CONTROL OF ENDEMIC, EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING POULTRY RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN THE UNITED STATES

Develop new and improved diagnostic tools for poultry respiratory diseases The prompt identification of pathogens and antibodies in flocks is essential for early detection and the initiation of an appropriate response to limit the extent of the disease. Although the current methods are effective, there is need for improved diagnostic methods that allow more rapid detection and efficient classification of the pathogen. Respiratory pathogens continue to evolve and novel strains with changes in genetic sequences emerge. Thus, existing assays require frequent validation and update. For example, primer and probes for conventional PCR and real-time PCR should be tested with new strains. The improved tests will then be added to the respiratory panel for molecular detection and diagnosis of different pathogens including infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease virus, avian influenza virus, and laryngotracheitis virus, etc. In addition to surveillance, the serologic test, which can be used in conjunction with vaccines to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) continue to be needed. The following summary describes some of the specific efforts to this end and may apply to other respiratory pathogens not specifically mentioned here. New tools also involve third generation sequencing strategies that allow the recognition of mixed infections in a fast and affordable way.