Irish Veterinary Journal最新文献

Salmonella Infantis is a zoonotic pathogen that frequently persists in broiler production systems, posing a risk to food safety and animal health. Understanding its entry and spread in these systems can inform control measures and reduce contamination.A longitudinal field study (2021-2022) was conducted on an eight-house broiler farm managed by three farmers to identify critical contamination points for S. Infantis. In 2021, 49 out of 536 samples (9.1%) were positive for S. Infantis, with the highest contamination rates found in anterooms (11.7%), the farm exterior (9.1%) and in the production area (7.5%). Only two out of 196 samples were positive after the implementation of cleaning and disinfection (C&D) measures. After destocking, 5.9% of samples tested positive for S. Infantis. The critical points with the highest contamination rate were litter, ventilation systems and nipple cups in the production area, floor and equipment in the anteroom and farm exterior. When the farm was revisited in 2022, S. Infantis was detected in four houses after the fattening cycle was completed, although there was no contamination prior to flock arrival. Whole-genome sequencing of 69 isolates showed that all isolates harbored the pESI plasmid and belonged to ST32. Clonal S. Infantis isolates mostly originated from houses managed by the same farmer, with occasional cross-contamination between houses managed by different farmers. Although persistent strains were frequently observed, the introduction of a new strain into previously negative houses was also observed.This study highlights that strict and consistent adherence to C&D protocols is critical for effective control of S. Infantis spread within and between flocks. Persistent contamination in certain areas highlights the need for targeted interventions at identified critical points.

Background: Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is endemic in the Irish cattle population, but there is no current formal eradication programme for this disease in the Republic of Ireland. This observational, prospective field study is aimed to assess the evolution of the BoHV-1 seroprevalence on fifteen Irish dairy farms (85-250 cows) between 2020 and 2023 following the implementation of a hyperimmunisation IBR vaccination programme. Eligible farms had positive bulk tank results and estimated within-herd seroprevalence ≥ 25%. Animals from three months of age received a live, monovalent, double-deleted (gE-/tk-) marker vaccine (six-monthly boosters). Annually, biosecurity was evaluated using a 44-item survey. Each year, approximately 20 randomly selected animals per farm (4 calves, 4 heifers, 12 cows) were tested by gE-ELISA; in addition, animals with a negative result were retested in subsequent years (N = 818 animals). Seroprevalence was analysed using a logistic regression model with year and the epidemiological unit (calf, heifer or cow) as response variables, and farm as a random effect. A Pearson correlation between within-herd seroprevalences and biosecurity scores was also performed.

Results: The overall estimated animal level seroprevalence decreased from 55.7% to 37.2% after one year and was maintained at 37.5% after two years. Among the eleven herds that followed the hyperimmunisation IBR vaccination protocol, the estimated animal level seroprevalence was reduced from 57.3% to 33.6%, and the estimated within-herd seroprevalence from 54.5% to 22.2% within the study period. Reductions were most evident in calves (72.0%) and heifers (76.6%), compared with adult cows (33.1%). A significant negative correlation was observed between within-herd seroprevalences and biocontainment scores (R = -0.51, p < 0.001). Most retested animals maintained a seronegative status across the study period. However, data on culling and replacement rates were not available on the studied farms.

Conclusion: The control and eradication of BoHV-1 from the Republic of Ireland present many challenges to the Irish dairy industry. The results suggest that the maintenance of a hyperimmunisation protocol with an IBR gE-/tk- marker vaccine contribute to effectively and efficiently reducing BoHV-1 seroprevalence within the Irish dairy sector at farm level. Further large-scale controlled studies are required to confirm its role in national eradication strategies.

This study evaluated the utility of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-l-phenylalanine (¹⁸F-FDOPA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the differential diagnosis of canine pheochromocytoma. In some cases, conventional diagnostic methods, including hormonal assays and imaging modalities, may have limited ability to differentiate adrenal tumor types in dogs. ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT, a novel nuclear imaging modality, addresses these limitations by providing functional assessment of catecholamine-producing cells, offering higher accuracy and specificity in detecting pheochromocytomas. In this study, ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT was effective in localizing a pheochromocytoma, guiding surgical intervention, and aiding clinical decision-making. In cases of adrenocortical tumors clinically mimicking pheochromocytoma, ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT revealed no significant uptake, facilitating the identification of alternative adrenal pathologies. These results highlight the potential utility of ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT as a complementary diagnostic tool in cases where conventional methods yield inconclusive results. These findings suggest that using ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT as a standard diagnostic tool for canine adrenal tumors can enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment planning. Further studies are recommended to validate these findings in larger populations and to establish standardized protocols for veterinary practice.