Feed aggregator

Emerg Microbes Infect. 2025 May 6:2502011. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2025.2502011. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40326334 | DOI:10.1080/22221751.2025.2502011

Microbiol Res. 2025 Apr 25;297:128196. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2025.128196. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The globally disseminated Staphylococcus aureus ST5 clone poses a major public health threat due to its multidrug resistance and virulence. Here, we identified an agr-dysfunctional (agrA-I238K) ST5 MRSA clone that has spread across East and Southeast Asia, with recent increases in China since its emergence in the 1970s. Comparative genomic analyses identified distinct single-nucleotide polymorphisms and mobile genetic elements linked to enhanced resistance and virulence. This clone exhibits resistance to seven antimicrobial classes, including third-generation tetracyclines and fusidic acid, and shares phenotypic and genetic similarities with the vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus Mu50 strain, including reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin, and daptomycin. The agrA-I238K mutation attenuates hemolytic activity, increases biofilm formation, and reduces daptomycin susceptibility, suggesting a key role in the clone's success. Our results demonstrate the important role of agrA-I238K mutation in the widespread distribution of agr-dysfunctional MRSA and highlight the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking the spread of agr-dysfunctional ST5 MRSA.

PMID:40311457 | DOI:10.1016/j.micres.2025.128196

Transbound Emerg Dis. 2023 Aug 14;2023:2277409. doi: 10.1155/2023/2277409. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Dairy production is an important livelihood source for smallholder dairy farmers who produce the majority of milk consumed and traded in Ethiopia. Dairy production is, however, constrained by livestock diseases that impact farm productivity, food safety, and animal welfare. Biosecurity measures (BSM) include all risk reduction strategies designed to avoid the introduction of pathogenic infections from outside and minimise the spread of diseases within dairy herds. This study used a cross-sectional survey to investigate the adoption of BSM in dairy farms in Addis Ababa and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Using a questionnaire, scores for adopted external and internal BSM were calculated based on the Ghent's University Biocheck tool to compare the performance of different farms in Ethiopia. The weighted external biosecurity score was 49.1%, which was below average (below 50% adoption), while the weighted internal biosecurity score was 55.5%. Low adoption of crucial BSM increases the risk of disease introduction into dairy farms and transmission within herds. Adoption of BSM at the farm level was driven by individual, demographic, and socio-economic drivers, including education, farming system, milk value chain, and farming experience among others. Results of this research reveal low adoption of BSM and the imperative to encourage farmers to implement BSM can lead to a reduction in disease pressures and, thus, a reduction in antibiotic use and increased dairy farms productivity, and improved animal health and welfare. Farmers can be encouraged through proactive engagement with veterinarians and extension professionals. Moreover, creating a favourable policy environment can support farmers to adopt and implement BSM, given the known fact that "prevention is better and cheaper than curing diseases."

PMID:40303828 | PMC:PMC12016702 | DOI:10.1155/2023/2277409

J Vet Intern Med. 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70113. doi: 10.1111/jvim.70113.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is categorized into several subgroups, including seronegative MG. Seronegative human patients are well documented, but seronegative dogs remain clinically uncharacterized and their prevalence unknown.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of canine MG subgroups.

ANIMALS: One hundred sixty-seven owner-owned dogs diagnosed with MG from three referral centers.

METHODS: Retrospective case series. We classified myasthenic dogs into subgroups, adhering to human guidelines.

RESULTS: We classified 167 dogs into four subgroups: acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive generalized (49.7%, n = 83/167), focal (19.2%, n = 32/167) and thymoma-associated MG (9%, n = 15/167) and seronegative MG (22.2%, n = 37/167). Dogs with thymoma-associated MG were older (median 102 months; Interquartile Range (IQR) 96-120; p < 0.001) and seronegative dogs were younger (median 30 months; IQR 11.5-66; p = 0.017), compared to the generalized subgroup (median 67 months; IQR 36-96). Seronegative dogs presented less frequently with megaesophagus, compared to the generalized subgroup (63.8% vs. 85.7%; Odds Ratio 3.4; 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) 1.4-8.9; p = 0.025). Myasthenic dogs' survival time was significantly reduced when thymoma (Hazard Ratio (H.R.) 3.7; 95% C.I. 1.4-9.9; p = 0.028) or esophageal weakness (H.R. 3.8; 95% C.I. 2.0-7.0; p < 0.001) was present. Conversely, a higher likelihood of remission was achieved when esophageal weakness was absent (H.R. 3.8; 95% C.I. 1.4-10.0; p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with seronegative MG are more common than previously reported. Myasthenic subgroups differ in presentation and outcome, with esophageal weakness key to survival and remission. Diagnostic tests for seronegative dogs and effective treatments for esophageal weakness in myasthenic dogs are urgently needed.

PMID:40298067 | DOI:10.1111/jvim.70113

J Biomed Mater Res A. 2025 May;113(5):e37917. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.37917.

ABSTRACT

Treatment of orthopedic device-related infection (ORDI) generally requires a combination of medical and surgical interventions for successful treatment outcomes. Many cases are treated with a two-stage revision, whereby contaminated implants and necrotic tissues are removed, and dead space is managed with a temporary, non-resorbable polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) spacer loaded with antibiotics. Weeks later, this is replaced with a bone graft or similar material to aid bone healing. However, this two-stage approach is quite a burden for the patient, and infection may still recur. The use of a 3D-printed, absorbable, antibiotic-releasing material that also promotes bone healing would be a promising alternative that produces the exact geometry of the missing bone and eliminates the need for a second surgery. In this study, we investigated whether a novel 3D-printed, antibiotic-loaded, osteoconductive calcium phosphate scaffold (CPS) is effective in the single-stage revision of an infected segmental bone defect model in rabbits. A 5-mm segmental defect of the radius of female New Zealand White rabbits (n = 64), stabilized with cerclage wire, was inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus. After 4 weeks, the infected bone fragment was removed, the site debrided, and the bone defect was either left empty (Control group) or filled with a PMMA spacer with gentamicin, CPS loaded with rifampicin or non-loaded CPS. The animals were also managed with systemic cefazolin for 4 weeks. An additional group received vancomycin-loaded CPS without adjunctive systemic antibiotic therapy. All animals were euthanized 8 weeks after revision and assessed by quantitative bacteriology or semiquantitative histopathology. The antibiotic-loaded scaffolds (PMMA-Genta and CPS-Rif) in the animals receiving systemic antibiotic treatment resulted in a reduction in bacterial count at euthanasia compared to controls (rabbits receiving systemic antibiotic alone and in which the defect was left empty). The PMMA-Genta induced a significant CFU reduction (p = 0.0486) compared to controls. The infection rate was also reduced from 80% in the control group to 50% for the groups receiving local and systemic antibiotics. The CPS-Vanco group for local delivery without adjunctive systemic antibiotic therapy resulted in a lower infection rate, but the CFUs in these samples at euthanasia were comparable with those of the control group. The findings show that treating an ODRI with PMMA-Genta yields the best results for infection eradication; however, it does not provide the reconstruction opportunity that the antibiotic-loaded CPS does. Even though it is not comparable to the PMMA-Genta, the antibiotic-loaded CPS showed a reduction in infection rates. The use of local antibiotics alone is insufficient to eradicate the infection.

PMID:40296342 | DOI:10.1002/jbm.a.37917

Scholarship award: £21,970.00 per annum (Tax Exempt), inclusive of the accommodation package.

Start date: from September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, for 12 months

Applications are invited for this 12-month Scholarship programme, which provides an opportunity for new graduates or recently qualified veterinarians to receive high-quality postgraduate training in farm animal studies under the supervision of experienced farm animal clinicians in the Cambridge Farm Animal Veterinary Services ambulatory and referral practice at the University of Cambridge. The emphasis of the programme is on gaining practical clinical experience in farm animal medicine and herd health and will allow the Scholar to identify specific fields of farm animal work in which to specialise, either in preparation for Senior Clinical Training Scholarship programmes, or for specialist private practice.

The internship will cover:

• Case involvement of individual production animals, including emergency and critical care, surgery, anaesthesia, diagnostics, internal medicine and obstetrics
• Involvement in a busy and expanding first opinion farm animal practice and referral hospital
• Training and practice in population medicine and herd health management, with an emphasis on evidence-based medicine
• Experience in teaching and communication
• Basic tuition in research methods and scientific writing
• Opportunity to design and undertake research projects

Summary of benefits

• Competitive tax-free stipend including accommodation in Central Cambridge and bills included package
• Good work-life balance with manageable weekend and night work
• University library and journal access
• 2 weeks of elective/dedicated research time on top of holidays
• Academic opportunities, e.g. teach Cambridge students during rotations and College supervisionopportunities; weekly department research and clinical seminars; journal and book clubs
• Proven track-record with publications and research projects with guidance on presentation and scientific writing skills
• Assigned intern supervisor: - regular progress meetings, interview practice, provision of professional references and CV/cover letter proof reading by experienced senior clinicians to aid residency applications
• Generous CPD allowance and encouragement to present at scientific meetings

To learn more about the Farm Animal Veterinary Services and the Department, please visit: https://www.hospital.vet.cam.ac.uk/farm-animal.

Informal enquiries should be directed to: Ian McCrone, by email: ism27@cam.ac.uk.

Applicants must be a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or hold a veterinary degree qualifying them for membership.

A JCTS Application Form (JCTS 1) and Information Pack can be downloaded from the following website: https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/job.

Applicants should supply a completed Junior Clinical Training Scholarship Application Form (JCTS 1), a CV and Covering Letter giving reasons for wishing to undertake the JCTS in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge.

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to: vetmed@vet.cam.ac.uk with the above documents as one attachment, by the closing date stated. Please quote reference PP45804 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 26th May 2025. Interviews will be held Monday 9th June 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications or extend it if we do not receive a sufficient number of applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Please note: The ability to take up this Scholarship is contingent upon you being able to evidence your right to work in the UK, or through gaining the right to work via the UK immigration system. Evidence will need to be provided before an offer can be made. Regrettably, this Scholarship is not suitable for sponsorship via the Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker visa routes as the minimum requirements cannot be met.

We have an exciting opportunity for a personable and effective administrator to work in the Client Services function of the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital (QVSH). This position is full-time and operates on a rota system to cover the hospital reception's opening hours, which are currently Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 7:00pm.

The Client Service Administrator is the first point of contact within the Small Animal Hospital aiming to provide a first-class customer service, rotating between front desk and telephone to provide all front-of-house services, therefore a friendly, calm and confident communicator is essential. You will be responsible for receiving incoming calls and emails, processing payments, booking appointments, and liaising with clients, referring veterinary practices, QVSH clinicians, nurses and students. You should have experience of working in a busy administrative role, have excellent customer care skills, be numerate, accurate and have an eye for detail.

You must be efficient and experienced in Microsoft Office packages and have the ability to establish professional and effective working relationships with the wider team. Excellent organisation skills, attention to detail and flexibility are all essential parts of the role.

In return, we offer an encouraging and nurturing environment and have a dedicated team of clinicians and nurses who are committed to providing the best care for our patients.

Benefits: - Generous paid annual leave including bank holidays - Defined benefit pension scheme - Enhanced family friendly policies - Access to a dedicated Personal and Professional Development team - Wellness programme including Occupational Health team and Staff counselling - Staff discount scheme including shopping vouchers - Cycle to work scheme - Travel to work loans - Eye care voucher scheme - Discounted gym membership

There may also be a requirement to participate in a weekend working, for which additional remuneration will be made in line with the University Policy.

For informal enquiries please contact the Clinical HR Team, by email on: qvsh.hr@vet.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference PP45802 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please outline in your job application how you meet the essential criteria set out in the Further Particulars.

Further particulars for the role and information about the Department visit: www.vet.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 11th of May. Interviews will be held on the 21st of May.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications or extend it if we do not receive a sufficient number of applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 May 6;122(18):e2424634122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2424634122. Epub 2025 Apr 22.

ABSTRACT

Horizontal transfer of nuclear DNA between cells of host and cancer is a potential source of adaptive variation in cancer cells. An understanding of the frequency and significance of this process in naturally occurring tumors is, however, lacking. We screened for this phenomenon in the transmissible cancers of dogs and Tasmanian devils and found an instance in the canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT). This involved introduction of a 15-megabase dicentric genetic element, composed of 11 fragments of six chromosomes, to a CTVT sublineage occurring in Asia around 2,000 y ago. The element forms the short arm of a small submetacentric chromosome and derives from a dog with ancestry associated with the ancient Middle East. The introduced DNA fragment is transcriptionally active and has adopted the expression profile of CTVT. Its features suggest that it may derive from an engulfed apoptotic body. Our findings indicate that nuclear horizontal gene transfer, although likely a rare event in tumor evolution, provides a viable mechanism for the acquisition of genetic material in naturally occurring cancer genomes.

PMID:40261943 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2424634122

Vet Microbiol. 2025 Apr 11;305:110509. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110509. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Glaesserella parasuis is the causative agent of Glässer's disease in pigs and results in significant losses to the swine industry annually. Due to the serovar and strain specific response associated with many bacterin vaccines, there has been difficulty generating broad heterologous protection. Here, an unencapsulated G. parasuis mutant (HS069∆cap) was assessed as a bacterin vaccine and compared to a bacterin made from the encapsulated parent strain, against challenge with the homologous, parent strain (serovar 5) as well as four heterologous challenge strains (serovar 1, 4, 5, and 14). Both the HS069 and HS069∆cap bacterins generated high titers to the homologous and heterologous strains. The HS069∆cap bacterin was able to provide protection against the parent strain as well as 12939 (serovar 1), 2170B (serovar 4), and MN-H (serovar 13), but was unable to protect animals from challenge with Nagasaki (serovar 5). In contrast, the HS069 bacterin was able to provide protection against all challenge strains, showing the importance of serovar specific immunity against the challenge strain Nagasaki. This appears to be due to the production of a more abundant and well-organized capsule in Nagasaki as compared to HS069. This study indicates HS069∆cap is a good candidate strain for bacterin development; however, it may be less able to provide protection against highly encapsulated strains of G. parasuis.

PMID:40250105 | DOI:10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110509

Pharmacogenomics J. 2025 Apr 17;25(3):9. doi: 10.1038/s41397-025-00367-0.

ABSTRACT

Similarity between candidate drug targets and human proteins is commonly assessed to minimize the occurrence of side effects. Although numerous drugs have been found to disrupt the health of the human microbiome, no comprehensive comparison between established drug targets and the human microbiome metaproteome has yet been conducted. Therefore, herein, sequence and structure alignments between human and pathogen drug targets and representative human gut, oral, and vaginal microbiome metaproteomes were performed. Both human and pathogen drug targets were found to be similar in sequence, function, structure, and drug binding capacity to proteins in diverse pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria from all three microbiomes. The gut metaproteome was identified as particularly susceptible overall to off-target effects. Certain symptoms, such as infections and immune disorders, may be more common among drugs that non-selectively target host microbiota. These findings suggest that similarities between human microbiome metaproteomes and drug target candidates should be routinely checked.

PMID:40246834 | DOI:10.1038/s41397-025-00367-0

Hemasphere. 2025 Apr 16;9(4):e70113. doi: 10.1002/hem3.70113. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

The treatment of chronic neutropenias and control of neutropenia-related infections remain challenging topics for pediatric and adult hematologists. This article aims to fill the gap in the treatment of neutropenias and, in combination with the previously published European guidelines on diagnosis of neutropenias, gives complete and comprehensive guidance on the whole management of patients with neutropenia. In terms of methodology, an Evidence-Based Medicine team produced an evidence synthesis of the literature on the treatment of neutropenias. Then, according to the robustness of the evidence, consensus recommendations were elaborated and voted by an expert's panel from the Cooperation in Science and Technology European Network for the Innovative Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Neutropenias (https://eunet-innochron.eu/) and the Specialized Working Group on Granulocytes and Constitutional Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes of the European Hematology Association. Whenever evidence was not available, recommendations were based on the expert's panel opinion. Consensus-based recommendations are related to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor indications and schedule of administration, indications for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, supportive treatments and measures, and new treatments that have been evolving over the recent years. These guidelines, rather than a numerical correction of the absolute neutrophil count, suggest a holistic, patient-centered approach aiming at optimizing the management of chronic neutropenic patients and offering valuable and practical guidance to the hematologists for their daily clinical practice.

PMID:40242664 | PMC:PMC12001981 | DOI:10.1002/hem3.70113

Parasitology. 2025 Apr 14:1-5. doi: 10.1017/S0031182025000125. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40223707 | DOI:10.1017/S0031182025000125

Sci Adv. 2025 Apr 11;11(15):eadp8504. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adp8504. Epub 2025 Apr 11.

ABSTRACT

RNA editing is a posttranscriptional mechanism that targets changes in RNA transcripts to modulate innate immune responses. We report the role of astrocyte-specific, ADAR1-mediated RNA editing in neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD). We generated human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes, neurons and cocultures and exposed them to small soluble alpha-synuclein aggregates. Oligomeric alpha-synuclein triggered an inflammatory glial state associated with Toll-like receptor activation, viral responses, and cytokine secretion. This reactive state resulted in loss of neurosupportive functions and the induction of neuronal toxicity. Notably, interferon response pathways were activated leading to up-regulation and isoform switching of the RNA deaminase enzyme, ADAR1. ADAR1 mediates A-to-I RNA editing, and increases in RNA editing were observed in inflammatory pathways in cells, as well as in postmortem human PD brain. Aberrant, or dysregulated, ADAR1 responses and RNA editing may lead to sustained inflammatory reactive states in astrocytes triggered by alpha-synuclein aggregation, and this may drive the neuroinflammatory cascade in Parkinson's.

PMID:40215316 | DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adp8504

Small Sci. 2024 Apr 22;4(6):2300349. doi: 10.1002/smsc.202300349. eCollection 2024 Jun.

ABSTRACT

The role of the gut microbiome in various aspects of health and disease is now a well-established concept in modern biomedicine. Numerous studies have revealed links between host health and microbial activity, spanning from digestion and metabolism to autoimmune disorders, stress and neuroinflammation. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this complex cross-talk still remain a mystery. Conventionally, studies examining host-microbiome interactions rely on animal models, but translation of such findings into human systems is challenging. Bioengineered models represent a highly promisingapproach for tackling such challenges. Here, a bioelectronic platform, the e-transmembrane, is used to establish a 3D model of human intestine, to study the effects of microbiota on gut barrier integrity. More specifically, how postbiotics and live bacteria impact the morphology and function of the intestinal barrier is evaluated. e-Transmembrane devices provide a means for in-line and label-free continuous monitoring of host-microbe cross-talk using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, revealing distinct patterns that emerge over 24 hours. Microscopy and quantification of molecular biomarkers further validate the differential effects of each bacterial intervention on the host tissue. In addition, a framework to better study and screen drug candidates and potential therapeutic/dietary interventions, such as postbiotics and probiotics, in more physiologically relevant human models is provided.

PMID:40212761 | PMC:PMC11935216 | DOI:10.1002/smsc.202300349

Passionate about first-opinion equine work? Join our team of ambulatory and clinic-based equine vets who combine clinical work with teaching future vets.

Role Overview: We are seeking an experienced Clinical Veterinarian in First Opinion Equine Practice to join our dynamic team, following a recent change within the service. Contribute to the continued development of our general equine practice and teach final-year vet students during their clinical rotations.

What We Offer: · Salary and Start: Up to £55,755/year + out-of-hours pay. Earliest start June 2025. · Contract: Full-time, permanent. However, we also welcome applications from individuals seeking part-time arrangements (minimum 3 days per week. Ideally be on consecutive days, but other days would be considered. Must include Fridays). Please specify your preferred working days in your application. · Annual Leave: 41 days/year (pro rata for part-time). · Professional Development: 10 days/year for CPD (pro rata for part-time). · Work-Life Balance: Planned admin time, good social/team time, supportive environment. · Pension Scheme: Very generous. · Enhanced Benefits: Maternity, Paternity, Parental Leave Pay, well-being support. · Employee Discounts: Retail and travel benefits. · Development Opportunities: Development of professional interests and leadership skills encouraged and fully supported.

Key Responsibilities: · Provide high-standard clinical service in equine practice. · Support the Principal Clinical Veterinarian in Equine General Practice. · Teach and mentor vet students during their equine clinical rotations. · Contribute to the expansion and enhancement of first-opinion equine services. · Participate in out-of-hours rota (additional pay).

About Us: We are an independent equine practice operating out of the vet school site including the Queens Veterinary School Hospital. You will be working alongside a diverse and integrated equine clinical team and embedded within a wider community of clinicians and support staff dedicated to providing compassionate veterinary clinical services to patients and clients in the Cambridgeshire area. Cambridge Equine Clinic provides ambulatory services within a 40-mile radius of the vet school, supported by outstanding clinic facilities including a new indoor menage, several well-equipped treatment rooms with stocks, full-surgical facilities, and an impressive array of equipment. Our team includes equine RVNs, experienced techs, with support from specialists in anaesthesia, clinical pathology and radiology.

Requirements: · Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. · Relevant experience in equine practice. · Passion for teaching and mentoring veterinary students.

Informal Enquiries: Please contact Craig Rutland, Principal Clinical Veterinarian in Equine General Practice, via email: cr763@cam.ac.uk.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please outline in your job application how you meet the essential criteria set out in the Further Particulars.

Applications will be monitored regularly, and we may contact candidates prior to the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Shared practice vehicles are provided for work use.

Join us in shaping the future of equine veterinary practice and education at Cambridge Vet School! For more information about the Department, visit www.vet.cam.ac.uk.

The University actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

We require a part-time specialist in Equine Orthopaedics and Surgery to join team in order to manage and direct teaching in equine orthopaedics and surgery within the Department of Veterinary Medicine. You will take overall responsibility for the practical and didactic teaching of clinical veterinary students in the area of equine surgery and orthopaedics, including the planning, preparation and delivery of lectures, seminars, and classes and the provision of innovative course developments in relevant subject area(s). Working closely with the Equine Teaching Professor, you will be closely involved in the setting and marking of VetMB examinations including examination of both practical skills and theoretical knowledge across the clinical years of the course. You will also supervise student research projects in relevant area(s).

You will be a Diploma holder of the AVCS, ECVS, or RCVS, and : Have a veterinary degree registerable with the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons and documented teaching experience.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Anna Hollis by email arh207@cam.ac.uk

For more information about the Department please visit www.vet.cam.ac.uk

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Interviews are expected to be held late May/early June 2025

Please quote reference PP45681 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

PLoS One. 2025 Apr 4;20(4):e0320878. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320878. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Primary hereditary cataract affects many purebred domestic dog breeds and is a major cause of visual impairment in dogs. Cataracts are common in Northern breeds such as the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed, but their aetiology is currently unknown. Only two genetic loci are known to be causally related to primary hereditary cataracts in the dog. To search for genetic loci associated with cataracts in Northern breeds, we used a genome-wide association study approach in three breeds-Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed. Cases were defined as dogs with bilateral posterior polar subcapsular cataracts and controls were at least four years of age with no evidence of cataracts or other ocular abnormality. We found a genome-wide statistical association for cataracts in the Siberian Husky on canine chromosome 18 (P-value: 1.1 x 10 - 7), which was independently replicated in a second larger case-control set (P-value 9.8 x 10 - 29). The Samoyed breed also showed evidence for association in the same genomic region (P-value: 2.4 x 10 - 5). We subsequently used targeted resequencing of the associated region (6.5 Mb) in ten Siberian Huskies and whole genome sequencing of a Husky, Malamute, Samoyed and Norwegian Buhund case to conduct fine-mapping and screen for candidate causal variants. These analyses identified a region of linkage disequilibrium in the four breeds containing common variants in the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) gene that are strongly associated with bilateral posterior polar subcapsular cataracts in the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Icelandic Sheepdog and Norwegian Buhund and we demonstrate that CPT1A is expressed in the dog lens and retina through RNAseq. Our findings represent a novel locus for cataracts in dogs. However, further work is needed to elucidate the pathophysiology underlying the association between CPT1A and cataracts in Northern breeds.

PMID:40184359 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0320878

Front Vet Sci. 2025 Mar 19;12:1551065. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1551065. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) severely impacts Ethiopia's growing dairy sector, where test-and-cull control methods are economically unfeasible, and test-and-segregation is impractical in herds with very high prevalence. We assessed the feasibility of establishing bTB-free replacement stock through early segregation of calves born to bTB-positive cows. In a two-year longitudinal study on a high-prevalence (98% tuberculin skin test positive) dairy farm, 26 newborn calves were separated from their bTB-positive dams on day five after birth and screened for bTB at 2 to 5 month intervals across eight rounds, with test-positive calves immediately removed from the negative herd. The majority of segregated calves (19 out of 25; 76%; 95% CI: 58-94) remained bTB-test negative through the testing period, with nine uninfected female calves and two males reaching 18 months of age, demonstrating potential for establishing bTB-free breeding stock. However, six calves (24%; 95% CI: 6-42) turned to test positive during the study period. The extended dam-calf contact during the first five days likely contributed to some infections, suggesting that immediate separation and alternative colostrum sources could improve success rates. The addition of interferon gamma release assays in later testing rounds enabled detection of infected animals potentially missed by skin testing alone, highlighting the value of complementary diagnostic approaches for surveillance. These findings provide preliminary evidence that early calf segregation can generate bTB-negative replacement stock from infected herds, and provide a framework for larger-scale studies across different farm settings.

PMID:40177672 | PMC:PMC11963379 | DOI:10.3389/fvets.2025.1551065

Cell Metab. 2025 Apr 1;37(4):799-801. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2025.02.003.

ABSTRACT

Protein-level investigations into the human microbiome provide insights into active microbial functions. Recently, Valdés-Mas et al.1 introduced a metagenome-informed metaproteomics approach to functionally explore species-level microbiome-host interactions and quantify the dietary exposome. Its potential has been implemented in mice and humans to uncover proteomic signatures of health and inflammatory bowel disease.

PMID:40174574 | DOI:10.1016/j.cmet.2025.02.003

Biotechnol Adv. 2025 Mar 26:108572. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108572. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic nematodes threaten food security and affect human health and animal welfare globally. Current anthelmintics for use in humans and livestock are challenged by continuous re-infections and the emergence and spread of multidrug resistance, underscoring an urgent need to identify novel control targets for therapeutic exploitation. Recent evidence has highlighted the occurrence of complex interplay between GI parasitic nematodes of humans and livestock and the resident host gut microbiota. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) found within nematode biofluids have emerged as potential effectors of these interactions. This review delves into the occurrence, structure, and function of nematode AMPs, highlighting their potential as targets for drug discovery and development. We argue that an integrated approach combining advanced analytical techniques, scalable production methods, and innovative experimental models is needed to unlock the full potential of nematode AMPs and pave the way for the discovery and development of sustainable parasite control strategies.

PMID:40154760 | DOI:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108572