Hatchery Losses in Flocks of Layer and Broiler Breeders Due to Feed Contamination with Nicarbazin and Narasin: A Case Report

In the current study, we investigated decreased hatchability and increased embryonic mortality in two farms of layer breeders (flocks A1 and B1) and a farm of broiler breeders (flocks C1 and C2) from Austria, which also presented discoloration of eggshells in 2% of the eggs. After conducting clinical evaluations and the approval that the feed operator was common for flocks A1 and B1, and C1 and C2, it was decided to investigate the feed. Our findings revealed that the feed contained levels of nicarbazin and narasin up to five and 14 times, respectively, above the maximum limits allowed by the European Union for nontarget species. On the other hand, there were no significant abnormalities in vitamin levels, which were also described as the etiology of the noticed abnormalities. Switching to a noncontaminated feed resulted in the clinical signs and production parameters returning to expected ranges. This report emphasizes the significance of considering feed contamination by nicarbazin and narasin as a potential cause of hatchery losses in nontarget species, even in the absence of other clinical signs.

Epidemic of cutaneous fowlpox in a naïve population of chickens and turkeys in Austria: Detailed phylogenetic analysis indicates co-evolution of fowlpox virus with reticuloendotheliosis virus

Cutaneous fowlpox is a disease of chickens and turkeys caused by the fowlpox virus (FWPV), characterized by the development of proliferative lesions and scabs on unfeathered areas. FWPVs regularly carry an integrated, active copy of the reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), and it has been hypothesized that such FWPVs are more problematic in the field. Extensive outbreaks are usually observed in tropical and sub-tropical climates, where biting insects are more difficult to control. Here, we report an epidemic of 65 cutaneous fowlpox cases in Austria in layer chickens (91% of the cases) and broiler breeders and turkeys, all of them unvaccinated against the disease, from October 2018 to February 2020. The field data revealed appearance in flocks of different sizes ranging from less than 5000 birds up to more than 20,000 animals, with the majority raised indoors in a barn system. The clinical presentation was characterized by typical epithelial lesions on the head of the affected birds, with an average decrease of 6% in egg production and an average weekly mortality of 1.2% being observed in the flocks. A real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of FWPV-REV DNA, not only in the lesions but also in the environmental dust from the poultry houses. The integration of the REV provirus into the FWPV genome was confirmed by PCR, and revealed different FWPV genome populations carrying either the REV long terminal repeats (LTRs) or the full-length REV genome, reiterating the instability of the inserted REV. Two selected samples were fully sequenced by next generation sequencing (NGS), and the whole genome phylogenetic analysis revealed a regional clustering of the FWPV genomes. The extensive nature of these outbreaks in host populations naïve for the virus is a remarkable feature of the present report, highlighting new challenges associated with FWPV infections that need to be considered.

Use of real-time PCR to rule out Marek's disease in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy

This article reports nine cases of neurological disease in brown layer pullets that occured in various European countries between 2015 and 2018. In all cases, the onset of neurological clinical signs was at 4-8 weeks of age and they lasted up to 22 weeks of age. Enlargement of peripheral nerves was the main lesion observed in all cases. Histopathological evaluation of nerves revealed oedema with moderate to severe infiltration of plasma cells. Marek's disease (MD) was ruled out by real-time PCR as none of the evaluated tissues had a high load of oncogenic MD virus (MDV) DNA, characteristics of MD. Based on the epidemiological data (layers with clinical signs starting at 5-8 weeks of age), gross lesions (peripheral nerve enlargement with a lack of tumours in other organs), histopathological lesions (oedema and infiltration of plasma cells), and no evidence of high load of MDV DNA, we concluded that those cases were due to peripheral neuropathy (PN). PN is an autoimmune disease easily misdiagnosed as MD, leading to a costly enforcement of the vaccination protocol. Additional vaccination against MD does not protect against PN and could worsen the clinical signs by over-stimulating the immune system. Differential diagnosis between PN and MD should always be considered in cases of neurological disease with enlargement of peripheral nerves as the only gross lesion. This case report shows for the first time how real-time PCR to detect oncogenic MDV is a very valuable tool in the differential diagnosis of PN and MD.

Streamlining administration at the University of Minnesota Medical School

The authors describe the events and restructuring efforts of the 1990s that led the University of Minnesota Medical School leadership to advocate a new administrative model for its clinical departments. This new streamlined model established six administrative centers, each serving a cluster of two to four clinical departments. Each administrative center was charged with managing functions of finance, human resources, information technology, clinical service unit operations, research support, and education support for its departments. These centers, first proposed in 1993 when an outside firm analyzed the medical school's administration, were initially seen by most medical school department heads as too radical. Yet, after a campaign of one-on-one persuasion by medical school dean's office leadership, combined with a successful example of clustering that occurred spontaneously among three medical school departments, the administrative centers were launched in late 1998 to serve clustered clinical departments. The administrative centers were intended to improve departmental responsiveness to the dean of the medical school; improve internal medical school controls; improve on administrative services traditionally provided by outside units, such as grants management and information systems; and reduce administrative costs. Since their establishment, these administrative centers have evolved into a flexible, efficient system of administration. In a 2005 evaluation, ECG Management Consultants found the administrative center model appropriate and effective in managing the school's clinical departments. In addition, the consultants estimated that if the medical school still had stand-alone departmental administrative units, annual administrative costs would be $3 million higher.

The effect of two different blends of essential oil components on the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens in the intestines of broiler chickens

The effect of 2 different blends of essential oils on Clostridium perfringens (Cp) in the intestine and feces of broiler chickens was tested in 6 field trials for each blend. One hundred parts per million of the blends were mixed in a commercial corn-based diet throughout the entire growing period for experimental flocks. Samples from the jejunum, cecum, cloaca, and feces were taken on d 14, 21, and 30 from experimental and control flocks and tested quantitatively for Cp via blood agar plate, litmus milk medium, and ELISA. Blend A reduced (P < or = 0.05) the average Cp concentration in the feces on all sampling days, in the jejunum and cecum on d 14 and 21, and in the cloaca on d 14. Blend B effected a significant reduction of Cp concentration in the jejunum on d 14 and 30 and in the cloaca on d 14. The percentages of specimens from the control group that tested positive for Cp were 83.3% for feces, 88.0% for jejunum and cloaca, and 82.6% for cecum. Specimens from the feces and 3 sections of the intestine were Cp positive in groups treated with blend A (60.8, 64.6, 47.9, and 70.8%) and with blend B (65.9, 63.6, 63.6, and 72.7%). Our results indicate that specific blends of essential oil components can control Cp colonization and proliferation in the gut of broilers and therefore may be of help to prevent problems with Cp and necrotic enteritis.