C. perfringens in broilers
Dr. Anouk Lanckriet from Belgium talked about C. perfringens that poses a continuing challenge for the poultry industry. She explained that C. perfringens is a worldwide economic problem, causing acute Necrotic Enteritis that in turn causes a sudden increase of flock mortality (30-50%).
However, C. perfringens strains differ in the type of toxins they produce and also the amount of toxins they shred. A study on broiler farms in Belgium showed that in the 63 isolated they got from these farms, all belonged to the toxinotype A: alpha toxin. Lanckriet said that besides this common alpha toxin, a new toxin was discovered 2 years ago: the netB toxin. Studies with this toxin showed that deletion of the netB gene in virulant strain caused reduced virulance of the virus. However, netB negative strains were also found in Necrotic Enteritis positive birds.
Anouk also mentioned a survey conducted in the UK in 2001 where a strong correlation was found between the history of coccidiosis and the prevalence of Necrotic Enteritis. Another factor that has been shown to influence the presence of Necrotic Enteritis is the stocking density. A study showed that the disease was more present in birds that were kept at a stocking density of 30kg/m2 compared to chickens that were housed at 15kg/m2.
According to new EU rules, stocking density can be maximum 33kg/m2, with an increase to 39 or 42kg/m2 if certain standards are met. Anouk said that this could create problems regarding Necrotic Enteritis if other measures are not put in place - such as alternatives to AGPs such as organic acids, essential oils or probiotics.
An agri market lecture
Osler Desouzart from Brazil gave a lively presentation about the current and future agri markets. World leadership in animal production is open, but who will win? He said that there is enough food on the planet, but the way and what we consume is changing rapidly. He mentioned that if people earn more money (mostly in Asia), the consumption of animal protein goes up and they shift from eating vegetable protein to meat. He said that the future of the food industry is therefore in the hands of the ones that don't eat enough.
Dose calculator for veterinarians
In his final comments of the symposium, Alain Kanora - Global marketing Director & International Sales Director Affiliates for Huvepharma - introduced the dose calculator https://veterinary.huvepharma.com/calculators/select that can be used by pig and poultry vets. This tool - looking like a normal calcalulator - can be used to calculate the correct dose of medication for the animals inj mg/ kg body weight. It can be used for every medicated premix and veterinary drugs from all companies. Every veterinarian present at the symposium received such as calculator, and with the slogan "precision pays", the organisation can look back on a very succesful first symposium.
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