Epidemiology of Mycoplasma bovis in Pennsylvania veal calves.

The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of Mycoplasma bovis, a common cause of pneumonia, in veal calves. Using simple random sampling, 252 calves from 4 veal herds located in central Pennsylvania were selected and longitudinally followed for monthly collection of nasal swabs. Bronchial swabs and lung lesions were collected at the slaughterhouse. Nasal, bronchial, and lung lesion swabs were cultured for bacterial respiratory pathogens. Ninety lung lesions were identified, of which 41.1, 1.1, 1.1, 7.8, and 4.4% were culture positive for M. bovis alone, Pasteurella multocida alone, Mannheimia haemolytica alone, M. bovis and P. multocida co-infection, and M. bovis and M. haemolytica co-infection, respectively. The data indicate that potential interventions, such as therapeutics, vaccines, or management control measures, would be most effective before 50 d of age based upon the cumulative incidence of colonization.

Eliciting Preferences for Adult Orthodontic Treatment: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

INTRODUCTION: There has been little research to explore how adults financially value private orthodontic treatment and whether they have preferences for different attributes of treatment. This study used a discrete choice experiment and aimed to determine whether the recognized skill level of the dental professional and the type of orthodontic appliance influence the values that the public places on private adult orthodontic treatment. METHODS: In total, 206 adult patients or the parents/guardians of children attending general dental practices in the northeast of England were recruited to complete a discrete choice experiment. Three attributes were included: the type of dental professional providing treatment, the type of orthodontic appliance, and cost. Also collected were demographic and orthodontic history characteristics. Results were analyzed with conditional logistic regression and elicited marginal willingness to pay (MWTP). RESULTS: Participants value the training and expertise of the dental professional providing private orthodontic treatment greater than the type of orthodontic appliance. MWTP for orthodontic treatment increased in conjunction with the recognized skill level of the dental professional. Participants were willing to pay more for aesthetic appliances over a fixed metal appliance. CONCLUSIONS: Participants value the training and expertise of the dental professional providing private adult orthodontic treatment greater than the type of orthodontic appliance. These preferences concur with other discrete choice experiments undertaken in medical specialties that included attributes focusing on the qualification, skill, or expertise of the health care professional. MWTP for orthodontic treatment increased in conjunction with the recognized skill level of the dental professional. Participants were willing to pay more for aesthetic appliances than metal fixed appliances. The cost of orthodontics is significant, and adults appreciate the importance of having options and making choices.Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study suggest that patients are willing to pay more for orthodontic services provided by clinicians with higher levels of formal training. In a competitive market where the public appears to prefer the provider over treatment modality, there is an incentive for clinicians to optimize their knowledge and skills to deliver the high-quality orthodontic treatment that patients are demanding. Orthodontic clinicians should be mindful of the demand for the different adult orthodontic appliances and tailor their skill sets accordingly.