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Salmonella study reveals how genetic changes alter disease risk
The U288 variant was found to have undergone a unique set of genetic changes, most likely between 1980 and 2000.

Variants found in pigs pose different threats to human and animal health.

A new study from the Roslin Institute and the Quadram Institute has found that two closely related variants of salmonella typhimurium have significantly different effects on pig health compared to other animals and humans.

The study, published in the journal Communications Biology, analysed the genetic makeup of salmonella strains found in pigs and people over a number of years, with the aim of identifying variants and understanding how they evolved and behave.

The two variants, named U288 and ST34, were predominantly found in pigs and differences were found in both variants' colonisation of the intestine and surrounding tissues as well as the severity of disease they created.

According to the researchers, the ST34 variant accounts for more than half of all salmonella typhimurium infections in people, while the U288 variant is rarely associated with human infection.

The U288 variant was found to have undergone a unique set of genetic changes, most likely between 1980 and 2000. It evolved to obtain genes associated with antimicrobial resistance, as well as variations in molecules connected to virulence.

The researchers suggest that these changes could hold the key to understanding how this variant interacts differently with pigs during infections and in the food chain.

Professor Mark Stevens from the Roslin Institute said: “Understanding how variants of Salmonella emerge and pinpointing the genetic signatures responsible for adaptation to different hosts and the ability to produce disease will provide opportunities to improve diagnostics and surveillance. In turn this will help to predict the risk that Salmonella variants pose to animal health and food safety.”

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

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News Shorts
NSA survey investigates sheep worrying

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its latest survey to better understand the severity of sheep worrying in the UK.

The survey will be open until Friday, 21 February 2025. UK sheep farmers are invited to share their experiences of sheep worrying by dogs and its impact on the industry.

NSA has been gathering information about sheep worrying for over 10 years as part of its campaign to raise awareness of incidents and produce new ways of educating the public.

Sheep worrying, often caused by dogs being loose near fields, can result in physical injury, miscarriage and death of animals affected.

The results of the survey will be shared with interested parties, including the UK press, before spring and ahead of lambing season next year.

For more information, or to complete the survey, visit NSA's website.