Every year, cattle suffer from respiratory infections leading to restricted animal health as well as significant economic losses. Calves in particular contract enzootic bronchopneumonia (bovine respiratory disease) and subsequently suffer from performance and development disorders. The disease is caused by the interaction of various infectious (viral and bacterial pathogens) and non-infectious (husbandry and environmental conditions) factors. The Institute of Virology deals with the involved viral pathogens and their detection in different sample matrices.

enlarge the image: sample matrices for the detection of viral pathogens (cotton ropes are offered to cows and calves, EYDAM® swabs and swabs in transport medium).
sample matrices for the detection of viral pathogens (cotton ropes are offered to cows and calves, EYDAM® swabs and swabs in transport medium). Pictures: Simona Baumann

Examination of different sample matrices

Stressless examination for bovine respiratory disease pathogens

Subject:

Within the research project, a new, innovative single-animal and herd diagnostic method for the detection of respiratory pathogens in cattle will be established and evaluated.

Summary:

In respiratory diseases, the focus is on rapid treatment and prevention of the spread of the disease. This leads to the need for comprehensive herd diagnostics to monitor infection incidence and animal health. While a number of established methods exist to detect different respiratory pathogens, they are often associated with drawbacks. Nasal swabs or bronchoalveolar lavages, which are currently obtained in veterinary practice for detection, are very time-consuming and represent a high burden for the animals, as they have to be isolated and restrained or sedated for sampling. Therefore, this research project aims to establish a new, innovative single-animal and herd diagnostic method that allows monitoring of pathogens associated with respiratory diseases based on saliva samples. In this way, the simple and cost-effective sampling method will enable economic and efficient diagnostics and, at the same time, promote animal welfare and animal protection through gentle sampling.

The project is supported by funds of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) based on a decision of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany via the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) under the innovation support program.

Project manager:

Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Vahlenkamp

Participating employees:

Dr. Kristin Heenemann

TÄ Maxi Harzer

TÄ Belinda Euring

TÄ Simona Baumann

Cooperations: BioCheck- Laboratory for Veterinary diagnostics and environmental hygiene GmbH

Funding: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)