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Leptospirosis is a global disease of animals, with potential major economic impact on livestock industry and important zoonotic capacities. The disease represents a major challenge in the developing countries as humans and animals frequently live in close association. The serovar Hardjo of Leptospira whose primary host is cattle has been studied extensively, but few data exist on other current circulating or emerging serotypes. To better understand the disease in cattle and how to prevent and/or control it, it is necessary to identify the genotype and the serotype of circulating Leptospira. This study presents results of several investigations performed on a historical Belgian collection of congenital jaundice in bovine aborted foetuses coming from the leptospirosis emerging episode of 2014 (Delooz et al., Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 62, 2015, 124). The results revealed that L. Grippotyphosa and L. Australis were the most prevalent serogroups with, respectively, 17/42 and 13/42 positive microscopic agglutination test (MAT) during this emerging event associated with the same clinical pattern. The study also confirms that congenital jaundice is associated with L. kirscheneri and L. interrogans and provides the genotyping of DNA obtained from these two species.

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Summary 18Between late February and May 2012, a preliminary anonym survey was conducted among 27Lamb mortality during the first week of life was reported more frequently in PF (8 of 13 PF, 28 61.5%) than in NF (1 of 13 NF, 7.7%). In PF, the observed prolificacy rate was two-fold 29 lower (93%) than expected (186%). 2The implementation of a survey at larger scale, including a high number of breeders, is 31 necessary to allow a more detailed analysis of the SBV impact in the sheep sector. 32

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Background Building the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance network in Veterinary medicine (EARS-Vet) was proposed to strengthen the European One Health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance approach. Objectives To define the combinations of animal species/production types/age categories/bacterial species/specimens/antimicrobials to be monitored in EARS-Vet. Methods The EARS-Vet scope was defined by consensus between 26 European experts. Decisions were guided by a survey of the combinations that are relevant and feasible to monitor in diseased animals in 13 European countries (bottom-up approach). Experts also considered the One Health approach and the need for EARS-Vet to complement existing European AMR monitoring systems coordinated by the ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Results EARS-Vet plans to monitor AMR in six animal species [cattle, swine, chickens (broilers and laying hens), turkeys, cats and dogs], for 11 bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus hyicus, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus suis). Relevant antimicrobials for their treatment were selected (e.g. tetracyclines) and complemented with antimicrobials of more specific public health interest (e.g. carbapenems). Molecular data detecting the presence of ESBLs, AmpC cephalosporinases and methicillin resistance shall be collected too. Conclusions A preliminary EARS-Vet scope was defined, with the potential to fill important AMR monitoring gaps in the animal sector in Europe. It should be reviewed and expanded as the epidemiology of AMR changes, more countries participate and national monitoring capacities improve.

The potencies of several alkoxyalkyl esters of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates against vaccinia virus and cowpox virus were evaluated in cell monolayers and three-dimensional epithelial raft cultures. Prodrugs were at least 20-fold more active than their parent compounds. Octadecycloxyethyl-(S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine emerged as the most potent derivative.Smallpox has been declared eradicated since 1980 (5). However, due to the potential threat of variola virus as a weapon for bioterrorism (4) and the increasing number of infections with monkeypox virus (11), it is essential that adequate antiviral drugs be developed. Cidofovir (CDV) has already proven to be active against orthopoxviruses (9,10,14,16,18). However, this drug needs to be administered intravenously and is potentially nephrotoxic. Recently, it was shown that alkoxyalkyl and alkyl esters of CDV and cyclic cidofovir (cCDV) were more active against vaccinia virus (VV) and cowpox virus (CPV) in human foreskin fibroblasts than their parent compounds due in part to an increased penetration through the cell membrane (13,15). In vivo studies indicate that the prodrugs are highly orally bioavailable and are as effective as parenterally administered CDV for the treatment of VV-or CPV-infected mice (6,7,17).The activities of various alkoxyalkyl esters of the acyclic nucleoside phosphonate (ANP) analogues CDV [(S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine; HPMPC; Vistide], e Selectivity index (ratio of CC 50 to EC 50 ).