vetnews Volume 1 December 2014
The Magazine of the University of Melbourne Veterinary Society and Friends of the Faculty
www.fvas.unimelb.edu.au
in this issue Welcome from the Dean New Faculty and governing body Awards and appointments
Breakthrough in research into parasitic worms of pigs
Landmark surgical success at University Veterinary Hospital
Healthy cattle, happy farmers: vets supporting dairy production
Dean’s lecture: controlling zoonotic diseases
New appointments For the love of learning: Continuing Professional Development Study participants requiredDecember 2014 1 VetNews
contents
Welcome from the Dean
3
Faculty and governing body
4
Awards and appointments
5
Breakthrough in research
5
Landmark surgical success at University Veterinary Hospital
6
International award presented to cattle scientist
6
Scientists crack the code of cancer-causing parasite
6
New appointments
7
Healthy cattle, happy farmers
8
Dean’s lecture: controlling zoonotic diseases
10
Alumni awards
12
For the love of learning: Continuing Professional Development 14 Study participants required
15
2015 Calendar of Events Date Event Thu 5 February
Dean’s Lecture
Thu 12 March
Dean’s Lecture, Presented by Dr Chris Whitton
Sat 21 March
Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Course Information Day – Werribee
April
DC Blood Oration
May
Graduate Course Expo
June
Dean’s Lecture
Sun 16 August
University of Melbourne Open Day
27 October
Dean’s Lecture
October
Graduate Course Expo
6-8 October
Elmore Field Days
December
Course Information Day
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences. Corner of Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, University of Melbourne VIC 3010 Australia www.fvas.unimelb.edu.au Publication produced by Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Marketing and Communications vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au Disclaimer: the information in this publication was correct at the time of printing. The University reserves the right to make changes as appropriate. CRICOS Provider Code: 00116K. December 2014
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welcome
Welcome
from the Dean It has been a landmark year for the Faculty and one of many exciting changes. Change always brings with it some challenges, but seeing the achievements of our academic team, our students and our alumni over the last year I am confident we are well positioned to meet those challenges as we move together into the future. In July, we officially became the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences. Our teaching and research activities have grown to encompass all activities related to on-farm animal and plant production, food systems and soil science from the Department of Agriculture and Food Systems in the former Melbourne School of Land and Environment, alongside our veterinary and bioscience focused research and teaching. The new faculty brings together the complementary disciplines of veterinary, agricultural, food and bio sciences, creating better cohesion across our courses and strengthening our capability in teaching, research and technology development. The faculty is now responsible for the Diploma in General Studies (a pathway into University of Melbourne degrees), the Bachelor of Agriculture, Masters specialisations in Agribusiness, Agricultural Sciences, Food Science, and Food and Packaging Innovation and a broad range of undergraduate and graduate research options. The Faculty of Veterinary Science began teaching the Production Animal Health major as part of the Bachelor of Agriculture in 2013. This major, which provides a specialisation stream for students interested in animal health, welfare and productivity has proven very popular and is an important option for students interested in a career working with animals. Interest and enrolments in the Bachelor of Agriculture has increased more than three fold overall in the last three years. This year our very first class of students graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine (DVM). Unlike our Bachelor of Veterinary Science students, this cohort is the first group to begin their veterinary degree after undertaking initial foundation studies with a science degree (or equivalent). So they are a little older on leaving us at the end of this year than previous cohorts, and possibly wiser too – but I shouldn’t get myself in trouble speculating on that! I wish them all the very best in their first year in the profession and in all their future pursuits and look forward to staying in contact with them in coming years. We have had some inspiring research successes this year, particularly in One Health, the area where animal, human and environmental health interconnects. Professor Marshall Lightowlers travelled to Edinburgh in July to present his group’s research on the use of vaccination to prevent transmission of the parasite that causes human neurocysticercosis to Mr Bill Gates and senior staff from the Gates Foundation. Marshall was invited to make the presentation by UK-based charity the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed). Read
more about his research on pages 8-9 where he gives an overview of the presentation he delivered as part of our Dean’s lecture series in October. We have also had some groundbreaking research papers published this year including Dr Aaron Jex’s paper on mapping the genome of a parasitic worm that affects pigs and the work of Dr Neil Young and Professor Robin Gasser’s team in sequencing the genome and characterising the genes of the Asian liver fluke, a common parasite found in Asia. I am excited about the future, and the wide range of research, teaching and learning opportunities in the new Faculty, of which you remain an integral stakeholder. We are committed to remaining engaged with you as we shape the future of veterinary and agricultural sciences at Australia’s leading university. Please feel free to contact me with any comments, questions or suggestions.
Professor Ken Hinchcliff Dean, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science
VetNews December 2014 3
faculty
New Faculty and Governing body A new faculty with more than two hundred years teaching and research experience combined. In 2014, the University of Melbourne strengthened its teaching and research capabilities by aligning agriculture and food systems with its veterinary sciences discipline. The realignment resulted in the
2015 Senior Governance Structure Dean: Professor Ken Hinchcliff Deputy Dean: Associate Professor Brian Leury Associate Deans Associate Dean – Academic Staff: Professor Robyn Warner Associate Dean – Clinical Programs: Professor Ted Whittem Associate Dean – Curriculum Strategy: Associate Professor Elizabeth Tudor Associate Dean – Engagement and Partnerships: Associate Professor Ruth Nettle Associate Dean – Learning and Teaching: Associate Professor Wayne Kimpton Associate Dean – Research: Professor Andrew Fisher
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disestablishment of the Melbourne School of Land and Environment (MSLE) and the establishment of the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences (FVAS). The new structure makes our courses more cohesive, and strengthens our teaching, research and technology development by bringing together complementary disciplines. As the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, we will strive to be the preeminent veterinary and agricultural
science faculty in the Asia-Pacific region, and the regional school of choice for veterinary and agricultural science students, academics, professionals and other staff. The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences will teach across three campuses: Dookie, Parkville and Werribee and staff and students will also explore additional exciting opportunities for the Dookie Campus across its teaching and research programs.
news
Awards and Appointments Professor Ian Beveridge received the 2014 World Federation of Parasitology (WFP) Distinguished Parasitologist Award. WFP President Alan Cowman presented this award to Professor Beveridge at the Gala Dinner of ICOPA XIII in Mexico City.
Associate Professor Elizabeth Tudor was the 2014 recipient of the University Award for Outstanding Leadership in Teaching. The award recognises Professor Tudor’s leadership in teaching in the university, and is particularly related to her key role in development of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Associate Professor Michael Pyman was the 2014 recipient of the David White Award for teaching in the biological sciences, health and related disciplines. Professor Pyman’s award recognises, among his many contributions to teaching and student wellbeing in the faculty, his development of the Dairy Residents Program. Associate Professor Chris Whitton’s paper, Exercise-induced inhibition of remodelling is focally offset with fatigue fracture in racehorses, published in the International Osteoporosis Journal, was awarded the Most Commendable Paper in an International Journal by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists for 2014. Professor Paul Hemsworth, Animal Welfare Science Centre, was made an Honorary Member of the Australian Veterinary Association at its annual general meeting in Perth. Professor Hemsworth was recognised for his contributions over several decades to animal welfare. Professor Ted Whittem was appointed as Editor of Clinical Case Reports, a Wiley online journal.
Dr Kirsten Bailey was awarded the Equine Veterinarians Australia Pascoe Senior Clinical Prize for her presentation on the infectious causes of foal diarrhoea.
Dr John Webb-Ware (Ruminants) was awarded the Hugh McKay Partnership Award at the 2014 Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Science Awards.
Professor Frank Dunshea has been enrolled as a Fellow of the Australian Society of Animal Production in recognition of his contribution to the animal industries in Australia through research leadership and education.
Parasitic worms of pigs could provide new treatments of human diseases New treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and autism could be on the horizon, after a global University of Melbourne-led study successfully mapped the genes of a parasitic worm in pigs. Lead researcher Dr Aaron Jex said, “We know that humans infected with the harmless, ‘pig whipworm’ can have significantly reduced symptoms linked to autoimmune diseases. And now we have the genetic sequence of the worm, it opens the door to future human drug designs and treatment.” Although the ‘pig whipworm’ causes disease and losses in livestock, it does not cause disease in humans. In contrast, the ‘human whipworm’ infects about 1 billion people, mainly children in developing nations, and causes dysentery, malnourishment and impairment of physical and mental development. Co-author Professor Robin Gasser said, “The genes tell us about the proteins this worm uses to interact with our immune systems. Knowing the worm’s molecular landscape could be very useful in starting to understand autoimmune diseases in humans.” The pig whipworm genome also provides a model to study the human parasite. The study involved 11 institutions in six countries and is published in Nature Genetics online.
Alumnus Dr Shukriti Sharma was appointed as an ‘Australian Awards Ambassador’ in March by the Australian High Commissioner to India, H E Patrick Suckling, to promote Australian Awards in esteemed institutions of the country.
Associate Professor Jean-Pierre Scheerlinck has, after 10 years on the Editorial Board of Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, been appointed Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal from January 2015 onwards.
VetNews December 2014 5
news
Landmark surgical success at University Veterinary Hospital
Esteemed international award presented to cattle scientist
New technology at the University Veterinary Hospital has allowed surgeons to save ‘Louis’ Osborne, a Yorkshire terrier suffering from a collapse of the trachea (windpipe), with minimally invasive surgery.
The Gustav Rosenberger Award is an international grant presented annually to the most outstanding postgraduate student in the bovine science industry.
Dr Amy Pepper, medicine specialistin-training, said tracheal collapse was a degenerative disease that usually affected older small and toy-breed dogs. Louis, however, is only four years old. “When Louis presented at the clinic he had severe trouble breathing, a lung infection, he couldn’t eat and was really exhausted and not too far away from a respiratory arrest,” Dr Pepper said. “A CT scan had confirmed Louis had the worst type of trachea collapse.” With the guidance of real-time x-rays and a surgical camera inside Louis’ trachea, the veterinarians installed a leading-edge self-expanding Nitinol ‘stent’ to ensure the airway would remain open. “Surgical options for this type of collapse are very invasive, with prolonged recoveries and long-term complications, whereas as placing a stent is minimally invasive and requires no surgery,” Dr Pepper said. Other treatment options would not have been as successful. Stenting enabled the veterinary team to save Louis. “Louis woke up from the procedure a new dog, able to breath properly for the first time in his life,” Dr Pepper said. “He ate immediately and then slept extremely well – these dogs are often chronically sleep-deprived due to their severe respiratory obstruction. Louis was able to go home the next day. The surgery team headed by Dr Stewart Ryan worked closely with the diagnostic imaging team, consultant cardiologist Dr Richard Woolley and internal medicine specialist Dr Lauren Lacorcia to enable the surgery. Dr Amy Pepper with Louis, Yorkshire terrier.
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Dr Josh Aleri was presented with the Gustav Rosenberger Award at the World Buiatrics Congress in Cairns in July.
Dr Aleri said it was an extremely overwhelming and humbling experience to receive the award and its associated grant because of its high prestige. “This award reflects my efforts and hard work of improving human livelihoods through cattle research and education… [and it] also reflects the commitment and dedication of all my mentors in the veterinary profession in Kenya and Australia,” he said. Dr Aleri is a veterinarian from Kenya undertaking a PhD project with the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences on dairy health and welfare.
“They’re very special animals,” he said. “They can talk to you without even speaking and I think I’ve developed that way of communicating with them that makes my work easier.” Dr Aleri said the award and grant would help him access further training as a cattle scientist. The Gustav Rosenberger Award was created as a tribute to Dr Gustav Rosenberger, a renowned cattle scientist and co-founder of the World Association for Buiatrics. The award has only been granted 13 times since its inception in the early 1990s.
His research project is based within the Animal Welfare Science Centre as part of the Beef and Dairy Cattle Welfare research group. Dr Aleri’s research focuses on the potential benefits of identifying and incorporating immune response traits associated with improved health into the selection and breeding programs of dairy cattle in Australia. In an interview with the Wyndham Star Weekly, Dr Aleri said he had always had an affinity with cattle.
Dr Josh Aleri (middle) received the Gustav Rosenberger Award in recognition of his early career excellence.
Scientists crack the code of a cancercausing parasite Scientists have sequenced the genome and characterised the genes of the Asian liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini. This parasite causes diseases that affect millions of people in Asia and is associated with a fatal bile duct cancer. The study has been published online in the journal Nature Communications. Lead investigators Dr Neil Young and Professor Robin Gasser worked with an international team of experts, including Dr Niranjan Nagarajan and Patrick Tan from the Genome Institute of Singapore, to assemble and characterise the largest parasitic worm genome studied to date. Dr Young said, this study provided insight into how the fluke survives the hostile environment within the human bile duct, and provided further evidence that these parasites release proteins that directly alter human tissue.
Dr Amy Pepper, veterinary medicine specialist-in-training, and Louis Osborne, Yorkshire terrier.
The parasite is carried by snails and fish and infects humans, cats and dogs through the eating of raw fish. It migrates to the liver and bile duct causing a range of chronic liver and gall bladder diseases including cancers. Professor Gasser said, “Work on the fluke is crucial to understand how the parasite lives in the bile ducts of the liver. Currently, there is no vaccine and only one drug available to treat infection. “Our new genome resource will underpin profound explorations of cancer-causing parasites, and could lead to new treatments against parasites and parasite-induced cancers.
appointments
New appointments Dr Jennifer Bauquier Lecturer Equine Medicine Dr Jennifer Bauquier graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in 2006 before travelling to Florida in 2007 to undertake an internship with the Equine Medical Centre of Ocala. In 2008 she commenced a three-year residency with the College of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Large Animal Internal Medicine where she was responsible for management of clinical cases, teaching and supervision of clinical and pre-clinical veterinary students, and conducting research. Dr Bauquier joined the Faculty as a PhD Candidate in 2011 with her studies being undertaken in the area of equine endotoxaemia. She commenced as a full-time Lecturer in Equine Medicine in June 2014 after having previously contributed her expertise as a casual staff member.
Dr Natalie Courtman Lecture in Veterinary Clinical Pathology Dr Courtman joins the Faculty after having worked as a veterinary pathologist at IDEXX Pathology since 2007. She graduated from the University of Sydney in 1993 and spent nine years working in small animal practices in Australia and England. During this time she completed a Masters degree in Veterinary Clinical Studies through Murdoch University and attained membership of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in small animal medicine. In 2003 Natalie commenced a residency in veterinary clinical pathology at the Royal Veterinary College in London before returning to Australia in 2005 to a research support role for the Australian Phenomics Facility of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University. She achieved membership of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Pathology in 2008 and became a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Pathologist in clinical pathology in 2012.
Dr Andres Diaz Méndez Research Fellow in Veterinary Virology Andrés Diaz-Méndez recently joined the Faculty as a research fellow in veterinary virology. Andrés earned his veterinary degree from the Universidad de La Salle in Bogotá, Colombia in 1998. After moving to Canada, he pursued his postgraduate education at the University of Guelph, where he earned his MSc in 2006 and a PhD in 2012. After graduation, Andrés worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Firestone Equine Respiratory Research Laboratory at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Andres’ research has focused on viral respiratory infections and he is currently working with Dr Joanne Devlin in the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences.
Dr Kathryn Jenkins Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Pathology Dr Kathryn Jenkins graduated from Massey University, New Zealand in 2002. She completed an internship in small animal medicine at Massey University then moved to Auckland to work in a busy small animal practice. Kathryn completed a two-year residency program in clinical pathology at Massey University, completing her Master of Veterinary Studies in 2011. Australia beckoned and Kathryn joined James Cook University, in North Queensland as Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology in 2012. During this time Kathryn expanded upon her pathology training to include teaching and diagnostic cases in anatomic pathology. Kathryn successfully obtained her Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Pathology in 2014. Kathryn moved to the University of Melbourne in 2014 as a teaching specialist, and looks forward to continuing to develop her passion for education. She is one of two veterinary clinical pathologists at the University of Melbourne and works alongside an enthusiastic team of fellow veterinarians and scientists to provide diagnostic pathology services for the University Veterinary Hospital.
Professor Mark Stevenson Professor in Veterinary Epidemiology Professor Mark Stevenson graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 1986. He gained a Masters in Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 1995 and a PhD in veterinary epidemiology from Massey University, New Zealand in 2003. Dr Stevenson worked in mixed animal practice on the south coast and tablelands of New South Wales from 1986 to 1995. After that he worked in the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences (IVABS) at Massey University. Recently Dr Stevenson’s work has focused on applied veterinary epidemiological research with an emphasis on trans-boundary animal diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot-and-mouth disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza. Dr Stevenson’s role with the Faculty involves consolidating and expanding the paradigm of One Health within our research and teaching program.
Associate Professor Rebecca Traub Associate Professor in Veterinary Parasitology Dr Rebecca Traub has joined the Faculty after working with the University of Queensland as an Associate Professor in Veterinary Public Health for more than seven years. Prior to this, she was an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Murdoch University. Dr Traub completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Parasitology and Veterinary Public Health in 2004 and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Hons) in 1997. She has published more than 60 peer reviewed papers on the epidemiology, zoonotic potential and geographical distribution of parasites of veterinary and public health importance in Asia and Australia. Rebecca’s new role is supported by a Research at Melbourne Acceleration Program (RAMAP).
VetNews December 2014 7
news
vets supporting dairy production
Healthy cattle, hap A partnership between the University and dairy industry groups is creating new research and training opportunities for the next generation of dairy vets. Andi Horvath and Clemmie Wetherall report. From the field to the fridge, the Australian dairy industry is growing to become a world leader in innovation, sustainability and best practice in food production. The industry is the third largest exporter of dairy in the world and Australia’s third largest agricultural export product. Research has played a key role in helping the industry find its way to the front of the pack, but back in 2010 a looming shortage of specialist dairy vets prompted a new collaboration between the University of Melbourne, the Gardiner Foundation and Dairy Australia. The partnership provided $1.4 million dollars for research in areas of importance to local dairy communities and the future of the wider dairy industry, and out of this funding, a unique training scheme, the ‘Dairy Residents Program’, was initiated. The ‘Dairy Residents Program’ involves on-farm research and practice for students as part of their course work for a Master of Veterinary Studies and Master of Veterinary Science by research programs. The dairy residents are embedded for three years in one of four rural veterinary practices in Maffra, Warrnambool, Rochester and Timboon. During this
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time they conduct an on-farm research project, acquire knowledge and skills through advanced clinical training and develop expertise in whole-farm production programs. The students also attend conferences and farmer meetings to update their knowledge and present their research to various industry stakeholders. They are also involved in the training of the next generation of dairy practitioners, hosting final-year students from the University of Melbourne Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course. Associate Professor Michael Pyman is a senior lecturer in Dairy Cattle Medicine and Production at the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences and supervises the program. He believes the project will begin to address the shortage of experienced vets in rural areas by providing career opportunities in dairy practices and the wider dairy industry. “The rural training scheme enables all veterinary students undertaking the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) to gain first hand practical experience in dairy cattle medicine in practices managed by dedicated and skillful practitioners,” he says.
“We see this world class training as crucial to maximising movement of these students into dairy and rural practice after graduation, an outcome vital to the productivity and sustainability of our rural sector.” The four dairy resident vets enrolled in the second iteration of the project are now entering the second year of the three-year program and are already having positive impacts on farms, farmers, vet clinics, the next generation of vets, rural communities, the industry and the University. Dr Kelly Plozza is a dairy resident at the Warrnambool Veterinary Clinic. She is conducting clinical trials in improving the reproductive performance of cows who do not display visible fertility cycles, known as non-cycling cows. Dr Plozza says on-farm research has helped her build a better relationship with local farmers. “That’s something you don’t have time for in a regular vet practice, you tend to be too busy running between jobs,” she said. “It’s really nice to be able to revisit the farmers with your latest results. They
news
The industry is the third largest exporter of dairy in the world and Australia’s third largest agricultural export product.”
ppy farmers are really excited about the scientific investigations. They love hearing about the research outcomes as much as we do because it opens up ideas for proactive intervention measures.” Dr Plozza has been comparing current approaches for managing non-cycling cows, and the results are revealing useful information and more options for farmers. This is particularly important as noncycling cows can present problems for farmers trying to decide when they can be mated. Over in Timboon, Dr Andy Hancock is undertaking his residency with The Vet Group. He is studying how farmers manage bulls up to and during the breeding period and investigating if there is a correlation between bull management and fertility. As part of his research, Dr Hancock has worked with 32 herds and examined 256 bulls prior to, and after, mating. “As a vet you usually go out to farms to see a sick or problem animal but with this project I am usually seeing healthy animals, so the farmers are happy to see me,” he says. Dr Hancock hopes his work will help refine the guidelines for fertility risk assessment in bulls, and says the residency has also helped him become a better vet.
“I’ve picked up a lot of extra skills that I would not necessarily learn during day-to-day vet practice, things like project management, time management and building rapport with clients, and technical research skills like conducting literature reviews and scientific report writing. The research gives your work a goal while ensuring you develop useful technical expertise.
research focuses on improving parasite control in young stock. Resident Dr Ashley Phipps, who is based at the Rochester Veterinary clinic, was awarded a Greenham’s Dairy Scholarship, to help finance his research studies. Dr Phipps is investigating colostrum volume and management practices and its effect on the quality of the harvested colostrum.
“We see this world class training as crucial to maximising movement of these students into dairy and rural practice after graduation, an outcome vital to the productivity and sustainability of our rural sector.” “If you can contribute something to the knowledge base, that’s great in itself, but if your results improve farming practices that is a real bonus and on top of that we will be sharing it with fellow vets and trainee vets.” Though only in their second year of research, the ‘Dairy Residents’ are already receiving industry recognition for their work. Maffra-based Dr Stephanie Bullen earned the title of 2013 Rural Ambassador, an award that recognises outstanding individuals dedicated to making contributions to the local community. Dr Bullen and her partner live on a 340-cow Holstein dairy farm and her
He says he applied for the residency because he always had a strong interest in calves and calf health. “This was a real interest area of mine and I thought there were gaps in our knowledge. Calves are the future of a herd, so I think we need to give more thought to how they are raised.” Dr Phipps has already made inroads into understanding colostrum management practices on the four farms and 442 cows he is working with in Northern Victoria. Watch an episode of Visions exploring experimental robotic diary practices at the University’s Dookie campus: http://go.unimelb.edu.au/5ryn
VetNews December 2014 9
dean’s lecture
L-R: Prof. Mike Rickard, Dr Graham Mitchell, Professor Ken Hinchcliff, Laureate Professor Marshall Lightowlers and Dr Charles Gauci.
Dean’s Lecture Australasian contributions to control of two neglected zoonotic diseases: cysticercosis and hydatid disease On Thursday 9 October 2014, Laureate Professor Marshall Lightowlers presented the Dean’s Lecture at the Bio21 Lecture Theatre on the topic of Australasian contributions to the control of two neglected zoonotic diseases. The oration was attended by more than 70 people, and included members of our alumni, staff, students and representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and CSIRO. Professor Lightowlers presents a summary of his presentation below. Eukaryotic parasites have been particularly difficult pathogens against which to develop vaccines, particularly nonliving vaccines. Since the application of recombinant DNA to the investigation of parasite biology (the first cloning of a parasite protein was published in April 1983), enormous efforts have been invested in the development of recombinant antigen vaccines against many of the most serious parasitic diseases of humans. To date, these efforts have universally failed to deliver effective vaccines. There has not been any internationally licensed vaccine for humans against any parasitic infection, recombinant or otherwise. While several commercial vaccines that use live, attenuated parasites are available against parasitic infections in animals1, very few non-living anti-parasite vaccines for animals have been developed. In comparison to bacterial and viral pathogens, eukaryotic parasites have been particularly refractory to successful vaccine development. Australasian scientists have been very prominent in investigations of diseases now recognised by the WHO as Neglected Zoonotic Diseases. Both Dr Harold Dew, former Acting Director of the WEHI in Melbourne, and Sir Ian Clunies Ross, former Chairman of the CSIRO, made seminal contributions
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to the study of hydatid disease. Dr Trevor Beard spearheaded a successful campaign to eradicate hydatid disease from Tasmania. Professors Mike Rickard and Graham Mitchell made seminal contributions to understand the immunology of infection with taeniid cestode parasites and development of vaccines. In relation to the dearth of anti-parasite vaccines, taeniid cestode parasites provide a remarkable exception to this general rule. Highly effective recombinant antigen vaccines have been developed against infection with several different species2. Taeniid cestodes are tapeworm parasites that have a life cycle involving two mammalian hosts, in a prey-predator cycle. A carnivore or omnivore harbours a tapeworm in the small intestine, parasite eggs are released with the faeces and if these eggs are ingested by a suitable species of intermediate host, the eggs hatch in the intestine of the intermediate host and release an invasive stage known as an oncosphere. The oncosphere burrows through the intestinal wall and enters a blood vessel, travelling to a favoured tissue site (different for the different parasite species) where the parasite encysts and matures into an infective larval form. The larvae remain encysted in the tissues and only develop
further if the infected tissues are eaten by a suitable carnivore/omnivore species, in which the larva then matures into the sexually reproducing adult tapeworm. The intestinal tapeworm, though often spectacular, rarely causes direct medical problems. However infection of tissues with the larval stage of the parasites causes economic loss when the hosts are livestock animals and serious medical issues when the hosts are human. Two taeniid cestode species cause serious disease in humans. Taenia solium commonly in encysts in the brain of humans, causing neurocysticercosis. It is the most common, preventable cause of epilepsy in the developing world and the full life cycle of the parasite occurs only in poor, developing countries. A recombinant antigen, TSOL18, has been found to induce almost total resistance to the parasite in vaccinated pigs. The vaccine is undergoing trials towards formal registration and use in T. solium control programs. Echinococcus granulosus is another parasite that belongs to the same family of tapeworms, the Taeniidae. E. granulosus causes cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans, otherwise known as hydatid disease, which manifests as large fluid-filled cysts in the liver, lung or other body organs.
dean’s lecture
Map showing regions where field trials of Professor Lightowlers’ cysticercosis and hydatid vaccines have been, or are being, undertaken.
The parasite is transmitted principally by sheep and is prevalent in most pastoral communities. It is endemic in Australia. A highly effective recombinant antigen vaccine, EG95, has been developed. T. solium and E. granulosus are among the WHO’s list of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Neglected Zoonotic Diseases3. Field trials of both the cysticercosis and hydatid vaccines6 have been successful; current efforts are being directed towards applying the vaccines on a broad scale with the hope of reducing the global burden of the diseases, especially in people living in developing countries. 4,5
References 1. Lightowlers, M.W., Vaccinations, in Georgis’ parasitology for veterinarians, D.D. Bowman, Editor. 2014, Elsevier Saunders: St. louis, Missouri. 2. Lightowlers, M.W., Cestode vaccines: origins, current status and future prospects. Parasitology, 2006. 133: p. S27-42. 3. WHO, Working to overcome the global impact of neglected tropical diseases. First WHO report on neglected tropical diseases., D.W.T. Crompton, Editor 2010: Geneva, Switzerland; WHO/HTM/NTD/2010.1. p. 172. 4. Assana, E., Kyngdon, C.T., Gauci, C.G., Geerts, S., Dorny, P., De Deken, R., Anderson, G.A., Zoli, A.P., Lightowlers, M.W. Elimination of Taenia solium transmission to pigs in a field trial of the TSOL18 vaccine
in Cameroon. International Journal for Parasitology, 2010. 40: 515-519. 5. Jayashi, C.M., Kyngdon, C.T., Gauci, C.G., Gonzalez, A.E., Lightowlers, M.W. Successful immunization of naturally reared pigs against porcine cysticercosis with a recombinant oncosphere antigen vaccine. Vet. Parasitol. 2012, 188, 261-267. 6. Larrieu, E., Herrero, E., Mujica, G., Labanchi, J.L., Araya, D., Grizmado, C., Calabro, A., Talmon, G., Ruesta, G., Perez, A., Gatti, A., Santillan, G., Cabrera, M., Arezzo, M., Seleiman, M., Cavagion, L., Cachau, M.G., Alvarez Rojas, C.A., Gino, L., Gauci, C.G., Heath, D.D., Lamberti, R., Lightowlers, M.W. Pilot field trial of the EG95 vaccine against ovine cystic echinococcosis in Rio Negro, Argentina: early impact and preliminary data. Acta Tropica 2013, 127: 143-151.
Above left: Vaccinating sheep as part of a field trial of a vaccine developed by Professor Lightowlers which prevents sheep transmitting a parasite that is responsible for causing hydatid disease in humans. Above right: Marshall Lightowlers holding a live specimen of a Taenia tapeworm which he collected from a human patient in the Turkana region of Kenya. Professor Lightowlers’ team at the University of Melbourne have developed effective vaccines to prevent infections caused by the larval stages of tapeworm parasites infecting both cattle and pigs.
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alumni awards
The Class of 2014, first graduates of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine The very first cohort of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students graduated on 12 December 2014 at a ceremony at the University of Melbourne’s Wilson Hall. First introduced in 2011 the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program was the first of its kind in Australia; it is a four-year graduate entry program that includes a final year of lecture-free practical training in our Veterinary Hospital and other approved sites. The program is part of the ground-breaking “Melbourne curriculum”, in which important undergraduate academic foundations are laid before specialisation at the graduate level. We would like to congratulate our students on their achievements and welcome them to our alumni community.
Alumni Achievement Awards 2014 The Alumni Achievement Awards aim to recognise alumni across the decades that have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to society, and have shown exceptional dedication and leadership in their field. Over its hundred and five year history, the University of Melbourne Veterinary Science alumni community has set standards of excellence at local, national and international levels in a diversity of professional endeavors. The 2014 Awards were presented at the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduation ceremony on Friday 12 December 2014 at the University of Melbourne.
Recent Alumnus Achievement Award For the outstanding achievement made by an alumnus, within ten years of graduation, to local, Australian or international communities. Dr Verné Dove, BVSc(Hons), BAnimSc(Melb), MVS(VetConserv), MVS(VetDiseaseSurv)(Murdoch), DipConserv(Home Study College of South Africa) Verné graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2004 with a double degree, in Veterinary Science (Honours) and Animal Science, studying marine mammal pathology.
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Verné spent several years (from 2006 to 2010) working with the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) in Cambodia as a volunteer veterinarian. Her role was to investigate Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin strandings and determine the possible causes of very high and unsustainable mortality rates of calves. This work resulted in her being appointed to two IUCN-SCC (International Union for Conservation of Nature – Species Survival Commission) specialist groups in 2011; the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBGS) and the Wildlife Health Specialist Group (WHSG).
Since 2011, Verné has been the veterinarian for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and started a branch of Sea Shepherd in Colombia. She returned to Australia at the end of 2013, and was appointed the Coordinator for the Coffs Harbour Sea Shepherd Chapter. In 2012, Verné became a founding director of her own not-forprofit organization the Australian Institute of Marine Rescue (AIMR). With AIMR, Verné aims to build a marine rescue, rehabilitation and research centre.
graduation
L-R: Dr Verné Dove, Professor Ken Hinchcliff, Dr Helen Jones and Dr Stewart Routledge AO.
D.C. Blood Professional Achievement Award For the outstanding contribution by an alumnus to veterinary science and/or the veterinary profession in Australia and/or internationally. Dr Helen Jones, BVSc(Melb) BEd(UWA), MPhil(Murdoch), PhD(Curtain), GradDipBus(E Cowan), GAICD, FAVA Helen graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1968 and was appointed as a Senior Demonstrator in Small Animal Medicine at the Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee. Her interest in Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health led to her ground-breaking research concerning OHS in the Australian Veterinary Profession, and the discovery of high levels of depression and suicide in veterinarians when compared to the community at large. This prompted the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) to look at ways to mentor veterinarians, in particular younger graduates, and the establishment of the Bob Taylor Wellness Centre at the AVA’s annual National Conference. Helen has had a distinguished career of service to the profession through the AVA.
She became a student member in 1963, and a full member after graduating in 1968. In 1970 she joined the Practitioners Branch of the AVA in WA and subsequently became Secretary, then President. She served on the WA Divisional Committee in those same roles, and also represented the WA Division on AVA Council. She was elected to the AVA Board in 1977 and in 1982 became the first female graduate from the University of Melbourne to be elected National President. She is a Fellow of the AVA and has received a Meritorious Service Award and, most recently, the President’s Award from the Association.
K.V.F. Jubb Community Achievement Award For the outstanding contribution by an alumnus to society, in Australia and/or internationally, through their community service. Dr Stewart Routledge AO, BVSc(Melb) Stewart has spent 37 years working as an International rural community development specialist, utilising and promoting Australian expertise to many sectors of various world communities, from Bangladesh and India, to the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Community-based activities have been part of most of the work Stewart has undertaken since 1977, both on a voluntary basis and as employment. In 2003, Stewart established and chairs the KYEEMA Foundation, which undertakes community development work in the areas of health, environment and livestock programs in developing countries. Through KYEEMA, he set up the International Rural Poultry Centre, which is recognised internationally as a centre for excellence in the delivery of services to community poultry farmers in very poor rural communities in Africa and Asia, improving their livelihoods mostly by boosting poultry production through cost-effective vaccination programs and providing other production services, on a sustainable cost recovery basis. Stewart’s distinguished contributions to international veterinary science have been recognised by the AVA and the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by his receipt of the Kesteven Medal in 2008, and in June 2014, he became an Officer of the Order of Australia for his work in this field.
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CPD
For the love of learning
2014 CPD program a great success By Alexandra Nefedova, Business Development Officer, UoM Commercial Ltd
This year has been a big one for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs at the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences. With support from professional and academic staff and sponsors we have facilitated four vet-specific CPD events, one nursing conference and two community education activities and we are thrilled to report we have received outstanding feedback from our participants. We started the year with several abdominal ultrasound workshops run by Dr Marjorie Milne in partnership with BCF Ultrasound and the UVet conferences also continued this year with a one-day Neurology Conference in June and a two-day Endocrine and Cardiorespiratory Conference in October. The defining feature of UVet conferences is the practical relevance of topics and the direct correlation to everyday case management. Hands-on workshops held in the Endocrine and Cardiorespiratory conference allowed participants to practice CPR techniques following an in-depth update on the latest research into basic and advanced life support. Other workshops involved interpretation real-life pathology results with concurrent feedback from pathology specialists. This practical focus of UVet further underpins the mission of the University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences CPD: To enhance the quality and reputation of veterinarians through relevant and leading edge CPD. Feedback included: “Fantastic standard of speakers and topics well explained and presented. Great value and the practical session’s small groups in the afternoon [were] very valuable.” “Very helpful to go to UVet conferences as a new grad.” The University also ran several practical workshops in partnership with Karl Storz Endoscope, including the Minimally Invasive Surgery Masterclass with Dr Eric Monnet. Over three intensive days Dr Monnet imparted his knowledge and handy hints for effective and efficient rigid endoscopy. Participants had the opportunity to practise the theory learnt in afternoon wet labs.
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With the assistance of our industry partners, Karl Storz Endoskope and Covidien, our delegates were given the opportunity to practice a variety of complex procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, nephrectomy, partial pericardectomy and gastropexy. The always-popular ovariectomy was also attempted by all, some keen to introduce minimally invasive surgery to their respective practices.
“Fantastic standard of speakers and topics well explained and presented. Great value and the practical session’s small groups in the afternoon [were] very valuable.” A laparoscopic dexterity trainer was purpose-built for the event by academic coordinator Dr Brenton Chambers. Those brave enough to attempt the trial were timed on their ability to pick up pegs, swap them from one hand to another and place them into a narrow hole – all using laparoscopic equipment. The record for the fastest time went to Dr Chris Andersen who had also attended our Karl Storz Endoscopy workshop two weeks prior. Besides the illustrious title of ‘most dexterous surgeon’ Dr Andersen was also awarded a copy of Dr Eric Monnet’s textbook – Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery. On Saturday 18 October the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital held a tailored first aid training session for the Australian Swiss Search Dogs Association (ASSDA). ASSDA volunteers train their own dogs to rescue people trapped under rubble following building collapse or natural disaster and both trainers and their
animals are frequently deployed to hazardous areas. Trainers need to always be conscious of safety and may need to provide medical assistance to their dogs where veterinary help is not easily accessible. With this in mind, Dr Manuel Boller customised the first aid training course to best suit the specific needs of the organisation. The lecture sessions covered topics like ‘how to take vital signs’, ‘providing first aid to a search and rescue dog with dehydration’, ‘how to apply a bandage to the head, neck and trunk’ and ‘how to identify life-threatening problems’. All topics were presented in ‘scenario format’ so trainers could visualise the situations in the field and see direct applications. Following the completion of lectures, and workshops each individual member completed an examination and everyone passed with flying colours. A special thankyou to CH2 for generously donating bandage material for the event and Monique for her assistance in the bandaging practical. Thanks also to Jochen the German Shepherd, a retired search and rescue dog, for so patiently helping with demonstrations on the day. Feedback from the ASSDA workshop included: “[The workshop] addressed our needs in every respect. It was well delivered,
participate
2015 Veterinary Science CPD Calendar March 21 – Rabbit, Rodent and Ferret Clinical Care – in collaboration with Improve International. March 28– Cranial Crucial Ligament Rupture workshop – in collaboration with Arthrex. April 10– Equine Centre public seminar April 11-12 – 2015 Equine Centre Annual Conference: Equine Sports Medicine May 2-3 – The First Asia Pacific Veterinary, Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care Conference June – UVet Urinary Conference July 4-5 – UVet Oncology Minicourse
Study participants required
October 29-30 – Dermatology Conference
Use of a non-invasive vagal stimulator to help with the seizure control in dogs.
November 21-22 – Behaviour Conference Visit: fvas.unimelb.edu.au/vet-cpd to register and find out more.
accessible and easy to understand as well as being interesting.” “Enjoyed every part, it was evident that Manuel was very skilled and at the top of his field.” The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences would like to acknowledge the generous support of our partners and sponsors this year. We simply wouldn’t be able to bring you the same level of variety and scope across our continuing professional development programs without their support. In particular we would like to highlight the support of: • Dermcare for sponsoring the UVet Endocrine and Cardiorespiratory weekend conference and Nursing Conference • CH2 for their assistance and sponsorship of the Nursing Conference • And Karl Storz for their ongoing industry partnership in delivering our veterinary CPD program.
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), using an implanted stimulator and electrodes connected directly to the vagus nerve, has been used for the last 25 years to treat drug-resistant seizures in humans and animals. To date, about 100,000 people have been treated with treatment paradigms typically stimulating for 30 seconds once every five minutes. Although the treatment has been shown to be effective and safe, the equipment remains expensive, as is the cost of surgical implantation of the device. As a result, little data exists on its efficacy in less severe forms of epilepsy. Recently, a non-invasive vagal nerve stimulator was developed which can deliver a therapeutic signal to the cervical vagus nerve using a handheld device avoiding surgical implantation. The GammaCore is FDA approved and is used to treat bronchoconstriction and primary headaches in humans; it has not previously been evaluated as a therapy for epilepsy. In animal models of asthma and migraine, a single two minute treatment has been shown to be effective for up to eight hours for these diseases, suggesting that 2-3 treatments/day may be sufficient for maintenance treatment.
We would like to assess the efficacy of this device in the treatment of refractory epilepsy in dogs through a six-month study. We are recruiting client-owned dogs with refractory idiopathic epilepsy that continue to have seizures despite treatment with antiepileptic drugs, defined as refractory epileptics. Patients must have a minimum six-month history of seizures with no less than four seizures per month for the most recent two months with no abnormalities on neurological exam. Each dog will undergo an eightweek baseline assessment during which seizure frequency and severity will be recorded by the owner on standard forms. Following this baseline assessment, dogs will undergo either an eight-week test period (group 1) or an eight-week continued monitoring period (group 2), based on randomisation. Following this period, a further eight weeks of treatment will be administered for the group 1 dogs; the group 2 dogs will then be treated for eight weeks. If you have a client whose dog meets the criteria and who would like to participate in this study please contact Dr Matthias le Chevoir on (03) 9731 2344 or matthiasl@unimelb.edu.au.
VetNews December 2014 15
Peter Hitchener Journalist
ANIMAL WELFARE LIES IN THE HANDS OF TOMORROW’S VETS. I was drawn to animals from a very young age. When I visited the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital, I was so impressed to see first-hand the cutting edge facilities and meticulous training given to the next generation of people caring for animals. Whether it’s for companionship, rehabilitation or livelihood, animals make such an important contribution to our society. Your support will help the University attract the most talented staff and students, and provide them with the latest veterinary equipment required to help secure the health and wellbeing of animals, now and in the future. Visit campaign.unimelb.edu.au and support the Campaign.