project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
MonEntero - Monitoring Enterococcus spp. on broiler farms using an innovative sampling protocol
Kontext
In Flemish broiler farming, Enterococcus spp. infections are one of the main reasons for antibiotic use, both at a young age and later. Given the increasing antibiotic use in the broiler sector, there is a great need for knowledge about the infection course and possible management measures that can reduce the antibiotic use. In addition, the problem creates reduced economic results for the farm, including through dropouts and reduced growth. Thus, it is an issue of concern to livestock producers because of its major economic impact and high antibiotic use. The operational group want to develop a monitoring plan and management measures that can help address this complex infection to reduce the adverse effects. Responsible antibiotic use is essential to avoid a lack of effective antibiotics, due to resistance, making certain treatments impossible, which would have implications for both animal health and welfare.
Activities
A first action aims at establishing, implementing and evaluating a protocol for routine monitoring and verifying its predictive value. The protocol will be applicable to broiler farms. It uses PathoSense, an innovative diagnostic method that uses nanopore sequencing, detecting all viruses and bacteria within a sample. A second action focuses on identifying and mapping risk factors for clinical Enterococcus infection on the farm. This focuses on co-infections (viral/bacterial) and management factors, such as start-up management and temperature that may increase risk. All members of the operational group meet in working groups organized over the duration of the project to exchange knowledge and evaluate the monitoring protocol. The farm veterinarians also join this process, they can provide very valuable information about animal health on the different farms. The results and findings of the project are communicated to the sector, with the aim of reaching as many poultry farmers and farm veterinarians as possible, and making the protocol known in the broiler sector so that it can be used to guide farms in enterococcal management.
Project details
- Main funding source
- CAP Strategic Plans 2023-2027 for Operational Groups
- Additional funding source
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- Others
- Eigen bijdrage van de OG
- Project contribution to EU Strategies
- Reducing the use of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture
- Territorial scope
- National
Budget information
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EAFRD contribution EUR 32 164.0039%
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National co-financing EUR 42 635.0051%
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Eigen bijdrage van de OG EUR 8 311.0010%
Project keyword
1 Practice Abstracts
The goal is to visualize through a new monitoring protocol the presence of Enterococcus spp. and the underlying viral/bacterial complexes, which might act as triggers for the infection. This monitoring protocol can predict clinical outbreaks so that preventive action can be taken to avoid high or irresponsible antibiotic use. The expected outcome of this project is to develop a set of monitoring and prevention measures to preventively target enterococci in order to reduce the use of antibiotics.
Contacts
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