Publications by authors named "Stefaan Ribbens"

This study aimed to investigate the presence of Chlamydia spp. and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae in bovine placental tissue originating from abortion and non-abortion cases in Belgium. Placentas of 164 late term bovine abortions (last trimester of gestation) and 41 non-abortion (collected after calving) cases were analysed by PCR for Chlamydia spp.

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Background: Anaplasmosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases of medical, veterinary and economic importance. In Belgium, little is known on the prevalence of these diseases in animals and previous screenings relate only to targeted geographic regions, clinical cases or a limited number of tested samples. We therefore performed the first nationwide seroprevalence study of Anaplasma spp.

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Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne zoonotic bacterium that is the aetiologic pathogen of tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants. In clinical bovine cases of TBF, abortion and stillbirth may be observed. However, in this regard, the pathophysiology of TBF has not yet been completely elucidated, and no clear guidelines to diagnose A.

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E disease in humans. While sporadic HEV infections, which occur in industrialised countries and are typically due to HEV genotypes 3 or 4, are asymptomatic and self-limiting, a chronic form of the disease can lead to liver cirrhosis in immunocompromised individuals. Pigs share HEV 3 and 4 genotypes and are thus considered a major animal reservoir for human infection.

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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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M. bovis is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease and antimicrobial use in cattle. The pathogen is widespread in different cattle industries worldwide, but highest prevalence is found in the veal industry.

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Over the last few years, the interest of decision-makers and control agencies in biosecurity (BS), aiming at preventing and controlling the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, has considerably increased. Nevertheless, previous studies highlighted a low implementation level of biosecurity measures (BSM), especially in cattle farms; different reasons were identified such as perceived costs, utility, importance, increased workload and lack of knowledge. In order to convince cattle farmers to adopt BSM, it is necessary to gather more information and evidence on their cost-effectiveness and their importance or utility in terms of disease prevention and control.

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The shift from cure toward prevention in veterinary medicine involves the implementation of biosecurity. In cattle farming, the application of biosecurity measures has been described to a limited degree, yet no data on biosecurity on veal farms is available. A high degree of commingling of veal calves from multiple farms causes frequent disease outbreaks, and thereby high antimicrobial usage and increased risk of antimicrobial resistance.

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An emphasis on biosecurity in the cattle industry was made over the years to improve animal and public health. Nevertheless, the level of implementation of biosecurity measures (BSM) remains largely insufficient due to certain constraints. It is therefore necessary to prioritize the different BSM to be applied in accordance with the individual context and the main infectious diseases affecting cattle.

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Background: Necrotic laryngitis, caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, frequently requires surgical intervention (laryngostomy) in the chronic stage.

Hypothesis/objectives: To determine survival until slaughter of cattle surgically treated for necrotic laryngitis and to identify predictors of mortality.

Animals: A total of 221 cattle diagnosed with necrotic laryngitis by laryngoscopy and surgically treated METHODS: Retrospective cohort study.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the statistical association between herd bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) status based on bulk milk antibody detection and monthly bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) as a reflection of the udder health. A distinction was made between vaccinating and non-vaccinating herds via a questionnaire concerning BVD-vaccination. No significant difference in BMSCC was found between vaccinating (228,300 cells/ml; SD 180,019) and non-vaccinating (237,070 cells/ml; SD 77,900) herds.

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Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is a worldwide spread virus that most commonly infects cattle and can cause considerable economic losses. To determine the prevalence of BVDV in Belgium, a cross-sectional study was performed between November 2009 and March 2010. Young stock aged between 6 and 12 months from 773 randomly selected Belgian cattle herds were tested for BVDV-specific antibodies and antigen.

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The existing diversity within poultry systems affects the potential risk of infectious disease introduction and spread. Population data on the level of biosecurity and between-farm contacts is scarce, despite its importance for identifying possible routes of disease transmission. A study was carried out in Belgium to investigate and differentiate professional and hobby poultry sites based on their biosecurity levels and farm movements.

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The need to detect and eliminate cattle persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is key to the control of BVD and has been shown to be very effective in eradicating BVDV from infected herds. However, because of pitfalls in the detection procedures, some PI animals can be missed and, as a result, are not identified and removal is delayed. The high prevalence of BVDV in cattle populations in some countries (such as Belgium and neighbouring countries) means there is a high risk of reinfection of a herd from which BVDV has been eradicated.

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The detection and elimination of animals persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is the key to BVD control. This method has proven to be very efficient in eradicating BVDV in a herd. Several pitfalls in the detection procedure can make that some persistently infected (PI) animals do not get identified or are removed too late, supporting the assumption that circulation of the virus could be possible in absence of PI animals.

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The diagnostic properties of several assays on live animals were studied using data from different experiments. These experiments involved 128 classical swine fever virus (CSFV) infected pigs (weaner pigs, fatteners and sows). Since all pigs in the study were infected with CSFV, only the proportion of test positive results and the time until a test positive result is obtained were evaluated.

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