A5100721441- Avian ecology and behavior
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
University of Nottingham
2016-2025
Loughborough University
2025
University of Liverpool
2004-2013
Environmental Protection Agency
2013
National Consortium for Zoonosis Research
2006-2010
Hadassah Academic College
2009
University of Warwick
1998
Transmission is the driving force in dynamics of any infectious disease. A crucial element understanding disease dynamics, therefore, 'transmission term' describing rate at which susceptible hosts are 'converted' into infected by their contact with material. Recently, conventional form this term has been increasingly questioned, and new terminologies conventions have proposed. Here, we review derivation transmission terms, explain basis confusion, provide clarification. The root problem a...
It is generally accepted that the reservoir hosts of cowpox virus are wild rodents, although direct evidence for this lacking much virus's geographic range. Here, through a combination serology and PCR, we demonstrate conclusively main in Great Britain bank voles, wood mice short-tailed field voles. However, also suggest may not be able to maintain infection alone, explaining absence from Ireland where voles found. Infection rodents varies seasonally, variation probably underlies marked...
The transmission dynamics of the cowpox virus infection have been quantified in two mixed populations bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) and wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), through analyses detailed time-series numbers susceptible, infectious newly infected individuals. is a zoonosis which circulates these rodent hosts has shown to an adverse effect on reproductive output. within species best described as frequency dependent rather than density dependent, contrary 'mass action' assumption...
Pathogens may be important for host population dynamics, as they can a proximate cause of morbidity and mortality. Infection in turn, dependent on the underlying condition hosts. There is clear potential synergy between infection condition: poor predisposes to infections, which further reduce so on. To provide empirical data that support this notion, we measured haematological indicators (neutrophils monocytes) (red blood cells (RBCs) lymphocytes) field voles from three populations sampled...
The isolation of antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) from wildlife living adjacent to humans has led the suggestion that such resistance (AMR) is anthropogenically driven by exposure antimicrobials and ARB. However, ARB have also been detected in areas without interaction with humans. Here, we investigated patterns Escherichia coli isolated 408 wild bird mammal faecal samples. AMR multi-drug (MDR) prevalence samples differed significantly between a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP; wastes...
Mature laying chickens were inoculated intratracheally with a field strain of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) virus. Tracheal swabs collected regularly from all birds for virus culture. At various times post-inoculation, pairs killed and tissues removed detection products using conventional tissue homogenization culture, organ indirect immunofluorescence (IF) also the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The latter was used to detect DNA sequence ILT thymidine kinase gene. Following...
SUMMARY The physiological and immunological state of an animal can be influenced by current infections infection history. Consequently, both ongoing previous affect host susceptibility to another parasite, the biology subsequent (e.g. length) impact on morbidity (pathology). In natural populations, most animals will infected a succession different parasites throughout course their lives, with probably frequent concomitant infections. relative timing experienced (i.e. sequence events),...
Several studies have shown that a number of serovars Salmonella enterica may be isolated from wild birds, and it has been suggested birds play role in the epidemiology human livestock salmonellosis. However, little is known about relationship between bird S. strains human- livestock- associated United Kingdom. Given zoonotic potential salmonellosis, main aim this study was to investigate molecular infections north England and, particular, determine if isolates were similar those with disease...
Escherichia coli isolates of equine faecal origin were investigated for antibiotic resistance, resistance genes and their ability to perform horizontal transfer.In total, 264 samples collected from 138 horses in hospital community livery premises northwest England, yielding 296 resistant E. isolates. Isolates tested susceptibility antimicrobial drugs by disc diffusion agar dilution methods order determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). PCR amplification was used detect conferring...
Parasites have the capacity to affect animal populations by modifying host survival, and it is increasingly recognized that infectious disease can negatively impact biodiversity. Populations of house sparrow (Passer domesticus) declined in many European towns cities, but causes these declines remain unclear. We investigated associations between parasite infection demography across suburban London where abundance has 71% since 1995. Plasmodium relictum was found at higher prevalences...
Summary The reservoir host of cowpox virus in Western Europe is not known, but epidemiological evidence from human and feline infections indicates that the probably endemic small wild rodents. Therefore, serum tissue samples were collected a variety British mammals some birds, tested for Orthopoxvirus infection. Antibody reacting with was detected 9/44 (20%) bank voles ( Clethrionomys glareolus ), 8/24 (33%) field Microtus agrestis 17/86 wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus ) 1/44 house Mus...
We conducted two short-term studies of cohorts naturally infected calves to determine the prevalence and concentrations Escherichia coli O157 shed in faeces.Two were sampled; first study 14 sampled up five times a day for 5 days; second group 16 separate once or twice 15 days. All cattle within E. at some point during respective studies. In 18% samples, could only be isolated using immunomagnetic separation after an enrichment period, suggesting <250 CFU g(-1). The highest recorded 6.7 x...
1. Pathogens have been proposed as potentially important drivers of population dynamics, but while a few studies investigated the impact specific pathogens, wealth information provided by general indices health has hardly exploited. By evaluating haematological parameters in wild populations, our knowledge dynamics and infection may be better understood. 2. Here, natural populations field voles are to determine environmental host factors associated with indicators inflammatory response...
We aimed to explore student and staff perceptions experiences of a pilot SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic testing service (P-ATS) in UK university campus setting. This was mixed-method study comprised an online survey, thematic analysis qualitative data from interviews focus groups conducted at the mid-point end 12-week P-ATS programme. Ninety-nine students (84.8% female, 70% first year; 93.9% participants) completed 41 individuals attended or groups, including 31 (21 10 final year) staff. All types...
Abstract Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a major disease of cattle in the UK, placing significant economic burden on taxpayer. The causative agent, Mycobacterium bovis , has wide host range, including European badger ( Meles meles) . While badgers have been implicated transmission and maintenance infection areas endemic disease, their role at edge area poorly understood. Here we present data prevalence collected along southern England’s bTB epidemic. Stakeholders across five counties...
Cowpox is an orthopoxvirus infection endemic in European wild rodents, but with a wide host range including human beings. In this longitudinal study we examined cowpox two rodent species, bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus and wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus , to investigate the dynamics of virus its reservoir host. Trapping was carried out at 4-weekly intervals over 3 years each animal caught uniquely identified, blood sampled tested for antibodies cowpox. Antibody prevalence higher than...
Summary The effect of cowpox virus on survival in two rodent hosts was investigated using nearly 4 years longitudinal data from sites. We whether an individual's probability infection influenced the surviving next month. also at population level, examining whether, addition to seasonal effects, changes prevalence explained further temporal variation rates. In bank voles, but not wood mice, individuals with high probabilities survived better than uninfected animals. At level population,...