A bulk milk tank study to detect evidence of spread of Schmallenberg virus infection in the south-west of Ireland in 2013.

Background: Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was first detected in Germany in November 2011. Confirmation of infection in Ireland was reported on October 30(th) 2012. The results of a national serological survey carried out in early 2013 suggested that the first introduction of SBV into Ireland probably occurred in the south or southeast of Ireland in the spring or summer of 2012, with subsequent spread eastwards and northwards.

Development of a surface plasmon resonance-based assay for the detection of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep.

Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), a disease affecting sheep and goats, is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and is difficult to detect, especially at early stages in its development. A surface plasmon resonance-based biosensor assay for the detection of antibodies to the phospholipase D (PLD) exotoxin of C. pseudotuberculosis in sheep serum was successfully generated.

A five-strain probiotic combination reduces pathogen shedding and alleviates disease signs in pigs challenged with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium.

Salmonella spp. infection is a major cause of gastroenteritis, with many thousands of cases reported in the European Union every year. The use of probiotics offers the potential to improve this situation.

Cost-effective application of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to typing of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is frequently isolated from humans and animals. Phage typing is historically the first-line reference typing technique in Europe. It is rapid and convenient for laboratories with appropriate training and experience, and costs of consumables are low.

Antimicrobial resistance in isolates of Salmonella spp. from pigs and the characterization of an S. Infantis gene cassette.

One hundred and seven Salmonella isolates of various serotypes were investigated for resistance to a panel of nine antimicrobial agents by standardized methods. Thirty four isolates were susceptible to the selected antimicrobial agents. Thirty-six (of 107) were resistant to three or more antimicrobial agents and defined as multidrug resistant (MDR).