Dominiek Maes – författare

Swine can be infected with many different mycoplasmas. Some are important pathogens, causing significant health and welfare issues in pigs and major losses to the swine industry worldwide. Other mycoplasmas are not pathogenic for swine and can be considered commensals. This book provides up-to-date scientific, clinical and practical information of the most important pathogenic mycoplasmas in swine. Most emphasis has been placed on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae as the most economically important, but other pathogenic species like Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Mycoplasma hyosynoviae and Mycoplasma suis are also discussed. Written by internationally renowned scientists and clinicians from all over the world, this book draws together in depth knowledge, expertise and experience in swine mycoplasmas to provide an evidence-based, academically rigorous and practical collection. It aims to serve the scientific and veterinary community and the swine industry worldwide.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on bacterial diseases affecting pigs.The first chapter summarises recent research on the causes and epidemiology of major bacteria, viruses and parasites found in pig production, focussing on those with a particular impact on safety and global production, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella typhimurium and African swine fever virus.The second chapter discusses classical phenotypic characteristics and more advanced molecular techniques to identify and classify bacterial pathogens affecting swine health and performance. The chapter explores the different modes of transmission, as well as the commonly used measures for prevention and control, including vaccinations.The third chapter reviews the development of dysbiosis and post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets and the consequent economic losses these diseases cause for the global pig industry. The chapter considers the role of animal nutrition and dietary strategies to optimise gut function as a means of preventing dysbiosis and PWD.The final chapter assesses methods of improving gut function in pigs to optimise health and prevent pathogen colonization. The chapter discusses research on genes associated with pathogen resistance and porcine immune response and reviews the role of dietary and nutritional strategies in preventing intestinal pathogen colonisation.

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on improving biosecurity in livestock production.The first chapter highlights the importance of implementing biosecurity measures along the pig production chain as a means of minimising disease introduction (external biosecurity) and spread (internal biosecurity) throughout the farm. The second chapter reviews the diagnosis and monitoring of common pig diseases, as well as the control measures that can be implemented on the farm, focussing on the importance of establishing effective biosecurity measures. The third chapter provides a brief overview of the emergence and re-emergence of several infectious pathogens of poultry. The chapter highlights the integral role of improving biosecurity in poultry flocks as a means of mitigating future disease risk, including proper cleaning and disinfection techniques.The fourth chapter provides an overview of good farming practices for beef cattle farms, with particular discussion of biosecurity, animal welfare and the importance of clean cattle policies.The final chapter summarises key issues of biosecurity which arise in organic animal farming and discusses their significance to human health. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate the successful implementation of biosecurity plans as a means of reducing disease risk.