GD Update 2 - oktober 2014

teaming up for animal health

Update

Mycoplasma synoviae: New techniques to further zoom into the genetic variation of M.s.

Coccidiosis: species-specific qPCR

The Mineral Check

Submitting samples from

all over the world

02 oCtoBER 2014

Teaming up for animal health

www.gdanimalhealth.com: our new website

www.gdanimalhealth.com.

www.gdanimalhealth.com offers information about:

The site offers you a complete overview of all our



products and services. Each product group has its own



start page, so you can easily navigate through the



website to find the information that is helpful for you.





GD Diagnostics GD Proficiency testing schemes Lab services (e.g. laboratory tests per animal species) Consultancy (e.g. setting up lab units and contract research) Courses & trainings

GD, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands, T. +31 (0)570-63 33 91, F. +31 (0)570-63 41 04 www.gdanimalhealth.com, info@gdanimalhealth.com

GD 14.277

GD Animal Health has a new international website:

| COLUMN

| CONTENT 04 Submitting samples to GD Animal Health: New tests internationally available

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06 New techniques to control Mycoplasma synoviae

08 The Mineral Check: Gaining insight in mineral supply

10 Coccidiosis qPCR: Advances

in diagnostics ready for use in the field

11 GD Proficiency testing

08

schemes 2015

12 News & communications

New tests and test methods This edition of the GD Update focuses on the latest tests and test methods developed by GD Animal Health. Test methods that can be used on samples from all over the world. On pages 4 and 5, the submission of samples to GD Animal Health is described, including the advantages of using FTA cards for the detection of nucleic acids by PCR. In this edition you can read more about the Dutch Mycoplasma synoviae research programme and the value of the M. synoviae differentiating PCR in controlling M. synoviae. Various molecular techniques, such as MLST typing, are developed to demonstrate possible genetic and geographical relationships, and to support our knowledge in understanding the spread of this bacterium.

10 Contact information GD Animal Health If you want to know more about what GD Animal Health can do for you, please contact one of our staff members, responsible for international sales:

Gerard Wellenberg, PhD, BSc

Eveline Peereboom – de Haan, BSc

Head International and

Senior account manager

Special Accounts

Pharmacy

Annemiek Kolkman, BSc

Madelon Bolderman, MSc

Senior account manager

Senior account manager

­Diagnostics and PTS

Feed

Annemieke Spitse, BSc International Service

The species-specific quantitative coccidiosis PCR is described on page 10. This PCR has been tested in the field, combined with an intensive sampling scheme.

With this new technique, information can be gathered to design and evaluate coccidiosis management programmes.

GD Animal Health has developed a Mineral Check to be performed on bulk milk samples. Some of the first results of the Mineral Check are presented and evaluated in this edition.

And have you already seen our new international website, www.gdanimalhealth.com? It has been developed to provide a complete overview of what GD Animal Health can do for you. We invite you to explore our new website, and we hope you will enjoy reading this new edition of the GD Update.

Coordinator phone In the Netherlands 0900-1770, Outside the Netherlands +31 (0)570-63 33 91 Fax + 31 (0)570-63 41 04 | E-mail info@gdanimalhealth.com | Website www.gdanimalhealth.com | Mail address GD, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands | Delivery address for samples and post mortem ­material GD, CMD, Arnsbergstraat 7, 7418 EZ Deventer, the Netherlands.

GERARD WELLENBERG, PhD, BSc

GD Update | October 2014 |

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SUBMiTTiNG SaMPLES | Copy: GERARD WELLENBERG, PHD, BSC AND ANNEMIEKE SPITSE, BSC

submitting samples to GD Animal health:

New tests internat

GD Animal Health continuously develops new test methods which are internationally available. Samples can be submitted not only from countries within the European Union (EU), but also from countries from non-EU member states.

To develop diagnostics for laboratory tests, GD Animal Health stays abreast of the latest developments in animal diseases. This ensures a quick response to new situations. Newly developed test methods are used in our routine laboratory, including fingerprinting methods to identify

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strain and type variants, or DNA sequencing methods to differentiate field strains from vaccine strains. These methods are to be used on samples from all over the world, as these can be submitted not only from countries within the European Union (EU), but also from countries from non-EU

ionally available FtA cards for testing by pCR Any sample can be submitted, depending on the type of test method. Submission of samples on FTA cards are preferred, as these samples and samples for histology (paraffin slides) offer great opportunities and are easier to submit for analysis than samples containing infectious pathogens. FTA cards can be used for the detection of viruses and bacteria, as pathogens in samples on FTA cards are no longer infectious. This also counts for samples on paraffin slides.

Why use FtA cards?

FTA can be used for the detection of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA). A sample containing DNA could then be applied to the treated filter paper for preservation and longterm storage. Biological samples, such as blood, organ samples, faeces and saliva, adhere to the paper through the mechanism of entanglement, while the mixture of chemicals lyses cells and denatures proteins. Because nucleases are inactivated, the DNA is essentially stable when the sample is properly dried and stored. A marketable advantage of the FTA technology is that samples spotted on treated cards may be stored at room temperature. The chemicals on the FTA cards enhance the preservation of the DNA and inactivate pathogens that may be found in liquid blood samples or dried biological stains. Because the cards are small in size (approximately 3.5 by 5 inches), they are easily packaged and sent to GD Animal Health.

member states. GD Animal Health has been granted a specific import permit by the Dutch government to receive samples of all animal species from around the world.

Accreditations To serve our clients in the best way possible, GD Animal Health combines the development of new laboratory tests with routine diagnostic analyses. GD Animal Health’s laboratory has 130 employees and is supported by a scientific staff, all of whom have a PhD degree in a relevant specialism. This ensures the development of state-of-the-art techniques and methods.

Test methods are related to the fields of pathology, histopathology, microbiology,

virology, molecular-biology, serology and chemistry.

Our laboratory is one of the largest and most modern veterinary diagnostic labs in the world, and has been ISO 17025 accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Board (RvA) for a large number of laboratory tests (registration number L120). More than 3.5 million analyses are performed each year.

New test methods This large veterinary laboratory enables GD Animal Health to develop new diagnostic methods, like the PCR techniques which were developed to differentiate between more and less virulent bacterial and viral strains. For example, a PCR was recently developed to differentiate between vaccinated and Mycoplasma synoviae (M.s.) infected animals. The increasing clinical and economical relevance of Mycoplasma synoviae (M.s.) has prompted the Dutch poultry industry to launch a control and eradication programme for this mycoplasma species in 2013. You can read more

about our M.s. research programme in this edition on page 6 and 7.

submitting samples Our new website provides an overview of the different lab disciplines and various tests that can be performed at GD Animal Health per animal species (www.gdanimalhealth.com/lab-services).

The website also contains more information on how to submit your samples, including submitting samples from non EU-member States. Please contact us for more detailed information regarding the relevant import procedure. In some cases an import permit is not needed. We will be happy to provide you with the information.

interested?

Would you like more information or are you interested in submitting samples?

Please contact Annemieke Spitse at a.spitse@gdanimalhealth.com or Gerard J. Wellenberg PhD, BSc at g.wellenberg@gdanimalhealth.com GD Update | October 2014 |

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M.S. | COPY: YONI PASMAN, MA

Various new molecular tests available to type M.s. more accurately

New techniques to control Mycop Awareness of the increasing clinical and economic relevance of Mycoplasma synoviae (M.s.) prompted the Dutch poultry industry to implement a mandatory control and eradication programme for M.s. in early 2013. Researcher and PhD student Remco Dijkman has been working since last year on various new molecular tests to type the M.s. strains more accurately. “It is very important to control M.s., as the financial damage is huge.”

GD Animal Health is developing various ‘new’ molecular tests that will help to increase our understanding on the spread and will help to better control M.s. GD employee Remco Dijkman, researcher and PhD student, has developed a new technique to further zoom into the genetic variation of the bacteria.

Diversity The key aim of Dijkman’s research is to type M.s. isolates in such a way that reliable genetic relationship and geographical origin can be demonstrated. Because there is a great deal of contact between poultry farms in many parts of Europe, such as in the Netherlands, the M.s. strains may show little variation. There are differences, but they are more difficult to find. “Older molecular techniques, such as AFLP and vlhA, are unable to detect these differences, as the strains are genetically very similar.” The new typing technique for M.s., Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), helps us to better characterise the genetic variation of the M.s. isolate, and the origin of the M.s. isolate can be established more accurately. “M.s. strains in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy are genetically more similar. In countries with less contact between poultry farms, such as the US and Australia, there is more genetic diversity of the strains. Therefore, the geographical origin of these are easier to trace.”

MLST typing Due to the lack of genetic diversity of M.s. strains in parts of Europe, it was not possible to demonstrate geographical origin and epidemiological relationship using the old techniques. Therefore, Dijkman developed and validated the MLST technique for M.s. isolates. “First we fully sequenced a number

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Constance Reugenbrink, research technician at GD Animal Health, prepares swabs for Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST).

oplasma synoviae of M.s. strains. After comparing different DNA parts of the genome, we could identify five loci to type the isolates more reliably.”

The newly developed MLST for M.s. also has other advantages. “The MLST provides hard data, so labs are better able to compare their results now.” Typing refinement means that it is more easy to draw reliable conclusions about the presence of M.s. clones and the circulation of M.s. strains. With this new technique, advices can be given to poultry farms on whether they are facing a reinfection of the same strain or an infection of a new M.s. strain and what the possible origin of the new strain is. This information also provides new objective data for further research.

Until now, the characterisation of 188 isolates using MLST has yielded to eleven main clonal divisions (see illustration). “There are of course many more, but we require more isolates to identify them. The intention is that – as for other bacteria – to create a platform on which people can post MLST data of M.s. The MLST typing technique is a very valuable tool, as it provides hard sequence data.” And the more strains posted to the platform, the more extensive the genetic map becomes.

Clinical signs Scientifically interesting, and perhaps in the future also of practical use, is to study which genes of the M.s. genome are related to virulence and in causing less or more severe clinical signs. “There are M.s. strains that can infect chickens without causing any clinical problems. Furthermore, some M.s. strains are responsible for respiratory problems, and others for joint problems and eggshell deficiencies.” Which gene or genes make the difference in the clinical outcome is uncertain, but scientifically very interesting according to Dijkman. “Why do some M.s. strains look the same, yet cause different clinical signs? There must be something we still haven’t identified.”

practical value

vaccine strain versus field strain

With the introduction of the MLST technique we can trace M.s. strains. This will facilitate poultry cooperatives to identify problems during outbreaks. Identifying the strains and studying their relationships helps us to understand how a strain has been transmitted and to identify the source of an outbreak. “Though this might be not too interesting for the individual chicken farmer, sequencing provides poultry cooperatives and integrations practical insights on the progress and distribution of strains during an outbreak. If for instance MLST data show that the M.s. infection has been introduced from multiple sources, then biosecurity should be reviewed thoroughly.”

Discovering the relationship between strains and outbreaks are valuable information to control and prevent M.s. infections.

Earlier this year, researcher Dijkman developed a differentiating PCR to distinguish between M.s. field strains and the M.s. vaccine strain MSH. “A test to identify vaccine strains and differentiate them from field strains is important because we are dealing with living vaccines. The vaccine helps to mitigate clinical signs and protects the poultry against lesions, but does not prevent a M.s. field-strain infection. It can spread from vaccinated flocks to unvaccinated flocks within the same farm.” Experiments and field studies demonstrate that vaccinated poultry can still become infected with a field strain and thus form a risk for M.s.-free poultry flocks. Because it was not possible to distinguish between field and vaccine strains using the old PCR methods on trachea swabs, M.s.-vaccinated flocks that became infected remained undetected. The differentiating test developed by the research team is therefore essential for a sectorwide M.s. approach. “We want to reduce M.s. in the same way we are controlling Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The economic impact of M.s. infections has increased to high levels. By better identifying the infection, we see more clearly what’s going on and what the sources are of the M.s. infection. Now we can make the correct steps towards prevention.”

The distance between the circles indicates the degree of genetic relationship. Short lines connect more related isolates and longer lines less related. Physically fully distinct isolates (circles) are not related.

GD Update | October 2014 |

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The Mineral Check:

Gaining insight in mineral supply Ensuring the optimum mineral composition in dairy cow rations is often a challenge. Especially when it concerns not just the animal’s health but also your financial health. And are you even sure your cows actually benefit from all those minerals?

Research done by GD Animal Health indicates that dairy farmers spend around €1,000 to €3,000 a year on mineral blends.

“But sometimes, farmers are feeding twice the necessary dose”, according to toxicologist Guillaume Counotte. “That is not only a waste of money, but also increases the risk of animal health problems. Both a lack and an excess of minerals can cause problems.”

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First results of Mineral Check In 2013, the first results of the Mineral Check were announced. The results show that some farms need to pay more attention to getting the selenium and iodine supply right.

Of the bulk milk samples tested, 12.9 percent had a selenium concentration of less

than 15 µg/L (i.e. too low). The average selenium level in bulk milk corresponded with the average values also observed in earlier studies in Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands (about 23.8 µg/L). However, there is wide discrepancy, with stark differences between farms (from 10.5 to 70.0 µg/L). A number of samples showed either extremely high or extremely low

COPY: GERARD WELLENBERG, PHD, BSC | MINERALS

Our Mineral team. From left to right: Guillaume Counotte (toxicologist), Jan Muskens (cattle veterinarian), Mark van Raalte (zoology specialist), Sietske Zantinge (zoology specialist) Jan Veling (cattle veterinarian), Hans Miltenburg (zoology specialist).

there are also substances that reduce iodine levels. In our studies, the average iodine concentration in bulk milk samples was around 215 µg/L.

The Mineral Check

concentrations. For these farms, there is a potential risk to animal health over time.

The target level of selenium lies between 16 and 35 µg/L. For iodine, the differences between farms are even more extreme: between 20 and 1430 µg/L, while the target level lies between 100 and 300 µg/L. These discrepancies have multiple causes: using iodinecontaining dipping agents or sprays can cause concentrations of iodine in the milk to rise considerably.

Besides the use of substances that may lead to higher iodine levels in bulk milk,

The Mineral Check measures, in the bulk milk, the degree to which your animals absorb minerals from their feed. You gain insight into your dairy cows’ iodine, copper and selenium supply. The test is carried out easily, reliably and quickly via the bulk milk. You don’t need to do anything.

There are three different options using the Mineral Check: • Basic (two tests per year in January and July) Simply greater clarity. Adequate if there are few changes to the ration over the course of the year.

• Standard (four tests per year in January, May, July and November) Suitable for monitoring the mineral supply in each season. Useful for farms with grazing and/or regular changes in ration.

• Comprehensive (six tests per year in January, March, May, July, September, November) Maximum insight into mineral uptake and possibility for rapid intervention. Ideal for farms with grazing and/or many changes in ration.

Result Using the explanation on the result, and together with your feed consultant and/or veterinarian, you can intervene and reduce

the chance of overdosing or underdosing on minerals. The result is an ideal supplement to the analyses from the study of the soil and the roughage, to the calculated mineral balance and the assessment of the feed. This clarifies for you whether your mineral dosing is too high or too low.

More information For more information about the Mineral Check, please contact Martine Verwoerd. Via e-mail m.verwoerd@gddiergezondheid.nl or phone +31 (0) 570 660491.

Why are trace elements necessary?

Trace elements are needed for robust animal health. Iron for instance ensures haemoglobin in the blood, iodine is important for the optimal effect of enzymes for rapid growth, zinc for better skin, and zinc, copper and selenium for a stronger immune system. A lack of trace elements can lead to anaemia and fatigue, a suboptimal immune system, reduced organ function, infertility and stunted growth.

GD Animal Health performs traceelement tests on various samples. For dairy cows this is done through bulk milk testing, but for non-dairy animals serum is a good alternative. Furthermore, the analysis of elements in liver biopsies can also provide a good impression of the trace-element supply.

GD Update | October 2014 |

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COCCIDIOSIS | COPY: CHRISTIAAN TER VEEN, MA

Coccidiosis is a well-known disease to poultry specialists worldwide. Because of the amount of damage it causes, GD Animal Health adapted a species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR). It offers a useful tool to gather information required to design and evaluate a management programme.

Coccidiosis qPCR:

Advances in diagnostics

ready for use in the field Coccidiosis, a disease which causes over 2 billion dollars of damage through production loss and management, mainly in broilers, is well-known to poultry specialists around the world. Its ubiquitous presence is something to be reckoned with. Indeed, coccidiosis management is a challenge, and reliable information about species-specific flocks is critical for designing and evaluating coccidiosis management programmes.

qPCR For quantitative detection of not only the three most important Eimeria species for broilers (E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella), but also the more elusive species E. praecox and E. mitis, GD Animal Health adapted a species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) to be used in the field. The qPCR can be done directly on faecal material with minimal influence of oocyst purification methods or PCR inhibition on quantification. Of course E. necatrix and E. brunetti have been included in the qPCR.

600.000

OPG E. acervulina E. tenella E. maxima

Oocyst (eqv) / gram feces

500.000 400.000

200.000 100.000 0 15

17

20

22

24

27

29

31

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Age (days)

Oocyst (equivalents) in fresh faeces of a broiler flock measured by oocyst enumeration (OPG) and qPCR.

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Sampling The coccidiosis qPCR has been tested in the field, combined with an intensive sampling scheme. The trial clearly showed the similarity with classic oocyst enumeration (OPG) and the advantages of species differentiation (see figure 1). The sensitivity of detection proved to be slightly higher or similar compared to oocyst enumeration (50–1500 oocyst equivalents per gram faeces). Furthermore, design of a sampling scheme has been studied.

In the Dutch situation, samples of fifty fresh droppings (forty regular and ten caecal) should be taken two to three days apart. This way each week three samples are taken. These three samples can be pooled to form one weekly sample, which is tested in the qPCR. Sampling should be done from fourteen days until slaughter. This scheme proved to be adequate for basic monitoring.

Besides being used as a diagnostic tool, the coccidiosis qPCR (combined with a proper sampling scheme) can be used to gather information required to design and evaluate a coccidiosis management programme.

Submission of samples

300.000

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Diagnosis in the stage of acute disease is now often accomplished by post-mortem lesion scoring or oocyst enumeration in faecal samples. Although these tools are also available for monitoring, they are hampered by limited differentiation between Eimeria species, choice of birds and sampling moments. With the new qPCR, these limitations have been eliminated or minimized.

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Currently only droppings are accepted for testing. Although variations can be made, for routine monitoring of broilers, a pooled sample of fifty droppings (forty regular droppings and ten caecal droppings) is recommended. Additionally three of these samples may be pooled. Samples should be collected in a plastic container.

Because the qPCR detects Eimeria at the DNA level it is important to account for sporulation. The best practice is to test unsporulated oocysts, so samples should be stored and sent refrigerated (with a temperature below 4 degrees Celcius) as soon as possible. Frozen samples can be submitted, but might lead to deviations in quantification.

COPY: ANNEMIEK KOLKMAN, BSC | PTS

GD Proficiency testing schemes 2015 Proficiency testing is an inter-laboratory study to deterTeaming up for health mine the performance of anmial individual laboratories for specific tests and to monitor laboratories’ continuing performance.

GD Animal Health offers laboratories the option of participating in international proficiency testing schemes (PTS).

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Evaluating the performance of the laboratory.

Maintaining/achieving accreditation to ISO 17025.

Providing additional confidence.

Identifying inter-laboratory differences.

Identifying problems.

There are many good reasons to participate in proficiency testing schemes:

want to know more about our proficiency testing schemes, please contact us via pts@gddanimalhealth.com.

GD Proficiency testing schemes time table 2015 Please find below the new PTS programme for 2015. If you Why participate?

Cat. no.

GD Proficiency testing scheme

Closing date registration

Shipment samples

Closing date submission test results

Final report + certificate

1 January 2015

Week 5

20 March 2015

Week 19

22 January 2015

Week 8

10 April 2015

Week 22

19 February 2015

Week 12

8 May 2015

Week 26

12 March 2015

Week 15

29 May 2015

Week 29

30 July 2015

Week 35

16 October 2015

Week 49

27 August 2015

Week 39

13 November 2015

Week 2, 2016

January VLDIA234*

PRRSV antibody detection

VLDIA290

PRRSV RNA detection

VLDIA225*

IBV antibody detection

VLDIA296

IBV RNA detection

February VLDIA294

APP antibody detection

VLDIA285

PCV2 DNA detection

VLDIA226*

Mg/Ms antibody detection

VLDIA303

Mg/Ms DNA detection

March VLDIA256*

Map antibody detection

VLDIA219*

NDV antibody detection

VLDIA313

EDS antibody detection - NEW

April VLDIA172*

IBDV/Gumboro antibody detection

VLDIA314

IBDV/Gumboro RNA detection - NEW

VLDIA286

BVD RNA detection

VLDIA235*

SRLV's/MVV/CAEV antibody detection

August VLDIA255*

aMPV/TRT antibody detection

VLDIA277*

ARV/REO antibody detection

VLDIA292*

ILT antibody detection

VLDIA291

Brachyspira hyodysenteriae detection

October VLDIA232*

AI antibody detection

VLDIA233*

Salmonella (poultry) antibody detection

VLDIA171*

Salmonella (porcine) antibody detection

VLDIA295

SIV antibody detection

* officially accredited according to the international guideline ISO 17043:2010

GD Update | October 2014 |

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News & communications all-in service to establish veterinary laboratories GD Animal Health continues to act as a partner in many international projects related to animal health and lab capacity building projects. We provide experts over the short term for privately funded projects abroad as well as for public projects funded by the EU and the Dutch government. We have been active in eastern and central Europe, Indonesia, India, Ethiopia, Finland, Ireland and Egypt. Successful projects involved risk-analysis studies, epidemiological studies, legal aspects of food safety related to animal products, IT infrastructure, capacity building of laboratories, training of vets and laboratory staff, assistance with ISO 17025 accreditation, etc.

For many years GD Animal Health has been a partner in company-specific issues, as well as large-scale multi-disciplinary veterinary surveillance and monitoring projects.

MOrE iNfOrMaTiON? on www.gdanimalhealth.com you will find information about our products, services and various GD projects as well as the latest information about submitting samples to GD. Furthermore, we have an e-letter to keep you informed about new tests, recent publications by GD employees, proficiency testing schemes and much more. you can register for our e-letter on the website.

GD, po Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands, t. +31 570 63 33 91, F. +31 570 63 41 04 www.gdanimalhealth.com info@gdanimalhealth.com

GD: quality and technology

Deborah van Doorn earns PhD

GD Animal Health has been carrying out diagnostic laboratory tests for companion animals and offering first-class diagnos tic pathology services since 2005.

A nine-strong board of certified specialists in veterinary pathology ensure quality, continuity and short lead times. This team has extensive expertise in all areas of pathology of domestic animals, with special expertise in the field of tumour pathology, gastrointestinal pathology, dermatopathology and oral pathology.

Our specialists are certified by the RNVA or the ECVP and most are members of ESVONC, ESVP or ISVD. The in-house auxiliary histotechnological laboratory carries out all necessary staining and histotechniques, which contributes to short lead times.

On 27 May, Deborah van Doorn, parasitologist at Utrecht University and also employed at GD Animal Health since 2009, gained her PhD in Veterinary Medicine. Her doctorate is entitled ‘Macrocyclic lactone resistance in cyathostomin species of horses’. Cyathostominae (small strongyles) are the most common pathogenic worms in horses aged one to three years.

We provide: • results of cytological examination within 8 hours of having received the samples; • results of most histopathological examinations within 24 hours of having received the samples; • the option of submitting additional smears free of charge; • contact with our pathologists during working hours for additional information; • special expertise in tumour pathology, gastrointestinal pathology, dermatopathology and oral pathology; • an extensive range of additional (immuno)histochemistry.

GD present at EaVLD GD Animal Health will be present as Gold Sponsor at the 3rd EAVLD Congress on veterinary diagnostics, held on 12–15 October 2014 in Pisa, Italy. You can find us at booth no.18. We look forward to meeting you there. If you would like to make an appointment, please send an email to Annemiek Kolkman at a.kolkman@gdanimalhealth.com. For more information about the conference go to www.eavld2014.org.

The immunity of cyathostominae to various groups of deworming agents has been demonstrated across the globe, with the macrocyclic lactone group being the most recent. Initially Van Doorn did not detect any indications of reduced efficacy, but did during a follow-up study on a Dutch herd. Furthermore, she also discovered that other herds suffered a shorter ‘egg reappearance period’, and that different cyathostominae genera appear to respond differently to deworming agents.

Visit our new website The new, international website – www.gdanimalhealth.com – is a strongly content-oriented online platform and has been developed to provide you a complete overview of what GD Animal Health can do for you. You will find information on GD Diagnostics, GD PTS, courses & trainings and lab services. In addition there is a new component, which includes an overview of almost all the laboratory tests per animal species.

Also this website provides information about how we can assist you in contract research or setting up lab units. With clear start pages for each product group, one glance will tell you how to navigate through the website to find the relevant information.

We invite you to explore our new website to see how we can be your partner in animal health.