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Viral infections pose a significant risk of long-term disease and death to cats. In Europe alone, over 30 million domestic cats are vaccinated each year against three core pathogenic viruses. Research performed at the University of Glasgow has systematically supported the development of key technologies against major feline viral diseases. This work has delivered incremental but wide-reaching benefits to veterinary healthcare and animal welfare by providing: (i) reagents used in the diagnostic industry; (ii) viral screening services for big cat conservation programmes; (iii) developmental input into the creation of one of the most efficacious and widely used vaccines against feline leukaemia virus; (iv) testing of feline vaccines for efficacy and safety; and (v) development of best practice guidelines and training for veterinary practitioners on feline viruses.
Research at the University of Liverpool (UoL) has demonstrated the importance of intestinal tapeworm infection as an important and hitherto unrecognised risk factor for a major life-threatening acute intestinal disease (colic) in the horse. A novel serological test for exposure to the tapeworm infection was developed at UoL to provide a diagnostic tool for research and clinical applications. As a result, "best practice" equine preventive healthcare programmes now include anti-helminth and tapeworm control protocols and anti-tapeworm anthelmintics are licensed for use in the horse and marketed throughout the world. This research has had a major impact on equine health resulting in welfare and economic benefits for horses, their owners, veterinary practices and industry.
The Leicester Cilia Group (LCG) established methods to study ciliary damage and dysfunction, transforming the diagnosis and management of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), a genetic disorder that causes severe permanent lung damage in children. The group developed diagnostic methods, adopted in the UK and internationally, that increased the accuracy and speed of diagnosis, uncovering a number of previously unrecognised phenotypes. The group was instrumental in the establishment of the first nationally funded diagnostic service (three centres, including Leicester) in the world. This has resulted in the group jointly leading a successful bid (2012) to set up the first nationally funded management service for children with PCD.
The impacts in this case study arise from research into the pathways, and processes by which novel vectors and vector borne diseases may be introduced into the Galapagos islands. On the basis of the research, the Ecuadorian government changed national legislation on biosecurity, and implemented a suite of new mitigation measures including requiring all aircraft flying to Galapagos to have disinsection treatments, and banned direct international flights to the archipelago. The work increased general awareness of potential impacts from introduced diseases on Galapagos biodiversity, and the need to improve the biosecurity of the islands, influencing policy decisions in a range of other international organisations including UNESCO. The globally important biodiversity of Galapagos is the basis of a significant fraction of the tourist and national economy of Ecuador.
Amphibian population declines are recognised as one of the largest biodiversity crises in modern history. Professor Andrew Cunningham, Institute of Zoology (IOZ) headed the team that identified a novel chytrid fungus as the major cause of amphibian population declines and species extinctions. Our work is the basis for the scientific and conservation responses to this disease, and led to the fungus being listed by the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health). We have established national surveillance programmes for the pathogen across the EU and elsewhere, identifying species at risk and developing mitigating measures to prevent pathogen introduction and species extinction.
Transmission and control of parasitic zoonoses focuses on diagnostics development and epidemiological studies on zoonoses, developing approaches for the surveillance, prevention and control of non-vector borne zoonotic pathogens and demonstrating the following impact:
The human influenza A (H5N1) infection emerged in China in 2003 and quickly spread throughout Asia, killing more than half of those infected. Researchers at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam (OUCRU) provided rapid information to the World Health Organization (WHO) on the pathological and clinical features of H5N1 infection in humans, as it emerged in Vietnam. The WHO used this front line information to inform recommendations for the investigation, diagnosis, management, and treatment of H5N1 globally, ultimately reducing mortality by up to 19%.
Research conducted at the University of Bristol between 2003 and 2012 on the ecology, epidemiology and control of parasitic flies and worms has improved animal health and welfare in the UK and is addressing a major constraint on global food production — animal disease, particularly in the context of climate change. These are some of the impacts:
WHO estimates that 600 million school-age children need deworming treatment and preventive intervention.
The University of Manchester (UoM) Immunology Group delivered an educational programme on the immune response and biology of parasitic worm infections in areas where worm infections are most prevalent, including Uganda and Pakistan, and with UK immigrant communities.
International benefits include health worker and educator training, which is critical for improving the understanding of worm infection and distribution of health education messages to endemic communities. Nationwide engagement activities provided immigrant communities and school pupils with improved awareness of global health issues and a greater understanding of immunology, and have inspired some participants to pursue careers in science.
Research led by Dr Watson has demonstrated that chronic pancreatitis (CP) is more common and clinically significant in dogs than veterinary surgeons previously recognised, with strong breed predispositions. Prior to this work, the veterinary profession believed that dogs had a single attack of acute pancreatitis which did not result in the development of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and/or endocrine insufficiency (diabetes mellitus (DM)). The work by Watson has shown the importance of chronic disease and has altered the long term treatment of affected dogs across the profession. It has also prompted companies in the UK, Europe and the USA to increase their focus on low-fat dietary management, pancreatic enzyme supplementation and analgesia improving the quality of life of affected dogs.