30 November 2012
Experts: Molecular technology to drive animal health
HEALTH / DISEASES860
Molecular technology will play a vital role in safeguarding the health and productivity of food animals in the future. That was the message from expert speakers at a meeting earlier this week in Brussels, Belgium, entitled Advances in Diagnostics.
“Technology is taking over,” said Dr Willie Loeffen, president of the European Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (EAVLD). “Laboratory diagnosis used to be 99% labour and 1% technology, nowadays the emphasis is the other way around. Technology is now an integral and indispensable part of veterinary laboratories.”
Dr Loeffen used the investigation of PRRSV infection in pigs and the more recent appearance of Schmallenberg virus in Europe to highlight how modern molecular techniques could help to characterise new disease threats rapidly.
“It took four years of laborious work for us to characterise the cause of PRRS, but thanks to sequencing technology Schmallenberg virus took just a few months.
“Technological developments mean that diagnosticians now do things that they could only dream about 10 or 20 years ago.”
As well as providing a means of identifying new disease threats quickly, the meeting highlighted the increasing role of diagnostic tools as an integral part of maintaining animal health.
Animal health
“The application of molecular technology means that we can now understand diseases and animal health at a more fundamental level than ever before – at the gene level – and that will have a major impact on the way we approach animal health in the near future,” says Dr Kirk Adams, Director of Product Management at Life Technologies, the meeting sponsor.
“Veterinarians now have access to a wider range of diagnostic tests than ever before; and they are faster, more accurate and more precise than ever before. These advances have the potential to revolutionise the way in which we manage the health and welfare of food animals.”
According to Adams, the advances in technology mean that diagnostic tools can be used to take a more pro-active and holistic approach to animal health.
“Diagnostic tests are no longer confined to finding out what killed an animal. We now have the means to take a more targeted approach to treatment, and reduce the use of broad-spectrum drugs. In the future we will even be able to use gene sequencing to determine the sensitivity of individual animals to specific treatments.
“Molecular tests, such as PCR, also facilitate disease eradication programmes, more strategic use of vaccination, more effective biosecurity measures and the management of diseases for which there is no effective treatment, such as Johne’s disease, by allowing the identification of asymptomatic, persistently infected animals.
“There are many ways in which this technology can and will be applied to improve the health and productivity of food animals.”
One of the key areas discussed at the meeting was the use of new diagnostic tools to safeguard Europe’s farm animals against the threat of new, emerging diseases.
“One of the biggest threats to animal health is the development of new types of pathogen or new diseases spreading from other regions. Schmallenberg virus is just one of the most recent examples.
“Molecular technology gives us the ability to characterise these threats quickly and accurately and to develop diagnostic tools that allow us to track the threat and assess our management,” concluded Adams.
The meeting also touched on a new and more sensitive ELISA test for bluetongue virus (BTV) antibodies.
Related website:
Life Technologies
29 November 2012
Foot-and-Mouth Disease found in China
In the north eastern part of China in Liaoning Province, Foot-and-Mouth-Disease (FMD) was found to be present.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 43 pigs displayed FMD symptoms on 19 November. On Saturday (24 Nov.) it was confirmed to be FMD.
Measures carried out
The affected area has been quarantined and sterilising measures were carried out in order to stop the spread of FMD.
Source: China Daily
Measures carried out
The affected area has been quarantined and sterilising measures were carried out in order to stop the spread of FMD.
Source: China Daily
27 November 2012
Researchers sequence swine genome
An international scientific collaboration that includes two Kansas State University researchers is bringing home the bacon when it comes to potential animal and human health advancements, thanks to successfully mapping the genome of the domestic pig.
The sequenced genome gives researchers a genetic blueprint of the pig. It includes a complete list of DNA and genes that give pigs their traits like height and color. Once all of the genetic information is understood, scientists anticipate improvements to the animal's health as well as human health, as pigs and humans share similar physiologies.
"With the sequenced genome we have a better blueprint than we had before about the pig's genetics and how those genetic mechanisms work together to create, such as the unique merits in disease resistance," said Yongming Sang, research assistant professor of anatomy and physiology at Kansas State University.
For three years, Sang worked on the genome sequencing project with Frank Blecha, associate dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine and university distinguished professor of anatomy and physiology.
A report of the international study appears as the cover story for the Nov. 15 issue of the journal Nature.
The sequencing effort was led by the Swine Genome Sequencing Consortium. Researchers with the consortium invited Sang and Blecha to work on the project because of their expertise and published studies on the antimicrobial peptides and interferons that pigs use to genetically defend themselves against disease.
Sang and Blecha focused on these two families of immune genes, looking for gene duplications and gene-family expansions throughout the pig's 21,640 protein-coding genes, in an effort to help scientists with future pig-related research.
Sang also completed much of the genome annotation for Kansas State University's contributions. Genome annotation involves identifying, categorizing and recording the potential functions of thousands of individual genes and gene cluster locations in the pig genome.
Analysis revealed that the olfactory and cathelicidin gene families in pigs are more evolutionarily evolved than those in humans and many other animals. Pigs have a better sense of smell, which makes them experts at finding truffles, for example. Pigs also have twice as many interferon genes as humans, possibly indicating some unique immune mechanisms against viral infection, Sang said.
Researchers also discovered several health similarities between humans and pigs. Pigs share some of the same protein abnormalities as humans with obesity, diabetes, dyslexia, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Similarly, researchers found that pigs have fewer endogenous retroviruses than many other animals, making pigs an important ally for more complex medical procedures like organ transplants.
"The pig genome is very important, maybe even more important than we once thought," Sang said. "It is very good for biomedical research advancements and it also looks to be a good resource for comparative studies of many other diseases."
At Kansas State University the sequenced pig genome stands to benefit agricultural, food animal and veterinary medicine research.
"For many years the pig has been one of the best models for human physiology and has been used extensively because of that," Blecha said. "While this is a blueprint for the health of the pig, it is also a blueprint for the expression of genes and how to modify them for perhaps better animal models and improved health across all species. This moves agricultural and biomedical science forward for the good of everyone."
Source: Kansas State University
"With the sequenced genome we have a better blueprint than we had before about the pig's genetics and how those genetic mechanisms work together to create, such as the unique merits in disease resistance," said Yongming Sang, research assistant professor of anatomy and physiology at Kansas State University.
For three years, Sang worked on the genome sequencing project with Frank Blecha, associate dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine and university distinguished professor of anatomy and physiology.
A report of the international study appears as the cover story for the Nov. 15 issue of the journal Nature.
The sequencing effort was led by the Swine Genome Sequencing Consortium. Researchers with the consortium invited Sang and Blecha to work on the project because of their expertise and published studies on the antimicrobial peptides and interferons that pigs use to genetically defend themselves against disease.
Sang and Blecha focused on these two families of immune genes, looking for gene duplications and gene-family expansions throughout the pig's 21,640 protein-coding genes, in an effort to help scientists with future pig-related research.
Sang also completed much of the genome annotation for Kansas State University's contributions. Genome annotation involves identifying, categorizing and recording the potential functions of thousands of individual genes and gene cluster locations in the pig genome.
Analysis revealed that the olfactory and cathelicidin gene families in pigs are more evolutionarily evolved than those in humans and many other animals. Pigs have a better sense of smell, which makes them experts at finding truffles, for example. Pigs also have twice as many interferon genes as humans, possibly indicating some unique immune mechanisms against viral infection, Sang said.
Researchers also discovered several health similarities between humans and pigs. Pigs share some of the same protein abnormalities as humans with obesity, diabetes, dyslexia, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Similarly, researchers found that pigs have fewer endogenous retroviruses than many other animals, making pigs an important ally for more complex medical procedures like organ transplants.
"The pig genome is very important, maybe even more important than we once thought," Sang said. "It is very good for biomedical research advancements and it also looks to be a good resource for comparative studies of many other diseases."
At Kansas State University the sequenced pig genome stands to benefit agricultural, food animal and veterinary medicine research.
"For many years the pig has been one of the best models for human physiology and has been used extensively because of that," Blecha said. "While this is a blueprint for the health of the pig, it is also a blueprint for the expression of genes and how to modify them for perhaps better animal models and improved health across all species. This moves agricultural and biomedical science forward for the good of everyone."
Source: Kansas State University
Russia: ASF contaminated pork found again
The presence of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus was recently discovered in a shipment of pork products, which has been sold without veterinary permits in the Leningrad region, reported the regional department of Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).
Pig fat, boiled-smoked sausages and pork delicatessen , in total 55 kilograms, has been sold in the Kirovsk city, Leningrad region.
“Unauthorised trading has been carried out by a person who did not have the right to sell livestock products to private customers, with no veterinary documents for the products,” said the statement.
In the research conducted in the regional veterinary laboratory, it was found that the products had the genetic sequence of the ASF virus. But in order to confirm that the meat is infected, it was also necessary to conduct further research on the DNA isolation of the virus.
"During the second study of the samples taken from the shipment of boiled-smoked sausages and pork delicacy sold in Kirovsk city, the presence of the virus genome of ASF in the products was confirmed," the statement said.
The dangerous products have already been destroyed, and the trading place has been fenced and disinfected. Now the veterinary services are trying to figure out where the meat was produced, which is also necessary to prevent the further outbreaks of ASF.
This is the third case this year of ASF contaminated pork on the market. The first case was recorded at an agricultural fair in the Leningrad region in September. The second was found in pork by-products of the federal state which was delivered to a variety of regions in Russia.
“Unauthorised trading has been carried out by a person who did not have the right to sell livestock products to private customers, with no veterinary documents for the products,” said the statement.
In the research conducted in the regional veterinary laboratory, it was found that the products had the genetic sequence of the ASF virus. But in order to confirm that the meat is infected, it was also necessary to conduct further research on the DNA isolation of the virus.
"During the second study of the samples taken from the shipment of boiled-smoked sausages and pork delicacy sold in Kirovsk city, the presence of the virus genome of ASF in the products was confirmed," the statement said.
The dangerous products have already been destroyed, and the trading place has been fenced and disinfected. Now the veterinary services are trying to figure out where the meat was produced, which is also necessary to prevent the further outbreaks of ASF.
This is the third case this year of ASF contaminated pork on the market. The first case was recorded at an agricultural fair in the Leningrad region in September. The second was found in pork by-products of the federal state which was delivered to a variety of regions in Russia.
People: PIC takes on new veterinarian
PIC has announced the addition of Dr. Angela Baysinger as a Health Assurance Veterinarian.
Dr. Baysinger will be responsible for implementation of the health program in PIC’s genetic dissemination system and work with customers to improve the performance of PIC products.
Dr. Baysinger joins PIC from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedicia, where she served as a Senior Professional Service Veterinarian. Dr. Baysinger received her Bachelors of Science in Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She additionally holds a Masters degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dr. Baysinger joins PIC from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedicia, where she served as a Senior Professional Service Veterinarian. Dr. Baysinger received her Bachelors of Science in Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She additionally holds a Masters degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
26 November 2012
Avian influenza outbreak in Taiwan
An outbreak of avian influenza strain H5N2 has been reported in the Chiayi county at a farm in Puzih. Animal health officials have now imposed a ban on the movement of layer chickens at the farm.
Director of the Chiayi County government's Animal Disease Control Center, said his agency will not allow the 15,700 chickens at the farm in Puzih to be moved off the premises, but they will be kept alive.
"As it was low-pathogenic, we will not cull the chickens," he said, but the eggs laid by the chickens will have to be disinfected before they can be sold on the market.
94 poultry farms within a 3 kilometer radius of the farm are being monitored, and no abnormal cases have been reported yet.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine under the Council of Agriculture said Friday that it has filed a report of the Chiayi case with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Bureau officials also said that a farm with 800 chickens in outlying Penghu County reported the sudden death of 150 chickens on Nov. 19 and another 50 the following day. The farm was confirmed to have been infected with H5N2 virus Thursday.
Animal health officials conducted a preventive cull and will monitor chicken farms within a 3 kilometer radius of the site for three months.
"As it was low-pathogenic, we will not cull the chickens," he said, but the eggs laid by the chickens will have to be disinfected before they can be sold on the market.
94 poultry farms within a 3 kilometer radius of the farm are being monitored, and no abnormal cases have been reported yet.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine under the Council of Agriculture said Friday that it has filed a report of the Chiayi case with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Bureau officials also said that a farm with 800 chickens in outlying Penghu County reported the sudden death of 150 chickens on Nov. 19 and another 50 the following day. The farm was confirmed to have been infected with H5N2 virus Thursday.
Animal health officials conducted a preventive cull and will monitor chicken farms within a 3 kilometer radius of the site for three months.
21 November 2012
Indonesia: Novartis AH conducts seminar on mycoplasma
HEALTH / DISEASES340
Novartis Animal Health (Novartis AH) and its Indonesian distributor, Novindo Agritech Hutama (Novindo), recently in Solo, Central Java, successfully held a technical seminar on mycoplasma disease in pigs.
Pig specialist & Southeast Asia technical service of Novartis AH, Metta Makhanon, explained the importance of raising awareness of mycoplasma. One way is to use a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine.
But for Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, Makhanon said, “The vaccine is not yet available. For that farmers can use antibiotics such as amoxicillin trihydrate and tiamutin 10%.”
Product manager of Novindo, Yana Ariana said that technical seminar on pig diseases are routinely held 2-3 times a year by Novartis AH and Novindo in several locations in Indonesia. This year it has been held in Bali, Medan and Solo, the centres of pig farming in Indonesia.
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