Infectious disease is perhaps the most significant factor limiting efficient production within the avian industry. The are currently several major diseases that together account for hundreds of millions of dollars per year in losses to producers.

Nationwide costs associated with prevention of poultry coccidiosis (diarrhea caused by an intestinal parasite) are estimated in excess of $350 million annually. This figure may climb dramatically if new methods of prevention are not found to replace treatments that are becoming ineffective due to parasite drug resistance.

Pasteurella multocida is a serious multi-species pathogen which causes an estimated $200 million in annual losses (via wasted inputs and lost profits) from fowl cholera and endangers the health of cattle and swine.

Marek's Disease -- a highly infectious disease that causes tumors, nerve paralysis, and failure of the immune system in fowl -- is a dangerous threat since the disease condition is controlled by vaccination with the related but nonpathogenic herpes virus of turkeys (HVT). This vaccine only prevents symptoms, but doesn't prevent infection. Thus, if the vaccine itself should fail, there could be a catastrophic outbreak of disease.

The purpose of this project is to help combat infectious disease among all meat-producing animals. We propose to construct gene libraries for the future purpose of large-scale genome sequencing of HVT, Pasteurella multocida, and Eimeria tenella (an organism that causes coccidiosis). At the same time, we seek to establish the University of Minnesota as the recognized leader in molecular genetic analysis of veterinary pathogens through the organization of national meetings and workshops. We will provide resource gene libraries for microbial species that represent the major groups of avian pathogens. The gene fragment libraries will contain new antigens (proteins that stimulate immune responses), biochemical pathways, and virulence mechanisms which are critical for pathogen survival, disease pathogenesis, and immunity. These will provide the basis for designing new and effective vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics for avian pathogens. The results will be made available to applied researchers, vaccine producers, and the general public via the web at: http://www.cbc.umn.edu/ResearchProjects/AGAC/Pm/pmhome.html

Results

- We anticipate identifying all the genes in Pasteurella multocida by August 1999. Our subsequent work will then be to determine which genes play which roles in causing infectious diseases.

The poultry industry stands to gain directly from the elimination of infectious disease. Producers can boost output and increase efficiency by lowering treatment-related costs and achieving greater returns on inputs when healthy animals are delivered to market. Our hope is to eventually help the industry reduce their annual disease-related losses by hundreds of millions of dollars.

Families, communities, businesses and government will all benefit from this research, however. We estimate that potential tools for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment will be identified in 2-5 years, dependent on further funding of the project. These will be tested in Minnesota, then made available at the national and global level in the next 5-10 years. During this time, it is possible that 10-100 Minnesota families will be affected through the adoption of improved poultry production practices at the farm level, and 5-10 communities could share in the benefits statewide. The primary beneficiaries are likely to center around areas where birds are grown and processed, and where treatment drugs are distributed. As well, 1-5 new businesses might emerge to deliver the technology to the food animal industry.

This project does not directly affect the environment on a large scale. However, it will have an indirect effect by reducing the environmental impact of poultry production in which unhealthy animals contribute waste products to the environment.

Certain avian pathogens, such as Pasteurella multocida, can potentially infect humans. This project will help provide increased security to consumers by contributing to a safer and cleaner (i.e., reduced pathogens) food supply. At the same time, disease prevention has a direct impact on the morale of those who work closely with animals. Raising healthy animals significantly contributes to greater pride and better working conditions for fowl, cattle, and pig producers.

Primary Researcher
Michael Murtaugh
murta001@tc.umn.edu

Participating Individuals
Vivek Kapur - Veterinary Pathobiology Mitchell Abrahamsen - Veterinary Pathobiology
1 Undergraduate Students
1 Graduate Students

Participating Institutions
Midwest Poultry Consortium Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station

Department
Veterinary Pathobiology

Government Funding Type
State

Additional Funding Information
Average annual funding is $100,000.00