Veterinary Record最新文献

Background: The international gold standard for avian influenza virus (AIV) diagnosis is virus isolation (VI) in specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs). AIV isolation typically involves a 6-day turnaround, during which premises under suspicion for notifiable AIV infection are held under restriction regardless of molecular diagnoses, often with significant welfare implications.

Methods: A reduction in time for negation by VI was investigated following experimental inoculation of AIV from known-positive original clinical material into ECEs. VI data derived from more than 600 case investigations from epizootics of high-pathogenicity AIV (HPAIV) in Great Britain since 2016 and from low-pathogenicity AIV (LPAIV) cases in Great Britain since 2014 were examined to support a reduction in test timing using alternative regimens.

Results: HPAIVs were isolated during the first passage, and for LPAIV VI, the second passage could be reduced to 2 days. Power analysis showed that the benefit of reducing the number of days outweighed the risk of missing a positive isolate.

Limitations: Limited data were available from experimental inoculations.

Conclusion: This truncated methodology, which enables an earlier release of restrictions, may substantially ease the economic implications of restriction. It could also reduce bird welfare implications and improve international standards without loss of test performance.

Background: Medial meniscal injury is an important aspect of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. This study examines whether caudomedial joint line palpation of the stifle is correlated with medial meniscal injury in canine stifles with concurrent cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Methods: A total of 91 dogs (97 stifles) presenting with cranial cruciate ligament disease were assessed by palpation of the caudomedial joint line of the affected stifle by a single surgeon. Surgery was then performed to assess for injury to the medial meniscus. The odds of dogs with pain on palpation having a medial meniscal tear were then calculated, with the significance level set at p-value of 0.05.

Results: Dogs showing pain on caudomedial joint palpation had 34.5 times (95% confidence interval 9.7‒125) greater odds of having a medial meniscal tear. Pain on caudomedial joint line palpation had a sensitivity of 0.86, specificity of 0.85, positive predictive value of 0.94, negative predictive value of 0.70 and accuracy of 0.86 for identifying dogs with a medial meniscal tear.

Limitations: The amount of pressure placed on the caudomedial joint line was not assessed and a control group was not included.

Conclusion: Medial joint line tenderness has a significant relationship with medial meniscal tear in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Background: Johne's disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is a chronic enteritis that adversely affects welfare and productivity in cattle. Screening and subsequent removal of affected animals is a common approach for disease management, but efforts are hindered by low diagnostic sensitivity. Expression levels of small non-coding RNA molecules involved in gene regulation (microRNAs), which may be altered during mycobacterial infection, may present an alternative diagnostic method.

Methods: The expression levels of 24 microRNAs affected by mycobacterial infection were measured in sera from MAP-positive (n = 66) and MAP-negative cattle (n = 65). They were then used within a machine learning approach to build an optimal classifier for MAP diagnosis.

Results: The method provided 72% accuracy, 73% sensitivity and 71% specificity on average, with an area under the curve of 78%.

Limitations: Although control samples were collected from farms nominally MAP-free, the low sensitivity of current diagnostics means some animals may have been misclassified.

Conclusion: MicroRNA profiling combined with advanced predictive modelling enables rapid and accurate diagnosis of Johne's disease in cattle.

Background: Veterinary physiotherapy and hydrotherapy are popular modalities in the UK, yet little is known about the confidence of therapists responsible for performing these treatments. A lack of confidence may have a detrimental impact on patients; therefore, this study investigated the effect of age, species specialisation, educational level, occupation, qualifications, experience and years practising on animal therapists' confidence in executing professional skills.

Methods: An online survey was conducted to collect quantitative data regarding UK-based therapists' confidence in the completion of entrustable professional activities (EPAs). In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants' perceptions of therapy qualifications and their personal experiences in clinical practice.

Results: Occupation, educational level and therapy qualification had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on participants' confidence in performing all EPAs. Experience had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on four EPAs; those with less than 1 year of experience had the lowest confidence scores, with increased experience in the animal industry and as an animal therapist resulting in a rise in confidence.

Limitations: This study relied on participants reporting their own limitations and could have further explored why animal therapists choose to obtain specific qualifications.

Conclusions: Providing support to new graduates may improve their confidence. In addition, it is important that qualifications adequately prepare animal therapists for clinical practice.

Becoming a vet was among many career options for Sinthu Devkumar and after intercalating in the social sciences during her preclinical years, the role of interdisciplinary research started to shape her future career path.