Description: In the pig industry, monitoring herd health status is of increasing importance, both for economic as for public health reasons. However, objective measurement of health is difficult. This project aims to provide tools for objective measurement of health and/or disease status in the form of biomarkers that can be used for early warning monitoring of animal disease.
Research objectives: Serum samples from animals that are experimentally infected with different infectious agents (bacterial, viral and parasitical pathogens) will be analyzed. Using proteomics technology, we will search for proteins that can be used as biomarkers for early detection of diseases. Suitable proteins will be identified and evaluated.
Results and products:
- This project will result in a dataset and biobank of experimental infections in pigs (with control animals). This will include bacterial, viral and parasitological infections. - Expertise will be gained with regard to (non)specific indicators for health and disease and how to use these as objective markers in pig industry. - The ultimate goal is to identify suitable biomarkers that can be applied for early detection of disease and/or health status of pigs. |