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Since mid-2015, there has been an increasing number of chicken samples that are positive for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in a screening PCR but which do not show positive results in any established, variant-specific PCR tests (793B, QX, D1466, Massachusetts, D274, Italy 02, Arkansas, Variant 2, Q1). Partial sequencing of the viral genome of those samples shows great similarities, but nucleotide similarity in the S1 gene is only about 57%-61% when compared to any other known GI-GVII IBV genotype and lineage. With nucleotide identity in the S1 gene of approximately 80%, the closest related strain in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database (as of March 15, 2020) is the North American PA/1220/98 isolate (AY789942) designated as a unique variant by Valastro et al. in 2016. Due to its divergence from other IBV strains, we propose that strain, designated IB80, is the type strain of a novel IBV genotype GVIII. So far, IB80 has been detected in commercial layer and broiler parent flocks, frequently showing severe drops in egg production as well as in broiler flocks in Europe and beyond.

IB80­un nuevo genotipo del virus de la bronquitis infecciosa (GVIII). Desde mediados del 2015, ha habido un número creciente de muestras de pollo que resultan positivas para el virus de la bronquitis infecciosa (IBV) por la detección mediante PCR de escrutinio, pero que no muestran resultados positivos en ninguna prueba de PCR específica para las variantes establecidas (793B, QX, D1466, Massachusetts, D274, Italia 02, Arkansas, variante 2, Q1). La secuenciación parcial del genoma viral de esas muestras muestra grandes similitudes, pero la similitud de nucleótidos en el gene S1 es solo del 57% al 61% en comparación con cualquier otro genotipo y linaje GI-GVII conocidos del virus de bronquitis. Con una identidad de nucleótidos en el gene S1 de aproximadamente el 80 %, la cepa relacionada más cercana en la base de datos del Centro Nacional de Información Biotecnológica (al 15 de marzo de 2020) es el aislamiento norteamericano PA/1220/98 (AY789942) designado como variante única por Valastro et al. en 2016. Debido a su divergencia con otras cepas del virus de bronquitis infecciosa, se propone que la cepa, denominada IB80, es la cepa tipo de un nuevo genotipo GVIII del virus de bronquitis infecciosa. Hasta ahora, se ha detectado IB80 en parvadas de reproductoras de pollos de engorde y ponedoras comerciales, y con frecuencia muestra disminuciones severas en la producción de huevo, así como en parvadas de pollos de engorde en Europa y otras regiones.

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Composting of poultry carcasses represents an alternative method for disposal in case of an outbreak of an epizootic disease. Two composting experiments, each with a different construction of the compost pile, were carried out in a stable. In the first experiment two layers of turkey carcasses were formed. This compost pile covered with straw was directly built on the ground. In the second experiment no layers of carcasses were formed, and it was assembled on straw bales covered with plastic foil. One part of this compost pile was covered with straw, the other one was additionally covered with plastic foil. In the first experiment in the upper layers of the compost pile temperatures of up to 54.9 degrees C were reached and the decomposition of carcasses was very advanced with no soft tissues remaining after 30 days. In contrast temperatures of only 45.2 degrees C were reached in the lower layers and decomposition was far less advanced. This difference in decomposition was most likely caused by the temperature difference observed. In the second experiment the near complete decomposition seen in the upper layers of the compost pile at the first trial, was not achieved. Decomposition was more advanced in the straw covered part of this compost pile than in the part covered with straw and plastic foil. On the other hand, higher temperatures of up to 48.4 degrees C were measured in the lower layers of this compost pile most likely as a result of the increased heat insulation in particular to the ground.

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Turkeys from 8 commercial flocks, of which were 6 clinically healthy, were examined by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems for genus-specific Chlamydia antigens and also for antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci in 4 flocks. Results of the tests indicate the presence of Chlamydia psittaci infections in all 8 flocks. The percentage of combined cloacal and conjunctival swabs positive for Chlamydia antigen ranged from 20-91% [20-70%] whereas the percentage of antibody-positive serum samples ranged from 81-100%. Our findings suggest, that the prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci infections in clinically healthy turkey flocks is higher than hitherto suspected.

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Cloacal swabs from adult breeding geese of both sexes from six separate farms were culturally examined for mycoplasmas. Geese from these flocks did not show any clinical signs of illness, increased mortality or drop in egg production during the reproductive season. The results revealed the presence of mycoplasmas in all the flocks tested. Mycoplasma (M.) cloacale was found in 6 flocks, M. anseris in 4 flocks, Mycoplasma species 1220 in 3 flocks and non-identifiable Mycoplasmas in 2 flocks. More than one Mycoplasma species was simultaneously isolated from 14 out of 37 geese.

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Results of post-mortem and laboratory examinations of broilers sampled randomly or selected by clinical symptoms were compared. The male:female-ratio was in all cases nearly equal for randomly sampled and selected birds. Regarding post-mortem findings, differences dependent on selection criteria were observed: in randomly-sampled birds the frequency of breast-blisters and plantar inflammations was higher than in selected broilers, whereas in the latter osteodystrophy and bursal atrophy were seen more frequently. Alterations of joints and tendon-sheaths caused by a reovirus-arthritis in one flock were seen in same frequency in randomly sampled and selected birds, respectively. Parasitological examinations revealed the highest coccidial lesion scores in selected birds with lameness or slightly retarded growth but when dwarfism birds were included into calculations, there was no significant difference among both groups. Results of bacteriological and serological examinations showed no differences between the groups.

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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is of increasing diagnostic importance especially in human medicine. To evaluate possible side effects of this technology, embryonated chicken eggs were used as a model. Different fields (static magnetic field [1 oder 4 T], variable magnetic field [gradient] or high frequency field) were applied before the beginning and at the fifth day of incubation for different times (18.8, 37.6, 56 or 75.1 min, resp.). According to the criteria embryo-mortality, hatching-rate or vitality of the chickens, influences of the NMR-treatment were not observed.

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The examination of acute or chronically altered phallus-tissues of ganders revealed microorganisms belonging to the genera Mycoplasma, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Campylobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Candida and to the family Pasteurellaceae, isolated in different frequencies. Bacteriologic examinations of the phallus-tissues and cloacal mucous membranes of healthy juvenile ganders showed microorganisms of the same genera or family, except Mycoplasma and Candida spp. Pathogenesis and possibilities of treating phallus-inflammations in ganders are discussed.

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In the period from 1985 to 1987, 24 broiler crops (12 houses; one integration and 3 farms) and 9 pullet flocks (9 houses, 4 farms) were examined for parasites. Intestinal lesion scores and the number of parasites in the intestinal lumen (semiquantitative estimation) were recorded, and the Eimeria species determined when possible (broilers crops: 3rd and 5th week, pullet flocks 4th, 8th, 12th and 18th week). Additionally, the quantity of parasites in litter or faecal samples was examined in regular intervals. Clues for economic damage were only found in broiler crops with increased numbers of coccidial oocysts per gram litter in the 5th week of the fattening period. Eimeria tenella and E. acervulina were the dominating species in broiler chickens and also pullets, E. maxima oocysts however were only casual findings. No ectoparasites, helminths or other protozoa than Eimeria were observed. With regard to the intestinal lesions and the quantities of parasites in the intestine no significant differences were seen when comparing selected broiler chicks and birds taken at random. In pullet flocks the examination of random samples was the superior method, because only freshly dead bodies, collected in insufficient numbers, were suitable for diagnostics. In 3 broiler crops and one flock of replacement pullets kept on a wired floor no Eimeria were diagnosed.

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Since 1987 penis-inflammation and -prolapse were observed in north-german breeder-geese. Up to 28% of the ganders showed local symptoms. In the females no clinical signs of cloaca-inflammation were seen. The general condition of the birds was good and there was no increased mortality. Egg production and fertility were not influenced. Bacteriological examinations of the altered penis-tissues revealed in different frequency microorganisms belonging to the genera Mycoplasma, Candida, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Proteus and Pseudomonas. Within 70 days only one third of the diseased ganders recovered completely, the others still showed penis-necrosis or -deformation. It is recommended to examine all ganders prior to each sexual season and to eliminate affected birds.

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