Publications by authors named "Luis Pedro Carmo"

Background: Scenario tree modelling is a well-known method used to evaluate the confidence of freedom from infection or to assess the sensitivity of a surveillance system in detecting an infection at a certain design prevalence. It facilitates the use of data from various sources and the inclusion of risk factors into calculations, while still obtaining quantitative estimates of surveillance sensitivity and probability of freedom.

Objectives: We conducted a scoping review to identify scenario tree models (STMs) applied to assess freedom from infection in veterinary medicine, characterize their use, parameterisation, reporting and potential limitations.

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  • The global antimicrobial resistance crisis has prompted international efforts to improve antimicrobial stewardship in the veterinary sector, facing challenges like expert shortages and lack of treatment guidelines.
  • Surveys and research initiated by the COST Action ENOVAT aim to address these issues by exploring current practices and improving diagnostics.
  • The white paper emphasizes the need for a sustainable European veterinary research agenda to ensure long-term improvements in antimicrobial use and resistance management.
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  • The study addresses the global concern over the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), particularly their zoonotic and pandemic risks, and their economic implications in Cuba.
  • An integrated One Health model was developed to assess the risk of Avian Influenza (AI) introduction and transmission, using detailed parameters related to wildlife, poultry, pigs, and human populations.
  • Results pinpointed high-risk areas, particularly in the south-western and eastern parts of Cuba, enabling better-targeted surveillance and enhanced biosecurity measures for managing potential AI outbreaks.
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  • - Farmers and veterinarians in the livestock sector lack sufficient information on the prevalence and impact of contagious diseases, necessitating better risk assessment tools for disease management.
  • - The DECIDE project creates data-driven decision-support tools that provide early disease signals, diagnostic options, and control strategies while considering the effects on disease spread, economic impacts, and animal welfare.
  • - By focusing on major livestock species and incorporating stakeholder needs, cost evaluations, and advanced modeling, DECIDE aims to enhance disease surveillance and decision-making, ultimately promoting a healthier and more sustainable European food chain.
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Paratuberculosis (PTB), or Johne's disease, is a disease with worldwide distribution caused by subsp (MAP) that leads to chronic enteritis, primarily in ruminants. Even subclinical infection significantly reduces the animals' performance, and consequences of the disease lead to high economic losses for the cattle industry. To estimate the economic burden of bovine PTB and to evaluate the benefits of a potential control program, accurate estimates of the production effects associated with the disease are required.

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A wide variety of control and surveillance programmes that are designed and implemented based on country-specific conditions exists for infectious cattle diseases that are not regulated. This heterogeneity renders difficult the comparison of probabilities of freedom from infection estimated from collected surveillance data. The objectives of this review were to outline the methodological and epidemiological considerations for the estimation of probabilities of freedom from infection from surveillance information and review state-of-the-art methods estimating the probabilities of freedom from infection from heterogeneous surveillance data.

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The rapid population growth in Africa is associated with an increasing demand for livestock products which in turn can lead to antimicrobial use. Antimicrobial usage in animals contributes to the emergence and selection of resistant bacteria which constitutes a serious public health threat. This study aims to review and summarize the available information on highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIAs) resistance in livestock production in Africa.

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Antimicrobial resistance is a pandemic problem, causing substantial health and economic burdens. Antimicrobials are extensively used in livestock and aquaculture, exacerbating this global threat. Fostering the prudent use of antimicrobials will safeguard animal and human health.

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Background: Despite the large number of pigs involved in translational studies, no gold standard depth of anaesthesia indicators are available. We undertook a scoping review to investigate and summarize the evidence that sustains or contradicts the use of depth of anaesthesia indicators in this species.

Methods: Medline, Embase and CAB abstract were searched up to September 22nd 2022.

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The wildlife trade has been characterized as one of the biggest risk factors in the emergence of new infectious diseases. In the shadow of COVID-19, there is growing political and scientific urgency to manage this risk. Existing studies and experiences make it clear that something must be done but are less clear on how to get it done.

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African Swine Fever (ASF) has emerged as a disease of great concern to swine producers and government disease control agencies because of its severe consequences to animal health and the pig industry. Early detection of an ASF introduction is considered essential for reducing the impact of the disease. Risk-based surveillance approaches have been used as enhancements to early disease epidemic detection systems in livestock populations.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze antimicrobial usage (AMU) in fattening pig farms that took part in the SuisSano/Safety + Health Programme in Switzerland over the year 2020 and to discuss the potential for further improvement. Usage was examined according to the antimicrobial's class and indication for use, with emphasis on highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIAs).

Methods: Data on AMU from 1411 farms, reported in an electronic treatment journal, was used.

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The COST action "Standardising output-based surveillance to control non-regulated diseases of cattle in the European Union (SOUND control)," aims to harmonise the results of surveillance and control programmes (CPs) for non-EU regulated cattle diseases to facilitate safe trade and improve overall control of cattle infectious diseases. In this paper we aimed to provide an overview on the diversity of control for these diseases in Europe. A non-EU regulated cattle disease was defined as an infectious disease of cattle with no or limited control at EU level, which is not included in the European Union Animal health law Categories A or B under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002.

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Some European countries have successfully implemented country-specific control programs (CPs) for infectious cattle diseases that are not regulated or are regulated only to a limited extent at the European Union (EU) level. Examples of such diseases include bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), and Johne's disease (JD). The CPs vary between countries in the design and quality of collected data as well as methods used to detect infection and estimate prevalence or probability of freedom from infection.

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Antimicrobial stewardship guidelines (ASGs) represent an important tool to help veterinarians optimize their antimicrobial use with the objective of decreasing antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to map and qualitatively assess the ASGs for antimicrobial use in cats and dogs in Europe. Country representatives of the European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment (ENOVAT) were asked to identify ASGs published in their countries.

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Multivariate Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) systems that simultaneously assess and combine information from different data sources are especially useful for strengthening surveillance systems for early detection of infectious disease epidemics. Despite the strong motivation for implementing multivariate SyS and there being numerous methods reported, the number of operational multivariate SyS systems in veterinary medicine is still very small. One possible reason is that assessing the performance of such surveillance systems remains challenging because field epidemic data are often unavailable.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined antimicrobial usage patterns in livestock across Denmark, Portugal, and Switzerland, focusing on when and why specific antibiotics are used during production cycles.
  • Experts from various sectors provided insights on treatment timing and indications, revealing significant variations both between and within countries.
  • The findings highlight the need for improved treatment guidelines and further research on discrepancies in antimicrobial use to enhance public health and combat antimicrobial resistance.
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Human exposure to bacteria resistant to antimicrobials and transfer of related genes is a complex issue and occurs, among other pathways, via meat consumption. In a context of limited resources, the prioritization of risk management activities is essential. Since the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) situation differs substantially between countries, prioritization should be country specific.

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