Cord blood Streptococcus pneumoniae-specific cellular immune responses predict early pneumococcal carriage in high-risk infants in Papua New Guinea.

In areas where Streptococcus pneumoniae is highly endemic, infants experience very early pneumococcal colonization of the upper respiratory tract, with carriage often persisting into adulthood. We aimed to explore whether newborns in high-risk areas have pre-existing pneumococcal-specific cellular immune responses that may affect early pneumococcal acquisition. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) of 84 Papua New Guinean (PNG; high endemic) and 33 Australian (AUS; low endemic) newborns were stimulated in vitro with detoxified pneumolysin (dPly) or pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA; families 1 and 2) and compared for cytokine responses. Within the PNG cohort, associations between CBMC dPly and PspA-induced responses and pneumococcal colonization within the first month of life were studied. Significantly higher PspA-specific interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 responses, and lower dPly-IL-6 responses were produced in CBMC cultures of PNG compared to AUS newborns. Higher CBMC PspA-IL-5 and PspA-IL-13 responses correlated with a higher proportion of cord CD4 T cells, and higher dPly-IL-6 responses with a higher frequency of cord antigen-presenting cells. In the PNG cohort, higher PspA-specific IL-5 and IL-6 CBMC responses were associated independently and significantly with increased risk of earlier pneumococcal colonization, while a significant protective effect was found for higher PspA-IL-10 CBMC responses. Pneumococcus-specific cellular immune responses differ between children born in pneumococcal high versus low endemic settings, which may contribute to the higher risk of infants in high endemic settings for early pneumococcal colonization, and hence disease.

Stakeholder perspectives on the use of pig meat inspection as a health and welfare diagnostic tool in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; a SWOT analysis.

BACKGROUND: A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is a strategic management tool applied to policy planning and decision-making. This short report presents the results of a SWOT analysis, carried out with n = 16 stakeholders i) involved in the pig industry in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and ii) in general animal welfare and food safety policy areas. As part of a larger study called PIGWELFIND, the analysis sought to explore the potential development of pig meat inspection as an animal welfare and diagnostic tool. FINDINGS: The final SWOT framework comprised two strengths, three opportunities, six weaknesses, and five threats. Issues around relationships and communication between producers and their veterinary practitioner, processors and producers were common to both the strengths and weakness clusters. Practical challenges within the processing plant were also named. Overall, the SWOT framework complements results reported in Devitt et al. (Ir Vet J 69:2, 2016) regarding problematic issues within the current system of information feedback on meat inspection especially within the Republic of Ireland, and the wider challenges of communication and problems of distrust. CONCLUSION: The results of the SWOT analysis support the conclusions from Devitt et al. (Ir Vet J 69:2, 2016), that trust between all stakeholders across the supply chain will be essential for the development of an effective environment in which to realise the full diagnostic potential of MI data. Further stakeholder engagement could seek to apply the findings of the SWOT analysis to a policy Delphi methodology, as used elsewhere.

Dilemmas experienced by government veterinarians when responding professionally to farm animal welfare incidents in Ireland.

OBJECTIVES: This paper identifies the dilemmas experienced by government veterinarians during their investigations of farm animal welfare incidents that involve herd owner social, health, and/or psychological difficulties. The paper builds on exploratory qualitative research into the impact of these difficulties on farm animal welfare. DESIGN: The study used a qualitative research approach. Focus groups were conducted. SETTING: In Ireland, an Early Warning System (EWS), which brings together relevant agencies, is in place to identify and prevent farm animal welfare problems before they become critical. This study is concerned with the experiences of government veterinarians who respond to farm animal welfare incidents. Specific focus is on incidents that involve herd owner social/psychological/health-related difficulties. PARTICIPANTS: In total, n=18 government veterinarians (representing 15 per cent of the population sample), all with a keen interest in farm animal welfare, participated. These were selected on the basis of their interest, experience, and involvement in farm animal welfare. One government veterinarian declined to participate. Four focus groups were conducted with government veterinarians. These took place in the south (S), south-west (SW), midlands (M), and north-west region of Ireland (NW). All 16 District Veterinary Offices (DVOs) were represented in the focus groups. RESULTS: The results reveal three professional dilemmas that exist for government veterinarians: (1) defining professional parameters; (2) determining the appropriate response; (3) involvement versus detachment. Participants reported not wanting any additional training. Instead, it was agreed that a formal bridge to social service providers who have the professional capability to respond appropriately and with confidence, was required. CONCLUSIONS: Clearly defined guidelines are required for government veterinarians in their encounters with farm animal welfare incidents where there is a complex human component. A coordinated multiagency approach that is flexible enough to meet the needs of individual farm animal welfare cases is required.

Challenges to quality testing for bovine tuberculosis in Ireland; perspectives from major stakeholders.

Within the national bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication programme in Ireland, concern has been expressed about the quality of testing by veterinarians. However, there is little published evidence supporting this concern, or the challenges that undermine quality testing. Qualitative research methods were used to gather the perspectives of major stakeholders in the bTB eradication (BTE) scheme on the challenges to quality testing for bovine tuberculosis in Ireland. These stakeholders included private veterinarians, government veterinarians, senior managers and herd owners, on the quality of bTB testing and the barriers to improvement. Results are grouped into challenges that exist in the testing environment (ie, at a farm level), and challenges associated with the skills environment (ie, professional skills involved with conducting the test). Challenges in the testing environment include inadequate on-farm testing conditions; lack of clarity on responsibility to ensure adequate testing environment; and the influence of the veterinarian-client relationship. Challenges in the skills environment include deficiencies in the development and supervision of testing skills among trainees and newly qualified veterinarians; and deficiencies in testing standards at a practice level. Regular supervision of testing is necessary to ensure standards. The importance of a continued understanding of the disease (and its eradication) supported by a partnership, cooperative approach between all stakeholders, is emphasised.

Opportunities and constraints to improving milk quality in Ireland: enabling change through collective action.

Ireland plays a key role in contributing to the global supply of dairy produce, and increasing international demand, as well as the abolition of milk quotas in the European Union in 2015, present opportunities for the Irish milk industry. Improving milk quality is required to maximize these opportunities. National action on milk quality is spearheaded by Animal Health Ireland, yet the potential for collective action at an industry level is undermined by the inability of individual stakeholders to accept responsibility for action. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with n=12 stakeholder representatives. The theoretical concepts of collective action (i.e., when a group of people with a shared interest undertake some kind of voluntary common action in pursuit of that shared interest) is applied to understanding the results and identifying a collective way forward. Though consensus is apparent on the need to improve milk quality, differences exist about individual responsibility and the best way to achieve higher quality standards. The propensity for collective action is undermined by shifting responsibility to other stakeholders, stakeholder positions, trust concerns, and concerns over the commitment of other stakeholders to cooperate. Understanding how collective action works provides Animal Health Ireland with a knowledge framework in which to build stakeholder consensus. The paper concludes with practical examples of how Animal Health Ireland continues to apply this understanding by bringing individual stakeholders together to achieve milk quality improvement.

Veterinarian challenges to providing a multi-agency response to farm animal welfare problems in Ireland: responding to the human factor.

In 2012, the authors undertook a study of the challenges facing government and private veterinarians in responding to the human element of farm animal welfare incidents (i.e. the personal problems and difficulties of farmers that can result in farm animal neglect). This paper reports their findings and examines the role of veterinarians in responding to the difficulties of farmers. It also looks at their experiences of attempting to build a multi-agency approach involving veterinary and human support services. This paper builds on a study whereby the authors considered how social, health and attitudinal factors, as well as mental health problems, contribute to farm animal welfare incidents in Ireland. An early warning system involving relevant agencies is in place to identify and prevent farm animal welfare problems before they become critical. The literature provides examples of private veterinarians combining with support services where there are indicators of animal and human abuse. Yet there are no research examples of government or private veterinarians linking with support services to resolve farm animal welfare cases where there are social, health, and/or mental health difficulties with the herd owner. Four focus groups were conducted with government veterinarians (n = 18) and three with private veterinarians (n = 12). Government veterinarians made contact with support services to seek advice on how best to respond to the human element of farm animal welfare incidents, and/or to seek support for the herd owner. Contact between government and private veterinarians was driven by the former. Communication between agencies was influenced by individual efforts and personal contacts. Formal structures and guidelines, perceived professional capabilities in determining herd owner needs, and client confidentiality concerns among support services and private veterinarians were less influential. The fear of losing clients and the financial implications of this were also cited by private veterinarians. Family, neighbours and local support groups assisted in reaching an on-farm solution. The paper concludes with the requirements for a multi-agency approach in Ireland: the provision of tailored information and guidelines targeting government and private veterinarians and support services, and a comprehensive structure for relationship-building, planning, and cross-reporting between all the relevant agencies.

Animal Health Ireland: providing national leadership and coordination of non-regulatory animal health issues in Ireland.

Livestock production plays an important role in the Irish economy. Regulatory animal health issues are the responsibility of government, but until recently there has been no national coordination of non-regulatory animal health issues. This gap has recently been filled with the establishment of Animal Health Ireland (AHI), a not-for-profit, partnership-based organisation providing national leadership and coordination of non-regulatory animal health issues in Ireland. Animal Health Ireland provides benefits to livestock producers and processors by providing the knowledge, education and coordination required to establish effective control strategies, both on-farm and nationally. This paper presents a brief overview of the context for AHI, and of its establishment and initial activities. Non-regulatory animal health issues have been prioritised. A series of work programmes (each focusing on a high-priority issue) have been established. Partnership is critical to success, both for AHI as an organisation and for effective farm-level transfer of knowledge. This model for national leadership and coordination of non-regulatory animal health issues may be of relevance elsewhere.

Economic evaluations of beef bulls in an integrated supply chain.

Economic benefits from the use of expected progeny of a sample of beef bulls with genetic evaluations were calculated over an integrated supply chain for combinations of price discounts for intramuscular fat and LM area. Fixed backfat finish and marketing at the point of optimized gross margins were considered. An economic model was used to calculate average expected gross margins for a sample of bulls. Across-breed, age-constant genetic evaluations were used to predict carcass characteristics of progeny including weight, retail yield, intramuscular fat, and LM area, as well as input requirements including feed and housing as a function of time on feed. Proportion of retail cuts affected by price discounts was included in the calculations. Optimizing endpoints did not affect rankings to any extent relative to a fixed end point in this sample of bulls, as a result of fixed endpoints being similar to optimized endpoints for the economic situation considered. However, rank correlations were only 0.63 and 0.71 between rankings for no discount being applied and rankings with discounts for intramuscular fat and LM area, for fixed and optimized endpoints, respectively. We conclude that market prices are necessary considerations in choices of bulls to use in commercial beef production.

Genetic correlation estimates between ultrasound measurements on yearling bulls and carcass measurements on finished steers.

Carcass and growth measurements of finished crossbred steers (n = 843) and yearling ultrasound and growth measurements of purebred bulls (n = 5,654) of 11 breeds were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters. Multiple-trait restricted maximum likelihood (REML) was used to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations between finished steer carcass measurements and yearling bull ultrasound measurements. Separate analyses were conducted to examine the effect of adjustment to three different end points: age, backfat thickness, and weight at measurement. Age-constant heritability estimates from finished steer measurements of hot carcass weight, carcass longissimus muscle area, carcass marbling score, carcass backfat, and average daily feedlot gain were 0.47, 0.45, 0.35, 0.41, and 0.30, respectively. Age-constant heritability estimates from yearling bull measurements of ultrasound longissimus muscle area, ultrasound percentage of intramuscular fat, ultrasound backfat, and average daily postweaning gain were 0.48, 0.23, 0.52, and 0.46, respectively. Similar estimates were found for backfat and weight-constant traits. Age-constant genetic correlation estimates between steer carcass longissimus muscle area and bull ultrasound longissimus muscle area, steer carcass backfat and bull ultrasound backfat, steer carcass marbling and bull ultrasound intramuscular fat, and steer average daily gain and bull average daily gain were 0.66, 0.88, 0.80, and 0.72, respectively. The strong, positive genetic correlation estimates between bull ultrasound measurements and corresponding steer carcass measurements suggest that genetic improvement for steer carcass traits can be achieved by using yearling bull ultrasound measurements as selection criteria.

Prognostic factors for surgical treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs: 75 cases (1986-1996).

OBJECTIVE: To determine results of surgery for treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs and to identify prognostic variables that can be used to predict outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs with soft-tissue sarcomas that had surgical treatment only. PROCEDURE: Records were examined for clinically relevant data. Histologic samples were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by physical examination or telephone conversations with referring veterinarians or owners. RESULTS: 75 dogs with soft-tissue sarcomas of the trunk and extremities were identified. Median age was 10.6 years. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors were of a significantly lower grade than other tumors. Tumors recurred locally in 11 of 75 (15%) dogs. Evaluation for lack of tumor cells at surgical margins was prognostic for local recurrence. Metastatic disease developed in 13 of 75 (17%) dogs. Tumor mitotic rate was prognostic for development of metastasis. Twenty-five of 75 (33%) dogs died of tumor-related causes. Percentage of tumor necrosis and tumor mitotic rate were prognostic for survival time. Median survival time was 1,416 days. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: On the basis of a low local recurrence rate and high median survival time, wide excision of tumor margins or radical surgery appeared to be an effective means for managing soft-tissue sarcomas of the trunk and extremities. Analysis of histologic characteristics for prognosis supported use of preoperative biopsy. Surgical margins should be evaluated, and early use of aggressive surgery is indicated in the management of soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs.

Passive drainage versus primary closure after total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs: 59 dogs (1985-1995).

OBJECTIVE: Compare passive wound drainage to primary closure of total ear canal ablation-lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of medical records. SAMPLE POPULATION: Fifty-nine dogs with end-stage otitis externa or neoplasia of the external and middle ear. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with TECA-LBO were reviewed. Dogs were divided into postoperative drain and primary closure groups. Statistical analyses were performed to identify differences in data for signalment, preoperative treatment, duration of hospitalization, immediate complications, and long-term complications between groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected in signalment, diagnosis, and duration of medical management between groups (P > .05). Duration of hospitalization was greater for dogs in the drain group (P < .05). Immediate postoperative complications occurred in 26 of 59 dogs and included ipsilateral facial palsy, incision swelling, vestibular signs, premature drain removal, and one dog died of aspiration pneumonia. Long-term (> 6 months) complications were identified in 12 of 50 dogs and included dermatitis of the medial aspect of the pinna, chronic fistula formation, and permanent facial paralysis. No association between immediate or long term complications and method of closure was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Primary closure is an acceptable alternative in dogs undergoing TECA-LBO when surgical wound dead space can be managed with meticulous hemostasis, complete debridement of devitalized tissue, and accurate apposition of tissue planes.

Clinical evaluation of tube esophagostomy in small animals.

An alternative technique for placement of tube esophagostomy in small animals is described. Tube esophagostomy was placed in 13 dogs and nine cats. The mean duration of tube placement was 23 days (range, one to 48 days). No significant complications related to the tube were noted. In each case, tube esophagostomy was tolerated and time to healing of the esophagostomy site following tube removal was less than two weeks. Tube esophagostomy is suitable for use in a nutritionally compromised small animal with a functional esophagus and gastrointestinal tract.

Characterization of a group D rotavirus.

A rotavirus isolated from the intestinal contents of commercial ring-neck pheasant chicks was determined to be a group D rotavirus based on its RNA electropherotype and its serologic relatedness to known turkey group A and D rotaviruses using immune electron microscopy and agar-gel immunodiffusion assays. Further characterization revealed a buoyant density in cesium chloride of 1.347 g/cm3 for double-shelled particles and 1.365 g/cm3 for single-shelled particles. The average size for the pheasant-origin group D rotavirus was determined to be 80 nm for double-shelled particles and 70 nm for single-shelled particles. In contrast, the average size for a turkey group A rotavirus isolate was determined to be 73 nm for double-shelled particles and 60 nm for single-shelled particles. There was no evidence of viral replication by the pheasant-origin group D rotavirus (either cytopathic effect or increase in numbers of viral particles) after six passages in MA104 cells. The hemagglutinating activity of the pheasant origin group D rotavirus was compared with that of a turkey origin group A rotavirus. Differences and similarities were noted depending upon the species of erythrocytes employed and the temperature of incubation.