Early detection and prediction of infection using infrared thermography

Abstract

Early detection and prediction of infection using infrared thermography. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 84: 73-80. Early detection and/or prediction of disease in an animal is the first step towards its successful treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the capability of infrared thermography as a non-invasive, early detection method for identifying animals with a systemic infection. A viral infection model was adopted using 15 seronegative calves whose body weight averaged 172 kg. Ten of these calves were inoculated with Type 2 bovine viral diarrhoea virus (strain 24515) and five were separately housed and served as uninfected controls. A simultaneous comparison of infrared characteristics in both infected and control animals was conducted over approximately 15 d. In addition, measures of blood and saliva cortisol, immunoglobulin A, blood haptoglobin and clinical scores were obtained. Infrared temperatures, especially for facial scans, increased by 1.5°C to over 4°C (P < 0.01) several days to 1 wk before clinical scores or serum concentrations of acute phase protein indicated illness in the infected calves. The data suggest that infrared thermal measurements can be used in developing an early prediction index for infection in calves. Le dépistage ou la prévision rapide de la maladie chez un animal est la première étape vers la guérison. La présente étude devait vérifier l'utilité de la thermographie infrarouge comme méthode de dépistage précoce non invasive en vue de l'identification des animaux atteints d'une infection systémique. Pour cela, les auteurs ont recouru à un modèle d'infection virale constitué de 15 veaux séronégatifs de 172 kg en moyenne. Ils ont inoculé le virus de type 2 de la diarrhée des bovins (souche 24515) à dix veaux et gardé les cinq autres à part comme témoins. Ensuite, ils ont simultanément comparé les paramètres infrarouges des sujets infectés et sains pendant une quinzaine de jours. Parallèlement, ils ont dosé le cortisol dans le sang et la salive, l'immunoglobine A, l'haptoglobine sérique et noté les signes cliniques. La température infrarouge, de la face surtout, passe de 1,5°C à plus de 4°C (P < 0.01) plusieurs jours à une semaine avant qu'apparaissent les signes cliniques ou que les concentrations sériques attribuables à la phase aiguë de production des protéines virales n'indiquent l'existence de la maladie chez les veaux infectés. Les résultats donnent à penser qu'on pourrait se servir des relevés thermiques infrarouges pour mettre au point un indice de prévision rapide de l'infection chez les veaux.

Assessing feed efficiency in beef steers through feeding behavior, infrared thermography and glucocorticoids

“…First, EYs have no major function as a heat dissipating organ and their surface temperature is heavily influenced by the time since the last blink episode (Fujishima et al, 1996). Second, EY follows the rectal temperature very closely (Schaefer et al, 2004), suggesting a better application of EY as an indicator of core body temperature. The other two IR traits, RB and HA, were not important indicators of efficiency.…”

A Review of Methods to Measure Animal Body Temperature in Precision Farming

“…Validation of measurement methods is often based on a health challenge with LPS (Lipo Poly Saccaride) or another known pathogen inoculated to the animals (Berry et al, 2003;Schaefer et al, 2004;Richeson et al, 2012). Health challenges are also often based on heat stress (Renaudeau et al, 2008;Green and Xin, 2009).…”

“…Potential uses of the IR method for the early detection of diseases in cattle are studied by many authors (Schaefer et al, 2004;Hoffmann et al, 2012 ;Poikalainen et al, 2012), the latter proposing a fully automated system of measurement installed close to the livestock waterers. Montano et al (2009) showed that the IR technique, especially on the extremities of the body, is relevant to the study of feed efficiency of steers.…”

Implantation of subcutaneous heart rate data loggers in southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)

“…Wound healing was monitored in the field for signs of inflammation, swelling and exudate with digital and thermal images (ThermaCAM TM P25 FLIR Systems) for prediction of infection, as increased local temperature is a significant sign of wound infection and can be early detected with infrared thermography (Schaefer et al 2004;Fierheller & Sibbald 2011). In 2015, female 37 was observed once, two days after the operation, whereas in 2016 female 56 was observed daily, during 6 days, until instrument retrieval.…”