Avian Biosciences Center: The Avian Perspective on Zoonotic Medicine

<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: <br/>This research project will seek to identify and understand the environmental conditions that are associated with the presence of microorganisms linking avian and human health. New high throughput methods will be used in conjunction with traditional methods to detect and identify microorganisms in wild birds and poultry that have the capacity to cause disease in humans. The outcome of the research will be to have improved methods for more rapidly and specifically detecting and identifying pathogens and the factors enabling their presence in the environment and poultry food sources.<p>
APPROACH: <br/>We will provide critical resources for improving the understanding and control of avian zoonotic diseases acquired by humans from avian sources. We will characterize causative agents, define ecological conditions, and assess modes and risk factors for transmission of avian source microorganisms to humans. Highthroughput screening and diagnostic technology will be further developed with the goal of providing technology for both regional and national needs aimed at enhancing public health preparedness and addressing the challenges presented by today's pandemic risks. Currently, avian disease agents are identified by PCR, antigen capture assays, or virus reisolations. PCR is the most adaptable to high-throughput technology, and it has the fastest turnaround time combined with sensitivity. For developing high-throughput diagnostic technology, one goal will be
to decrease reaction sizes and run times while maintaining or increasing sensitivity and specificity. There are many nanoscale technologies that are commercially available and potentially adaptable to multiplex disease agent diagnostics, but these have not been validated to determine if they can provide comparable sensitivity compared to existing PCR-based tests nor have they been adapted to the samples that typically are obtained for surveillance. These technologies could be nucleic acid and/or protein (antibody) based, and they will require standardization and proper normalization techniques in order to be useful in a preclinical or clinical setting. UD has the unique ability to validate these technologies given its repository of strains, access to field and industry settings, and expertise in high-throughput approaches. For new strains, genome sequencing will be employed to identify
genetic variation, and this will lead to the development of new tests. Research groups at UD use advanced deep sequencing technology (Illumina and 454) for whole genome sequencing, transcript profiling, and small RNA discovery. First, molecular diagnostic testing will identify zoonotic infections from poultry and wild birds with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. Second, surveillance/diagnostic information will be managed, and causative agents will be cataloged, stored, and made available to UD and scientists at other institutions for characterization and fundamental biomedical studies. Third, multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations will address fundamental disease mechanisms and produce novel data that will be used to develop strategies to ultimately reduce the transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans. Fourth, development of new, high-throughput
genomics-based diagnostic methodologies is a key opportunity that will have far-reaching impact on the biomedical research community. Last, these efforts will enhance the training of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who will comprise the next generation of scientists needed to meet the world's future food security challenge. Biological materials to be used in this project will be stored and manipulated at the BSL 2 or 3 levels, depending on the agent.
</p><p>PROGRESS: <br/>2010/07 TO 2013/06 <br/>Target Audience: Veterinarians, other poultry health officials and other researchers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Avian Influenza Outreach The Avian Bioscience Center developed and offered a four day certificate course on Emergency Poultry Disease Response (EPDR). Course development was grant-supported, however, the program has become self-supporting. The four day course has met the sustainability goal by extending beyond the funding period with additional training programs planned for the future. During the course of the program, there have been 53 participants, from 6 continents and from 40 different countries. Two participants from 2012 returned from the program to deal with an emerging highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in
their home country and immediately implemented material from the program. Course content has evolved from year to year based on pre-course, post-course and alumni assessment of participants and includes a combination of lecture and hands on demonstrations. The training program presented and utilizes the �Delaware model,� which emphasizes close cooperation between government, industry and educational institutions to manage avian influenza outbreaks. Specifically, participants learned about the Delmarva (Delaware (Del), Maryland (Mar), Virginia (Va) poultry industry�s best management practices and technologies related to controlling outbreaks of avian influenza and other catastrophic disease outbreaks. Topics in the course included understanding the biology of influenza virus, the United States Live Bird Market system, surveillance, biosecurity, zoonotic and foreign
animal diseases, outbreak response and control, incident command structures, protecting the responder and personal protection, depopulation, disposal and composting, and decontamination. Hands on demonstrations included personal protective equipment and swabbing, foam depopulation, composting, and equipment disinfection. The program is now RACE certified, allowing participants to earn continuing education credits (CEU) suitable for veterinary and/or veterinary technician continuing education requirements. Assessment results for the program have been positive. This certification program represents a long term educational objective and the program has become a self-supporting educational program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Please see the list of publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing
Reported.
<br/><br/>PROGRESS: <br/>2010/07/01 TO 2011/06/30 <br/>OUTPUTS: The University of Delaware Poultry Health System (UDPHS), which consists of two laboratories, is a provisionally approved member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). Many hours have been spent keeping the UDPHS in compliance with NAHLN regulations. The NAHLN mandated quality management system has enhanced the validity of our results in the eyes of the non-poultry, avian community as well as the domestic and international poultry industries. During FY2010, the final year of the USDA/Wildlife Services funded avian influenza virus (AIV) surveillance of wild birds, approximately 700 samples were tested following National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) protocols. Nearly 20 non-H5 and non-H7 wild bird origin AIV isolations were made. In addition, three avian paramyxovirus (APMV) isolates were
identified. An experiment was conducted to assess the pathogenicity of these wild bird origin APMVs in commercial poultry. APMVs do represent a real health risk to the poultry industry. However, the risks can likely be mitigated by normal vaccination for Newcastle Diseasae virus and sound biosecurity procedures. The results of this research were presented in poster form at the 2011 meeting of the American Association of Avian Pathologists. PARTICIPANTS: As an instructor in the Emergency Poultry Disease Response Certificate Course, I lectured and led discussions related to AIV surveillance efforts. The course was attended by a diverse group of international animal health professionals. Presentations displayed approaches taken on Delmarva and helped attendees to determine what actions can be taken to address their animal health issues. The hope is that EPDR graduates share their knowledge
with colleagues upon returning home. One graduate student has graduated from the lab with a Master's of Science degree in Animal Science in FY2010. Her project helped to better understand the genetic profile of avian infectious bursal disease viruses found on Delmarva poultry farms. Data generated from this project was integral in obtaining industry supported funding for future research. TARGET AUDIENCES: Domestic and International Poultry Industry; State Veterinarian. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.</p>