Novel diagnostic tools for improved control, monitoring and prevention strategies for the key endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland
Project Lead
Challenges
Improving the detection and diagnosis of infectious, endemic diseases is a key step to reducing the impacts on animal health and welfare. This enables the implementation of appropriate control measures and integrated management strategies. In addition, the targeted use of existing veterinary products via informed diagnostic decisions can reduce their unnecessary use, limiting environmental contamination and prolonging their efficacy for the future. This will generate positive impacts on the productivity, efficiency, and economic impact of livestock production. Over the long-term, this will improve the sustainability of the Scottish livestock sector. The wider public will directly benefit through increased food safety and security and improved animal welfare.
The key challenges for this project are:
- Current endemic disease diagnostics lack accuracy and specificity
- Developing diagnostic tools that can detect resistance to drugs used to control disease in livestock as well as new and emerging infections
- Exploiting novel technologies to develop new and improved diagnostic platforms
Questions
Solutions
Developing novel diagnostic tools for improved control, effective quarantine and targeted treatment of sheep scab
Sheep scab represents a major animal welfare concern and a significant economic burden for the sector in Scotland. The sheep scab ELISA (a serological test) is a significant new tool for improved disease control. However, the antigen used in the test is also part of a prototype scab vaccine. This limits our ability to differentiate vaccinated and infested animals. We are working on a second-generation test and exploring its potential in a pen-side format.
Identifying pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex
BRD complex is an important cause of death, disease, and antibiotic usage in calves. We require accurate and specific diagnostics. Clinical signs cannot distinguish the cause. We are identifying the major and novel BRD pathogens to directly develop improved diagnostics with greater pathogen coverage.
Developing a novel diagnostic tool for improved control of Johne’s disease (JD)
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) caused JD which is a worldwide production and welfare issue. Although diagnostic tests are available, they lack specificity and/or sensitivity. These issues lead to misdiagnosis, underreporting, reduced user confidence. We are developing a serum ELISA that will help improve the identification of MAP.
Developing a new pen-side, point-of care (PoC) diagnostics for management of ovine abortions
Diagnostic and surveillance schemes rely on tests performed at specialised labs with long turnaround times. PoC assays provide practical on-farm solutions for rapid assessment of disease outbreaks for livestock management. We are focusing on single or multiplexed PoC tests to reduce costs and delivers a comprehensive approach to field diagnosis.
Improving detection of endemic veterinary pathogens
We require improved diagnostic tests for many veterinary pathogens. These must be sensitive and specific and able to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals. New diagnostics have been developed for many veterinary pathogens. We are evaluating the suitability of one of these new platforms, SHERLOCK, for three priority endemic diseases: i) ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, ii) Louping-ill virus, and iii) MAP.
Improving diagnostic rate in livestock abortions
Livestock abortions are a significant health and welfare issue leading to economic losses. Several infectious causes of abortion also present a zoonotic risk. Currently, in a significant proportion of abortion cases submitted for diagnosis an infectious agent cannot be identified. We are investigating the potential use of a deep learning computational image analysis algorithm to identify infectious-agent specific changes in samples of placenta. This will improve the likelihood of reaching a diagnosis of an infectious cause of abortion when other testing is unrewarding.
Improving sequence and serological typing of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection
Next generation sequencing has potential for diagnostic application, particularly in support of surveillance and disease eradication for BVD. We are designing novel strategies for BVDV genome analysis, supporting infection tracing when BVDV eradication is almost complete.
Detecting macrocyclic lactone insensitivity in the cattle lungworm
Cattle lungworm infections cause significant health and welfare issues and losses in productivity. It can be controlled through pasture management, vaccination and anthelmintics. However, over-use of anthelmintics is linked to anthelmintic resistance (AMR). Little is known about AMR in lungworm in UK cattle but there are anecdotal accounts of lungworm infections persisting following treatment. We are developing less invasive, cheaper, and more rapid diagnostic tests.
Progress
2023 / 2024
This project is creating new tools to better control, monitor, and prevent common livestock diseases, directly supporting farmers and improving animal health and welfare. All Year 2 objectives were achieved, with two updated timelines agreed for Year 3.
Year 2 highlights include:
Sheep scab and cattle mange: A new blood test is being developed that can tell the difference between vaccinated and infected animals (DIVA capacity). It has shown greater accuracy than existing tests and has also been validated for use in cattle with mange.
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD): An archive of over 60 lung samples has been built, helping to improve understanding and diagnosis of this costly condition.
Johne’s disease: Promising new diagnostic candidates have been identified using synthetic molecules, with further test development planned for Year 3.
Ovine abortion: Progress has been made in adapting laboratory tests for use on-farm, with encouraging results for Chlamydia abortus. More tests will be trialled in Year 3.
New molecular diagnostics: A highly specific test was developed for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus, with lessons feeding into test development for other diseases, including louping ill virus and Johne’s disease (MAP).
Digital pathology: Access to archived surveillance cases has been improved, paving the way for more accurate diagnosis of livestock abortions using digitised samples and AI tools.
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD): Four new complete viral genomes were sequenced, helping track strains and supporting better disease control in Scottish herds.
Lungworm: Improved methods for rearing larvae have been developed, and new molecular tools are being created to overcome challenges in detecting resistance to worming treatments.
Beyond the lab, the team shared their work widely at the Royal Highland Show, international conferences, and the Moredun Press Day, helping ensure the benefits of this research reach farmers and the wider livestock industry.
2022 / 2023
This project is developing new tools and technologies to improve the control, monitoring, and prevention of common livestock diseases. By creating practical and affordable tests, the work directly benefits farmers and the wider livestock industry, while also supporting better animal health and welfare.
Year 1 highlights include:
Sheep scab: A new blood test is being developed that can distinguish between vaccinated and infected animals. Early results show excellent accuracy, paving the way for integration with a future sheep scab vaccine.
Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC): Progress was made in building a valuable archive of lung samples from affected cattle. A large natural exposure study has been delayed due to licensing approvals but will now take place in Year 2.
Johne’s disease: Samples from affected and disease-free herds are being used to test a new diagnostic approach based on synthetic mycolic acids, with laboratory methods now optimised for screening.
Ovine abortion: Tissue samples and associated data have been fully collected, providing a strong foundation for new diagnostic work.
Next-generation diagnostics: Cutting-edge tools are being explored, including CRISPR-based tests for livestock pathogens, and deep learning approaches to improve diagnosis of livestock abortions from digitised tissue samples.
BVD virus: Whole-genome sequencing methods were developed and successfully tested on major UK strains, improving our ability to track and understand this costly cattle disease.
Cattle lungworm: Work is underway to develop a test for resistance to commonly used worm treatments, helping farmers manage cases where treatments are becoming less effective.
Alongside these scientific advances, the team shared their work widely, from presenting at international conferences to engaging directly with farmers at the Royal Highland Show and the Moredun Annual Press Day.
Previous Projects
Related Projects
Novel diagnostic tools
To develop novel tools and approaches to improve diagnosis of the most economically important endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland, the UK and Europe. The research will lead to the development of new and more versatile technologies for the accurate diagnosis of infectious disease and investigation of complex disease syndromes (such as reproductive and respiratory diseases), which will help to determine the interaction between the microbes (bacteria and viruses) present and the animal hosts they infect.