Author: Rachel Wood
Highly virulent Escherichia coli causes oedema disease in wild boars
A study led by scientists from INRAE, ENVT and the Université de Toulouse, identified a bacterium potentially lethal for pigs in wild boars in France. The findings, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, show that the emergence of oedema disease in wild boars was caused by a new hybrid strain of Escherichia coli, which so far […]
FMDV: fibrils may play a key role in viral replication
Researchers have used cryo-electron microscopy to observe tiny structures created by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Biologists from the University of Leeds in collaboration with colleagues at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, observed the interaction between components of the virus in test tube experiments under bio-secure conditions. High-resolution images revealed the formation of […]
Coronavirus RNA synthesis occurs within membrane-bound sites
In a study of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), published in Viruses, researchers at The Pirbright Institute found that replication of coronavirus genetic material (RNA) in host cells happens in a separate membrane-bound compartment within the cell. These compartments are likely to provide a way to protect the RNA from being recognised by the cell’s natural […]
New DIVA vaccine candidates against peste des petits ruminants virus
Two new vaccine candidates that could differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals and contribute to the goal of global eradication of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) have been developed by researchers at The Pirbright Institute. In a study published in Viruses, researchers explored ways to create live attenuated DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) […]
Study finds Cryptosporidium spp. widespread across dairy farms in Western Europe
Collaborative research led by the University of Kent has found the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. across dairy cattle farms in Western Europe to be greater than previously thought. The study, published in Microorganisms, suggests cattle as a possible carrier of zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes, which could pose a threat to human health. Samples were collected […]
Indicators for suspicion of avian influenza on duck farms
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) investigated if and to what degree mortality and production data could signal possible outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on duck farms. The results, published in Pathogens, could be used to provide guidelines to farmers and veterinarians to report suspected outbreaks. Data was collected on the daily mortality, egg production, […]
OIE calls for increased surveillance of avian influenza
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is urging countries to maintain their surveillance efforts and to continue timely reporting of avian influenza, as outbreaks in poultry and wild birds intensify. Since the beginning of May 2021, outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in more than 40 countries from different regions […]
Deer may be a reservoir host for SARS-CoV-2
Following a USDA study showing that 40% of white-tailed deer in the USA had antibodies against Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), researchers tested the hypothesis that infection and subsequent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 of deer occurs in nature. In a study posted on the pre-print server bioRxiv, yet to be peer-reviewed, a total of […]
Bovine TB: genetic contact tracing could help control outbreaks
The use of genetic contact tracing to identify the source of a bovine tuberculosis (TB) outbreak could signal a new approach in managing the disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. In response to a rise in TB rates among wildlife in the eastern part of the county of Cumbria […]
Bovine respiratory disease: study of bacterial outer membrane proteins
Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are studying outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of bacteria commonly associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) to identify unique proteins that can be used for future interventions against the disease. In a study published in Genome, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center microbiologist Emily […]