Sheep In Scotland Research Articles

Babesiosis and louping ill cause deaths among cattle and sheep in Scotland.

Babesiosis and louping ill cause deaths among cattle and sheep in Scotland.

Identifying Environmental Risk Factors for Louping Ill Virus Seroprevalence in Sheep and the Potential to Inform Wildlife Management Policy.

Identifying the risk factors for disease is crucial for developing policy and strategies for controlling exposure to pathogens. However, this is often challenging, especially in complex disease systems, such as vector-borne diseases with multiple hosts and other environmental drivers. Here we combine seroprevalence data with GIS-based environmental variables to identify the environmental risk factors associated with an endemic tick-borne pathogen—louping ill virus—in sheep in Scotland. Higher seroprevalences were associated with (i) upland/moorland habitats, in accordance with what we predicted from the habitat preferences of alternative LIV transmission hosts (such as red grouse), (ii) areas of higher deer density, which supports predictions from previous theoretical models, since deer are the key Ixodes ricinus tick reproduction host in this system, and (iii) a warmer climate, concurring with our current knowledge of how temperature affects tick activity and development rates. The implications for policy include adopting increased disease management and awareness in high risk habitats and in the presence of alternative LIV hosts (e.g., grouse) and tick hosts (especially deer). These results can also inform deer management policy, especially where there may be conflict between contrasting upland management objectives, for example, revenue from deer hunting vs. sheep farmers.

Streptococcus caledonicus sp. nov., isolated from sheep.

Five strains of an unidentified Gram-positive, catalase-negative, chain-forming coccus-shaped organism recovered from sheep in Scotland were characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Based on morphological and biochemical criteria, the strains were tentatively identified as streptococci but they did not appear to correspond to any recognised species of the genus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the strains were highly related to each other and confirmed their placement in the genus Streptococcus, with a maximum nucleotide identity of around 97 % to extant species. Best matches were with Streptococcus hillyeri followed by Streptococcus porci. Average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values determined from whole-genome sequence were also consistent with the group representing a novel species. Best matches, again seen to S. hillyeri, followed by S. porci and S. plurextorum, were below accepted cut-off values for species delineation. Based on biochemical criteria and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown isolates from sheep be assigned to a new species of the genus Streptococcus as Streptococcus caledonicus sp. nov. The type strain of Streptococcus caledonicus is S784/96/1T=CCUG 73951T=NCTC 14363T.

Increase in diagnoses of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma in sheep in Scotland.

Increase in diagnoses of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma in sheep in Scotland.

Amy DeJong & Maya Warren

“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” says Amy DeJong about the reality TV program “ The Amazing Race.” DeJong and fellow University of Wisconsin, Madison, food science graduate student Maya Warren competed in the race earlier this year. The show, now in its 25th season, pits 11 two-member teams against each other as they follow clues and confront a series of challenges that take place across the globe. The winning team gets $1 million. The show is airing episodes from DeJong and Warren’s race now. As of C&EN press time, the team had weathered the first three sets of challenges, which included finding a treasure chest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, stepping through the drills of British palace guards in England, and herding sheep in Scotland. A longtime fan of the show, Warren instigated the food science duo’s participation in the race. She got her bachelor’s degree in chemistry ...

Identification of the rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, in GB livestock: possible implications for liver fluke diagnosis

The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is common in many parts of Great Britain. To detect liver fluke infection and to assess whether fasciolicide treatment has been successful, the faecal egg count (FEC) and faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) are widely used. Rumen fluke is also increasingly reported from Great Britain, but its species identity is yet to be determined. Liver fluke and rumen fluke eggs are morphologically similar, which may lead to erroneous diagnoses of liver fluke infection or treatment failure. As an alternative to FEC, a coproantigen ELISA (cELISA) can be used. The potential for this test to cross-react with rumen fluke species from Great Britain has not been evaluated. Rumen fluke specimens from cattle and sheep in Scotland were identified to species level using DNA sequencing of the ITS-2 region. Subsequently, rumen and liver fluke obtained from naturally co-infected sheep were subjected to immunohistochemistry using antibodies from a commercially available cELISA kit for F. hepatica. Finally, faecal samples from naturally co-infected sheep flocks were examined by FEC and cELISA. Rumen fluke from imported and home-bred cattle and sheep in Scotland belonged to the species Calicophoron daubneyi, rather than Paramphistomum cervi, the species presumed to be most common in Great Britain. Intense staining of the gastrodermis was observed in F. hepatica but cross-reactivity with C. daubneyi was not seen. Faecal samples that contained rumen fluke eggs but not liver fluke eggs were all negative by cELISA. We conclude that C. daubneyi is the most common rumen fluke of domestic ruminants in Scotland and that cELISA reduction testing may be a valuable alternative to FECRT in herds or flocks that are co-infected with liver and rumen fluke.

Complete Genome Sequences of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Strains 3/99-5 and 42/02-A, Isolated from Sheep in Scotland and Australia, Respectively

Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of two ovine-pathogenic Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis isolates: strain 3/99-5, which represents the first C. pseudotuberculosis genome originating from the United Kingdom, and 42/02-A, the second from Australia. These genome sequences will contribute to the objective of determining the global pan-genome of this bacterium.

Increase in the prevalence of Johne's disease in sheep in Scotland

Increased prevalence of Johne's disease in sheep; abomasal damage in young cattle due to ostertagiosis; parasitic gastroenteritis in young sheep due to Nematodirus, Teladorsagia and Chabertia species; Streptococcus suis serotype 2 associated with a range of clinical signs in pigs; respiratory cryptosporidiosis confirmed in wild red grouse. These are among matters discussed in the disease surveillance report for October 2010 from SAC Consulting: Veterinary Services (SAC C VS).

Fasciolosis becoming more prevalent in cattle and sheep in Scotland

Review of bovine and ovine fasciolosis, 1993 to 2009Deaths of dairy cows due to suspected blue-green algae toxicityParasitic bronchitis commonly seen in young cattleEnteric pathology in pigs including spirochaetal colitis...

Atypical scrapie in a sheep in Scotland

Veterinary RecordVolume 162, Issue 16 p. 518-519 Short Communication Atypical scrapie in a sheep in Scotland M. P. Dagleish BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS, M. P. Dagleish BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorS. M. Rodger BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, S. M. Rodger BVMS, PhD, MRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorM. M. Simmons BVMS, MVM, PhD, MRCVS, M. M. Simmons BVMS, MVM, PhD, MRCVS Veterinary Laboratories Agency — Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Finlayson HNC, J. Finlayson HNC Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorD. Buxton BVM&S, PhD, DipEVPC, FRCPath, FRCVS, D. Buxton BVM&S, PhD, DipEVPC, FRCPath, FRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorF. Chianini DVM, PhD, MRCVS, F. Chianini DVM, PhD, MRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this author M. P. Dagleish BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS, M. P. Dagleish BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorS. M. Rodger BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, S. M. Rodger BVMS, PhD, MRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorM. M. Simmons BVMS, MVM, PhD, MRCVS, M. M. Simmons BVMS, MVM, PhD, MRCVS Veterinary Laboratories Agency — Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Finlayson HNC, J. Finlayson HNC Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorD. Buxton BVM&S, PhD, DipEVPC, FRCPath, FRCVS, D. Buxton BVM&S, PhD, DipEVPC, FRCPath, FRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this authorF. Chianini DVM, PhD, MRCVS, F. Chianini DVM, PhD, MRCVS Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZSearch for more papers by this author First published: 19 April 2008 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.162.16.518Citations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume162, Issue16April 2008Pages 518-519 RelatedInformation

Increase in chronic fasciolosis in sheep in Scotland

Twenty‐one outbreaks of chronic fasciolosis diagnosed in sheep compared with only three outbreaks in December 2006. Only one outbreak of acute fasciolosis recorded Seasonal increase in outbreaks of bovine respiratory disease Evidence of an upward trend in the diagnosis of louping ill in Scottish sheep flocks over the past 15 years Eight per cent of twin‐bearing ewes in an early lambing flock abort and die in an outbreak of salmonellosis due to Salmonella Derby infection Pneumonic aspergillosis diagnosed as cause of death of six Bewick's swans (Cygnus columbianus) in East Lothian Acute fasciolosis diagnosed in an 18‐month‐old alpaca — These are among matters discussed in the disease surveillance report for December 2007 from Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Services (sac vs)

Distribution of a naturally fluctuating ungulate population among heterogeneous plant communities: ideal and free?

1. Herbivore distribution is often assumed to follow the ideal free distribution (IFD) model. This assumes that organisms are omniscient about forage quality and availability within the area available to them and are free to move, with negligible cost, throughout this environment. If this were the case we would expect that, at lowest densities, all animals would be found in the best habitat patches, with less desirable habitats being occupied stepwise as population density increases. We test this using data from a naturally fluctuating population of feral Soay sheep. 2. We show that, although the distribution of individuals is correlated positively with food quality, in line with patterns reported for hill sheep in Scotland, their distribution does not conform to the predictions of the IFD model. We argue that it is the dynamic nature of their food resource that causes this departure from the predictions of the IFD model and make the case that the IFD model, in its unmodified form, is inappropriate for use in modelling distribution among patches containing dynamic resources.

Photosensitisation associated with copper poisoning in sheep in Scotland

Photosensitisation associated with copper poisoning in sheep White muscle disease in recently turned out cattle Abortion in a dairy herd associated with bovine herpesvirus type 1 Increased incidence of coccidiosis in spring‐born suckler calves Nematodirus battus infection common in growing lambs — These are among matters discussed in the disease surveillance report for May from Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Services (sac vs).

Women's Health in the Global Village

As we stand at the beginning of the 21st century and behold the world before us, it seems that we are living in a time of profound change. Everywhere we look change seems afoot, demolishing our traditional securities and hastily building new ones in their place. Modern medical science has been an integral part of this change. It is not possible to ignore the advances of modern medicine nor the realities of scientific uncertainties for they are part of the shared context of our lives today. I In the past 50 years we have witnessed the discovery of DNA and more recently the mapping of the human genome, the birth of the world's first in-vitro fertilisation baby, followed by thousands worldwide in the period since, the discovery of human stem cells and the birth of Dolly the cloned sheep in Scotland. Furthermore, the processes of globalisation have ensured that an event that occurs on one side of the globe becomes an item on the evening news on the other side, creating the impression that all change takes place on our doorstep. Some of these events have provoked deep angst in the community, sparking public debate over the ethics of science and the boundaries to be imposed by law. All of these developments have changed the realm of the possible. While these advances in medical science spark debate in the developed countries, in less developed countries high rates of infectious diseases and infant and maternal mortality and the challenges of access to adequate food and clean water are priorities, highlighting international differences in health care. This article explores these differences through an analysis of globalisation and reproduction. It seeks to analyse both the meaning of globalisation and the impact of globalising trends on health laws and policies as regulators of women's health within the global village.

Cloning and infertility.

Although there are important moral arguments against cloning human beings, it has been suggested that there might be exceptional cases in which cloning humans would be ethically permissible. One type of supposed exceptional case involves infertile couples who want to have children by cloning. This paper explores whether cloning would be ethically permissible in infertility cases and the separate question of whether we should have a policy allowing cloning in such cases. One caveat should be stated at the beginning, however. After the cloning of a sheep in Scotland, scientists pointed out that using the same technique to clone humans would, at present, involve substantial risks of producing children with birth defects. This concern over safety gives compelling support to the view that it would be wrong to attempt human cloning now. Thus, we do not reach the debate about exceptional cases unless the issue of safety can be set aside. I ask the reader to consider the possibility that in the future humans could be cloned without a significantly elevated risk of birth defects from the cloning process itself. The remainder of this paper assumes, for sake of argument, that cloning technology has advanced to that point. Given this assumption, would cloning in the infertility cases be ethically permissible, and should it be legally permitted?

Electrophoretic and antigenic characterisation of Dermatophilus congolensis extracellular products

Dermatophilus congolensis is the causative agent of bovine dermatophilosis and lumpy wool in sheep. Two field isolates of D. congolensis, one each from a cow in Ghana and a sheep in Scotland, were cultured for 24–72 h in a synthetic medium based on RPMI-1640. Culture filtrates were examined by SDS-PAGE and considered to contain extracellular products released by growing hyphae and filaments. Electrophoretic profiles of culture filtrates of the two isolates contained common bands and bands that were unique to each isolate. The composition of extracellular products altered with increasing culture periods indicating that specific products were released at different stages of growth. Culture filtrate prepared in the presence of serine protease and metalloprotease inhibitors contained more and better defined bands than that prepared without protease inhibitors indicating the presence of proteases in culture filtrates. Western blot analysis of extracellular products using a panel of sera showed that the two isolates from different host species and distant geographical locations contained cross-reactive antigens. Natural and experimental infections stimulated antibody responses to antigens in culture filtrates, sera from animals that were disease free but in-contact with dermatophilosis-infected animals also contained antibodies to extracellular antigens. The antigens recognised by most sera had molecular weights of 200 kDa in the bovine isolate, 170 kDa in the ovine isolate and 67, 27 and 52–55 kDa in both isolates. The number of antigenic bands of both isolates was positively correlated with the intensity of challenge and the severity of infection: antibodies in sera from disease-free cattle in Ghana recognised more antigens than sera from disease-free sheep in Scotland and more antigens were recognised by sera from chronically-infected Ghanaian cattle than by sera from experimentally-infected calves and sheep. The latter developed antibodies to antigens of 27 and 24 kDa during the course of infection. The electrophoretic profiles of extracellular products of D. congolensis are less complex than those of other structures of the bacterium yet they exhibit differences between the two isolates. Extracellular products contain antigens recognised by sera from naturally exposed and experimentally-infected animals that may be involved in immunity to D. congolensis or immunopathogenesis of dermatophilosis.

Association between natural scrapie and PrP genotype in a flock of Suffolk sheep in Scotland

The incidence of natural scrapie in sheep is associated with polymorphisms of the PrP gene, particularly those at codons 136, 154 and 171. In many breeds, the PrP allele encoding...

Clinicopathological investigation of primary, uncomplicated maedi-visna virus infection.

Maedi-visna virus infection in a flock of sheep in Scotland was associated with respiratory disease, neurological disease, mastitis and lameness. The major clinical signs were dyspnoea (particularly on exercise), progressive fore- and hindlimb ataxia and balance defects, mammary induration and multilimb lameness, occasionally with enlarged carpal joints. Pathological examinations revealed lesions in the lungs, central nervous system, mammary glands and joints which were consistent with those induced by maedi-visna virus. The was no clinical or pathological evidence of concurrent sheep pulmonary adenomatosis, and pulmonary bacterial infections, when they occurred, were superimposed on the lesions due to maedi-visna virus.

6.11 Copper Oxide Wire for the Bovine

A satisfactory method of copper (Cu) supplementation, particularly in the field situation, has yet to be found (MacPherson, 1983). Work in Australia (Dewey, 1977 and Deland, Cunningham, Milne and Dewey, 1979) has shown that orally administered copper oxide wire or ‘needles’ (CuON) remained in the lining of the abomasum of sheep and calves and gradually released Cu over a long period of time. This treatment was successfully tested on hill sheep in Scotland by Whitelaw, Armstrong, Evans, Fawcett, Russel and Suttle (1980). Suttle (1979) has also recorded that calf liver Cu concentrations were raised significantly by a single 50 g oral dose in a limited term (41 day) experiment. No reports have appeared of the usefulness of this treatment under field conditions for the bovine in this country. Three trials are described which examined the effectiveness of small oral doses of CuON on the Cu status of beef suckling calves, dairy heifers and beef suckler cows.

Virus infections in cattle and sheep in Scotland 1975-1978.

Over the four-year period 1975-78 attempts were made to identify virus in samples from 1231 outbreaks of disease in cattle, and 682 outbreaks of disease in sheep. A virus identification was possible in 26 per cent of these disease outbreaks. The nature and significance of these virus infections is discussed.