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Issue 31 Autumn 2009

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Strategic Alliances Strengthen Moredun’s Research Profesor Willie Donachie with AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andy West.

Strategic alliances are important in all walks of life and in the world of research this is crucial to development. Bringing together the strengths of two institutions offers more options for solving the problems facing us on a global stage. In the last two years Moredun has forged alliances with three world renowned animal health research organisations: the University of Glasgow, AgResearch in New Zealand and more recently the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling.

Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) have provided the structure and framework for stimulating jointly funded collaborative research projects which will advance knowledge on a number of important infectious diseases of livestock.

Glasgow University Veterinary School has always had strong links with Moredun and this association was given formal status when an MOU was signed in 2007. Under the terms of the MoU both organisations agreed to fund and encourage collaborative research and the focus for this research has so far included food borne pathogens, OPA and nematode vaccine research.

The Hopkirk Institute, which is part of AgResearch in New Zealand used the Moredun Research Institute as a blueprint for its own organisational structure. During a visit to the Hopkirk Institute in 2008 Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of Moredun, signed a MoU with Dr Andy West, Chief Executive of AgResearch. This has led to significant collaboration between the two organisations already: a senior scientist has already been appointed in a joint project to investigate potential vaccines for Johne’s disease and a PhD student will be appointed soon to look at the problem of anthelmintic resistance.

Moredun’s most recent MoU was signed earlier this year with the Institute of Aquaculture (IOA) at the University of Stirling. The IOA has an international reputation for delivering solutions for infectious disease problems of fish.

There are similarities in the disease processes of the pathogens of both fish and livestock animals that should offer stimulating comparisons for curious scientists. Two PhD studentships are planned to enable scientists on both sites to explore these new areas of research.

Moredun will continue seek other strategic alliances in future but in all cases the decision to cement relationships in this way will not be taken lightly to ensure that only the highest quality scientific research is pursued.

In this Issue Moredun Launches New Vaccine Company ……… 2 Combating Fluke ……… 3 New Parasite Guide Produced .........………....

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Sheep Abortion Survey Results .........………..…..

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Roadshow Dates ……….. 6 Awards and Staff News

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Editor’s Comments It is now official that we are not having the forecasted “barbecue summer” which once again highlights the difficulties facing all mathematical modellers.

You always need good, reliable and robust data to feed into such models and part of our work at Moredun is to provide just such reliable and robust data for the animal disease modellers. You will read about some of this work in this issue and please take time to digest the information on liver fluke on page 3, which will be benefitting enormously from all this unpredicted rainfall.

Moredun has a proud history in translating its research in practical solutions for farmers and perhaps the most successful products have been vaccines.

The launch of a new company (Inocul8) will specifically develop Moredun vaccines in a commercial manner and we wish it every success for the future.

Thank you to all of our members who came to see us at the Shows this year.

It is always encouraging to hear from you all and the information we receive from our members is essential in devising and informing our research strategy.

It is therefore great to be able to report on the recent farmer’s survey on enzootic abortion of ewes on pages 4 and 5. We do appreciate that it takes time to respond to these surveys but please keep doing so as it provides extremely valuable data for our scientists.

Professor Willie Donachie Deputy Director of Moredun

Moredun Launches New Vaccine Company Moredun has launched a new company to help translate it’s world leading animal health research into new and improved vaccines for the Global livestock market.

The global animal vaccine market is currently valued at 3.5 billion dollars.

Inocul8 seeks to maximise opportunities for the development of vaccines from

research advances made by scientists at Moredun Research Institute. The new company will support a variety of commercialisation strategies to aid new vaccine development for economically important diseases including pneumonia and nematode worms.

Moredun has a very strong tradition of applied research and in translating its research into practical outputs such as vaccines for pasteurellosis and clostridial diseases. Inocul8 will provide specialist expertise to help form synergistic relationships between the research institute and commercial companies and help maximise the potential of vaccine opportunities generated

by Moredun scientists in the future.

Dr Richard Mole, Chief Operating Officer of Inocul8 is certain that this new venture will support the future commercialisation of Moredun’s research.

“In an independent report in 2008 a significant number of Moredun research projects with vaccine related opportunities were identified. The early targets for further development include new or improved vaccines for pneumonia and haemorrhagic septicaemia (Pasteurella multocida), Caseous Lymphadenitis as well as nematode parasites.” He added, “The development of these and other animal health vaccines will help satisfy the needs of the farming and veterinary communities both in Scotland and globally.”

New Compendium of Moredun News Sheets Available The Moredun Foundation has launched the latest volume of news sheets in book form. The paperback book contains twenty of Moredun’s latest technical news sheets on subjects including Johne’s disease, BVD, cattle pneumonia, sheep abortion, ectoparasite control and lameness.

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John Ross, Chairman of the Moredun Foundation encouraged those with an interest in animal health to purchase a copy. “This compendium of news sheets is essential reading for farmers, vets and others involved in the livestock industry.”

The Volume Four News Sheet Book is priced at £15.00 plus £1.00 postage

and is available to buy from Moredun’s website – www. moredun. org.uk/shop

Living with liver fluke L

The parasite has a complicated 2-host life-cycle involving a mud snail intermediate host (in which the larval stages develop and multiply) and a mammalian definitive host (in which the adult fluke establish and lay eggs). The type of disease seen depends on the type of infection. Acute fluke, which can lead to sudden deaths in sheep, is caused by the mass migration of juvenile fluke through the liver, whereas chronic fluke is caused by the accumulation of adult fluke in the bile ducts of sheep and cattle.

Liver fluke disease costs the UK livestock industry in excess of ÂŁ300m per year, mainly due to deaths from acute fluke, loss of production in untreated chronic fluke cases and condemnation of affected livers at slaughter.

Open bile duct showing fluke.

The disease is on the increase throughout the UK, in both sheep and cattle, and disease is now seen outwith the traditional high risk periods and in previously flukefree areas. A number of factors may be responsible for this. Recent changes in climate e.g. increasing temperature and rainfall and a longer grazing season all conspire to increase fluke transmission.

There are also increasing reports of flukicide resistance, especially to triclabendazole, the drug of choice for acute fluke. Increased movement of livestock (and their parasites) has served to spread infection into previously flukefree areas. Finally, environmental change, especially the introduction of wetlands into grazing systems provides ideal habitats for snails and fluke.

Diagnosis of liver fluke disease is not straightforward. Faecal egg counts only detect chronic (adult) infections and results must be treated with caution since fluke egg shedding is spasmodic, therefore a negative egg count may be obtained from sheep and cattle still carrying adult fluke. Suspect fluke cases can be investigated using immunological tests on faecal, blood or milk samples and/or biochemical tests to detect liver and/or bile duct damage. Also, some abattoirs are able to supply post mortem information to farmers about the fluke status of animals sent for slaughter.

Adult liver fluke.

they are active against. Traditionally, fluke treatment was seasonal and followed a blueprint of specific treatments in autumn, winter and spring/early summer.

However, liver fluke disease now represents a moving target so farmers are recommended to monitor the fluke situation on their farms and, in consultation with their vet/animal health advisor devise specific fluke control strategies for their specific fluke situation. Finally, no single control strategy is likely to work on its own so farmers may need to consider an integrated approach including grazing management, drainage and flukicide treatment for best results.

Free Parasite Booklet Available Moredun has produced a 32 page handbook in conjunction with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) to help sheep and cattle producers learn more about the internal parasites that affect their livestock.

This directory, which was launched

in August, is packed full of information on the common parasitic diseases and has detailed sections on how to control and prevent them.

It also highlights strategies that producers can adopt to delay the development of anthelmintic

resistance on their farms. This booklet is available to download free of charge on the Moredun and QMS websites www.moredun.org.uk and www.qmscotland.co.uk.

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Grazing management can help reduce exposure of livestock to fluke as can drainage of heavy, low-lying pasture.

However, the main way to treat liver fluke disease is through strategic drenching with a flukicidal drug. There are a number of such products on the market, though they differ in what age of parasite

Copyright S Stammers.

iver fluke disease (fasciolosis) is caused by the parasitic flatworm, Fasciola hepatica .

Impact and control of Enzootic Abortion of Ewes: results of a UK-wide survey n 2007, the Moredun Icollaboration Research Institute in with the

www.moredun.org.uk

Animal Health Economics and Epidemiology teams within the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) invited farmers and other interested stakeholders across the UK to take part in a national survey on enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE).

Questionnaires were delivered through the Moredun Foundation, Quality Meat Scotland and several UK agricultural shows, collecting information on the prevalence of EAE in UK sheep farms and the farm management practices employed to control the disease.

The aim of this survey was to inform us on the impact of EAE on our stakeholders and also ensure that we are targeting our research appropriately to control the disease.

Of the 2000 questionnaires distributed, 442 were returned, representing a response rate of 22%. Of these, 34% reported abortion due to EAE in their flocks. The respondents were mainly farmers (87%) and veterinarians/ farmers (6%), with the reminder comprising smallholders, crofters, shepherds/esses and general practitioners. Respondents were Enzootic abortion of ewes is the most common cause of infectious sheep abortion in the UK.

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Vaccination will help protect your flock from Enzootic abortion.

mainly located in Scotland (43%) and England (41%), with 13% and 3% located in Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively. Most of the reported cases of EAE were in lowland (48%) and upland (41%) flocks, compared to pedigree (2%) and hill (9%) flocks.

Although a number of control options are available, EAE still accounts for 44% of all diagnosed infectious causes of abortion in UK sheep (1995-2007) (http://www.defra.gov.uk/vla/reports/ rep_vida.htm). Two ways of controlling the introduction of the disease into a flock is to either source replacement ewes from EAE-free accredited sources or to keep a closed flock. Only 7% of respondents reported that they always sourced accredited replacement ewes, with 8% sometimes doing so.

Interestingly, the percentages are only slightly higher when considering only those who have had EAE diagnosed, with 10% always purchasing from EAE-free accredited sources and 8% sometimes, suggesting that this is not a preferred option for keeping the disease out. Indeed, 32% buy from non-accredited sources,

suggesting that they perceive their risk of actually acquiring the disease as low and despite the majority of respondents (54%) regarding replacement ewes as the greatest source of infection. Intriguingly, 50% of those that have experienced EAE have closed flocks. Perhaps this is a consequence of having had the disease previously (80% of respondents reported having EAE more than 2 years previously) or may be a reflection of the disease being introduced through other means, such as from neighbours or wildlife sources. 36% of respondents perceived neighbours to be their greatest risk of infection, with wildlife, birds, feral sheep, replacement rams, dogs and groundwater suggested as other possible sources (10%).

Other ways of controlling the introduction of infection within a flock include the use of diagnostic screening through national sheep and goat health schemes and through the use of vaccination. However, only 5% of respondents monitor the EAE status of their flocks through diagnostic screening, while 82% do not screen their flocks at all. Of these 82%, 60%

do not use vaccines. The majority of those who have not had EAE in their flocks do not use vaccines (85%).

Vaccine uptake is strongly influenced by direct experience of EAE and the length of time since the most recent case occurred, with 87% of those who have experienced EAE in the previous year now vaccinating.

The survey indicates that the preferred options for controlling EAE are either vaccination (single treatment of the whole flock and/or only replacement ewe lambs) and/or keeping flocks closed. However, it is clear from many of the responses that there is not a great deal of confidence that

the current approaches are sufficient.

63% of respondents indicated that they would be receptive to new novel control strategies, 25% left the question unanswered and only 12% said no.

The research currently being conducted at Moredun directly addresses this stakeholder need through development of novel and improved diagnostic and vaccination strategies for controlling EAE, underpinned by fundamental research into the pathological and immunological mechanisms that cause abortion. The results of this survey and our research are being used to improve the epidemiological model for EAE that has been developed by the Economics and Epidemiology

Moredun’s Vaccine Work Commended

HRH The Princess Royal chats with visiting Maasai warriors about livestock production in Tanzania.

Moredun’s Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, congratulated Moredun scientists for their efforts to safeguard animal health through vaccine development, at a high profile event in March.

This event promoted some of the vaccine development work being undertaken at Moredun, as well as highlighting the success Moredun has in commercialising its research through its commercial company Moredun Scientific.

Her Royal Highness has stated in previous visits to Moredun that “the Foundation’s commitment to improving animal health and welfare by reducing the burden of animal disease is probably the greatest gift man may offer the animal kingdom.”

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Moredun Foundation commented: “The development of new and improved vaccines is a key part of our work and we are delighted to have the continued support of our Patron“.

Moredun is internationally known for its work on the infectious diseases of livestock and is committed to developing new and improved vaccines and diagnostic tests in order to prevent animal disease.

The event also highlighted the work of GALVmed (Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines), a charity with close links with Moredun which is working to develop veterinary vaccines in the developing world.

teams at SAC in collaboration with Moredun [Milne et al., 2009, Veterinary Microbiology 135, 128133]. This will help us to understand how the infection spreads and will be used to improve the advice given to farmers on what is the most appropriate, cost-effective strategy to control EAE. The design of the survey and analysis of the results were conducted by David Longbottom and Gary Entrican, of the Moredun Research Institute, and by Catherine Milne (Animal Health Economics team) and Helen Brough (Animal Health Epidemiology team) of the Scottish Agricultural College.

Thank You Many thanks to the members who took part in the recent sheep worm population genetics survey.

Scientists originally appealed for help from the members in 2007.

The survey began in 2008 and ran for two grazing seasons, with participants completing a questionnaire and sending faecal samples from their sheep. This survey has given Moredun scientists a vast amount of material that will provide an excellent insight into the populations of different species of parasitic worms that infect UK sheep. Moredun parasitologists hope to use genetic markers in these parasite populations to gain a better understanding of anthelmintic resistance. A full report will be sent to members as soon as the detailed analysis is complete.

Don’t worry if you missed out in getting involved with this study, our parasitologists aim to begin a similar survey on cattle worms next year and will be again looking for help from Moredun members!

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Animal Health Roadshow 2009 Dates Released Moredun’s Educational Activities Increase A team of Moredun science communicators developed a free interactive exhibit for this years Edinburgh International Science Festival.

‘The Beasts Within Us’ highlighted how Toxoplasma parasites have successfully evolved to live within all warm blooded animals (including humans). Moredun scientists spoken to hundreds of visitors over the four days of the exhibition helping to raise awareness of this parasite and giving advice to help people in order to protect themselves from infection.

The exhibition was such a success Moredun took it to the Royal Highland Show in June in partnership with the Royal Highland Education Trust where it created a lot of interest from visitors to the show.

The Beasts within us is the latest of several educational exhibits that have been developed in recent years

by Moredun’s team of science communicators. Keep an eye on the events page of Moredun’s website for further information about these initiatives.

Moredun is pleased to announce the details of its 2009 animal health Roadshow. There are ten meetings in all and entrance to all of the roadshow meetings will be free of charge. Each event will begin at 7.30pm.

For further information about any of these events phone Maggie Bennett on 0131 445 5111 or log onto www.moredun.org.uk/events Monday 9 November Maes Mawr Hotel, Caersws near Newtown Effective Worm Control Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson Tuesday 10 November Charter Veterinary Hospital, Barnstaple Pasteurella Pneumonia in Calves Speaker – Dr Chris Hodgson Wednesday 11 November Castle of Brecon Hotel, Brecon Effective Worm Control

Monday 16 November Pentland Hotel, Thurso Controlling Johne’s Disease and BVD Speaker – Dr Karen Stevenson and Dr Peter Nettleton Wednesday 18 November Allerton Court Hotel, Northallerton Living with Liver Fluke Speaker – Dr Philip Skuce Thursday 19 November Tynedale Function Suite, Hexham Ticks and the Diseases they Cause Speaker – Dr Hugh Reid Monday 23 November Ardshiel Hotel, Campbeltown Controlling BVD Speaker – Dr Peter Nettleton Tuesday 24 November Lanark Livestock Market, Lanark Living with Liver Fluke Speakers – Dr Philip Skuce and Heather Stevenson (SAC)

Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson Thursday 26 November Thursday 12 November

Douglas Arms Hotel, Castle Douglas

Ledbury Rugby Club, Ledbury

Living with Liver Fluke

Effective Worm Control

Speakers – Dr Philip Skuce and Heather Stevenson (SAC)

Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson

Scotland Tanzania Student Exchange As part of the Supporting Herds and Clans project, which aims to raise awareness within Scotland of the importance of farming to families in east Africa, VETAID has organised an exchange visit for agriculture and vet students in Scotland and Tanzania.

livestock, and farming systems.

They spent the second half of their visit based in the Arusha area in the north of Tanzania, visiting VETAID projects such as Farmer Field Schools, irrigation projects, animal traction projects, leather tanning projects etc.

At the end of March, five Scottish students (four from SAC and one from the University of Glasgow) flew to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for a three week study tour. They spent the first half of their trip based at Sokoine University of Agriculture near Morogoro where they participated in seminars with the Tanzanian students and went on a wide variety of farm visits, learning about the local crops,

After the students returned to the UK, they gave a series of presentations to their fellow students in order to share their experiences and highlight the project. Additionally, many of the photos taken by the students whilst in Tanzania featured in an exhibition which showcased at the Highland Show and which will be on display again at the Kelso Tup Sales in September.

Three Tanzanian students will be

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Exchange students visit Maasai pastoralists in Simanjiro, Tanzania.

visiting Scotland later this year as the second part of the exchange programme.

For more information on the Supporting Herds and Clans project, please contact John Ferguson on 0131 445 6244 or john@vetaid.org

Gift for the Communications Centre

Moredun President for Vet Deer Society

Tom Alexander, Secretary of the Society commented, “We are delighted to have appointed Hugh Reid as our President this year. Hugh and Moredun have been associated with the Veterinary Deer Society since it was founded in 1981 and Hugh has made a significant contribution to the Society from its inception.”

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick (Current Director) and members of the Library Committee, Dr George Russell and Dr Karen Stevenson, received the gift at an informal presentation ceremony in May. Professor Fitzpatrick was delighted to receive the cheque. She commented “Moredun is extremely grateful for Professor Aitken’s continued generosity and support of the library facilities here at Moredun.”

The Object of the Veterinary Deer Society is to provide a forum for discussion and the exchange of ideas on all matters pertaining to deer.

For further information about their work, please visit their website www.vetdeersociety.com

Communication Team Increases Moredun has recently expanded its Communications team and recruited two new members of staff to help develop its knowledge exchange activities.

Hazel Rice (left) joined in March and provides administrative support in the running of both the Moredun Foundation and the Sheep Veterinary Society. Hazel has extensive experience working in the travel industry and she has already demonstrated her excellent organisational and people skills since her arrival.

Joanne Watts (right) joined Moredun as a Science Communicator in June.

Joanne has a degree in Animal Science and an MSc in applied animal behaviour and welfare. She has worked within the Science, Policy and Coordination unit at RERAD, has been involved in implementing policy relating to animal welfare within local authorities in Wales and has extensive experience in communicating science issues to a wide range of different stakeholder groups.

Moredun Scientific Chairman Awarded Professorship Peter Wells, Chairman of Moredun Scientific, has been awarded an Honorary Professorship from the University of Nottingham.

Professor Gary England, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, commented “Peter Wells had a distinguished research career in the pharmaceutical industry, ultimately

becoming Global Head of Research and Development for Novartis Animal Health. Over recent years Peter has been working closely with the School particularly in relation to the establishment of the Centre of Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine.

Personally I am delighted that the University has recognised Peter as a Special Professor in Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.”

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Dr Hugh Reid, Research Fellow of the Moredun Foundation has been appointed the 29th President of the Veterinary Deer Society (VDS) at their AGM in Leeds this year.

Earlier this year, Professor Ian Aitken, past Director of the Moredun Research Institute, donated the generous gift of over £2,000 in royalties from the fourth edition of his celebrated book ‘Diseases of Sheep’ towards the cost of new books for the Communications Centre. This donation brings the total royalty gifts made by Professor Aitken over the past 3 years to over £9,000.

Moredun Foundation News Sheet Book - VOLUME 4 The Moredun Foundation has just launched the latest volume of news sheets in book form. The paperback book has over 180 pages and contains twenty of Moredun’s latest technical news sheets on subjects including Johne’s disease, BVD, cattle pneumonia, sheep abortion, ectoparasite control and sheep lameness.

The Volume Four News Sheet Book is available to members at just £15.00 plus £1.00 postage and

Now AvAilA

ble

packing and is available to buy from Moredun’s website – www.moredun.org.uk/shop Alternatively, you can order a copy by post. Send a cheque for £16.00 made payable to ‘The Moredun Foundation’ to:

The Moredun Foundation

The Moredun Foundation Pentlands Science Park Bush Loan Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: info@moredun.org.uk

News Sheets 1-20 Volume 4

Moredun Foundation News Sheet Books Books of previous sets of new sheets can be purchased for £15.00 each (plus £1 p&p).

Volume 3 Book: Titles include CLA, lameness, sheep scab, worm control strategies, liver fluke and orf.

Volume 1 Book: Subjects include Jaagsiekte, Watery Mouth, Detection and Treatment of Hypothermia, Border Disease and Footrot.

Volume 2 Book: News sheet topics include Maedi Visna, Pasteurellosis, Scrapie, Effective Ectoparasite Control and Ovine Abortion.

For a full list of articles in each news sheet book please visit our website at www.moredun.org.uk/shop Books can be purchased online, or by contacting us at the address below.

The Moredun Foundation

The Moredun Foundation

News Sheets 1-30

News Sheets 1-20

Volume 1

Volume 3

The Moredun Foundation

Please send orders to: The Moredun Foundation, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: info@moredun.org.uk

News Sheets 1-30 Volume 1