7-10 mg / kg) and medetomidine (0,03-0,05 mg / kg). Cats were randomly allocated to undergo spay in either Trendelenburg (TR) (70° downward head tilt), lateral (LR) or dorsal (DR) recumbency. Cats were breathing spontaneously either room air or 2 L/minute oxygen via a tight-fitting face mask. Pulse rate (in beats per minute), respiratory rate (in breaths per minute) and SpO2 (in percentage) were measured at baseline in left lateral recumbency and afterwards continuously after being positioned in allocated surgical position. At the end of surgery, cats were placed again in left recumbency, and all parameters were re-evaluated after five minutes. Overall, 33 % of cats showed severe arterial oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 90 %) at baseline when breathing room air. When oxygen was supplemented during the procedure, arterial oxygen desaturation resolved in all cats. At the end of the procedure, 29 % of cats were hypoxaemic when oxygen was not supplemented, with an overall higher percentage of hypoxaemic cats in TR as compared to DR and LR recumbencies. All cats recovered well from surgery and were released within 24 hours post-anaesthesia. Arterial oxygen desaturation is frequent in cats anaesthetised with injectable anaesthesia for spay under field conditions. Oxygen supplementation administered via a tight-fitting mask resolved arterial oxygen desaturation in this feral cat population regardless of the surgical position and therefore oxygen supplementation is recommended in any case.

INTRODUCTION: Cette étude a observé les effets d'une supplémentation en oxygène, via un concentrateur d'oxygène, sur l'oxygénation du sang artériel périphérique (SpO2) mesurée par oxymétrie de pouls chez des chats anesthésiés subissant une stérilisation dans trois positions chirurgicales différentes. Au total, 192 chats sauvages femelles ont été examinés dans le cadre d'un programme de piégeage, de stérilisation et de remise en liberté à grande échelle. Les chats ont été anesthésiés avec une combinaison de butorphanol (0,4 mg / kg), de kétamine (7­10 mg / kg) et de médétomidine (0,03­0,05 mg / kg) appliquée par voie intramusculaire. Les chats ont été répartis au hasard pour subir une stérilisation en position de Trendelenburg (TR) (inclinaison de la tête de 70° vers le bas), en décubitus latéral (LR) ou en décubitus dorsal (DR). Les chats respiraient spontanément soit de l'air ambiant, soit de l'oxygène à raison de 2 L/minute par l'intermédiaire d'un masque facial bien ajusté. Le pouls (en battements par minute), la fréquence respiratoire (en respirations par minute) et la SpO2 (en pourcentage) ont été mesurés au départ en décubitus latéral gauche, puis en continu après avoir été placés dans la position chirurgicale attribuée. À la fin de l'opération, les chats ont été replacés en décubitus latéral gauche et tous les paramètres ont été réévalués au bout de cinq minutes. Dans l'ensemble, 33 % des chats présentaient une désaturation sévère en oxygène artériel (SpO2 < 90 %) au départ lorsqu'ils respiraient de l'air ambiant. Lorsque de l'oxygène a été ajouté pendant la procédure, la désaturation en oxygène artériel s'est résorbée chez tous les chats. À la fin de l'intervention, 29 % des chats étaient hypoxémiques lorsque l'oxygène n'était pas administré, avec un pourcentage global plus élevé de chats hypoxémiques en décubitus dorsal qu'en décubitus latéral. Tous les chats se sont bien remis de l'opération et ont été libérés dans les 24 heures suivant l'anesthésie. La désaturation en oxygène artériel est fréquente chez les chats anesthésiés par injection pour la stérilisation dans des conditions de terrain. La supplémentation en oxygène administrée via un masque étanche a résolu la désaturation en oxygène artériel dans cette population de chats sauvages, quelle que soit la position chirurgicale et la supplémentation en oxygène est donc recommandée dans tous les cas.

The emergence of echinococcosis in central Asia.

SUMMARY Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, there was an increase in the number of cases of human echinococcosis recorded throughout central Asia. Between 1991 and 2001 incidence rates of cystic echinococcosis (CE) increased by 4 fold or more. There also appeared to be increases in prevalence of CE in livestock and prevalences of Echinococcus granulosus reported in dogs. The increase in human echinococcosis was associated with changes in livestock husbandry, decline in veterinary public health services, increases in dog populations and increased poverty, all of which served to promote transmission of E. granulosus. A few years after reports of increased transmission of E. granulosus, the first reports of E. multilocularis infection in dogs were recorded. Further studies indicated that in both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan prevalences of up to 18% were present. Recently there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of human alveolar echinococcosis recorded in Kyrgyzstan with over 60 cases reported in 2011.