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New diagnostic tool for Johne's disease
"Actiphage was found to be a useful screening test before animals were moved to reduce the risk of spread of infection." - Dr Cath Rees.
Actiphage has been found to detect the disease early in farmed deer. 

A new study has discovered that Actiphage, a new diagnostic, can directly detect the presence of Johne's disease in farmed deer.

Johne's disease, a chronic wasting condition that results in reduced meat yields, lower fertility and premature death, has previously been difficult to detect. However, a new proof of concept study has shown that Actiphage can directly detect the presence of the causal mycobacteria in cervid blood samples. 

Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, the study blind tested 132 animals from four production units to detect carriers of the disease. 

Actiphage detected the causal bacteria Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) predominantly in one breeding unit and in a small number of animals in another. 

Upon re-testing the MAP-positive animals were found to test positively again, making the results of the study reproducible. 

Dr Cath Rees, one of the study's authors, and associate professor of Microbiology at the University of Nottingham, commented: “Early identification of carriers using Actiphage allowed the introduction of a disease management strategy on the farm.

“In addition, Actiphage was found to be a useful additional screening test before animals were moved to reduce the risk of spread of infection.”

It is hoped that the findings of this study will assist in restricting the progression of Johne's disease through a herd, as its reliable identification of the mycobacteria at an early stage of infection can allow for the farmer to then isolate the infected animal. 

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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.