Evaluation of systems for reducing the transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by aerosol.

The purpose of this study was to compare 3 methods for the reduction of aerosol transmission of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV): high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, low-cost filtration, and ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation. The HEPA-filtration system involved a pre-filter screen, a bag filter (EU8 rating), and a HEPA filter (EU13 rating). The low-cost-filtration system contained mosquito netting (pre-filter), a fiberglass furnace filter, and an electrostatic furnace filter.

Evaluation of the effects of animal age, concurrent bacterial infection, and pathogenicity of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on virus concentration in pigs.

Objective: To evaluate the influences of animal age, bacterial coinfection, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolate pathogenicity on virus concentration in pigs.

Animals: Twenty-one 2-month-old pigs and eighteen 6-month-old pigs.

Procedure: Pigs were grouped according to age and infected with mildly virulent or virulent isolates of PRRSV.

Evaluation of an air-filtration system for preventing aerosol transmission of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of a commercial air-filtration system to reduce aerosol transmission of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The system consisted of a pre-filter and 2 filters with EU8 and EU13 ratings. In each of 4 trials, 5 PRRSV-infected donor pigs and 1 naive recipient pig (each 25 kg) were housed in opposing chambers connected by a 1.

Measurement of the viability of Lawsonia intracellularis.

The objective of this study was to develop and test both a flow cytometry method (FCM) and a direct count method (DCM) that both use fluorescent stains to determine the viability of Lawsonia intracellularis (LI), an obligate intracellular bacterium and the cause of proliferative enteropathy (PE) in pigs and other animal species. Live LI were passaged in cell culture and harvested from infected McCoy cells. Dead LI were prepared by exposing live LI to 70% isopropyl alcohol for 30 min.

The malaria and typhoid fever burden in the slums of Kolkata, India: data from a prospective community-based study.

Recent research has indicated that the malaria burden in Asia may have been vastly underestimated. We conducted a prospective community-based study in an impoverished urban site in Kolkata, India, to estimate the burden of malaria and typhoid fever and to identify risk factors for these diseases. In a population of 60452 people, 3605 fever episodes were detected over a 12-month period.

Field evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic dipstick test for the diagnosis of cholera in a high-risk population.

Background: Early detection of cholera outbreaks is crucial for the implementation of the most appropriate control strategies.

Methods: The performance of an immunochromatographic dipstick test (Institute Pasteur, Paris, France) specific for Vibrio cholerae O1 was evaluated in a prospective study in Beira, Mozambique, during the 2004 cholera season (January-May). Fecal specimens were collected from 391 patients with acute watery nonbloody diarrhea and tested by dipstick and conventional culture.

Consecutive outbreaks of Vibrio cholerae O139 and V. cholerae O1 cholera in a fishing village near Karachi, Pakistan.

In July 2002 and June 2003, cholera outbreaks were detected by a diarrhoea surveillance system in a village outside Karachi, Pakistan. Specimens were culture confirmed. The first outbreak was caused by Vibrio cholerae O139 (n = 30) and the second outbreak by V.

Pain detection and amelioration in animals on the farm: issues and options.

Pain in nonhuman animals is a difficult concept to identify and measure. This article briefly describes the consequences of pain in animals on the farm and explains the reasons for the minimal use of analgesics in farmed animals. Pain can have implications for both animal welfare and economics.

Application of broken-line analysis to assess floor space requirements of nursery and grower-finisher pigs expressed on an allometric basis.

Few issues in swine production are as complex as floor space allowances. One method for pork producers to calculate floor space allowance (A) is to convert BW into a 2-dimensional concept yielding an expression of A = k * BW(0.667).

Salmonella paratyphi A rates, Asia.

Little is known about the causes of enteric fever in Asia. Most cases are believed to be caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and the remainder by S. Paratyphi A.

Feasibility of a mass vaccination campaign using a two-dose oral cholera vaccine in an urban cholera-endemic setting in Mozambique.

We conducted a study to assess the feasibility and the potential vaccine coverage of a mass vaccination campaign using a two-dose oral cholera vaccine in an urban endemic neighbourhood of Beira, Mozambique. The campaign was conducted from December 2003 to January 2004. Overall 98,152 doses were administered, and vaccine coverage of the target population was 58.

Evaluation of well-being, productivity, and longevity of pregnant sows housed in groups in pens with an electronic sow feeder or separately in gestation stalls.

Objective: To compare well-being, performance, and longevity of gestating sows housed in stalls or in pens with an electronic sow feeder (ESF).

Animals: 382 pregnant sows of parities 1 through 6.

Procedure: Sows were housed in separate stalls (n = 176) or group pens (206) with an ESF.

Retention of ingested porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in houseflies.

Objective: To evaluate retention of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in houseflies for various time frames and temperatures.

Sample Population: Fifteen 2-week-old pigs, two 10-week-old pigs, and laboratory-cultivated houseflies.

Procedure: In an initial experiment, houseflies were exposed to PRRSV; housed at 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, and 30 degrees C; and tested at various time points.

The burden of diarrhoea, shigellosis, and cholera in North Jakarta, Indonesia: findings from 24 months surveillance.

Background: In preparation of vaccines trials to estimate protection against shigellosis and cholera we conducted a two-year community-based surveillance study in an impoverished area of North Jakarta which provided updated information on the disease burden in the area.

Methods: We conducted a two-year community-based surveillance study from August 2001 to July 2003 in an impoverished area of North Jakarta to assess the burden of diarrhoea, shigellosis, and cholera. At participating health care providers, a case report form was completed and stool sample collected from cases presenting with diarrhoea.

The burden of cholera in the slums of Kolkata, India: data from a prospective, community based study.

Aims: To conduct a prospective, community based study in an impoverished urban site in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in order to measure the burden of cholera, describe its epidemiology, and search for potential risk factors that could be addressed by public health strategies.

Methods: The study population was enumerated at the beginning and end of the study period. Surveillance through five field outposts and two referral hospitals for acute, watery, non-bloody diarrhoea was conducted from 1 May 2003 to 30 April 2004.

Shigellosis remains an important problem in children less than 5 years of age in Thailand.

This is a review of existing data on the burden of shigellosis in Thailand to determine trends, vulnerable groups, predominant species and serotypes, and antimicrobial resistance patterns. Diarrhoea and dysentery morbidity and mortality data from 1991 to 1999 was collected from the routine surveillance system and demographic data from the government census. International and local literature published between 1988 and 2000 was systematically reviewed.

Pandemic serovars (O3:K6 and O4:K68) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with diarrhea in Mozambique: spread of the pandemic into the African continent.

Forty-two episodes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections were detected in Beira, Mozambique, from January to May 2004. The majority of the isolates (81%) belonged to the pandemic serovars (O3:K6 and O4:K68) of V. parahaemolyticus.

Sow housing: opportunities, constraints, and unknowns.

As Webster has stated, we have real opportunities to provide incremental improvements to a whole range of welfare factors. We need a disciplined approach that takes into account the skills of farmers, veterinarians, and the whole range of other specialists involved in animal agriculture. Improvement is best based on a model of discovery, transparency, and dialogue.

Laboratory model to evaluate the role of aerosols in the transport of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

The aim of this study was to develop a model to evaluate the aerosol transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory disease virus (PRRSV). PRRSV (MN 30-100 strain, total dose 3 x 10(6) virus particles) was aerosolised and transported up to 150 m and a portable air sampler was used to collect air samples at 1, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 m (five replicates at each distance) and the air samples were tested by TaqMan PCR and virus isolation. The infectivity of the aerosolised PRRSV was tested by exposing six PRRSV-naive pigs for three hours to aerosolised virus that had been transported 150 m.

An extended field test of the WHO severe malnutrition guidelines in hospitals in developing countries: preliminary observations.

The WHO has published guidelines for the inpatient management of severe malnutrition. A qualitative study in hospitals in developing countries is being conducted to document the re-organisation of the clinical ward and support services required to implement these guidelines and to gain an impression of the feasibility and sustainability of such a re-organisation. Following a postal survey of experts in the management of malnutrition in children in developing countries, hospitals were contacted and asked if they were interested to participate in the study.

Evaluation of patterns of removal and associations among culling because of lameness and sow productivity traits in swine breeding herds.

Objective: To characterize patterns of removal and evaluate the associations among culling because of lameness and sow productivity traits among culled gilts and sows.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Sample Population: Data from a convenience sample of 11 farms pertaining to the removal of 51,795 gilts and sows from January 1991 to December 2002.

An evaluation of disinfectants for the sanitation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-contaminated transport vehicles at cold temperatures.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of commercially available disinfectants to sanitize porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) contaminated trailer models in cold climates (-20 degrees C and 4 degrees C). Disinfectants evaluated included Synergize, Aseptol 2000, Biophene, Sentramax, Virkon, Tek Trol, and DC&R. All products were applied to trailers via fumigation at 4 degrees C.