WP6
Workpackage 6 is extending the Network’s use of geographic information systems (GIS) to verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC).
WP21
Workpackage 21 has developed and published a novel fingerprinting method to characterize the non-multi drug resistance region of Salmonella Genomic Island 1 (SGI-1). WP22
Workpackage 22, ZoopNet, has produced a dynamic Internet-accessible database, containing DNA sequences and genotype data linked to epidemiological data for Cryptosporidium, and has validated a PCR protocol for the detection of this organism.
WP23
Workpackage 23, tasked with prioritizing food-borne and zoonotic hazards at EU level, has produced a strategic document describing methodological choices for calculating the disease burden and cost-of-illness of food-borne zoonoses in European countries, which has been adopted and is available at www.medvetnet.org/pdf/Reports/Reports_07_002.pdf . Additionally, in five countries, telephone surveys to estimate the incidence of infectious gastroenteritis are underway.
WP24
For Workpackage 24, a comparison of European risk assessment models for Campylobacter in broiler meat has been integrated into a research plan for a consensus framework, and a data catalogue relevant for risk assessment has been compiled.
WP25
Workpackage 25 has organized and completed a ring trial of serological methods for Q-fever for veterinary samples, using serological methods (CFT and ELISA).
WP26
A comparative virulotyping analysis of the first subset of Salmonella has been completed by Workpackage 26, the development and use of a VTEC microarray is in progress, and a long PCR protocol for Stx2-converting phage typing has been developed.
WP27
Workpackage 27 has developed and evaluated an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for Trichinella infection in pigs by ring trial involving 23 European laboratories.
WP28
An exposure assessment model used for attribution of Salmonella has been developed by Workpackage 28 and has been applied to German Salmonella data.
WP29
Workpackage 29 has developed a standardized protocol for PCR detection of the armA, rmtA and rmtB aminoglycoside resistance genes, which can be rapidly applied for studies to assess the worldwide distribution of such genes.
WP30
An updated version of web-based Campynet database has been provided by Workpackage 30, a critical review of host–Campylobacter jejuni interactions submitted, and standard operating procedure for pan-genome microarray analysis developed.
WP31
In their study of food-producing animals as potential source of viral zoonoses, Workpackage 31 has provided information on transmission routes enabling preparation of evidence-based risk assessments and codes of practice for at-risk populations for infections with hepatitis E virus (HEV), Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Torque tenovirus (TTV), together with in vitro experimental models of infection for HEV, Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and Anellovirus in swine.
WP32
Workpackage 32 has published a definitive paper describing the back calculation model for studying the seroepidemiology of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections (http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?aid=1872756), and a paper on antibody decay profiles will be published shortly.
WP33
For Workpackage 33 a paper describing the host-transcription profile upon infection of susceptible Tlr4 deficient mice and wild type mice with Salmonella Enteritidis has been submitted and a standardized protocol for studying early host responses to Salmonella infections in mice has been finalized.
Special Interest GroupsThe Special Interest Group (SIG) on Host–Pathogen interactions has continued to provide a platform for taking forward this area into Framework Programme 7, and a new SIG – Wildlife related emerging diseases and zoonoses (WIREDZ) – has already compiled a web-based register of individuals and groups working in this field in Europe. New WorkpackageFinally, Workpackage 34, Campylobacter in Poultry, started in September 2008. [An overview of this Workpackage will appear in next month’s Med-Vet-Net News.]
| 
