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Viruses could be used to treat pig infections
pigs
Antibiotic resistance has prompted renewed interest in using phages to treat bacteria.
Leicester research will focus on Brachyspira and Salmonella

New research will investigate bacteriophages, or 'friendly' viruses, that could be used to treat Brachyspira and Salmonella in pigs.

Lead author Martha Clokie from the University of Leicester discussed her upcoming work at the BPEX Innovation Conference.

“In our work in humans we’ve been able to use certain viruses to treat the gut bacterium Clostridium difficile," she explained.

"Plus, because of the phages’ specificity, they can also be used to diagnose which bacteria are causing active infection."

While this method of treating bacteria has been in use for 100 years, rising concerns about antibiotic resistance have prompted a renewed interest in the subject.

“Originally, the specificity of bacteriophages was seen as a challenge and the broad spectrum of antibiotics made them the favoured option when they were discovered," Prof Clokie continued.

"However, bacteriophages are highly specific to their host and only bind to and infect those bacteria. Because of this, they won’t damage the whole flora of the gut which makes them a valuable alternative option to antibiotics."

In future, Prof Clokie says they could be used on-farm or even in abattoirs to reduce carcase contamination. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.