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Induction of functional defects in macrophages by a poult enteritis and mortality syndrome-associated turkey astrovirus.

The interaction of a poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS)-turkey astrovirus-Ohio State University (TAst-OSU) with the mononuclear phagocytic system cells, namely macrophages, was examined after in vitro and in vivo exposure. In vitro exposures were performed by incubating adherent turkey macrophages with various volumes of 10(6) 50% embryo infective dose (EID50)/ml TAst-OSU stock, whereas for in vivo challenge, poults were given a 200 microl inoculum of 10(6) EID50/ml TAst-OSU stock at 7 days of age. Results show that TAst-OSU in vitro exposure reduced macrophage viability relative to controls (P < 0.05) and decreased phagocytosis (P < 0.05) and intracytoplasmic killing of Escherichia coli (P < 0.05) after a 42-48-hr exposure. Poults challenged with TAst-OSU in vivo recruited almost 50% fewer Sephadex-elicited inflammatory cells in the abdominal cavity (P < 0.05) as compared with the sham controls. Similar to in vitro exposure, macrophages isolated from in vivo TAst-OSU-challenged poults exhibited reduced percentage of phagocytic macrophages (P < 0.05) as well as fewer intracytoplasmic E. coli per phagocytic macrophage (P < 0.05). TAst-OSU-challenged poults had a greater number of viable E. coli in their spleens (P < 0.05) after an intravenous E. coli challenge as compared with the non-TAst-OSU-challenged control poults. Macrophage-mediated cytokines and metabolites were also examined during this study. Both in vitro and in vivo TAst-OSU challenge resulted in reduced interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 activity. On the contrary, nitrite levels in macrophage culture supernatant fraction of TAst-OSU-challenged macrophages were significantly higher (P < or = 0.05). The findings of these studies indicated that TAst-OSU challenge induced defects in macrophage effector functions, implying that PEMS-turkey astrovirus can potentially impair the immune response of turkeys, thereby leading to enhanced susceptibility of turkeys to secondary, perhaps even fatal, bacterial infections.

Animals↗

Segregation of spermatozoa within sperm storage tubules of fowl and turkey hens.

In avian species, spermatozoa reside in the oviduct for prolonged periods in specialized structures known as sperm storage tubules, but little is known about the relative distribution of spermatozoa in these tubules after successive inseminations by different males. The staining efficacies of various fluorescent dyes for fowl and turkey spermatozoa were evaluated to investigate one proposed mechanism of sperm competition. Hens were then inseminated at different intervals with stained and unstained spermatozoa to observe the spatial distribution of spermatozoa within the storage tubules. Several novel fluorescent lipophilic tracers that successfully stain mammalian spermatozoa either did not stain fowl or turkey spermatozoa, or greatly impaired sperm motility. In contrast, Hoechst 33342 readily stained sperm nuclei (fowl: 25 nmol l-1; turkey: 77 nmol l-1) within 4 h without inhibiting sperm motility, or affecting fertility or the hatching ability of the eggs. Hens were tandemly inseminated with equal numbers of stained or unstained spermatozoa at 24 h intervals and were killed 24 h after the final insemination to study sperm entry and storage within the tubules. Oviductal mucosa containing sperm storage tubules was removed, and individual tubules were classified as containing stained spermatozoa, unstained spermatozoa, a mixture of stained and unstained spermatozoa, or as not containing spermatozoa. Results from the present study indicate that spermatozoa from two different inseminations generally segregate into different storage tubules in both fowl and turkey hens. Storage tubules containing mixed populations of spermatozoa were found in only 4% of fowl and 12% of turkey storage tubules examined. Thus, the mechanism of last-male precedence does not appear to be due to the stratification of spermatozoa within the tubules.

Animals↗

Comparative changes in plasma concentrations of progesterone, oestradiol and LH during the ovulatory cycle in a multiple ovulating male line and a single ovulating traditional line of turkeys.

The aim of this study was to compare the profile of circulating concentrations of LH, progesterone and oestradiol in a multiple ovulating male line with that of a single ovulating line of traditional turkeys. Plasma samples from seven traditional and 12 male-line turkeys were obtained every 3 h for 36 h. Male-line and traditional turkeys had single peaks of LH and progesterone that were of similar duration in both lines. The mean height of the plasma peaks of LH and progesterone were similar in the two lines and there was no detectable peak plasma oestrogen concentration. Mean plasma concentrations of LH and oestrogen were higher in single compared with multiple ovulating turkeys, whereas there were no differences in mean plasma progesterone concentrations. The results indicate that the multiple ovulation state in genetically selected high-growth lines of turkey may be the result of a correlated response in the steroidogenic capacity of ovarian tissue associated with low plasma concentrations of oestrogen rather than of a disturbance in the hormone profile of the ovulatory cycle.

Animals↗

Comparison of susceptibility to stress in two genetic lines of turkey broilers, BUT-9 and Big-6.

The aim of the study was to compare the level of susceptibility to stress in two broiler turkey lines-BUT-9 and Big-6. The experiment was performed on 120 turkey toms aged ca. 8 weeks. Each of the genetic lines was represented by 60 birds divided into 4 groups--one control and three experimental ones, 15 birds in each. The open field test was conducted in the control groups (not exposed to any stress) in order to determine the motor activity of turkeys. The other groups were subjected to the stress of transport, crowding and overheating. When the experiment was over, following indices were determined in blood plasma obtained from all the birds: the concentration of corticosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline, the level of glucose, cholesterol, total lipids and triglycerides as well as the activity of creatine kinase. The study revealed that the lighter and slower growing BUT-9 turkeys showed a higher resistance to stress than the Big-6. They were characterised by higher motor activity, a higher initial level of catecholamines in blood and heavier adrenals. The increase in corticosterone was much lower in these birds in response to stress. A lower reactivity was also observed in the biochemical indices (the level of cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose and the activity of creatine kinase). This confirms that BUT-9 turkeys are less sensitive to adverse environmental effects than are the Big-6, an interesting feature for poultry production.

Animal Husbandry↗

Genetic variation in resistance of turkeys to experimental infection with Newcastle disease virus.

Seven hundred eighty male and female turkeys representing four genetic lines were challenged in four experiments with the Texas GB strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The lines of turkeys included two randombred control lines (RBC1 and RBC2), a subline (E) of RBC1 selected for increased egg production, and a subline (F) of RBC2 selected for increased 16-week body weight. Mortality in turkeys of subline F (32.5%) was significantly higher than that in turkeys of line RBC2 (15.8%), subline E (17.5%), and line RBC1 (18.4%). At the end of each experiment, surviving birds were tested for antibody to NDV using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test. Turkeys of subline E and line RBC1 had significantly lower ELISA antibody titers than those of subline F and line RBC2. Subline F had the highest HI antibody titers, followed in decreasing order by lines RBC2 and RBC1 and subline E. No apparent correlation was found between antibody response and mortality after NDV challenge.

Animals↗

Recurrent transient paresis in a turkey flock.

Recurring episodes of extreme leg weakness and associated mortality were documented in a turkey flock at 8 to 15 weeks of age. Flock mortality attributed to posterior paresis was approximately 12%, or 4800 of 40,000 turkeys. Four of six open-confinement units were affected. Gross and histological examinations revealed no significant lesions. Immunology and virology were uninformative. There were no significant differences in serum chemistry between clinically affected and normal turkeys. Testing of feed, water, soil, and tissues revealed no common toxicants. Isolation and supportive care for affected turkeys, both in the laboratory and in the field, frequently resulted in full recovery. Injection of a test group of affected turkeys with Type C botulism antitoxin appeared to enhance recovery. However, repeated attempts to detect botulism toxin in serum, liver, or cecal contents using mouse bioassay procedures were unsuccessful.

Animals↗

Sudden death in turkeys with perirenal hemorrhage: pathological observations and possible pathogenesis of the disease.

A pathological study was conducted on 32 turkeys that died of sudden death with perirenal hemorrhage syndrome. Turkeys were selected from routine necropsy cases in a diagnostic laboratory. A higher incidence was observed in heavy tom turkeys. In addition to the characteristic gross lesions of perirenal hemorrhage, splenomegaly, and pulmonary congestion, turkeys in most cases had a hypertrophic cardiopathy. Microscopic lesions included moderate-to-marked acute passive congestion of all tissues examined (32/32), severe perirenal hemorrhage (32/32), and splenic lymphoid depletion (25/32). Changes in the thyroid follicular epithelium of most birds suggested an increased glandular activity. No lesions suggestive of arterial hypertension were observed. Adenoviral infection was detected in only four of 32 birds. Bacteriological cultures revealed no significant pathogen. Results suggest that sudden death in turkeys with perirenal hemorrhage is caused by an acute congestive heart failure consecutive to a hypertrophic cardiopathy. The perirenal hemorrhage would be a consequence of a severe passive congestion in kidneys.

Animals↗

Optimum conditions for the turkey lymphocyte transformation test.

Optimum conditions for turkey lymphocyte transformation tests were determined. Thrice-washed turkey buffy-coat cells obtained after slow centrifugation (40 x g, 10 minutes) responded well to mitogenic stimulation. Turkey lymphocytes isolated on Ficoll-containing separation media largely lost their ability to respond to mitogens. Maximum responses were obtained with 2 x 10(7) lymphoid cells/ml. Responses to the mitogens were greatest when bovine fetal serum was used at a 2.5% concentration or pooled turkey serum and autologous plasma were used at a 1.25% concentration. Higher concentrations of turkey serum or plasma decreased the responses when sub-optimum doses of concanavalin-A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) were used. Serum-free cultures gave higher stimulation indices than cultures with serum only when sub-optimum doses of Con A or PHA-P were used. Optimum mitogen concentrations varied with individual birds, timing of the culture, temperature of incubation, and serum concentration in the cultures. Responses were usually greatest with final concentrations of 5 micrograms Con A/ml, 10 micrograms PHA-P/ml, and 20 micrograms pokeweed mitogen (PWM)/ml and when the cultures were incubated in 96-well microplates at 40 C in humidified air with 5% CO2 for 40-42 hours with pulsing with 3H-thymidine during the final 16 hours of incubation.

Animals↗

Poult malabsorption syndrome. III. Skeletal lesions in market-age turkeys.

Skeletal deformities, a major contributing factor to economic losses in market-age turkeys, may be associated with the poult malabsorption syndrome. A study was performed to determine whether the naturally occurring malabsorption syndrome produces skeletal lesions in turkeys at market age. Poults were placed on litter on which poults had previously developed malabsorption. Exposed poults developed enteric disease with 21% mortality during the first 3 weeks. Controls had no enteric disease and no mortality. At the end of the study, 20-week-old exposed turkeys weighed 0.621 kg (5%) less than controls and had a higher incidence of angular limb deformities with significantly higher angulation scores. Exposed turkeys also had a greater incidence of rotated tibias and bowed tibias. The mechanical property of tibial shear strength was significantly lower in turkeys that had survived the earlier poult malabsorption syndrome.

Animals↗

[Isolation of a paramyxovirus-3 from turkeys with respiratory tract disease in Germany].

In fattening turkeys 2.5 weeks of age a respiratory disease associated with coughing, nasal discharge and swelling of the infraorbital sinus was seen. Pathological findings in diseased turkeys were sinusitis, tracheitis, pneumonia and aerosacculitis. Virological investigations of trachea, kidney and intestine in SPF-chicken embryos resulted in the isolation of a virus, that could be identified as a paramyxovirus type 3 due to chemical-physical, biological, morphological and immunological properties. The pathogenicity of the isolate 324/86 to turkeys was shown in a test with three weeks old turkey poults. This is the first isolation and identification of a paramyxovirus-3 of turkeys in Germany.

Animals↗

A technique for isolating turkey respiratory adenoviruses.

Several turkey respiratory adenoviruses were isolated in turkey embryonic liver cells from nasal turbinate filtrate collected from clinically ill turkey poults during postmortem examination. Suspect adenovirus inoculum had to remain in cell culture for 5 to 7 days, and 9 blind passages were required before a sample was declared negative. Once isolated, the turkey adenoviruses adapted rapidly to turkey kidney cells.

Adenoviridae↗

Lesions of perirenal hemorrhage syndrome in growing turkeys.

Turkeys from six market flocks were examined at 8 to 19 weeks of age to assess morphologic lesions of perirenal hemorrhage syndrome (PHS). PHS was diagnosed in 165 of 715 turkeys necropsied, and 82 turkeys served as age- and weight-matched controls. The most consistent gross findings were rounded pectoral muscles of normal color, ingesta-filled crops and gizzards, variable retroperitoneal perirenal hemorrhage, a swollen dark red and light purple spleen, congested intestinal blood vessels, and pulmonary edema and/or hemorrhage. The main histologic lesions of PHS were perivascular edema in lungs and kidneys, vascular congestion of various organs, renal perivenous hemorrhage, and proliferative arterial and arteriolar lesions in the spleen and kidneys that were more severe than those in controls. Heart weights, including mean relative weights of the right and combined left ventricles and interventricular septa, were significantly greater in turkeys that died with PHS than in controls. Scores for tibial dyschondroplasia and "breast blisters" were more severe in turkeys that died with PHS than in controls. The cardiovascular system appeared to be the PHS target system.

Animals↗

Relationship of osteomyelitis and associated soft-tissue lesions with green liver discoloration in tom turkeys.

Tom turkey carcasses with partial green discolored livers (n = 191) or normal livers (n = 198) were examined for osteomyelitis and/or associated soft-tissue lesions. Seventy-nine turkeys with green discolored livers had osteomyelitis and/or associated soft-tissue lesions (41.4%), including 53 with just osteomyelitis (27.7%), while 112 (59.6%) had no osteomyelitis and/or soft-tissue lesions. Only five turkeys (2.5%) with normal livers had osteomyelitis. Discolored livers were significantly heavier, but carcasses with discolored livers weighed significantly less than carcasses with normal livers. Bacteria were isolated from 54 of 61 osteomyelitis lesions (88.5%); most frequently staphylococci (50.8%) followed by Escherichia coli (14.8%), Streptococcus sp. (13.1%), and occasional other organisms. Most associated soft-tissue lesions and livers were sterile (74.7%). These finding indicate that although turkey carcasses with green discolored livers are more likely to have osteomyelitis and/or associated soft-tissue lesions than turkey carcasses with normal livers, there is also an approximately equal chance they will not have these lesions.

Abattoirs↗

Effects of adjuvant-augmented germling vaccines in turkey poults challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus.

Turkey poults were vaccinated with combinations of two different germling preparations and three adjuvants (N-acetylmuranyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, Pasteurella multocida lipopolysaccharide [LPS], and avridine) at 1 and 2 weeks of age, and their immunity was challenged by sublethal exposure to aerosols of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia at 1 month of age. Fewer turkeys in the groups given vaccines prepared from germlings grown on Dorset's and Henley's medium (D&H) had organisms in lung tissue at 2 weeks after challenge exposure as compared with those vaccinated with germling grown on neopeptone dialysate (Neo). The LPS of P. multocida appeared to be the most efficacious of the adjuvants in the D&H vaccine group, as A. fumigatus was isolated from only one of eight turkeys in this group; the number of organisms per gram of lung tissue was low compared with other vaccine groups at 2 weeks after challenge exposure; and poults given D&H vaccine with LPS as adjuvant had less-severe lung lesions than other groups. These differences in lung lesions were more marked at 2 weeks than at 8 weeks after challenge exposure. The only difference among other parameters in the vaccinated turkeys was lower heterophil counts in the turkeys given D&H-prepared vaccines than in unvaccinated controls. This was probably due to less-severe infections resulting from protective effects of these vaccines.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Propagation of group II avian adenoviruses in turkey and chicken leukocytes.

An avirulent hemorrhagic enteritis virus isolate (HEV-A) as well as a virulent one (HEV-V), both belonging to the group II avian adenoviruses, were successfully propagated in turkey leukocyte cell cultures. HEV antigens were detected as early as 12 hr after infection of the cells, using HEV-specific monoclonal antibodies in a fluorescent antibody test, and virus particles were observed by electron microscopy in the nuclei of infected cells at 18 to 24 hr after infection. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of HEV in the nuclei of nonadherent cells, as well as in adherent cells. The nonadherent infected cells had the characteristics of immature mononuclear leukocytes, whereas the adherent cells had monocyte-macrophage characteristics. HEV produced in turkey leukocytes was mostly cell-associated, particularly with the nonadherent cells. HEV-A could be serially passed in turkey blood leukocyte cultures at least seven times. Various methods employed to culture virus indicated that cells grown in spinner cultures were superior to cells grown in stationary cultures. In contrast to the successful infection of HEV in turkey leukocytes, the infection of chicken leukocytes with either HEV or splenomegaly virus of chickens, or turkey leukocytes with splenomegaly virus, was poor.

Adenoviridae↗

A double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus antibody and antigen.

A highly sensitive and specific double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described for the detection of antigen and antibody of turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV). The assay utilizes a virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MAb) to capture the antigen and turkey antiserum against HEV as the second antibody. Microtiter plates were first coated with a dilution of 1:3000 of the MAb (300 ng immunoglobulin/well) and are used for detection of both antigen and antibody. For antibody detection, MAb-coated plates were treated with an appropriate dilution of a cell-culture-propagated HEV antigen and then reacted with the test turkey serum. For detection of HEV antigen, MAb-coated plates were treated with appropriate dilutions of test antigens and then reacted with purified anti-HEV turkey immunoglobulins. The assay for HEV antibody detection was more sensitive and specific than previously described single-antibody ELISAs. Using the double-antibody ELISA, it was found that the spleen of HEV-infected turkeys harbors very high levels of antigen. Traces of HEV antigen are present in some other organs. Infectivity assay for HEV is found to be about two orders of magnitude more sensitive than the ELISA for detection of virus.

Adenoviridae↗

Homogeneity of characteristics of Pasteurella multocida isolated from turkeys and wildlife in California, 1985-88.

Five hundred twenty isolates of Pasteurella multocida, collected in California from September 1985 to November 1988, were characterized in the laboratory. Characteristics examined included serotype, capsular type, biotype (subspecies), and possession of plasmid DNA. Three hundred thirty-three isolates recovered from turkeys dying from fowl cholera, 88 isolates from liver turkeys in flocks with fowl cholera outbreaks in the recent past, and 99 isolates from wildlife captured on fowl cholera-outbreak and non-outbreak turkey premises were studied in this manner. Characteristics were fairly homogeneous among isolates, especially those obtained from turkeys. The majority of isolates were serotype 3,4, capsular type A, subspecies multocida, and lacked plasmid DNA. Common serotypes of isolates from turkeys and wildlife sampled on the same premises were noted in eight of 13 cases examined.

Animals↗

The isolation and attenuation of a virus causing rhinotracheitis in turkeys in South Africa.

In March 1978, a number of turkeys with severe respiratory symptoms affecting over 80% of the flock were investigated for a possible causative agent. With the standard techniques used for the isolation of bacteriae, mycoplasmae and viruses, only Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma meleagridis and Newcastle disease virus were isolated. Tracheal organ cultures were subsequently prepared from 27-day-old turkey embryos and inoculated with sinus exudate from affected turkeys. After an incubation period of 4 days a virus was isolated with which the typical symptoms, as observed in the field, could be reproduced in susceptible turkeys after 3-5 days. Following primary isolation in tracheal organ cultures, the virus grew readily in embryonated eggs and Vero cells. With the electron microscope, virus-like particles, varying in size from 40 nm-500 nm, were observed, having a pleomorphic shape and studded with fine surface projections. The virus seems to fall into the family Paramyxoviridae. A vaccine produced from attenuated virus in embryonated eggs afforded good protection against mortalities due to airsacculitis that normally follows on to turkey rhinotracheitis infection. The serological and clinical effects of the virus on chickens are also reported on.

Animals↗