Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in the UK: comparison of single vs. pooled samples from healthy pigs.

This study compared the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Escherichia coli detected from single samples vs. pooled samples at herd level. The national monitoring dataset included isolates from one sample per pig holding, whereas the research study included isolates from pooled samples of 10 pigs per holding.

Comparison of Phenotypical Antimicrobial Resistance between Clinical and Non-Clinical Isolates from Broilers, Turkeys and Calves in Four European Countries.

Livestock data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are commonly collected from bacterial populations of clinical and non-clinical isolates. In contrast to data on non-clinical isolates from livestock, data on clinical isolates are not harmonized in Europe. The Normalized Resistance Interpretation (NRI) method was applied to overcome the lack of harmonization of laboratory methods and interpretation rules between monitoring systems.

Occurrence of preterm calving in Great Britain and associations with milk production and reproductive performance in dairy cattle.

This study describes the occurrence of preterm calving in Great Britain and evaluates its associations with subsequent milk production and reproductive performances and survival on farm of dairy cows. A total of 53 British dairy farms and 5759 animals with detailed breeding and milk recording data available were used to form two study groups: preterm calving (calving occurring between days 266 and 277 of gestation) and full-term calving (calving occurring at 278 days of gestation and over). Mixed effects models were implemented to compare milk production, clinical cases of mastitis and number of services per conception between groups.

Herd-level prevalence of selected endemic infectious diseases of dairy cows in Great Britain.

To implement appropriate and effective disease control programs at the national level, up-to-date and unbiased information on disease frequency is needed. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of selected endemic infectious diseases in the population of dairy herds in Great Britain. Bulk milk tank (BMT) samples from 225 randomly selected dairy farms, stratified by region and herd size, were tested for antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus type 1, Mycobacterium avium ssp.

Effectiveness of porcine circovirus type 2 vaccination in reducing the severity of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in pigs.

Changes in the severity of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and the effect of vaccination against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) on the severity of PMWS and the prevalence of PCV2 were assessed on 50 English pig farms from 2008 to 2010. PMWS severity on farms before and after PCV2 vaccination was estimated by combining data on post-weaning mortality, morbidity and proportion of pigs positive for PCV2 by PCR. At the first visit (before vaccination), all 50 farms were seropositive for PCV2 and 90% of farms were positive for PCV2 by PCR.

Risk factors for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection and resulting challenges for effective disease surveillance.

Background: This study aimed to identify risk factors for active porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection at farm level and to assess the probability of an infected farm being detected through passive disease surveillance in England. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study on 147 farrow-to-finish farms conducted from April 2008-April 2009. The risk factors for active PRRSV infection were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

BPEX Pig Health Scheme: a useful monitoring system for respiratory disease control in pig farms?

Background: Respiratory diseases account for significant economic losses to the UK pig industry. Lesions indicative of respiratory disease in pig lungs at slaughter e.g.

Farm level risk factors associated with severity of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome.

A cross-sectional study involving 147 pig farms across England was conducted in 2008-2009. Farm severity of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) was estimated through the use of an algorithm that combined data on post-weaning mortality, PMWS morbidity and proportion of porcine circovirus type 2 PCR positive pigs. Farms were classified as non/slightly, moderately or highly affected by PMWS.

Assessment and quantification of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome severity at farm level.

Post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) causes major economic losses for the English pig industry and severity of clinical signs and economic impact vary considerably between affected farms. We present here a novel approach to quantify severity of PMWS based on morbidity and mortality data and presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). In 2008-2009, 147 pig farms across England, non-vaccinating for PCV2, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study.