Research

Funding: Gesellschaft für Kynologische Forschung e.V., 10.000 EUR

Project Details:
As part of this project, the effectiveness of alternatives to antibiotics (including ozone oil, manuka honey) in dog skin infections caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is being investigated.

Funding: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V., Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie, 635.500 EUR

Project Details:
The cHillYGIENE project will be carried out in three stages. First, the microbiological contamination of cooling fan units and their surroundings in meat processing plants will be investigated, while simultaneously recording various metadata (including design, materials, temperature range, operating zones, defrosting processes, and refrigerated goods). This will be done through a broad-based status quo survey and long-term monitoring in selected companies. This will provide comprehensive information on the usual microbial colonization, hygienically relevant areas, and the development of microflora in air coolers. Furthermore, the influence of various surface coatings on relevant cooling fan components on microbial contamination is being investigated. Preliminary laboratory-scale tests provide basic information on the extent to which coatings influence the adhesion, detachment, proliferation, and biofilm formation potential of selected microorganisms under practical conditions. Based on this, the previously identified hygienically relevant components of a standard cooling fan are coated, or coated pieces of material are installed in them as sentinels. The modified cooling fan is installed in a practical operation or in a room suitable for simulating practical conditions in order to generate information on the hygienic benefits of surface coatings on cooling fans. Finally, the results are evaluated jointly and discussed with the participating commercial enterprises. Based on the synthesis of all available data, the final report identifies problems and formulates recommendations for implementing the results in practice.

Cooperation Partners:

Externe Kooperationspartner: Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Institut für Life Science Technologies, Lemgo

Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, Institut für Lebensmittelhygiene

Funding: Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung, 100.000 EUR

Project Details:
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is capable of being transmitted to humans via under-cooked meat or contaminated raw foods and has been identified as a potential health risk to the immunocompromised and pregnant population. In the absence of an efficient, rapid test method for foodstuffs that enables early identification of the source of contamination, work is underway on the development of a LAMP assay, with funding provided by the Fritz Ahrberg Foundation. This method should enable the rapid and sensitive detection of even small amounts of parasites in various, sometimes complex food matrices. In a subsequent phase of the project, the presence of pathogens along the food processing chain will be determined. Consequently, potential measures for risk minimisation can be evaluated.

Funding: Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands, 174.600 EUR

Project Details:
Pinnipeds are frequently infected with respiratory nematodes commonly referred to as lungworms. Distinctively, lungworms are particularly prevalent pathogens of young harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Northern Europe. In the Netherlands, young harbour seals frequently strand on human accessible areas and display severe clinical symptoms associated with lungworm infection; as a result, they are often admitted to the nearest rehabilitation centre for treatment. Currently, the number of lungworm patients admitted for rehabilitation is limited for conservation purposes, however, there is a lack of clear criteria regarding the selection of those lungworm patients that should receive care. Critically, there remains an absence of clinical parameters that directly indicate the disease progression; thus veterinarians lack the clinical tools to determine the severity of the infection, and consequently, the likelihood of survival. Furthermore, there is currently insufficient data regarding the fate of rehabilitated lungworm patients post release. Therefore, to prevent potentially unnecessary admissions of lungworm patients, further insights regarding the severity of infection and post-release survival rates are required.

This research project will employ a multiple strategy approach with the overarching aim to develop a triage system for seal rehabilitation centres to assess prognosis for seals either directly at the point of stranding or upon admission. Through comprehensive investigations, this project will provide unprecedented insights into the pathology of lungworm-infected harbour seals, identify clinical parameters associated with survival to and after release, as well as assess the behaviour and survival of seals post release from rehabilitation using telemetry devices. Ultimately, if applicable, this project will result in the development of a prognostic tool to guide the selection of lungworm-infected harbour seals most suitable for rehabilitation. This project, led by the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) in collaboration with three major Dutch seal rehabilitation centres (Aseal Stellendam, Sealcentre Pieterburen and Ecomare), as well as Utrecht University and Wageningen Marine Research, is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands.

Funding: IBT, 486.181 EUR

Project Details:
The aim is a comparative study for the MCMV-based vaccine candidate developed at the HZI against RSV in the ferret model at the TiHo and the further technical development of the vaccine candidate at the HZI.

Cooperation Partners:

HZI Braunschweig

Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, 172.697 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to classify and evaluate the practical possibility of animal-friendly catching and loading of laying hens from an animal welfare perspective, taking into account aspects of workload and economics. In project part 1, it is planned to monitor the catching of old hens from 20 commercial farms. Since white-feathered hens are often much more active and restless than brown-feathered animals, the catching and crating of both white- and brown-feathered flocks will be documented. In order to obtain reliable data, the catching of 10 flocks per genetic line will be monitored, with 6,000 animals per flock to be caught in an animal-friendly manner. The remaining animals in each flock are removed in the usual manner. In addition to the basic data on the participating flocks, the duration of loading, individual crates (average) and individual animals (differentiated according to the average time for both catching methods) are to be documented during the catching process. Animal behaviour will be recorded in the crates, e.g. on the basis of vocalisation and exemplary behavioural observations (including panting). The findings at the slaughterhouse will be used to assess the effect of the catching method on possible damage to the animals. The workload and costs of animal-friendly catching and loading will also be recorded and evaluated.
In order to obtain reliable data on the possible stress caused by capture, sub-project 2 plans to quantitatively assess stress under experimental conditions for both capture methods (upright versus hanging overhead with fixation to the legs) by measuring corticosterone metabolites in faeces.

Cooperation Partners:

Universität Osnarbrück

Funding: Stiftung Innovation in der Hochschullehre, 339.015 EUR

Project Details:
Gaining knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the forestomaches of ruminants is an important part of veterinary education. This sets the basis for proper diagnosis of diseases and surgical interventions on this organ system in their future professional practice. During their preclinical study part at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation (TiHo), all veterinary students attend certain anatomical and physiological practical courses related to this topic. These courses also include the work with living animals, hence defined as animal experiments. However, the goal of thorough and sustainable veterinary training, conflicts with the raising legal and public pressure to reduce the number of animal experiments and desired improvement of animal welfare. This project aims to develop a virtual anatomical model of the ruminant forestomaches to be implemented into the Virtual Learning Lab of the Clinical Skills Lab (CSL). This virtual resource can be accessed by all students online at any time, providing flexible learning opportunities. According to the 2022 teaching report, students rated the opportunities for deepening their knowledge at the CSL very positively and expressed a desire for additional offerings that allow for independent and needs-based learning of practical, job-relevant skills. Therefore, a second aim of this project is the development of a malleable 3D model of the rumen, simulating its motility and allows for manual palpation of the organ. Simulations play an important role in medical education and are assessed as very useful by the students when linked to practical relevance. The planned project ranges within the framework of the 3Rs concept for animal experiments providing both, a refinement and a reduction method. Using the simulator, students can learn how to palpate the rumen before they do it on a living animal during the practical course. This helps to reduce anxiety and leads to a more skilled and animal-friendly handling. The virtual forestomach model offers the opportunity for independent preparatory learning and thus contributes to reduce the number of animals used in the anatomical practical courses. During the clinical study phase, both models can be used for repetition of anatomical and physiological basics to support final exam preparation and the acquisition of clinical and surgical skills. Therefore, both models can be used across semesters, promoting the development of learning- and career-related skills and competences.

Funding: Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung, 100.000 EUR

Project Details:
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a zoonosis that can be transmitted to humans by infected cats or through the consumption of contaminated foodstuffs or inadequately heated meat from infected intermediate hosts. Primary infections during the early stages of pregnancy are of particular concern due to the absence of maternal immunity, which allows the pathogen to cause severe foetal damage and abortions. There is currently no comprehensive and systematic monitoring of the pathogen in the food chain in Germany. Moreover, the accessibility of the pertinent testing methodologies is constrained. The project therefore aims to develop a rapid, field-proven detection method based on the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique and to corroborate its validity for pertinent food matrices. Thereafter, the method will be employed to appraise the impact of diverse manufacturing techniques employed on sample products on the pathogen load, and to extrapolate recommendations for industrial manufacturing processes.

Funding: EU Commission, 1.100.900 EUR

Project Details:
Work programme 2025-2027 of the EU Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Christoph Staubach (FLI Riems)

Funding: Niedersächsischen Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, 480.000 EUR

Project Details:
Infectious diseases in wild animals are currently on the rise and with them the questions of what these infectious agents mean for native wild animal populations, hunters and other people who handle these animals. Since Covid-19, awareness has once again been raised that infectious diseases from wild animals can be a source of danger for humans. For example, influenza and West Nile viruses have been observed in more and more species, sometimes leading to significant losses in populations. The first-time detection of Usutu viruses in native seals in the Wadden Sea and the new occurrence of myxomatosis in brown hares in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony are also evidence of the pathogens' enormous tendency to adapt and spread.
Overall, there is great uncertainty among hunters and the general public with regard to infectious diseases in wild animals, so there is an urgent need for action. The Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hanover of the LAVES is responsible for the examination of wild animals at the Hanover site. Among other things, the institute deals with pathogen situations, the etiology of diseases and the causes of death of wild animals sent in.
The information and experience on wild animal infectious diseases in Lower Saxony provided by the LAVES, the TiHo and the Lower Saxony Hunting Association (LJN) is to be pooled in the study in order to improve understanding of the occurrence, spread, population significance and risk management.
The aims of the project are as follows:
1. veterinary summary of individual animal findings of wild animals from Lower Saxony
2. to determine the veterinary significance for the various wild animal populations
3. targeted and statistically representative sampling and investigation of newly emerging infectious diseases or suspicious deaths in wild animals
4. analysis of the occurrence and potential impact of infectious diseases on
wildlife populations, particularly in the case of novel pathogens
5. risk assessment and development of hygiene concepts for hunters and other
stakeholders
6. advice for decision-makers on sustainable wildlife infection management

Cooperation Partners:

Lebensmittel- und Veterinärinstitut Braunschweig/Hannover, Standort Hanover (LAVES)