Objective:Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious viral disease of chickens with global distribution and considerable economic impact. Due to the limited cross-protectivity between certain virus variants, vaccination programs routinely used today require regular evaluation and adaptation. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence and distribution of infectious bronchitis in western Germany and neighbouring regions based on a retrospective evaluation of diagnostic data obtained from flock health monitoring. Material and methods:A total of 263 molecular diagnostic investigations for IB virus (221 from laying hens, 42 from broilers), conducted between 2015 and 2025, were evaluated retrospectively. Analyses were performed using real-time RT-PCR and supplemented by sequencing in selected samples. The classification of detected variants of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) as vaccine or field strains was based on vaccination history in combination with sequencing results. Results:93.2% of samples tested positive for IBV (laying hens: 93.2%, broilers: 92.9%). The most frequently detected variants were QX and 793B. Multiple variants were detected simultaneously in 111 samples. The proportion of circulating variants remained largely consistent throughout the study period. In broilers, most detected IBV-variants (76.5%) were presumed to be vaccine strains, whereas in laying hens most variants (62.1%) were likely attributable to circulating field viruses. However, a definitive distinction between field and vaccine strains was only possible in a limited number of cases. Conclusion and clinical relevance:The results demonstrate the widespread presence of IB in poultry flocks. QX and 793B have consistently been the predominant variants in the study area (mainly North Rhine-Westphalia, but also adjacent regions) over recent years. However, the high number of simultaneous detections of multiple variants, as well as the frequent uncertainty in distinguishing between field and vaccine strains, emphasize the complexity of IB epidemiology. Therefore, diagnostic results should always be interpreted in conjunction with clinical and anamnestic data as well as additional diagnostic information.
Zusammenfassung Die Infektiöse Bronchitis (IB) ist eine hochansteckende Viruserkrankung von Hühnern mit weltweiter Verbreitung und erheblicher wirtschaftlicher Bedeutung. Aufgrund der geringen Kreuzprotektivität zwischen manchen Varianten müssen die heutzutage routinemäßig eingesetzten Impfprogramme regelmäßig überprüft und angepasst werden. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Inzidenz und Verteilung der Infektiösen Bronchitis in Westdeutschland und angrenzenden Regionen anhand einer retrospektiven Auswertung von Untersuchungsdaten aus der Bestandsbetreuung darzustellen. Es wurden 263 molekularbiologische Untersuchungen auf IB-Virus aus den Jahren 2015–2025 (221 von Legehennen, 42 von Masthähnchen) retrospektiv ausgewertet. Die Analysen erfolgten mittels Real-Time RT-PCR. Ausgewählte Proben wurden ergänzend sequenziert. Die Einordnung der nachgewiesenen Varianten des Infektiösen Bronchitis Virus (IBV) als Impf- oder Feldstamm erfolgte anhand der Impfhistorie sowie der Sequenzierung. 93,2% der Untersuchungen waren IBV-positiv (Legehennen: 93,2%, Masthähnchen: 92,9%). Die am häufigsten nachgewiesenen Varianten waren QX und 793B. In 111 Untersuchungen wurden mehrere Varianten parallel detektiert. Das Verhältnis der zirkulierenden Varianten blieb im Untersuchungszeitraum weitgehend konstant. Bei Masthähnchen war bei einem Großteil der Nachweise (76,5%) von einem Impfstamm auszugehen, während bei Legehennen eine Mehrzahl der Nachweise (62,1%) wahrscheinlich auf zirkulierende Feldviren zurückzuführen waren. Eine eindeutige Klassifikation als Impf- oder Feldstamm war jedoch nur in Einzelfällen möglich. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die weite Verbreitung von IB in Geflügelbeständen. Die Varianten QX und 793B stehen dabei im Praxisgebiet (vorwiegend NRW, aber auch angrenzende Regionen) über die letzten Jahre konstant an erster Stelle. Die hohe Anzahl gleichzeitiger Nachweise mehrerer Varianten sowie die häufig unklare Einordnung der nachgewiesenen Viren als Feld- oder Impfstamm unterstreichen jedoch die Komplexität des Infektionsgeschehens. Daher sollte die Interpretation von Befunden stets im Kontext klinischer, anamnestischer und diagnostischer Informationen erfolgen.
Subject and objective:The objective of this Bavaria-wide cross-sectional field study was to describe the extent of selected quantitative bacterial pathogen shedding in quarter milk samples from lactating dairy cows. The association between pathogen shedding, udder health, and seasonal influences was evaluated. Materials and methods:Randomly selected dairy farms (N=305) from all Bavarian administrative districts were visited once over the course of a year. A total of 58,108 quarter milk samples were taken from 14,700 cows and examined microbiologically. Pathogen shedding was determined semi-quantitatively (1-10 cfu/0.01ml to>200 cfu/0.01ml) per quarter. For the statistical analysis the 5 shedding classes were summarized into 3 categories. Results:The level of bacterial pathogen shedding varied depending on the health status of the udder quarter. Healthy quarters were more likely to show low or medium bacterial counts than subclinically or clinically affected quarters. For Staphylococcus aureus, the probability of low shedding (1-10 cfu/0.01 ml) was more than twelve times higher in healthy quarters than in clinically affected quarters. Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae were also predominantly shedded in medium concentrations in healthy quarters. For Staphylococcus aureus, there was also a seasonal effect with low pathogen shedding being observed less frequently in summer than in winter. For Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, no reliable conclusions could be drawn due to overall low detection rates. Conclusions:The study showed that even clinically inapparent animals may shed relevant amounts of pathogenic bacteria. This confirms that milk somatic cell count alone is insufficient to fully assess udder health or infection status. Clinical relevance:Targeted microbiological herd testing is a necessary supplement to somatic cell count analysis. It enables the detection of hidden sources of infection and may help in preventing spreading as well as new infections.
Abstract:Neonatal diarrhea remains one of the most frequent causes of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in calves worldwide. The clinical consequences in affected animals are primarily attributable to fluid losses and consecutive dehydration, but also to the occurrence of metabolic acidosis and associated imbalances in potassium homeostasis. In calves with neonatal diarrhea, metabolic acidosis mainly results from the accumulation of strong anions, in particular D-lactate, which arises from bacterial fermentation processes of undigested nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract. Increased blood D-lactate concentrations not only contribute substantially to the development of metabolic acidosis but are also responsible for most of the clinical signs such as depression, weakness, impairment of the ability to stand, and alterations of the palpebral reflex. Abstract:Hyperkalemia occurs in up to one-third of severely affected calves despite a negative potassium balance and is linked to dehydration, impaired renal function, and the nature of metabolic acidosis. While D-lactic acidosis is rarely associated with hyperkalemia, the latter is typically accompanied by severe clinical dehydration, muscle weakness, and cardiac conduction abnormalities, thus representing a potentially life-threatening condition. Abstract:This review summarizes current pathophysiologic knowledge of these major metabolic disorders in calves with neonatal diarrhea and outlines their clinical relevance for diagnosis and treatment.
Subject an aim:Puncture wounds are a common and potentially life-threatening injury in equine veterinary practice. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze data from horses presenting to the clinic with a puncture wound. Material and methods:A retrospective study was conducted on patient data from horses with a puncture wound in the period from September 2008 to August 2024. Analyzed data included medical management and surgical treatment, complications, duration and costs of hospitalization, short-term survival rate and treatment success. Results:A total of 96 horses met the inclusion criteria. Seven of the 96 horses (7.3%) were euthanized after examination and diagnosis, and three others (3.1%) were euthanized during surgery. Treatment was carried out in 86/96 (89.6%) of cases and was performed under general anesthesia in 62/86 (72.1%) of the animals. The surgical procedure consisted of the funnel-shaped enlargement of the solar defect and the debridement of the complete penetrating tract. If the navicular bursa was affected, endoscopic bursal lavage was performed via the puncture tract. Systemic antibiotic treatment was preferably administered in the form of penicillin and gentamicin. Intravenous regional perfusion was undertaken in 39.5% of horses. During hospitalization, 5/96 (5.2%) horses were euthanized due to economic and prognostic considerations. 81/96 (84.4%) horses were discharged from hospital treatment. Of the 81 horses discharged from hospital treatment, 70 (86.4%) were available for follow-up. 64/70 (91.4%) animals were returned to their intended purpose. Horses with injuries to the corium, or digital cushion were reused in 96.3% (26/27), with involvement of the distal phalanx and/or deep flexor tendon in 91.2% (31/34). In the case of synovial involvement, 77.8% (7/9) of the horses were returned to their intended purpose. Conclusions and clinical relevance:Depending on the structures involved and prompt initiation of therapy, the prognosis for puncture wounds is good to excellent. If the navicular bursa is affected, endoscopic lavage via the puncture tract after gentle debridement is an effective treatment method leading to good results.
