Located in the heart of a large cattle, sheep and goat breeding basin, the Niort Laboratory, co-financed by the Poitou-Charentes Region, carries out its main research missions on several viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases of ruminants which can have a strong economic impact (herpesviruses, pestiviruses, paratuberculosis). His work also focuses on the resistance to anthelmintics of intestinal strongyles in sheep and goats, as well as on animal welfare in the goat industry. Finally, the laboratory contributes, through its participation in the Observatory of goat diseases (OMACAP), to the production of epidemiological data relating to health issues.
All of its work is carried out in close collaboration with industry players, particularly within the Goats Network of Excellence (Rexcap) and in a solid partnership established two years ago with GDS France.
A new recognition at the national level
The Niort Laboratory has had the mandate of National Reference Laboratory for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis since 2013 and for enzootic bovine leukosis since 2009, and, as such, develops and validates official analysis methods for pathogens concerned and transfers them to approved laboratories. In addition, the laboratory is also, for the professionals represented by GDS France, expert laboratory in charge of the reference for bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and carries international mandates, with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). , for retrovirosis in small ruminants and paratuberculosis in ruminants.
It now carries out the missions relating to its new mandate as the National Reference Laboratory for Bovine Hypodermosis.
Bovine hypodermosis or varron is a disease caused by fly larvae. These larvae, resulting from eggs laid in summer on the level of the members of the cattle, cross the skin and migrate in the organization while passing either by the esophagus, or by the spinal cord. They emerge from the body, at the level of the back, the following spring. In addition to the degradation of the leather which results from the emergence of the larvae, hypodermosis causes losses of milk production, slowing of growth and sometimes nervous disorders. It has no impact on human health.
The awarding of this new national reference mandate for bovine hypodermosis constitutes, for the Niort Laboratory, further recognition of the quality of its work and its commitment to ruminant health.
