29/03
Nos 24 meses decorridos desde fevereiro de 2010, o preço das carnes exportadas pelo Brasil chegou a apresentar incremento dos mais significativos. A carne bovina, por exemplo, em parte do segundo semestre do ano passado obteve no mercado internacional preço médio quase 50% superior ao registrado dois anos atrás, no mês de fevereiro. A carne de frango, em algumas ocasiões, registrou variação da ordem de 30%, mesmo nível máximo atingido pela carne bovina, mas, neste caso, em apenas uma ocasião.
Porém, os últimos meses não têm sido tão alvissareiros, pois as três carnes enfrentam retrocesso nos preços internacionais. A carne bovina continua em posição mais favorável, porquanto seu último preço se mantinha quase 40% acima daquele registrado em fevereiro de 2010. Já as carnes de frango e suína se encontram em posição mais modesta: o preço médio obtido pela carne de frango no mês passado avançou não mais que 15% nos últimos dois anos, enquanto a variação obtida pela carne suína não chegou a 10%.
Após 24 meses e comparativamente ao que se praticou em fevereiro de 2010, o preço médio da carne bovina foi 30% superior, o da carne de frango 16% e o da carne suína 12%. Não teria sido um mau rendimento se o câmbio tivesse colaborado.
Avisite
http://www.agrolink.com.br/noticias/ClippingDetalhe.aspx?CodNoticia=167035
quinta-feira, 29 de março de 2012
Rebanho de ovinos cresce 13% em Mato Grosso do Sul
29/03
No período de 2005 a 2010, a última pesquisa pecuária municipal realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), aponta que Mato Grosso do Sul cresceu 13% no seu rebanho de ovinos, atingindo o número de 497.102 cabeças. A Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), instituição que verifica o comércio internacional de commodities entre
todos os países do mundo, no seu último levantamento constatou que o Brasil importou 6.965 toneladas, resultando no investimento de U$ 21, 47 mil, mostrando que a produção do País não é suficiente para o consumo interno.
De acordo com o IBGE, Dourados possui 152 propriedades rurais que se dedicam a cultura de ovinos, mas alcança apenas a décima quarta colocação em números de estabelecimentos agropecuários destinados a esse setor no Estado. Bonito é o município com mais propriedades dedicadas aos ovinos (267), seguida de Campo Grande (257) e Nioaque (248). Quanto a cabeças de ovinos, Dourados se enquadra em décimo sexto colocado com 7.352 cabeças, sendo o ranking das primeiras posições compostas por Corumbá (16.682), Campo Grande (15.215) e Ribas do Rio Pardo (15.117).
Correio do Estado
http://www.agrolink.com.br/noticias/ClippingDetalhe.aspx?CodNoticia=167060
No período de 2005 a 2010, a última pesquisa pecuária municipal realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), aponta que Mato Grosso do Sul cresceu 13% no seu rebanho de ovinos, atingindo o número de 497.102 cabeças. A Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), instituição que verifica o comércio internacional de commodities entre
todos os países do mundo, no seu último levantamento constatou que o Brasil importou 6.965 toneladas, resultando no investimento de U$ 21, 47 mil, mostrando que a produção do País não é suficiente para o consumo interno.
De acordo com o IBGE, Dourados possui 152 propriedades rurais que se dedicam a cultura de ovinos, mas alcança apenas a décima quarta colocação em números de estabelecimentos agropecuários destinados a esse setor no Estado. Bonito é o município com mais propriedades dedicadas aos ovinos (267), seguida de Campo Grande (257) e Nioaque (248). Quanto a cabeças de ovinos, Dourados se enquadra em décimo sexto colocado com 7.352 cabeças, sendo o ranking das primeiras posições compostas por Corumbá (16.682), Campo Grande (15.215) e Ribas do Rio Pardo (15.117).
Correio do Estado
http://www.agrolink.com.br/noticias/ClippingDetalhe.aspx?CodNoticia=167060
Pará perto de se tornar área livre de febre aftosa
Como etapa final, em abril, exames de sorologia serão feitos no rebanho, mas avaliações do Ministério da Agricultura são positivas
O Pará avançou no combate à febre aftosa e já pode se tornar zona livre da doença com vacinação. O status pode ser conquistado após exames sorológicos no rebanho paraense, que serão realizados em abril pela Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Estado do Pará (Adepará).
Durante reunião realizada ontem, na sede do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Mapa) em Brasília, o diretor do órgão, Mário Moreira, viu a apresentação do resultado da auditoria feita no Pará, por técnicos do ministério, entre 13 e 17 de fevereiro, e comemorou o fato de o Estado ter sido o melhor avaliado entre as regiões Norte e Nordeste.
“Cumprimos, em 2011, todas as recomendações impostas pelo Ministério da Agricultura para que hoje pudéssemos comemorar mais esta boa notícia para o Estado do Pará. Após duas auditorias, os técnicos constataram que tudo está em ordem e poderemos nos tornar área livre de aftosa com vacinação”, comentou o diretor geral da Adepará.
Na presença de integrantes do Departamento de Saúde Animal (DSA), secretários de Agricultura estaduais e membros de agências de defesa agropecuária, representantes dos Estados de Alagoas, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pará, Pernambuco, Piauí e Rio Grande do Norte assinaram um termo de compromisso – proposto pelo Mapa - para garantir o prosseguimento do projeto de ampliação da zona livre de febre aftosa do Brasil.
Nele, os secretários de Agricultura dos Estados se comprometem a executar integralmente as medidas acertadas nos Planos de Ação – e aquelas consideradas complementares – para correção das deficiências apontadas em auditorias do ministério realizadas em 2011 e no início de 2012. Além do Pará, Pernambuco, Piauí, Ceará e Maranhão estão aptos a ter o gado analisado nos exames de sorologia.
“Nos últimos dez anos, nenhum caso da doença foi registrado no Pará. O mais importante não é chegar a este patamar, mas conquistar, nacional e internacionalmente, a zona livre com a vacinação. A estrela do Pará brilhou nos resultados das auditorias e isso se deve a uma parceria do Governo Estadual (Adepará e Secretaria de Estado de Agricultura - Sagri) com a Superintendência Federal de Agricultura, Federação de Agricultura e Pecuária do Pará (Faepa), sindicatos, técnicos e todos do setor produtivo, que juntos não medem esforços para desenvolver uma pecuária cada vez mais competitiva e expansiva”, falou Mário Moreira.
PRÓXIMO PASSO
A próxima etapa prevista dentro do cronograma definido pelo DSA será a realização do inquérito soro epidemiológico nos Estados de Alagoas, Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Pernambuco e Piauí. Na próxima semana, uma reunião preparatória com os técnicos que participarão dessa atividade será promovida em Brasília. O principal objetivo é permitir que a região seja reconhecida nacionalmente como livre de febre aftosa com vacinação ainda este ano, o que dependerá da implementação das melhorias recomendadas e dos resultados da investigação soro epidemiológica.
“Precisamos ter certeza de que não há circulação de vírus na região e que os estados contam com uma estrutura mínima para manter o status alcançado. Queremos que o bloco avance como um todo para que possamos apresentar um pleito único, de toda a região, junto à Organização Mundial de Saúde Animal”, declara o diretor do DSA, Guilherme Marques.
Diário do Pará
http://inovadefesa.ning.com/group/adepara/forum/topic/show?id=2874953%3ATopic%3A253882&xg_source=msg
O Pará avançou no combate à febre aftosa e já pode se tornar zona livre da doença com vacinação. O status pode ser conquistado após exames sorológicos no rebanho paraense, que serão realizados em abril pela Agência de Defesa Agropecuária do Estado do Pará (Adepará).
Durante reunião realizada ontem, na sede do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Mapa) em Brasília, o diretor do órgão, Mário Moreira, viu a apresentação do resultado da auditoria feita no Pará, por técnicos do ministério, entre 13 e 17 de fevereiro, e comemorou o fato de o Estado ter sido o melhor avaliado entre as regiões Norte e Nordeste.
“Cumprimos, em 2011, todas as recomendações impostas pelo Ministério da Agricultura para que hoje pudéssemos comemorar mais esta boa notícia para o Estado do Pará. Após duas auditorias, os técnicos constataram que tudo está em ordem e poderemos nos tornar área livre de aftosa com vacinação”, comentou o diretor geral da Adepará.
Na presença de integrantes do Departamento de Saúde Animal (DSA), secretários de Agricultura estaduais e membros de agências de defesa agropecuária, representantes dos Estados de Alagoas, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pará, Pernambuco, Piauí e Rio Grande do Norte assinaram um termo de compromisso – proposto pelo Mapa - para garantir o prosseguimento do projeto de ampliação da zona livre de febre aftosa do Brasil.
Nele, os secretários de Agricultura dos Estados se comprometem a executar integralmente as medidas acertadas nos Planos de Ação – e aquelas consideradas complementares – para correção das deficiências apontadas em auditorias do ministério realizadas em 2011 e no início de 2012. Além do Pará, Pernambuco, Piauí, Ceará e Maranhão estão aptos a ter o gado analisado nos exames de sorologia.
“Nos últimos dez anos, nenhum caso da doença foi registrado no Pará. O mais importante não é chegar a este patamar, mas conquistar, nacional e internacionalmente, a zona livre com a vacinação. A estrela do Pará brilhou nos resultados das auditorias e isso se deve a uma parceria do Governo Estadual (Adepará e Secretaria de Estado de Agricultura - Sagri) com a Superintendência Federal de Agricultura, Federação de Agricultura e Pecuária do Pará (Faepa), sindicatos, técnicos e todos do setor produtivo, que juntos não medem esforços para desenvolver uma pecuária cada vez mais competitiva e expansiva”, falou Mário Moreira.
PRÓXIMO PASSO
A próxima etapa prevista dentro do cronograma definido pelo DSA será a realização do inquérito soro epidemiológico nos Estados de Alagoas, Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Pernambuco e Piauí. Na próxima semana, uma reunião preparatória com os técnicos que participarão dessa atividade será promovida em Brasília. O principal objetivo é permitir que a região seja reconhecida nacionalmente como livre de febre aftosa com vacinação ainda este ano, o que dependerá da implementação das melhorias recomendadas e dos resultados da investigação soro epidemiológica.
“Precisamos ter certeza de que não há circulação de vírus na região e que os estados contam com uma estrutura mínima para manter o status alcançado. Queremos que o bloco avance como um todo para que possamos apresentar um pleito único, de toda a região, junto à Organização Mundial de Saúde Animal”, declara o diretor do DSA, Guilherme Marques.
Diário do Pará
http://inovadefesa.ning.com/group/adepara/forum/topic/show?id=2874953%3ATopic%3A253882&xg_source=msg
terça-feira, 27 de março de 2012
Concurso professor substituto Inspeção leite ovos mel e pescado
Abertas inscrições até dia 30/03 para concurso de professor substituto 20h com mestrado, área Inspeção de leite ovos mel e pescado, UFRRJ.
segunda-feira, 26 de março de 2012
Major FMD Outbreak Threatens Egypt
EGYPT - Urgent action is required to control a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and prevent its spread throughout North Africa and the Middle East, which could have serious implications for food security in the region, FAO warned yesterday. With vaccines urgently needed, international and regional organizations are at the ready to assist in developing a regional prevention, preparedness and action plan.
In Egypt 40,222 cases of the disease are suspected, according to official estimates, and 4,658 animals, mostly calves, have already died.
According to FAO's livestock census data, 6.3 million buffalo and cattle and 7.5 million sheep and goats are at risk in Egypt. Although foot-and-mouth disease has circulated in the country for some years, this is an entirely new introduction of a virus strain known as SAT2, and livestock have no immune protection against it.
Urgent action
Further to a request by the Egyptian Government, an FAO emergency team was in the country last week assessing the situation with veterinary authorities. They jointly set up a first line of containment measures and the roll out of a national FMD control strategy. The strategy is focused on limiting the disease's spread by implementing biosecurity measures and by use of vaccination when available.
"We are working closely to support the government to bring the outbreak under control. The area around the Lower Nile Delta appears to be severely affected, while other areas in Upper Egypt and the west appear less so," said Juan Lubroth, FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer, calling for strong action to prevent the disease from spreading further.
In order to help prevent the spread of the virus, livestock attendants are urged to take a series of measures including: limiting animal movements and avoiding contact with animals from other farms; avoiding purchasing animals in the immediate term since they could have come from contaminated sources; and properly disposing of carcasses preferably by incineration or, failing that, by burying them.
Vaccines in short supply
Vaccines are in limited supply for the FMD virus now present in Egypt. The country has some reserves of its own vaccines, but these do not protect against the SAT2 strain, and Egypt could need regional support in mobilizing effective ones. Even if they become available quickly, vaccines sometimes take up to two weeks to confer immunity, so FAO is urging coordination at all levels of government to implement biosecurity measures to limit the spread of the disease.
Foot-and-mouth disease affects all cloven-hoofed animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo and pigs. It causes serious production losses and can be lethal, particularly to younger animals.
Meat and milk from sick animals are unsafe for consumption, not because FMD affects humans, but because foodstuffs entering the food chain should only come from animals that are known to be healthy.
The virus that causes FMD passes rapidly between animals through airborne droplets and normal contact, but humans in close contact with animals can transport it too via the soles of shoes, or on their hands or clothing. Foot-and-mouth disease is not a direct threat to humans.
Fonte http://www.thepigsite.com/footandmouth/37945/major-fmd-outbreak-threatens-egypt
In Egypt 40,222 cases of the disease are suspected, according to official estimates, and 4,658 animals, mostly calves, have already died.
According to FAO's livestock census data, 6.3 million buffalo and cattle and 7.5 million sheep and goats are at risk in Egypt. Although foot-and-mouth disease has circulated in the country for some years, this is an entirely new introduction of a virus strain known as SAT2, and livestock have no immune protection against it.
Urgent action
Further to a request by the Egyptian Government, an FAO emergency team was in the country last week assessing the situation with veterinary authorities. They jointly set up a first line of containment measures and the roll out of a national FMD control strategy. The strategy is focused on limiting the disease's spread by implementing biosecurity measures and by use of vaccination when available.
"We are working closely to support the government to bring the outbreak under control. The area around the Lower Nile Delta appears to be severely affected, while other areas in Upper Egypt and the west appear less so," said Juan Lubroth, FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer, calling for strong action to prevent the disease from spreading further.
In order to help prevent the spread of the virus, livestock attendants are urged to take a series of measures including: limiting animal movements and avoiding contact with animals from other farms; avoiding purchasing animals in the immediate term since they could have come from contaminated sources; and properly disposing of carcasses preferably by incineration or, failing that, by burying them.
Vaccines in short supply
Vaccines are in limited supply for the FMD virus now present in Egypt. The country has some reserves of its own vaccines, but these do not protect against the SAT2 strain, and Egypt could need regional support in mobilizing effective ones. Even if they become available quickly, vaccines sometimes take up to two weeks to confer immunity, so FAO is urging coordination at all levels of government to implement biosecurity measures to limit the spread of the disease.
Foot-and-mouth disease affects all cloven-hoofed animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo and pigs. It causes serious production losses and can be lethal, particularly to younger animals.
Meat and milk from sick animals are unsafe for consumption, not because FMD affects humans, but because foodstuffs entering the food chain should only come from animals that are known to be healthy.
The virus that causes FMD passes rapidly between animals through airborne droplets and normal contact, but humans in close contact with animals can transport it too via the soles of shoes, or on their hands or clothing. Foot-and-mouth disease is not a direct threat to humans.
Fonte http://www.thepigsite.com/footandmouth/37945/major-fmd-outbreak-threatens-egypt
DNA Based Vaccine Effective FMD Protection
GLOBAL - Researchers at the Institute for Animal Health in the UK have examined a new type of vaccination regime that protects cattle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
This regime features the use of a DNA vaccine approach and the experimental results show that such vaccines have the potential, with further development, to protect against this important disease. Such vaccines do not require high containment facilities for production, making them easier to design and cheaper to produce than current vaccines against FMD. The research was published last week in Antiviral Research.
Dr Paul Barnett, who led the research, said: “This is the first time this type of DNA vaccination regime has been shown to be effective in protecting cattle. We were confident that this would be possible as we have already shown, in collaboration with European partners, that a DNA based vaccine that includes an additional protein to boost its effectiveness can protect pigs against FMD and even without the additional protein boost can prevent sheep from being infected.
“The next challenge for us will be to remove the reliance on this protein boost in cattle so that we have an alternative vaccine that fully lives up to the potential that the DNA approach can offer.”
Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by one of the most infectious viruses in the world. It poses a significant threat to economic and food security and the UK outbreak in 2001 cost several billion pounds. In the EU, vaccination may be considered in emergency outbreak situations and many member countries have access to strategic FMD vaccine reserves. DNA vaccines are much more stable under storage and consequently have a longer shelf life, making them more amenable to this type of strategy.
Routine vaccination against FMD is vitally important in countries where the virus is always circulating. Whilst this does not include the UK, by controlling the disease elsewhere in the world FMD vaccines protect global food security and reduce the likelihood of the virus entering the UK from elsewhere.
Conventional FMD vaccines involve the use of chemically inactivated virus antigen to initiate an immune response without causing disease. Though these work well they have to be manufactured under expensive high containment facilities, must be kept cool at all times, and may not always be best suited to a specific virus threat, requiring then a need to develop a new vaccine strain which can be a lengthy and sometimes fruitless process.
DNA vaccines, on the other hand, can be easily and quickly manipulated for a specific disease threat and can be expanded to manufacturing scale without the need for facilities with high biosecurity. They work by incorporation of a small piece of synthetic DNA into the cells of the animal you wish to immunise, which is then processed within these cells to make proteins that are almost identical to the chemically inactivated virus antigen. The cells then attach these proteins to their outer surface to signal to the immune system that something foreign has arrived – thus simulating one of the events that happen when an infection occurs, but importantly triggering a wider variety of immune parameters than that by conventional vaccines so the immune system is better primed to respond quickly to the real virus should it arrive.
Fonte: http://www.thepigsite.com/footandmouth/37970/dna-based-vaccine-effective-fmd-protection
This regime features the use of a DNA vaccine approach and the experimental results show that such vaccines have the potential, with further development, to protect against this important disease. Such vaccines do not require high containment facilities for production, making them easier to design and cheaper to produce than current vaccines against FMD. The research was published last week in Antiviral Research.
Dr Paul Barnett, who led the research, said: “This is the first time this type of DNA vaccination regime has been shown to be effective in protecting cattle. We were confident that this would be possible as we have already shown, in collaboration with European partners, that a DNA based vaccine that includes an additional protein to boost its effectiveness can protect pigs against FMD and even without the additional protein boost can prevent sheep from being infected.
“The next challenge for us will be to remove the reliance on this protein boost in cattle so that we have an alternative vaccine that fully lives up to the potential that the DNA approach can offer.”
Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by one of the most infectious viruses in the world. It poses a significant threat to economic and food security and the UK outbreak in 2001 cost several billion pounds. In the EU, vaccination may be considered in emergency outbreak situations and many member countries have access to strategic FMD vaccine reserves. DNA vaccines are much more stable under storage and consequently have a longer shelf life, making them more amenable to this type of strategy.
Routine vaccination against FMD is vitally important in countries where the virus is always circulating. Whilst this does not include the UK, by controlling the disease elsewhere in the world FMD vaccines protect global food security and reduce the likelihood of the virus entering the UK from elsewhere.
Conventional FMD vaccines involve the use of chemically inactivated virus antigen to initiate an immune response without causing disease. Though these work well they have to be manufactured under expensive high containment facilities, must be kept cool at all times, and may not always be best suited to a specific virus threat, requiring then a need to develop a new vaccine strain which can be a lengthy and sometimes fruitless process.
DNA vaccines, on the other hand, can be easily and quickly manipulated for a specific disease threat and can be expanded to manufacturing scale without the need for facilities with high biosecurity. They work by incorporation of a small piece of synthetic DNA into the cells of the animal you wish to immunise, which is then processed within these cells to make proteins that are almost identical to the chemically inactivated virus antigen. The cells then attach these proteins to their outer surface to signal to the immune system that something foreign has arrived – thus simulating one of the events that happen when an infection occurs, but importantly triggering a wider variety of immune parameters than that by conventional vaccines so the immune system is better primed to respond quickly to the real virus should it arrive.
Fonte: http://www.thepigsite.com/footandmouth/37970/dna-based-vaccine-effective-fmd-protection
Pathology of Porcine Peripheral White Blood Cells during Infection with African Swine Fever Virus
Infection of pigs with African Swine Fever virus resulted in changes in the composition of white blood cells, according to new research from Armenia; acute ASFV infection is accompanied with the formation of atypical lymphocytes in domestic pigs.
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of African swine fever (ASF) that is the significant disease of domestic pigs, according to a paper published recently in BMC Veterinary Research. Zaven Karalyan from the Institute of Molecular Biology of NA in Yerevan in Armenia and co-authors there and at the Scientific Center of Stock Breeding and Veterinary RA, also in Yerevan, report that several studies have shown that ASFV can influence on porcine blood cells in vitro. The Armenian group set out to investigate whether ASFV infection results in changes in porcine blood cells in vivo.
They carried out a series of experiments were performed in order to investigate the effects of ASFV infection on porcine peripheral white blood cells. Nine pigs were inoculated by intramuscular injection with 104 50 per cent hem–adsorbing doses of virus (genotype II) distributed in Armenia and Georgia. A total of 15 cell types was calculated during experimental infection.
Although band–to–segmented neutrophils ratio was much higher (3.5) in infected pigs than in control group (0.3), marked neutropenia and lymphopenia were detected from two to three days post–infection. In addition to band neutrophils, the high number of other immature white blood cells, such as metamyelocytes, was observed during the course of infection.
From the beginning of infection, atypical lymphocytes, with altered nuclear shape, arose and became 15 per cent of total cells in the final phase of infection. Image scanning cytometry revealed hyperdiploid DNA content in atypical lymphocytes only from five days post–infection, indicating that DNA synthesis in pathological lymphocytes occurred in the later stages of infection.
From this study, Karalyan and co-authors concluded that ASFV infection leads to serious changes in composition of white blood cells. Particularly, acute ASFV infection in vivo is accompanied with the emergence of immature cells and atypical lymphocytes in the host blood. The mechanisms underlying atypical cell formation remain to be elucidated.
Reference
Karalyan Z., H. Zakaryan, H. Arzumanyan, K. Sargsyan, H. Voskanyan, L. Hakobyan, L. Abroyan, A. Avetisyan and E. Karalova. 2012. Pathology of porcine peripheral white blood cells during infection with African swine fever virus. BMC Veterinary Research, 8:18. doi:10.1186/1746-6148-8-18
Fonte: http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/1/pig-health/3871/pathology-of-porcine-peripheral-white-blood-cells-during-infection-with-african-swine-fever-virus
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of African swine fever (ASF) that is the significant disease of domestic pigs, according to a paper published recently in BMC Veterinary Research. Zaven Karalyan from the Institute of Molecular Biology of NA in Yerevan in Armenia and co-authors there and at the Scientific Center of Stock Breeding and Veterinary RA, also in Yerevan, report that several studies have shown that ASFV can influence on porcine blood cells in vitro. The Armenian group set out to investigate whether ASFV infection results in changes in porcine blood cells in vivo.
They carried out a series of experiments were performed in order to investigate the effects of ASFV infection on porcine peripheral white blood cells. Nine pigs were inoculated by intramuscular injection with 104 50 per cent hem–adsorbing doses of virus (genotype II) distributed in Armenia and Georgia. A total of 15 cell types was calculated during experimental infection.
Although band–to–segmented neutrophils ratio was much higher (3.5) in infected pigs than in control group (0.3), marked neutropenia and lymphopenia were detected from two to three days post–infection. In addition to band neutrophils, the high number of other immature white blood cells, such as metamyelocytes, was observed during the course of infection.
From the beginning of infection, atypical lymphocytes, with altered nuclear shape, arose and became 15 per cent of total cells in the final phase of infection. Image scanning cytometry revealed hyperdiploid DNA content in atypical lymphocytes only from five days post–infection, indicating that DNA synthesis in pathological lymphocytes occurred in the later stages of infection.
From this study, Karalyan and co-authors concluded that ASFV infection leads to serious changes in composition of white blood cells. Particularly, acute ASFV infection in vivo is accompanied with the emergence of immature cells and atypical lymphocytes in the host blood. The mechanisms underlying atypical cell formation remain to be elucidated.
Reference
Karalyan Z., H. Zakaryan, H. Arzumanyan, K. Sargsyan, H. Voskanyan, L. Hakobyan, L. Abroyan, A. Avetisyan and E. Karalova. 2012. Pathology of porcine peripheral white blood cells during infection with African swine fever virus. BMC Veterinary Research, 8:18. doi:10.1186/1746-6148-8-18
Fonte: http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/1/pig-health/3871/pathology-of-porcine-peripheral-white-blood-cells-during-infection-with-african-swine-fever-virus
¿Hay vida veterinaria en Facebook? 10 consejos para aprovecharla
Por Javier Nuviala Ortín
Javier Nuviala Ortín es doctor en Veterinaria y especialista en comunicación. Actualmente es el responsable de Innovación de Grupo Asís Biomedia y escribe un blog titulado Comunicación veterinaria. Aquí está el resumen de uno de sus últimos artículos, en el que habla de la presencia de los veterinarios y las empresas del sector en Facebook.
Dicho de otra manera ¿están los veterinarios, como veterinarios, en Facebook?
No es fácil saberlo con exactitud porque en Facebook cada uno está como quiere. Pero sí que podemos buscar pistas que nos den la sensación de lo que está empezando a ocurrir en esta red con los veterinarios. Momento Sherlock Holmes…
Portal Veterinaria parece ser la página de Facebook en español dedicada a la veterinaria que más fans tiene, más de 11.000. No está mal para un bebé de apenas dos años y medio. La página de habla inglesa que he encontrado con más seguidores es Veterinary Medicine, con más de 24.000. Ya encontramos en Facebook páginas muy especializadas como la de Oncopat, dedicada a la oncología veterinaria. Algunas empresas ya han decidido utilizar esta red social para interactuar con sus clientes, tanto veterinarios como propietarios de animales de compañía o ganaderos.
Tras esta prospección por la red está claro que empieza a haber vida veterinaria en Facebook y que posiblemente evolucione para convertirse en una herramienta habitual que tengamos que incorporar en los planes de comunicación.
Facebook ahora es la red social más relevante (aunque algunos expertos pronostiquen que pronto será superada) y conviene tener en cuenta algunos consejos para comenzar a utilizarla como un medio más de comunicación:
1 - Crea una página profesional, no un perfil personal y créala para cumplir unos objetivos.
2 - El famoso botón de “me gusta” ya no es tan importante. Está bien, pero lo que se busca es que los usuarios interactúen con la marca.
3 - Para lograr esta interacción aporta contenidos valiosos e interesantes en tu página.
4 - Olvídate de que Facebook es gratis. Una página de Facebook necesita dedicación. Diaria. Y eso cuesta. Lo más práctico es contratar a un community manager que gestiones las intervenciones.
5 - Planifica los contenidos y elige los horarios más adecuados de actividad.
6 - Una página de Facebook tiene como misión mantener conversaciones. No cometas el error de mostrar sólo las publicaciones de la página. Hace tiempo que la Web es 2.0. No hay vuelta atrás.
7 - Al contrario, pide opiniones e incentiva la interacción y las intervenciones. Si existen peticiones, dudas o quejas, contesta inmediatamente. La rapidez de una respuesta adecuada ataja cualquier conflicto.
8 - Cuida a tus fans: lanza ofertas exclusivas para ellos, pídeles opinión mediante encuestas, agradece sus intervenciones y sus “me gusta”. Si puedes, envía notas personalizadas a los fans más activos.
9 - Facebook forma parte de un plan de comunicación. Integra la presencia en esta red social con el resto de acciones en social media: blogs, webs, e-mailing, otras redes sociales como You Tube o Twitter…
10 - Mide adecuadamente el ROI. Mediante la influencia que adquieres, de qué hablan los clientes y qué dicen de ti. La monitorización es imprescindible.
Todos tenemos muy poca experiencia en la incorporación de Facebook a los planes de comunicación de la empresa pero se trata de una realidad que no vamos a poder obviar por mucho tiempo. Prácticamente todos los alumnos de las facultades de veterinaria tienen un perfil en Facebook.
A pesar de los frenos que existen (inexperiencia, necesidad de monitorización, vacío legal…) ¿Tienes pensado incorporar el social media en tus planes de comunicación? ¿Ves a Facebook como una herramienta útil?
http://albeitar.portalveterinaria.com/noticia/11052/GESTI%C3%93N-Y-MARKETING/vida-veterinaria-facebook-10-consejos
Javier Nuviala Ortín es doctor en Veterinaria y especialista en comunicación. Actualmente es el responsable de Innovación de Grupo Asís Biomedia y escribe un blog titulado Comunicación veterinaria. Aquí está el resumen de uno de sus últimos artículos, en el que habla de la presencia de los veterinarios y las empresas del sector en Facebook.
Dicho de otra manera ¿están los veterinarios, como veterinarios, en Facebook?
No es fácil saberlo con exactitud porque en Facebook cada uno está como quiere. Pero sí que podemos buscar pistas que nos den la sensación de lo que está empezando a ocurrir en esta red con los veterinarios. Momento Sherlock Holmes…
Portal Veterinaria parece ser la página de Facebook en español dedicada a la veterinaria que más fans tiene, más de 11.000. No está mal para un bebé de apenas dos años y medio. La página de habla inglesa que he encontrado con más seguidores es Veterinary Medicine, con más de 24.000. Ya encontramos en Facebook páginas muy especializadas como la de Oncopat, dedicada a la oncología veterinaria. Algunas empresas ya han decidido utilizar esta red social para interactuar con sus clientes, tanto veterinarios como propietarios de animales de compañía o ganaderos.
Tras esta prospección por la red está claro que empieza a haber vida veterinaria en Facebook y que posiblemente evolucione para convertirse en una herramienta habitual que tengamos que incorporar en los planes de comunicación.
Facebook ahora es la red social más relevante (aunque algunos expertos pronostiquen que pronto será superada) y conviene tener en cuenta algunos consejos para comenzar a utilizarla como un medio más de comunicación:
1 - Crea una página profesional, no un perfil personal y créala para cumplir unos objetivos.
2 - El famoso botón de “me gusta” ya no es tan importante. Está bien, pero lo que se busca es que los usuarios interactúen con la marca.
3 - Para lograr esta interacción aporta contenidos valiosos e interesantes en tu página.
4 - Olvídate de que Facebook es gratis. Una página de Facebook necesita dedicación. Diaria. Y eso cuesta. Lo más práctico es contratar a un community manager que gestiones las intervenciones.
5 - Planifica los contenidos y elige los horarios más adecuados de actividad.
6 - Una página de Facebook tiene como misión mantener conversaciones. No cometas el error de mostrar sólo las publicaciones de la página. Hace tiempo que la Web es 2.0. No hay vuelta atrás.
7 - Al contrario, pide opiniones e incentiva la interacción y las intervenciones. Si existen peticiones, dudas o quejas, contesta inmediatamente. La rapidez de una respuesta adecuada ataja cualquier conflicto.
8 - Cuida a tus fans: lanza ofertas exclusivas para ellos, pídeles opinión mediante encuestas, agradece sus intervenciones y sus “me gusta”. Si puedes, envía notas personalizadas a los fans más activos.
9 - Facebook forma parte de un plan de comunicación. Integra la presencia en esta red social con el resto de acciones en social media: blogs, webs, e-mailing, otras redes sociales como You Tube o Twitter…
10 - Mide adecuadamente el ROI. Mediante la influencia que adquieres, de qué hablan los clientes y qué dicen de ti. La monitorización es imprescindible.
Todos tenemos muy poca experiencia en la incorporación de Facebook a los planes de comunicación de la empresa pero se trata de una realidad que no vamos a poder obviar por mucho tiempo. Prácticamente todos los alumnos de las facultades de veterinaria tienen un perfil en Facebook.
A pesar de los frenos que existen (inexperiencia, necesidad de monitorización, vacío legal…) ¿Tienes pensado incorporar el social media en tus planes de comunicación? ¿Ves a Facebook como una herramienta útil?
http://albeitar.portalveterinaria.com/noticia/11052/GESTI%C3%93N-Y-MARKETING/vida-veterinaria-facebook-10-consejos
What Links Pig Carcass Downgrades with Bluetongue, Schmallenberg?
ANALYSIS - The answer is biting midges of the family, Culicoides, writes senior editor, Jackie Linden. Bites from these midges caused pig carcasses in Scotland to be downgraded last year and the same family of insects transmits the virus that causes bluetongue and Schmallenberg diseases in ruminants.
Over the last few years, two new viral diseases have emerged, hitting cattle and sheep in Europe, causing significant losses and devastation on some farms. Bluetongue spread from South Africa, reaching northern Europe in 2006. In November 2011, what has since become known as Schmallenberg disease – after the German town in which the virus was first identified in cattle – has spread across northern Europe.
The ravages of bluetongue have been brought under control by vaccination but Schmallenberg is currently causing significant losses in the European sheep flock during the current lambing season. Ewes infected during early pregnancy last year are now giving birth to deformed lambs and ewes are being lost as the result of lambing difficulties. The impact on the cattle industry remains speculation as the main calving season in northern Europe is yet to start.
These devastating diseases are thought to have emerged as a result of climate change and changing patterns of pathogens and vectors, which, in the case of both bluetongue and Schmallenberg diseases, are biting midges of the family, Culicoides.
There is no evidence that non-ruminants such as pigs are affected by either of these viruses and the same species of midge are not necessarily involved. However, the latest Emerging Threats Quarterly Report from the AHVLA in the UK [click here to see the report] mentions that SAC reported skin lesions suspected to be due to biting midges (Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides impunctatus) causing significant losses in the abattoir due to condemnations.
Of all insects caught in traps, the report says these species comprised 25 per cent and six per cent, respectively. Both these species are known to feed on pigs. No other species capable of biting pig skin were detected. Stomoxys species flies are suspected of causing skin lesions in other parts of UK but were not found in Scotland.
Fonte The Pig Site
Over the last few years, two new viral diseases have emerged, hitting cattle and sheep in Europe, causing significant losses and devastation on some farms. Bluetongue spread from South Africa, reaching northern Europe in 2006. In November 2011, what has since become known as Schmallenberg disease – after the German town in which the virus was first identified in cattle – has spread across northern Europe.
The ravages of bluetongue have been brought under control by vaccination but Schmallenberg is currently causing significant losses in the European sheep flock during the current lambing season. Ewes infected during early pregnancy last year are now giving birth to deformed lambs and ewes are being lost as the result of lambing difficulties. The impact on the cattle industry remains speculation as the main calving season in northern Europe is yet to start.
These devastating diseases are thought to have emerged as a result of climate change and changing patterns of pathogens and vectors, which, in the case of both bluetongue and Schmallenberg diseases, are biting midges of the family, Culicoides.
There is no evidence that non-ruminants such as pigs are affected by either of these viruses and the same species of midge are not necessarily involved. However, the latest Emerging Threats Quarterly Report from the AHVLA in the UK [click here to see the report] mentions that SAC reported skin lesions suspected to be due to biting midges (Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides impunctatus) causing significant losses in the abattoir due to condemnations.
Of all insects caught in traps, the report says these species comprised 25 per cent and six per cent, respectively. Both these species are known to feed on pigs. No other species capable of biting pig skin were detected. Stomoxys species flies are suspected of causing skin lesions in other parts of UK but were not found in Scotland.
Fonte The Pig Site
domingo, 25 de março de 2012
Controle de carrapatos dos bovinos
Séria ameaça à saúde de rebanhos leiteiros, os carrapatos encontram na Amazônia condições climáticas favoráveis e por isso seu controle deve ser diferenciado. A adoção de medidas integradas para controlar a infestação do parasito é uma novidade desenvolvida pela Embrapa Rondônia que reduz a frequência de aplicações de pesticidas e favorece em quantidade e qualidade o leite produzido. 19/03/12 - Dia de Campo na TV - 12:15
Links referenciados
Dia de Campo na TV
hotsites.sct.embrapa.br/diacampo
Embrapa Rondônia
www.cpafro.embrapa.br
Fonte: AGROSOFT
Links referenciados
Dia de Campo na TV
hotsites.sct.embrapa.br/diacampo
Embrapa Rondônia
www.cpafro.embrapa.br
Fonte: AGROSOFT
Multidisciplinary and Evidence-based Method for Prioritizing Diseases of Food-producing Animals and Zoonoses
Suggested Citation
Marie-France Humblet1, Sébastien Vandeputte1, Adelin Albert, Christiane Gosset, Nathalie Kirschvink, Eric Haubruge, Fabienne Fecher-Bourgeois, Paul-Pierre Pastoret, and Claude Saegerman
Author affiliations: University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (M.-F. Humblet, S. Vandeputte, A. Albert, C. Gosset, F. Fecher-Bourgeois, C. Saegerman); University of Namur, Namur, Belgium (N. Kirschvink); University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium (E. Haubruge); Fontin, Belgium (P.-P. Pastoret)
Abstract
To prioritize 100 animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, we used a multicriteria decision-making procedure based on opinions of experts and evidence-based data. Forty international experts performed intracategory and intercategory weighting of 57 prioritization criteria. Two methods (deterministic with mean of each weight and probabilistic with distribution functions of weights by using Monte Carlo simulation) were used to calculate a score for each disease. Consecutive ranking was established. Few differences were observed between each method. Compared with previous prioritization methods, our procedure is evidence based, includes a range of fields and criteria while considering uncertainty, and will be useful for analyzing diseases that affect public health.
Agents that cause zoonotic diseases are infectious (transmissible) agents that not only are confined to 1 animal host but that also cause an infection (infestation) with or without clinical disease in several hosts, including humans (1). Nevertheless, all diseases affecting animals and humans are not strictly zoonotic but are qualified as common. Animals and humans generally contract infections from the same sources (soil, water, invertebrates, and plants). However, animals do not play an essential role in the life cycle of the etiologic agent but may contribute in various degrees to distribution and transmission of infections (2). According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), 75% of the emerging diseases originate in domestic or wild animals, which prompts close collaboration between animal health and public health authorities (www.oie.int/eng/edito/en_avr09.htm).
To achieve such a goal, the One Health strategy was recently developed to expand interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment (www.onehealthinitiative.com/mission.php). Such collaborations are particularly evident when considering zoonoses. In the One Health concept, a new strategy for animal health was recently adopted by the European Union (3). Categorization of threats caused by animals is 1 of the pillars of this strategy. Such method aims to provide a tool for decisions in animal health issues for selecting disease-related threats that are worth being addressed by public policies, which is necessary if considering emerging infectious diseases. The method of disease prioritization has been defined as the “organization of listed diseases into a hierarchy, considering their respective impacts” (4).
The main objectives of a prioritization method are to optimize financial and human resources for the surveillance, prevention, control, and eradication of infectious diseases and to target surveillance for early detection of any emerging disease. Our method is based on widely used multicriteria analysis, which consists of listing criteria to assess pathogens, evaluating pathogens on the basis of these criteria (scores), determining the relative role (weight) of each criterion, and aggregating scores and weights of criteria into 1 global score per pathogen (5). The originality of the prioritization procedure is a reasoning based on opinions of multidisciplinary experts (weighting method) and on evidence-based data of targeted diseases (animal diseases, zoonoses, and transmissible diseases common to animals and humans).
Methods
Diseases
One hundred diseases were included in the prioritization exercise. Species targeted were food-producing animals: cattle, small ruminants, swine, horses, poultry (including water birds such as ducks and geese), lagomorphs, and wildlife (species common in western Europe). There were 86 diseases affecting the animal species under study and reportable to the OIE (www.oie.int/en/animal-health-in-the-world/oie-listed-diseases-2011/).
Influenza caused by highly pathogenic and low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses was considered separately. Twelve additional infectious diseases reported in Europe during September 2009 and September 2010 and reported to the International Society for Infectious Diseases (www.promedmail.org) (archives 20100215.0530, 20100803.2615, 20101227.4564, 20100729.2546, 20100330.0996, 20100111.0128, 20090912.3211, 20100620.2072, 20091217.4273, 20091004.3453, 20101106.4026, and 20100209.0442) were also included in the prioritization method: besnoitiosis, botulism, bluetongue (bluetongue virus serotype16), hantavirosis (Puumala virus), hepatitis E, influenza (H1N1), norovirus disease, European tick-borne encephalitis, Usutu virus disease, porcine post-weaning multisystemic wasting disease (circovirus), equine atypical myopathy, and disease caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7. Parafilariasis (Parafilaria bovicola) was also included because it is considered to be emerging in western Europe (6). Salmonellosis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis was considered because of its effect on public health and it is the most common serovar in the European Union (7). Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was included in the zoonotic/common category despite its low effect on public health and the limited number of human cases reported to date (8).
Prioritization Criteria
Five aspects of a pathogen were considered: epidemiology, prevention/control, effects on economy/trade, zoonotic characteristics, and effect on society. The prioritization criteria were established according to a review of previous priority settings (i.e., English Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [DEFRA]) (http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/vetsurveillance/strategy/programme/prioritisation.htm) (9–13) and principles of evidence-based medicine, which promotes collection, interpretation, and integration of valid, essential, and applicable scientific evidence (14). A total of 57 criteria were retained for the prioritization method and further submitted for opinions of experts. The distribution of criteria among 5 categories was 17 for epidemiology (EP), 8 for prevention/control (PC), 16 for economy/trade, 12 for public health (PH), and 4 for society (SO). The 57 criteria are summarized in Table 1. Strict definitions were given for each coefficient and criterion and are summarized in Table 2.
A particular classification of zoonoses based on interactions between host species is included as a criterion in the PH category. Type 1 diseases are those transmitted from wildlife to humans, type 1+ are transmitted from wildlife to humans with additional human-to-human transmission, type 2 are transmitted from wildlife to domestic animals and then to humans, and type 2+ are diseases transmitted from wildlife to domestic animals and then to humans, with further human-to-human transmission (15).
Coefficients of Criteria
For each criterion, a coefficient of 0–7 was assigned to each option (Table 2) according to its role, effect, or rate. Coefficients were correlated with severity: the more severe the effect, the higher the coefficient. For example, a case-fatality rate <1% has a coefficient of 1 and a case-fatality rate >90% has a coefficient of 7. For nonzoonotic agents, a coefficient of 0 was fixed for criteria included in the PH category.
For each disease, evidence-based information concerning the 57 criteria was obtained from different sources, including use of OIE and Iowa State University (Ames, IA, USA) fact sheets and consultation with websites of international organizations (OIE, World Health Organization, European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Web site searches for peer-reviewed literature were conducted in PubMed and the Thomson Reuters (formerly Institute for Scientific Information) Web of Knowledge. Useful information was also obtained from scientific reference books (16,17). Searches enabled collection of ≈100% of information needed for the 57 criteria for the 100 diseases.
Multidisciplinary Panel of Experts
The main characteristic of the panel of experts consulted within the framework of the project was its multidisciplinarity. A total of 74 international experts were selected according to their field of expertise: veterinary and human epidemiologists, chief veterinary officers, economists, medical doctors, sociologists, and experts in public health and animal welfare.
Two tasks were assigned to the experts. First, they were asked to give their opinion on the pertinence of criteria proposed by indicating their degree of agreement. They were then asked to assign a score of 1 if they strongly disagreed with a criterion, 2 if they disagreed, 3 if they simply agreed, and 4 if they strongly agreed. In instances of strong disagreement, experts were asked to justify their decision and propose alternative options. Second, they were asked to weight criteria. Because all criteria do not have the same role in terms of risk and consequences within the same category, experts were thereafter asked to apply a Las Vegas method between the criteria according to their relative roles (or weights) (18). Because the number of criteria differs between categories, the number of points to distribute was proportional to the number of criteria per category: 90 for EP and PH, 60 for PC and EC, and 30 for SO. This method was necessary to prevent criteria classified as major by experts (in terms of points distributed) from receiving fewer points because they belonged to a category that included more criteria. Finally, 6 multicategory experts from international organizations were asked to apply the Las Vegas method for intercategory weighting by distributing 100 points between the 5 categories of criteria.
Weighting of Scores and Ranking According to Experts
After experts weighted the different criteria, an overall weighted score was calculated for each disease (19). To perform the ranking, we used an aggregation method that combined 2 types of weighting. First, intracategory weighting consisted of multiplying the coefficient (0–7) allocated to the criterion by the average of points (weight) distributed by the experts for that criterion. A global score for a category was obtained by summing the weighted scores obtained for each criterion. Second, multicategory experts performed intercategory weighting. The mean number of points allocated by these experts to each category of criteria (weight) was multiplied by the global score obtained for each category after the first weighting. The overall weighted score of each disease resulted from the summation of global scores obtained from the 5 categories, as shown in the equations OWS = Σcat (GSCj × IrWj) and GSCj = Σcrit (Ci × IaWi), where OWS = overall weighting score of a pathogen, GSCj = global score of a category of criteria, IrWj = intercategory weight for each category of criteria (average for deterministic method), Ci = initial coefficient per criterion, IaWi = intracategory weight for each criterion (average for deterministic method), Cat = categories of criteria, and Crit = criteria.
Uncertainty Analysis
Uncertainty of the weighting method was estimated by using a probabilistic method. All weights were converted into a function (Table 1) and computed by using @Risk software version 5.5 (Palisade Corporation, Ithaca, NY, USA). Functions were then combined through an aggregation method by using a Monte-Carlo simulation with 1,000 iterations to obtain a function of the overall weighted scores per disease with a 95% CI.
Classification of Diseases by Using Classification and Regression Tree Analysis
Different groups of roles were identified by using classification and regression tree (CART) (www.salford-systems.com) analysis with overall weighted scores per disease as input (probabilistic method). This widely used method developed by Breiman et al. (20) can be applied to analyze either categorical (classification) or continuous data (regression) (11,12,20,21). In this report, regression tree models were used as the target variable and disease role was the continuous variable (22). The aim of these models was to obtain subgroups with minimal within-variance (grouping diseases with a similar role) by using cross-validation (11,23). Default settings of the software described by Steinberg and Golowya were used to develop the regression tree (24).
Results
Expert Opinions for Criteria
The response rate of the 74 experts on the procedure was 54% (i.e., 40 replies). Profiles of the experts are shown in Table 3. Experts were classified according to the different categories of criteria as follows: 18 for EP, 16 for PC, 14 for EC, 10 for PH, and 13 for SO. Opinions of 6 cross-category experts who assessed all categories of criteria (multicategory experts) were also included individually in each category.
Opinions of experts on proposed criteria were taken into account to adapt the list of criteria. For example, in the EP category, 3 rates were proposed to experts: morbidity (illness), mortality, and case-fatality. The experts suggested deleting mortality rate because case-fatality rate better reflects the gravity of the disease. Some modifications (clarifications) were made to definitions of each criterion and its coefficients. The final database of criteria, their coefficients, and definitions used for prioritization are shown in Table 1. The relative weight of each category of criteria was 20 points (mean and median) for EP, 19 (mean) and 18 (median) for PC, 23 (mean) and 28 (median) for EC, 25 (mean and median) for PH, and 14 (mean and 15 (median) for SO.
Figure 1
Figure 1. Weighting (mean no. points) of criteria for diseases of food-producing animals and zoonoses for 5 aspects of a pathogen proposed by experts, Europe. A) Epidemiology by 18 experts. A, illness rate;...
Public health was considered the major category of criteria in terms of prioritization. Weighting of criteria as proposed by experts is shown in Figure 1. Epizootic potential and case-fatality rate (%) were regarded as the 2 major epidemiologic indicators (Figure 1, panel A). Effectiveness of prevention and vaccination were weighted as the 2 major PC criteria (Figure 1, panel B). Loss of productivity and limitation of importation and exportation were the 2 major EC criteria (Figure 1, panel C). Case-fatality rate and epidemic potential were weighted as the 2 major PH criteria (Figure 1, panel D). Effect on animal welfare and biodiversity and lower consumption were the 2 major SO indicators (Figure 1, panel E). Nevertheless, within each category, differences between criteria were scarce. Conversely, the range in weights of each criterion was large, as shown by high SDs, which indicated variability among opinions of experts. To take variability into account, we used a probabilistic method to estimate the overall weighted score per disease.
Ranking of Diseases
Figure 2
Figure 2. Classification and regression tree analysis showing grouping of diseases of food-producing animals and zoonoses into 4 subgroups by using overall weighted scores per disease as input, Europe. A) High importance and...
Final ranking of diseases according to their overall weighted scores and use of a probabilistic method is shown in Figure 2. Few differences were observed between deterministic (mean of each weight) and probabilistic methods (function of weights) (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.999; p<0.0001). This finding is probably associated with a few problems in subjective interpretation or dilution of individual discordances among the large number of experts. FMD was considered as a zoonotic disease. However, FMD could be included in the nonzoonotic category. In such an instance, it would be the highest ranked nonzoonotic disease. Newcastle disease was included in the zoonotic/common category, which could be questioned because of its limited effect on PH. The top 5 ranked diseases were all zoonotic/common: Nipah virus encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, influenza caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, West Nile fever, and botulism. Classification of Diseases by Using CART Analysis
Regression trees enabled identification of 4 groups of diseases. These diseases are shown in Figure 2.
Discussion
Prioritization of diseases has acquired major interest within the past few years, especially from a prevention point of view and in the sector of public health. Such a method is needed within the context of emerging diseases because it is not known how severe socioeconomic consequences of outbreaks will be. Our study included not only zoonoses, such as those reported by Cardoen et al. (11) and Havelaar et al. (12), but also transmissible diseases common to humans and animals and reportable animal diseases. The prioritization method was developed by an independent group to avoid any bias that could result from the influence of stakeholders as reported (25,26).
Several groups have proposed a prioritization method that considers different categories of criteria. Previous studies focused on a specific aspect of infectious diseases, such as the multicriteria analysis designed by Mourits et al., to support discussions on control measures (27). Conversely, the method developed by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety included major aspects of a disease (28) and also considered 2 rankings, 1 for animal health and 1 for human health. Nevertheless, our study provides a unique ranking that included both types of diseases.
The current method included more diseases compared with previous priority methods, such as those reported by DEFRA) (n = 25) or the European Commission (n = 46) (13). Krause et al. applied a Delphi method for collecting opinions, but only prioritized 85 zoonotic or common diseases (9,10). In our study, a Delphi method was initially planned but for time, rationale, and economic reasons, criteria were defined and established before being proposed to experts. Because our method includes qualitative and semiquantitative criteria, it is not completely numerically based, in contrast to the multicriteria analysis developed by Kurowicka et al. (5). Their method is applicable only for quantitative criteria and not always to all diseases in all contexts. Furthermore, they used a limited number of attributes for pathogens. Even if one relies on a quantitative method, which is less arbitrary than a semiquantitative method, the model developed by Havelaar et al. (12) is based on criteria reflecting the epidemiology and societal effect of zoonoses but does not include risk perception by the general public or diseases targeting animal species.
Our new method requires multidisciplinarity, which involves animal and human epidemiologists; chief veterinary officers; experts in agricultural economics, animal welfare, and biodiversity; and experts on societal aspects of diseases. Other prioritization methods often restricted their panel of experts to epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists (9,10).
The decision to start with the disease and not the animal species is in contrast to the method developed by Heffernan, who suggested that errors might be amplified throughout the weighting method (29). Nevertheless, by starting with the disease, the role of species is balanced by the EC category because the effect of different industries is taken into account. If an industry is not well developed in a specific area, the effect will be minimized. When the prioritization method is started with the species and its particular effect in the area/country, it makes the model applicable only in this specific area. However, if one starts with the disease and takes into account the economic role of the species in another category of criteria, the model can be applied anywhere.
Some methods applied a weighting system to criteria (DEFRA) (9,10,30) because it is not appropriate to consider all criteria on the same scale. For example, the human case-fatality rate should not be placed on the same scale as classification of zoonoses. Even if individual experts differed in their views on the relative role of various criteria and indicators, veterinary epidemiologists and experts in public health reached the conclusion that the epizootic/epidemic potential and case-fatality rate were the 2 major criteria in their respective category of expertise.
When one considers overall ranking of diseases, all top 20 diseases are zoonotic/common, which is expected because their global score involves the whole public health aspect. CART analysis also illustrates the correlation between PH and SO, which is not surprising because consumer behavior might be influenced when a zoonotic/common agent is involved (31). Nevertheless, CARTs might lead to slightly biased results in relation to variable selection: identification of distinct subgroups does not enable estimation of net effects of independent variables because subdivision of data into 2 groups is based on only 1 value of only 1 explanatory variable (32). In addition, bootstrap or jackknifing analysis would have been alternative ways to estimate the uncertainty.
The analysis can be applied only to the 100 diseases included in the model. Nevertheless, its predictive value is useful. The model we developed could be presented as generic and should not be confined to the 100 diseases included in the current application or to exotic diseases as with the method developed by French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (28). At the beginning of the 21st century, a scientific team in the United Kingdom established a list of 1,415 pathogens that possibly affected humans (33). If added to the pathogens involved in animal diseases, all of these pathogens could also be added to the prioritization method, with a preliminary categorization step. As specified in the work performed under the aegis of the European Council, the prioritization exercise should be performed regularly as the epidemiologic situation of diseases constantly evolves: biotechnological improvements are constantly achieved in terms of vaccination, treatment, and diagnostic tests (30). In addition, elaboration of each criterion relied on evidence-based medicine through consultation with >1,800 scientific references (34; S. Vandeputte et al., unpub. data). The critical point of our method relies on the possible lack of independence between some criteria. Several of these criteria might be substantially dependent on each other. Although coefficients for ranges of illness and case-fatality rates were arbitrarily fixed, which may results in a loss of precision, they were accepted by experts. A Delphi method would have been more appropriate for reaching a consensus on the criteria to be used.
In conclusion, the current method is a generic tool applicable on different geographic scales in a variety of contexts because it is not restricted to well-defined field of actions. The standardization of criteria ensures transparency and reproducibility of the model in other context and for other diseases. It enables adaptations (vaccination becoming available, increased knowledge of a pathogen, viral mutations or genetic reassortments increasing host specificity). In the same view, the model could be applied to diseases affecting domestic (dogs, cats) pets or exotic pets (reptiles). Conversely, it could also be used with enzootic conditions to better retarget the surveillance system and readapt control measures worldwide.
Dr Humblet is a research scientist in the Unit of Research in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis at the University of Leige, Leige, Belgium. Her research interests are bovine tuberculosis and socioeconomic losses from emerging animal diseases and zoonoses.
Acknowledgment
This study was supported by the General Operational Direction, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment of the Walloon Region (D31–1225 convention).
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Fonte: CDC
Marie-France Humblet1, Sébastien Vandeputte1, Adelin Albert, Christiane Gosset, Nathalie Kirschvink, Eric Haubruge, Fabienne Fecher-Bourgeois, Paul-Pierre Pastoret, and Claude Saegerman
Author affiliations: University of Liege, Liege, Belgium (M.-F. Humblet, S. Vandeputte, A. Albert, C. Gosset, F. Fecher-Bourgeois, C. Saegerman); University of Namur, Namur, Belgium (N. Kirschvink); University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium (E. Haubruge); Fontin, Belgium (P.-P. Pastoret)
Abstract
To prioritize 100 animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, we used a multicriteria decision-making procedure based on opinions of experts and evidence-based data. Forty international experts performed intracategory and intercategory weighting of 57 prioritization criteria. Two methods (deterministic with mean of each weight and probabilistic with distribution functions of weights by using Monte Carlo simulation) were used to calculate a score for each disease. Consecutive ranking was established. Few differences were observed between each method. Compared with previous prioritization methods, our procedure is evidence based, includes a range of fields and criteria while considering uncertainty, and will be useful for analyzing diseases that affect public health.
Agents that cause zoonotic diseases are infectious (transmissible) agents that not only are confined to 1 animal host but that also cause an infection (infestation) with or without clinical disease in several hosts, including humans (1). Nevertheless, all diseases affecting animals and humans are not strictly zoonotic but are qualified as common. Animals and humans generally contract infections from the same sources (soil, water, invertebrates, and plants). However, animals do not play an essential role in the life cycle of the etiologic agent but may contribute in various degrees to distribution and transmission of infections (2). According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), 75% of the emerging diseases originate in domestic or wild animals, which prompts close collaboration between animal health and public health authorities (www.oie.int/eng/edito/en_avr09.htm).
To achieve such a goal, the One Health strategy was recently developed to expand interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment (www.onehealthinitiative.com/mission.php). Such collaborations are particularly evident when considering zoonoses. In the One Health concept, a new strategy for animal health was recently adopted by the European Union (3). Categorization of threats caused by animals is 1 of the pillars of this strategy. Such method aims to provide a tool for decisions in animal health issues for selecting disease-related threats that are worth being addressed by public policies, which is necessary if considering emerging infectious diseases. The method of disease prioritization has been defined as the “organization of listed diseases into a hierarchy, considering their respective impacts” (4).
The main objectives of a prioritization method are to optimize financial and human resources for the surveillance, prevention, control, and eradication of infectious diseases and to target surveillance for early detection of any emerging disease. Our method is based on widely used multicriteria analysis, which consists of listing criteria to assess pathogens, evaluating pathogens on the basis of these criteria (scores), determining the relative role (weight) of each criterion, and aggregating scores and weights of criteria into 1 global score per pathogen (5). The originality of the prioritization procedure is a reasoning based on opinions of multidisciplinary experts (weighting method) and on evidence-based data of targeted diseases (animal diseases, zoonoses, and transmissible diseases common to animals and humans).
Methods
Diseases
One hundred diseases were included in the prioritization exercise. Species targeted were food-producing animals: cattle, small ruminants, swine, horses, poultry (including water birds such as ducks and geese), lagomorphs, and wildlife (species common in western Europe). There were 86 diseases affecting the animal species under study and reportable to the OIE (www.oie.int/en/animal-health-in-the-world/oie-listed-diseases-2011/).
Influenza caused by highly pathogenic and low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses was considered separately. Twelve additional infectious diseases reported in Europe during September 2009 and September 2010 and reported to the International Society for Infectious Diseases (www.promedmail.org) (archives 20100215.0530, 20100803.2615, 20101227.4564, 20100729.2546, 20100330.0996, 20100111.0128, 20090912.3211, 20100620.2072, 20091217.4273, 20091004.3453, 20101106.4026, and 20100209.0442) were also included in the prioritization method: besnoitiosis, botulism, bluetongue (bluetongue virus serotype16), hantavirosis (Puumala virus), hepatitis E, influenza (H1N1), norovirus disease, European tick-borne encephalitis, Usutu virus disease, porcine post-weaning multisystemic wasting disease (circovirus), equine atypical myopathy, and disease caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7. Parafilariasis (Parafilaria bovicola) was also included because it is considered to be emerging in western Europe (6). Salmonellosis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis was considered because of its effect on public health and it is the most common serovar in the European Union (7). Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was included in the zoonotic/common category despite its low effect on public health and the limited number of human cases reported to date (8).
Prioritization Criteria
Five aspects of a pathogen were considered: epidemiology, prevention/control, effects on economy/trade, zoonotic characteristics, and effect on society. The prioritization criteria were established according to a review of previous priority settings (i.e., English Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [DEFRA]) (http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/vetsurveillance/strategy/programme/prioritisation.htm) (9–13) and principles of evidence-based medicine, which promotes collection, interpretation, and integration of valid, essential, and applicable scientific evidence (14). A total of 57 criteria were retained for the prioritization method and further submitted for opinions of experts. The distribution of criteria among 5 categories was 17 for epidemiology (EP), 8 for prevention/control (PC), 16 for economy/trade, 12 for public health (PH), and 4 for society (SO). The 57 criteria are summarized in Table 1. Strict definitions were given for each coefficient and criterion and are summarized in Table 2.
A particular classification of zoonoses based on interactions between host species is included as a criterion in the PH category. Type 1 diseases are those transmitted from wildlife to humans, type 1+ are transmitted from wildlife to humans with additional human-to-human transmission, type 2 are transmitted from wildlife to domestic animals and then to humans, and type 2+ are diseases transmitted from wildlife to domestic animals and then to humans, with further human-to-human transmission (15).
Coefficients of Criteria
For each criterion, a coefficient of 0–7 was assigned to each option (Table 2) according to its role, effect, or rate. Coefficients were correlated with severity: the more severe the effect, the higher the coefficient. For example, a case-fatality rate <1% has a coefficient of 1 and a case-fatality rate >90% has a coefficient of 7. For nonzoonotic agents, a coefficient of 0 was fixed for criteria included in the PH category.
For each disease, evidence-based information concerning the 57 criteria was obtained from different sources, including use of OIE and Iowa State University (Ames, IA, USA) fact sheets and consultation with websites of international organizations (OIE, World Health Organization, European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Web site searches for peer-reviewed literature were conducted in PubMed and the Thomson Reuters (formerly Institute for Scientific Information) Web of Knowledge. Useful information was also obtained from scientific reference books (16,17). Searches enabled collection of ≈100% of information needed for the 57 criteria for the 100 diseases.
Multidisciplinary Panel of Experts
The main characteristic of the panel of experts consulted within the framework of the project was its multidisciplinarity. A total of 74 international experts were selected according to their field of expertise: veterinary and human epidemiologists, chief veterinary officers, economists, medical doctors, sociologists, and experts in public health and animal welfare.
Two tasks were assigned to the experts. First, they were asked to give their opinion on the pertinence of criteria proposed by indicating their degree of agreement. They were then asked to assign a score of 1 if they strongly disagreed with a criterion, 2 if they disagreed, 3 if they simply agreed, and 4 if they strongly agreed. In instances of strong disagreement, experts were asked to justify their decision and propose alternative options. Second, they were asked to weight criteria. Because all criteria do not have the same role in terms of risk and consequences within the same category, experts were thereafter asked to apply a Las Vegas method between the criteria according to their relative roles (or weights) (18). Because the number of criteria differs between categories, the number of points to distribute was proportional to the number of criteria per category: 90 for EP and PH, 60 for PC and EC, and 30 for SO. This method was necessary to prevent criteria classified as major by experts (in terms of points distributed) from receiving fewer points because they belonged to a category that included more criteria. Finally, 6 multicategory experts from international organizations were asked to apply the Las Vegas method for intercategory weighting by distributing 100 points between the 5 categories of criteria.
Weighting of Scores and Ranking According to Experts
After experts weighted the different criteria, an overall weighted score was calculated for each disease (19). To perform the ranking, we used an aggregation method that combined 2 types of weighting. First, intracategory weighting consisted of multiplying the coefficient (0–7) allocated to the criterion by the average of points (weight) distributed by the experts for that criterion. A global score for a category was obtained by summing the weighted scores obtained for each criterion. Second, multicategory experts performed intercategory weighting. The mean number of points allocated by these experts to each category of criteria (weight) was multiplied by the global score obtained for each category after the first weighting. The overall weighted score of each disease resulted from the summation of global scores obtained from the 5 categories, as shown in the equations OWS = Σcat (GSCj × IrWj) and GSCj = Σcrit (Ci × IaWi), where OWS = overall weighting score of a pathogen, GSCj = global score of a category of criteria, IrWj = intercategory weight for each category of criteria (average for deterministic method), Ci = initial coefficient per criterion, IaWi = intracategory weight for each criterion (average for deterministic method), Cat = categories of criteria, and Crit = criteria.
Uncertainty Analysis
Uncertainty of the weighting method was estimated by using a probabilistic method. All weights were converted into a function (Table 1) and computed by using @Risk software version 5.5 (Palisade Corporation, Ithaca, NY, USA). Functions were then combined through an aggregation method by using a Monte-Carlo simulation with 1,000 iterations to obtain a function of the overall weighted scores per disease with a 95% CI.
Classification of Diseases by Using Classification and Regression Tree Analysis
Different groups of roles were identified by using classification and regression tree (CART) (www.salford-systems.com) analysis with overall weighted scores per disease as input (probabilistic method). This widely used method developed by Breiman et al. (20) can be applied to analyze either categorical (classification) or continuous data (regression) (11,12,20,21). In this report, regression tree models were used as the target variable and disease role was the continuous variable (22). The aim of these models was to obtain subgroups with minimal within-variance (grouping diseases with a similar role) by using cross-validation (11,23). Default settings of the software described by Steinberg and Golowya were used to develop the regression tree (24).
Results
Expert Opinions for Criteria
The response rate of the 74 experts on the procedure was 54% (i.e., 40 replies). Profiles of the experts are shown in Table 3. Experts were classified according to the different categories of criteria as follows: 18 for EP, 16 for PC, 14 for EC, 10 for PH, and 13 for SO. Opinions of 6 cross-category experts who assessed all categories of criteria (multicategory experts) were also included individually in each category.
Opinions of experts on proposed criteria were taken into account to adapt the list of criteria. For example, in the EP category, 3 rates were proposed to experts: morbidity (illness), mortality, and case-fatality. The experts suggested deleting mortality rate because case-fatality rate better reflects the gravity of the disease. Some modifications (clarifications) were made to definitions of each criterion and its coefficients. The final database of criteria, their coefficients, and definitions used for prioritization are shown in Table 1. The relative weight of each category of criteria was 20 points (mean and median) for EP, 19 (mean) and 18 (median) for PC, 23 (mean) and 28 (median) for EC, 25 (mean and median) for PH, and 14 (mean and 15 (median) for SO.
Figure 1
Public health was considered the major category of criteria in terms of prioritization. Weighting of criteria as proposed by experts is shown in Figure 1. Epizootic potential and case-fatality rate (%) were regarded as the 2 major epidemiologic indicators (Figure 1, panel A). Effectiveness of prevention and vaccination were weighted as the 2 major PC criteria (Figure 1, panel B). Loss of productivity and limitation of importation and exportation were the 2 major EC criteria (Figure 1, panel C). Case-fatality rate and epidemic potential were weighted as the 2 major PH criteria (Figure 1, panel D). Effect on animal welfare and biodiversity and lower consumption were the 2 major SO indicators (Figure 1, panel E). Nevertheless, within each category, differences between criteria were scarce. Conversely, the range in weights of each criterion was large, as shown by high SDs, which indicated variability among opinions of experts. To take variability into account, we used a probabilistic method to estimate the overall weighted score per disease.
Ranking of Diseases
Figure 2
Final ranking of diseases according to their overall weighted scores and use of a probabilistic method is shown in Figure 2. Few differences were observed between deterministic (mean of each weight) and probabilistic methods (function of weights) (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.999; p<0.0001). This finding is probably associated with a few problems in subjective interpretation or dilution of individual discordances among the large number of experts. FMD was considered as a zoonotic disease. However, FMD could be included in the nonzoonotic category. In such an instance, it would be the highest ranked nonzoonotic disease. Newcastle disease was included in the zoonotic/common category, which could be questioned because of its limited effect on PH. The top 5 ranked diseases were all zoonotic/common: Nipah virus encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, influenza caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, West Nile fever, and botulism. Classification of Diseases by Using CART Analysis
Regression trees enabled identification of 4 groups of diseases. These diseases are shown in Figure 2.
Discussion
Prioritization of diseases has acquired major interest within the past few years, especially from a prevention point of view and in the sector of public health. Such a method is needed within the context of emerging diseases because it is not known how severe socioeconomic consequences of outbreaks will be. Our study included not only zoonoses, such as those reported by Cardoen et al. (11) and Havelaar et al. (12), but also transmissible diseases common to humans and animals and reportable animal diseases. The prioritization method was developed by an independent group to avoid any bias that could result from the influence of stakeholders as reported (25,26).
Several groups have proposed a prioritization method that considers different categories of criteria. Previous studies focused on a specific aspect of infectious diseases, such as the multicriteria analysis designed by Mourits et al., to support discussions on control measures (27). Conversely, the method developed by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety included major aspects of a disease (28) and also considered 2 rankings, 1 for animal health and 1 for human health. Nevertheless, our study provides a unique ranking that included both types of diseases.
The current method included more diseases compared with previous priority methods, such as those reported by DEFRA) (n = 25) or the European Commission (n = 46) (13). Krause et al. applied a Delphi method for collecting opinions, but only prioritized 85 zoonotic or common diseases (9,10). In our study, a Delphi method was initially planned but for time, rationale, and economic reasons, criteria were defined and established before being proposed to experts. Because our method includes qualitative and semiquantitative criteria, it is not completely numerically based, in contrast to the multicriteria analysis developed by Kurowicka et al. (5). Their method is applicable only for quantitative criteria and not always to all diseases in all contexts. Furthermore, they used a limited number of attributes for pathogens. Even if one relies on a quantitative method, which is less arbitrary than a semiquantitative method, the model developed by Havelaar et al. (12) is based on criteria reflecting the epidemiology and societal effect of zoonoses but does not include risk perception by the general public or diseases targeting animal species.
Our new method requires multidisciplinarity, which involves animal and human epidemiologists; chief veterinary officers; experts in agricultural economics, animal welfare, and biodiversity; and experts on societal aspects of diseases. Other prioritization methods often restricted their panel of experts to epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists (9,10).
The decision to start with the disease and not the animal species is in contrast to the method developed by Heffernan, who suggested that errors might be amplified throughout the weighting method (29). Nevertheless, by starting with the disease, the role of species is balanced by the EC category because the effect of different industries is taken into account. If an industry is not well developed in a specific area, the effect will be minimized. When the prioritization method is started with the species and its particular effect in the area/country, it makes the model applicable only in this specific area. However, if one starts with the disease and takes into account the economic role of the species in another category of criteria, the model can be applied anywhere.
Some methods applied a weighting system to criteria (DEFRA) (9,10,30) because it is not appropriate to consider all criteria on the same scale. For example, the human case-fatality rate should not be placed on the same scale as classification of zoonoses. Even if individual experts differed in their views on the relative role of various criteria and indicators, veterinary epidemiologists and experts in public health reached the conclusion that the epizootic/epidemic potential and case-fatality rate were the 2 major criteria in their respective category of expertise.
When one considers overall ranking of diseases, all top 20 diseases are zoonotic/common, which is expected because their global score involves the whole public health aspect. CART analysis also illustrates the correlation between PH and SO, which is not surprising because consumer behavior might be influenced when a zoonotic/common agent is involved (31). Nevertheless, CARTs might lead to slightly biased results in relation to variable selection: identification of distinct subgroups does not enable estimation of net effects of independent variables because subdivision of data into 2 groups is based on only 1 value of only 1 explanatory variable (32). In addition, bootstrap or jackknifing analysis would have been alternative ways to estimate the uncertainty.
The analysis can be applied only to the 100 diseases included in the model. Nevertheless, its predictive value is useful. The model we developed could be presented as generic and should not be confined to the 100 diseases included in the current application or to exotic diseases as with the method developed by French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (28). At the beginning of the 21st century, a scientific team in the United Kingdom established a list of 1,415 pathogens that possibly affected humans (33). If added to the pathogens involved in animal diseases, all of these pathogens could also be added to the prioritization method, with a preliminary categorization step. As specified in the work performed under the aegis of the European Council, the prioritization exercise should be performed regularly as the epidemiologic situation of diseases constantly evolves: biotechnological improvements are constantly achieved in terms of vaccination, treatment, and diagnostic tests (30). In addition, elaboration of each criterion relied on evidence-based medicine through consultation with >1,800 scientific references (34; S. Vandeputte et al., unpub. data). The critical point of our method relies on the possible lack of independence between some criteria. Several of these criteria might be substantially dependent on each other. Although coefficients for ranges of illness and case-fatality rates were arbitrarily fixed, which may results in a loss of precision, they were accepted by experts. A Delphi method would have been more appropriate for reaching a consensus on the criteria to be used.
In conclusion, the current method is a generic tool applicable on different geographic scales in a variety of contexts because it is not restricted to well-defined field of actions. The standardization of criteria ensures transparency and reproducibility of the model in other context and for other diseases. It enables adaptations (vaccination becoming available, increased knowledge of a pathogen, viral mutations or genetic reassortments increasing host specificity). In the same view, the model could be applied to diseases affecting domestic (dogs, cats) pets or exotic pets (reptiles). Conversely, it could also be used with enzootic conditions to better retarget the surveillance system and readapt control measures worldwide.
Dr Humblet is a research scientist in the Unit of Research in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis at the University of Leige, Leige, Belgium. Her research interests are bovine tuberculosis and socioeconomic losses from emerging animal diseases and zoonoses.
Acknowledgment
This study was supported by the General Operational Direction, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment of the Walloon Region (D31–1225 convention).
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VanEngelsdorp D, Speybroeck N, Evans JD, Nguyen BK, Mullin C, Frazier M, Weighing risk factors associated with bee colony collapse disorder by classification and regression tree analysis. J Econ Entomol. 2010;103:1517–23. DOIPubMed
Saegerman C, Speybroeck N, Vanopdenbosch E, Wilesmith JW, Berkvens D. Decision support tools for clinical diagnosis of disease in cows with suspected bovine spongiform encephalopathy. J Clin Microbiol. 2004;42:172–8. DOIPubMed
Speybroeck N, Berkvens D, Mfoukou-Ntsakala A, Aerts M, Hens N, Van Huylenbroeck G, Classification trees versus multinomial models in the analysis of urban farming systems in central Africa. Agric Syst. 2004;80:133–49. DOI
Steinberg D, Golowya M. CART—classification and regression trees. User’s guide 2007, San Diego: Salford Systems; 2007.
Scoones I, Wolmer W. Livestock, disease, trade and markets: policy choices for the livestock sector in Africa. Institute of Development Studies Working Paper 269. Brighton (UK): Institute of Development Studies, Brighton; 2006 [cited 2011 Jan 7] ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/nonfao/LEAD/af853e/af853e00.pdf
Perry B, Sones K. Science for development: poverty reduction through animal health. Science. 2007;315:333–4. DOIPubMed
Mourits MC, van Asseldonk MA, Huirne RB. Multi-criteria decision making to evaluate control strategies of contagious animal diseases. Prev Vet Med. 2010;96:201–10. DOIPubMed
French Agency for Food. Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES). Methodology of prioritization of animal diseases; application to the example of pathogens exotic to metropolitan France [in French]. Report 2008-SA-0390, 2010 [cited 2011 Jan 6]. http://www.afssa.fr/Documents/SANT2008sa0390.pdf
Heffernan C. Panzootics and the poor: devising a global livestock disease prioritization framework for poverty alleviation. Rev Sci Tech. 2009;28:897–907.PubMed
Council of the European Union. EU animal health strategy: non-paper on prioritization of animal-related threats and biosecurity. Presented at: Second Meeting of CVO Working Party # 1. DG B I JR:ddc – 9536/08 ADD 1; 2008 May 22; Brussels. p. 1–8.
Frank C, Faber M, Askar M, Bernard H, Fruth A, Gilsdorf A, Large and ongoing outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome, Germany, May 2011. Euro Surveill. 2011;16:pii:19878. PubMed
Speybroeck N. Classification and regression trees. Int J Public Health. 2011 Oct 21; [Epub ahead of print]. DOIPubMed
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Vandeweerd JM, Kirschvink N, Clegg P, Vandenput S, Gustin P, Saegerman C. Is evidence-based medicine so evident in veterinary research and practice? History, obstacles and perspectives. Vet J. 2012;191:28–34. DOIPubMed
Fonte: CDC
sábado, 24 de março de 2012
Leishmaniasis visceral: GUIA PARA EL EQUIPO DE SALUD (Argentina)
Transcribimos de este documento del Ministerio de Salud de Argentina los apartados referidos a “Infección en el perro” e “Información para la comunidad”; y al final el link para su lectura completa.
"La importancia de diagnosticar la infección y reconocer la enfermedad en los perros, radica en que son los reservorios urbanos conocidos de leishmaniasis visceral, son la principal fuente de infección para los vectores, y porque pueden seguir siendo infectantes a pesar del tratamiento que mejora su condición clínica…”
INFORMACIÓN PARA LA POBLACIÓN
1. ¿Qué es la leishmaniasis?
La leishmaniasis es una enfermedad parasitaria transmitida por un flebótomo (insecto pequeño de 2 a 3 mm). Hay varios tipos de parásitos que producen leishmaniasis, y según de que tipo se trate, la leishmaniasis afectará diferentes órganos y tendrá diferente gravedad. En Argentina las formas que existen son la forma conocida como leishmaniasis cutánea que produce lesiones en la piel y a veces en las mucosas (nariz, boca, etc) y la leishmaniasis visceral, que es la forma más grave y que produce fiebre, perdida de apetito, cansancio entre otros síntomas.
2. ¿Cómo se contagia la leishmaniasis?
La leishmaniasis se transmite solamente por la picadura de algunas especies de flebótomos, insectos muy pequeños conocidos como torito, plumilla o carachay. Ese flebótomo, pica generalmente durante la tarde y la noche.
Solo los flebótomos que tienen el parásito pueden transmitir la enfermedad. Para poder contagiar la enfermedad el flebótomo previamente se debe haber alimentado con sangre de algún animal enfermo de leishmaniasis. No se transmite directamente de una persona a otra, ni a través de objetos ni de la leche materna.
El flebótomo que transmite leishmaniasis se desarrolla en lugares húmedos y oscuros cubiertos de vegetación, rincones, paredes o troncos de los árboles. No se reproduce en el agua, ni en las zanjas.
En la forma mas grave de la enfermedad, la leishmaniasis visceral, el perro tiene una importancia fundamental, ya que es el “reservorio de la enfermedad”. Esto quiere decir que es el animal que al estar infectado de leishmaniasis, permite que los flebótomos se contagien y puede contagiar a los seres humanos. Por eso es necesario detectar la infección del perro en las comunidades.
3. ¿Cómo puedo hacer para prevenir la leishmaniasis visceral?
La primordial medida preventiva es erradicar los sitios de cría del flebótomo de los hogares para evitar que los perros se infecten, y detectar los síntomas que en el perro pueden hacer sospechar leishmaniasis.
Se debe consultar con un veterinario si el perro presenta caída del pelo alrededor de los ojos y orejas, fatiga e inactividad, adelgazamiento, seborrea escamosa y crecimiento exagerado de las uñas.
Se debe mantener el terreno alrededor de la vivienda libre de malezas y de acumulación de desechos de animales. Los corrales deben ser ubicados lejos de las viviendas, y los animales domésticos y mascotas deben tener los sitios de dormir alejados de las sitios donde duermen las personas.
Además se debe evitar traer de perros de las zonas donde hay casos de leishmaniasis.
4. ¿Cuáles son las zonas de riesgo para la leishmaniasis visceral?
En Misiones, Formosa, Corrientes y Santiago del Estero, se han presentado casos de personas o perros con esta enfermedad.
5. ¿Cómo puedo saber si tengo leishmaniasis visceral?
Si Ud presenta fiebre prolongada, pérdida de apetito, disminución de peso, tos seca, aumento del tamaño del abdomen, diarrea y vómitos, debe consultar a un servicio de salud, donde le dirán si esos síntomas pueden ser debidos a leishmaniasis.
TRABAJEMOS PARA CONTROLAR LA LEISHMANIASIS
La primordial medida preventiva es erradicar el flebótomo de los hogares y evitar que los perros se infecten, y detectar los síntomas que en el perro pueden hacer sospechar leishmaniasis. Para eso:
• Erradiquemos hojas y malezas de los alrededores de las viviendas y la basura acumulada en nuestras casas.
• Mantengamos el terreno alrededor de la vivienda libre de malezas y corrales, y los animales domésticos y mascotas alejados de la vivienda durante la noche.
• Utilicemos repelentes para insectos, mosquiteros o telas metálicas.
• Usemos camisas de manga larga y pantalones o coloquémonos repelente en el caso de transitar por zonas selváticas o con mucha vegetación.
• Los perros deben se controlados periódicamente por un veterinario, por lo menos 2 veces al año.
Además
• Se deben limpiar los lugares donde habitan los perros y evitar que sean picados por los flebótomos mediante collares o pipetas repelentes que deben ser renovadas según las ins-trucciones.
• Debemos estar atentos si nuestra mascota presenta:
- Caída del pelo especialmente alrededor de los ojos y las orejas.
- Fatiga.
- Pérdida de peso.
- Seborrea escamosa (como caspa).
- Crecimiento exagerado de las uñas.
- Ulceras en la piel.
- Hemorragia nasal.
Y si aparece alguno de esos síntomas llevarlo al veterinario.
------------------------------------------------------
INFECCIÓN EN EL PERRO
La importancia de diagnosticar la infección y reconocer la enfermedad en los perros, radica en que son los reservorios urbanos conocidos de leishmaniasis visceral, son la principal fuente de infección para los vectores, y porque pueden seguir siendo infectantes a pesar del tratamiento que mejora su condición clínica.
La incidencia en los perros es siempre superior a la incidencia en humanos y usualmente la infección en perros precede a los brotes en humanos. Los perros infectados, con o sin síntomas, pueden transmitir la enfermedad.
El período de incubación de los perros infectados con Leishmania infantum es usualmente de 2 a 12 meses.
No existen síntomas específicos de la enfermedad, por lo que debe haber confirmación diagnóstica por métodos parasitológicos o serológicos. Se pueden presentar signos cutáneos como alopecía y costras especialmente alrededor de los ojos, seborrea, dermatitis, úlceras que no cicatrizan (semejantes a las que se observan en la leishmaniasis cutánea por L. braziliensis), crecimiento atípico de uñas (onicogrifosis), signos oculares como queratocojuntivitis y uveítis, pérdida de apetito, astenia, adenomegalias, y con el avance de la enfermedad fiebre, diarrea, hepato-esplenomegalia, falla renal y sangrado espontáneo los que conducen al óbito.
Los tratamientos farmacológicos de perros afectados de leishmaniasis visceral, pueden mejorar los síntomas en el perro, pero aún así los perros siguen siendo infectantes al vector. Además el tratamiento con drogas utilizadas en humanos, aumenta el riesgo de generación de cepas resistentes a dichos medicamentos.
La protección parcial que generan los elementos repelentes como collares y pipetas, útiles para proteger a los animales sanos, no garantizan la interrupción de la transmisión por parte de los perros infectados con o sin tratamiento y las vacunas disponibles a la fecha no demuestran eficacia para interrumpir la transmisión de la leishmaniasis, por lo que al no existir instrumentos para evitar que los perros infectados transmitan la enfermedad al hombre y a otros perros, la conducta indicada es el sacrificio humanitario de perros infectados.
FUENTE:
http://www.msal.gov.ar/medicoscomunitarios/images/stories/Equipos/problemas-priorizados-salud/guia-Leish-visc-completa.pdf
Fonte: ANIMALES XXI
"La importancia de diagnosticar la infección y reconocer la enfermedad en los perros, radica en que son los reservorios urbanos conocidos de leishmaniasis visceral, son la principal fuente de infección para los vectores, y porque pueden seguir siendo infectantes a pesar del tratamiento que mejora su condición clínica…”
INFORMACIÓN PARA LA POBLACIÓN
1. ¿Qué es la leishmaniasis?
La leishmaniasis es una enfermedad parasitaria transmitida por un flebótomo (insecto pequeño de 2 a 3 mm). Hay varios tipos de parásitos que producen leishmaniasis, y según de que tipo se trate, la leishmaniasis afectará diferentes órganos y tendrá diferente gravedad. En Argentina las formas que existen son la forma conocida como leishmaniasis cutánea que produce lesiones en la piel y a veces en las mucosas (nariz, boca, etc) y la leishmaniasis visceral, que es la forma más grave y que produce fiebre, perdida de apetito, cansancio entre otros síntomas.
2. ¿Cómo se contagia la leishmaniasis?
La leishmaniasis se transmite solamente por la picadura de algunas especies de flebótomos, insectos muy pequeños conocidos como torito, plumilla o carachay. Ese flebótomo, pica generalmente durante la tarde y la noche.
Solo los flebótomos que tienen el parásito pueden transmitir la enfermedad. Para poder contagiar la enfermedad el flebótomo previamente se debe haber alimentado con sangre de algún animal enfermo de leishmaniasis. No se transmite directamente de una persona a otra, ni a través de objetos ni de la leche materna.
El flebótomo que transmite leishmaniasis se desarrolla en lugares húmedos y oscuros cubiertos de vegetación, rincones, paredes o troncos de los árboles. No se reproduce en el agua, ni en las zanjas.
En la forma mas grave de la enfermedad, la leishmaniasis visceral, el perro tiene una importancia fundamental, ya que es el “reservorio de la enfermedad”. Esto quiere decir que es el animal que al estar infectado de leishmaniasis, permite que los flebótomos se contagien y puede contagiar a los seres humanos. Por eso es necesario detectar la infección del perro en las comunidades.
3. ¿Cómo puedo hacer para prevenir la leishmaniasis visceral?
La primordial medida preventiva es erradicar los sitios de cría del flebótomo de los hogares para evitar que los perros se infecten, y detectar los síntomas que en el perro pueden hacer sospechar leishmaniasis.
Se debe consultar con un veterinario si el perro presenta caída del pelo alrededor de los ojos y orejas, fatiga e inactividad, adelgazamiento, seborrea escamosa y crecimiento exagerado de las uñas.
Se debe mantener el terreno alrededor de la vivienda libre de malezas y de acumulación de desechos de animales. Los corrales deben ser ubicados lejos de las viviendas, y los animales domésticos y mascotas deben tener los sitios de dormir alejados de las sitios donde duermen las personas.
Además se debe evitar traer de perros de las zonas donde hay casos de leishmaniasis.
4. ¿Cuáles son las zonas de riesgo para la leishmaniasis visceral?
En Misiones, Formosa, Corrientes y Santiago del Estero, se han presentado casos de personas o perros con esta enfermedad.
5. ¿Cómo puedo saber si tengo leishmaniasis visceral?
Si Ud presenta fiebre prolongada, pérdida de apetito, disminución de peso, tos seca, aumento del tamaño del abdomen, diarrea y vómitos, debe consultar a un servicio de salud, donde le dirán si esos síntomas pueden ser debidos a leishmaniasis.
TRABAJEMOS PARA CONTROLAR LA LEISHMANIASIS
La primordial medida preventiva es erradicar el flebótomo de los hogares y evitar que los perros se infecten, y detectar los síntomas que en el perro pueden hacer sospechar leishmaniasis. Para eso:
• Erradiquemos hojas y malezas de los alrededores de las viviendas y la basura acumulada en nuestras casas.
• Mantengamos el terreno alrededor de la vivienda libre de malezas y corrales, y los animales domésticos y mascotas alejados de la vivienda durante la noche.
• Utilicemos repelentes para insectos, mosquiteros o telas metálicas.
• Usemos camisas de manga larga y pantalones o coloquémonos repelente en el caso de transitar por zonas selváticas o con mucha vegetación.
• Los perros deben se controlados periódicamente por un veterinario, por lo menos 2 veces al año.
Además
• Se deben limpiar los lugares donde habitan los perros y evitar que sean picados por los flebótomos mediante collares o pipetas repelentes que deben ser renovadas según las ins-trucciones.
• Debemos estar atentos si nuestra mascota presenta:
- Caída del pelo especialmente alrededor de los ojos y las orejas.
- Fatiga.
- Pérdida de peso.
- Seborrea escamosa (como caspa).
- Crecimiento exagerado de las uñas.
- Ulceras en la piel.
- Hemorragia nasal.
Y si aparece alguno de esos síntomas llevarlo al veterinario.
------------------------------------------------------
INFECCIÓN EN EL PERRO
La importancia de diagnosticar la infección y reconocer la enfermedad en los perros, radica en que son los reservorios urbanos conocidos de leishmaniasis visceral, son la principal fuente de infección para los vectores, y porque pueden seguir siendo infectantes a pesar del tratamiento que mejora su condición clínica.
La incidencia en los perros es siempre superior a la incidencia en humanos y usualmente la infección en perros precede a los brotes en humanos. Los perros infectados, con o sin síntomas, pueden transmitir la enfermedad.
El período de incubación de los perros infectados con Leishmania infantum es usualmente de 2 a 12 meses.
No existen síntomas específicos de la enfermedad, por lo que debe haber confirmación diagnóstica por métodos parasitológicos o serológicos. Se pueden presentar signos cutáneos como alopecía y costras especialmente alrededor de los ojos, seborrea, dermatitis, úlceras que no cicatrizan (semejantes a las que se observan en la leishmaniasis cutánea por L. braziliensis), crecimiento atípico de uñas (onicogrifosis), signos oculares como queratocojuntivitis y uveítis, pérdida de apetito, astenia, adenomegalias, y con el avance de la enfermedad fiebre, diarrea, hepato-esplenomegalia, falla renal y sangrado espontáneo los que conducen al óbito.
Los tratamientos farmacológicos de perros afectados de leishmaniasis visceral, pueden mejorar los síntomas en el perro, pero aún así los perros siguen siendo infectantes al vector. Además el tratamiento con drogas utilizadas en humanos, aumenta el riesgo de generación de cepas resistentes a dichos medicamentos.
La protección parcial que generan los elementos repelentes como collares y pipetas, útiles para proteger a los animales sanos, no garantizan la interrupción de la transmisión por parte de los perros infectados con o sin tratamiento y las vacunas disponibles a la fecha no demuestran eficacia para interrumpir la transmisión de la leishmaniasis, por lo que al no existir instrumentos para evitar que los perros infectados transmitan la enfermedad al hombre y a otros perros, la conducta indicada es el sacrificio humanitario de perros infectados.
http://www.msal.gov.ar/medicoscomunitarios/images/stories/Equipos/problemas-priorizados-salud/guia-Leish-visc-completa.pdf
Fonte: ANIMALES XXI
ES é o primeiro Estado a integrar-se à Plataforma de Gestão Agropecuária do Ministério da Agricultura
Publicado por Fabiano Fiuza em 24 março 2012
Com o cumprimento dos 28 pré-requisitos previstos pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Mapa), o Espírito Santo, por meio do Instituto de Defesa Agropecuária e Florestal (Idaf), é o primeiro Estado a integrar-se totalmente à Plataforma de Gestão Agropecuária (PGA), criada pelo Mapa em parceria com a Confederação da Agricultura e Pecuária do Brasil (CNA). A unificação das informações dará mais transparência e eficiência aos sistemas agropecuários e permitirá a harmonização das regras brasileiras com as especificações internacionais no mercado agropecuário.
De acordo com o médico veterinário Fabiano Fiuza Rangel, chefe do Departamento de Defesa Sanitária e Inspeção Animal do Idaf, com a consolidação do Sistema de Integração Agropecuária Online (Siapec) no Instituto foi possível atender a todas as exigências previstas pelo Ministério. O Siapec é o software utilizado pelo Idaf para controlar os registros de trânsito animal, gerenciar o quantitativo e a movimentação de todo o rebanho capixaba e controlar os estoques de vacinas. O Sistema permite também a efetivação de cadastro dos produtores e das propriedades rurais do Espírito Santo.
Para Fabiano Fiuza a grande vantagem da integração é a possibilidade de rastreamento do trânsito de animais em todo o País. “A PGA permitirá uma melhor gestão dos aspectos sanitários, já que não estaremos limitados apenas ao Espírito Santo, mas teremos o controle da movimentação do rebanho em todo o território nacional. Assim, em caso de eventuais surtos de doenças, o Estado consegue atuar com mais agilidade para sanar a ocorrência, evitando maiores prejuízos.”
PGA - A PGA é uma base de dados única sobre a criação, o transporte e o abate de bovinos para exportação de carne, que integrará informações do Sistema de Identificação e Certificação de Bovinos e Bubalinos (Sisbov) - que garante a rastreabilidade dos animais -, da Guia de Trânsito Animal Eletrônica (e-GTA) e do Sistema de Informações Gerenciais do Serviço de Inspeção Federal (Sigsif).
Em 2008, quando a União Europeia interrompeu temporariamente as compras de carne brasileira, o Ministério da Agricultura admitiu erros na certificação e comprometeu-se a adotar um sistema de rastreamento equivalente ao europeu, com controle individual dos animais. O rastreamento completo do rebanho pode ser decisivo para o Brasil consolidar-se como maior exportador mundial de carne bovina.
Fonte: INOVADEFESA
Com o cumprimento dos 28 pré-requisitos previstos pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Mapa), o Espírito Santo, por meio do Instituto de Defesa Agropecuária e Florestal (Idaf), é o primeiro Estado a integrar-se totalmente à Plataforma de Gestão Agropecuária (PGA), criada pelo Mapa em parceria com a Confederação da Agricultura e Pecuária do Brasil (CNA). A unificação das informações dará mais transparência e eficiência aos sistemas agropecuários e permitirá a harmonização das regras brasileiras com as especificações internacionais no mercado agropecuário.
De acordo com o médico veterinário Fabiano Fiuza Rangel, chefe do Departamento de Defesa Sanitária e Inspeção Animal do Idaf, com a consolidação do Sistema de Integração Agropecuária Online (Siapec) no Instituto foi possível atender a todas as exigências previstas pelo Ministério. O Siapec é o software utilizado pelo Idaf para controlar os registros de trânsito animal, gerenciar o quantitativo e a movimentação de todo o rebanho capixaba e controlar os estoques de vacinas. O Sistema permite também a efetivação de cadastro dos produtores e das propriedades rurais do Espírito Santo.
Para Fabiano Fiuza a grande vantagem da integração é a possibilidade de rastreamento do trânsito de animais em todo o País. “A PGA permitirá uma melhor gestão dos aspectos sanitários, já que não estaremos limitados apenas ao Espírito Santo, mas teremos o controle da movimentação do rebanho em todo o território nacional. Assim, em caso de eventuais surtos de doenças, o Estado consegue atuar com mais agilidade para sanar a ocorrência, evitando maiores prejuízos.”
PGA - A PGA é uma base de dados única sobre a criação, o transporte e o abate de bovinos para exportação de carne, que integrará informações do Sistema de Identificação e Certificação de Bovinos e Bubalinos (Sisbov) - que garante a rastreabilidade dos animais -, da Guia de Trânsito Animal Eletrônica (e-GTA) e do Sistema de Informações Gerenciais do Serviço de Inspeção Federal (Sigsif).
Em 2008, quando a União Europeia interrompeu temporariamente as compras de carne brasileira, o Ministério da Agricultura admitiu erros na certificação e comprometeu-se a adotar um sistema de rastreamento equivalente ao europeu, com controle individual dos animais. O rastreamento completo do rebanho pode ser decisivo para o Brasil consolidar-se como maior exportador mundial de carne bovina.
Fonte: INOVADEFESA
Técnica produz abelhas rainhas da espécie jataí in vitro
A pesquisa Ocorrência natural de sexuados, produção in vitro de rainhas e multiplicação de colônias em Tetragonisca angustula (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) foi dividida em três etapas: o monitoramento do que acontece dentro da colônia (para entender a reprodução natural das abelhas rainhas e com que frequência elas e os machos são produzidos); a produção in vitro das rainhas (possível por causa dessa observação prévia) e a multiplicação da colônia. A espécie utilizada, conhecida como jataí, é nativa do Brasil e não possui ferrão. Prato enfatiza que o estudo também pode servir para a maioria das outras abelhas do tipo. O orientador da pesquisa foi o professor Ademílson Espencer Egea Soares.
Observando a Tetragonisca angustula em condições naturais, o biólogo constatou que o que determina qual larva vai virar uma abelha rainha ou uma operária é a quantidade de alimento oferecido a ela. Algumas das células presentes nos favos são maiores do que as outras, e se uma célula é maior, vai receber mais alimento. Desta célula, emerge uma rainha. Nesta observação do processo natural, Prato coletou o alimento produzido pela própria colônia que seria utilizado para a produção da rainha, além de larvas em seu período inicial de desenvolvimento. Em laboratório, reproduziu artificialmente as células reais, com tamanho exatamente igual às encontradas na natureza, e ofereceu a elas o alimento retirado da natureza (55 microlitro de alimento para cada célula, também um número exatamente igual ao observado). Este processo, que ocorre dentro de uma estufa, é a produção in vitro de rainhas.
"Fizemos em laboratório o que as operárias fazem dentro da colônia", conta. Este processo aumenta o número de rainhas, que, na natureza é considerado baixo. "Mas não é que seja realmente baixo, é o suficiente para as abelhas se multiplicarem. Porém, para o produtor, em grande escala, esse número não é o suficiente, o que mostra a utilidade deste processo", acrescenta o biólogo.
Depois do nascimento das rainhas, é feita a multiplicação das colônias. O processo se dá por meio da retirada de material (como favos de cria, abelhas operárias jovens e alimentos) de um dos ninhos de um meliponário (o local aonde se criam as colônias). Foram formadas várias minicolônias e em cada uma introduziu-se uma rainha produzida em laboratório para ser fecundada por um macho. Por causa disso, o pesquisador também fez uma observação prévia da produção de machos para poder sincronizar a sua produção com a fecundação das abelhas. As minicolônias eram levadas para um ambiente externo para a fecundação com os machos e, ao fim desta etapa, o processo estava completo e a nova colônia estava formada.
Dificuldades
O processo descrito é um dos primeiros do tipo feito no País, e encontrou algumas dificuldades no começo de sua operação. Etapas como a transferência das larvas do ambiente natural para laboratório apresentaram obstáculos devido à grande mortalidade dessas larvas, que acabavam sendo feridas pelo estilete que conduzia o processo. Na outra transferência, que leva as minicolônias já prontas para o ambiente aberto, também houve muitas baixas. Fora isso, muitas das rainhas que saíram para o vôo nupcial (para serem fecundadas) não retornaram.
Houve também rejeição por parte das operárias em algumas rainhas. Pelo fato destas terem sido produzidas em laboratório, elas não possuíam o cheiro da colônia, o que fazia com que as operárias não as tratassem como rainhas, chegando a matá-las. Para contornar este processo, o pesquisador passou a manter a rainha presa dentro da colônia antes de liberá-la, para que pudesse se proteger das operárias e pegar o cheiro do ambiente.
Custo
A ferramenta desenvolvida pelo pesquisador é voltada ao produtor, que pode passar a oferecer muitas colônias para o serviço de polinização de algum cultivo. "A ocorrência de abelhas aumenta a qualidade e a eficiência da polinização, pode render frutos maiores, etc". O que poderia ser um problema é o custo da técnica, já que ela é experimental. Mas, segundo Prato, isso não é um motivo para preocupação. O pesquisador conta que a técnica em si é muito barata e não exige equipamentos sofisticados (o equipamento mais sofisticado utilizado foi a estufa, para manter as larvas em desenvolvimento), o que a torna acessível inclusive para o pequeno produtor.
Mais informações
Mauro Prato
E-mail: mauro_prato@yahoo.com.br
FONTE
Agência USP de Notícias
Mariana Soares - Jornalista
Telefone: (11) 3091-4411
E-mail: agenusp@usp.br
Fonte: AGROSOFT
sexta-feira, 23 de março de 2012
Novo tipo de febre aftosa atinge Egito, diz FAO
quinta-feira, 22 de março de 2012 15:10
22 Mar (Reuters) - Uma nova cepa de febre aftosa (FMD) atingiu o Egito e ameaça se espalhar por todo o Norte da África e o Oriente Médio, colocando em risco a segurança alimentar na região, disse a Organização para a Alimentação e a Agricultura das Nações Unidas (FAO), nesta quinta-feira.
Houve 40.222 casos suspeitos da doença no Egito e 4.658 animais, principalmente bezerros, já morreram, disse a FAO em comunicado, citando estimativas oficiais.
"Embora a febre aftosa tenha circulado no país por alguns anos, esta é uma introdução totalmente nova de uma cepa de vírus conhecido como SAT2, e o gado não tem nenhuma imunidade contra ela", disse a agência com sede em Roma.
As vacinas são uma necessidade urgente, uma vez que 6,3 milhões de bufalinos e bovinos e 7,5 milhões de ovinos e caprinos estão em risco no Egito, segundo a FAO.
"A área em torno do Baixo Delta do Nilo parece ter sido severamente afetada, enquanto outras áreas no Alto Egito e do oeste parecem menos", disse Juan Lubroth, diretor do escritório de Veterinária da FAO, chamando por uma forte ação para impedir a propagação da doença.
A febre aftosa é uma doença altamente contagiosa e às vezes fatal que afeta animais de casco fendido, como ovinos, caprinos, bovinos, bubalinos e suínos. A febre aftosa não é uma ameaça direta aos seres humanos.
O Egito possui algumas reservas de suas próprias vacinas, mas estas não protegem contra o vírus SAT2. O país pode precisar de apoio regional na mobilização de estratégias efetivas, afirmou a FAO.
Com as vacinas às vezes levando até duas semanas para conferir imunidade, esforços conjuntos para aumentar as medidas de biossegurança, para limitar a propagação da doença, são urgentemente necessários, disse a FAO, cuja equipe de emergência visitou o Egito na semana passada.
Tais medidas incluem limitar os movimentos dos animais e evitar o contato com animais de outras fazendas, evitar a compra de animais de imediato, uma vez que eles podem ter vindo de fontes contaminadas.
(Reportagem de Svetlana Kovalyova)
Fonte REUTERS
22 Mar (Reuters) - Uma nova cepa de febre aftosa (FMD) atingiu o Egito e ameaça se espalhar por todo o Norte da África e o Oriente Médio, colocando em risco a segurança alimentar na região, disse a Organização para a Alimentação e a Agricultura das Nações Unidas (FAO), nesta quinta-feira.
Houve 40.222 casos suspeitos da doença no Egito e 4.658 animais, principalmente bezerros, já morreram, disse a FAO em comunicado, citando estimativas oficiais.
"Embora a febre aftosa tenha circulado no país por alguns anos, esta é uma introdução totalmente nova de uma cepa de vírus conhecido como SAT2, e o gado não tem nenhuma imunidade contra ela", disse a agência com sede em Roma.
As vacinas são uma necessidade urgente, uma vez que 6,3 milhões de bufalinos e bovinos e 7,5 milhões de ovinos e caprinos estão em risco no Egito, segundo a FAO.
"A área em torno do Baixo Delta do Nilo parece ter sido severamente afetada, enquanto outras áreas no Alto Egito e do oeste parecem menos", disse Juan Lubroth, diretor do escritório de Veterinária da FAO, chamando por uma forte ação para impedir a propagação da doença.
A febre aftosa é uma doença altamente contagiosa e às vezes fatal que afeta animais de casco fendido, como ovinos, caprinos, bovinos, bubalinos e suínos. A febre aftosa não é uma ameaça direta aos seres humanos.
O Egito possui algumas reservas de suas próprias vacinas, mas estas não protegem contra o vírus SAT2. O país pode precisar de apoio regional na mobilização de estratégias efetivas, afirmou a FAO.
Com as vacinas às vezes levando até duas semanas para conferir imunidade, esforços conjuntos para aumentar as medidas de biossegurança, para limitar a propagação da doença, são urgentemente necessários, disse a FAO, cuja equipe de emergência visitou o Egito na semana passada.
Tais medidas incluem limitar os movimentos dos animais e evitar o contato com animais de outras fazendas, evitar a compra de animais de imediato, uma vez que eles podem ter vindo de fontes contaminadas.
(Reportagem de Svetlana Kovalyova)
Fonte REUTERS
quinta-feira, 22 de março de 2012
El virus que produce la mononucleosis en el hombre puede producir linfomas en perros
Un informe de Joaquín Ventura García publicado en Portal Veterinaria Argos, de España, hace referencia a un estudio realizado en la Universidad de Pennsylvania con el que se descubrió que los virus del tipo del Epstein Barr pueden infectar a los perros y producirles linfomas.
Los investigadores sugieren que los perros y los humanos sufren la infección por el virus Epstein Barr de forma similar, lo cual permitiría a los científicos estudiar cómo interactúa el virus con los perros y aplicar sus investigaciones a la lucha contra el patógeno en estos animales y también en el hombre.
“Primera evidencia de que los virus del tipo del Epstein Barr pueden producir cáncer en perros”, por Joaquín Ventura García
Más del 90 por ciento de las personas tiene anticuerpos frente al virus Epstein Barr. Este virus es el agente etiológico de la mononucleosis o enfermedad del beso, entre otras patologías humanas más graves como los linfomas de Hodgkin. Pero se sabe poco sobre cómo desencadena estas enfermedades.
Un artículo publicado en Science Daily explica que un equipo del la Escuela de Veterinaria de la Universidad de Pennsylvania ha descubierto que los virus del tipo del Epstein Barr pueden infectar a los perros y producirles linfomas. Se trata de un virus muy extendido en las personas, con un 90 por ciento de la población con anticuerpos. La enfermedad más común que produce en los seres humanos es la mononucleosis, pero también causa patologías más graves como los linfomas de Hodgkin, no-Hodgkin y Burkitt.
El descubrimiento* de los veterinarios de la Universidad de Pennsylvania sugiere que los perros y los humanos sufren la infección por el virus Epstein Barr de forma similar, lo cual permitiría a los científicos estudiar cómo interactúa el virus con los perros y aplicar sus investigaciones a la lucha contra el patógeno en estos animales y también en el hombre.
Nicola Mason, autor principal del estudio, ha explicado que la importancia de este descubrimiento radica en que hasta ahora no había otros modelos animales naturales de mamíferos de tamaño grande que ayudasen a progresar más rápidamente en los estudios, excepto los simios.
Los perros desarrollan linfomas que comparten muchas características con los de los seres humanos. Esto es especialmente así en ciertas razas como el Golden Retriever, en la que uno de cada ocho individuos sufre este problema.
*Shih-Hung Huang, Philip J. Kozak, Jessica Kim, Georges Habineza-Ndikuyeze, Charles Meade, Anita Gaurnier-Hausser, Reema Patel, Erle Robertson, Nicola J. Mason.Evidence of an oncogenic gammaherpesvirus in domestic dogs. Virology, 2012; DOI:10.1016/j.virol.2012.02.013
Fuente: PORTAL VETERINARIA ARGOS http://argos.portalveterinaria.com/noticia/8105/ACTUALIDAD/primera-evidencia-virus-tipo-epstein-barr-pueden-producir-c%C3%A1ncer-perros.html
Disponível também em ANIMALES XXI
Los investigadores sugieren que los perros y los humanos sufren la infección por el virus Epstein Barr de forma similar, lo cual permitiría a los científicos estudiar cómo interactúa el virus con los perros y aplicar sus investigaciones a la lucha contra el patógeno en estos animales y también en el hombre.
“Primera evidencia de que los virus del tipo del Epstein Barr pueden producir cáncer en perros”, por Joaquín Ventura García
Más del 90 por ciento de las personas tiene anticuerpos frente al virus Epstein Barr. Este virus es el agente etiológico de la mononucleosis o enfermedad del beso, entre otras patologías humanas más graves como los linfomas de Hodgkin. Pero se sabe poco sobre cómo desencadena estas enfermedades.
Un artículo publicado en Science Daily explica que un equipo del la Escuela de Veterinaria de la Universidad de Pennsylvania ha descubierto que los virus del tipo del Epstein Barr pueden infectar a los perros y producirles linfomas. Se trata de un virus muy extendido en las personas, con un 90 por ciento de la población con anticuerpos. La enfermedad más común que produce en los seres humanos es la mononucleosis, pero también causa patologías más graves como los linfomas de Hodgkin, no-Hodgkin y Burkitt.
El descubrimiento* de los veterinarios de la Universidad de Pennsylvania sugiere que los perros y los humanos sufren la infección por el virus Epstein Barr de forma similar, lo cual permitiría a los científicos estudiar cómo interactúa el virus con los perros y aplicar sus investigaciones a la lucha contra el patógeno en estos animales y también en el hombre.
Nicola Mason, autor principal del estudio, ha explicado que la importancia de este descubrimiento radica en que hasta ahora no había otros modelos animales naturales de mamíferos de tamaño grande que ayudasen a progresar más rápidamente en los estudios, excepto los simios.
Los perros desarrollan linfomas que comparten muchas características con los de los seres humanos. Esto es especialmente así en ciertas razas como el Golden Retriever, en la que uno de cada ocho individuos sufre este problema.
*Shih-Hung Huang, Philip J. Kozak, Jessica Kim, Georges Habineza-Ndikuyeze, Charles Meade, Anita Gaurnier-Hausser, Reema Patel, Erle Robertson, Nicola J. Mason.Evidence of an oncogenic gammaherpesvirus in domestic dogs. Virology, 2012; DOI:10.1016/j.virol.2012.02.013
Fuente: PORTAL VETERINARIA ARGOS http://argos.portalveterinaria.com/noticia/8105/ACTUALIDAD/primera-evidencia-virus-tipo-epstein-barr-pueden-producir-c%C3%A1ncer-perros.html
Disponível também em ANIMALES XXI
Manejo adequado da irrigação favorece a produtividade e a economia de água e energia
Nesta quinta-feira( 22), comemora-se o Dia Mundial da Água, um recurso fundamental para a vida no planeta e, consequentemente, para a atividade agrícola. Por isso, cabe delinear a importância do manejo adequado da irrigação para a economia de água.
A quantidade correta de água e o momento exato da irrigação são pontos-chave em um manejo adequado que, além de favorecer a economia de água e energia, pode assegurar um melhor desempenho em termos de produtividade e qualidade das hortaliças.
Contudo, para que a irrigação seja eficiente e resulte em impactos positivos na lavoura, é necessário um leque de informações relacionadas não somente ao cultivo, como também às condições edafoclimáticas. Clima e solo são fatores determinantes quando se trata de escolher o método de manejo de água mais apropriado para a irrigação.
O pesquisador Waldir Marouelli, da Embrapa Hortaliças (Brasília-DF), explica que há métodos de manejo da água de irrigação em que se utilizam informações climáticas, como temperatura, umidade relativa do ar, vento e radiação solar, para calcular a quantidade de água que a planta consome e há métodos em que se monitora somente a umidade do solo. “Porém, neste
caso, quem determina se a secagem do solo é mais rápida ou mais lenta é a planta que, inexoravelmente, está sendo afetada pelos fatores climáticos”, elucida.
A analogia do pesquisador Marcos Braga, também da Embrapa Hortaliças, facilita o entendimento desse mecanismo de demanda hídrica das plantas.
“Elas funcionam basicamente como as pessoas que, em dias mais quentes e secos, consomem mais água e vice-versa”, correlaciona.
Por isso, quando o agricultor não reavalia constantemente tais condições durante o cultivo e simplesmente estabelece um critério fixo para a irrigação, ele deixa de otimizar o uso da água e o ganho com a produção.
“Na horticultura, por exemplo, o produtor que não utiliza nenhum controle da irrigação e passa a adotar alguma técnica para manejo, como avaliar as condições climáticas ou empregar um sensor de umidade do solo, na média geral, obtém um aumento de 10 a 30% da produtividade”, estima Marouelli.
Ele acrescenta que, por sua vez, a redução do uso de água e energia gira em torno de 20-30%.
Todavia, como o gasto que o produtor tem com água e energia é muito menor diante dos recursos despendidos com a exigência nutricional e fitossanitária das plantas, ele acaba por irrigar em excesso e, com isso, favorece a incidência de doenças e compromete o pleno desenvolvimento das plantas. “O ponto de equilíbrio é importante porque a irrigação em excesso pode causar a lixiviação de nutrientes e, com o prejuízo da parte nutricional, a planta fica mais fraca e mais suscetível a doenças”, pontua Braga.
Para alteração deste cenário, faz-se necessária a conscientização dos produtores. “A pesquisa ainda tem muito por fazer, mas já existe uma imensa quantidade de informação que não está sendo utilizada. Por isso, é preciso minimizar o gargalo na transferência e na adoção das tecnologias disponíveis e recomendadas”, finaliza Marouelli.
Texto de Paula Rodrigues(MTb 61.403/SP), da Embrapa , publicado pelo EcoDebate, 22/03/2012
A quantidade correta de água e o momento exato da irrigação são pontos-chave em um manejo adequado que, além de favorecer a economia de água e energia, pode assegurar um melhor desempenho em termos de produtividade e qualidade das hortaliças.
Contudo, para que a irrigação seja eficiente e resulte em impactos positivos na lavoura, é necessário um leque de informações relacionadas não somente ao cultivo, como também às condições edafoclimáticas. Clima e solo são fatores determinantes quando se trata de escolher o método de manejo de água mais apropriado para a irrigação.
O pesquisador Waldir Marouelli, da Embrapa Hortaliças (Brasília-DF), explica que há métodos de manejo da água de irrigação em que se utilizam informações climáticas, como temperatura, umidade relativa do ar, vento e radiação solar, para calcular a quantidade de água que a planta consome e há métodos em que se monitora somente a umidade do solo. “Porém, neste
caso, quem determina se a secagem do solo é mais rápida ou mais lenta é a planta que, inexoravelmente, está sendo afetada pelos fatores climáticos”, elucida.
A analogia do pesquisador Marcos Braga, também da Embrapa Hortaliças, facilita o entendimento desse mecanismo de demanda hídrica das plantas.
“Elas funcionam basicamente como as pessoas que, em dias mais quentes e secos, consomem mais água e vice-versa”, correlaciona.
Por isso, quando o agricultor não reavalia constantemente tais condições durante o cultivo e simplesmente estabelece um critério fixo para a irrigação, ele deixa de otimizar o uso da água e o ganho com a produção.
“Na horticultura, por exemplo, o produtor que não utiliza nenhum controle da irrigação e passa a adotar alguma técnica para manejo, como avaliar as condições climáticas ou empregar um sensor de umidade do solo, na média geral, obtém um aumento de 10 a 30% da produtividade”, estima Marouelli.
Ele acrescenta que, por sua vez, a redução do uso de água e energia gira em torno de 20-30%.
Todavia, como o gasto que o produtor tem com água e energia é muito menor diante dos recursos despendidos com a exigência nutricional e fitossanitária das plantas, ele acaba por irrigar em excesso e, com isso, favorece a incidência de doenças e compromete o pleno desenvolvimento das plantas. “O ponto de equilíbrio é importante porque a irrigação em excesso pode causar a lixiviação de nutrientes e, com o prejuízo da parte nutricional, a planta fica mais fraca e mais suscetível a doenças”, pontua Braga.
Para alteração deste cenário, faz-se necessária a conscientização dos produtores. “A pesquisa ainda tem muito por fazer, mas já existe uma imensa quantidade de informação que não está sendo utilizada. Por isso, é preciso minimizar o gargalo na transferência e na adoção das tecnologias disponíveis e recomendadas”, finaliza Marouelli.
Texto de Paula Rodrigues(MTb 61.403/SP), da Embrapa , publicado pelo EcoDebate, 22/03/2012
Pantanal: Pousadas irregulares põem em risco a maior planície alagável do mundo
MPF/MS ajuíza série de ações para retirada de imóveis de áreas de preservação – Resíduos sanitários jogados no rio. Líquidos de caixas de gordura despejados nas águas do Pantanal. Depósitos de combustíveis em áreas alagáveis. Embarcações de grande porte encalhadas em área de preservação permanente. Como reflexo: problemas de saúde, destruição de matas ciliares, agravamento do assoreamento de rios, corixos e lagoas do Pantanal. Afinal, quais os danos que uma pousada às margens do Rio Paraguai pode causar à maior planície alagável do mundo?
As áreas de preservação permanente (APPs) não recebem especial proteção da lei por acaso. São espaços territoriais especialmente protegidos para garantir a preservação dos recursos hídricos e da biodiversidade de ecossistemas inteiros. No Pantanal de Mato Grosso do Sul, esses espaços têm sido desrespeitados por empreendimentos turísticos e ranchos de lazer, colocando em risco um Patrimônio Natural da Humanidade.
Diante desse cenário, o Ministério Público Federal no Mato Grosso do Sul (MPF/MS) ajuizou diversas ações que buscam retirar imóveis irregulares das APPs e recuperar as áreas degradadas. Só neste ano foram oito ações protocoladas na Justiça Federal de Corumbá, três delas já com liminares concedidas pela Justiça Federal, ordenando a desocupação das áreas.
De acordo com o MPF, os empreendimentos estão localizados em terras pertencentes à União e não possuem licença ambiental para seu regular funcionamento. Para o procurador da República Wilson Rocha Assis, a única medida apta a assegurar a recuperação das áreas de preservação permanente degradadas é a remoção das construções. “O Ministério Público Federal, através da Câmara responsável pela coordenação da área ambiental em todo o Brasil, já assentou entendimento segundo o qual não é possível a regularização de empreendimentos situados em área de preservação permanente, ressalvadas as hipóteses excepcionais de utilidade pública, interesse social ou baixo impacto ambiental, expressamente previstas em lei”.
Segundo o Ministério Público Federal em Corumbá, empreendimentos turísticos e ranchos de lazer não se enquadram nas hipóteses legais autorizadoras da ocupação de áreas de preservação permanente, especialmente por haver a possibilidade de instalação dos empreendimentos em áreas menos sensíveis ecologicamente.
Dez mil metros quadrados destruídos – As denúncias feitas pelo MPF têm em comum construções turísticas ou sítios de lazer que ignoraram a legislação e estão situadas dentro das APPs. O impacto é classificado pelo Ministério Público como “imensurável”. A soma das áreas degradadas nas ações ultrapassam 10 mil m² de mata cilar.
Os casos são muitos, mas dois se destacam por suas graves consequências. Em uma das ações, o lançamento de resíduos sanitários diretamente nas águas de um corixo resultou na revolta de toda a comunidade. Os moradores e frequentadores da região, após sofrerem com problemas de saúde e doenças de pele, chegaram a realizar abaixo-assinado, encaminhado ao MPF, contra os níveis alarmantes de poluição causados pela pousada.
Em outra situação, peritos da Polícia Federal verificaram a existência de um depósito de combustível praticamente dentro do rio Paraguai. A precariedade de armazenamento e sua proximidade do rio poderiam fazer de um simples vazamento, um desastre ambiental. Foi constatado ainda, em diversos casos, a colocação de fossas em áreas alagáveis, o que faz com que os dejetos transbordem para os rios nos períodos de cheia do Pantanal.
Nas ações, o Ministério Público Federal busca não apenas a reintegração das terras e posterior remoção das instalações, mas também a recuperação da área de preservação permanente com reposição da vegetação nativa e o pagamento de indenização pelos danos causados ao patrimônio ecológico e pelo uso indevido de áreas de domínio da União.
Ao deferir uma das liminares requeridas pelo MPF, a Justiça Federal afirmou que “uma vez desmatada determinada área, alterada a vegetação nativa, afetado o bioma natural, a recuperação ou a recomposição ao ‘statu quo ante’ poderá levar anos, causando efetivo prejuízo a toda coletividade, eis que o meio ambiente equilibrado e conservado é direito de toda a coletividade, conforme determina o comando normativo presente no artigo 225 da CR/88. Essa irreversibilidade do dano ambiental traz a lume a incidência do princípio da prevenção, segundo o qual deve-se evitar o dano que possa chegar a produzir-se, tomando-se as medidas necessárias para tal intento”.
Dia Mundial da Água – Comemorado em 22 de março, foi instituído pelo Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) em 1992. Na ocasião, foi divulgada a Declaração Universal dos Direitos da Água. A data objetiva estimular reflexões e debates sobre o uso e a conservação dos recursos hídricos.
Fonte: Ministério Público Federal em Mato Grosso do Sul
Sensor mede à distância emissão de metano na pecuária
Os sensores são compostos por polímeros que sofrem reações químicas em contato com substâncias específicas, como por exemplo amônia ou gás carbônico. "Essas reações geram sinais elétricos que podem ser transmitidos por redes sem fio", afirma o professor Ernane Xavier da Costa, da FZEA, que coordena a pesquisa. "Com a transmissão, é possível acompanhar pela internet o que está acontecendo nos locais de monitoramento".
Os pesquisadores do LAFAC atuam em conjunto com o National Center for Sensor Research da Dublin City University (Irlanda), que desenvolveu um sistema de sensores para gás metano, sob a coordenação do professor Desmott Diamond. "O método utiliza computação em nuvem (cloud) para transmitir os dados e realizar as análises em tempo real", diz o professor.
Protótipos dos sensores de metano já se encontram em funcionamento na Irlanda. "Estes sistemas serão trazidos para o Brasil, para serem testados inicialmente na FZEA, e depois em fazendas de gado", aponta Xavier. "A ideia é criar sensores inteligentes que sirvam para monitorar a produção animal e de alimentos".
Intercâmbio
De acordo com o professor, as pesquisas com os sensores envolvem zootecnistas, engenheiros de alimentos, físicos, engenheiros elétricos e mecatrônicos. O intercâmbio internacional teve apoio da Coordenadoria de Apefeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes).
Alunos da FZEA deverão ir até a Irlanda para estudar o desenvolvimento dos sensores e aprenderem as técnicas de calibração e uso do sistema, para realizar sua implantação no Brasil. Ao mesmo tempo, pesquisadores irlandeses virão ao País para realizar experimentos e proferir palestras sobre os sensores.
O projeto de um sensor para monitorar água in situ teve a aprovação da Fundação Nacional de Saúde (Funasa). "A ideia é implantar sensores em comunidades carentes para monitorar a qualidade da água potável consumida nesses locais, criando um sistema de alerta via internet", diz o professor da FZEA. "Outra utilização possível é o monitoramento da água que é tratada em sistemas de fotocatálise, que aproveitam a luz solar para fazer a purificação".
Um microsensor polimérico de baixo custo para gás amônio foi desenvolvido em parceria com o Laboratório de Microeletrônica (LME) da Escola Politécnica (Poli) da USP. Um pedido de patente do sistema está encaminhado por meio da Agência USP de Inovação.
Mais informações
Professor Ernane Xavier da Costa
E-mail: ernane@usp.br
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Agência USP de Notícias
Júlio Bernardes - Jornalista
Telefone: (11) 3091-4411
E-mail: agenusp@usp.br
Fonte: AGROSOFT
quarta-feira, 21 de março de 2012
Serologic Evidence of Orthopoxvirus Infection in Buffaloes, Brazil
To the Editor: Since 1999, several exanthematous vaccinia virus (VACV) outbreaks affecting dairy cattle and rural workers have been reported in Brazil (1,2). VACV, the prototype of the genus Orthopoxvirus (OPV), exhibits serologic cross-reactivity with other OPV species and was used during the World Health Organization smallpox eradication campaign (3). The origin of VACV in Brazil is unknown, although some studies have suggested that VACV strains used during the campaign may be related to outbreaks of bovine vaccinia (BV) (2). In Brazil, BV affects the milk industry and public health services (1,2,4,5). During outbreaks, dairy cattle developed lesions on the teats and udders, causing a decrease in milk production (1,2,4,5).
Another VACV subspecies, buffalopox virus (BPXV), has been isolated from buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in rural areas in India and causes clinical signs that resemble those seen during BV outbreaks in Brazil (6). Recent genetic analysis of BPXV samples confirmed its close relationship to VACV-like viruses, although each virus has distinct genetic signatures (1,2,6). Until recently, buffalo herds have been almost exclusive to northern Brazil. However, the buffalo market has experienced great expansion in this country, and today, there are herds in all geographic regions of Brazil. These buffalo herds are hypothetically at risk for VACV infection, on the basis of the outbreaks caused by BPXV that have been described in India (6). To assess the risk for OPV infection in milk buffaloes in Brazil, we conducted a serosurvey of herds from southeastern Brazil, the region most affected by BV.
During October 2010, we screened milk buffalo herds in rural areas of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Serum samples were collected from 48 female buffaloes used for milk production; these animals belonged to 3 neighboring properties in Carmo da Mata city (20°33′28′′S, 44°52′15′′W), which is in the same mesoregion where the VACV Passatempo virus strain was isolated during an outbreak in 2003 (5). Since then, several outbreaks have been reported in this area.
Serum samples were inactivated, and an OPV plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT) was performed (7). The serum titer was defined as the highest dilution that inhibited >70% of viral plaques relative to the level of inhibition of the negative controls. Samples also underwent ELISA for OPV IgG as described (4). Bovine serum samples were used as positive and negative controls (1,4). OPV-PRNT specificity (98.4%) and sensitivity (93.5%) were confirmed by using receiver-operating characteristic analysis as described (8). The tests were performed in duplicate.
Of the 48 buffalo serum samples, 15 (31.25%) contained neutralizing antibodies against OPV; of these, 6 (40%) had titers of 20, 5 (33.3%) had titers of 40, and 4 (26.6%) had titers >80 (Table). The ELISA yielded results similar to those of the PRNT; of the 48 serum samples, 17 (35.41) were IgG positive (Table). A total of 14 samples were coincident in the PRNT and the ELISA, including most of those with high titers by PRNT. To detect viral DNA, we conducted nested PCR to amplify the viral growth factor gene (9) and real-time PCR to amplify the A56R gene (10); results were negative for all 48 serum samples.
We detected antibodies against OPV in buffaloes in Brazil 10 years after the first reported VACV outbreak in cattle in southeastern Brazil (1). Because PRNT and ELISA indicate the presence of OPV antibodies in a nonspecific manner (OPV serologic cross-reaction), it was not possible to determine the species responsible for these results. However, seropositive buffaloes may have been exposed to VACV, the only OPV known to be circulating in Brazil (1,2,4,5,8).
The management of milk buffaloes in Brazil is similar to that of dairy cows, including manual milking (1,4,5). Cow milkers usually work on >2 farms, and the farm infrastructure commonly is unsophisticated (1,4,5). These conditions were shown to be favorable for the spread of VACV among cattle, which suggests that the same conditions could lead to the introduction of VACV into buffalo herds. Because some BV outbreaks are not reported by the farmers, it is not possible to know exactly how or when a buffalo herd in the study area was exposed to the virus. However, milkers who work with both cattle and buffalo may be a route of viral transmission, although other sources of exposure are possible (8). Although no exanthematous VACV outbreaks have been described in milk buffaloes in Brazil, our results suggest that buffalo herds may be exposed to VACV in BV-affected areas and therefore may be at risk for VACV infection. Further research is needed to determine routes of infection, including whether humans working as milkers contribute to virus transmission.
Felipe Lopes de Assis1, Graziele Pereira1, Cairo Oliveira, Gisele Olinto Libânio Rodrigues, Marcela Menezas Gomes Cotta, Andre Tavares Silva-Fernandes, Paulo Cesar Peregrino Ferreira, Cláudio Antônio Bonjardim, Giliane de Souza Trindade, Erna Geessien Kroon, and Jônatas Santos Abrahão
Author affiliations: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Acknowledgments
We thank João Rodrigues dos Santos, Ângela Sana Lopes, Ilda Gama, and colleagues from the Laboratório de Vírus for their excellent technical support.
Financial support was provided by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, and Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. F.L.A. received fellowships from CNPq; E.G.K., C.A.B., G.S.T., and P.C.P.F. are researchers supported by CNPq.
References
de Souza Trindade G, da Fonseca FG, Marques JT, Nogueira ML, Mendes LC, Borges AS, Araçatuba virus: a vaccinialike virus associated with infection in humans and cattle. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003;9:155–60.PubMed
Damaso CR, Esposito JJ, Condit RC, Moussatche N. An emergent poxvirus from humans and cattle in Rio de Janeiro State: Cantagalo virus may derive from Brazilian smallpox vaccine. Virology. 2000;277:439–49. DOIPubMed
Damon IK. Poxviruses. In: Knipe DM, Howley PM, editors. Fields virology, 5th ed., vol. II. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007. p. 2947.
Silva-Fernandes AT, Travassos CE, Ferreira JM, Abrahão JS, Rocha ES, Viana-Ferreira F, Natural human infections with vaccinia virus during bovine vaccinia outbreaks. J Clin Virol. 2009;44:308–13. DOIPubMed
Leite JA, Drumond BP, Trindade GS, Lobato ZI, da Fonseca FG, dos Santos JR, Passatempo virus, a vaccinia virus strain, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005;11:1935–8.PubMed
Bhanuprakash V, Venkatesan G, Balamurugan V, Hosamani M, Yogisharadhya R, Gandhale P, Zoonotic infections of buffalopox in India. Zoonoses Public Health. 2010;57:e149–55. DOIPubMed
Newman FK, Frey SE, Blevins TP, Mandava M, Bonifacio A Jr, Yan L, Improved assay to detect neutralizing-antibody following vaccination with diluted or undiluted vaccinia (Dryvax) vaccine. J Clin Microbiol. 2003;41:3154–7. DOIPubMed
Abrahão JS, Silva-Fernandes AT, Lima LS, Campos RK, Guedes MI, Cota MM, Vaccinia virus infection in monkeys, Brazilian Amazon. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010;16:976–9.PubMed
Abrahão JS, Lima LS, Assis FL, Alves PA, Silva-Fernandes AT, Cota MM, Nested-multiplex PCR detection of Orthopoxvirus and Parapoxvirus directly from exanthematic clinical samples. Virol J. 2009;6:140. DOIPubMed
de Souza Trindade G, Li Y, Olson VA, Emerson G, Regnery RL, da Fonseca FG, Real-time PCR assay to identify variants of Vaccinia virus: implications for the diagnosis of bovine vaccinia in Brazil. J Virol Methods. 2008;152:63–71. DOIPubMed
Table
FonteCDC
Another VACV subspecies, buffalopox virus (BPXV), has been isolated from buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in rural areas in India and causes clinical signs that resemble those seen during BV outbreaks in Brazil (6). Recent genetic analysis of BPXV samples confirmed its close relationship to VACV-like viruses, although each virus has distinct genetic signatures (1,2,6). Until recently, buffalo herds have been almost exclusive to northern Brazil. However, the buffalo market has experienced great expansion in this country, and today, there are herds in all geographic regions of Brazil. These buffalo herds are hypothetically at risk for VACV infection, on the basis of the outbreaks caused by BPXV that have been described in India (6). To assess the risk for OPV infection in milk buffaloes in Brazil, we conducted a serosurvey of herds from southeastern Brazil, the region most affected by BV.
During October 2010, we screened milk buffalo herds in rural areas of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Serum samples were collected from 48 female buffaloes used for milk production; these animals belonged to 3 neighboring properties in Carmo da Mata city (20°33′28′′S, 44°52′15′′W), which is in the same mesoregion where the VACV Passatempo virus strain was isolated during an outbreak in 2003 (5). Since then, several outbreaks have been reported in this area.
Serum samples were inactivated, and an OPV plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT) was performed (7). The serum titer was defined as the highest dilution that inhibited >70% of viral plaques relative to the level of inhibition of the negative controls. Samples also underwent ELISA for OPV IgG as described (4). Bovine serum samples were used as positive and negative controls (1,4). OPV-PRNT specificity (98.4%) and sensitivity (93.5%) were confirmed by using receiver-operating characteristic analysis as described (8). The tests were performed in duplicate.
Of the 48 buffalo serum samples, 15 (31.25%) contained neutralizing antibodies against OPV; of these, 6 (40%) had titers of 20, 5 (33.3%) had titers of 40, and 4 (26.6%) had titers >80 (Table). The ELISA yielded results similar to those of the PRNT; of the 48 serum samples, 17 (35.41) were IgG positive (Table). A total of 14 samples were coincident in the PRNT and the ELISA, including most of those with high titers by PRNT. To detect viral DNA, we conducted nested PCR to amplify the viral growth factor gene (9) and real-time PCR to amplify the A56R gene (10); results were negative for all 48 serum samples.
We detected antibodies against OPV in buffaloes in Brazil 10 years after the first reported VACV outbreak in cattle in southeastern Brazil (1). Because PRNT and ELISA indicate the presence of OPV antibodies in a nonspecific manner (OPV serologic cross-reaction), it was not possible to determine the species responsible for these results. However, seropositive buffaloes may have been exposed to VACV, the only OPV known to be circulating in Brazil (1,2,4,5,8).
The management of milk buffaloes in Brazil is similar to that of dairy cows, including manual milking (1,4,5). Cow milkers usually work on >2 farms, and the farm infrastructure commonly is unsophisticated (1,4,5). These conditions were shown to be favorable for the spread of VACV among cattle, which suggests that the same conditions could lead to the introduction of VACV into buffalo herds. Because some BV outbreaks are not reported by the farmers, it is not possible to know exactly how or when a buffalo herd in the study area was exposed to the virus. However, milkers who work with both cattle and buffalo may be a route of viral transmission, although other sources of exposure are possible (8). Although no exanthematous VACV outbreaks have been described in milk buffaloes in Brazil, our results suggest that buffalo herds may be exposed to VACV in BV-affected areas and therefore may be at risk for VACV infection. Further research is needed to determine routes of infection, including whether humans working as milkers contribute to virus transmission.
Felipe Lopes de Assis1, Graziele Pereira1, Cairo Oliveira, Gisele Olinto Libânio Rodrigues, Marcela Menezas Gomes Cotta, Andre Tavares Silva-Fernandes, Paulo Cesar Peregrino Ferreira, Cláudio Antônio Bonjardim, Giliane de Souza Trindade, Erna Geessien Kroon, and Jônatas Santos Abrahão
Author affiliations: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Acknowledgments
We thank João Rodrigues dos Santos, Ângela Sana Lopes, Ilda Gama, and colleagues from the Laboratório de Vírus for their excellent technical support.
Financial support was provided by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, and Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. F.L.A. received fellowships from CNPq; E.G.K., C.A.B., G.S.T., and P.C.P.F. are researchers supported by CNPq.
References
de Souza Trindade G, da Fonseca FG, Marques JT, Nogueira ML, Mendes LC, Borges AS, Araçatuba virus: a vaccinialike virus associated with infection in humans and cattle. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003;9:155–60.PubMed
Damaso CR, Esposito JJ, Condit RC, Moussatche N. An emergent poxvirus from humans and cattle in Rio de Janeiro State: Cantagalo virus may derive from Brazilian smallpox vaccine. Virology. 2000;277:439–49. DOIPubMed
Damon IK. Poxviruses. In: Knipe DM, Howley PM, editors. Fields virology, 5th ed., vol. II. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007. p. 2947.
Silva-Fernandes AT, Travassos CE, Ferreira JM, Abrahão JS, Rocha ES, Viana-Ferreira F, Natural human infections with vaccinia virus during bovine vaccinia outbreaks. J Clin Virol. 2009;44:308–13. DOIPubMed
Leite JA, Drumond BP, Trindade GS, Lobato ZI, da Fonseca FG, dos Santos JR, Passatempo virus, a vaccinia virus strain, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005;11:1935–8.PubMed
Bhanuprakash V, Venkatesan G, Balamurugan V, Hosamani M, Yogisharadhya R, Gandhale P, Zoonotic infections of buffalopox in India. Zoonoses Public Health. 2010;57:e149–55. DOIPubMed
Newman FK, Frey SE, Blevins TP, Mandava M, Bonifacio A Jr, Yan L, Improved assay to detect neutralizing-antibody following vaccination with diluted or undiluted vaccinia (Dryvax) vaccine. J Clin Microbiol. 2003;41:3154–7. DOIPubMed
Abrahão JS, Silva-Fernandes AT, Lima LS, Campos RK, Guedes MI, Cota MM, Vaccinia virus infection in monkeys, Brazilian Amazon. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010;16:976–9.PubMed
Abrahão JS, Lima LS, Assis FL, Alves PA, Silva-Fernandes AT, Cota MM, Nested-multiplex PCR detection of Orthopoxvirus and Parapoxvirus directly from exanthematic clinical samples. Virol J. 2009;6:140. DOIPubMed
de Souza Trindade G, Li Y, Olson VA, Emerson G, Regnery RL, da Fonseca FG, Real-time PCR assay to identify variants of Vaccinia virus: implications for the diagnosis of bovine vaccinia in Brazil. J Virol Methods. 2008;152:63–71. DOIPubMed
Table
FonteCDC
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