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PubMedDate not supplied

Immunoblots of outer-membrane proteins of chlamydiae with sera from turkeys experimentally exposed to avian and mammalian Chlamydia psittaci.

Outer-membrane protein (OMP)-enriched preparations from avian (turkey/TT3 and parrot/VS1) and mammalian (sheep abortion/B577) strains of Chlamydia psittaci were compared by immunoblotting using sera from turkeys exposed to these strains. Turkeys inoculated with avian chlamydiae became infected and developed strong serological responses, but turkeys inoculated with B577 failed to develop detectable serological responses. Sera from turkeys exposed to either of the two avian strains could be differentiated on the basis of immunoreaction patterns with OMPs of homologous and heterologous strains. Fewer bands and often weaker reactions were detected using sera from TT3- and VS1-inoculated birds with the heterologous avian strain. Sera from turkeys inoculated with either avian strain reacted with the 97,400-molecular weight (MW) protein. The sera reacted with the major outer-membrane protein (MOMP) of the homologous strains but not consistently with the MOMP of the heterologous strain. Results suggest that the 97,400-MW protein is highly immunogenic for turkeys and antigenically more complex than the MOMP.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distribution of arthritis and osteomyelitis in turkeys with green liver discoloration.

The distribution of arthritis and osteomyelitis (OM) was studied in turkeys with green liver (GL) discoloration collected in a processing plant; the turkeys originated from seven commercial farms. Overall occurrence of GL, arthritis, and OM in the 25,320 inspected toms was 264 (1.04%), 123 (0.49%), and 107 (0.42%), respectively, and in the 16,690 inspected hens was 24 (0.14%), 0%, and 13 (0.08%), respectively. Prevalence of GL, OM, and arthritis varied among the studied farms. Arthritis and/or OM were detected in 168 (58.3%) of 288 turkeys with green discolored livers. Of the 168 turkeys with OM and/or arthritis, 48 (28.6%) had only arthritis, 45 (26.8%) had OM only, and 75 (44.6%) had both lesions. Arthritis and OM were detected in single and multiple sites and were unilateral and bilateral. Distribution of OM in the 120 OM-positive turkeys with and without arthritis was 77 (64.2%) in proximal tibia, 29 (24.2%) in proximal humerus, 28 (23.3%) in proximal femur, 13 (10.8%) in rib cage, and 4 (3.3%) in distal femur. Distribution of arthritis in the 123 arthritis-positive turkeys with and without OM was 77 (62.6%) in shoulder, 45 (36.6%) in stifle, and 25 (20.3%) in hip joints. Findings in this study suggest that arthritis and osteomyelitis are two distinct lesions and that they may develop independently in the same bird.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Surveillance on Salmonella in turkey flocks and processing plants.

The present investigation was carried out to investigate the occurrence and distribution of Salmonella infection on all stages of turkey production. Therefore, samples from turkey parent flocks, hatchery, meat turkey flocks, turkey feed and finally from the surveillanced flocks at different steps in processing plant were examined. Salmonella was isolated from 4 out of 6 turkey parent flocks (66.7%), but none of the examined 485 samples from the hatchery revealed positive Salmonella results. Eight out of 24 monitored meat turkey flocks were free from Salmonella during the entire rearing period (33.3%); seven flocks (29.2%) appeared to be infected with only one serovar and in another 9 flocks (37.5%) two or more different serovars were isolated during the rearing period, in some cases at the same time. In 20 out of 506 examined feed samples Salmonella was isolated (3.95%). During processing, bacteriological investigations on the presence of Salmonella were carried out on the monitored flocks at different processing steps. Cross contamination seems to be very common during processing and even in several flocks contamination appeared to have started already during transport.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental reproduction of a spiking mortality syndrome of turkeys.

Two-day-old turkey poults were inoculated with either a chicken embryo homogenate used previously to produce spiking mortality syndrome in chickens (the "Oakwood Agent") or an intestine-pancreas homogenate collected from field turkeys with the syndrome known as spiking mortality of turkeys. Twelve days postinoculation, the mean plasma insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level and mean body weights were significantly depressed, and the mean plasma growth hormone level was significantly elevated, in the poults receiving the turkey-derived homogenate (P < or = 0.0003), as was previously reported in chickens with spiking mortality syndrome. The depression in plasma IGF-1 levels may explain the runting seen in poults that survive spiking mortality of turkeys in the field. Following a 4-hr fast and a brief cool water spraying, poults exhibited clinical signs indistinguishable from those of chicks with spiking mortality syndrome. However, plasma glucose levels in the affected poults were within the normal range, unlike chickens with spiking mortality syndrome. Immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed intestines, ceca, and bursae produced positive staining using an arenavirus antibody in epithelial cells of poults inoculated with the turkey homogenate and those inoculated with the Oakwood Agent. Tissues of uninoculated controls were negative. Poults inoculated with the Oakwood Agent did not show noticeable disease.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of live avirulent PM-1 and CU fowl cholera vaccines in turkeys.

The live avirulent PM-1 Pasteurella multocida vaccine, grown in brain-heart infusion broth, was evaluated and compared in two experiments with the Clemson University (CU) vaccine, which had been shown to be effective in preventing fowl cholera in turkeys. Experiment 1 was performed during warm environmental temperatures and Expt. 2 during cooler environmental temperatures. The PM-1 vaccine was comparable with the CU vaccine in protecting turkeys against challenge with virulent P. multocida but was considered no less virulent than the CU because turkeys died after vaccination with both the PM-1 and the CU vaccines. A significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage of unvaccinated turkeys challenged during the cooler environmental temperatures died than did unvaccinated turkeys challenged during the warmer temperatures. A microtiter agglutination test demonstrated a significant (P < 0.01) correlation between the level of serum anti-P. multocida antibody found 1 wk after vaccination and survival after challenge with virulent P. multocida in Expt. 1 and a significant (P < 0.05) correlation between these parameters in Expt. 2. However, there was a significant (P < 0.01) negative correlation between serum anti-P. multocida antibody titer 1 wk after vaccination and body weight gained 4 wk after vaccination, but before challenge, in Expt. 1, suggesting that vaccination with the live vaccines may have had a negative effect on body weight gain. At 4 wk after challenge or 8 wk after vaccination in Expt. 2, there was also a highly significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation between these parameters in the surviving turkeys.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

The role of platelet-derived growth factor in turkey skeletal muscle development.

The role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms in the proliferation of turkey skeletal muscle cells was examined using turkey myogenic cells. To compare the effects of PDGF during different developmental stages, postnatal myogenic satellite cell and embryonic myoblast cultures were developed for in vitro comparisons. Satellite cell cultures from turkeys selected and unselected for skeletal muscle accretion rates were also established to compare the role of PDGF in turkeys with different genetic origins. The results demonstrated that the BB and AB isoforms of PDGF enhanced satellite cell and embryonic myoblast proliferation, while the AA isoform had no effect. Satellite cells and embryonic myoblasts were more responsive to the BB isoform than to the AB isoform. Competitive binding assays demonstrated that there were no differences between PDGF receptor affinities or receptor numbers on either embryonic myoblasts and satellite cells or satellite cells derived from selected and unselected turkeys. The results suggest that PDGF may be an important mitogenic factor in turkey skeletal muscle development.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inclusion body tracheitis associated with avian adenovirus in turkeys.

Nine turkey flocks with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies, suggestive of adenovirus, within the epithelial cells of the tracheal mucosa were studied. Respiratory signs and increased mortality occurred in turkeys between 6 and 10 wk of age from nine commercial turkey meat flocks in central California. Necropsy findings included tracheitis and occasional mild sinusitis. Histopathology of the tracheas revealed epithelial deciliation, squamous metaplasia, large basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies within epithelial cells, and lymphoplasmatic inflammation in the mucosa. Electron microscopy of the mucosa revealed hexagonal viral particles, approximately 73 nm in diameter, consistent with adenovirus within the nuclei of epithelial cells. All tracheal sections were negative for adenovirus group II by specific immunoperoxidase staining. Adenovirus group I was isolated from the trachea. In addition, Bordetella avium, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from the tracheas of three, three, and two flocks, respectively. Statistically greater total mortality and a smaller percentage of marketed turkeys were observed in the submitted flocks than in randomly selected flocks. No significant difference was observed between the two turkey groups in market weight, feed conversion, or percentage of grade "A" turkeys.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed1991

Hemorrhagic enteritis of turkeys.

Hemorrhagic enteritis (HE), an economically important disease of turkeys is caused by a type II adenovirus. The virus is ubiquitous and is liable to infect most field turkeys. In unprotected turkey flocks, infection with virulent hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) may result in variable mortality and immunodepression. Turkeys younger than 2-4 weeks of age are resistant to clinical HE. This age-related resistance is expressed in the presence or absence of maternal antibodies against HEV. Clinical disease is characterized by HE and splenomegaly. The virus causes intranuclear inclusions in the reticuloendothelial cells. Bursectomy or splenectomy abrogate clinical HE. Field data and laboratory studies indicate that HEV causes immunodepression in the humoral as well as the cellular immune functions of turkeys. The mechanism of immunodepression is not known.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Expression and purification of turkey coronavirus nucleocapsid protein in Escherichia coli.

Purification of turkey coronavirus (TCoV) nucleocapsid (N) protein, expressed in a prokaryotic expression system as histidine-tagged fusion protein is demonstrated in the present study. Turkey coronavirus was partially purified from infected intestine of turkey embryo by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation and RNA was extracted. The N protein gene was amplified from the extracted RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cloned. The recombinant expression construct (pTri-N) was identified by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. Expression of histidine-tagged fusion N protein with a molecular mass of 57 kd was determined by Western blotting analysis. By chromatography on nickel-agarose column, the expressed N protein was purified to near homogeneity as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. The protein recovery could be 2.5 mg from 100 ml of bacterial culture. The purified N protein was recognized by antibody to TCoV in Western blotting assay. The capability of the recombinant N protein to differentiate positive serum of turkey infected with TCoV from normal turkey serum was evident in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). These results indicated that the expressed N protein is a superior source of TCoV antigen for development of antibody-capture ELISA for detection of antibodies to TCoV.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Purification of turkey coronavirus by Sephacryl size-exclusion chromatography.

Sephacryl S-1000 size-exclusion chromatography was used to purify turkey coronavirus (TCoV) from infected turkey embryo. TCoV was propagated in the 22-day-old turkey embryos. Intestines and intestinal contents of infected embryos were harvested and homogenized. After low speed centrifugation, the supernatant was concentrated by ultracentrifugation through a cushion of 30 or 60% sucrose solution, or by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The purification methods included sucrose gradient and Sephacryl S-1000 size-exclusion chromatography. Ultracentrifugation through a cushion of 60% sucrose solution was better than the other two methods for concentration of TCoV from intestinal homogenate. The most effective method for purifying TCoV and removing extraneous materials was size-exclusion chromatography as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. More spike-rich particles were observed in the sample purified by chromatography than those purified by sucrose gradient as examined by electron microscopy. Differentiation of turkey anti-TCoV antiserum from normal turkey serum was better achieved by ELISA plates coated with TCoV preparation purified by size-exclusion chromatography than that purified by sucrose density gradient. The results indicated that Sephacryl S-1000 chromatography was useful for purification of TCoV.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

PCR for specific detection of haemorrhagic enteritis virus of turkeys, an avian adenovirus.

A hexon gene based PCR was developed for specific amplification of DNA sequences from the haemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) of turkeys. The hexon genes of different avian adenoviruses were compared for primer construction. Two regions with low sequence homology between HEV and fowl adenovirus (FAV) hexon genes were selected for primer localisation. In correlation with the known sequence data a fragment of 1647 bp was amplified from a live vaccine and spleens of turkeys suffering from haemorrhagic enteritis (HE). All other avian adenoviruses which are able to infect turkeys, i.e. FAV and turkey adenoviruses (TAV), were negative. This is the first PCR for specific detection of HEV DNA which should be useful for rapid diagnosis and epidemiological investigations of HEV infections in turkeys.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Immunosuppressive effects of virulent strain of hemorrhagic enteritis virus in turkeys vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

One week after infection with a virulent strain of hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV), turkeys were vaccinated for Newcastle disease. The effect of a virulent strain of HEV on turkeys' immune response to Newcastle disease vaccine and the mitogenic response of their whole blood peripheral lymphocytes were examined. The results revealed a statistically significant difference (P less than .01) in the Newcastle disease hemagglutination inhibition (NDHI) antibody titers from turkeys infected with virulent HEV. The NDHI antibody titers were lower in turkeys exposed to virulent HEV before vaccination. There was an initial depression in phytohemagglutinin (PHA) response 1 week postinfection in turkeys infected with virulent HEV strain.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Detection of turkey enteric coronavirus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and differentiation from other coronaviruses.

A double-antibody ELISA for the detection of coronaviruses in intestinal contents from turkey poults with diarrhea was developed. Antibodies were raised in rabbits and guinea pigs against a Minnesota isolate of turkey enteric coronavirus (TCV) propagated in embryonating turkey eggs and were purified by density-gradient centrifugation. The specificity of antisera was confirmed by hemagglutination-inhibition and immunoelectron microscopy. Absorption of anti-TCV hyperimmune sera with egg extracts or egg ovalbumin and the use of different dilution and blocking buffers influenced the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA. Reciprocal cross-reactivity was detected among turkey, chicken, bovine, and murine coronaviruses. Antisera to the transmissible gastroenteritis virus of swine, the rabbit enteric coronavirus, or the human coronavirus strain 299E failed to react with TCV. The TCV cross-reacted only moderately with the avian infectious bronchitis virus and the hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus of swine. Investigations with samples from 47 commercial turkey flocks in Quebec with episodes of transmissible enteritis revealed that the ELISA was more sensitive than was electron microscopy for detection of TCV.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spiking mortality of turkey poults: 2. Effect of six different in vitro disinfection techniques on organ homogenates capable of reproducing SMT.

Spiking mortality of turkeys (SMT) is an infectious disease of 5-to-25-day-old turkey poults characterized by acute enteritis and bursal and thymic atrophy. It is reproducible by exposure to organ homogenates or contaminated litter. We studied methods potentially useful for decontamination of turkey houses contaminated with SMT. Organ homogenates capable of producing SMT and containing turkey intestinal coronavirus were exposed in vitro for 5 hr to either 5.0% NaCl, pH 2.0, pH 12, 1.0% formaldehyde, 57 C, or lyophilization. Results were assessed by oral gavage of treated inocula into 1-day-old turkeys and measurement of subsequent coronavirus shedding, growth rate, feed conversion, and mortality from 1 to 21 days of age. Formaldehyde treatment rendered the inoculum nonpathogenic, whereas other treatments failed to ameliorate its negative effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of an avian D2 dopamine receptor mRNA from the domestic turkey (Maleagris gallopavo).

The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in combination with 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), was used to clone a G protein-coupled receptor from turkey brain mRNA. This cDNA clone has an open reading frame of 1,311 base pairs encoding a 436-residue protein with seven transmembrane-spanning domains and exhibits high homology with previously cloned mammalian D2 dopamine receptors. Northern blot analysis of turkey brain mRNA detected an approximate 2.4-kb transcript. RT-PCR and subsequent nucleotide sequence analysis of turkey brain and peripheral tissue mRNA also demonstrated the presence of an alternatively spliced mRNA corresponding to the predicted D2 short isoform. RT-PCR experiments demonstrated a widespread distribution of alternatively spliced D2 dopamine receptor transcripts throughout the turkey brain and in select peripheral tissues as well. In situ hybridization experiments detected strong autoradiographic signals over much of the turkey telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, cerebellum, pituitary, and pineal gland. Dopamine has several important functions as a neurotransmitter and hormone in mammals and may have similar actions in avian species. The cloning and tissue distribution of the D2 receptor subtype should enable the investigation of any functional role dopamine and dopamine receptors exert on the physiology and behavior of birds.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence in turkey monocytes.

Monocytes from 10 week-old specific pathogen-free turkeys were isolated from peripheral blood by density centrifugation and assayed for their oxidative activity by means of a luminometer. Chemiluminescence (CL) properties after stimulation with different soluble and particulate stimuli were compared in lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced assays. A distinct response could be measured with 12-phorbol 13-myristate acetate (PMA) and Zymosan A, but only a weak signal was obtained with calcium ionophore A23187. No oxidative activity could be induced with N-formyl-methionyl-phenylalanine. Peak maxima for both lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced CL were ranked: PMA > Zymosan A > calcium ionophore. The velocity of the lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced responses induced by calcium ionophore were of similar magnitude, but the lucigenin-enhanced responses of Zymosan A and PMA-stimulated monocytes were respectively about 5 and 10 times higher than those obtained in luminol-enhanced assays. No peroxidase activity could be detected in the purified turkey monocytes. As luminol-enhanced CL primarily results from the peroxidase activity, this lack of myeloperoxidase may explain the observed lower responses to the different stimuli, in the presence of a luminol. In contrast, lucigenin-enhanced CL is not related to peroxidase activity, but is a selective probe of oxidase activity. Irrespective of the myeloperoxidase deficiency, different soluble and particulate stimuli induced a significant and reproducible CL response in turkey monocytes, in the presence of both chemiluminigenic probes, lucigenin and luminol. The possibility of measuring the phagocyte oxygenation activity of turkey monocytes represents a useful tool for the study of monocyte mediated host defence in the turkey.

Acridines↗
PubMed1996

Active immunization against vasoactive intestinal peptide prevents photo-induced prolactin secretion in turkeys.

Photostimulation initiates and maintains the rise in circulating prolactin (PRL) observed during the reproductive cycle of the female turkey. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is the principal PRL-releasing factor. This study tested the hypothesis that gonadal stimulatory photoperiods stimulate PRL secretion by releasing hypothalamic VIP. Therefore, an experiment was designed to determine if VIP immunoneutralization altered photo-induced PRL secretion. Reproductively quiescent female turkeys were divided into two groups comprising turkeys actively immunized with synthetic VIP conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (VIP-KLH; immunized; n = 48) or KLH alone (control; n = 48). The first immunization was administered 6 weeks before photostimulation. Blood samples were collected at frequent intervals prior to and following photostimulation, and plasma PRL concentrations were determined. Vasoactive intestinal peptide antibody titer was estimated from the percentage of 125I-labeled VIP bound to plasma diluted 1:1000. At the onset of photostimulation (Day 0), plasma PRL levels were similar for immunized and control turkeys (9.1 +/- 0.3 versus 8.9 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, respectively). Plasma PRL of control birds increased (P < 0.05) by Day 16 of photostimulation, reaching a peak value of 724.9 +/- 90.1 ng/ml on Day 84. In contrast, plasma PRL remained essentially unchanged in immunized birds. Titer of anti-VIP antibodies expressed as 125I-VIP bound by plasma in immunized birds was 10.9 +/- 1.5% on the day of photostimulation. Incubation behavior was blocked in immunized birds, whereas 75% of controls exhibited incubation behavior. The control group laid 1.83 eggs/ week/hen compared to 3.40 eggs/week/hen in immunized hens. These findings suggest that photoperiodic modulation of PRL secretion in the turkey is influenced by hypothalamic VIP neuronal system.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of a new repetitive sequence that is enriched on microchromosomes of turkey.

We cloned and characterized a new highly repetitive, species-specific DNA sequence from turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). This repeat family, which accounts for approximately 5% of the turkey genome, consists of a 41 bp repeated element that is present in tandem arrays longer than 23 kb. In situ hybridization to turkey metaphase chromosomes (2n = 80) demonstrated that this sequence was located primarily on certain microchromosomes: approximately one-third of the 66 microchromosomes showed a positive signal. With respect to the macrochromosomes, hybridization was seen only in a pericentric position on nos. 2 and 3. The turkey microchromosome (TM) sequence shares motifs (alternating A3-5 and T3-5 clusters separated by 6-8 bp) that have been found previously in other avian tandemly repeated elements, e.g. a chicken microchromosomes sequence, and W (female) chromosome-specific sequences of chicken and turkey. However, the TM sequence does not cross-hybridize under moderately stringent conditions with these other sequences. The spread and amplification of related repetitive sequence elements on microchromosomes and W chromosomes is discussed.

Animals↗