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New insights into retention of FMDV
The outcomes of the study could benefit farmers of African buffalo, whose herds can harbour the disease for five years or more.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease study explores persistent infection.

A new study has revealed detailed insights into how the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) causes persistent infection in livestock.

A team comprised of researchers from the Roslin Institute and the Pirbright Institute explored how FMDV interacts with immune cells, in order to inform the development of a future long-lasting vaccine.

Using mice in the study, the scientists found that FMDV binds to follicular dendritic cells, found in lymphoid tissues in the immune system, such as in the spleen.

The Pirbright Institute's Professor Bryan Charleston explained: “This research helps to bridge the knowledge gap of how the immune system deals with FMDV infection in large animals.

“Our extensive work in African buffalo, a natural host of the disease, allowed us to predict why and how persistence may occur and then test this theory in a small animal model.”

Follicular dendritic cells, which FMDV binds to, behave similarly to spider webs, trapping foreign particles and certain viruses within them for significant periods of time, in order for the other cells in the immune system to make immune responses.

This retention of the virus within the follicular dendritic cells is what the researchers believe may assist the virus in persisting in livestock, allowing them to become carriers and risking the health of other susceptible livestock.

Professor Neil Mabbott, of the Roslin Institute, commented on the value of the research for informing future vaccine development: “Our research has uncovered a key biological process by which the virus for Foot-and-Mouth Disease is able to remain in the immune systems of animals such as African buffalo.

“This could inform efforts to develop improved vaccines which, unlike current vaccines, provide longer term protection to safeguard livestock.”

The study is published in PLOS Pathogens.

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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.