Research
My research interests are focussed on veterinary epidemiology and Food Safety. Applied mathematical modeling for the emergence and persistence of verotoxinogenic Escherichia coli (VTEC, syn. STEC) in the bovine reservoir is my particular area of research.
Interdisciplinary communication to optimize the communication and interaction between multidisciplinary researchers and their policy makers represents second area of research that I am working in.
Finally, bovine lameness and the epidemioogy of digital dermatitis (heel warts) in cattle has lead to research about the best-practice for hoofbathing to prevent and control digital dermatitis in cattle at the lowest cost and best efficiency.
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Clinical Interests
The best practice and management of hoofbaths to control and prevent digital dermatitis in cattle is linked to the modern paradox of animal husbandry in relation to lameness (Dopfer and Bonino 2008). It is therefore my aim to link applied mathematical modeling to the spread of infectious diseases such as claw diaseases and expecially digital dermatitis in order to promote this interdisciplinary approach during the training of anaimal health managers such as vet students, veterinarians, hoof trimmers, farmers and other stakeholders.
Graduate Training
Justus-Liebig-University,
Giessen, Germany Veterinary medicine Veterinary surgeon, 1992
University of Hannover,
Germany Veterinary medicine DVM, 1994
Utrecht University,
Utrecht, The Netherlands Veterinary epidemiology MSc, 1994
Utrecht University, Academic teaching degree 1999
Utrecht University, Veterinary microbiology PhD, 2000
Recent Publications
Döpfer, D., W. Buist, Y. Soyer, M.A. Munoz, R.N. Zadoks, L. Geue and B. Engel (2008). Assessing Genetic Heterogeneity within Bacterial Species Isolated from Gastrointestinal and Environmental Samples: How Many Isolates Does It Take? Appl. Environmental Microbiol. 74(11):3490-96.
Döpfer, D., L. Geue, J. de Bree, and M.C.M. de Jong (2006). Dynamics of verotoxinogenic Escherichia coli isolated from German beef cattle between birth and slaughter. Prev. Vet. Med. 2006 73:229-240.
Engel, B., A. Bouma, A. Stegeman, W. Buist, A. Elbers, J. Kogut, Döpfer, D., M.C.M. de Jong (2005). When can a veterinarian be expected to detect classical swine fever virus among breeding sows in a herd during an outbreak? Prev. Vet. Med. 2005, 67(2-3):195-212. Epub 2004 Dec 19.
Geenen, P.L., Döpfer, D., J. van der Meulen, and M.C.M. de Jong (2005). Transmission of F4+ E. coli in groups of early weaned piglets. Epidemiol Infect. 2005, 133(3):459-68.
Döpfer, D., C.M. Kerssen, Y.G. Meijer, J.H. Boersema, and M.E. Eysker (2004). Shedding consistency of strongyle eggs in horses. Vet. Parasitol. 2004, 124(3-4)249-58.
Döpfer, D., H. Nederbragt, R. A. Almeida, and W. Gaastra (2001):
Studies about the mechanism of internalization by mammary epithelial cells of Escherichia coli isolated from persistent bovine mastitis. Vet. Mic., 80:285-296.
Döpfer, D., R. A. Almeida, T.J.G.M. Lam, H. Nederbragt, S. P. Oliver, and W. Gaastra (2000): Adhesion and Invasion of Escherichia coli from single and recurrent cases of bovine mastitis in vitro. Vet. Mic., 74:331 - 343.
Döpfer, D., H.W. Barkema, T.J.G.M. Lam, Y.H. Schukken, and W. Gaastra (1999): Recurrent Clinical Mastitis caused by Escherichia coli. J. Dairy Sci. 82:80-85.
Döpfer, D., A. Koopmans, F.A. Meijer, I. Szakall, Y.H. Schukken, W. Klee, R.B. Bosma, J.L. Cornelisse, A.J.A.M. van Asten, and A.A.H.M. ter Huurne (1997): Histological and bacteriological evaluation of digital dermatitis in cattle, with special referrence to spirochaetes and Campylobacter faecalis. Vet. Rec. 140:620 – 623
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