Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “POULTRY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources

Potential use of cytokine therapy in poultry.

Newly hatched chickens are highly susceptible to infection during the first 2 weeks of life. The utilisation of cytokines as therapeutic agents in livestock animals, in particular poultry, has become more feasible with the recent cloning of cytokine genes and the progression of new technologies such as live vectors. We have constructed a live recombinant fowlpox virus (FPV) that expresses chicken myelomonocytic growth factor (fp/cMGF). Administration of fp/cMGF to chicks resulted in a marked and sustained increase in the number of circulating blood monocytes as well as an increase in their state of activation, as measured by enhanced phagocytic activity and elevated production of nitric oxide. We have recently cloned the gene for chicken interferon-gamma (ChIFN-gamma). Recombinant ChIFN-gamma was capable of protecting chick fibroblasts from undergoing virus-mediated lysis and induced nitrite secretion from chicken macrophages in vitro. Preliminary vaccination trials have indicated that co-administration of ChIFN-gamma with antigen (sheep red blood cells) resulted in enhanced secondary (IgG) antibody responses and allowed a 10-fold lower dose of antigen to be used. Furthermore, administration of ChIFN-gamma resulted in enhanced weight gain in chicks and improved their resistance to disease challenge. The ability of cytokines to combat infection and enhance vaccine efficacy makes them excellent candidates as a therapeutic agents and adjuvants.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Hygiene aspects of modern poultry chilling.

An evaluation was made of six commercial poultry chilling systems in relation to factors affecting microbial-contamination of carcasses. These systems included water immersion chilling, air chilling and air chilling with evaporative cooling using water sprays. Samples of neck skin and body cavity were taken from carcasses, together with samples from the chilling environment. These were examined for total aerobic mesophilic microbes and counts of presumptive coliform bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. at specific points in the chilling process. Physical measurements included surface and deep-muscle temperatures of carcasses, water temperatures and chlorine concentrations in the immersion system and air speed and temperature during air chilling. The results obtained for water immersion chilling confirmed previous experience that the washing effect reduces microbial contamination of carcasses, although initially the numbers of pseudomonads tended to increase. The air chillers varied in design and mode of operation, but had little overall effect on microbial contamination of the skin. When a completely dry process was used, microbial numbers were reduced approximately ten-fold in the body cavity. However, the use of water sprays tended to increase contamination of the cavity, while relatively heavy spraying using non-chlorinated water, resulted in a substantial increase in the numbers of pseudomonads.

Animals↗

Comparison between ICS-Vidas, MSRV and standard cultural method for Salmonella recovery in poultry meat.

Two rapid methods for Salmonella detection, Vidas-ICS and modified semi-solid Rappaport-Vassiliadis (MSRV) were evaluated using contaminated poultry meat. The sensitivity and specificity of the methods were investigated on field samples and on artificially contaminated samples inoculated with mixtures of Salmonella and non-Salmonella competing strains. ICS-Vidas and MSRV yielded virtually identical results, in full agreement with the standard cultural method (SCM). The MSRV method showed better results with artificially contaminated samples, but was less sensitive than SCM when applied to field samples. The use of the MSRV and Vidas-ICS methods could be particularly advantageous in the application of HACCP.

Animals↗

Defining the spatial impacts of poultry farm ammonia emissions on species composition of adjacent woodland groundflora using Ellenberg Nitrogen Index, nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emissions and foliar nitrogen as marker variables.

The marker variables, Ellenberg Nitrogen Index, nitrous oxide and nitric oxide fluxes and foliar nitrogen, were used to define the impacts of NH3 deposition from nearby livestock buildings on species composition of woodland ground flora, using a woodland site close to a major poultry complex in the UK. The study centred on 2 units in close proximity to each other, containing 350,000 birds, and estimated to emit around 140,000 kg N year(-1) as NH3. Annual mean concentrations of NH3 close to the buildings were very large (60 microg m(-3)) and declined to 3 microg m(-3) at a distance of 650 m from the buildings. Estimated total N deposition ranged from 80 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) at a distance of 30 m to 14 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) at 650 m downwind. Emissions of N2O and NO were 56 and 131 microg N m(-2) h(-1), respectively at 30 m and 13 and 80 microg N m(-2) h(-1), respectively at 250 m downwind of the livestock buildings. Species number in woodland ground flora downwind of the buildings remained fairly constant for a distance of 200 m from the units then increased considerably, doubling at a distance of 650 m. Within the first 200 m downwind, trends in plant species composition were hard to discern because of variations in tree canopy composition and cover. The mean Ellenberg N Index ranged from 6.0 immediately downwind of the livestock buildings to 4.8 at 650 m downwind. The mean abundance weighted Ellenberg N Index also declined with distance from the buildings. Tissue N concentrations in trees, herbs and mosses were all large, reflecting the substantial ammonia emissions at this site. Tissue N content of ectohydric mosses ranged from approximately 4% at 30 m downwind to 1.6% at 650 m downwind. An assessment of the relative merits of the three marker variables concludes, that while Ellenberg Index and trace gas fluxes of N2O and NO give broad indications of impacts of ammonia emissions on woodland vegetation, the application of a critical foliar N content for ectohydric mosses is the most useful method for providing spatial information which could be of value to policy developers and planners.

Agriculture↗

The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778): current situation and future prospects for control.

The current importance of Dermanyssus gallinae, mainly in egg layer, in Europe is pointed out. The limits of conventional control methods are underlined (development of mite resistance--future insecticide legislation and animal welfare legislation). Alternative control methods such as feeding deterrents or biological control, are reviewed in the context of poultry pest management.

Acyclic Monoterpenes↗

Antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of resistance genes in staphylococci from poultry.

The species distribution, susceptibility to 19 antimicrobial agents and presence of selected genes encoding resistance to macrolides, streptogramins and tetracyclines were examined among 118 staphylococcal isolates from infections of poultry in Denmark. Isolates were identified using a combination of conventional biochemical testing and 16S rDNA sequencing. The most common species were Staphylococcus aureus (83), Staphylococcus hyicus (11), Staphylococcus xylosus (9) and Staphylococcus cohnii (6). The isolates were susceptible to most antimicrobials tested. A high frequency of S. aureus (30%) was resistant to ciprofloxacin. Only six (7%) S. aureus isolates and one Staphylococcus saprophyticus were penicillin resistant. Resistance to sulphamethoxazole was observed among 16 (19%) of S. aureus isolates and two coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS). Twenty (24%) of the S. aureus isolates were resistant to erythromycin and 19 of these isolates contained the ermA gene, whereas the remaining isolate contained the ermC gene. Eleven (48%) of the novobiocin resistant CNS were resistant to erythromycin and all these isolates contained the ermA gene. Two isolates identified as S. xylosus, were found to be resistant to streptogramins and both contained the vatB- and the vgaB-genes. Thirty-nine (47%) of the S. aureus isolates, three of nine S. hyicus and eight of the 23 novobiocin resistant CNS were tetracycline resistant and all contained the tet(K) gene. A single S. aureus isolate also contained the tet(M) gene. The present study showed a frequent occurrence of resistance to fluoroquinolones, tetracycline and macrolides among staphylococci isolated from broilers in Denmark, whereas the occurrence of resistance to other antimicrobial agents remains low. Similar genes, encoding resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline and streptogramins to those previously observed, were detected.

Animals↗

An investigation into the efficacy of hatchery disinfectants against strains of Staphylococcus aureus associated with the poultry industry.

The efficacy of 18 commercial disinfectants was investigated using the type strain, isolate 24 (I. 24), of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern related Staphylococcus aureus that have shown to be associated with clinical disease in Northern Ireland broilers. Eight quartenary ammonium compound (QAC), four peroxygen, three amphoteric (AMP), one phenolic along with two chlorine-based disinfectants were tested at their manufacturer's recommended concentration (MRC) and at three 10-fold dilutions of the MRC. The efficacy of disinfectants against I. 24 was assessed in conditions with no hatchery organic matter (HOM) and in conditions with no HOM present. In addition, 17 S. aureus strains, related and non-related to I. 24 and obtained from the poultry industry were screened for any increase in resistance relative to I. 24. All disinfectants were effective against all test strains when tested in the absence of HOM. Products from the QAC and peroxygen groups were the most potent. The performance of all disinfectants was reduced in the presence of HOM. Under these conditions all chlorine-based, two out of three AMP, and one out of eight QAC disinfectants were not effective against I. 24 when tested at the MRC. The results emphasise the importance of proper application on appropriate areas, using the correct concentration and exposure time for the disinfectant.

Animal Husbandry↗

The prevalence and PCR detection of Salmonella contamination in raw poultry.

Contaminated poultry meat has been identified as one of the principal foodborne sources of Salmonella. The development of rapid detection assays for Salmonella would enable official agencies and food industries to identify contaminated foodstuffs in a more timely manner. In addition, these diagnostic tools could allow more 'real time' decisions to be made regarding end product acceptability. In this study, a survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in raw broiler carcasses. A total of 198 neck skin samples were obtained from within 40 flocks at a commercial broiler slaughtering facility. The presence of Salmonella was assessed by traditional culture methods and by a Salmonella-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Salmonella was recovered from 32 (16%) of all samples using traditional culture methods. In contrast, the PCR assay proved to be more sensitive and detected Salmonella DNA in 38 (19%) of the samples tested. The pathogen was detected in 45 (23%) of the 198 samples when culture and PCR results were combined. The sensitivity of the PCR test was also greater than culture when detecting Salmonella from within flocks (53% of flocks by PCR, 30% of flocks by culture). The combination of both tests revealed that 55% of the flocks were contaminated with Salmonella. The PCR assay proved to be a highly specific and sensitive method for detecting Salmonella and the incorporation of a routine PCR test in conjunction with standard culture could be effective in providing a more accurate profile of the prevalence of this pathogen in broiler carcasses.

Animals↗

Storage of poultry semen.

Methods of semen collection and artificial insemination (AI) in poultry, requirement for diluents, methods of liquid and frozen storage of avian semen and evaluation of spermatozoa after storage for fertilizing ability are reviewed. Frozen storage of semen from non-domestic birds is also briefly discussed.

Animals↗

Application of recombinant fimbrial protein for the specific detection of Salmonella enteritidis infection in poultry.

A number of disease outbreaks of Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis (SE) in humans have been traced to the consumption of SE-contaminated egg and egg products. A rapid, specific, and inexpensive method of detecting SE infection in poultry is necessary to reduce human outbreaks. We evaluated rSEF14 fimbrial antigen of SE for specific detection of SE-infected birds in latex agglutination test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. rSEF14 antigen was highly specific in identifying birds infected with SE. The sera from birds infected with closely related serogroup-D Salmonella and other avian pathogens did not react with rSEF14 antigen. The rSEF14 antigen identified antibodies in serum of 88% of birds during the first 2 weeks of infection, and 100% of the birds subsequently. The SE-specific antibodies were detected in egg yolk as early as 6 days post-infection in rSEF14-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results suggest that rSEF14-based assays could be used as screening tests for detection of SE antibodies and would overcome the cross reactions observed with existing serological tests.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems for meat and poultry. USDA.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) adopted Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Systems and established finished product standards for Salmonella in slaughter plants to improve food safety for meat and poultry. In order to make significant improvements in food safety, measures must be taken at all points in the farm-to-table chain including production, transportation, slaughter, processing, storage, retail, and food preparation. Since pathogens can be introduced or multiplied anywhere along the continuum, success depends on consideration and comparison of intervention measures throughout the continuum. Food animal and public health veterinarians can create the necessary preventative environment that mitigates risks for food borne pathogen contamination.

Animals↗

Anesthetic techniques in poultry.

Anesthesia may be required in various species of poultry to facilitate surgery, diagnostics, and research. Preanesthetic evaluation, careful anesthetic management, and proper supportive methods should be employed. Injectable regimens may be useful for some procedures, but inhalation methods are more appropriate for long periods of anesthesia. Intubation of the trachea and maintenance of ventilation are of particular importance in avian species. Monitoring and support should continue until recovery is complete.

Anesthesia↗

Methods of euthanasia in poultry and food-producing animals.

This article summarizes the methods of euthanasia in poultry and food-producing animals and details some of the advantages and disadvantages of specific methods. Specific recommendations are made for each type of animal, with alternative methods for special circumstances. Reasons are given for recommending methods that are not "first-choice methods" of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. Detailed descriptions are included for selected methods of euthanasia.

Amides↗

Application of real-time PCR for quantitative detection of Campylobacter jejuni in poultry, milk and environmental water.

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading human food-borne pathogen. The rapid and sensitive detection of C. jejuni is necessary for the maintenance of a safe food/water supply. In this article, we present a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for quantitative detection of C. jejuni in naturally contaminated poultry, milk and environmental samples without an enrichment step. The whole assay can be completed in 60 min with a detection limit of approximately 1 CFU. The standard curve correlation coefficient for the threshold cycle versus the copy number of initial C. jejuni cells was 0.988. To test the PCR system, a set of 300 frozen chicken meat samples, 300 milk samples and 300 water samples were screened for the presence of C. jejuni. 30.6% (92/300) of chicken meat samples, 27.3% (82/300) of milk samples, and 13.6% (41/300) of water samples tested positive for C. jejuni. This result indicated that the real-time PCR assay provides a specific, sensitive and rapid method for quantitative detection of C. jejuni. Moreover, it is concluded that retail chicken meat, raw milk and environmental water are commonly contaminated with C. jejuni and could serve as a potential risk for consumers in eastern China, especially if proper hygienic and cooking conditions are not maintained.

Animals↗

Gram-positive cocci isolated from slaughtered poultry.

Gram-positive cocci were found in all meat samples of poultry slaughtered and processed for retail sale, at incidence rates ranging from 10(2) CFU/ml to 1.35 x 10(6) CFU/ml and a mode between 8 x 10(5) and 9 x 10(5) CFU/ml for 75% of the samples. The 93 isolated strains were identified as belonging to the following species: Enterococcus faecalis (48 strains), E. faecium (16), E. avium (7), E. durans (4), Aerococcus viridans (10), Streptococcus morbillorum (2), S. salivarius (1), S. sanguis (1), S. "milleri" (1), S. pneumoniae (1), S. acidominimus (1), and Gemella haemolysans (1). These species, which mainly colonize the intestinal tract, but may also be found in other parts of both the human and animal body, are pathogens or potentially such. Their presence is an indication of the fecal contamination of meat processed following gutting of slaughtered chickens (endogenous contamination). A count of the Gram-positive cocci and enterobacteria detected showed that enterococci were present in a far greater number than coliform bacteria.

Animals↗

Anaerobic codigestion of hog and poultry waste.

Anaerobic batch tests were performed using hog and poultry wastes in various proportions. Treatments that received both wastes produced higher yields of biogas, up to 200 +/- 30 mL/g volatile solids (VS) destroyed, and methane, up to 130 +/- 20 mL/g VS destroyed, compared to either waste alone.

Anaerobiosis↗

Co-composting of chestnut burr and leaf litter with solid poultry manure.

A co-composting of chestnut burr and leaf litter mixed with solid poultry manure was assessed by comparison of several chemical, physicochemical and biological parameters. The final pH of the co-compost was 8.89 and the C/N ratio was 13. The germination index (GI) obtained using the co-compost varied with the seeds used. It was 155.35% for ryegrass seeds, 56.56% for wheat seeds and 100% for barley seeds. The co-compost was mature in 103 days from a biological point of view.

Animals↗

Anaerobically digested poultry slaughterhouse wastes as fertiliser in agriculture.

Chemical and physical analysis, 27-d plant growth assays with carrot (Daucus carota) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. chinensis), and 5-d phytotoxicity assays with Chinese cabbage and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were used to investigate the suitability of anaerobically digested poultry slaughterhouse waste for fertiliser in agriculture and the effect of aerobic post-treatment on the properties of the digested material. The digested material appeared to be rich in nitrogen. In 27-d assays with digested material as nitrogen source, carrots grew almost as well as those fertilised with a commercial mineral fertiliser used as reference, whereas, the growth of Chinese cabbage was inhibited. In further 5-d phytotoxicity assays, the digested material inhibited the germination and root growth of ryegrass and Chinese cabbage, apparently because of organic acids present in it. Aerobic post-treatment of the material reduced its phytotoxicity but, probably due to the volatilisation of ammonia, resulted in loss of nitrogen.

Abattoirs↗