: MALDI-TOF MS and Whole Genome Sequencing Confirm That Serotypes K, L and M Deviate from Well-Known Reference Strains and Numerous Field Isolates.

is one of the most important bacterial agents of respiratory diseases in poultry. For correct identification and characterization of this fastidious bacterium, reliable diagnostic tools are essential. Still, phenotypic tests are used to identify and serotyping is the most common method for characterization, despite known drawbacks and disadvantages such as divergent results, cross-reactivity between strains, or the non-typeability of strains.

Sequencing of five poultry strains elucidates phylogenetic relationships and divergence in virulence genes in Morganella morganii.

Background: M. morganii is a bacterium frequently associated with urinary infections in humans. While many human strains are sequenced, only the genomes of few poultry strains are available.

Identification of biofilm hotspots in a meat processing environment: Detection of spoilage bacteria in multi-species biofilms.

Biofilms are comprised of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix that normally adhere to a surface. In the food processing environment they are suggested to be a source of contamination leading to food spoilage or the transmission of food-borne pathogens. To date, research has mainly focused on the presence of (biofilm-forming) bacteria within food processing environments, without measuring the associated biofilm matrix components.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirms difficulties in separating species of the Avibacterium genus.

In the present study a well-characterized strain collection (n = 33) of Avibacterium species was investigated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The robustness of the currently available reference database (Bruker Biotyper 3.0) was tested to determine the degree of identification of these strains.

Assessing pathogenicity of Gallibacterium anatis in a natural infection model: the respiratory and reproductive tracts of chickens are targets for bacterial colonization.

Two separate bird trials were performed to establish a reliable route of infection for Gallibacterium anatis in chickens, comparing intranasal (i.n.) and intravenous (i.