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Biomedical subjects

U Löhren

Publications and source records attributed to U Löhren.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Measures for disinfection and sterilization of poultry housing after an outbreak of S. enteritidis].

Recommendations for correct cleansing and disinfection of S. enteritidis-contaminated chicken farms are given. References are made to the legal context and to its significance in a S. enteritidis control program. Quality and quantity of the suggested sampling procedure are based on WHO recommendations and on a four years experience of the author. 26 chicken farms on which S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium had been isolated in the previous crop have been monitored after disinfection. The results of 981 samples are presented. Salmonellae could not be isolated by swabs from visible clean surfaces after disinfection. Critical control points remain in the farm biotope: These are intermediate ceiling, litter beetle, rodents, exhaust ventilation fluff, margin zone of the outer building. These critical control points cannot be effectively disinfected. In case of demonstration of S. enteritidis from surfaces of the interior of the chicken house, a redisinfection will be necessary. S. enteritidis out of the farm biotope does not justify redisinfection of the farm.

Animals↗

[Immunizing against salmonella infections with live and inactivated vaccines].

A live attenuated auxotrophic S. typhimurium (S. tm.)-mutant was used by orally administration via drinking water several times during rearing, combined with 1- or 2-times parenteral injection of an autogenous S. enteritidis (S. e.)/S. tm.-oil emulsion vaccine. In a 8-month period, more than 500,000 birds were vaccinated. The vaccine was safe. Challenge test showed protection in the vaccinates and their offspring. The number of isolates in the farms detected by regular monitoring decreased. The protection of the live-culture mutant lasted about only 8 to 10 weeks. A. S. tm.-mutant more potent for chickens will be tested now. We consider vaccinations as one important factor in a salmonella control program, especially for commercial layers and broiler breeders.

Animals↗

[Vaccination against infectious anemia of poultry (CAA)--results of field studies].

Infectious anemia of poultry is a disease of high economical significance. Connatal infection of chicks with the chicken anemia agent (CAA) via the embryonated egg causes anemia along with severe immunosuppression, thus rendering the chicken susceptible for secondary infections. In order to prevent infection of young chicks, it is necessary to induce immunity against CAA in parent flocks, with the aim to prevent connatal spread of the infection and provide maternal protection for baby chicks. In this publication, the efficacy and use of a live CAA vaccine is reported. From autumn 1986 until summer 1990, 3 experimental vaccine charges were applied in 85 broiler parent flocks with totally 3.1 million chickens. In addition, totally 293,000 broiler breeder and 171,000 layer breeder chicken were vaccinated in 1989/90. The vaccine was administered between the 13th and 19th week of life by drinking water without adverse effect to the birds. Chicken anemia symptoms were observed only at the begin of laying period in two parent flocks. These flocks had been vaccinated in the 17th and 19th week, respectively. The offsprings of all other vaccinated parent flocks remained free of chicken anemia. Day-old chicks derived from vaccinated parent flocks were protected against CAA challenge infection. It is emphasized, that vaccination should be performed within the 13th to 15th week of life, because according to our observations, this will lead to an immediate seroconversion.

Anemia↗

Swollen head syndrome: clinical observations and serological examinations in West Germany.

Swollen Head Syndrome (SHS) affects both broiler and broiler breeders and has become a problem in many countries. Clinical signs similar to those described in SHS conditions have been observed in northern Germany with the disease observed mostly in chicken broilers between 4 and 5 weeks of age and in broiler breeders between 24 and 36 weeks of age. The mortality rate in broilers has been variable from negligible to 5%. In broiler breeders, the symptoms were accompanied with a drop in egg production reaching 2-3% after 1 to 2 weeks. 422 Serum samples from 21 broiler flocks were examined for the presence of antibodies to TRT-virus using indirect ELISA tests. Antibodies were detected in 2 flocks which suffered from SHS, but not in 2 flocks showing respiratory manifestations nor in 17 apparently healthy flocks. The results obtained from testing 178 serum samples from 10 breeder flocks revealed that antibodies to TRT-virus were present in one flock with SHS signs as well as in 6 apparently healthy flocks. In addition, no antibodies were found in sera collected from 3 flocks--one with SHS and respiratory disease history; one recovered from respiratory infection and one without disease history. Examination of paired serum samples from 3 breeder flocks that suffered from typical SHS-signs collected at the onset of the disease and during the convalescent stage, as well as sera from one broiler and one breeder flocks that showed respiratory manifestations, showed that there are significant increases in the number of positive sera in the flocks with SHS symptoms. The other flocks remained free from TRT antibodies.

Animals↗

[Pilot study on the prevalence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infections in food chickens in northwest Germany].

Samples of sera from broiler chicken and broiler chicken breeder flocks of North Western Germany were examined for presence of antibodies against Ornithobacterium (O.) rhinotracheale with a self-developed ELISA system. A total of 3600 samples of sera from 190 broiler flocks in 70 different farms were tested. In 332 samples of sera (9.4%) from 25 flocks (13.2%) in 22 farms specific antibodies were detected. Additionally, serum samples from the breeder hens, taken between the 9, and 61, weeks of age were tested. In 28 from 29 flocks (96.6%) specific antibodies were detected using this ELISA-system. First detectable antibodies were found between the 14, and 36, week of age in the parent breeder flocks. These results show that infections with O. rhinotracheale are widely distributed in the parent-breeder chicken broiler flocks. The significance of this bacterium as the cause of respiratory diseases in chickens are discussed.

Animals↗