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PubMedDate not supplied

Antigenic relationship of turkey coronavirus isolates from different geographic locations in the United States.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the antigenicity of turkey coronavirus (TCV) isolates from various geographic areas with antibodies to different viruses. Seventeen isolates of TCV were recovered from intestinal samples submitted to Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, from turkey farms located in different geographic areas. The prototype TCV Minnesota isolate (TCV-ATCC) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. Intestinal sections were prepared from turkey embryos infected with different TCV isolates and reacted with polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to TCV, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), bovine coronavirus (BCV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), reovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, or enterovirus in immunofluorescent antibody staining. All 18 TCV isolates have the same antigenic reactivity pattern with the same panel of antibodies. Positive reactivity was seen with polyclonal antibodies to the TCV Indiana isolate, the TCV Virginia isolate, TCV-ATCC, and the IBV Massachusetts strain as well as monoclonal antibodies to the TCV North Carolina isolate or the membrane protein of IBV. Antibodies to BCV or TGEV were not reactive with any of the TCV isolates. Reactivity of antibodies to unrelated virus, rotavirus, reovirus, adenovirus, or enterovirus with different TCV isolates was all negative, except positive response was seen between enterovirus antibody and a TCV western North Carolina isolate, suggesting coinfection of turkeys with TCV and enterovirus in that particular case. The results indicated that the TCV isolates from these geographic locations in the U.S. shared close antigenicity and were antigenically related to IBV.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Development of a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction diagnostic test specific for turkey astrovirus and coronavirus.

A multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of two enteric viruses of poultry: turkey enteric coronavirus (TCV) and turkey astrovirus (TAstV). PCR primers were designed to conserved regions within the nucleocapsid gene of TCV and to the polymerase gene of TAstV-2. The primer pairs were successfully used in a multiplex RT-PCR to detect nucleic acid of TAstV-2 and TCV. The test was optimized for use with intestines/feces from naturally infected turkeys. The primers were specific and did not amplify other common RNA or DNA avian viruses. The detection limit was determined to be 10 ng of RNA used as starting template. The use of this specific test allows the rapid and early diagnosis of two financially costly viruses affecting the commercial turkey industry.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Viral agents associated with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome: the role of a small round virus and a turkey coronavirus.

Intestinal samples from turkey poults affected with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS) were examined for viruses by immune electron microscopy and double-stranded RNA virus genome electropherotyping. Turkey coronavirus (TCV), avian rotaviruses, reovirus, and a yet undefined small round virus (SRV) were detected. The SRV and TCV were isolated and propagated in turkey embryos. Challenge of specific-pathogen-free turkey poults with SRV, TCV, or both resulted in mortality and clinical responses similar to those of natural PEMS. Our experiments indicate that SRV and TCV are possibly important agents in the etiology of PEMS and the combination of these infections might result in outbreaks with high mortality. The severity of clinical signs and mortality of PEMS are postulated to be partly related to the virus agents involved in individual outbreaks.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Detection of turkey coronaviral enteritis (bluecomb) in field epiornithics, using the direct and indirect fluorescent antibody tests.

In Minnesota, efforts have been made over the past 10 years to eliminate turkey coronaviral enteritis (TCE, bluecomb) by controlled depopulation and decontamination with a rest period before restocking. In 1973, clinical observations indicated that bluecomb was restricted to one limited area in Minnesota. Five epiornithics occurred during late 1973 and 1974, involving 5 different farms in this limited geographic area. During 1975, 3 epiornithics of TCE were investigated, involving 185,000 turkeys in 17 flocks, of which approximately 17,000 died. Naturally infected turkeys representing 7 operations between 1973 and 1976 were examined by both the direct fluorescent antibody test and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The direct fluorescent antibody test detected coronaviral antigen in intestinal tissues during the acute phase of the disease, and the IFAT was highly useful in detecting TCE serum antibodies of turkey flocks that had recovered and were potential carriers. Therefore, an IFAT surveillance program was instituted for replacement flocks on farms where clinical epiornithics of TCE had occurred in 1974 through 1976. Operation 5 involved TCE epiornithics over a 2-year period and illustrate the importance of complete depopulation with an intensive decontamination program.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunofluorescence studies on the early pathogenesis of hemorrhagic enteritis virus infection in turkeys and chickens.

Chickens and turkeys not previously exposed to hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) were inoculated orally with the virus. Birds were necropsied each day from the first to the eighth day following inoculation, and specimens from various tissues were collected for examination. Clinical illness was noted only in turkeys, although intestinal hemorrhages and swollen, necrotic spleens were seen in both species. The distribution and localization of viral antigens in various tissues and peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied by the immunofluorescent technique. The patterns of HEV infection in chickens and turkeys were similar, except there was a high level and persistence of viral antigen in the thymus of turkeys but not in chickens.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The localized environmental degradation of protected areas adjacent to bird feeding stations: a case study of the Australian brush-turkey Alectura lathami.

This study investigated the potential for wildlife feeding to artificially increase population densities of the Australian brush-turkey, Alectura lathami and assessed the indirect adverse effects that this may have on surrounding forest floor vegetation. Census counts and observations of feeding activity conducted in recreation areas of Australia's Gold Coast hinterland confirmed that brush-turkey population densities were significantly elevated by the provision of food by humans. Brush-turkey densities were high at sites where birds are actively fed, moderate at sites where birds feed opportunistically and low at sites where humans have negligible impact on local food availability. Brush-turkeys caused significant environmental impact at sites where their population densities have been substantially elevated by active feeding. Across all sites, increases in brush-turkey density were accompanied by a significant decline in ground cover, leaf litter weight, seed density and seedling density. Natural environmental variables such as gradient, vegetation type and canopy cover did not explain the observed impacts. The impacts were consistent with those described in trampling studies and suggest that at high density, even small animals can have significant trampling impacts on their local environment. This study demonstrates that wildlife feeding can have detrimental impacts on the integrity of local environments and recommends greater consideration of small animals and their potential indirect impacts when regulating wildlife feeding in National Parks and other nature conservation areas.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

Chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in blood of black and turkey vultures from Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA.

Blood of adult and juvenile black and turkey vultures in the Savannah River Site of South Carolina, USA was analyzed for the presence of 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (2,3,7,8-PCDDs), dibenzofurans (2,3,7,8-PCDFs), -dioxin-like and -di-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls. Concentration ranges of 2,3,7,8-PCDD/DFs in blood of black and turkey vultures were 14.2-34.6 and 8.7-56.2 pg/ml wet wt., respectively. Dioxin-like PCBs were in the ranges of 815-4627 and 753-3611 pg/ml wet wt. respectively, in black and turkey vultures. Considerable concentrations of two congeners of di-ortho PCBs were noticed in the ranges of 1415-10325 and 663-7500 pg/ml respectively, in black and turkey vultures. Comparatively, greater toxic equivalency (TEQ) were observed in blood of turkey vultures with the ranges of 3.2-20, whereas black vulture contained 1.8-8.4 pgTEQ/ml wet wt. basis. The species-specific accumulation profiles of PCDD/DFs and dioxin-like PCBs may reflect the different feeding habits, ecology, metabolic capacity and migratory movements of these two scavenging species.

Animals↗
PubMed1965

Characteristics of Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n., Isolated from Turkeys.

Yamamoto, R. (University of California, Davis), C. H. Bigland, and H. B. Ortmayer. Characteristics of Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n., isolated from turkeys. J. Bacteriol. 90:47-49. 1965.-A designation is proposed for a pathogenic Mycoplasma species isolated from turkeys. The organism originally was recovered from the air-sac lesion of a turkey poult in 1957, and was designated the "N" strain. Mycoplasma species with identical characteristics have since been recovered from the sinus, trachea, oviduct, vagina, semen, and bursa of Fabricius of turkeys. The organism has been recovered from many turkey flocks throughout the country. Many investigators have confirmed the original finding that this organism is antigenically distinct from other known serotypes of Mycoplasma found in poultry. The species proposed is Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Geographical structuring of feather mite assemblages from the Australian brush-turkey (Aves: Megapodiidae).

Populations of a host species may exhibit different assemblages of parasites and other symbionts. The loss of certain species of symbionts (lineage sorting, or "missing-the-boat") is a mechanism by which geographical variation in symbiont assemblages can arise. We studied feather mites and lice from Australian brush-turkeys (Aves: Megapodiidae: Alectura lathami) and expected to observe geographical structuring in arthropod assemblages for several reasons. First, because the brush-turkey is a sedentary ground-dwelling bird, we predicted that geographically close host populations should share more similar arthropod assemblages than distant ones. Second, because brush-turkeys do not brood their young, vertical transfer of arthropods is unlikely, and brush-turkeys probably acquire their mites and lice at social maturity through contact with other birds. Young birds could disperse and found new populations without carrying complete sets of symbionts. We predicted that young birds would have fewer species of arthropods than older birds; in addition, we expected that males (which are polygynous) would have more species than females. Birds were sampled from 12 sites (=populations) along the east coast of Queensland, Australia, that were separated by a distance of 12.5-2,005 km. In total, 5 species of mites from the Pterolichidae and 1 species from the Ascouracaridae were found. Two species of lice were collected but in numbers too low to be statistically useful. Differentiation of mite assemblages was evident; in particular, Leipobius sp. showed 100% prevalence in 3 host populations and 0% in the remaining 9. A dendrogram of brush-turkey populations based on mite assemblages showed 2 geographically correlated clusters of sites, plus 1 cluster that contained 2 sites near Brisbane and 1 approximately at a distance of 1,000 km. There was no strong effect of host age or sex on number of mite species carried. Horizontal transfer of feather mites by hippoboscid flies, in addition to physical contact between hosts, may play a role in homogenizing symbiont assemblages within populations.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2005

Elimination of Listeria monocytogenes from ready-to-eat turkey and cheese tortilla wraps using ionizing radiation.

Listeria monocytogenes is a common postprocess contaminant on ready-to-eat foods including premade ready-to-eat sandwiches. One popular type of sandwich product is the tortilla wrap, which contains sliced luncheon meats and cheeses rolled within a flour tortilla. This study determined the radiation resistance of L. monocytogenes surface inoculated onto two types of commercially available wheat flour tortillas, processed cheese slices, and deli turkey meat. The D10-values for L. monocytogenes (the radiation dose required to inactivate 1 log of the pathogen) were 0.27 kGy when inoculated onto two flour tortilla types, 0.28 and 0.30 kGy when inoculated onto two types of sliced processed cheeses, and 0.58 and 0.65 kGy when inoculated onto two types of sliced deli turkey meat. When two types of tortilla wraps were assembled from the individual components and L. monocytogenes was inoculated into the interfaces between the individual components, the D10-values were 0.27 to 0.37 kGy in the tortilla and cheese interfaces, 0.33 to 0.41 kGy in the cheese and turkey interfaces, and 0.25 to 0.33 kGy in the turkey and tortilla interfaces. The ability of ionizing radiation to reduce pathogen levels on the complex tortilla, cheese, and luncheon meat product was limited by the higher radiation resistance of L. monocytogenes when inoculated onto the ready-to-eat turkey-meat component.

Bread↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enteric viruses in diarrheic turkey poults.

Thirty-three intestinal samples from 10-to-21-day-old diarrheic turkey poults were examined for the presence of enteric viruses by electron microscopy. Samples originated from 32 flocks in six commercial operations located in six states. Mortality in these flocks ranged from 3 to 15%, and birds from recovered flocks varied greatly in size. Rotavirus-like agents (RVLA) were the most common viruses associated with diarrhea outbreaks in the flocks examined, occurring in five out of six operations. Other viruses detected either singly or in combination, in order of prevalence, were astroviruses, reoviruses, rotaviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses. With the exception of RVLA and rotaviruses, the other viruses were identified solely on the basis of morphology. Salmonellae were isolated from only one of the intestinal samples. By electron microscopy, RVLA were morphologically indistinguishable from rotaviruses, occurring as both 55-nm single-shelled and 70-nm double-shelled particles. However, immune electron microscopy was useful for antigenic differentiation of these two viruses. Turkey rotaviruses reacted with antisera to porcine and bovine rotaviruses, whereas turkey RVLA did not. Neither turkey rotaviruses nor RVLA reacted with antisera to porcine para-rotavirus or an antigenically distinct bovine rotavirus (bovine rotavirus-like agent). Similarly, convalescent anti-turkey RVLA serum (from recovered specific-pathogen-free poults) reacted with homologous virus but did not react with mammalian or avian rotaviruses or reoviruses. Further, RVLA were found to possess RNA electrophoretic migration patterns unlike those of conventional rotaviruses or reoviruses. This trait was used as an additional means of differentiating these viruses.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of humidity on infection of turkeys with Alcaligenes faecalis.

Turkeys maintained at 75% to 80% relative humidity were more adversely affected by Alcaligenes faecalis infection than turkeys maintained at 20 to 35% relative humidity. Alcaligenes faecalis was reisolated earlier and more often from turkeys maintained at the higher humidity. Clinically, the turkeys maintained at high humidity exhibited both sinusitis and conjunctivitis earlier than the turkeys at low humidity. In both groups, antibody titers as determined by a microagglutination test developed by 2 weeks postinoculation and started to decline after the third week, lymphocytosis was demonstrated at 1 week postinoculation, and a lymphopenia developed at 5 weeks postinoculation.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Coronaviruses associated with outbreaks of transmissible enteritis of turkeys in Quebec: hemagglutination properties and cell cultivation.

Coronaviruses were observed by electron microscopy in the intestinal contents of turkeys in Quebec flocks where repeated outbreaks of enteritis occurred. Three isolates could be serially propagated in turkey embryos inoculated by the amniotic route with clarified intestinal contents. Purification and concentration of viral particles contained in intestinal contents of infected embryos were achieved by precipitation with polyethylene glycol and ultracentrifugation on sucrose density gradients. Three particle types were demonstrated: intact virions with a density of 1.18 to 1.20 g/ml and incomplete particles with densities of 1.14 and 1.24 g/ml. Hemagglutination of rabbit and guinea pig erythrocytes was demonstrated with the intact viral particles; the hemagglutinin was not dependent on incubation temperature. All the isolates were antigenically related, as shown by hemagglutination-inhibition. The turkey coronaviruses did not cross-react with antisera against coronaviruses of avian infectious bronchitis, porcine transmissible enteritis, bovine neonatal calf diarrhea, or mouse hepatitis. One of the Quebec isolates was shown to induce syncytia formation on its third passage in primary chicken-embryo kidney cell cultures. Electron-microscopic examination of infected cell-culture fluids revealed characteristics coronavirus particles identical to those found in intestinal contents of infected turkeys.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alterations in the lymphocytic and mononuclear phagocytic systems of turkey poults associated with exposure to poult enteritis and mortality syndrome.

In vivo and in vitro mononuclear phagocytic system functions, expression of lymphocyte subset cell surface markers in the thymus and bursa of Fabricius, and lymphocyte subset dynamics during the course of poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS) were examined. PEMS is an acute, transmissible, infectious intestinal disease accompanied by high mortality and morbidity. The etiology of this multifactorial disease remains to be elucidated; however, turkey coronavirus was initially assumed to be one of the primary agents involved. Further investigation demonstrated that turkey coronavirus was not always detectable in poults exhibiting PEMS symptoms, and, thus, PEMS poults began to be identified as positive or negative for turkey coronavirus. In each trial, uninfected hatchmate controls were compared with turkey poults that were contact exposed to PEMS poults at 7 days of age. Following intravenous inoculation, control poults cleared Escherichia coli from their circulation by 60 min, whereas viable E. coli were still present in the circulation of PEMS poults at 60 min postinoculation. Inflammatory response measured by Sephadex-elicited abdominal exudate cell recruitment and the adherence potential of abdominal exudate cells was not significantly different between uninfected and PEMS poults. The percentage of glass-adherent abdominal exudate macrophages was higher in PEMS poults. However, the ability of these macrophages to phagocytize sheep red blood cells and the average number of sheep red blood cells per phagocytic macrophage were both lower compared with uninfected controls. CD4+ expression in thymic tissue of PEMS poults at 9 days postinfection was significantly lower. The CD4+:CD8+ lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood leukocytes from coronavirus-negative PEMS poults was lower than that from both uninfected and coronavirus-positive PEMS poults at 14 days postinfection. In the spleen, the CD4+:CD8+ lymphocyte ratio was higher in coronavirus-positive PEMS poults as compared with the other treatments. In conclusion, immune system dysfunction in PEMS is associated with impaired mononuclear phagocytic system function and alterations in lymphocyte populations.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Genotype and allele frequencies of the polymorphic methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene in Turkey.

The polymorphic methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms C677T and A1298C cause mild hyperhomocysteinemia, not only in homozygotes for C677T, but also in compound heterozygotes for C677T/A1298C. The aim of this study was to determine allelic frequencies of the polymorphic MTHFR gene C677T, A1298C. In this regard, we have investigated the allelic frequencies of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene in 1684 randomized individuals around Turkey. DNA samples isolated from peripheral blood samples of randomized individuals were analysed. The study population consisted of 1004 females and 680 males. The frequency in Turkey of the C677T was 42.9 %; of C677C, 47.4 %; and of T677T, 9.6 %. The frequency in Turkey of A1298C was 43.7 %; of A1298A, 46.3 %; and of C1298C, 10.0 %. The allelic frequencies of the T allele of MTHFR 677 and the C allele of MTHFR 1298 were 33.34 and 33.16 %, respectively. The frequency of C677T/A1298C compound heterozygosity is highest in Turkey (21.6 %), as compared to Canada (15 %), the United States (17 %) and The Netherlands (20 %).

Alleles↗
PubMed1982

Establishment of B-lymphoblastoid cell lines from Marek's disease virus-induced tumors in turkeys.

Four lymphoblastoid cell lines were established from tumours of turkeys inoculated with high doses of the GA strain of Marek's disease virus (MDV). Unlike other MD lymphoblastoid cell lines of chicken origin, these MDV transformed turkey line appear to be B lymphocytes and produce immunoglobulin. Growth characteristics of these cell lines are slightly different; however, they all produce low levels of MDV-specific antigen and carry the complete genome of the virus as determined by virus rescue in the chicken or in duck embryo fibroblast cultures. These cell lines are pathogenic for chickens and produce virus-induced MD lesions. All four lines are free of the herpesvirus of turkeys, reticuloendotheliosis virus, and three lines are also free of avian leukosis virus. They all have typical normal turkey chromosomes and are positive for Marek's disease tumor-associated surface antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the turkey vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a prolactin (PRL)-releasing factor whose activity in avian species is believed to be mediated by a specific VIP receptor (VIP-R). Circulating PRL levels are closely related to hypothalamic VIP immunoreactivity, hypothalamic VIP mRNA content, and hypophysial-portal blood VIP concentrations in turkeys. In the present study, a turkey VIP-R (tVIP-R) cDNA was cloned and its mRNA abundance was quantified in various tissues during different reproductive stages. The 2347-bp tVIP-R cDNA encoded a 457 amino acid protein, with a predicted Mr of 52 kDa. The full-length cDNA shares approximately 55% similarity with the mammalian VIP receptor-1. Northern blot analysis revealed that a major 2.7-kb transcript was expressed in laying hen pituitaries. Furthermore, two minor tVIP-R transcripts of 3.7 and 3.4 kb were observed. Semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using RNA from various turkey brain and peripheral tissues throughout the reproductive cycle. The steady-state levels of pituitary tVIP-R mRNA changed during the reproductive cycle, whereas mRNA expression in other tissues was not affected. The steady-state levels of tVIP-R mRNA were only affected in the pituitary, whereas mRNA expression in any of the other tissues examined following the immunization of turkeys against VIP were not affected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Dietary butylated hydroxytoluene protects against aflatoxicosis in Turkeys.

Turkeys are among the most sensitive species to the toxic effects of the mycotoxin aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)). In mammals, dietary antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), have been shown to lessen the toxic effects of AFB(1) by various mechanisms. To test whether BHT protects against aflatoxicosis in turkeys, we supplemented the feed of 10-day-old male white turkeys with low (1000 ppm) and high (4000 ppm) BHT for 20 days. AFB(1) (1 ppm) was then added to the diets and continued for another 10 days. Birds in the AFB(1)-only group had a lower weight gain, a condition that had returned to near control in groups fed diets containing AFB(1) + BHT. Significant elevations in serum aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, which were evident in the AFB(1) group, were reversed in the AFB(1) + BHT groups. Histopathology revealed hepatic submassive necrotic lesions and biliary hyperplasia, the severity of which was lessened in the AFB(1) + BHT-treated birds. Hepatocellular hydropic degeneration was observed in the BHT-only group, but not in the AFB(1) + BHT groups. This condition associated with BHT treatment was found in a separate study to be reversible and without any long-term adverse effects. These results indicate that BHT counteracts many of the deleterious effects caused by AFB(1) and that this antioxidant may prove to be a viable feed additive for the reduction of aflatoxicosis in turkeys.

Aflatoxin B1↗