Veterinaria Italiana (Journal)
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R08.2 Integration of spatial and network analysis to undercover community exposure to zoonotic vector-borne diseases: the example of Ross River Virus during the COVID19 lockdown in Brisbane Australia
No full textRoss River Virus (RRV) infection is the most incident arbovirus disease in Australia. Despite the significant human health burden of RRV, the ecological characteristics of putative exposure sites to RRV infected mosquitos are not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to ascertain the most likely sites of RRV exposure and their characteristics for individuals residing in the RRV notification hotpots of the Greater Brisbane Region.
We analysed all reported RRV notifications geolocated to the household level for the period prior, during and after the Queensland COVID19 lockdown (January 2020 to July 2020). We first used geospatial cluster detection methods to identify RRV notification hotspot areas for each study period. We then harvested mobile-phone data for users in the areas of residence of the identified RRV notification hotspots. Using network analysis, we estimated the areas in Greater Brisbane that were more connected and the average time people spent in green areas during the lockdown period. Using a Zero-inflated Poisson model, we estimated associations between RRV notifications and environmental data and population movement.
During the study period, a total of 993 RRV cases were notified with geolocation in Greater Brisbane, resulting in an annual case rate of 66.1 cases per 100,000 people and we identified a total of 22 RRV geospatial clusters. Our analysis of movement data involved 9 million movements from hotspots areas of residence of RRV cases. We found that areas with high degree centrality measures had a significant higher incidence of RRV (p-value <0.05). Additionally, we noticed a slight increase in time spent walking in green areas across the study period, while the time spent in green areas was lower in the pre-lockdown phase, averaging at 11.4 minutes per week. Further, we observed that areas with a higher percentage of vegetation cover had a higher RRV incidence (p-value <0.01).
This study provides strong evidence RRV exposure was likely to occur in urban areas, specifically locations with higher vegetation coverage than the target areas identified in this study (e.g. urban green areas). This information can be used as an evidence-base regarding changes to current surveillance protocols and the deployment of mosquito control and surveillance strategies to areas where the community in high-risk areas tend to spend more time outdoors
P04.4 The model-driven approach to zone geospatial standardisation – the GeoZone project
No full textWOAH Terrestrial Code (hereafter Code), defined a zone as “a part of a country defined by the Veterinary Authority, containing an animal population or subpopulation with a specific animal health status with respect to an infection or infestation for the purposes of international trade or disease prevention or control” (WOAH, 2021). However, in the Code there is no indication on how to represent zones geographically. From a GIS perspective, what is missing in the Code specifications are the zone geospatial data model, including application schema, data content, data quality level, geospatial data accuracy, referencing information type and data structure type. The GeoZone project aims to develop a zone geospatial model for implementation by 182 WOAH Members. This study describes the model-driven approach used to develop the GeoZone geospatial data specification.
The organisational model is an abstraction of the RM-ODP framework (SO/IEC 10746-3:2009), which allowed for the early identification of issues relevant to data specification in the process. The goal was to identify numerous issues before implementation.
The framework consisted of five main threads:
(i) Requirements are defined through use-case scenarios, who, in their turn described with user-story narratives, including a template for use-case definition and a specification checklist. These documents assisted discussions between the domain experts from WOAH Collaborating Centres (CC) and GIS experts. The discussion’s result was documented in the requirements model.
(ii) GIS experts used ISO 19131 to draft the zone geospatial Data Product Specification (ISO 19131:2007). GIS experts gained a comprehensive understanding of the relevant zones. This understanding was documented via an application schema using the UML as conceptual schema language, following ISO 19100 profiling. This application schema became the core of the specification.
(iii) With WOAH CC domain experts’ support, the initial draft of the zone geospatial data product specification was integrated with various sections including scope, identification, content, structure, reference systems, quality, delivery and metadata.
(iv) The data specification results will be tested in a pilot study, to verify its applicability and sustainability.
(v) A “technical guidance” document will be created to support Members in implementing the standard, considering the complexity of the data product specification for the non-experts.
The Zone Geospatial Data Specification document has been created and will be presented to WOAH for consideration and feedback.
To establish a sustainable zone geospatial data model for WOAH, the experts of the seven WOAH CC followed an RM-ODP framework with two distinguishing features. Firstly, it follows a cyclic approach, gradually enhancing system definition and implementation based on expressed requirements. The other feature is a set of anchor point milestones, ensuring stakeholder commitment to achievable system solutions
P6.3 Eco-Epi cartographic tool for managing ASF in Africa: mapping African wild suids distribution based on the quality of available habitat
No full textAfrican Swine Fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease that affects all members of the family Suidae and represents a threat to the swine industry due to its potentially devastating socio-economic and political consequences. The disease is currently distributed on five continents, affecting 66 countries with different epidemiological scenarios, a range of hosts (domestic pigs and wild suids), and vectors. The lack of effective vaccine and treatment options makes it difficult to control of the disease. Therefore, knowledge of the distribution of wild suids is essential to understanding and helping predict disease infection dynamics and designing effective prevention and control strategies. In this work, we focus on the African scenario, where the ASF virus originated, it is a reservoir network with complex eco-epidemiology, and high viral diversity. In this scenario, the main host actors and vectors involved in this disease are: the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), considered the original vertebrate host of the ASF virus; other African wild suids (primarily bushpigs, Potamochoerus larvatus), domestic pigs and the Ornithodoros spp., the soft tick vector. To date, three cycles have been described in the endemic African setting. One is the ancient sylvatic virus cycle (where Ornithodoros ticks play a role in the maintenance of the virus, and warthogs act as seasonal amplification hosts). Another is the domestic pig-tick cycle (where the virus circulates between soft ticks associated with domestic pig sties and pigs, to the exclusion of wild suids). Lastly, the pig cycle involves a single host, the domestic pig (without the involvement of vertebrate or invertebrate sylvatic hosts). In this study, we developed a standardized distribution map based on global land cover and vegetation (GlobCover) that quantifies the quality of available habitats (QAH) for African wild suids (warthog, bushpig). Both wild suid species participate in the sylvatic cycle, contributing to the endemicity and maintenance of ASF in many countries in Africa. QAHs were estimated using a quantitative method based on expert opinion integrating spatial environmental information and epidemiological data. There was a high correlation between the QAH levels and the georeferenced presence of wild suids (n=981), the ticks’ presence (n=885), and the ASF notifications in wild suids and domestic pigs between July 2005 and June 2023 (n=517). These results suggest that the QAH map is a useful epi-tool to help predict and understand the patterns of the sylvatic cycle of ASF in the African scenario. Also, this tool could improve the management of the disease, defining risk scenarios for ASF in wild-tick-domestic pig interface, as well as for improving the prevention, control, and surveillance of ASF and other diseases that potentially affect swine and wild suids in Africa
P10.10 Spatio-temporal patterns of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in the swine industry in the Midwest region of the United States
No full textSwine pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a significant concern in the swine industry, adversely affecting sow welfare and reproductive performance. Despite being one of the leading non-infectious causes of mortality in recent years, the underlying causes of POP remain poorly understood, and there is limited information regarding its baseline prevalence in the swine industry. POP has been hypothesized to be influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, age, parity (number of previous pregnancies), body condition, and prolonged or difficult farrowing. The Midwest region in the United States is the main swine production region in the US, offering a unique setting to study the dynamics of POP. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal evolution of POP over the past five years across 25 different states in the Midwest region of the US and parts of Canada. Our dataset comprised reports from 106 farms within a large-scale operation system, covering the period from 2018 to 2023.
We used descriptive statistics to provide regional estimates of the POP prevalence, and assessed the spatial and temporal autocorrelation of POP incidence using correlation analysis and Moran's I. Additionally, space-time scan statistics were used to identify clusters of high POP incidence during the study period. The percentage of farms with an incidence greater than 0 increased from 43.44% in 2018 to 72.41% in 2023. The average incidence per farm also increased from 1.02 in 2018 to 4.54 in 2023. Notably, we identified seven significant clusters during the study period, with relative risk estimates ranging from 2.09 to 12.67.
To facilitate data visualization and ongoing monitoring, we developed an interactive dashboard to present the results and incorporate new reports. To the best of our knowledge, this analysis represents the first comprehensive evaluation of POP's temporal evolution and includes a spatial description of the at-risk population
P10.12 Exploring the effects of outdoor access and farm size on highly pathogenic avian influenza virus diffusion among poultry farms in southwest France
No full textHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to be a severe on-going threat to domestic and wild birds, with the French poultry sector experiencing both animal health and economic impacts every year. Current between-farm transmission dynamics have been mechanistically explained through farm populations having species-dependent infectivity and susceptibility. During the 2016-2017 French epidemic, dynamic models have shown that duck farms were both more infective and susceptible to HPAI than poultry farms. However, aviculture farms differ across more qualities than only species presence, including rearing practices and environmental exposure, flock sizes, and temporal activity periods. Differences in infectivity and susceptibility among duck farms are hypothesized to be related to indoor and outdoor farming practices, as different stages in the production cycle occur in different environments. Further, differences in individual farm contribution to epidemic propagation is hypothesized to be explained through farm size. To test these hypotheses, we developed an individual-based, spatially-explicit, deterministic model of HPAI transmission that accounts for the varying periods of activity and inactivity among farms, and also considers the dynamic nature of outdoor raising restrictions. This model is currently being parameterized to 2021–22 historical epidemic data of southwest France, and will be used to elucidate transmission rates, relative susceptibility, and relative infectivity of the different types of duck farms. The discovered parameters will then be fed into stochastic models to explore alternative epidemic outcomes across different biosecurity scenarios, such moving the pre-fattening stage of foie gras duck raising exclusively indoors, or instituting various poultry vaccination strategies
Seroprevalence of Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in India: A 5-year study
Get PDFInfectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a highly contagious disease of bovines causing respiratory symptoms, abortions, and reduced milk yield, leading to huge economic losses. Reports on seroprevalence in bovines in India are available and restricted to districts/states. In the present study, a nationwide seroprevalence of IBR in bovines was conducted to provide a national IBR seroprevalence to the Chief Veterinarian who in turn can design the control strategies. A total of 15,592 cattle and buffalo serum samples from 25 states and 3 Union Territories viz., Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands were tested for IBR antibodies using Avidin‑Biotin (AB) ELISA. Cumulative seropositivity was found to be 31.37%. Maharashtra and Rajasthan states, part of the west zone of the country, showed the highest and lowest seroprevalence, respectively. A total of 11,423 cattle and 4,169 buffalo serum samples were tested, which showed 33.91% and 24.39% seropositivity, respectively. India has the highest buffalo population. Presently, India no IBR vaccination programs are implemented in India. Considering the high seroprevalence, the authorities should plan control strategies for vaccinating dairy cows and buffaloes in India
Effects of Flooring Types on Teat End Bacteria Counts, Milk Quality, Hygiene and Behaviour of Dairy Cows Housed in Tie-stall Closed Barn: Effects of Flooring Types on Teat End Bacteria Counts, Milk Quality, Hygiene and Behaviour of Dairy Cows Housed in Tie-stall Closed Barn
No full textThis study aimed to investigate environmental mastitis causing bacteria counts in the teat end, somatic cell counts (SCC) of milk samples, cleanliness scores and behavior of cows kept on concrete and rubber mat floorings. For this purpose, 19 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were allocated into concrete and rubber mat groups. Swab samples were taken from the teat ends to determine the bacterial counts causing environmental mastitis. Milk samples were collected from a composite of all four quarters to determine the SCC. Instantaneous sampling method was utilized to observe the behavioral activities of cows. Cows were visually evaluated to determine the udder cleanliness score. Independent samples t-test was utilized in the statistical analysis of the obtained data. Coliform (P<0.05), Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp. (P<0.01) counts of the swab samples taken from the cows housed on concrete flooring were significantly higher than rubber mat group. However, no statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of total bacteria, Streptococcus spp., and Enterobacteriaceae counts. The SCC on samples taken from cows kept on concrete surface were significantly higher (P<0,05) than that of animals housed on rubber mat. Furthermore, cows in the rubber mat group were determined to be significantly cleaner (P<0.05) than those in concrete group. It was also determined that the cows housed on rubber mat spent significantly longer time for lying behavior (P<0.05), which is a significant indicator of animal comfort. The time spent for standing without eating was considerably higher (P<0.01) in concrete group. In addition, the times spent for eating was significantly lower (P<0.01) in the concrete group. It was concluded that, using rubber mat instead of concrete for flooring in tie-stall barns decreases the contamination of environmental mastitis pathogens, increases milk quality and cow cleanliness score as well as animal comfort and welfare.In this study, it was aimed to find out environmental mastitis causing bacteria counts in the teat end, somatic cell counts (SCC) of milk samples, cleanliness scores and behavior of cows kept on concrete and rubber mat floorings. For this purpose, 19 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were allocated into concrete and rubber mat groups. Swab samples of the cows were taken from the teat ends to determine the bacterial counts causing environmental mastitis. Instantaneous sampling method was utilized to observe the behavioral activities of cows. Coliform (P<0,05), Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella (P<0,01) counts of the swab samples taken from the cows housed on concrete flooring were significantly higher than rubber mat group. However, no statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of total bacteria, Streptococcus ssp, and Enterobacteria counts. The SCC of the milk samples of cows kept on concrete surface were significantly (P<0,05) higher than that of animals housed on rubber mat. Furthermore, cows in the rubber mat group were determined to be significantly (P<0,05) cleaner than those in concrete group. It was also determined that the cows housed on rubber mat spent significantly (P<0.05) longer time for lying behavior, which is a significant indicator of animal comfort. The time spent for standing without eating was considerably higher (P<0.01) in concrete group. In addition, the times spent for eating was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the concrete group. It was concluded that, using rubber mat instead of concrete for flooring in tie-stall barns decreases the contamination of environmental mastitis pathogens, increases milk quality and cow cleanliness score as well as animal comfort and welfare
O5-5 Pathogenesis of Brucella ovis in pregnant mice and protection induced by the candidate vaccine strain B. ovis ∆abcBA
No full textOvine brucellosis caused by Brucella ovis is a major cause of reproductive failure in sheep. This study aimed to evaluate transplacental infection and pathogenicity of B.ovis wild type strain ATCC 25840 (WT B.ovis) and the candidate vaccine strain Brucella ovis ∆abcBA in pregnant mice. A total of 40 BALB/c mice were equally divided into 4 groups: (i) non immunized and uninfected control mice (3/10 mice became pregnant); (ii) non immunized and challenged with WT Brucella ovis (5/10 pregnant); (iii) inoculated only with Brucella ovis ∆abcBA (6/10 pregnant); (iv) immunized with Brucella ovis ∆abcBA and challenged with WT Brucella ovis (5/10 pregnant). Female mice bred, and five days after visualization of the vaginal plug, they were inoculated intraperitoneally (ip) with 100 μL of sterile PBS, 100 μL of 1x106 CFU of Brucella ovis ∆abcBA, or 100 μL of 1x106 CFU of Brucella ovis WT, according to each group. At the 17th day of gestation, samples ofspleen, liver, uterus, placenta, fetus and mammary gland were obtained for bacteriology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Non immunized mice challenged with B.ovis WT developed necrotizing placentitis as well as microgranulomas in the liver and spleen. These findings support the notion that B.ovis infection in pregnant mice induces lesions that are similar to those caused by B.abortus in the same animal model. Brucella ovis ∆abcBA was not recovered from any of the sampled organs, and it did not cause any gross or microscopic lesions, indicating that it is a safe and attenuated strain in this experimental model. In addition, Brucella ovis ∆abcBA was induced protective immunity as demonstrated by decreased numbers of B.ovis WT in the liver, uterus and fetuses of immunized mice after the challenge with B.ovis WT
O2-3 Metabolic Glycoengineering: A strategy to label Brucella abortus cell envelope with synthetic analogues of D-mannose
No full textMetabolic Glycoengineering (MGE) is a powerful tool for the study of biomolecules in living systems. This technique consists in manipulating the metabolism of living cells, prokaryotic or eukaryotic, in order to modulate their glycosylation. MGE can be used to modify natural glycans, disrupt glycan biosynthesis and probe metabolic flux inside cells. An interesting approach is to install unnatural monosaccharides, with subtlemodifications, into cellular glycans. We aim to chemically modify the bacterial cell surfaces by targeting the cell wall with unnatural clickable sugars that are metabolically transformed and incorporated. The metabolic incorporation into glycans pathway can be visualized by chemical probes, for instance fluorescent reporters, that could react with the unnatural carbohydrate via biorthogonal click reactions. In this project, the strategy is to explore the metabolic route of D-mannose because, to the best of our knowledge, clickable D-mannose derivatives have never been described for such an approach in the literature. Moreover, D-mannose is present only in some bacterial cell surface, which could lead to a method with a high specificity. We performed a multi- step stereoselective synthesis of clickable D-mannose derivative. In this study, we showed that D-mannose derivatives can be used to fluorescently label Brucella abortus cell envelope in a specific manner. Furtherinvestigations showed that the unnatural monosaccharide is incorporated in the lateral branch of the core of the lipopolysaccharide, since a wadC mutant is unable to incorporate the modified mannose, while a gmd mutant is still incorporating it. In contrast to what has been previously described, we here labelled the entire cell envelope and not only the growing pole of the bacterium, which suggests a putative remodeling of the bacterial surface of Brucella abortus
P1-04 The isolation of atypical Brucella species from captive Amazon milk frogs (Trachycephalus resinifictrix)
No full textBrucellosis is a zoonosis found globally and is the result of infection by members of the genus Brucella. Twelve species of Brucella have been formally described, with the more recently described species significantly expanding the range of mammalian hosts. Furthermore, a growing number of phenotypically and genetically atypical strains have been reported from non-mammalian hosts, most notably amphibians. Reports of human infection with atypical Brucella sp. strains raise questions regarding the incidence and impact of emerging species. Initial bacterial identifications from the post mortem of three captive Amazon milk frogs (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) indicated Ochrobactrum anthropi or unspecified intralesional Gram negative bacteria. The tissues were sent to the UK Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis. The excised tissues were macerated prior to the inoculation of solid and liquid media. Supportive and selective (Farrell’s) solid media and Brodie and Sinton broths were used for the isolation and propagation of potential colonies. The growth characteristics and morphology of target isolates from all three amphibians resembled members of the atypical Brucella group (e.g. B. inopinata). The isolates grew readily within 24 hours of inoculation at 37°C with 5-10% CO2 on all media types. However, traditional methods of classical biotyping to characterise members of the Brucella genus did not identify a specific known species. Positive results of PCR targeting Brucella specific genes indicated that these isolates represent members of the emerging atypical Brucella group. Further analysis of the isolates was performed using whole genome sequencing and multi-locus sequence typing approaches, to characterise the isolates relative to other members of the atypical group. The primary isolation and characterisation of these isolates provides the opportunity to evaluate the potential clinical and diagnostic significance of emerging Brucella species. Accelerated growth characteristics coupled with negative monospecific sera reactions, used to identify the A and M epitopes of the O-polysaccharide, suggests that infection with these isolates may go undetected through the use of current serological and bacterial identification methods. These isolations emphasise the need for innovation in routine approaches to aid in the detection and identification of Brucella