Proposed regulatory amendments to the Canadian Health of Animals Act (HAA) would make it illegal to “load, transport and unload non-ambulatory animals”. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the main governmental body that is responsible for administering the HAA. Because of this proposed regulation these non-ambulatory animals would have to be killed on the farm. An exception to the proposed regulation is the transport of non-ambulatory animals to a location where they would receive veterinary treatment.
Monthly Archives: February 2005
Prevalence and characterization of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in swine feces
Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in swine feces in the United States as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System’s Swine 2000 study. Fecal samples collected from swine operations from 13 of the top 17 swine-producing states were tested for the presence of STEC. After enrichment of swine fecal samples in tryptic soy broth, the samples were tested for the presence of stx1 and stx2 by use of the TaqMan E. coli STX1 and STX2 PCR assays. Enrichments of samples positive for stx1 and/or stx2 were plated, and colony hybridization was performed using digoxigenin-labeled probes complementary to the stx1 and stx2 genes. Positive colonies were picked and confirmed by PCR for the presence of the stx1, stx2, or stx2e genes, and the isolates were serotyped. Out of 687 fecal samples tested using the TaqMan assays, 70% (484 of 687) were positive for Shiga toxin genes, and 54% (370 of 687), 64% (436 of 687), and 38% (261 of 687) were positive for stx1, stx2, and both toxin genes, respectively. Out of 219 isolates that were characterized, 29 (13%) produced stx1, 14 (6%) produced stx2, and 176 (80%) produced stx2e. Twenty-three fecal samples contained at least two STEC strains that had different serotypes but that had the same toxin genes or included a strain that possessed stx1 in addition to a strain that possessed stx2 or stx2e. The STEC isolates belonged to various serogroups, including O2, O5, O7, O8, O9, OX10, O11, O15, OX18, O20, O57, O65, O68, O69, O78, O91, O96, O100, O101, O120, O121, O152, O159, O160, O163, and O untypeable. It is noteworthy that no isolates of serogroup O157 were recovered. Results of this study indicate that swine in the United States harbor STEC that can potentially cause human illness.
AASV Meeting Attendees invited to Pork Industry Roundtable Discussion
For pork producers, every hog delivered to market represents an investment – in time, in resources, and in reputation. Oftentimes, however, condemnations of animals by the packer can have a serious impact on that investment. AASV annual meeting attendees are invited to join Schering-Plough Animal Health for a special discussion with leading packers on emerging trends in condemnations, and help explore solutions to help producers protect their bottom line. This Pork Industry Roundtable Discussion, “Condemnations: Emerging Trends, Future Solutions,” will take place Saturday, March 5 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Frontenac Ballroom at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Luis Fernandez will moderate the discussion, which will feature guest speakers Dr. Lisa Becton, Premium Standard Farms; Dr. Paul DuBois, Cargill; and Dr. Kellye Pfalzgraf, Tyson/IBP. Lunch will be served at noon to those in attendance. View the formal invitation at http://www.anetooltransfer.com/Schering/Inv.htm
NIAA Symposium to Focus on Zoonotic Diseases
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is hosting a focused symposium in conjunction with its 2005 Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minn. Protecting the Global Food Supply: Growing Concerns for Emerging Zoonotic Diseases will be held on April 7 at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel.
Importance of heat-labile enterotoxin in diarrheal disease and septicemia in gnotobiotic piglets
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) produces enterotoxins which induce secretory diarrhea in humans and animals. In swine, the ETEC strains most commonly associated with severe diarrheal disease express K88 (F4) fimbriae which bind to intestinal receptors resulting in extensive intestinal colonization, secretory diarrhea, septicemia, and death. The enterotoxins involved in disease include heat labile toxin (LT), heat-stable enterotoxin a (STa), STb, and enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enteroxin 1 (EAST1). However, the individual role of individual enterotoxins in the pathogenesis of severe diarrhea and post-diarrheal septicemia is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of LT in diarrhea and septicemia in gnotobiotic piglets.
Effects of dietary glutamine and spray-dried plasma in E. coli K88+-challenged weaned pigs
The objective of this study was to study the effects of feeding spray-dried plasma (SDP) or glutamine (GLN) on performance, intestinal morphology, immunological, and somatotropic responses in weaned pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic E. coli strain K88+ (ETEC K88+).
Pork Checkoff introduces the Take Care – Use Antibiotics Responsibly program
The Pork Checkoff’s Take Care – Use Antibiotics Responsibly? program is now available to all pork producers. The program was developed to guide producers and veterinarians on the responsible use of antibiotics to preserve animal health and protect public health.
AASV 2005 Annual Meeting Social Program
The AASV annual meeting offers numerous opportunities for attendees to interact on a social basis during the meeting. In an effort to help you plan your schedule, here’s a listing of the many activities taking place. We are grateful to the corporate sponsors who have made these events possible; please thank their representatives!
Upcoming Meeting: NIAA 2005 Annual Meeting
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will focus on the theme “Animal Disease Monitoring, Surveillance and Security: Advancing A World-Class System” during its upcoming annual meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 3-7, 2005. Veterinarians, animal scientists, and other agricultural industry stakeholders are invited to attend the meeting. Registration information, accommodations, and other information may be found at http://www.animalagriculture.org, or by calling 270-782-9798.
People on the Move: Drs. Martin Bonneau and Sylvain Messier
AASV members Dr. Martin Bonneau and Dr. Sylvain Messier have opened a new veterinary clinic in Charny, Quebec, Canada. The doctors have more than 10 years experience in swine practice, including experience with a variety of production systems in many countries. They have developed and established procedures and programs for breeding stock companies and have a strong expertise in biosecurity (farm, transport, etc). The clinic will provide local and international service for the swine industry. Updated contact information for Drs. Bonneau and Messier is available at http://www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.