Biosecurity implementation on large-scale poultry farms in Europe: A qualitative interview study with farmers.

Biosecurity is an essential tool for rearing healthy animals. Biosecurity measures (BMs) are well known in poultry production, but it is difficult to assess actual implementation on farms. The aims of this qualitative study were (1) to provide an overview of biosecurity implementation according to poultry farmers in Europe; and (2) to better understand the reported reasons and potential obstacles for not implementing the measures.

Stakeholders' Perceptions of Biosecurity Implementation in Italian Poultry Farms.

The level of implementation of biosecurity measures (BMs), the reasons for not implementing BMs and the effectiveness of BMs were assessed according to the perceptions of stakeholders (i.e., farmers and advisors) in Italian poultry farms.

Human and animal botulism surveillance in France from 2008 to 2019.

Botulism is a human and animal neurological disease caused by the action of bacterial neurotoxins (botulinum toxins) produced by bacteria from the genus . This disease induces flaccid paralysis that can result in respiratory paralysis and heart failure. Due to its serious potential impact on public health, botulism is a closely monitored notifiable disease in France through a case-based passive surveillance system.

Efficacy of passive immunization in broiler chicks via an inactivated autogenous vaccine administered to broiler breeder hens.

Avian pathogenic (APEC) cause extra-intestinal infections called colibacillosis, which is the dominant bacterial disease in broilers. To date, given the diversity of APEC strains and the need for an acceptable level of protection in day-old chicks, no satisfactory commercial vaccine is available. As part of a French nationwide project, we selected three representative strains among several hundred APEC that cause colibacillosis disease.

Increasing incidence of Enterococcus-associated diseases in poultry in France over the past 15 years.

Enterococci are commensal intestinal bacteria and opportunistic pathogens in humans and animals. Enterococcus-associated diseases are an emerging health issue in poultry. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the occurrence of enterococci in poultry in France with regard to the manifested diseases and the affected avian species.

Avian influenza outbreaks: evaluating the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection of vehicles and transport crates.

In 2021, France faced large avian influenza outbreaks, like in 2016 and 2017. Controlling these outbreaks required the preventive depopulation of a large number of duck farms. A previous study in 2017 showed that the quality of decontamination of trucks and transport crates used for depopulation was often insufficient.

Asymptomatic Carriage of Type D/C in Broiler Flocks as the Source of Contamination of a Massive Botulism Outbreak on a Dairy Cattle Farm.

In winter 2018, a massive type D/C cattle botulism outbreak occurred on a mixed dairy and broiler farm in France. An investigation was conducted based on the hypothesis of asymptomatic carriage in poultry. We set out to identify the source of contamination of the dairy cattle and to monitor the contamination of broilers over time, including the hatchery delivering chicks to the farm.

Epidemiological and Bacteriological Investigations Using Whole-Genome Sequencing in a Recurrent Outbreak of Pullorum Disease on a Quail Farm in France.

An outbreak of pullorum disease causing septicemia and high mortality was diagnosed in 2019 on a quail farm in western France. An initial episode had been detected in another building at the same site eight months earlier. Given the exceptional nature and the extent of the potential economic consequences of pullorum disease, epidemiological and bacteriological investigations using molecular sequencing tools were carried out.

Manure contamination with after avian botulism outbreaks: management and potential risk of dissemination.

Background: Persistence of in the environment is well known. Getting rid of it after animal botulism outbreaks is so tricky, especially as far as manure concerns. This study aimed at 1.

Husbandry Practices, Health, and Welfare Status of Organic Broilers in France.

Organic poultry production has increased sharply with growing consumer demand in the context of sustainable development. A study was conducted in 85 organic broiler flocks between 2014 and 2015 to describe the husbandry practices and the health and welfare status of organic broilers in France, and to study farming diversity by comparing independent farms (Ind farms, = 15) with direct sales to farms working with companies (Comp farms, = 70). Each flock was visited at 3 and 11 weeks of age to collect data on farming conditions, health disorders, and mortality.

Detection of Clostridium botulinum group III in environmental samples from farms by real-time PCR using four commercial DNA extraction kits.

Objectives: Few studies have tested DNA extraction methods to optimize the detection of Clostridium botulinum in environmental samples that can be collected during animal botulism outbreaks. In this study, we evaluated four commercial DNA extraction kits for the detection of C. botulinum group III in 82 various environmental samples (9 manure, 53 swabs, 3 insects, 8 water, 1 silage and 8 soil samples) collected in a context of animal botulism outbreaks.

Investigation of Clostridium botulinum group III's mobilome content.

Clostridium botulinum group III is mainly responsible for botulism in animals. It could lead to high animal mortality rates and, therefore, represents a major environmental and economic concern. Strains of this group harbor the botulinum toxin locus on an unstable bacteriophage.

Development and Validation of a New Reliable Method for the Diagnosis of Avian Botulism.

Liver is a reliable matrix for laboratory confirmation of avian botulism using real-time PCR. Here, we developed, optimized, and validated the analytical steps preceding PCR to maximize the detection of Clostridium botulinum group III in avian liver. These pre-PCR steps included enrichment incubation of the whole liver (maximum 25 g) at 37°C for at least 24 h in an anaerobic chamber and DNA extraction using an enzymatic digestion step followed by a DNA purification step.

New Insights into the Genetic Diversity of Clostridium botulinum Group III through Extensive Genome Exploration.

Animal botulism is caused by group III Clostridium botulinum strains producing type C and D toxins, or their chimeric forms C/D and D/C. Animal botulism is considered an emerging disease in Europe, notably in poultry production. Before our study, 14 genomes from different countries were available in the public database, but none were from France.

Livers provide a reliable matrix for real-time PCR confirmation of avian botulism.

Diagnosis of avian botulism is based on clinical symptoms, which are indicative but not specific. Laboratory investigations are therefore required to confirm clinical suspicions and establish a definitive diagnosis. Real-time PCR methods have recently been developed for the detection of Clostridium botulinum group III producing type C, D, C/D or D/C toxins.

Draft Genome Sequences of 17 French Clostridium botulinum Group III Strains.

Animal botulism is mainly associated with Clostridium botulinum group III strains producing neurotoxin types C, C/D, D, and D/C. In this report, we present the draft genome sequences of fourteen strains of Clostridium botulinum producing type C/D and two strains producing type D/C isolated in France, and one strain producing type D/C that originated from New Caledonia.

Multi-locus typing of Histomonas meleagridis isolates demonstrates the existence of two different genotypes.

Histomonas meleagridis is the aetiological agent of histomonosis or "blackhead disease". Histomonosis is of special importance today, because there is no effective treatment to prevent its occurrence with considerable losses for the poultry industry. Despite its importance only a few molecular studies have yet been performed to investigate the degree of genetic diversity between different isolates of this parasite.