bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Etudes de terrain sur la fièvre catarrhale ovine et la maladie hémorragique épizootique en Turquie
Authors: Ertürk A. , Cizmeci S. G. , Barut M. F. , Allepuz Alberto , Alba Anna , Napp Sebastian , Casal Jordi
Published: May 2017

The objective of this study was to detect the presence of new serotypes of bluetongue (BT) circulating in Turkey. A cross-sec­tional study was conducted between March and May 2008 in the provinces of Adana, Mersin, Antalya, Osmaniye, and Hatay (Mediterranean region). The serosurvey was only performed in cattle. This species was not vaccinated and the presence of an­tibodies would indicate that the animal had been infected by field strains of BT virus. Only animals born after the outbreaks were sampled. The epidemiological unit was the village, which was the lowest level for which census data was available. Ran­dom sampling was carried out in 146 villages and eight sam­ples were collected in each village.  A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was used for detection of BT antibodies. Preliminary results of the study were presented. From a total of 1096 serum samples collected, 352 (32.1%) were positive to BT. The seroprevalence by province ranged from 15% in Antalya (45/257) to 88% in Osmaniye (77/88). In animals under two years old, the sero­prevalence was 25%, whereas in adult animals it was 52%. The differences in the seroprevalence detected between the five provinces could be attributed to the different density of vector, cattle and small ruminant populations. The high seroprevalence in unvaccinated cattle indicated that BT infection was wide­spread in the ruminant population of Turkey. The young animals presented a lower prevalence than the adults, suggesting that the adults had probably been exposed to the virus before the last two years, whereas the presence of positive seroconversion in young animals indicated that BT virus had been circulating in the two-year period.
Fièvre catarrhale ovine en 2008−2009 : cas atypiques
Authors: Gerdes T.
Published: May 2017

Orbivirus diagnosis in an endemic country presents many diag­nostic complexities. Endemicity is further complicated by mul­tiple serotypes and related viruses which may be cross-reactive in some tests or else be clinically indistinguishable. Some of the cases of either bluetongue (BT) or epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) of the 2008 and 2009 summer seasons are pre­sented to illustrate the challenges. Selection focused on two bovines and three alpacas for which no final diagnoses had been made or confirmed. The two heifers were young, geographi­cally distant but similar in clinical presentation with dysphagia and oesophageal dilations. BTV-6 and 16 were recovered from what were considered to be EHD cases, and no final conclusion was made. The three alpacas formed a geographical cluster, although they were resident on different farms. Two were local and one had been recently imported. In clinical presentation, all three differed and two remained unresolved with no isolate or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result. The last case, an acute death with severe lung oedema, yielded twin isolates of BTV and EHDV, respectively. Final serotype identification, causal relationship and diagnosis are still pending. These cases amply illustrate the concept that arboviral endemicity can result in a diagnostic dilemma.
Situation actuelle de la fièvre catarrhale ovine en Grèce
Authors: Tsakiris J. , Aronis E. , Sachsamanoglou M. , Petridou P. , Patounis T. , Iliadou P. , Patakakis M. , Doudounakis S. , Mangana-Vougiouka O.
Published: May 2017

The first incursion of bluetongue (BT) in Greece was in 1979 on Lesvos Island. The disease was caused by serotype 4 (BTV-4), which was endemic in Turkey, with Culicoides imicola the virus vector. Strict measures were applied, preventing the spread of the disease to the rest of the country. In the epidemic of 1998- 2001, four different serotypes invaded Greece: BTV-1, 4, 9 and 16. The vectors were C. imicola and C. obsoletus. In November 2008, the type of virus that invaded Lesvos Island was identified as BTV-16. In few flocks BTV-8 was also identified. In February 2009, seropositive and ribonucleic acid (RNA) positive bovines (BTV-16 again) were detected on Chios Island without clinical disease. In late September 2009, new outbreaks appeared on Lesvos Island caused again by BTV-16. During the recent incur­sion (until December 2009), 132 flocks of sheep and goats were infected. The epidemic began in north-eastern regions of the island and spread from north to south on the island. Sporadic cases occurred on the east side, and the west side seemed BT free. BT clinical signs that were moderate and slightly different from the previous year were observed in sheep but not in cattle. The humidity (after the first rain) and warm weather present at that time in combination with moderate north winds helped the spread of the disease. Culicoides trapping revealed significant numbers of C. imicola. Clinical suspicion of the disease was followed by laboratory confirmation. Serological, virological and molecular biology tests were conducted. Results were con­firmed by the Community Reference laboratory. Appropriate restrictive measures have been taken from 2008 on, in order to protect the other regions of Greece. No clinical signs or seroconversion has been observed at time of writing in the rest of the country.
Validation d'une méthode automatisée d'extraction d'acides nucléiques et d'analyse en RT-qPCR : exemple du virus de la fièvre catarrhale ovine
Authors: De Clerq Kris , Van der Stede Yves , Vandenbussche Franck
Published: May 2017

The control of bluetongue virus (BTV) in Central-Western Europe is greatly complicated by the coexistence of several BTV sero­types. Rapid, sensitive and specific assays are therefore needed to identify correctly the currently circulating BTV serotypes in field samples. In the present study, four serotype-specific real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reac­tion assays (RT-qPCR) are described for the detection of BTV-1, 6, 8 and 11. The analytical sensitivity of BTV-1/S2, BTV-6/S2, BTV-8/S2 and BTV-11/S2 serotype-specific RT-qPCR assays is comparable to the earlier described serogroup-specific pan- BTV/S5 RT-qPCR assay. In silico and in vitro analyses indicated that none of the assays cross-reacted with viruses which were symptomatically or genetically related to BTV and only detected the intended BTV serotypes. All assays exhibited a linear range of at least 0.05-3.80 log10 TCID50/mL and a PCR-efficiency approaching the ideal amplification factor of two per PCR cycle. Both intra- and inter-run variations were low with a total coef­ficient of variation of 1-2% for clear positive samples, and below 10% for very weak positive samples. Finally, the performance of the described assays was compared with commercially available kits for the detection of BTV-1, 6 and 8. Three in-house assays gave the same diagnostic results (positive/negative) as the com­mercial assays and can thus be used interchangeably. Together with the earlier-described serogroup-specific pan-BTV/S5, the serotype-specific RT-qPCR assays form a flexible and properly validated set of tools to detect and differentiate the BTV sero­types currently circulating in Central-Western Europe.
Localisation des hôtes et activité de vol chez les Culicoides au Royaume-Uni : états des lieux et perspectives
Authors: Carpenter Simon , Wilson A. , Sanders Christopher , Barber E. , Denison E. , Harrup L. , Veronesi E. , Golding N. , Mellor P.
Published: May 2017

An overview of two areas of recent research at the Institute of Animal Health Pirbright is presented. Firstly, the work carried out to define semiochemicals that can be used in trapping surveil­lance and behavioural studies as surrogates for ruminant hosts is discussed. In a preliminary experiment, light trap catches, CDC traps baited with semiochemicals, and natural hosts are compared. The limitations of these designs and possible future developments to improve their efficacy are then analysed. Secondly, the work that has been conducted to define both activ­ity levels and flight range in Culicoides, and which has been used subsequently to refine modelling of wind-borne incursion risk of BTV is examined. This includes a discussion of the data both currently used, and that which may be available in the future with new diagnostic techniques. Taking a broad view, the way in which both of these technologies may be integrated into attempts to understand orbivirus epidemiology in the field is finally discussed.
Quoi de neuf sur le gratuiciel d'identification des Culicoides ?
Authors: Mathieu B. , Chavernac David , Delécolle Jean Claude , Balenghien Thomas , Garros Claire , Candolfi Ermanno , Cetre-Sossah Catherine
Published: May 2017

In the framework of Medreonet workpackage on “Regional sur­veillance of vectors”, a Culicoides identification key based on morphology is proposed. This key will help to identify the differ­ent Culicoides species, including those of the Palaearctic region. The tool will be available in a freeware version and in a web version. At time of writing, the key was not yet available but a first draft version was to be presented soon after to Culicoides taxonomists so as to improve it. Currently, females of 85 species including 9 morphological variations are included in a database of 63 descriptors codified in 172 states. These descriptors and states of descriptors were discussed and validated by the par­ticipants of the last taxonomic meeting in Strasbourg, France, in March 2009.
Répartition et abondance des moucherons piqueurs, vecteurs potentiels de la fièvre catarrhale ovine, en Suisse
Authors: Kaufmann C. , Schaffner C. , Tschuor A. , Mathis A.
Published: May 2017

Indigenous biting midges proved to be highly efficient vectors for the recently introduced bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8). Since its introduction in Northern Europe, the virus has rapidly spread, reaching Switzerland in 2008. The aims of this project are to determine the distribution, abundance, and activity pat­terns of biting midges occurring in Switzerland. Insects were caught with Onderstepoort ultraviolet light traps once weekly at stations representing the 12 climatic regions of Switzerland throughout the whole year. In addition, catches were carried out at five stations in an Alpine region of Switzerland at alti­tudes between 1300 and 2000 metres above sea level from the end of June to the end of October 2008. Midges were grouped under the stereomicroscope into Obsoletus complex, Pulicaris complex or other Culicoides spp. Midges were caught at all stations, albeit in very different numbers. The highest monthly average was 10,000 midges per night (Dittingen); the third high­est average was recorded at the highest station (Juf, 2130 m). At stations below 1500 m, midges of the Obsoletus complex (98% in Dittingen) were predominant. In Central Europe, they are considered the most likely vectors responsible for BTV trans­mission. With increasing altitude, midges of the Pulicaris com­plex prevailed (91% in Juf). Catches in two neighbouring Alpine mountains of similar altitude (approximately 2000 m) varied considerably. It is most likely that there are no midge-free zones in the agricultural areas (including Alpine summer pastures) of Switzerland, but the vector competence of the various midges with regard to BTV needs to be urgently clarified.
Taux d'infection de Culicoides imicola par différents sérotypes du virus de la fièvre catarrhale ovine après contamination par voie orale
Authors: Del Rio R. , Venter Gert J. , Miranda M.A. , Paredes-Esquivel C. , Lucientes Javier , Calvete Carlos , Estrada R.
Published: May 2017

Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious disease that is spreading northwards in Europe. Knowing the infection rates of the different virus serotypes present in a region and of those that have the potential to enter that region is critical to respond adequately to the disease and set up preventive measures such as vaccination. The present study shows that wild-caught South African Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) can become infected with and permit the replication of the different strains of BT virus serotypes detected and isolated in Spain (BTV-1, 2, 4 and 8). Virus replication was measured over time by assaying individual midges on baby hamster kidney (BHK)-21 cells using a microtitration procedure. The mean prevalence of BTV infection after 10 days’ extrinsic incubation (DEI) at 23.5ºC was lower than 1% in all four serotypes. The virus concentration of individual C. imicola infected with BTV ranged from 1.4 to 3.9 TCID50. BTV titres higher than 2.5 log10 TCID50 found in individual C. imicola suggest that this species may be able to transmit that viral strain to susceptible hosts.
Compétence vectorielle des espèces de Culicoides britanniques pour le sérotype 8 du virus de la fièvre catarrhale ovine
Authors: Golding N. , Balenghien Thomas , Mellor P. , Barber J. , Veronesi E. , Carpenter Simon
Published: May 2017

The proportion of infected vectors which are able to transmit an arbovirus to a susceptible host has a significant impact on the epidemic potential of such a virus. Assessing vector competence is therefore crucial to evaluate accurately the risk posed by such a disease to any non-endemic region. The vector competence of various Culicoides species in Scotland for bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) was assessed by a pad-feeding technique, and a high-throughput virus extraction and isolation procedure. This was coupled with a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify members of the Culicoides Obsoletus complex to spe­cies level. These results are compared with vector competence results of further Culicoides Obsoletus in South-East England assessed by the same method. A very low level of competence for this strain was detected in all Culicoides species tested, simi­lar to that described for this strain in C. imicola originating from both Corsica and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in South Africa. The implications of this are discussed in relation to future studies and also with regard to wider aspects of orbivirus trans­mission in the European Union.
Comparaison de collectes avec différents pièges lumineux
Authors: Venter Gert J. , Labuschagne Karien , Liebenberg Junita , Hermanides K. , Boikanyo S. , Majatladi D. , Van der Linde T.
Published: May 2017

Awareness of all potential vectors of the viruses of bluetongue and African horse sickness is crucial for the implementation of integrated control measures, risk analysis and disease manage­ment. The primary monitoring tools used for the collection of Culicoides midges are various models of suction light traps. In order to facilitate comparison of data between laboratories, the efficiency of the Onderstepoort, Rieb, mini-CDC, Pirbright and BG-sentinel, used at present and during the past in Europe, was compared in the field in South Africa. In a separate series of comparisons, the influence of trap height, the presence of hosts and the addition of octenol to the trap on species composition and number of Culicoides midges collected were determined. Comparisons were done in an appropriate number of replicates of a randomized Latin square design. The Onderstepoort trap collected significantly more Culicoides midges in summer and in winter than the other traps. It was found that relatively small vari­ations in the height at which the trap is deployed can have a sig­nificant influence on the number of midges collected. Although these results seem to indicate a height preference for C. imicola it needs to be determined to what extent environmental fac­tors, the presence of nearby structures, other light sources and hosts near the trap might have on the height at which Culicoides midges will fly. Significant differences were found in the num­ber of Culicoides and especially C. imicola numbers collected at various distances from host animals. Statistically significant higher numbers and proportions of C. imicola were collected immediately next to the animals compare to collections made 5 to 30 m away from animals. The addition of 1-octen-3-ol (9.1 mg/h) and 4-methylphenol (15.5 mg/h) did not have any significant influence on the number of Culicoides collected with the Onderstepoort trap. Relatively small but statistically signifi­cant differences were found in the species composition, parous rates, sex ratios as well as the ratio of Culicoides midges to other insects, as determined by the different collection regimes. Despite a great variety of factors that can influence light trap results, it remains the most reliable and practical way to deter­mine species richness and abundance in an area. The results of this study highlighted a few factors that may influence the num­bers of Culicoides midges collected and the problems involved in the reliable comparison of light trap data between different collection sites. It emphasized the need for the standardization of techniques for measuring the variables of vectorial capacity
Comparaison de l'efficacité de quatre modèles de pièges lumineux pour la collecte de Culicoides piqueurs en Allemagne
Authors: Probst Christophe , Kampen Helge , Werner D. , Gethmann Jörn M. , Conraths Franz J. , Beer Martin
Published: May 2017

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are vectors of bluetongue disease, an OIE-listed animal disease which has recently led to severe economic losses in susceptible livestock species in Europe. Therefore, several affected countries conduct monitor­ing programmes for Culicoides spp. To compare the number and species composition of Culicoides obtained, the efficacy of various traps used to collect biting midges needs to be assessed. Four aspiration black light traps were thus compared: the Onderstepoort, John W. Hock, Riebt, and Biogents. One of the traps was operated from the 1st of April 2009 to determine the onset of increased Culicoides activity and thus the best time to start the study. The comparison was carried out from May 16th until September 26th. The traps were set up at four different sites on pastures of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut where cattle, sheep and goats were present. The comparison was carried out according to the Medreonet protocol in a 4×4 randomized Latin square design with one night of activity for each trap at each site. The highest number of Culicoides specimens was captured by the Onderstepoort (1245), followed by the Biogents (365), the Hock (30) and the Riebt (4) traps. The majority of midges caught was classified as belonging to the Obsoletus complex (1399), including C. obsoletus s.s., C. scoticus and C. chiopterus. Other encountered species were C. punctatus s.s. (87), C. albicans (78) and C. riethi (50). Most biting midges were collected in May (594) and June (575). In September only one Culicoides speci­men was caught. The results show that the trap model has a great impact on the number of Culicoides caught. Culicoides monitor­ing programmes should be harmonised by using the same type of trap everywhere or by adjusting the numbers of collected biting midges using a trap factor. The trap model should be taken into consideration in the decision to declare the seasonally-determined vector-free periods.
Moucherons piqueurs (Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides Latreille) rencontrés dans les fermes en Suède
Authors: Nielsen S. A. , Nielsen B. O. , Chirico J.
Published: May 2017

In light of the emergence of bluetongue in Northern Europe, populations of Culicoides species were monitored in and around several Swedish livestock farms (surveillance in 2007 and 2008). The position of the sampling sites ranged from about latitude 55° N to about 68° N. Thirty-three Culicoides species were recorded, of which 30 were new to Sweden. The species recorded, and their relative abundance and spatial distribution on sites are detailed. Species incriminated as vectors of bluetongue virus were predominant.
Etude des protéines salivaires de différentes espèces de Culicoides et leur interaction avec les particules du virus de la fièvre catarrhale ovine
Authors: Darpel K. , Langner K. F. , Venter Gert J. , Hunt L. , Kurian D. , Potgieter A. C. , Attoui H. , Mellor P. , Takamatsu Haru-H. , Mertens P. P.C.
Published: May 2017

The transmission, infectivity and virulence of many arthropod transmitted pathogens can be influenced by components of saliva from their arthropod vector. Culicoides saliva is therefore considered likely to play an important role in orbivirus trans­mission mechanisms. Difficulties in collecting saliva from such small insects have until recently limited our ability to analyse and identify Culicoides saliva proteins, or determine their func­tions and effects on the transmission efficiency, infectivity or virulence of these viruses. However, we have recently devel­oped an efficient method to collect relatively large quantities of uncontaminated Culicoides saliva proteins, using protein bind­ing filters. Saliva proteins were collected from C. nubeculosus [an inefficient bluetongue virus (BTV) vector from Europe] and C. sonorensis (a North American vector of BTV and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus) for direct protein sequencing by electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. These analyses have identified a trypsin-like protease in C. sonorensis saliva, which was significantly reduced or absent from C. nubeculosus saliva. Previous studies have shown that the larger of the BTV sero­type 1 (BTV-1) outer-capsid components (the cell attachment protein ‘VP2’) can be cleaved by proteases, forming infectious subviral particles (ISVP) that have an enhanced infectivity for adult Culicoides, or KC cells (a cell-line derived from C. sono­rensis). We show that treatment with saliva from adult Culicoides also cleaved VP2 from several different BTV strains. This cleavage appears to be a step-wise process, with intermediate cleavage products being generated at lower temperature or lower saliva protein concentrations. Incubating purified BTV-1 particles with C. sonorensis saliva also increased their infectivity for KC cells about 10 fold, while infectivity for baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells was reduced by 2-4 fold. The saliva proteins from C. sonorensis cleaved BTV-VP2 more efficiently than those from C. nubeculosus, suggesting that the level of protease activity in the insect saliva could help determine the efficiency of BTV infection in the insect. The saliva protein collection method is now being applied to wild caught C. imicola (the South African BTV vector) to investigate whether the composition of the saliva protein is involved in the determination of vector competence.
Programme national bulgare de surveillance du virus de la fièvre catarrhale : études de terrain et évaluation du risque en 2009
Authors: Georgiev G. , Nedelchev N. , Polihronova L.
Published: May 2017

Bluetongue is a non-contagious, arthropod-borne viral disease of both domestic and wild ruminants. Bluetongue virus (BTV) is endemic in some areas where cattle and wild ruminants serve as reservoirs for the virus. Some authors suggest that a fundamental change in the European ecosystem since 1998, mostly linked to climate change, may have influenced the introduction and sur­vival of BTV in Europe. Genetic analyses of bluetongue viruses isolated in Europe during this period showed that six virus types (1, 2, 4, 8, 9 and 16) have entered the region since that period. The aim of this presentation was to summarize the results of the National BTV Surveillance Programme, field studies, and risk assessment of BTV entry into Bulgaria in 2009.  As part of the Surveillance Programme of the disease in 2009, seroprevalence was performed in 19 sentinel BTV-seronegative animal herds, 7 of which were located in the western part of the country and the other 12 in the southern part, about 10 to 20 kil­ometres from the border. Each sentinel herd consisted of 10 large ear-tagged ruminants. The sentinel animals were tested every 30 days for the presence of BTV antibodies. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (cELISAs) were used to determine the antibodies against the common group antigen. Fourteen Onderstepoort black light traps were set up for Culicoides surveil­lance and monitoring in southern and western border districts of the country after April 1, 2009. Catches of Culicoides were sorted by traditional identification keys. The risk of BTV invasion was assessed according to the World Organisation for Animal Health standards. The hazard identification, possibility of BT outbreaks, and assessment of the epidemiological situation in neighbour­ing countries were made based on other authors’ reports on the density of small and large ruminants, and economical and trade relations between countries. In addition, the BTV situation on a Greek Aegean Sea Island was closely monitored in 2008-09.  During the 2009 serum surveillance period, 3340 serum sam­ples from different species of ruminants were investigated, all with negative results for BTV antibodies; C. imicola was never detected in more than 12 years of Culicoides surveillance in Bulgaria. Analysis of 274 midges caught during 2009 showed that dominating Culicoides species were of the Obsoletus and Pulicaris complexes, well-known Palaearctic midges in Europe. The negative results from the Surveillance Programme supported the evidence of absence of active BTV circulation on the whole territory of Bulgaria during 2009. During the 2008-09 season, Greek Authorities reported several circulating BTV serotypes (1, 8, 16) on Lesvos Island. As the epidemiological situation on Greek islands in the Aegean Sea is complicated and not very clear, the risk of BTV entering Bulgaria ranges from high (in spring and summer) to moderate (in winter and autumn).
Evaluation du risque de la fièvre catarrhale ovine par les Culicoides introduits via les réseaux de transport et d'échanges commerciaux
Authors: Napp Sebastian , Calistri P. , Giovannini A. , Gubbins S. , Garcia-Bocanegra I. , Alba Anna , Allepuz Alberto , Casal Jordi
Published: May 2017

In August 2006, a bluetongue outbreak was detected in the Netherlands. It was caused by bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV- 8), a serotype thought to be of sub-Saharan origin. The most obvious mechanisms for BTV introduction, the import of infected hosts or the transport of infected Culicoides on airstreams, seemed unlikely. Therefore, the import of Culicoides along with or independently from the import of animals, plants or other ‘materials’ was considered as one of the possible explanations for the outbreak. In order to assess the likelihood of Culicoides being introduced via transport and trade networks, a quantitative risk assessment model has been constructed.
Evaluation de la probabilité d'hivernage du virus de la fièvre catarrhale ovine par transmission horizontale chez les vecteurs, les ruminants ou les deux : application en Allemagne
Authors: Napp Sebastian , Gubbins S. , Calistri P. , Allepuz Alberto , Alba Anna , Garcia-Bocanegra I. , Giovannini A. , Casal Jordi
Published: May 2017

Even though bluetongue virus (BTV) transmission is apparently interrupted during winter, bluetongue outbreaks often reappear in the next season (overwintering). Several mechanisms for BTV overwintering have been proposed, but to date their relative importance remains unclear. In order to assess the probability of BTV overwintering by horizontal transmission in vectors (long-lived Culicoides), ruminants (prolonged viraemia), or a combina­tion of both, a quantitative risk assessment model was developed. Furthermore, the model allowed the role played by the residual number of vectors present during winter to be examined, and the effect of a proportion of Culicoides living inside buildings (endophilic behaviour) to be explored. The model was then applied to a real scenario: overwintering in Germany between 2006 and 2007. The results showed that the limited number of vectors active during winter seemed to allow the transmission of BTV during this period and that this transmission was favoured by the endophilic behaviour of some Culicoides. Even though trans­mission was possible, the likelihood of BTV overwintering by horizontal transmission in vectors, ruminants or in both seemed however too low to explain the observed re-emergence of the disease. Therefore, other overwintering mechanisms that were not considered in the model are likely to have played a significant role in BTV overwintering in Germany between 2006 and 2007.
Base de données sur Internet et système d'information géographique pour appuyer Medreonet
Authors: Savini L. , Ippoliti C. , Di Lorenzo I. , Conte Anna Amaria
Published: May 2017

The main objective of Medreonet is to share and exchange data, expertise, experiences and information on bluetongue (BT), African horse sickness (AHS) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD). In this context the web-based database and geographical information system (GIS) application is the most suitable tool to provide a friendly environment that is easy to use by the different actors involved in the project. The web-based database and GIS application has been developed using ESRI software (release 9.0) (ArcIMS, ArcGIS desktop, ArcSDE), Java and Active Server Pages (ASP). Users can access the public web-GIS through a generic Internet browser and the information required (maps and data) are published by ArcIMS using web server technology. ArcSDE and an Oracle relational database management system (release 8i) (RDBMS) are used to store and manage spatial and alphanumerical data. The authorized users can input new information and data on their geographical area of competence directly online, using ASP and a web interface. The accuracy of the data entered into the information system (e.g. missing values, duplicates, incorrect data format, etc.) is guaranteed by automatic check procedures that operate dur­ing the updating of the centralized database. The database was designed to store all the epidemiological data deemed relevant by the experts and all the scientific results, when available, pro­duced during the project. In particular, the data collected cover three main sets of information which are displayed and spread through an interactive, dynamic mapping system:  – outbreak distribution, i.e. the geographical distribution of the disease by year and serotype at the regional level in the European Union (EU) and Mediterranean countries for BT, AHS, and EHD, respectively;  – serological surveillance results, i.e. geographical distribution of the true and apparent prevalence of infection based on the analyses of BT serological surveillance data;  – entomological distribution, i.e. geographical distribution of nine vector species by year and month, number of catch sites, number of catches, vector and maximum number of midges at the regional level in the EU and Mediterranean countries. Medreonet database and GIS application fulfill all the require­ments stipulated in the project; moreover the system is fully scalable and may adapt to future demands.
Le portail SIGLA – un système d'information géographique sur Internet pour le programme portugais de surveillance entomologique de la fièvre catarrhale ovine
Authors: Martins H. , Nunes T. , Boinas Fernando
Published: May 2017

Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious non-contagious disease, whose transmission is commonly associated with an intermediate arthropod host from the Culicoides genre. A BT entomologi­cal surveillance programme was implemented in Portugal in May 2005 to collect data on the abundance, and spatial and temporal distribution of several species potentially involved in the transmission of the disease. At that time a simple local alphanumerical relational database was built to record all data. Although it fulfilled the initial objectives of data management, there was an increasing need to share this information in real-time with national veterinary authorities. Moreover, sharing this data in a map-based approach was not possible without con­siderable time-consuming effort. To overcome these needs, a new web-based system with geographical information system (GIS) capabilities was designed and is currently being devel­oped exclusively using Open Source Software (Portal SIGLA). The alphanumerical component was partially migrated from the previous system, though introducing query capabilities visually supported by the use of dynamic charts further enriched it.  The geographical component is now the development core, but it already contains several tools of a standard web mapping application (zooming, panning, distance and area measure­ments, activation/deactivation of spatial layers, legend panel, graphical and numerical scale…). This enterprise-level relational database with geographical functions also makes spatial editing available through the web and thus enables technicians with no GIS expertise to create and handle easily spatial data. The system democratizes GIS technology and provides veterinary officers with real-time data sharing. It helps to gain further insight into disease dynamics and thus to contribute to more effective sani­tary control measures. Future developments are mainly related to spatial querying of data through the form of choropleth and chart maps. This will further enrich the analysis capabilities of the system.
Autres orbivirus : Mise à jour des informations sur la peste équine africaine et la maladie hémorragique épizootique en Europe et dans le bassin méditerranéen
Authors: Martinez M. , Rodriguez B. , Sanchez-Vizcaino J. M.
Published: May 2017

Orbiviruses are vector-borne pathogens that can cause notifi­able diseases in animals, such as bluetongue (BT) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer (EHD) in ruminants, or African horse sickness (AHS) in equines. The relatively recent expansion of BT in Europe to higher latitudes than expected has evidenced the need to explore the ways of introduction and exposure of other orbiviruses in Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin. AHS was successfully eradicated from Europe since the 1990s but continues to be endemic in many African countries. Of the nine AHS serotypes, two have been present in Mediterranean coun­tries: AHS-9 (1966) and AHS-4 (1987-1990). The last outbreaks (up to 2008) of AHS in Africa classified by serotype occurred in Senegal (AHS-9), Kenya (AHS-4), and Nigeria, Senegal and Ethiopia (AHS-2). EHD is caused by 10 serotypes and is notifi­able to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) since 2008. It is present in America, Australia, Asia and Africa and is known to affect wild ruminants as well as cattle. EHD has been present in cattle in North Africa (EHD-9) and the Middle East (EHD-7) since 2006. Transport of infected Culicoides from Northern Africa to Southern Europe by wind is a proved way of orbivirus introduction. Import of infected asymptomatic animals from an endemic country also happened the first time AHS was introduced in Spain. Then, certain environmental conditions such as warm temperatures can favour perpetuation of the dis­ease in animals exposed to infected vectors. The frequent con­sideration of horses as expensive leisure animals can worsen the economic and social consequences of a possible outbreak. However, nowadays there are good diagnostic techniques for AHS. Eradication can be achieved with the available polyvalent live vaccines and control measures. This is not the case for EHD, because an effective vaccine is urgently needed and there have been cross-reactions in the diagnoses between BT and EHD. European countries can prepare against other orbivirus outbreaks by prevention through educational campaigns and inactivated vaccine banks for AHS, and by further research on the possible vectors, the overwintering capacity of certain orbiviruses, the infectivity in all affected species, the identification of other pos­sible reservoirs, and the development of risk assessments and modelling.
Situation actuelle de la fièvre catarrhale ovine en Europe et dans le bassin méditerranéen
Authors: Mesman S.
Published: May 2017

In the past, only sporadic incursions of bluetongue (BT) occurred, mainly in Southern Europe. The disease showed a tendency to disappear naturally, probably because the necessary climatic, environmental and entomological conditions to ensure virus spread and persistence did not occur. The situation has how­ever changed dramatically in the last decade. Until three years ago, the disease mainly affected the Mediterranean Basin. Since fall 2006 new serotypes have emerged and the unprecedented spread of BTV-1 and BTV-8 caused outbreaks in many countries of the European Union (EU).  The EU Commission responded to the changing BT disease situ­ation by developing continuous finely-tuned EU-legislation in close cooperation with EU Member States, and by allocating funding to implement vaccination programmes in the States. EU rules on BT are highly influenced by changes in the disease situ­ation, experiences in the Member States, results of the ongoing data gathering, and research on BT disease and its vectors. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the risk assessor and produces scientific opinions and advice to provide a sound basis for European policies and legislation. Also, the EU Commission has ensured considerable financial support to the vaccination programmes that have been put in place in several Member States for the years 2007 and 2008.  Community rules on BT lay down general provisions for the control and eradication of BT, as well as detailed rules on disease control, monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on movements of susceptible animals. All BT outbreaks must be notified by EU Member States to the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS). In addition, information that has been gathered in the course of implementing BT monitoring and/or surveillance programmes must be transmitted to BT-Net system. Monthly, six-monthly and annual reports are required. Data and maps can be viewed on BT-Net:http://eubtnet.izs.it/btnet/reports/ EpidemiologicalSituation.html  The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) plays a key role in the EU decision-making process. Representatives of EU Member States meet on a monthly basis with the European Commission. Updates on the epidemiological situation of BT (and other animal diseases) are presented by the Member States (presentations are available on SANCO web­page). The EU Commission consults SCoFCAH on new proposals for an opinion after which the measure can be formally adopted in accordance with the appropriate procedure.  With the support of the Member States experts in the technical working groups and the representatives at SCoFCAH, Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 has been amended several times to respond better to the evolving disease situation. Together with appropri­ate surveillance and restrictions on animal movements, mass vaccination of all susceptible and reachable animals in the restricted zones with all available vaccines is currently the pre­ferred option as regards effective BT control.
Comparaison de pièges à Culicoides en Afrique du Sud
Authors: Venter Gert J. , Labuschagne Karien , Hermanides I. , Majatladi D. , Boikanyo S.
Published: May 2017

The primary monitoring tools for collecting Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are various models of light traps. To facilitate data comparison, four downdraught light traps were used in summer under South African conditions. These were the Onderstepoort trap [220 V, ultraviolet (UV)], the Rieb trap (12 V, UV) from France, the mini-CDC trap (6 V, UV) from the USA , and the Pirbright trap (220 V, white light) from the United Kingdom. Traps were deployed in three replicates of a 4x4 randomized Latin square design, so that treatment means were independent of any effects caused by the site or the occa­sion. Trapping was conducted during 12 nights in January 2008 (summer) and comprised 48 collections with 643,374 Culicoides midges collected. Eighteen different Culicoides species, of which only six were found in all four traps, were collected. All four traps indicated Culicoides imicola to be the most abundant species. Its abundance ranged from 91.8% (Rieb) to 95.0% (Onderstepoort). Statistically significant differences were found in the total number of Culicoides collected by each of these traps. The Onderstepoort trap (407,411) collected statistically significantly more midges than the CDC (167,794), Pirbright (39,128) or Rieb trap (32,041). Significant differences were also found between the traps in the parous rate, sex ratio and number of Culicoides midges compared to those of other insects. When comparisons were repeated in winter, when Culicoides numbers were relatively low compared to summer, the Onderstepoort trap still performed significantly better. All four traps, however, still captured Culicoides midges. In addition, the BG-sentinel mosquito trap, from Germany, was compared with the other four traps in two replicates of a 5x5 Latin square. These com­parisons, which were done in spring, showed that the number of Culicoides midges collected with the BG-sentinel was not significantly different from that collected with the CDC trap. Although the Onderstepoort trap increased monitoring sensitivity in areas where vector abundances were low, results highlighted the notion that biases in trapping methods need to be evaluated and measured.
Evaluation de la stabulation comme moyen de protection des bovins des piqûres de Culicoides, vecteurs de la fièvre catarrhale ovine
Authors: Baylis M. , Parkin H. , Kreppel K. , Carpenter Simon , Mellor P.S. , McIntyre K. Marie , Guis Hélène
Published: May 2017

Light-trap catches of Culicoides biting midges were compared inside and outside animal housing, in the presence and in the absence of cattle. A three-time replicated 4x4 Latin square design was used at four farms in Bala, North Wales, over 12 nights in May and June; the experiment was repeated in October. In the two studies, over 70,000 and over 4500 Culicoides were trapped of which 93% and 86%, respectively, belonged to C. Obsoletus complex. Across the four farms, in May and June, the presence of cattle increased catches of C. obsoletus by 2.3 times, and outside traps caught them 6.5 times more than inside traps. Similar patterns were apparent in October, but the difference between inside and outside catches was reduced. Catches were strongly correlated with minimum temperature and maximum wind speed, and these two variables explained a large amount of night-to-night variation in catch. Outside catches were reduced to a greater extent than inside catches by colder minimum tem­peratures and stronger maximum wind speeds. These conditions occurred more frequently in October than in May and June, thereby suppressing the outside catches more than the inside catches, and reducing the apparent degree of exophily of C. obsoletus in autumn. The results suggest that the risk of animals receiving bites from C. obsoletus is reduced by housing at both times of year, but the benefit would be greatest on warm, still nights when outside catches are at their greatest.
Isolation et antibiogramme de la flore bactérienne aérobie des cavités nasales de chèvres Naines d’Afrique de l’Ouest apparemment saines
Authors: Emikpe B. O. , Oyero O. G. , Akpavie S. O.
Published: May 2017

Les chèvres jouent un rôle important dans l’économie de l’élevage parce qu’elles sont une source de protéines et de revenus essentiels pour les pauvres paysans, et parce qu’elles s’adaptent à des conditions environnementales difficiles. Les études sur la flore bactérienne de l’appareil respiratoire des chèvres ont principalement porté sur les lésions pneumotiques ; peu d’études ont été réalisées sur les cavités nasales apparemment normales et peu d’antibiogrammes des organismes isolés ont été effectués. La présente étude a été menée sur 60 chèvres Naines d’Afrique de l’Ouest apparemment saines. Un écouvillon nasal a été effectué sur chaque chèvre et analysé avec les méthodes standard. La méthode de diffusion en gélose a été utilisée pour le test de sensibilité des antibiotiques. Trois cent vingt-huit isolats on été obtenus. Streptococcus spp. a été la bactérie rencontrée le plus fréquemment, suivie d’Escherichia coli et de Staphylococcus aureus. D’autres espèces ont été isolées à des taux relativement plus faibles. La présence de Mannheimia haemolytica et de Pasteurella multocida dans les cavités nasales de chèvres apparemment saines indiquerait leur rôle potentiel dans la plupart des pathologies respiratoires courantes des petits ruminants. La majorité des bactéries ont été sensibles à la streptomycine, aux quinolones (perfloxacine, ciprofloxacine et ofloxacine) et à la gentamicine, alors qu’elles ont été résistantes à la tétracycline, à l’augmentin et à l’érythromycine. Cette étude a montré la relation entre le mauvais usage ou l’abus d’antibiotiques, et la résistance aux médicaments. Il est ainsi essentiel d’informer les professionnels de santé et les chercheurs sur les antibiotiques adaptés à utiliser lors d’infections respiratoires et au cours de programmes de lutte.
Modifications hématologiques chez des poulettes infectées par Salmonella Paratyphi A
Authors: Ogunleye A. O. , Ajuwape A. T.P. , Adetosoye A. I.
Published: May 2017

Une analyse hématologique a été effectuée sur 25 poulettes infectées expérimentalement par voie orale avec 0,5 mL de 1 x 107 CFU/mL de Salmonella Paratyphi A. Quatre jours après l’infection (p.i.), les animaux ont présenté de l’apathie, un plumage ébouriffé, de la somnolence, des diarrhées vert jaunâtre, une baisse de la prise d’eau et d’aliments. Les paramètres hématologiques des volailles ont été enregistrés aux jours 7, 14 et 21 p.i. Les valeurs ont été analysées avec le test de comparaisons multiples de Duncan, avec P < 0,05. L’hématocrite a été significativement plus élevé au jour 7 que lors de la pré-infection et qu’au jour 21 p.i. Il a cependant été semblable aux jours 7 et 14 p.i. De même, les concentrations d’hémoglobine chez les volailles ont été semblables lors de la pré-infection et aux jours 14 et 21 p.i. Elles ont été significativement plus élevées au jour 7 que lors de la pré-infection et qu’au jour 21 p.i. Les indicateurs d’anémie n’ont pas révélé de différences significatives entre les valeurs pré-infection et post-infection. La période a coïncidé avec celle de la baisse de prise d’eau et d’aliments lors de l’évolution de la pathologie. Il n’y a pas eu de différences significatives dans le nombre de leucocytes total aux jours 7, 14 et 21 p.i., mais ce nombre a été significativement (P < 0,05) plus bas lors de la pré-infection qu’aux jours 7, 14 et 21 p.i. L’évolution de l’infection à Salmonella Paratyphi A dépend de la dose infectante du micro-organisme. Les poulettes n’ont pas manifesté d’anémie ; la leucocytose pouvait être attribuée à la leucocytose hétérophile, à la lymphocytose, à la monocytose et à l’éosinophilie, qui sont des indicateurs d’infection aiguë et de stress interne auxquels les poulettes ont répondu de façon satisfaisante.