To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks

Background Transthoracic ultrasonography (TTUS) is currently the only widely used method to diagnose suspected preclinical or subclinical cases of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma/Jaagsiekte (OPA) in live sheep. However, the economic impact of using TTUS as a screening test has not been described prev...

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Autores principales: Davies, P., Strugnell, B., Thomas, Lian F., Lovatt, F., Willison, I.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/120472
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author Davies, P.
Strugnell, B.
Thomas, Lian F.
Lovatt, F.
Willison, I.
author_browse Davies, P.
Lovatt, F.
Strugnell, B.
Thomas, Lian F.
Willison, I.
author_facet Davies, P.
Strugnell, B.
Thomas, Lian F.
Lovatt, F.
Willison, I.
author_sort Davies, P.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Background Transthoracic ultrasonography (TTUS) is currently the only widely used method to diagnose suspected preclinical or subclinical cases of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma/Jaagsiekte (OPA) in live sheep. However, the economic impact of using TTUS as a screening test has not been described previously. Methods Test characteristics for TTUS in a low-prevalence situation were obtained from a previous study of 1074 breeding ewes that underwent TTUS with an experienced operator. The economic impact was modelled using a 10,000-iteration partial budget simulation and probability sensitivity analysis to explore the relative influence of model variables. Results In flocks of this size, culling true-positive and false-positive cases resulted in an estimated median net loss of £4647 (interquartile range: £3537–£6006), determined primarily by replacement ewe value and the cost of TTUS per ewe. Conclusion The results of this study emphasise that great caution should be exercised by practitioners when determining if TTUS is appropriate as a screening test for OPA in low-prevalence flocks or subpopulations within a flock, such as younger age groups, where the losses incurred through the inadvertent culling of healthy sheep may significantly exceed any benefit derived from culling preclinical/subclinical cases.
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spelling CGSpace1204722025-10-26T12:53:00Z To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks Davies, P. Strugnell, B. Thomas, Lian F. Lovatt, F. Willison, I. animal diseases sheep small ruminants diagnosis Background Transthoracic ultrasonography (TTUS) is currently the only widely used method to diagnose suspected preclinical or subclinical cases of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma/Jaagsiekte (OPA) in live sheep. However, the economic impact of using TTUS as a screening test has not been described previously. Methods Test characteristics for TTUS in a low-prevalence situation were obtained from a previous study of 1074 breeding ewes that underwent TTUS with an experienced operator. The economic impact was modelled using a 10,000-iteration partial budget simulation and probability sensitivity analysis to explore the relative influence of model variables. Results In flocks of this size, culling true-positive and false-positive cases resulted in an estimated median net loss of £4647 (interquartile range: £3537–£6006), determined primarily by replacement ewe value and the cost of TTUS per ewe. Conclusion The results of this study emphasise that great caution should be exercised by practitioners when determining if TTUS is appropriate as a screening test for OPA in low-prevalence flocks or subpopulations within a flock, such as younger age groups, where the losses incurred through the inadvertent culling of healthy sheep may significantly exceed any benefit derived from culling preclinical/subclinical cases. 2022-10 2022-08-08T10:42:31Z 2022-08-08T10:42:31Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/120472 en Open Access Wiley Davies, P., Strugnell, B., Thomas, L., Lovatt, F. and Willison, I. 2022. To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks. Veterinary Record 191(7): e1980.
spellingShingle animal diseases
sheep
small ruminants
diagnosis
Davies, P.
Strugnell, B.
Thomas, Lian F.
Lovatt, F.
Willison, I.
To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks
title To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks
title_full To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks
title_fullStr To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks
title_full_unstemmed To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks
title_short To scan or not to scan? The economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for ‘whole-flock’ ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in UK sheep flocks
title_sort to scan or not to scan the economics of transthoracic ultrasonography for whole flock ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma screening in uk sheep flocks
topic animal diseases
sheep
small ruminants
diagnosis
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/120472
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