First isolation and genotyping of pathogenic Leptospira spp. from Austria.

Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease. The standard serological test, known as Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), requires the use of live Leptospira strains. To enhance its sensitivity and specificity, the usage of locally circulating strains is recommended.

Assessment of microbial quality in poultry drinking water on farms in Austria.

The quality of poultry drinking water has a significant effect on broiler health and performance. This study conducted an analysis of aerobic mesophilic counts (AMC), (EB), (PS), and screened for the presence of spp. in water samples collected from a total of 14 farms in Austria, with either a public or private water source.

Most common diagnoses and antibiotics used in South American Camelid patients at a university clinic in Austria.

Knowledge of common diseases and their treatment in minor species, such as llamas and alpacas, is growing, but frequently drugs are not licensed in these species. Our aim was to evaluate frequent diagnoses and commonly applied antibiotics in patients of a university clinic with a particular focus on EMA Category B antibiotics, which are critically important for human health. We retrospectively analyzed anonymized patient records between 2005 and 2019 regarding the causes for antibiotic treatment and choice of antibiotic substance.

Comparison of metrics to assess antibiotic use in small ruminants at a university referral clinic between 2005 and 2019.

Background: Monitoring antibiotic use is essential to provide a framework enabling veterinarians to use antibiotics prudently.

Methods: Electronic medical records from the University of Veterinary Medicine's Clinic for Ruminants in Vienna were analysed with respect to sheep and goat antibiotic doses administered over a 15-year period (2005-2019). Antibiotic use was assessed using total milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), total milligrams, number of doses administered, defined daily doses (DDD) for cattle and estimated DDD for sheep.

A systematic review on leptospirosis in cattle: A European perspective.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease which is globally distributed and represents a classic One Health issue that demands a comprehensive understanding of the hosts, transmission paths, and risk factors of transmission. Bovine leptospirosis often results in economic losses through its severe impact on reproduction performance while it threatens human health at human-cattle-environment interfaces. However, a clear analysis of the disease characteristics in European cattle is currently lacking.

Antimicrobial resistance and its relationship with antimicrobial use on Austrian dairy farms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ESBL/AmpC-producing and the resistance pattern of commensal , as well as the link between the use of antibiotics (AMU) and the occurrence of resistance in on Austrian dairy farms. AMU data from 51 farms were collected over a one-year period in 2020. Fecal samples were collected from cows, pre-weaned and weaned calves in 2020 and 2022.

National Monitoring of Veterinary-Dispensed Antimicrobials for Use on Pig Farms in Austria: 2015-2020.

Antimicrobial use in livestock production systems is increasingly scrutinised by consumers, stakeholders, and the veterinary profession. In Austria, veterinarians dispensing antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals have been required to report these drugs since 2015. Here, we describe the national monitoring systems and the results obtained for Austrian pig production over a six-year period.

Analysis of Antimicrobial Use and the Presence of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria on Austrian Dairy Farms-A Pilot Study.

The assumed link between high levels of antimicrobial use on farms and selection for antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria on that farm remains difficult to prove. In the pilot study presented here, we analysed total antimicrobial use on 50 dairy farms in Austria and also collected environmental samples to ascertain whether specific AMR bacteria were present. Antimicrobial use (AMU) analysis was based on electronic veterinary treatment records over a one-year period.

The Effects of Feeding Waste Milk Containing Antimicrobial Residues on Dairy Calf Health.

A number of studies have reported that there is a high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant faecal bacteria excreted by dairy calves. Although faecal shedding is influenced by a variety of factors, such as the environment and calf age, feeding milk with antimicrobial residues contributes significantly to an increased prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, such as extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing . As a follow-up to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Scientific Opinion on the risk of AMR development in dairy calves published in January 2017, this review aims to illustrate more recent research in this area, focusing on the period 2016 to 2020.

Monitoring of Farm-Level Antimicrobial Use to Guide Stewardship: Overview of Existing Systems and Analysis of Key Components and Processes.

The acknowledgment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a major health challenge in humans, animals and plants, has led to increased efforts to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU). To better understand factors influencing AMR and implement and evaluate stewardship measures for reducing AMU, it is important to have sufficiently detailed information on the quantity of AMU, preferably at the level of the user (farmer, veterinarian) and/or prescriber or provider (veterinarian, feed mill). Recently, several countries have established or are developing systems for monitoring AMU in animals.

National Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis in Costa Rica.

Eastern equine encephalitis and Venezuelan equine encephalitis are endemic neglected tropical diseases in the Americas, causing encephalitis in both horses and humans. In 2013, a cross-sectional study was performed in 243 horses located in the highlands and lowlands throughout Costa Rica. Serum samples were analyzed with an IgG ELISA and confirmed by the plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT80).

Comparison of Defined Course Doses (DCD) for Blanket and Selective Antimicrobial Dry Cow Therapy on Conventional and Organic Farms.

Antimicrobial use in livestock production is a controversial subject. While antimicrobials should be used as little as possible, it is still necessary, from both an animal health and welfare point of view, to treat infected animals. The study presented here aimed to analyse antimicrobial use on Austrian dairy farms by calculating the number of Defined Course Doses (DCD) administered per cow and year for dry cow therapy.

Mapping the global prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection and its associated mitigation programmes.

The aim of this study was to collect information on the global distribution of the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and respective mitigation programmes, using a questionnaire and literature review to provide as complete a picture of the worldwide BVDV situation as possible. This study collated information on 107 countries with respect to mitigation activities and 88 countries regarding BVDV infections during the observation period (1960-2017). A heterogeneous epidemiological situation for both BVDV prevalence and the presence of mitigation programmes was observed.

Relationship between the probability of veterinary-diagnosed bovine mastitis occurring and farm management risk factors on small dairy farms in Austria.

Bovine mastitis is the most frequently reported disease among dairy cows worldwide. Treatment of udder disease often involves the use of antimicrobial substances, which is difficult to justify with respect to their possible effect on the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Prevention of udder disease is therefore always preferable to treatment.

The relationship between clinical signs and microbiological species, spa type, and antimicrobial resistance in bovine mastitis cases in Austria.

Bovine mastitis, an inflammation of the udder usually caused by bacteria, is the most common disease in dairy cattle worldwide with a negative economic impact on the dairy industry. In this study 3020 quarter milk samples from 647 dairy cows on 166 Austrian farms were collected and microbial species, spa type for Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and antimicrobial susceptibility were analysed.

A meta-analysis of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) prevalences in the global cattle population.

A random effect meta-analysis was performed to estimate the worldwide pooled bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) prevalences of persistently infected (PI), viraemic (VI) and antibody-positive (AB) animals and herds. The meta-analysis covered 325 studies in 73 countries that determined the presence or absence of BVDV infections in cattle from 1961 to 2016. In total, 6.

Cost distribution of bluetongue surveillance and vaccination programmes in Austria and Switzerland (2007-2016).

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an emerging transboundary disease in Europe, which can cause significant production losses among ruminants. The analysis presented here assessed the costs of BTV surveillance and vaccination programmes in Austria and Switzerland between 2007 and 2016. Costs were compared with respect to time, type of programme, geographical area and who was responsible for payment.

Antimicrobial consumption on Austrian dairy farms: an observational study of udder disease treatments based on veterinary medication records.

Background: Antimicrobial use in livestock production is an important contemporary issue, which is of public interest worldwide. Antimicrobials are not freely available to Austrian farmers and can only be administered to livestock by veterinarians, or by farmers who are trained members of the Animal Health Service. Since 2015, veterinarians have been required by law to report antimicrobials dispensed to farmers for use in food-producing animals.

A systematic review of financial and economic assessments of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) prevention and mitigation activities worldwide.

Infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) results in major economic losses either directly through decreased productive performance in cattle herds or indirectly, such as through expenses for control programs. The aim of this systematic review was to review financial and/or economic assessment studies of prevention and/or mitigation activities of BVDV at national, regional and farm level worldwide. Once all predefined criteria had been met, 35 articles were included for this systematic review.

Rabies in Costa Rica: Documentation of the Surveillance Program and the Endemic Situation from 1985 to 2014.

This is the first comprehensive epidemiological analysis of rabies in Costa Rica. We characterized the occurrence of the disease and demonstrated its endemic nature in this country. In Costa Rica, as in other countries in Latin America, hematophagous vampire bats are the primary wildlife vectors transmitting the rabies virus to cattle herds.

Cost analysis of bluetongue virus serotype 8 surveillance and vaccination programmes in Austria from 2005 to 2013.

This study was designed to evaluate the costs between 2005 and 2013 of the national bluetongue virus (BTV) surveillance and vaccination programmes before, during and after the BTV serotype 8 (BTV-8) outbreak in Austria commencing in 2008. In addition to an assessment of the temporal development of costs, a spatial cost analysis was performed. Within the context of this study, the term 'costs' refers to actual financial expenditure and imputed monetary costs for contributions in-kind.

A survey of feline leukaemia virus antigenaemia among cats in eastern Austria: a retrospective analysis of serum samples routinely tested between 1996 and 2011.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to determine the seroprevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigenaemia among owned cats in Vienna and the surrounding area.

Methods: Samples were tested between 1996 and 2011 by the Department of Clinical Virology at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. All samples were sent to the university as part of routine diagnostic procedures, either to determine infection in clinically symptomatic individuals or to rule out infection prior to vaccination.

An international, multicenter, prospective study of a prothrombin complex concentrate, Prothromplex Total®, in anticoagulant reversal.

Introduction: Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are a common treatment option for the reversal of oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). This study assessed efficacy and safety of Prothromplex Total®.

Materials And Methods: Patients (≥18 years) with acquired prothrombin complex coagulation factor deficiency (international normalized ratio [INR] ≥ 2 at screening) due to oral VKAs, requiring reversal of anticoagulation, were treated with 25, 35, or 50 IU/kg BW PCC.

Safety and immunogenicity of a novel multivalent OspA vaccine against Lyme borreliosis in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomised, dose-escalation phase 1/2 trial.

Background: Lyme borreliosis is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto in the USA and by several Borrelia species in Europe and Asia, but no human vaccine is available. We investigated the safety and immunogenicity of adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccines containing protective epitopes from Borrelia species outer surface protein A (OspA) serotypes in healthy adults.

Methods: Between March 1, 2011, and May 8, 2012, we did a double-blind, randomised, dose-escalation phase 1/2 study at four sites in Austria and Germany.