//23 Jun 2011
Animal health company Boehringer Ingelheim zoomed in on 15 years of PCV2 during the 6th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases, in Barcelona, Spain, held 12-15 June.
Prof John Harding, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, acted as a moderator as well as speaker for the symposium.
It was 15 years since the name PMWS was first proposed by Canadian investigators Ted Clark and John Harding for the novel wasting disease of growing pigs that they were observing in herds in Western Canada.
October 1994 supplied a key landmark when the University of Saskatchewan began to investigate unusual cases of wasting and jaundice in piglets from farms in Western Canada. This was followed in 1997 with the breakthrough by scientists in Northern Ireland and Canada that the virus involved was a novel type of the porcine circovirus.
Development
Fifteen years would be an extremely short time in the development of most pig diseases, so it is all the more remarkable that piglet vaccination against PCV2 has already been developed and has become such a global success story in controlling the economically damaging range of health problems associated with the virus.
The first vaccines did not appear until 2004, yet today PCV2 vaccination is routinely used in all leading pig markets with up to 90% of pigs vaccinated against the disease. This has posed questions for the future which were addressed by the symposium speakers:
Prof Tanja Opriessnig, Iowa State University zoomed in on the ‘Impact of PCV2 on breeding herds’, Prof Michael P. Murtaugh, University of Minnesota, addressed the question ‘Is PCV2 eradication possible?’ and Prof Joaquim Segales, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, spoke about the question ‘Beyond PCV2: What’s next?’
Best examples
The PCV2 virus has provided one of the best examples so far of the devastating effects of an emerging virus on the global pig population. Vaccination now helps in achieving effective control of PCVD.
In conclusion of the satellite symposium, Prof Harding added, it will not be the last disease agent to emerge and to assault the pig industry. Most probably, the advance elements of the next attack are already circulating in pigs today.
Related websites:
• 6th International Symposium on Emerging and Re-emerging pig diseases
• Boehringer Ingelheim
Showing posts with label Symposium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Symposium. Show all posts
25 May 2011
Algae hot topic at Alltech Symposium
//25 May 2011
With the purchase of an algae fermentation plant in November last year Alltech is profiling itself as an innovative company looking into new ingredients and solutions in animal and human nutrition. However, the world of algae is huge and needs further exploration.
It is estimated that there are over 800,000 species of algae that can produce more than 15,000 novel compounds. They have twice of the genome size of yeasts and a growth rate that is over 30 times that of terrestrial plants.
Algae can produce 300 times more oil per hectare compared to for example soybeans. The sunlight dependent species have the ability to a rapid and efficient sequestering of carbon dioxide in the growth process.
James Pierce of Alltech at their Symposium held in Lexington, Kentucky this week elaborated on what algae are and what can be obtained from these miniscule plants.
Multi-purpose output
“Microscopic algae have been around for millions of years,” Pierce said. “They provide an exciting new platform for innovation, from pharmaceuticals to biodiesel to nutritional products.”
There have been decades of research on algae and their first use would be in biofuels, as a fertilizer, in pollution control and as a pigmentation source. In terms of novel food ingredients they can be a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant such as DHA and EPA.
Four target species
Pierce focused on four species: Arthrospira, Chlorella, Dunaliella and Haematococcus.
“Arthrospira contain 55-60% crude protein and have been used in the secondary treatment of effluent from a methane generator to recover nitrogen, carbon and other nutrients,” Pierce said. “Their protein has a high biological value and is very heat stable.”
Chlorella are rapidly growing, single-celled green algae that offer tremendous potential for both food and energy production. “While they contain up to 45% protein, they can be excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids,” Pierce added. “They were already harvested by the Aztecs and used as a food source.
Dunaliella are known for high antioxidant and high beta-carotene contents and are routinely used in the manufacture of cosmetics and dietary supplements.
Haematococcus are fresh water algae that are a good source of astaxanthin, a pigment used in aquaculture and poultry diets.
“Livestock and poultry producers are positioned to take advantage of this renewable, traceable protein, fat and carbohydrate source,” Pierce said. “Algae are truly at the very heart of the future of energy and agriculture and the key to building a sustainable future of our planet.”
With the purchase of an algae fermentation plant in November last year Alltech is profiling itself as an innovative company looking into new ingredients and solutions in animal and human nutrition. However, the world of algae is huge and needs further exploration.
It is estimated that there are over 800,000 species of algae that can produce more than 15,000 novel compounds. They have twice of the genome size of yeasts and a growth rate that is over 30 times that of terrestrial plants.
Algae can produce 300 times more oil per hectare compared to for example soybeans. The sunlight dependent species have the ability to a rapid and efficient sequestering of carbon dioxide in the growth process.
James Pierce of Alltech at their Symposium held in Lexington, Kentucky this week elaborated on what algae are and what can be obtained from these miniscule plants.
Multi-purpose output
“Microscopic algae have been around for millions of years,” Pierce said. “They provide an exciting new platform for innovation, from pharmaceuticals to biodiesel to nutritional products.”
There have been decades of research on algae and their first use would be in biofuels, as a fertilizer, in pollution control and as a pigmentation source. In terms of novel food ingredients they can be a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant such as DHA and EPA.
Four target species
Pierce focused on four species: Arthrospira, Chlorella, Dunaliella and Haematococcus.
“Arthrospira contain 55-60% crude protein and have been used in the secondary treatment of effluent from a methane generator to recover nitrogen, carbon and other nutrients,” Pierce said. “Their protein has a high biological value and is very heat stable.”
Chlorella are rapidly growing, single-celled green algae that offer tremendous potential for both food and energy production. “While they contain up to 45% protein, they can be excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids,” Pierce added. “They were already harvested by the Aztecs and used as a food source.
Dunaliella are known for high antioxidant and high beta-carotene contents and are routinely used in the manufacture of cosmetics and dietary supplements.
Haematococcus are fresh water algae that are a good source of astaxanthin, a pigment used in aquaculture and poultry diets.
“Livestock and poultry producers are positioned to take advantage of this renewable, traceable protein, fat and carbohydrate source,” Pierce said. “Algae are truly at the very heart of the future of energy and agriculture and the key to building a sustainable future of our planet.”
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