Molecular detection of avian spirochete Borrelia anserina in Argas persicus ticks in Algeria

Argasid ticks are one of the most important poultry ectoparasites. They affect poultry directly through blood meal and indirectly through the transmission of pathogens essentially Borrelia anserina, agent of avian borreliosis, one of the most widespread poultry diseases in the world, and is of great economic importance. This study was conducted between April 2014 and March 2015 in the region of Ksar El Boukhari, Algeria, in order to investigate the presence of soft ticks in laying hen farms and to detect B. anserina bacteria using molecular tools. DNA was extracted and screened for the presence of Borrelia spp. DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Borrelia spp. screening was performed using primers and probe targeting the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 83 traditional laying hen farms were visited, of which 39 (46.98 %) were found infested with A. persicus tick. Molecular analysis revealed that 2/34 (5.88 %) of ticks were infected by B. anserina. None of the ticks tested were positive for Rickettsia spp., and Coxiella burnetii. These results constitute the first report in Algeria of A. persicus harboring B. anserina.     

利用“速服宁”进行种鸡场禽沙门氏杆菌病净化的初步研究

为对沙门氏菌及对产蛋率受精率控制,进行服用速服宁对鸡群的平板血检白痢阳性、产蛋率、死胚率检测试验,结果表明,使用速服宁可以控制减少鸡场禽沙门氏菌,鸡白痢阳性鸡转阴效果好,种鸡可再一次使用,鸡产蛋率和受精率也得到很大提高。     

Cross-reactivity of anti-chicken IgY antibody with immunoglobulins of exotic avian species

Background: A major challenge in the serologic diagnosis of infectious diseases in exotic birds is the limited availability of species-specific antibodies. Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to determine if there is cross reactivity between commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies and immunoglobulins of several avian species, with particular emphasis on psittacines. Methods: To quantitate the reactivity with anti-chicken IgY, Western blot analysis was performed using plasma samples from many different avian species. Results were compared with gamma globulin fraction quantitation obtained by protein electrophoresis. Results: By Western blot, 2 protein bands corresponding to the heavy and light chains of chicken IgY were identified in species from 21 avian orders using 1 of 2 rabbit anti-chicken IgY antibodies. Densitometric analysis showed that the amount of immunoglobulin estimated from Western blots correlated strongly with data from protein electrophoresis assays. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that some commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies exhibit good cross-reactivity with most avian species.     

鸡新城疫-禽流感(H9亚型)二联灭活疫苗(La Sota株+HP株)的灭活试验

为了研究鸡新城疫-禽流感(H9亚型)二联灭活疫苗(La Sota株+HP株)中两种病毒的最佳甲醛灭活浓度和灭活时间,试验选取四种甲醛最终浓度0.1%、0.2%、0.4%、0.8%,分别对两种抗原进行灭活,在灭活10 h、12 h、14 h、16 h、18 h、24 h、30 h、36h、42 h分别取样,对每个样品进行灭活检验和血凝价测定。从试验结果得出,新城疫病毒(La Sota株)最适合的甲醛浓度为0.1%,灭活时间为16 h;禽流感病毒(H9亚型HP株)最适合甲醛浓度为0.1%,灭活时间为18 h。     

国际间实验室禽流感能力验证样品制备技术的研究与应用

通过对禽流感病毒基因序列的比较分析,在其血凝素(HA)基因保守区,设计引物,通过基因克隆,体外转录等技术,制备出病毒HA基因的RNA片段,并对体外转录的RNA进行了定量、稀释,以作为用于国际间实验室禽流感能力验证的样品,并建立了绝对定量实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法。样品的均匀性和稳定性实验结果证明了样品制备技术的可行性,并为我国首次成功组织实施国际间实验室禽流感能力验证计划奠定了基础。     

New perspectives in avian influenza diagnosis

Recent outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) occurring in Europe, in the Americas, in Asia and in Africa have provided field evidence of how challenging the control of this infection can be, particularly in densely populated poultry areas or in areas where free-range rural village poultry and backyard flocks are present. In these areas, laboratory testing is mainly applied to trace viral circulation in a given area or in a susceptible population to implement an early warning system, rather than to diagnose the presence of the virus in a diseased flock or animal. This implies the use of rapid, sensitive and possibly cost-effective laboratory tests adaptable to very high throughputs. As a consequence, new diagnostic approaches and technologies have been increasingly developed and applied. Molecular biology and biotechnology are providing important and precious contributions to the field of AI diagnosis, making extremely rapid, specific and sensitive techniques available. However, the use of some of these technologies is still limited, due to their costs and to the requirement of advanced technical and scientific expertise. Therefore, more conventional and well-established techniques, should not be abandoned but rather reconsidered and improved or modified.     

Chlamydophila psittaci infections in humans during an outbreak of psittacosis from poultry in Germany

In 2005, an outbreak of severe respiratory disease in a mixed poultry flock that was infected with Chlamydophila (C.) psittaci led to dissemination of the infection to at least 100 small poultry farms in 11 districts of Central Germany. At the same time, a total of 24 persons in contact with poultry from one of the flocks reported flu-like symptoms to their physician, thus suggesting zoonotic transmission. Within 3 weeks, seven individuals had to be hospitalized, with three of them requiring intensive care. Analysis of ompA sequences from chlamydial isolates and directly from clinical samples revealed the presence of both genotype A and E/B of C. psittaci at the source of the outbreak and in contact flocks. Genotype A was also detected in the three severely ill patients. The findings of the present study demonstrate the high zoonotic potential of avian chlamydiae. To ensure speedy eradication of psittacosis in poultry flocks and effective treatment of infected humans, fast, sensitive and species-specific detection of the causative agent is essential, as well as close collaboration between regional public health services, attending physicians and the diagnostic laboratories involved.     

Emergency response following suspicion of an avian influenza outbreak

The management of a suspected index case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) is crucial to the subsequent actions aimed at limiting the spread of infection and ultimately in prompt eradication of the virus. In this study, the legislative basis, basic concepts and actions behind a successful disease management programme are reviewed. These include actions at local veterinary headquarters and at farm level which must be coordinated centrally to ensure the flow of information essential to decision making. The success of any emergency intervention strategy is dependent upon the level of preparedness, including action plans to source manpower, equipment and on the degree of communication between relevant parties. Availability of information on the successes and failures in field outbreak management, will inevitably result in improved AI control worldwide.     

Avian influenza outbreak management: action at time of confirmation, depopulation and disposal methods; the 'Belgian experience' during the H7N7 highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemic in 2003

Eradication of H5 and H7 influenza in a positive flock will include mass depopulation of birds, containment and inactivation of the virus in the carcasses and litter, and decontamination of the facility. A quick response is desired in the event of a disease outbreak. Ideally, birds should be depopulated within 24 h after detecting the virus. Mass depopulation of birds must be performed in a humane manner while minimizing human health and biosecurity risks. In the framework of the European legislation, a number of methods are authorized for the killing of poultry for processing prior to marketing. However, during emergencies such as a disease outbreak, there are fewer options. The current most commonly used procedures for large-scale emergency depopulation of birds consist of exposing poultry to CO or CO(2) gas. Both gasses have been used in Belgium during the H7N7 crisis in 2003. The gassing procedures include whole house gassing, portable panel enclosures, cage cabinets, containers and polyethylene tent method. Whole house gassing requires sealing the house to prevent gas leakage and, using specialized equipment, introducing large volumes of gas evenly over the birds. All procedures are very labour intensive, create a biosecurity risk and require a large number of personnel. There are considerable region-to-region differences in emergency depopulation techniques and disposal of carcasses and infected material. Because of the differences in bird type and species, management, housing and stocking density, it is difficult to propose a depopulation technique that will be suitable for all circumstances. Safety of the human operators is an increasing concern with all H5 and H7 strains and in particular with the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Researchers and commercial poultry companies in the United States recently established that non-toxic water-based foam with a certain bubble size presents a practicable, effective and humane method for mass depopulation. Foam of the right bubble size creates an occlusion in the trachea of birds, causing a rapid onset of hypoxia. The foam that blankets the broiler house induces physical hypoxia - the same cause of death as the approved method using carbon dioxide gas (CO(2)). The article illustrates the different culling and disposal methods with a focus on the methods used during the 2003 H7N7 crisis in Belgium.