Animal health knows no boundaries
New insights are not only gained in a quiet room – they also emerge through dialogue. That‘s why we travelled to international specialist conferences this
spring, from England to Bulgaria. We not only shared our knowledge there, but also took many new ideas for our daily work: The challenges in animal health are similar – and they call for practical, scientifically sound solutions.
This is exactly what we are continuously working on: with new ideas, our dedicated team and a clear focus on reliable diagnostics. One current example is our study on Trueperella abortisuis – a pathogen with clinical relevance that has received little attention to date and which we should keep an even closer eye on in the future.
Have a good summer – with some time off and fresh energy for the second half of the year!
Best regards,
Dagmar Köhler-Repp, Dr. Martin Metzner, Dr. Alexander Repp
Our study on Trueperella abortisuis – An underestimated pathogen in sows
Back in 2013, our managing director, Dr. Martin Metzner, and the working group led by Prof. Dr. Christoph Lämmler from the University of Giessen, described the newly emerging pathogen Trueperella abortisuis. Since then, this pathogen has remained relatively inactive, despite causing abortions, fertility issues and vaginal discharge in sows. Dr. Metzner and his team have now picked up the thread again, using the latest data to demonstrate the reality of T. abortisuis: It is real and relevant, yet is still diagnosed far too rarely.
Material and methods
Between the beginning of 2024 and April 2025, 100 vaginal swabs from clinically conspicuous sows from around 20 farms throughout Germany were analysed. They were analysed bacteriologically on blood agar plates (with and without selection) and by using MALDI-TOF-MS.
Overview of the results
• T. abortisuis was detected in 17 samples
• Mixed infections were common
• Other common germs:
– Escherichia coli (71)
– Streptococcus dysgalactiae (39)
– Streptococcus suis (24)
– Schaalia hyovaginalis (19)
• Resistance to cefquinome and paromomycin was found in 9 out of 10 T. abortisuis isolates – an indication of their potential suitability for the development of a selective culture medium
No longer ignore, but take targeted action
T. abortisuis grows slowly, is missing in many routine diagnostics and is therefore often overlooked. Our results show the importance of targeted methods – e.g. selective media, MALDI-TOF-MS and PCR – for detection and highlight that infections of the vaginal tract of sows can be caused by multiple bacteria.
This knowledge provides the basis for better hygiene strategies and the use of combined, autogenous vaccines to protect the reproductive health of your herd.
E. coli in cattle and pigs – Harmless intestinal inhabitant or pathogen?
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is frequently detected in samples from diseased animals – but is also found in healthy ones. Targeted differentiation is therefore important in order to correctly assess its disease-causing role.
What differs?
• Commensal E. coli: Naturally occurring in the intestine, mostly harmless
• Pathogenic E. coli: Can cause diseases – in the intestine (intestinal) or outside (extraintestinal)
These strains cannot be distinguished purely visually during a bacteriological examination. komplexer und multikausal.
Better differentiation with PCR
We already reported on APEC-PCR for poultry samples in our May 2024 newsletter (https://invac.eu/de/aktuelles/).
Using this molecular biological method, we can analyse and differentiate virulence factors in E. coli isolates from cattle and pigs, too.
Targeted treatment and prophylaxis
The advantage for you is that we can identify those E. coli isolates that are of particular clinical relevance or carry important virulence factors as early as the diagnostic stage. These strains can either be treated with antibiotics or controlled in the long term with stockspecific immunoprophylaxis – adapted to the current disease situation.
INVAC in front of the camera
Spotlights on, sound on – and action!
Our team was in front of the camera for a new image film by the Brandenburg Economic Development Corporation (WFBB), representing
the biotech expertise in the state, which was filmed directly at our company – with shots in the laboratory and an interview with our managing director
Dagmar Köhler-Repp about our daily work for customised animal health. The film can soon be seen at international trade fairs such as the BIO Convention USA or BIO-Europe – at the joint stand of the state of Brandenburg.
