Sheep Scab Biobank
To understand the spread of macrocyclic lactone resistance across the UK, Moredun is requesting the submission of positive skin scrape submissions for inclusion in a new biobank.
Sheep scab is endemic in the UK and is estimated to infest 10-20% flocks nationally each year. It has severe impacts on both production and animal welfare. Infested sheep suffer from pruritus (itching), which can lead to dehydration, emaciation, secondary bacterial infections, and in severe cases can result in seizures and mortality. The disease is highly infectious and spread through direct contact or through fomites.
There are currently only two treatment options for sheep scab, an organophosphate (OP) plunge dip (diazinon) and injectable macrocyclic lactones (MLs). However, increasing reports of resistance have been reported to the MLs since 2017, with ML-resistance confirmed in 2018 along with evidence of its spread across the UK. This raises a serious challenge for the treatment of sheep scab where dipping is not advised (e.g. during late pregnancy) and threatens our future ability to control the disease if resistance to the OP dip is established.
The samples will help to confirm the status of ML resistance, assist with mapping the spread of ML resistant mites across the UK and help define the potential origin of ML resistance.
Any samples not used may be stored and used for future research studies to benefit sheep scab control efforts.
Positive skin scrape samples should be collected and submitted by a veterinary surgeon. Wool plucks are NOT suitable for submission. The video below provides a guide on how to take a good skin scrape, along with information on packaging the sample to comply with UN3373 biological substance requirements.
Each submission must also be sent with a submission form which can be downloaded here:
The mites will normally be located around the moist edge of the lesion with the greatest numbers found at the leading edge which is usually the lowest point down the flanks (furthest from the head). Remove excess fleece with curved scissors to expose the edge of the lesion and take the skin scraping using a scalpel blade held at around 45’. Examine the sample microscopically under low magnification (x100). Samples can also be sent to a diagnostic laboratory.
- Place the scrape sample material or any microscope slides containing mites into a rigid container e.g. screw cap universal or pot.
- This primary container should then be placed inside a leak proof secondary container such as a Ziploc bag. Blue roll or another suitable absorbent should also be placed inside the bag.
- This bag should then be placed inside a box or padded mailing bag for shipment and affixed with the correct address label (which can be printed with the submission form). Packages must have a return address. Please complete this on the postage label.
Any suspected lack of expected efficacy (SLEE) must be reported directly to the MA holder, either through customer support or a member of their team.
MA holders have a legal obligation to report these to the VMD, who will collate and review them as part of ongoing pharmacovigilance.
The minimum information required is:
- Person reporting: Either the farmer, prescriber, animal health advisor or others
- Patient: For farm animals, this is the animals involved, including age, breed or type and the total number of animals treated in the batch affected
- Product: The name of the product, the expiry date and batch number, as well as the treatment date
- Problem: This is also sometimes called the ‘adverse event’, which could for example be an adverse reaction shortly after administration, accidental exposure, product defects, as well as SLEEs.
The details her should include the number of animals affected, the symptoms, the number of animals that died and any other relevant details on management.
Submission Form and Label
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