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'Breakthrough' vaccine vehicle for sheep and goats
"Our major advance is that we will be able to immunise sheep against a wide range of pathogens using a harmless organism they naturally harbour."
Project is based around the trypanosomes parasite.

A 'breakthrough' vehicle to deliver vaccines to sheep and goats is being developed by Roslin Technologies in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh.

Incorporating technology generated from a harmless single-cell parasite, the vehicle can be manipulated by scientists to host proteins for an array of diseases, whether transmitted via a virus, bacterium or parasite.

Researchers are initially working on a vaccine to tackle peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), a highly infectious disease that threatens 80 per cent of the global sheep and goat population.

As the vehicle is quick and easy to engineer, researchers hope it will also be easy to target the emergence of any strain variations.

Dr Karen Fairlie-Clarke from Roslin Technologies said: “With such huge potential, we are eager to gather together partners who can deploy this technology to improve vaccine performance and increase the number of pathogens that can be targeted.”

The project is based around the trypanosomes melophagium parasite, isolated by scientists on the remote Scottish island of St Kilda. Trypanosomes are spread by sheep keds – a wingless insect — and are usually absent in the UK’s 16 million farmed sheep, which tend to be dipped to eliminate such infestations.

Prof. Keith Matthews from the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, commented: “Our major advance is that we will be able to immunise sheep against a wide range of pathogens using a harmless organism that they naturally harbour."

The project forms part of Roslin Technologies’ mission to develop the science of sustainable protein, helping to make the food chain more efficient and to increase animal health and welfare.

Researchers say the potency of the vehicle and its ability to sustain immunity long-term will be particularly useful to farmers in remote areas or developing countries.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.