Sirichai Wongnarkpet

Risk factors for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 infection in backyard chicken farms, Thailand

To reduce the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 infection in humans, the pathways by which HPAI is spread in poultry must be determined. Backyard poultry farmers are particularly vulnerable to the threat of HPAI, with both their health and livelihoods at risk. Identifying the risk factors for HPAI infection in backyard farms should allow control measures to be better targeted. To study the risk factors of HPAI H5N1 infection, we carried out a case-control study on backyard chicken farms in Thailand, analyzing 104 case farms and 382 control farms. Data on farming practices and environmental characteristics were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. We show that farms where owners bought live chickens from another backyard farm had a higher risk of HPAI H5N1 infection (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.72-6.47), while those where owners used a disinfectant to clean poultry areas were exposed to lower risk (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.87). Our results highlight the important role of the trade of poultry between farms in the transmission of HPAI H5N1, in addition to farming practices and environmental characteristics. Findings from this study may help to tailor prevention measures to the local circumstances of backyard farms in different regions of the world.

Practices associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza spread in traditional poultry marketing chains: Social and economic perspectives.

In developing countries, smallholder poultry production contributes to food security and poverty alleviation in rural areas. However, traditional poultry marketing chains have been threatened by the epidemics caused by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus. The article presents a value chain analysis conducted on the traditional poultry marketing chain in the rural province of Phitsanulok, Thailand. The analysis is based on quantitative data collected on 470 backyard chicken farms, and on qualitative data collected on 28 poultry collectors, slaughterhouses and market retailers, using semi-structured interviews. The article examines the organization of poultry marketing chains in time and space, and shows how this may contribute to the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in the small-scale poultry sector. The article also discusses the practices and strategies developed by value chain actors facing poultry mortality, with their economic and social determinants. More broadly, this study also illustrates how value chain analysis can contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanisms associated with the spread of epidemics in rural communities.

The molecular prevalence and MSA-2b gene-based genetic diversity of Babesia bovis in dairy cattle in Thailand

Bovine babesiosis is an economically significant disease that affects dairy farming operations in Thailand. In the present study, 1824 blood-DNA samples prepared from cattle bred in 4 different regions of the country (North, Northeast, Central, and South) were screened using a nested PCR for the specific detection of Babesia bovis. While the overall prevalence of B. bovis was 8.8%, the Central region of Thailand was found to be a high-risk area of the country, as the prevalence of the parasite was 15.0%. The positive rate was relatively higher among the animals of 1-5 years of age. The genetic diversity among the B. bovis parasites was also studied based on their MSA-2b gene, and the findings showed that the Thai sequences were dispersed across 8 of 13 total clades observed in the phylogram. Three of these clades were formed only of Thai sequences. Similarity among the deduced MSA-2b amino acid sequences determined in the present study was 68.3-100%. In conclusion, the present study found that all the locations surveyed were infected with B. bovis and that the parasite populations in Thailand were genetically diverse. Our findings highlight the need for further studies in Thailand to generate more information before a sound control strategy could be implemented against B. bovis.

An on-farm study of the epidemiology of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in pigs as part of a vaccine efficacy trial.

Thirty cohort pigs were followed from birth to slaughter to study epidemiological patterns of porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. The study was conducted within a larger 380-animal study of vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and A. pleuropneumoniae in a 340-sow farrow-to-finish piggery with 4-month weaning, operating a continuous system of intensive production in the North Island of New Zealand. The cohort pigs were randomly allocated into two equal groups: vaccinated and control. Pigs in the first group were vaccinated at 2 and 4 weeks of age with both M. hyopneumoniae vaccine and A. pleuropneumoniae vaccine at separate vaccination sites. A series of nasal swabs was taken at 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 18 weeks of age. Each swab was streaked onto the surface of a selective medium on the farm and the plates were immediately transported to a laboratory and incubated at 37 degrees C for 5 days. After the trial, pigs were slaughtered at an average of 132 days of age, lungs were examined and samples taken for bacteriological culture and isolation. Thirty-five out of 256 samples produced haemolytic colonies which were Gram-negative, V-factor-dependent and positive to the CAMP test. A. pleuropneumoniae was first isolated at 4 weeks of age from one vaccinated pig. This finding suggests that piglets became infected in the farrowing pen and the source of infection might be a carrier sow. The interval-specific cumulative incidence of A. pleuropneumoniae infection reached a maximum of 54% and 40% at 11 weeks of age in the vaccinated and control groups, respectively. Infection status of the litter is considered to be a factor influencing morbidity in infected herds during weaner and grower periods. Our results suggest that simultaneous vaccination with M. hyopneumoniae and A. pleuropneumoniae vaccines at 2 and 4 weeks of age might lessen the prevalence but cannot absolutely prevent A. pleuropneumoniae infection during the weaner or grower-finisher periods.

Estimating spatial and temporal variations of the reproduction number for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 epidemic in Thailand.

Since 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has spread, causing a pandemic with serious economic consequences and public health implications. Quantitative estimates of the spread of HPAI H5N1 are needed to adapt control measures. This study aimed to estimate the variations of the reproduction number R in space and time for the HPAI H5N1 epidemic in Thailand. Transmission between sub-districts was analyzed using three different and complementary methods. Transmission of HPAI H5N1 was intense (R(t)>1) before October 2004, at which point the epidemic started to progressively fade out (R(t)<1). The spread was mainly local, with 75% of the putative distances of transmission less than 32km. The map of the mean standardized ratio of transmitting the infection (sr) showed sub-districts with a high risk of transmitting infection. Findings from this study can contribute to discussions regarding the efficacy of control measures and help target surveillance programs.

Field efficacy of a combined use of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae vaccines in growing pigs

The effectiveness of simultaneous administration of commercial Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae vaccines was tested in an indoor commercial piggery which had experienced continuing respiratory-disease problems confirmed as due to both of these pathogens. Piglets were randomly assigned in equal numbers to vaccination and control groups, and each vaccine was administered at a separate site to assigned piglets at two and four weeks of age. Live weight of vaccinates immediately prior to slaughter was 2.49 kg higher (p = 0.04) than for controls at equal mean slaughter age of 132 days. Average daily gain (ADG) from 16 weeks to slaughter of vaccinates was also significantly higher (33 g/day) than in controls (p = 0.05). Daily gain was not significantly different in younger age groups. Active enzootic pneumonia lesions were more likely in control than in vaccinated pigs. There were no significant differences between vaccination groups with regard to severity of pleurisy or presence of pleuropneumonia lesions at slaughter. Log-linear modelling was used to test the statistical association between vaccination, enzootic pneumonia lesions, pleurisy lesions and pleuropneumonia lesions. It showed a reduction in the severity of enzootic pneumonia lesions for vaccinated pigs, and the presence of pleuropneumonia lesions increased the likelihood of pleurisy lesions. No other association was significant, and no evidence of synergy between the vaccines in influencing lesion severity for pleuropneumonia was detected (within the limitations set by the trial design).

WITHDRAWN: Molecular detection of Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ in stray cats residing in monasteries of Bangkok, Thailand

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Methods for Prioritisation of Diseases: Case Study of Zoonoses in Southeast Asia

Prioritisation of diseases is an essential tool for policy-makers in charge of allocating resources for surveillance and control programmes or for research projects, to target diseases that need to be addressed ahead of others. Nevertheless, methods for prioritisation need to be transparent, standardised and repeatable to be effective and objective in setting priorities. To date, various models have been developed, experimenting different approaches, but it remains some room for improvement in the design of such tools. The definition of the criteria – indicators used to assess diseases regarding the objective of the prioritisation exercise – is one of the cornerstones of the efficiency of the methodology. In previous developed methods, this step was usually poorly addressed and up to now, no standardised method has been developed and described to select relevant and accurate criteria. Through the use of an electronic-based questionnaire to collect data about criteria from a large population of respondents, this study, based on the analysis of zoonoses and their impact in Southeast Asia, aimed at investigating an innovative approach to identify criteria that ensure a good differentiation between the diseases. The findings of this study highlighted that refining an initial list of criteria using multivariate analysis was a reliable approach to select clear, accurate and relevant criteria that allow a differentiation between diseases for a further prioritisation exercise. Furthermore, this study indicated that using an electronic-based questionnaire, carefully designed, might be an interesting alternative of expert opinion elicitation, for the collection of data. Finally, the results of this study opened to other new perspectives to develop and improve methods for the prioritisation of infectious diseases.