ABSTRACT
This factorial study was part of a project examining potential welfare challenges for cull sows in the pre-slaughter logistic chain, and examined effects of journey duration and presence of a longer pre-planned stop half-way during journeys on their post-transport clinical condition. The sows were transported 4, 6 or 8 h under conditions modelling typical Danish practice. In addition, across 49 journeys, effects of temperature inside the vehicle and time spent waiting before unloading at the slaughterhouse were examined. The results confirmed the findings of our earlier observational study, showing that the clinical conditions of cull sows deteriorated during transport, but also that none of the 578 sows arrived at the slaughterhouse in a condition that would have rendered them unfit for transport. A complex picture was found in relation to the clinical variables affected by journey duration, involvement of a longer pre-planned stop, and/or time spent waiting before unloading. This suggests that several factors contribute to the deterioration of the clinical condition of sows, but not consistently or as unequivocal causal factors, at least within the studied journey durations. Based on the deterioration in their clinical condition, especially for variables associated with heat stress and aggression, and knowing that the amount of time the sows are exposed to hazards such as aggressive pen mates, high temperatures and/or moving vehicles is dependent on the journey duration, keeping journeys as short as possible will most likely be advantageous. Future studies should also focus on how to optimise the social and microclimatic environment.
Subject(s)
Abattoirs , Transportation , Animals , Swine , Female , Temperature , Time Factors , Aggression , Animal WelfareABSTRACT
An ESCMID study group on antibiotic policies (ESGAP) was formed in 1998. Several subgroups have been formed to develop key strategy in various aspects of antibiotic stewardship. Sub group III was formed to lead on antibiotic stewardship in European hospitals. This article is a final version of guidelines that have been developed by the group through internet discussion. A provisional version has been posted on the ESGAP section of ESCMID's website. Some important aspects of community antibiotic use have also been included.
Subject(s)
Administrative Personnel/standards , Anti-Bacterial Agents/standards , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Health Facilities/standards , Patient Education as Topic , Drug Industry/standards , Education, Continuing , Humans , International Cooperation , Patient Education as Topic/organization & administration , Patient Education as Topic/standards , Societies, Medical/standardsABSTRACT
A solid phase red cell adherence (SPRCA) test, designed for platelet cross-match testing, was evaluated to determine its efficacy in detecting platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This new method was compared to the platelet suspension immunofluorescence (PSIF) test. Fifty-three patient samples were tested by both methods, including 17 for whom a clinical diagnosis of ITP had been made. The SPRCA method showed 65% sensitivity, whereas the PSIF method showed 53% sensitivity. The specificity for both was 100%. The SPRCA compared favorably to the PSIF test in sensitivity and cost effectiveness. The SPRCA test is rapid, easy to perform, and suitable for detecting PAIgG in ITP.
