News and communications

Contract research: how can we help you?

With a broad team of experienced and fully dedicated animal health experts, our own (SPF) animal facilities and state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory, we can perform studies needed for registration dossiers or to support products with scienti c data. Together with our sponsors, we design and perform studies for multidisciplinary research in accordance with the required international quality standards and guidelines (EP, VICH, GCP or GLP).

Visit our new CRO website and learn more about the in-vitro and in-vivo studies, animal models, eld studies, facilities, quality standards and what else we can do for you.

MORE INFORMATION WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/CRO

Brexit: submitting samples

From the 1st of January, 2021, the UK is no longer a Member State of the EU and is to be considered a third country. When submitting samples of animal by-products from third countries, an import permit is required, as issued to GD by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). It allows us to receive samples of all animal species from third countries, as long as we comply with the permit conditions for accepting and processing the samples, as follows: • The import of the consignment shall take place through an approved border control post (BCP); the consignment needs to be pre-announced (before arrival of the goods) by means of a common health entry document (CHED); • Upon arrival at the BCP, each consignment needs to be inspected by an of cial veterinarian and needs to be accompanied by a copy of the import permit and an original document that mentions the nature, the quantity and the origin of the product.

In some cases, no import permit and corresponding requirements are needed. Please inform support@gdanimalhealth.com before submitting samples to GD in order to obtain the correct information.

New products for poultry: ILT/SNP typifi cation PCR and Coryza genotyping

Two new products are available for poultry: the ILT/SNP typi cation PCR and Coryza genotyping. The ILT/SNP PCR (article number 12008/12009) can be used on swabs and FTA cards, and shows the presence or absence of the ILT virus. When this ILT virus is shown to be present, the test indicates whether it is a vaccine-like or wild type of strain. This PCR is also included in the respiratory PCR package for poultry and can be used on swabs and FTA cards (article number 11654/11644). The Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum) genotyping product (article number 11585/10673) is a test that can be carried out on swabs or FTA cards (article number 10673/11585) following a positive Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum) PCR. This gives information on the genotype and serotype of the Avibacterium paragallinarum bacteria involved in a Coryza outbreak.

MORE INFORMATION WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM

AHEAD IN ANIMAL HEALTH

FTA cards: find the agent!

GD IS AHEAD IN ANIMAL HEALTH WITH EASY SHIPMENT FOR MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS

Find The Agent

Are you looking for a laboratory which can receive samples from all over the world? Which provides you with independent and reliable results? Offers you a large range of PCR tests, the possibility of sequencing/genotyping and can also offer veterinary advice? Then choose our diagnostics line: Find The Agent!

An FTA card is a chemically treated lter paper designed for the collection, preservation and shipment of biological samples for subsequent DNA and RNA analysis. Special chemicals lyse and inactivate bacteria and viruses and preserve their DNA and RNA for detection by PCR. Submitting samples on FTA cards is easy and fast. Advantages are: • No risk of spreading infectious agents due to the chemicals included • No import permit is needed • Transportation at room temperature • Submit samples via regular post • Low transportation costs

You can submit samples to our laboratory from any country. Visit our website to see which tests are available this year.

MORE INFORMATION WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/FTA

The Royal GD specialists’ daily work is focused on expanding and sharing their extensive knowledge of animal diseases. As Research Manager for the Cattle Department at GD, Annet Velthuis is involved in research that contributes to the development of new veterinary medicines.

Annet studied Animal Sciences with the idea that she would like to contribute to preventive animal health. “Isn’t it fantastic to be able to stop animals getting sick, or make sure they can be cured quickly if they do?” That’s exactly what she does at GD: research that helps pharmaceutical companies develop new molecules, drugs and feed ingredients to combat animal disease. “That includes safety and ef cacy studies, carried out through experimental studies (animal models) as well as at commercial dairy farms.”

Combating Crypto

Annet and her colleagues are working on combating cryptosporidium parvum, for example. “This is a major problem in calves worldwide. It is a parasite that causes severe diarrhoea in calves, which can even kill them. People can also get sick from the same parasite. At GD, we have an animal model that allows us to measure exactly what happens when young calves are infected with cryptosporidium parvum. The animals suffer considerable diarrhoea for a number of days but then go on to recover. Collecting all their faeces and examining it allows us to determine exactly how much diarrhoea they have had, how many parasites were in it and so on. With these parameters we can calculate precisely how effective new drugs or feed ingredients are in reducing crypto, allowing us to prove what works and what doesn’t. This makes GD an important and unique link in the ght against a global problem in husbandry.”

Interesting studies

That same relationship between theory and practice can be found in Annet’s work as a Professor in Bovine Health Management at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in Dronten. There, the focus is on what farmers can do to keep their herds healthy. “I really enjoy educating and guiding young people. One of my students recently used a thermal camera to check whether you could tell if a calf had diarrhoea from the temperature of its nose, ears and eyes. Those are interesting studies, which we may be able to use in animal models at GD. This is how we work together to improve animal health.”