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ASF proteins offer hope for vaccine
The rapid spread of ASF through Europe and China has decimated pig populations.

Scientists ID proteins that prompt immune response in pigs 

Pirbright scientists have identified African swine fever virus proteins that trigger an immune response in pigs, offering hope for a new vaccine.

Researchers screened proteins to find out which ones activated immune cells in pigs that had previously been infected with a weakened form of ASFV.

The 18 proteins that created the strongest immune cell response were transferred into viral vectors, which deliver the ASF proteins to pig cells without harming the animal.

Findings published in Frontiers in Immunology found that when some pigs were given a virulent strain of ASF, after receiving a vaccine that included the newly identified proteins, the level of ASF in the blood was reduced.

The rapid spread of ASF through Europe and China has decimated pig populations, resulting in the culling of more than 1.1 million pigs in China and nearly 2.5 million in Vietnam. Currently, culling, quarantine and strict biosecurity measures are the only defences farmers can use to prevent the virus spreading.

Various types of vaccine are being developed, but little is known about the virus and how the immune system responds to it.

Vaccines made with inactivated viruses have not offered protection to domestic pigs, and while live attenuated vaccines show promise, more testing is needed to ensure their safety. Pirbright researchers hope these vector vaccines offer an alternative option.

Dr Chris Netherton, head of Pirbright’s ASF Vaccinology Group said: “ASFV has more than 150 proteins; understanding which of these triggers an immune response is difficult but crucial for creating this kind of vaccine.

"Now we have identified proteins that activate pig immune cells, we can work on optimising the vaccine components to ensure pigs are protected against virulent ASF strains.”

 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.