1
|
Zhao Y, Fei W, Yang L, Xiang Z, Chen X, Chen Y, Hu C, Chen J, Guo A. The Establishment of a Novel γ-Interferon In Vitro Release Assay for the Differentiation of Mycobacterial Bovis-Infected and BCG-Vaccinated Cattle. Vet Sci 2024; 11:198. [PMID: 38787170 PMCID: PMC11125845 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11050198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BCG vaccination is increasingly reconsidered in the effective prevention of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). However, the primary challenge in BCG vaccination for cattle is the lack of a technique for differentiating between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA). This study aimed to establish a novel DIVA diagnostic test based on an interferon-gamma in vitro release assay (IGRA). The plasmid encoding three differential antigens (Rv3872, CFP-10, and ESAT-6) absent in BCG genes but present in virulent M. bovis was previously constructed. Thus, a recombinant protein called RCE (Rv3872, CFP-10, and ESAT-6) was expressed, and an RCE-based DIVA IGRA (RCE-IGRA) was established. The RCE concentration was optimized at 4 μg/mL by evaluating 97 cattle (74 of which were bTB-positive, and 23 were negative) using a commercial IGRA bTB diagnostic kit. Further, 84 cattle were tested in parallel with the RCE-IGRA and commercial PPD-based IGRA (PPD-IGRA), and the results showed a high correlation with a kappa value of 0.83. The study included BCG-vaccinated calves (n = 6), bTB-positive cattle (n = 6), and bTB-negative non-vaccinated calves (n = 6). After 3 months post-vaccination, PPD-IGRA generated positive results in both vaccinated and infected calves. However, RCE-IGRA developed positive results in infected calves but negative results in vaccinated calves. In conclusion, this DIVA method has broad prospects in differentiating BCG vaccination from natural infection to prevent bTB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wentao Fei
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Li Yang
- Wuhan Keqian Biology Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430206, China;
| | - Zhijie Xiang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xi Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yingyu Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Changmin Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jianguo Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Aizhen Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Y.Z.); (W.F.); (Z.X.); (X.C.); (Y.C.); (C.H.); (J.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Ruminant Bio-Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan 430070, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fromsa A, Willgert K, Srinivasan S, Mekonnen G, Bedada W, Gumi B, Lakew M, Tadesse B, Bayissa B, Sirak A, Girma Abdela M, Gebre S, Chibssa T, Veerasami M, Vordermeier HM, Bakker D, Berg S, Ameni G, Juleff N, de Jong MCM, Wood J, Conlan A, Kapur V. BCG vaccination reduces bovine tuberculosis transmission, improving prospects for elimination. Science 2024; 383:eadl3962. [PMID: 38547287 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl3962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a routinely used vaccine for protecting children against Mycobacterium tuberculosis that comprises attenuated Mycobacterium bovis. BCG can also be used to protect livestock against M. bovis; however, its effectiveness has not been quantified for this use. We performed a natural transmission experiment to directly estimate the rate of transmission to and from vaccinated and unvaccinated calves over a 1-year exposure period. The results show a higher indirect efficacy of BCG to reduce transmission from vaccinated animals that subsequently become infected [74%; 95% credible interval (CrI): 46 to 98%] compared with direct protection against infection (58%; 95% CrI: 34 to 73%) and an estimated total efficacy of 89% (95% CrI: 74 to 96%). A mechanistic transmission model of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) spread within the Ethiopian dairy sector was developed and showed how the prospects for elimination may be enabled by routine BCG vaccination of cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abebe Fromsa
- Aklilu Lemma Institutes of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Katriina Willgert
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Sreenidhi Srinivasan
- Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Global Health Initiative, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Balako Gumi
- Aklilu Lemma Institutes of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Berecha Bayissa
- Aklilu Lemma Institutes of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Musse Girma Abdela
- Aklilu Lemma Institutes of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | | | | | - Douwe Bakker
- Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Technical Consultant and Independent Researcher, Lelystad, Netherlands
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stefan Berg
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, UK
| | - Gobena Ameni
- Aklilu Lemma Institutes of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nick Juleff
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mart C M de Jong
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen UR, The Netherlands
| | - James Wood
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Conlan
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Vivek Kapur
- Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pandey A, Feuka AB, Cosgrove M, Moriarty M, Duffiney A, VerCauteren KC, Campa H, Pepin KM. Wildlife vaccination strategies for eliminating bovine tuberculosis in white-tailed deer populations. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011287. [PMID: 38175850 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens of humans and livestock also infect wildlife that can act as a reservoir and challenge disease control or elimination. Efficient and effective prioritization of research and management actions requires an understanding of the potential for new tools to improve elimination probability with feasible deployment strategies that can be implemented at scale. Wildlife vaccination is gaining interest as a tool for managing several wildlife diseases. To evaluate the effect of vaccinating white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), in combination with harvest, in reducing and eliminating bovine tuberculosis from deer populations in Michigan, we developed a mechanistic age-structured disease transmission model for bovine tuberculosis with integrated disease management. We evaluated the impact of pulse vaccination across a range of vaccine properties. Pulse vaccination was effective for reducing disease prevalence rapidly with even low (30%) to moderate (60%) vaccine coverage of the susceptible and exposed deer population and was further improved when combined with increased harvest. The impact of increased harvest depended on the relative strength of transmission modes, i.e., direct vs indirect transmission. Vaccine coverage and efficacy were the most important vaccine properties for reducing and eliminating disease from the local population. By fitting the model to the core endemic area of bovine tuberculosis in Michigan, USA, we identified feasible integrated management strategies involving vaccination and increased harvest that reduced disease prevalence in free-ranging deer. Few scenarios led to disease elimination due to the chronic nature of bovine tuberculosis. A long-term commitment to regular vaccination campaigns, and further research on increasing vaccines efficacy and uptake rate in free-ranging deer are important for disease management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aakash Pandey
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Abigail B Feuka
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Melinda Cosgrove
- Wildlife Disease Laboratory, Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Megan Moriarty
- Wildlife Disease Laboratory, Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Anthony Duffiney
- Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Okemos, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Henry Campa
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kim M Pepin
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ryan E, Breslin P, O'Keeffe J, Byrne AW, Wrigley K, Barrett D. The Irish bTB eradication programme: combining stakeholder engagement and research-driven policy to tackle bovine tuberculosis. Ir Vet J 2023; 76:32. [PMID: 37996956 PMCID: PMC10666303 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-023-00255-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A new Irish bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication strategy was launched in 2021. The strategy was formulated following extensive discussions with stakeholders, formal reviews of several aspects of the existing bTB policy and relevant inputs from the latest scientific research projects. A stakeholder discussion body, the TB Forum, had been established in 2018 and this continues under the new strategy, supported by three working groups (scientific, financial and implementation). The strategy sets out actions to address cattle-to-cattle and badger-to-cattle bTB transmission, along with actions to improve farm biosecurity and empower farmers to make their own choices to reduce bTB risk.Large scale vaccination of badgers has been rolled out under the new strategy, with over 20,000 km2 covered by the vaccination programme and 6,586 badgers captured in vaccination areas in 2021. Vaccination efforts have been complemented by intensive communications campaigns, including a web enabled software application ("app") enabling farmers to report the location of badger setts.Cattle which test inconclusive to the tuberculin skin test have been re-tested using a gamma interferon blood test since April 2021, enabling truly infected cattle to be identified more effectively due to the higher sensitivity of this test. An enhanced oversight process has been put in place for herds experiencing extended or repeat bTB breakdowns. Whole genome sequencing is being used to investigate links between breakdowns, with the results supporting operational decision making in case management.Communications, including biosecurity advice, are co-designed with stakeholders, in order to improve their effectiveness. A programme involving veterinary practitioners providing tailored biosecurity bTB advice to their clients was established in 2021 and was rolled out nationally during 2022.A core element of the new strategy is the continual improvement of policies in response to changing bTB risks, informed by scientific research and then implemented with stakeholder consultation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Ryan
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St, Dublin, 2, Ireland.
| | - Philip Breslin
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - James O'Keeffe
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - Andrew W Byrne
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - Karina Wrigley
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - Damien Barrett
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chang Y, Hartemink N, Byrne AW, Gormley E, McGrath G, Tratalos JA, Breslin P, More SJ, de Jong MCM. Inferring bovine tuberculosis transmission between cattle and badgers via the environment and risk mapping. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1233173. [PMID: 37841461 PMCID: PMC10572351 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1233173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is one of the most challenging and persistent health issues in many countries worldwide. In several countries, bTB control is complicated due to the presence of wildlife reservoirs of infection, i.e. European badger (Meles meles) in Ireland and the UK, which can transmit infection to cattle. However, a quantitative understanding of the role of cattle and badgers in bTB transmission is elusive, especially where there is spatial variation in relative density between badgers and cattle. Moreover, as these two species have infrequent direct contact, environmental transmission is likely to play a role, but the quantitative importance of the environment has not been assessed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to better understand bTB transmission between cattle and badgers via the environment in a spatially explicit context and to identify high-risk areas. We developed an environmental transmission model that incorporates both within-herd/territory transmission and between-species transmission, with the latter facilitated by badger territories overlapping with herd areas. Model parameters such as transmission rate parameters and the decay rate parameter of M. bovis were estimated by maximum likelihood estimation using infection data from badgers and cattle collected during a 4-year badger vaccination trial. Our estimation showed that the environment can play an important role in the transmission of bTB, with a half-life of M. bovis in the environment of around 177 days. Based on the estimated transmission rate parameters, we calculate the basic reproduction ratio (R) within a herd, which reveals how relative badger density dictates transmission. In addition, we simulated transmission in each small local area to generate a first between-herd R map that identifies high-risk areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You Chang
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Nienke Hartemink
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Andrew W. Byrne
- One-Health and Welfare Scientific Support Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, National Disease Control Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eamonn Gormley
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food Science, and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Guy McGrath
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jamie A. Tratalos
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Philip Breslin
- Ruminant Animal Health Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon J. More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mart C. M. de Jong
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Robertson A, Palphramand KL, McDonald RA, Middleton S, Chambers MA, Delahay RJ, Carter SP. Uptake of baits by wild badgers: Influences of deployment method, badger age and activity patterns on potential delivery of an oral vaccine. Prev Vet Med 2022; 206:105702. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
7
|
Simulating partial vaccine protection: BCG in badgers. Prev Vet Med 2022; 204:105635. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
8
|
Payne A, Ruette S, Jacquier M, Richomme C, Lesellier S, Middleton S, Duhayer J, Rossi S. Estimation of Bait Uptake by Badgers, Using Non-invasive Methods, in the Perspective of Oral Vaccination Against Bovine Tuberculosis in a French Infected Area. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:787932. [PMID: 35359678 PMCID: PMC8961513 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.787932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although France is officially declared free of bovine tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium bovis infection is still observed in several regions in cattle and wildlife, including badgers (Meles meles). In this context, vaccinating badgers should be considered as a promising strategy for the reduction in M. bovis transmission between badgers and other species, and cattle in particular. An oral vaccine consisting of live Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) contained in bait is currently under assessment for badgers, for which testing bait deployment in the field and assessing bait uptake by badgers are required. This study aimed to evaluate the bait uptake by badgers and determine the main factors influencing uptake in a TB-infected area in Burgundy, north-eastern France. The baits were delivered at 15 different setts located in the vicinity of 13 pastures within a TB-infected area, which has been subject to intense badger culling over the last decade. Pre-baits followed by baits containing a biomarker (Rhodamine B; no BCG vaccine) were delivered down sett entrances in the spring (8 days of pre-baiting and 4 days of baiting) and summer (2 days of pre-baiting and 2 days of baiting) of 2018. The consumption of the marked baits was assessed by detecting fluorescence, produced by Rhodamine B, in hair collected in hair traps positioned at the setts and on the margins of the targeted pastures. Collected hairs were also genotyped to differentiate individuals using 24 microsatellites markers and one sex marker. Bait uptake was estimated as the proportion of badgers consuming baits marked by the biomarker over all the sampled animals (individual level), per badger social group, and per targeted pasture. We found a bait uptake of 52.4% (43 marked individuals of 82 genetically identified) at the individual level and a mean of 48.9 and 50.6% at the social group and pasture levels, respectively. The bait uptake was positively associated with the presence of cubs (social group level) and negatively influenced by the intensity of previous trapping (social group and pasture levels). This study is the first conducted in France on bait deployment in a badger population of intermediate density after several years of intensive culling. The results are expected to provide valuable information toward a realistic deployment of oral vaccine baits to control TB in badger populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Payne
- Wildlife Disease Unit, French Office for Biodiversity, Orléans, France
- Groupement de Défense Sanitaire de Côte d'Or, Breteniere, France
- *Correspondence: Ariane Payne
| | - Sandrine Ruette
- French Office for Biodiversity, Predators and Alien Species Unit, Birieux, France
| | - Mickaël Jacquier
- French Office for Biodiversity, Predators and Alien Species Unit, Birieux, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, CNRS UMR5558, LBBE, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Céline Richomme
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Malzéville, France
| | - Sandrine Lesellier
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Malzéville, France
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, United Kingdom
| | - Sonya Middleton
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, United Kingdom
| | - Jeanne Duhayer
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, CNRS UMR5558, LBBE, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sophie Rossi
- Wildlife Disease Unit, French Office for Biodiversity, Orléans, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bijma P, Hulst AD, de Jong MCM. The quantitative genetics of the prevalence of infectious diseases: hidden genetic variation due to indirect genetic effects dominates heritable variation and response to selection. Genetics 2022; 220:iyab141. [PMID: 34849837 PMCID: PMC8733421 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases have profound effects on life, both in nature and agriculture. However, a quantitative genetic theory of the host population for the endemic prevalence of infectious diseases is almost entirely lacking. While several studies have demonstrated the relevance of transmission of infections for heritable variation and response to selection, current quantitative genetics ignores transmission. Thus, we lack concepts of breeding value and heritable variation for endemic prevalence, and poorly understand response of endemic prevalence to selection. Here, we integrate quantitative genetics and epidemiology, and propose a quantitative genetic theory for the basic reproduction number R0 and for the endemic prevalence of an infection. We first identify the genetic factors that determine the prevalence. Subsequently, we investigate the population-level consequences of individual genetic variation, for both R0 and the endemic prevalence. Next, we present expressions for the breeding value and heritable variation, for endemic prevalence and individual binary disease status, and show that these depend strongly on the prevalence. Results show that heritable variation for endemic prevalence is substantially greater than currently believed, and increases strongly when prevalence decreases, while heritability of disease status approaches zero. As a consequence, response of the endemic prevalence to selection for lower disease status accelerates considerably when prevalence decreases, in contrast to classical predictions. Finally, we show that most heritable variation for the endemic prevalence is hidden in indirect genetic effects, suggesting a key role for kin-group selection in the evolutionary history of current populations and for genetic improvement in animals and plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piter Bijma
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Andries D Hulst
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Mart C M de Jong
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Doeschl-Wilson A, Knap PW, Opriessnig T, More SJ. Review: Livestock disease resilience: from individual to herd level. Animal 2021; 15 Suppl 1:100286. [PMID: 34312089 PMCID: PMC8664713 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are a major threat to the sustainable production of high-producing animals. Control efforts, such as vaccination or breeding approaches often target improvements to individual resilience to infections, i.e., they strengthen an animal's ability to cope with infection, rather than preventing infection per se. There is increasing evidence for the contribution of non-clinical carriers (animals that become infected and are infectious but do not develop clinical signs) to the overall health and production of livestock populations for a wide range of infectious diseases. Therefore, we strongly advocate a shift of focus from increasing the disease resilience of individual animals to herd disease resilience as the appropriate target for sustainable disease control in livestock. Herd disease resilience not only captures the direct effects of vaccination or host genetics on the health and production performance of individuals but also the indirect effects on the environmental pathogen load that herd members are exposed to. For diseases primarily caused by infectious pathogens shed by herd members, these indirect effects on herd resilience are mediated both by individual susceptibility to infection and by characteristics (magnitude of infectiousness, duration of infectious period) that influence pathogen shedding from infected individuals. We review what is currently known about how vaccination and selective breeding affect herd disease resilience and its underlying components, and outline the changes required for improvement. To this purpose, we also seek to clarify and harmonise the terminology used in the different animal science disciplines to facilitate future collaborative approaches to infectious disease control in livestock.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Doeschl-Wilson
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK.
| | - P W Knap
- Genus-PIC, 24837 Schleswig, Germany
| | - T Opriessnig
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
| | - S J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Veterinary Science Centre Belfield, Dublin D04 W6F6, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Madden JM, McGrath G, Sweeney J, Murray G, Tratalos JA, More SJ. Spatio-temporal models of bovine tuberculosis in the Irish cattle population, 2012-2019. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2021; 39:100441. [PMID: 34774256 DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2021.100441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important zoonotic disease which has serious and sometimes fatal effects on both human and non-human animals. In many countries it is endemic in the cattle population and has a considerable economic impact through losses in productivity and impacts on trade. The incidence rate in Ireland varies by herd and location and it is hoped that statistical disease-mapping models accounting for both spatio-temporal correlation and covariates might contribute towards explaining this variation. METHODS Ireland was divided into equally sized hexagons for computational efficiency (n = 997). Different spatio-temporal random-effects models (e.g. negative binomial Besag-York-Mollié) were explored, using comprehensive data from the national bTB eradication programme to examine the association between covariates and the number of bTB cattle. Leveraging a Bayesian framework, model parameter estimates were obtained using the integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) approach. Exceedance probabilities were calculated to identify spatial clusters of cases. RESULTS Models accounting for spatial correlation significantly improved model fit in comparison to non-spatial versions where independence between regions was assumed. In our final model at hexagon level, the number of cattle (IR = 1.142, CrI: 1.108 - 1.177 per 1000), the capture of badgers (IR = 5.951, CrI: 4.482 - 7.912), percentage of forest cover (IR = 1.031, CrI: 1.020 - 1.042) and number of farm fragments (IR = 1.012, CrI: 1.009 - 1.015 per 10 fragments) were all associated with an increased incidence of bTB. Habitat suitability for badgers, percentage of dairy herds and the number of cattle movements into the herd were not. As an epidemiological tool and to suggest future work, an interactive online dashboard was developed to monitor disease progression and disseminate results to the general public. CONCLUSION Accounting for spatial correlation is an important consideration in disease mapping applications and is often ignored in statistical models examining bTB risk factors. Over time, the same regions in Ireland generally show highest incidences of bTB and allocation of more resources to these areas may be needed to combat the disease. This study highlights national bTB incidence rates. Shifting from national level analysis to smaller geographical regions may help identify localised high-risk areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie M Madden
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Guy McGrath
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James Sweeney
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Gerard Murray
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Drumshanbo Regional Veterinary Office, Derryhallagh, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitirm, Ireland
| | - Jamie A Tratalos
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
The challenge of estimating wildlife populations at scale: the case of the European badger (Meles meles) in Ireland. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01528-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEstimating population size in space and time is essential for applied ecology and wildlife management purposes; however, making accurate and precise estimates at large scales is highly challenging. An example is the European badger (Meles meles), a widespread and abundant mammal in Ireland. Due to their role in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis, the species has been culled in agriculturally dominant landscapes with the intention of reducing spillback infection to local cattle populations. Despite several studies using different approaches having estimated badger populations at different time points and scales, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the current population and its future trajectory. To explore this uncertainty, we use published data and expert opinion to estimate a snapshot of probable badger population size using a Monte Carlo approach, incorporating variation in three key components: social group numbers, group size, and culling efficacy. Using this approach, we estimate what the badger population in Ireland would be with/without culling, assuming a steady-state population at carrying capacity, and discuss the limitations of our current understanding. The mean estimate for the badger population size was 63,188 (5–95th percentile, 48,037–79,315). Population estimates were sensitive to the assumption of mean group size across landscape type. Assuming a cessation of culling (in favour of vaccination, for example) in agricultural areas, the mean estimated population size was 92,096 (5–95th percentile, 67,188–118,881). Despite significant research being conducted on badgers, estimates on population size at a national level in Ireland are only approximate, which is reflected in the large uncertainty in the estimates from this study and inconsistencies between recording of data parameters in previous studies. Focusing on carefully estimating group size, factors impacting its variation, in addition to understanding the dynamics of repopulation post-culling, could be a fruitful component to concentrate on to improve the precision of future estimates.
Collapse
|
13
|
Gormley E, Ní Bhuachalla D, Fitzsimons T, O'Keeffe J, McGrath G, Madden JM, Fogarty N, Kenny K, Messam LLM, Murphy D, Corner LAL. Protective immunity against tuberculosis in a free-living badger population vaccinated orally with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e10-e19. [PMID: 34331741 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination of badgers with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been shown to protect badgers against tuberculosis in experimental trials. During the 3-year County Kilkenny BCG vaccine field study, badgers were treated orally with placebo (100% in Zone A), BCG (100% in Zone C) or randomly assigned 50%: 50% treatment with BCG or placebo (Zone B). At the end of the study, 275 badgers were removed from the trial area and subjected to detailed post-mortem examination followed by histology and culture for M. bovis. Among these badgers, 83 (30.2%) were captured for the first time across the three zones, representing a non-treated proportion of the population. Analysis of the data based on the infection status of treated animals showed a prevalence of 52% (95% CI: 40%-63%) infection in Zone A (placebo), 39% (95% CI: 17%-64%) in Zone B (placebo) and 44% (95% CI: 20%-70%) in Zone B (BCG vaccinated) and 24% (95% CI: 14%-36%) in Zone C (BCG vaccinated). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of animals with infection involving the lung and thoracic lymph nodes, extra-thoracic infection or in the distribution and severity scores of histological lesions. Among the 83 non-treated badgers removed at the end of the study, the infection prevalence of animals in Zone A (prevalence = 46%, 95% CI: 32%-61%) and Zone B (prevalence = 44%, 95% CI: 23%-67%) was similar to the treated animals in these zones. However, in Zone C, no evidence of infection was found in any of the untreated badgers (prevalence = 0%, 95% CI: 0%-14%). This is consistent with an indirect protective effect in the non-vaccinated badgers leading to a high level of population immunity. The results suggest that BCG vaccination of badgers could be a highly effective means of reducing the incidence of tuberculosis in badger populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Gormley
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Tara Fitzsimons
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - James O'Keeffe
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Guy McGrath
- UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jamie M Madden
- UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi Fogarty
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston Co., Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin Kenny
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston Co., Kildare, Ireland
| | - Locksley L McV Messam
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Denise Murphy
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Leigh A L Corner
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Blanco Vázquez C, Barral TD, Romero B, Queipo M, Merediz I, Quirós P, Armenteros JÁ, Juste R, Domínguez L, Domínguez M, Casais R, Balseiro A. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Infection in Eurasian Badger ( Meles meles) and Cattle in Asturias, Spain. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051294. [PMID: 33946463 PMCID: PMC8147139 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The aim of the present work was to investigate the prevalence, spatial distribution, and temporal distribution of tuberculosis in 673 free-ranging Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and cattle from Asturias (Atlantic Spain) during a 13-year follow-up. The study objective was to assess the role of badgers as a reservoir of tuberculosis for cattle and other sympatric wild species in the region. During the follow-up, 27/639 badgers (4.23%) were positive for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex based on bacterial isolation, while 160/673 (23.77%) were positive based on P22 ELISA. Badger infection was spatially and temporally associated with cattle herd infection. Abstract The present work investigated the prevalence, spatial distribution, and temporal distribution of tuberculosis (TB) in free-ranging Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and cattle in Asturias (Atlantic Spain) during a 13-year follow-up. The study objective was to assess the role of badgers as a TB reservoir for cattle and other sympatric wild species in the region. Between 2008 and 2020, 673 badgers (98 trapped and 575 killed in road traffic accidents) in Asturias were necropsied, and their tissue samples were cultured for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) isolation. Serum samples were tested in an in-house indirect P22 ELISA to detect antibodies against the MTC. In parallel, data on MTC isolation and single intradermal tuberculin test results were extracted for cattle that were tested and culled as part of the Spanish National Program for the Eradication of Bovine TB. A total of 27/639 badgers (4.23%) were positive for MTC based on bacterial isolation, while 160/673 badgers (23.77%) were found to be positive with the P22 ELISA. The rate of seropositivity was higher among adult badgers than subadults. Badger TB status was spatially and temporally associated with cattle TB status. Our results cannot determine the direction of possible interspecies transmission, but they are consistent with the idea that the two hosts may exert infection pressure on each other. This study highlights the importance of the wildlife monitoring of infection and disease during epidemiological interventions in order to optimize outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Blanco Vázquez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (C.B.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Thiago Doria Barral
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40.110-100 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil;
| | - Beatriz Romero
- Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria VISAVET, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.R.); (L.D.)
| | - Manuel Queipo
- Servicio de Sanidad y Producción Animal del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain;
| | - Isabel Merediz
- Laboratorio Regional de Sanidad Animal del Principado de Asturias, 33201 Gijón, Asturias, Spain;
| | - Pablo Quirós
- Dirección General del Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (P.Q.); (J.Á.A.)
| | - José Ángel Armenteros
- Dirección General del Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; (P.Q.); (J.Á.A.)
| | - Ramón Juste
- Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain;
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria VISAVET, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.R.); (L.D.)
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Domínguez
- Unidad de Inmunología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rosa Casais
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (C.B.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Menzies FD, McCormick CM, O'Hagan MJH, Collins SF, McEwan J, McGeown CF, McHugh GE, Hart CD, Stringer LA, Molloy C, Burns G, McBride SJ, Doyle LP, Courcier EA, McBride KR, McNair J, Thompson S, Corbett DM, Harwood RG, Trimble NA. Test and vaccinate or remove: Methodology and preliminary results from a badger intervention research project. Vet Rec 2021; 189:e248. [PMID: 33870503 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the British Isles, it is generally accepted that the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) plays a role in the maintenance of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle. Non-selective culling is the main intervention method deployed in controlling bTB in badgers along with smaller scale Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination areas. This paper describes the use of selective badger culling combined with vaccination in a research intervention trial. METHODS In Northern Ireland, a 100 km2 area was subjected to a test and vaccinate or remove (TVR) badger intervention over a 5-year period. Badgers were individually identified and tested on an annual basis. Physical characteristics and clinical samples were obtained from each unique badger capture event. RESULTS A total of 824 badgers were trapped with 1520 capture/sampling events. There were no cage-related injuries to the majority of badgers (97%). A low level of badger removal was required (4.1%-16.4% annually), while 1412 BCG vaccinations were administered. A statistically significant downward trend in the proportion of test positive badgers was observed. CONCLUSION This is the first project to clearly demonstrate the feasibility of cage side testing of badgers. The results provide valuable data on the logistics and resources required to undertake a TVR approach to control Mycobacterium bovis in badgers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fraser D Menzies
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Carl M McCormick
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Maria J H O'Hagan
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Shane F Collins
- TVR Field Implementation Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Newry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Jim McEwan
- Forest Service, Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Clare F McGeown
- TVR Field Implementation Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Newry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Geraldine E McHugh
- TVR Field Implementation Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Newry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Colin D Hart
- Enzootic Diseases and Animal Welfare Division, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lesley A Stringer
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Colm Molloy
- Enzootic Diseases and Animal Welfare Division, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,Land and Property Services, Department of Finance, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Gareth Burns
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Stewart J McBride
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Liam P Doyle
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Emily A Courcier
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Kathryn R McBride
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - James McNair
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Suzan Thompson
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - David M Corbett
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Roland G Harwood
- Enzootic Diseases and Animal Welfare Division, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Nigel A Trimble
- Enzootic Diseases and Animal Welfare Division, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Arnold ME, Courcier EA, Stringer LA, McCormick CM, Pascual-Linaza AV, Collins SF, Trimble NA, Ford T, Thompson S, Corbett D, Menzies FD. A Bayesian analysis of a Test and Vaccinate or Remove study to control bovine tuberculosis in badgers (Meles meles). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246141. [PMID: 33508004 PMCID: PMC7842978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel five year Test and Vaccinate or Remove (TVR) wildlife research intervention project in badgers (Meles meles) commenced in 2014 in a 100km2 area of Northern Ireland. It aimed to increase the evidence base around badgers and bovine TB and help create well-informed and evidence-based strategies to address the issue of cattle-to-cattle spread and spread between cattle and badgers. It involved real-time trap-side testing of captured badgers and vaccinating those that tested negative for bTB (BadgerBCG-BCG Danish 1331) and removal of those that tested bTB positive using the Dual-Path Platform VetTB test (DPP) for cervids (Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Medford, NY USA). Four diagnostic tests were utilised within the study interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), culture (clinical samples and post mortem), DPP using both whole blood and DPP using serum. BCG Sofia (SL222) was used in the final two years because of supply issues with BadgerBCG. Objectives for this study were to evaluate the performance of the DPP in field conditions and whether any trend was apparent in infection prevalence over the study period. A Bayesian latent class model of diagnostic test evaluation in the absence of a gold standard was applied to the data. Temporal variation in the sensitivity of DPP and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) due to the impact of control measures was investigated using logistic regression and individual variability was assessed. Bayesian latent class analysis estimated DPP with serum to have a sensitivity of 0.58 (95% CrI: 0.40-0.76) and specificity of 0.97 (95% CrI: 0.95-0.98). The DPP with whole blood showed a higher sensitivity (0.69 (95% CrI: 0.48-0.88)) but similar specificity (0.98 (95% Crl: 0.96-0.99)). The change from BCG Danish to BCG Sofia significantly impacted on DPP serum test characteristics. In addition, there was weak evidence of increasing sensitivity of IGRA over time and differences in DPP test sensitivity between adults and cubs. An exponential decline model was an appropriate representation of the infection prevalence over the 5 years, with a starting prevalence of 14% (95% CrI: 0.10-0.20), and an annual reduction of 39.1% (95% CrI: 26.5-50.9). The resulting estimate of infection prevalence in year 5 of the study was 1.9% (95% CrI: 0.8-3.8). These results provide field evidence of a statistically significant reduction in badger TB prevalence supporting a TVR approach to badger intervention. They give confidence in the reliability and reproducibility in the DPP Whole Blood as a real time trap-side diagnostic test for badgers, and describe the effect of vaccination and reduced infection prevalence on test characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Arnold
- Animal and Plant Health Agency Sutton Bonington, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, England
| | - Emily A. Courcier
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Lesley A. Stringer
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Carl M. McCormick
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Ana V. Pascual-Linaza
- Animal and Plant Health Agency Sutton Bonington, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, England
| | - Shane F. Collins
- TVR Field Implementation Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Newry, Northern Ireland
| | - Nigel A. Trimble
- TVR Field Implementation Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Newry, Northern Ireland
| | - Tom Ford
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Suzan Thompson
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - David Corbett
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Fraser D. Menzies
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Smith F, Robertson A, Smith GC, Gill P, McDonald RA, Wilson G, Delahay RJ. Estimating wildlife vaccination coverage using genetic methods. Prev Vet Med 2020; 183:105096. [PMID: 32907707 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is a useful approach for the control of disease in wildlife populations. However, its effectiveness is dependent in part on delivery to a sufficient proportion of the target population. Measuring the proportions of wild animal populations that have been vaccinated is challenging and so there is a need to develop robust approaches that can contribute to our understanding of the likely efficacy of wildlife vaccination campaigns. We used a modified capture mark recapture technique to estimate vaccine coverage in a wild population of European badgers (Meles meles) vaccinated by live-trapping and injecting with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin as part of a bovine tuberculosis control initiative in Wales, United Kingdom. Our approach used genetic matching of vaccinated animals to a sample of the wider population to estimate the percentage of badgers that had been vaccinated. Individual-specific genetic profiles were obtained using microsatellite genotyping of hair samples, which were collected directly from trapped and vaccinated badgers and non-invasively from the wider population using hair traps deployed at badger burrows (setts). With two nights of trapping at each sett in an annual campaign, an estimated 50 % (95 % confidence interval 40-60 %) of the badger population received at least one dose of vaccine in a single year. Using a simple population model this suggested that the proportion of the population that would have received at least one dose of vaccine over the course of the four year vaccination campaign was between 67 % and 83 %. This is the first attempt, outside of field trials, to quantify the level of vaccine coverage achieved by trapping and injecting badgers, which is currently the only option for delivering BCG vaccine to this species. The results therefore have specific application to bTB control policy and the novel approach may have wider value in wildlife management and research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Freya Smith
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, GL10 3UJ, UK.
| | - Andrew Robertson
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, GL10 3UJ, UK; Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Graham C Smith
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, GL10 3UJ, UK
| | - Peter Gill
- Forensic Genetics Research Group, Oslo University Hospital and Also Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Gavin Wilson
- RSK Biocensus Limited, Suites 1-3 Bank House, Bond's Mill, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 3RF, UK
| | - Richard J Delahay
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, GL10 3UJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Balseiro A, Thomas J, Gortázar C, Risalde MA. Development and Challenges in Animal Tuberculosis Vaccination. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060472. [PMID: 32549360 PMCID: PMC7350370 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) constituted a major advance in the prevention of human tuberculosis (TB) in the beginning of the past century. BCG has also a clear potential for use in animals and, in particular, in the main domestic species subjected to TB control programs, cattle. Nowadays, the use of BCG vaccination against TB in cattle is not permitted by European Union legislation because BCG can induce a cellular immune response producing diagnostic interference in the eradication programs based on tuberculin single and comparative intradermal tests imposed worldwide. In this review we recall the history of TB vaccination as well as different vaccine trials and the response to vaccination in both domestic and wild animals. Promising potential inactivated vaccines are also reviewed. Research studies are mainly focused to improve vaccine efficacy, and at the same time to ensure its easy administration, safety and stability in the environment. Great challenges remain, particularly in terms of vaccine candidates and also in the acceptance of vaccination. Vaccination should be included in a strategic plan for integrated control of TB under a "one health" perspective, which also includes other measures such as improved biosafety on farms to avoid or decrease contact between domestic and wild animals or control of wildlife reservoirs to avoid overabundance that may favor infection maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-98-729-1331
| | - Jobin Thomas
- SaBio-Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Universidad de Castilla-la Mancha (UCLM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; (J.T.); (C.G.)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio-Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Universidad de Castilla-la Mancha (UCLM), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; (J.T.); (C.G.)
| | - María A. Risalde
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), 14014 Córdoba, Spain;
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Benton CH, Phoenix J, Smith FAP, Robertson A, McDonald RA, Wilson G, Delahay RJ. Badger vaccination in England: Progress, operational effectiveness and participant motivations. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Clare H. Benton
- Animal & Plant Health Agency National Wildlife Management Centre Stonehouse UK
| | - Jess Phoenix
- Centre for Science Studies, Sociology Lancaster University Lancaster UK
| | - Freya A. P. Smith
- Animal & Plant Health Agency National Wildlife Management Centre Stonehouse UK
| | - Andrew Robertson
- Animal & Plant Health Agency National Wildlife Management Centre Stonehouse UK
- Environment & Sustainability Institute University of Exeter Penryn UK
| | | | - Gavin Wilson
- Animal & Plant Health Agency National Wildlife Management Centre Stonehouse UK
| | - Richard J. Delahay
- Animal & Plant Health Agency National Wildlife Management Centre Stonehouse UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Martin SW, O'Keeffe J, Byrne AW, Rosen LE, White PW, McGrath G. Is moving from targeted culling to BCG-vaccination of badgers (Meles meles) associated with an unacceptable increased incidence of cattle herd tuberculosis in the Republic of Ireland? A practical non-inferiority wildlife intervention study in the Republic of Ireland (2011-2017). Prev Vet Med 2020; 179:105004. [PMID: 32361147 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) remains as a costly disease of cattle-herds in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). This persistence is partially attributable to the presence of M. bovis infection in a wildlife reservoir, the European badger (Meles meles). Thus, both area-wide and limited-area targeted-badger-culling have been part of the ROI-BTB control/eradication program to help reduce the future incidence of a cattle-herd BTB breakdown (i.e. a "new herd-level occurrence of BTB"). However, neither badger-culling practice can be sustained as a major component in the ongoing BTB eradication program in the ROI. Vaccination of badgers with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been proposed as an alternative to badger culling. Thus, in 2011, a five-year non-inferiority study was implemented in seven counties in the ROI. This study was designed to compare and contrast the cattle-herd-BTB-incidence in areas where intramuscular badger vaccination would be implemented versus the cattle-herd-BTB-incidence in the remaining area of the same county where targeted-badger-culling was maintained as the standard treatment response to probable badger-sourced BTB breakdowns. Our outcome of interest was a new cattle-herd-BTB-episode (breakdown) with a total of >2 standard skin-test (SICTT) reactors detected during the episode. Treatments (badger vaccination or targeted badger culling) were cluster allocated based on where the majority of the herd owner's land was located. To assess the impact of the two treatments, we compared the incidence-risk, of our defined outcome, for cattle herds in the area under vaccination to the outcome incidence-risk for cattle herds in the remainder of the same county after 4 and 5 years of having implemented badger vaccination. A random-effects logit model with adjustment for clustering by treatment, and statistical control of herd-type, herd-size and five-year prior-BTB-episode history was used for our analyses. Although not included in the logistic model, a relative badger density metric based on the annual number of badgers captured-per-sett-night of capturing effort was developed for each treatment area; this metric indicated that relative badger density was approximately 40 % higher in vaccination areas than in the targeted badger-culling areas during our study. Overall, our study results indicated that vaccination was not inferior to targeted badger-culling in four counties and badger vaccination was deemed to produce ambivalent results in one (County Cork North) of the seven study sites in the ROI. A post-study investigation, in County Galway, where vaccination was deemed inferior to target culling, revealed that widespread purchases of cattle from a nearby cattle mart, by herd owners in the vaccination-area, was associated with the increased herd and vaccination-area risk of BTB. No single "biasing hypothesis" was evident for the apparent vaccine inferiority in the second study site (County Monaghan) where vaccination was deemed inferior to targeted culling; hence no further investigations were conducted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S W Martin
- Department of Population Medicine, Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G2W1 Canada.
| | - J O'Keeffe
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St., Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - A W Byrne
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St., Dublin 2, Ireland; Veterinary Science Division, Bacteriology Branch, Agri-Food and Bio-Science Institute, Stormont, Stoney Road, Belfast. BT4 35D, UK; School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - L E Rosen
- Transboundary Epidemiology Analytics, LLC, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521 USA
| | - P W White
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St., Dublin 2, Ireland; UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - G McGrath
- UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
More SJ. Perspectives From the Science-Policy Interface in Animal Health and Welfare. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:382. [PMID: 31788481 PMCID: PMC6856208 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present scientific perspectives from the science-policy interface in animal health and welfare, with an emphasis on factors critical to scientific effectiveness. While there is broad acceptance of the value of scientific information to inform policy-making, interactions at the science-policy interface are not without difficulties. The literature highlights the need for scientists to build policy relevance to the research focus from the outset, to engage with policy-makers and other stakeholders throughout, to use platforms to facilitate science-policy dialogue, and to disseminate research findings appropriately. In the author's experience, there are a range of factors linked with effectiveness at the science-policy interface in animal health and welfare including a passion for public interest research, scientific independence, a commitment to scientific quality and openness, the opportunities afforded from partnership and collaboration, and an interest in strategic thinking and systems change. In an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, an objective evidence base for policy decision-making is more important than ever. There is a need for particular attention to the value of collaboration between the natural and social sciences, a recognition among scientists and policy-makers that science is not value-free, the importance of effective communications, and the need to assess and communicate uncertainty. Further, there are particular challenges with science conducted in support of policy development for industry. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate and contribute to discussion and debate, both among scientists and between scientists and policy-makers, to increase scientific effectiveness at the science-policy interface in animal health and welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon J More
- UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
More SJ. Can bovine TB be eradicated from the Republic of Ireland? Could this be achieved by 2030? Ir Vet J 2019; 72:3. [PMID: 31057791 PMCID: PMC6485114 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-019-0140-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There has been an ongoing decline in bovine tuberculosis (TB) in the Republic of Ireland, however, TB has yet to be eradicated. Further to a recent commitment by the Irish government to eradicate TB by 2030, this paper considers two questions, ‘Can bovine TB be eradicated from the Republic of Ireland?’ and ‘Could this be achieved by 2030?’, given current knowledge from research. Main body of the abstract Until very recently, Ireland has lacked key tools required for eradication. This gap has substantially been filled with the national roll-out of badger vaccination. Nonetheless, there is robust evidence, drawn from general national research, international experiences, and results of a recent modelling study, to suggest that all current strategies plus badger vaccination will not be sufficient to successfully eradicate TB from Ireland by 2030. We face a critical decision point in the programme, specifically the scope and intensity of control measures from this point forward. Adequate information is available, both from research and international experience, to indicate that these additional measures should broadly focus on adequately addressing TB risks from wildlife, implementing additional risk-based cattle controls, and enhancing industry engagement. These three areas are considered in some detail. Conclusion Based on current knowledge, it will not be possible to eradicate TB by 2030 with current control strategies plus national badger vaccination. Additional measures will be needed if Ireland is to eradicate TB within a reasonable time frame. Decisions made now will have long-term implications both in terms of time-to-eradication and cumulative programme costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6 Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Infantes-Lorenzo JA, Dave D, Moreno I, Anderson P, Lesellier S, Gormley E, Dominguez L, Balseiro A, Gortázar C, Dominguez M, Salguero FJ. New serological platform for detecting antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in European badgers. Vet Med Sci 2019; 5:61-69. [PMID: 30656864 PMCID: PMC6376137 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
European badgers (Meles meles) have been identified as wildlife reservoirs for Mycobacterium bovis in the UK and Ireland, and may also have a role in the epidemiology of animal tuberculosis in other European regions. Thus, detection of M. bovis‐infected badgers may be required for the purposes of surveillance and monitoring of disease levels in infected populations. Current serological assays to detect M. bovis infection in live badgers, while rapid and inexpensive, show limited diagnostic sensitivity. Here we describe and evaluate new ELISA platforms for the recognition of the P22 multiprotein complex derived from the purified protein derivative (PPD) of M. bovis. The recognition of IgG against P22 multiprotein complex derived from PPD‐B was tested by ELISA in the serum of badgers from the UK, Ireland and Spain. TB infection in the badgers was indicated by the presence of M. bovis in tissues by culture and histology at post‐mortem examination and TB‐free status was established by repeated negativity in the interferon γ release assay (IGRA). In experimentally infected badgers, humoral antibody responses against P22 developed within 45 days post‐infection. The ELISA tests showed estimated sensitivity levels of 74–82% in experimentally and naturally infected badgers with specificities ranging from 75% to 100% depending on the badger population tested. The P22 multi‐antigen based ELISAs provide a sensitive and specific test platform for improved tuberculosis surveillance in badgers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dipesh Dave
- Bacteriology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - Immaculada Moreno
- Unidad de Inmunología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul Anderson
- Bacteriology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - Sandrine Lesellier
- Bacteriology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - Eamonn Gormley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lucas Dominguez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Deva-Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mercedes Dominguez
- Unidad de Inmunología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Salguero
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
More SJ, Houtsma E, Doyle L, McGrath G, Clegg TA, de la Rua-Domenech R, Duignan A, Blissitt MJ, Dunlop M, Schroeder PG, Pike R, Upton P. Further description of bovine tuberculosis trends in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, 2003-2015. Vet Rec 2018; 183:717. [PMID: 30487295 PMCID: PMC6312888 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Extending on earlier work, trends in bovine tuberculosis (bTB) from 2003 to 2015 are described for the countries of the UK and the Republic of Ireland using standardised definitions and measures. Based on measures of animal and herd incidence, there remains a stable situation of extremely low prevalence in Scotland and the Low Risk Area of England, and a higher but ongoing reduction in prevalence in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, there has been a rising bTB trend during 2010–2015, although not to levels experienced during 2002–2004. In the High Risk Area and Edge Area of England during 2010–2015, the rising bTB trends have continued but with some recent evidence of stabilisation. In Wales, prevalence has fallen subsequent to a peak in 2008. The paper considers country-level differences in the light of key policy changes, which are presented in detail. This work is unique, and will assist policymakers when critically evaluating policy options for effective control and eradication. Ongoing updates of this analysis would be useful, providing an evidence base for country-level comparison of bTB trends into the future. The use of multivariable analytical methods should be considered, but will rely on substantial sharing of raw data across the five countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Erik Houtsma
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Liam Doyle
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Guy McGrath
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tracy A Clegg
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ricardo de la Rua-Domenech
- Advice Services Team, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Bovine Tuberculosis Programme, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London, England
| | - Anthony Duignan
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Backweston, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Martyn J Blissitt
- Veterinary and Science Team, Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate Scottish Government, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Mervyn Dunlop
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Paul G Schroeder
- Wales Bovine TB Epidemiology Team, APHA Wales, Carmarthen, Wales
| | - Ryan Pike
- TB Team, Welsh Government, Cardiff, Wales
| | - Paul Upton
- Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, England
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Byrne AW, O'Keeffe J, Buesching CD, Newman C. Push and pull factors driving movement in a social mammal: context dependent behavioral plasticity at the landscape scale. Curr Zool 2018; 65:517-525. [PMID: 31616482 PMCID: PMC6784507 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how key parameters (e.g., density, range-size, and configuration) can affect animal movement remains a major goal of population ecology. This is particularly important for wildlife disease hosts, such as the European badger Meles meles, a reservoir of Mycobacterium bovis. Here we show how movements of 463 individuals among 223 inferred group territories across 755 km2 in Ireland were affected by sex, age, past-movement history, group composition, and group size index from 2009 to 2012. Females exhibited a greater probability of moving into groups with a male-biased composition, but male movements into groups were not associated with group composition. Male badgers were, however, more likely to make visits into territories than females. Animals that had immigrated into a territory previously were more likely to emigrate in the future. Animals exhibiting such “itinerant” movement patterns were more likely to belong to younger age classes. Inter-territorial movement propensity was negatively associated with group size, indicating that larger groups were more stable and less attractive (or permeable) to immigrants. Across the landscape, there was substantial variation in inferred territory-size and movement dynamics, which was related to group size. This represents behavioral plasticity previously only reported at the scale of the species’ biogeographical range. Our results highlight how a “one-size-fits-all” explanation of badger movement is likely to fail under varying ecological contexts and scales, with implications for bovine tuberculosis management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Byrne
- Agri-food and Biosciences Institute, Veterinary Science Division, Stormont, Belfast, UK.,School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.,Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James O'Keeffe
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Christina D Buesching
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Chris Newman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Smith GC, Delahay RJ. Modeling as a Decision Support Tool for Bovine TB Control Programs in Wildlife. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:276. [PMID: 30460248 PMCID: PMC6232866 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Computer modeling has a long history of association with epidemiology, and has improved our understanding of the theory of disease dynamics and provided insights into wildlife disease management. A summary of badger bovine TB models and their role in decision making is presented, from a simple initial SEI model, to SEIR (inclusion of a recovered category) and SEI1I2 (inclusion of two stages of disease progression) variants, and subsequent spatially-explicit individual-based models used to assess historical badger management strategies. The integration of cattle into TB models allowed comparison of the predicted impacts of different badger management strategies on cattle herd breakdown rates, and provided an economic dimension to the outputs. Estimates of R0 for bovine TB in cattle and badgers are little higher than unity implying that the disease should be relatively easy to control, which is at odds with practical experience. A cohort of recent models have suggested that combined strategies, involving management of both host species and including vaccination may be most effective. Future models of badger vaccination will need to accommodate the partial protection from infection and likely duration of immunity conferred by the currently available vaccine (BCG). Descriptions of how models could better represent the ecological and epidemiological complexities of the badger-cattle TB system are presented, along with a wider discussion of the utility of modeling for bovine TB management interventions. This includes consideration of the information required to maximize the utility of the next generation of models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graham C Smith
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Delahay
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Buddle BM, Vordermeier HM, Chambers MA, de Klerk-Lorist LM. Efficacy and Safety of BCG Vaccine for Control of Tuberculosis in Domestic Livestock and Wildlife. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:259. [PMID: 30417002 PMCID: PMC6214331 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) continues to be an intractable problem in many countries, particularly where "test and slaughter" policies cannot be implemented or where wildlife reservoirs of Mycobacterium bovis infection serve as a recurrent source of infection for domestic livestock. Alternative control measures are urgently required and vaccination is a promising option. Although the M. bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been used in humans for nearly a century, its use in animals has been limited, principally as protection against TB has been incomplete and vaccination may result in animals reacting in the tuberculin skin test. Valuable insights have been gained over the past 25 years to optimise protection induced by BCG vaccine in animals and in the development of tests to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). This review examines factors affecting the efficacy of BCG vaccine in cattle, recent field trials, use of DIVA tests and the effectiveness of BCG vaccine in other domestic livestock as well as in wildlife. Oral delivery of BCG vaccine to wildlife reservoirs of infection such as European badgers, brushtail possums, wild boar, and deer has been shown to induce protection against TB and could prove to be a practical means to vaccinate these species at scale. Testing of BCG vaccine in a wide range of animal species has indicated that it is safe and vaccination has the potential to be a valuable tool to assist in the control of TB in both domestic livestock and wildlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryce M Buddle
- AgResearch, Hopkirk Research Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Mark A Chambers
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist
- Veterinary Wildlife Services, Kruger National Park, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Stedman A, Maluquer de Motes C, Lesellier S, Dalley D, Chambers M, Gutierrez-Merino J. Lactic acid Bacteria isolated from European badgers (Meles meles) reduce the viability and survival of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine and influence the immune response to BCG in a human macrophage model. BMC Microbiol 2018; 18:74. [PMID: 30005620 PMCID: PMC6044090 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-018-1210-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis is the most serious endemic disease affecting livestock in the UK. The European badger (Meles meles) is the most important wildlife reservoir of bTB transmission to cattle, making eradication particularly difficult. In this respect, oral vaccination with the attenuated M. bovis vaccine Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) has been suggested as a wide-scale intervention to reduce bTB infection in badgers. However, experimental studies show variable protection. Among the possibilities for this variation is that the resident gut bacteria may influence the success of oral vaccination in badgers; either through competitive exclusion and/or inhibition, or via effects on the host immune system. In order to explore this possibility, we have tested whether typical gut commensals such as Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) have the capacity to impact on the viability and survival rate of BCG and to modulate the immune response to BCG using an in vitro model. Results Twelve LAB isolated from badger faeces displayed inhibitory activity to BCG that was species-dependent. Weissella had a bacteriostatic effect, whereas isolates of enterococci, lactobacilli and pediococci had a more bactericidal activity. Furthermore, BCG-induced activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in human THP-1 macrophages was modulated by LAB in a strain-dependent manner. Most pediococci enhanced NF-κB activation but one strain had the opposite effect. Interestingly, isolates of enterococci, lactobacilli and weissella had different effects as immunomodulators of BCG-induced macrophage responses as some had no significant influence on NF-κB activation, but others increased it significantly. Conclusions Our in vitro results show that LAB isolated from badgers exhibit significant inhibitory activity against BCG and influence the immune activation mediated by BCG in a human macrophage assay. These findings suggest that gut commensal bacteria could play a role in influencing the outcome of oral BCG vaccination. Inactivated cells of LAB, or LAB that are bacteriostatic but have a synergistic immunostimulatory effect with BCG, could be potential adjuvants to be used for oral vaccination in badgers. Further work is needed to take into account the complex nature of the gut microbiome, specific immunity of the badger and the in vivo context. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-018-1210-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stedman
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK.,The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | | | - Sandrine Lesellier
- Bacteriology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Deanna Dalley
- Bacteriology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Mark Chambers
- Bacteriology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, KT15 3NB, UK.,School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7AL, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Performativity and a microbe: Exploring Mycobacterium bovis and the political ecologies of bovine tuberculosis. BIOSOCIETIES 2018; 14:179-204. [PMID: 32226469 PMCID: PMC7100403 DOI: 10.1057/s41292-018-0124-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium bovis, the bacterium responsible for causing bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle, displays what I call ‘microbial performativity’. Like many other lively disease-causing microorganisms, it has an agency which is difficult to contain, and there is a need for fresh thinking on the challenges of dealing with this slippery and indeterminate microbe. As a practising veterinary scientist who side-stepped mid-career into a parallel training in the social sciences to view bTB from an alternative perspective, I create an interdisciplinary coming-together where veterinary science converges with a political ecology of (animal) health influenced by science and technology studies (STS) and social science and humanities scholarship on performativity. This suitably hybridized nexus creates a place to consider the ecologies of a pathogen which could be considered as life out of control. I consider what this means for efforts to eradicate this disease through combining understandings from the published scientific literature with qualitative interview-based fieldwork with farmers, veterinarians and others involved in the statutory bTB eradication programme in a high incidence region of the UK. This study demonstrates the value of life scientists turning to the social sciences to re-view their familiar professional habitus—challenging assumptions, and offering alternative perspectives on complex problems.
Collapse
|
30
|
Gormley E, Corner LAL. Pathogenesis of Mycobacterium bovis Infection: the Badger Model As a Paradigm for Understanding Tuberculosis in Animals. Front Vet Sci 2018; 4:247. [PMID: 29379792 PMCID: PMC5775213 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis in animals is caused principally by infection with Mycobacterium bovis and the potential for transmission of infection to humans is often the fundamental driver for surveillance of disease in livestock and wild animals. However, with such a vast array of species susceptible to infection, it is often extremely difficult to gain a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of infection--a key component of the epidemiology in all affected species. This is important because the development of disease control strategies in animals is determined chiefly by an understanding of the epidemiology of the disease. The most revealing data from which to formulate theories on pathogenesis are that observed in susceptible hosts infected by natural transmission. These data are gathered from detailed studies of the distribution of gross and histological lesions, and the presence and distribution of infection as determined by highly sensitive bacteriology procedures. The information can also be used to establish the baseline for evaluating experimental model systems. The European badger (Meles meles) is one of a very small number of wild animal hosts where detailed knowledge of the pathogenesis of M. bovis infection has been generated from observations in natural-infected animals. By drawing parallels from other animal species, an experimental badger infection model has also been established where infection of the lower respiratory tract mimics infection and the disease observed in natural-infected badgers. This has facilitated the development of diagnostic tests and testing of vaccines that have the potential to control the disease in badgers. In this review, we highlight the fundamental principles of how detailed knowledge of pathogenesis can be used to evaluate specific intervention strategies, and how the badger model may be a paradigm for understanding pathogenesis of tuberculosis in any affected wild animal species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Gormley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Leigh A L Corner
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|