Irish Veterinary Journal
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Published By Springer (Biomed Central Ltd.)

2046-0481, 2046-0481

2022 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Keogh ◽  
Alison Hanlon ◽  
Andrew Kelly ◽  
Catherine Devitt ◽  
Locksley Messam

Abstract Background Legislation pertaining to canine ownership in Ireland maintains a one-health perspective by establishing a minimum standard of care for dogs while safeguarding human health and wellbeing. However, public awareness of this legislation has not been measured. The goals of this study were first, to estimate and compare the level of awareness, among dog owners and non-dog owners, that eight responsibilities of dog owners are prescribed by law in Ireland. Second, to determine if gender modifies differences in awareness between owners and non-owners, and third to determine whether gender itself is independently associated with awareness of the legal specification of these dog ownership responsibilities. Results We conducted a cross-sectional study of 679 University College Dublin employees. Exposure information included participants’ dog ownership status, gender, age, and education level. Among dog owners and non-dog owners, we estimated and compared the prevalences of persons with self-reported awareness that each of eight dog ownership responsibilities are prescribed by law in Ireland: Dog fouling in a public place, the leashing and muzzling of certain breeds, holding a dog license, straying of dogs, safeguarding health and welfare of dogs, dog abandonment, prohibition on tail docking of puppies and the mandatory wearing of identification. The prevalence of awareness was low among both dog owners and non-dog owners with substantial awareness (≥ 80%) of only three responsibilities: Those pertaining to fouling, licensing and muzzling and leashing. Awareness that more than one responsibility was specified by law was also poor with only 17.9% (95% CI: 15.1–20.9%) of participants aware of all eight and dog owners essentially just as likely (54%; 95% CI: 49–58%) to be aware of more than one as non-dog owners. For most dog ownership responsibilities, differences in prevalence (PD) of awareness between owners and non-owners and females and males were trivial (PD < 10%). Similarly for most responsibilities, gender did not modify awareness PDs between owners and non-owners. Conclusions In this well-educated university community, self-reported awareness that these eight responsibilities of dog owners are prescribed by law in Ireland is poor with essentially no difference between dog owners and non-dog owners or males and females. Awareness was higher for those responsibilities which, when not discharged, result in direct negative consequences to humans compared to those that result in direct negative consequences to dogs. It is likely that awareness of the legal status of these eight responsibilities of dog owners among the general public in Ireland is even less than observed in this study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Áine Rowe ◽  
Sharon Flanagan ◽  
Gerald Barry ◽  
Lisa M. Katz ◽  
Elizabeth A. Lane ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 1 (PLOD1) gene. Homozygosity for the mutation results in defective collagen synthesis which clinically manifests as the birth of non viable or still born foals with abnormally fragile skin. While the mutation has been identified in non Warmblood breeds including the Thoroughbred, to date all homozygous clinically affected cases reported in the scientific literature are Warmblood foals. The objective of this study was to investigate the carrier frequency of the mutation in the Thoroughbred and sport horse populations in Ireland. Methods A test was developed at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine using real-time PCR to amplify the PLOD1 gene c.2032G > A variant. A subset of the samples was also submitted to an external laboratory with a licensed commercial WFFS genetic test. Results Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome genotyping was performed on hair samples from 469 horses representing 6 different breeds. Six of 303 (1.98%) sport horses tested and three of 109 (2.75%) Thoroughbreds tested were heterozygous for the WFFS polymorphism (N/WFFS). The WFFS polymorphism was not identified in the Standardbred, Cob, Connemara, or other pony breeds. Conclusions The study identified a low frequency of the WFFS causative mutation in sport horses and Thoroughbreds in Ireland, highlighting the importance of WFFS genetic testing in order to identify phenotypically normal heterozygous carriers and to prevent the birth of nonviable foals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Ri Jung ◽  
Koeun Kim ◽  
Young Ju Lee

Abstract Background This study was conducted to analyze the genetic characteristics of 41 β-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli isolates, which are one of the common causes of environmental mastitis, isolated from the bulk tank milk of 290 dairy farms in five factories operated by three dairy companies in Korea. Results Analysis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of β-lactam-resistant E. coli isolates revealed differences between factories even within the same company. Isolates from factory A1 and C1 showed high resistance to cephalothin (76.9 and 100%, respectively), which is a first-generation cephalosporins, whereas resistance to tetracycline was showed by only the isolates from factories B1 (60.0%), C2 (66.7%), and C3 (100%). Although all the 41 β-lactam-resistant E. coli isolates were positive for blaOXA-1, blaTEM-1 was highly prevalent in isolates from factories C2 (100%) and C3 (100%). Among 17 isolates resistant to both β-lactams and aminoglycosides, the most common multilocus sequence type was ST399 (13isolates, 76.5%). Furthermore, 2 (11.8%) and 12 (70.6%) isolates belonged to the phylogenetic groups B2 and D, respectively, which are invasive strains that cause intestinal infections, respectively. The predominant serogroup was O15 (70.6%), which is a globally distributed extraintestinal pathogen. Interestingly, one isolate from factory A1 belonged to O157 and carried six virulence genes, simultaneously. Conclusions Although E. coli isolates were isolated from bulk tank milk, and not the clinical mastitis samples, the presence of the phylogenetic groups B2 and D, and the serogroups O15 and O157, which harbor antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors, can pose a threat to public health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aideen Kennedy ◽  
Louise Britton ◽  
Andrew W. Byrne ◽  
Christina Byrne ◽  
Mícheál Casey ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a Lagovirus, a subgroup of the family Caliciviridae. RHDV2 is a variant first described in France in 2010, and has since spread globally. It has been reported in several Lagomorph species (rabbits, hares, and their relatives) as well as other mammals including voles and shrews. The disease has raised international concerns for its potential impact on population abundance trajectories, particularly as 25% of Lagomorphs are currently Red-Listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies of the mountain hare, L. timidus, and is endemic to Ireland, making it an Evolutionarily Significant Unit of intrinsic value. Case presentation The first case of RHDV2 was detected in a wild Irish hare in July 2019. The individual exhibited atypical neurological behaviour (running in circles) prior to death. On necropsy, pink tinged foam was seen in the trachea and congestion was noted in the lungs, but there was no evidence of haemorrhages in any other organ. Both the liver and spleen were tested by reverse transcription real time qPCR confirming high levels of RHDV2 RNA. Histopathology confirmed multifocal necrotising hepatitis. Conclusion The Irish hare is susceptible to RHDV2 infection. Further investigation is warranted to explore the clinical, epidemiological, and population biology implications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veit Zoche-Golob ◽  
René Pützschel ◽  
Esra Einax ◽  
Karsten Donat

Abstract Background Paratuberculosis is a common disease in ruminants, causing economic losses in livestock farming, and a relationship between the exposure to its causative agent Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and Crohn’s disease in humans is discussed. Despite this, only a minority of cattle farmers have enroled in voluntary control programmes in most countries. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the farmer’s opinion on paratuberculosis and their motivations to participate in a control programme. The objective was to identify different groups among farmers regarding their motivation and thereby contribute to a better understanding of farmers’ attitudes towards paratuberculosis control. Results Two hundred twenty-five farmers responded to questionnaires that were distributed among cattle farmers in Saxony and Thuringia, federal states of Germany, together with boot-swab sampling sets for a free and anonymous herd-level paratuberculosis test. Among them, dairy herds and large herds were overrepresented. A hierarchical cluster analysis of the farmers’ answers resulted in four groups that we tagged as ‘informed sceptics’, ‘deniers’, ‘affected supporters’ and ‘free supporters’. In all groups, the majority considered paratuberculosis a threat to the public image of cattle farmers. Nearly all participants wanted to know the paratuberculosis herd status of purchased cattle. In contrast to the supporters, the informed sceptics and the deniers did not consider paratuberculosis a dangerous epizootic disease and would not welcome a mandatory control programme. The deniers and the affected supporters, but not the informed sceptics and the free supporters, assumed that their herd is affected by paratuberculosis. Unlike the deniers, all other groups would enrol in a control programme if the pathogen would have been found in their herd. Protecting future profitability and improving animal health were the two most important motivations to control paratuberculosis in all groups followed by aspects related to the marketing of breeding cattle. Most frequently, the costs and the assumed inaccuracy of diagnostics tests were mentioned as obstacles that hamper programme enrolment. Conclusions Significantly different attitudes of farmers regarding paratuberculosis control were identified. Therefore, tailored rather than uniform communication strategies are required to enhance participation in voluntary paratuberculosis control programmes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima A. Saeed ◽  
Mohammed M.Gumaa ◽  
Sana A.Abdelaziz ◽  
Khalid A. Enan ◽  
Selma K. Ahmed ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a severe contagious viral disease, which mainly affects small ruminants. PPR is caused by a Morbillivirus that belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae. In this study 12 suspected PPR outbreaks among sheep and goats were investigated in four localities in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, during 2015—2017. The causative agent was confirmed by a Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (sELISA), and a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) targeting a partial sequence of nucleocapsid protein gene (N- gene) and a partial sequence of fusion protein gene (F- gene). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were carried out on six N- gene based RT-PCR products selected from two outbreaks occurred on border and inner localities of Kassala State to determine the circulating lineages of PPRV strains. Identity percentages were determined between isolates in this study and previous Sudanese, and other (African and Asian) isolates which clustered along with them. Results Out of 30 samples, 22 (73.3%) were positive using sandwich ELISA. From 22 s ELISA positive samples, 17 (77.3%) were positive by Ngene based RT-PCR and only 7(43.8%) out of 16 positive samples by N gene based RT-PCR were positive using Fgene based RT-PCR. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed involvement of the lineage IV of PPRV in outbreaks among small ruminants in Kassala State and high identity percentage between our isolates and previous Sudanese and other (African and Asian) isolates. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that genetic relationship between PPRV strains circulating in sheep in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, and PPRV strains characterized as lineage IV in neighboring African countries such as Eretria,Ethiopia, Egypt, and other Asian countries


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Semedo-Lemsaddek ◽  
João Bettencourt Cota ◽  
Tânia Ribeiro ◽  
Amélia Pimentel ◽  
Luís Tavares ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The impact of enterococci in human health has been growing for the last decades, mainly due to their resistance to several antimicrobial agents. Human consumption of contaminated meat, especially poultry, has been identified as a possible route of transmission. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence genes of enterococci isolated from Portuguese conventional and free-range broiler farms. Results Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed high frequencies of resistance to tetracycline in both farming systems. Resistance to erythromycin and gentamicin were detected in about half of the isolates. Resistance to penicillin was the less frequently observed and no vancomycin resistant isolates were identified. The majority of the enterococcal isolates, from either farming systems, were resistant to more than one antibiotic, and no statistical associations were found, except for penicillin resistance which associated with the genetic clusters. No differences were found between farming systems regarding the prevalence of tet(M), erm(B), aac (6′)-Ie-aph (2″)-Ia and pbp5 genes, nevertheless pbp5 prevalence was associated with the different genetic clusters. Hemolytic activity was identified in 26.47% of all isolates and gelatinase activity in 50%. The gelE gene was identified in the majority of the isolates, whereas esp and agg genes were rarely detected. The cylA determinant was not detected in any of the isolates. Conclusions Overall, results suggest that similar resistance patterns and virulence genes can be found in both farming systems, though enterococci in free-range conditions should be less prone to acquire further resistance genes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Crespo-Piazuelo ◽  
Peadar G. Lawlor

AbstractSince the 1940s, Staphylococcus aureus has adapted to the use of different antimicrobials to treat infections. Although S. aureus can act as a commensal bacterium, some strains are facultative pathogens and acquiring them can be fatal. In particular, treating infections caused by S. aureus with acquired antimicrobial resistance is problematic, as their treatment is more difficult. Some of these S. aureus variants are methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with prevalence across the globe in health-care facilities, community settings and on livestock farms. Apart from humans, MRSA can colonise other animal species, and because of this, resistance to new antimicrobials can appear and jump between species. Livestock and companion animals are particularly important in this regard considering the relatively high usage of antimicrobials in these species. There is a risk to humans who come into direct contact with animals acquiring MRSA but there is also the risk of animals acquiring MRSA from colonised humans. In this review, we summarise studies conducted worldwide to characterise the prevalence of MRSA in veterinarians, farmers and other personnel who come into close contact with animals. Finally, alternative treatment, preventive measures and on-farm strategies to reduce MRSA introduction to a farm and carriage within a herd are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Mckiernan ◽  
Jack O’Connor ◽  
William Minchin ◽  
Edward O’Riordan ◽  
Alan Dillon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pediculosis in cattle causes significant itching, irritation and stress to the animal, often resulting in skin damage and poor coat condition. The control of bovine pediculosis in Ireland is based predominantly on commercial insecticides belonging to one of two chemical classes, the synthetic pyrethroids and the macrocyclic lactones. In recent years, pyrethroid tolerance has been reported in a number of species of livestock lice in the United Kingdom and Australia. Results In this pilot survey, lice were detected in 16 (94%) out of 17 herds visited. Two species of lice, Bovicola bovis and Linognathus vituli were identified. In vitro contact bioassays showed evidence of deltamethrin tolerance in Bovicola bovis collected from 4 farms. This was confirmed by repeatedly assessing louse infestations on treated animals on one farm. Conclusions To our knowledge this is the first record of insecticide tolerant populations of lice in Irish cattle. The results also provide new data on the species of lice infesting beef cattle in Ireland and the prevalence and control of louse infestations in Irish beef cattle herds.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Liang ◽  
Yuan Wen ◽  
Zhaocai Li ◽  
Ping Liu ◽  
Xing Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractChlamydia spp. are prevalent zoonotic pathogens that infect a wide variety of host species. Chlamydia abortus (C. abortus) infection in yaks has been reported in Gansu and Qinghai province, China. However, no data about C. abortus infection are available in yaks in Tibet, China. A total of 938 serum samples was collected from yaks in Tibet, China and specific antibodies against C. abortus were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of C. abortus in yaks was 104/938 (11.1 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 9.1–13.1). The prevalence in female and male yaks was 59/556 (10.6 %, 95 % CI 8.0-13.2) and 45/382 (11.8 %, 95 % CI 8.5–15.0), respectively with no significant difference (p > 0.05). The seroprevalence of antibodies to C. abortus in yaks ranged from 8.0 to 18.2 % among the six different areas, and the difference was also without statistical significance (p > 0.05). The prevalence among different age groups ranged from 7.0 to 15.9 %, with a higher prevalence among 1 to 2 years age category. The results demonstrate the presence of C. abortus infection in yaks in Tibet and may pose a risk for the general yak populations in addition to its potential impact on public health and the local Tibetan economy. To our knowledge, this is the first seroprevalence survey of C. abortus in yaks in Tibet, China.


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