News
Swine influenza: study examines the adaptive immune response of pigs
Researchers at the Pirbright Institute investigated the adaptive immune response of pigs to swine influenza virus and identified T cells which are important for fighting infection and for long term protection. Published in Mucosal Immunology, the study defines four different types of CD8 T cells and the tissues where the cells are found. Results showed […]
Stem cell lines to aid study of host-pathogen interactions in pigs
A method of producing immune cells from stem cells for research into pig infectious diseases is affordable, practical and ethical, a study led by scientists from the Roslin Institute suggests. The use of porcine pluripotent stem cell lines as a source of macrophages, is described in BMC Biology. Investigations using the technique will benefit from […]
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 […]
African Swine Fever: VACDIVA – 1st International Workshop for Hunters
The meeting will update on the situation around African Swine Fever, presenting the objectives and results already obtained through the VACDIVA project and will include different presentations and discussions on three main topics: effective and safe vaccines against African swine fever in wild boar and domestic pigs; DIVA tests to accompany vaccine candidates; African swine […]
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, […]
STAR-IDAZ IRC State-of-the-art Report, September 2021
The annual ‘State-of the-art Report’ is now published and is available on this web-site (under Reports, IRC, here ). The report provides STAR-IDAZ IRC members, and other animal health stakeholders, with a global overview of existing initiatives to speed up research, and boost collaboration in the sector. It also provides an overview of the latest discoveries […]