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WUR Stepping Stone Symposium:

Innovative research on endemic infectious diseases in farm animals

October 14, 2025 | 13.00 - 18.00 h | Agora Theater, Lelystad

Stepping Stone Symposium

In recent years, significant reductions in the use of antibiotics were achieved, and continuous research efforts improved prevention of listed animal infections. However, infections and related diseases by not-listed, endemic animal pathogens are still dominating the daily health problems in farm animals.

Innovative research

The Stepping Stone symposium highlights innovative research approaches to increase our understanding of host and pathogen before and during infection. The symposium intends to stimulate discussions and cooperation for cutting edge science to supply knowledge for new, combined and specific approaches to prevent endemic infections and to protect against disease.

Focus on pig diseases

This meeting will focus on pig infectiology, exploring the intricate mechanisms of the pig’s innate immune response after birth, throughout growth, and during both singular and endemic viral/bacterial co-infections. Special attention will be given to how intestinal mucosal immunity supports effective local and systemic immune reactions, aids the development of vaccine-induced specific immunity, and interacts with the microbiome to enhance overall resilience.

Speakers are: Nathalie van der Heijden (PAHW, Belgium), Artur Summerfield (IVI, Switserland), Bert DeVriendt (UGent), Sandra Vreman (WUR/WBVR), Manouk Vrieling (WUR/WBVR), Susanna Commandeur (WBVR/WUR), Lonneke Vervelde (Royal GD), Dirkjan Schokker (WBVR/WUR), Birgitta Duim (Utrecht University) and Rik de Swart (WUR/WBVR) and Susanne Commandeur (WUR/WBVR).

Moderator: Jan Langermans (BPRC Rijswijk)

The symposium language will be English.

Program

13.00 h Doors open

13.30 h Welcome address

Annemarie Rebel (director of Wageningen Bioveterinary Research)

The EU-PAHW approach towards endemic animal infectious diseases

13.40 h Nuria Mach-Casellas (EU-PAWH / INRAE (France))

Part 1. Insights in complex regulation of the immune system

New insights in the complex regulation of the immune system in pigs and opportunities to use this knowledge for prevention

14.05 h Keynote: Artur Summerfield (IVI, Switzerland)

Relevance of pathogen competence in S. suis infection

Manouk Vrieling (WBVR)

Immune competence in relation to microbial status of pigs

Susanna Commandeur (WBVR)

Aspects of immunological development in neonate and young piglets

Sandra Vreman (WBVR)

15.35 h Tea break

16.00 h Part 2. Steering mucosal immunity

Steering mucosal immunity and the epithelial barrier in the intestinal tract of pigs

Keynote: Bert DeVriendt (UGent)

Microbiome and its role in infection prevention strategies

Dirkjan Schokker (WBVR)

Experiences with microbiome modulation to prevent respiratory infections

Birgitta Duim (Utrecht University)

17.15 h Part 3. Complex cell system approaches

Complex cell system approaches to understand and prevent infectious diseases

Keynote: Lonneke Vervelde (Royal GD)

Understanding respiratory infections by the use of complex cell systems

Rik de Swart (WBVR)

18.00 h Closing address by Norbert Stockhofe

18.30 h Drinks & bites

Omnia

Location

Agora Theater

Agorabaan 12

8224 JS Lelystad