Your partner for qualitative research

From study design to data collection, analysis and publication.

We make BRD research efficient, reliable and impactful.

Thoracic ultrasound has become an indispensable tool in bovine respiratory disease (BRD) research. It is widely regarded as the most reliable and accessible method for detecting pneumonia, quantifying lesion severity, and monitoring disease progression over time. However, the quality of research depends on the quality of the data collected. Not every research group has access to experienced operators or standardized ultrasound training, introducing unnecessary variability into study outcomes.

qTUS bridges this gap by providing high quality ultrasound data acquisition through certified operators trained according to standardized protocols. Beyond image acquisition, our team offers extensive expertise in study design, field trial execution, data collection, quality assurance, statistical interpretation, and scientific publication. Whether you require support for a single study component or an end to end research partnership, qTUS can contribute at every stage of your project.

Reasons why qTUS can make the difference for your research:

The diagnostic accuracy of thoracic ultrasound is unmatched for in vivo diagnosis of pneumonia in calves. Our trained operators can reliably identify lung lesions with an almost perfect agreement (kappa > 0.9).
By using evidence-based scoring systems, both clinical and ultrasonographic abnormalities can be scored reliably within a short time frame, allowing for adequate sample sizes in RCT’s. By using the qTUS score, which has been associated with both production outcomes and cure, ultrasonographic findings are collected and reported in a comprehensive way.
As experienced researchers, the qTUS team can support you at every stage, whether that means helping with study design, optimizing the value of your results, or simply collecting data in the required format. The level of our involvement is entirely up to you, but we are always ready to assist.
As an independent CRO, qTUS combines scientific rigor with operational agility. Study protocols can be refined rapidly, allowing projects to adapt efficiently to new insights, practical constraints or changing research priorities.

Meet the research team

Experimental studies

qTUS is a gamechanger in all levels of the pyramid of evidence. From increased understanding of disease patterns, to validating sensor technologies and trials evaluating protective and curative measures, qTUS and the qTUS scoring systems opens many unexplored paths.

Randomized clinical trials

Treatment efficiency (antimicrobials/NSAID)
Vaccine efficacy
Optimized protocol for veal calves
Feed, ventilation, additives

On-farm observational studies

Optimizing treatment and managment protocols
Determination of KPI’s for BRD
Associations with cure, production production outcomes and welfare
Active in dairy, beef and veal sector

Validation of automated detection and sensor technology

The most reliable on-farm reference test
Disease severity scoring (qTUS score)
Earlier detection compared to any clinical method

What do our research partners say?

"Working with qTUS was one of the smoothest projects in my career: from the initial consultation to the flawless execution of the vaccination trial and publication."

Geert Vertenten - Global MSD
"Integrating qTUS into both in my research and clinical practice has strengthened my confidence in making data-driven, evidence-based herd health decisions. qTUS was the best investment in my professional career. "

Kerli Motus - Professor Universithy of Life Sciences Tartu Estonia

Peer-reviewed studies implementing qTUS:

2026

Clinquart, J., T. Lowie, S. Jourquin, J. Bokma, and B. Pardon. 2026. Investigating bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology in relation to pathogen identification and consolidation depth in calves. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 40:aalaf043. https://doi.org/10.1093/jvimsj/aalaf043.

Jourquin, S., T. Lowie, J. Clinquart, R. Boone, J. Bokma, G. Hoflack, G. Vertenten, B. Sustronck, and B. Pardon. 2026. Randomized field trial on the effects of on-arrival intranasal vaccination against bovine coronavirus on pneumonia and average daily gain in beef-on-dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 109:9831–9846. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2026-28339.

Mõtus, K., H. Kirjonen, R. Kaura, M. Erm, M. H. Prommik, E. Goossens, B. Pardon, and T. Orro. 2026. Longitudinal dynamics and recovery of lung ultrasonographic consolidations, association with growth in dairy calves in herds with circulating bovine coronavirus and Pasteurellaceae. J. Dairy Sci. 109:8766–8783. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2026-28558.

2025

Clinquart, J., T. Lowie, S. Jourquin, J. Bokma, and B. Pardon. 2025. Association of lung consolidation depth with pathogens isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in calves with clinical signs of respiratory disease. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 39:e70120. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70120.

Jourquin, S., F. Debruyne, L. Chantillon, T. Lowie, R. Boone, J. Bokma, and B. Pardon. 2025. Noninferiority trial in veal calves on the efficacy of oxytetracycline and florfenicol treatment for pneumonia guided by quick thoracic ultrasound. J. Dairy Sci. 108:1896–1913. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25172.

Jourquin, S., T. Lowie, F. Debruyne, L. Chantillon, M. L. Pas, J. Clinquart, R. Boone, J. Bokma, and B. Pardon. 2025. Development of a classification system for lung ultrasonographic findings in calves based on the association with cure and production outcomes. J. Dairy Sci. 108:7452–7471. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25386.

Lowie, T., S. Jourquin, S. Stuyvaert, G. Hanley-Cook, and B. Pardon. 2025. Associations between lung consolidation and serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, and the potential of acute phase proteins to differentiate primary respiratory tract pathogens in calves. J. Dairy Sci. 108:943–953. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25093.

Pas, M.L., J. Bokma, F. Boyen, L. Chantillon, D. Castelain, J. Clinquart, S. Jourquin, and B. Pardon. 2025. Optimization of Antimicrobial Use for Sepsis in Calves: Bayesian Evaluation of Existing and Novel Sepsis Scores. Animals 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040586.

Lindley, G., N. Blackie, D. C. Wathes, and R. E. Booth. 2025. Development and progression of bovine respiratory disease measured using clinical respiratory scoring and thoracic ultrasonography in preweaned calves on dairy farms in the United Kingdom: A prospective cohort study. Animals 15:360. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030360.

2024

Jourquin, S., T. Lowie, J. Bokma, and B. Pardon. 2024. Accuracy and inter-rater agreement among practitioners using quick thoracic ultrasonography to diagnose calf pneumonia. Vet. Rec. 194:e3896. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3896.

Lowie, T., S. Jourquin, F. Debruyne, L. Chantillon, G. Hoflack, R. Boone, G. Vertenten, B. Sustronck, B. Pardon, and J. Bokma. 2024. Associations of serostatus upon arrival with clinical respiratory disease, lung consolidation, and growth in veal calves. J. Dairy Sci. 107:3836–3846. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-24218

Lowie, T., J. Vandewalle, G. Hanley-Cook, B. Pardon, and J. Bokma. 2024. Short communication: Circadian variations and day-to-day variability of clinical signs used for the early diagnosis of pneumonia within and between calves. Res. Vet. Sci. 166:105082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105082

2023

Jourquin, S., T. Lowie, F. Debruyne, L. Chantillon, J. Clinquart, M.L. Pas, R. Boone, G. Hoflack, G. Vertenten, B. Sustronck, and B. Pardon. 2023a. Effect of on-arrival bovine respiratory disease vaccination on ultrasound-confirmed pneumonia and production parameters in male dairy calves: A randomized clinical trial. J. Dairy Sci. 106:9260–9275. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23438.

Jourquin, S., T. Lowie, F. Debruyne, L. Chantillon, N. Vereecke, F. Boyen, R. Boone, J. Bokma, and B. Pardon. 2023b. Dynamics of subclinical pneumonia in male dairy calves in relation to antimicrobial therapy and production outcomes. J. Dairy Sci. 106:676–689. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22212.

2022

Jourquin, S., J. Bokma, L. De Cremer, K. van Leenen, N. Vereecke, and B. Pardon. 2022. Randomized field trial comparing the efficacy of florfenicol and oxytetracycline in a natural outbreak of calf pneumonia using lung reaeration as a cure criterion. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16348.

Lowie, T., K. Van Leenen, S. Jourquin, M.L. Pas, J. Bokma, and B. Pardon. 2022. Differences in the association of cough and other clinical signs with ultrasonographic lung consolidation in dairy, veal, and beef calves. J. Dairy Sci. 105:6111–6124. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-21570.

2019

Pardon. 2019. A quick scan lung ultrasound method and flow chart as a decision aid for bronchopneumonia diagnosis. Proc. XXIV Congreso Internacianal ANEMBE de Medicina Bovina. Asociación Nacional de Especialistas en Medicina Bovina de España (ANEMBE). 258–260.