Luftkeimbelastung und Lufthygienemanagement in der Schlupfbrut von Masthähnchen als Einflussfaktor auf die Kükengesundheit

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde anhand von 30 Schlüpfen von Elterntierherden unterschiedlichen Produktionsalters die Entwicklung von Bioaerosolen während der Schlupfbrut von Masthühnern untersucht. Gesamtkeimzahl, Enterobacteriaceae und Enterokokken stiegen in der Schlupfbrut von Masthuhnküken im Laufe der Schlupfbrut bis hin zur Kükenabnahme signifikant an (p < 0,05). Schimmelpilze konnten in der untersuchten Brüterei nicht nachgewiesen werden. Die Gesamtkeimzahl und Enterokokken stiegen signifikant in Abhängigkeit zum Alter der Mastelterntierherde an. Je älter die Mastelterntierherde war, desto höher war die nachgewiesene Zahl an Mikroorganismen in der Abluft der Schlupfbrut. Ein signifikanter Anstieg (p < 0,05) von Enterobacteriaceae ließ sich bei Altherden (Produktionswoche 24 – 35) beobachten. Ein Biozid auf Wasserstoffperoxid- und Peressigsäurebasis wurde hinsichtlich seines Potentials zur Reduktion von während der Schlupfbrut entstehenden Mikroorganismen anhand von 29 Schlüpfen evaluiert. Gesamtkeimzahl und Enterobacteriaceae konnten durch das Biozid im Mittel aller Untersuchungen signifikant (p 0,05). Die Anwendung des untersuchten Biozids führte in der Folge zu einer nicht signifikanten Reduktion (p > 0,05) des Parameters der 7-Tages Mortalität, jedoch konnte das Biozid den Parameter der 7-Tages-Mortalität auf Maximalwerte von 1% begrenzen. Korrelationen zwischen der mikrobiologischen Belastung in der Schlupfbrut und der 7-Tages Mortalität von Eintagsküken wurden ebenfalls untersucht. Es besteht insgesamt keine signifikante Korrelation zwischen der mikrobiologischen Belastung während der Schlupfbrut von Broilereintagsküken und dem Parameter 7-Tages Mortalität.The aim of this study was to examine microbiological conditions in the exhaust air of hatchers during hatching process of broiler chicklings in a commercial broiler hatchery. Development of bacteria during the hatching process of broiler chickens was observed at 30 chick hatchings of parent flocks with different age. The effect of the application of a biocide based on hydrogen-peroxide and peracetic acid on the development of bacteria during the hatching process of broiler chickens was evaluated at 29 chick hatchings. Examination wether the application of a biocide affects 7-day mortality of broiler chickens or not was performed. Additionally the correlation between microbiological load at pulling time of broiler chickens and 7-day mortality of broiler chicklings was investigated. The development of microorganisms during the hatching process of broiler chicklings was observed. Total bacterial count, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci were found in the exhaust air of the hatcher. Bacterial counts of all three rose significantly (p < 0,05) during hatcher phase until pulling of the chicklings. There was no detection of molds in the examined hatchery. Numbers of total bacterial count were elevated significantly dependent on the age of the parent stock flock. The older the parent stock flock, the higher numbers of total bacterial and Enterococci count were found (p < 0,05). Numbers of Enterobacteriaceae were significantly elevated (p < 0,05) in hatcher phases of old parent stock flocks (24th – 35th week of production). Total bacterial count and Enterobacteriaceae were reduced significantly during hatcher phase due to biocide application (p 0,05). The application of the biocide resulted in a reduced parameter of 7-day mortality of the hatched chicklings compared to the control group (p > 0,05). The effect was not significant. However, the biocide application was able to limit the 7-day mortality to maximum values of 1%. Correlations between bacterial counts of Total bacterial count, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci and the parameter 7-day mortality of the hatched chicklings were examined. No significant correlation between microbiological condition of the hatcher exhaust air and 7-day mortality was found

Impact on Hatchability and Broiler Performance after Use of Hydrogen Peroxide Nebulization versus Formaldehyde Fumigation as Pre-Incubation Hatching Egg Disinfectants in Field Trial

Hatching egg disinfection, as part of the quality assurance system, is a standard procedure in commercial hatcheries. Formaldehyde was and is broadly used but bears high risks for the personnel. In preliminary studies, the spray application of hydrogen peroxide was successfully tested and was chosen to compare its efficacy and impact on hatchability, as well as performance during fattening, and at slaughter, to formaldehyde under field conditions. The trial was set up with hatching eggs from two breeder flocks, running parallelly in three groups (H2O2, formaldehyde and non-disinfected control) at four different flock ages (at 38, 39, 56, 57 weeks). No significant differences were noticed in the hatchery, whereas in the rearing period higher 7-day- and total mortalities occurred during trials 1 and 2 in all non-disinfected groups and one formaldehyde-treated group, making an antibiotic treatment necessary. At slaughter, the findings in all groups were comparable. Trials 3 and 4 passed without significant differences between all groups, leading to the conclusion that hatching egg disinfection lowers the risk of infection-related losses. Meanwhile, formaldehyde fumigation and the spraying of hydrogen peroxide produced similar results in all stages

Preliminary study: Health and performance assessment in broiler chicks following application of six different hatching egg disinfection protocols

As part of a Germany-wide project that evaluates strategies for the reduction of multi-resistant bacteria along the poultry production chain, the impact of different hatching egg disinfectants on hatchability and health of the broiler chicks was evaluated. Animal trials were conducted with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL) producing Escherichia (E.) coli contaminated hatching eggs and six disinfection protocols that used formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, low-energy electron irradiation, peracetic acid and an essential oil preparation. Each protocol was tested on a group of 50 chicks. Equally sized positive and negative control groups were carried along for each trial. Hatchability, mortality and body weight were recorded as performance parameters. During necropsy of half of the animals in each group on day 7 and 14 respectively, macroscopic abnormalities, body weight, weights of liver and gut convolute were recorded and a range of tissue samples for histological examination were collected as part of the health assessment. A decrease in hatchability was recorded for spray application of essential oils. Body weight development was overall comparable, in several groups even superior, to the Ross308 performance objectives, but a reduced performance was seen in the hydrogen peroxide group. Histologically, lymphoid follicles were regularly seen in all sampled organs and no consistent differences were observed between contaminated and non-contaminated groups. Significances were infrequently and inconsistently seen. In conclusion, remarkable findings were a decrease in hatchability caused by the essential oils spray application and a reduced body weight development in the hydrogen peroxide group. Therefore, the essential oils preparation as spray application was deemed inappropriate in practice, while the application of hydrogen peroxide was considered in need of further research. The other trial results indicate that the tested hatching egg disinfectants present a possible alternative to formaldehyde

Impact on Hatchability and Broiler Performance after Use of Hydrogen Peroxide Nebulization versus Formaldehyde Fumigation as Pre-Incubation Hatching Egg Disinfectants in Field Trial

Hatching egg disinfection, as part of the quality assurance system, is a standard procedure in commercial hatcheries. Formaldehyde was and is broadly used but bears high risks for the personnel. In preliminary studies, the spray application of hydrogen peroxide was successfully tested and was chosen to compare its efficacy and impact on hatchability, as well as performance during fattening, and at slaughter, to formaldehyde under field conditions. The trial was set up with hatching eggs from two breeder flocks, running parallelly in three groups (H2O2, formaldehyde and non-disinfected control) at four different flock ages (at 38, 39, 56, 57 weeks). No significant differences were noticed in the hatchery, whereas in the rearing period higher 7-day- and total mortalities occurred during trials 1 and 2 in all non-disinfected groups and one formaldehyde-treated group, making an antibiotic treatment necessary. At slaughter, the findings in all groups were comparable. Trials 3 and 4 passed without significant differences between all groups, leading to the conclusion that hatching egg disinfection lowers the risk of infection-related losses. Meanwhile, formaldehyde fumigation and the spraying of hydrogen peroxide produced similar results in all stages

Fibrosis in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: A review of definitions based on clinical imaging

Despite the success of antiangiogenic therapy in controlling exudation in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), the involvement of the outer retina in fibrosis results in gradual vision loss over time. The development of drugs that prevent or ameliorate fibrosis in nAMD requires that it is accurately detected and quantified with reliable endpoints and identification of robust biomarkers. Achievement of such an aim is currently challenging due to the lack of a consensus definition of fibrosis in nAMD. As a first step towards the establishment of a clear definition of fibrosis, we provide an extensive overview of the imaging modalities and criteria used to characterize fibrosis in nAMD. We observed variety in the selection of individual and combinations of imaging modalities, and criteria for detection. We also observed heterogeneity in classification systems and severity scales for fibrosis. The most commonly used imaging modalities were color fundus photography (CFP), fluorescence angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). A multimodal approach was frequently utilized. Our review suggests that OCT offers a more detailed, objective and sensitive characterization than CFP/FA. Thus, we recommend it as a primary modality for fibrosis evaluation. This review provides a basis for future discussions to reach a consensus definition using standardized terms based on a detailed characterization of fibrosis, its presence and evolution, and taking into consideration impact on visual function. Achieving this goal is of paramount importance for the development of antifibrotic therapies