Pathobiology and innate immune responses of gallinaceous poultry to clade 2.3.4.4A H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection.

In the 2014-2015 Eurasian lineage clade 2.3.4.

A computationally designed H5 antigen shows immunological breadth of coverage and protects against drifting avian strains.

Since the first identification of the H5N1 Goose/Guangdong lineage in 1996, this highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has spread worldwide, becoming endemic in domestic poultry. Sporadic transmission to humans has raised concerns of a potential pandemic and underscores the need for a broad cross-protective influenza vaccine. Here, we tested our previously described methodology, termed Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA), to generate a novel hemagglutinin (HA) gene, termed COBRA-2, that was based on H5 HA sequences from 2005 to 2006.

Maternal antibody inhibition of recombinant Newcastle disease virus vectored vaccine in a primary or booster avian influenza vaccination program of broiler chickens.

Maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) provide early protection from disease, but may interfere with active immunity in young chicks. In highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV)-enzootic countries, broiler chickens typically have MDA to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and H5 HPAIV, and their impact on active immunity from recombinant vectored vaccines is unclear. We assessed the effectiveness of a spray-applied recombinant NDV vaccine with H5 AIV insert (rNDV-H5) and a recombinant turkey herpesvirus (HVT) vaccine with H5 AIV insert (rHVT-H5) in commercial broilers with MDA to NDV alone (MDA:AIVNDV) or to NDV plus AIV (MDA:AIVNDV) to provide protection against homologous HPAIV challenge.

The efficacy of recombinant turkey herpesvirus vaccines targeting the H5 of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus from the 2014-2015 North American outbreak.

The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in North American poultry during 2014 and 2015 demonstrated the devastating effects of the disease and highlighted the need for effective emergency vaccine prevention and control strategies targeted at currently circulating strains. This study evaluated the efficacy of experimental recombinant turkey herpesvirus vector vaccines with three different inserts targeting the hemagglutinin gene of an isolate from the recent North American influenza outbreak. White leghorn chickens were vaccinated at one day of age and challenged with A/Turkey/Minnesota/12582/2015 H5N2 at 4 weeks of age.

Airborne Transmission of Highly Pathogenic Influenza Virus during Processing of Infected Poultry.

Exposure to infected poultry is a suspected cause of avian influenza (H5N1) virus infections in humans. We detected infectious droplets and aerosols during laboratory-simulated processing of asymptomatic chickens infected with human- (clades 1 and 2.2.

Pathobiology of Clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Infections in Minor Gallinaceous Poultry Supports Early Backyard Flock Introductions in the Western United States in 2014-2015.

In 2014 and 2015, the United States experienced an unprecedented outbreak of Eurasian clade 2.3.4.

Protection of White Leghorn chickens by U.S. emergency H5 vaccination against clade 2.3.4.4 H5N2 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus.

During December 2014-June 2015, the U.S. experienced a high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak caused by clade 2.

Age is not a determinant factor in susceptibility of broilers to H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus.

In 2014-2015, the US experienced an unprecedented outbreak of H5 clade 2.3.4.

Susceptibility of swine to H5 and H7 low pathogenic avian influenza viruses.

Background: The ability of pigs to become infected with low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses and then generate mammalian adaptable influenza A viruses is difficult to determine. Yet, it is an important link to understanding any relationship between LPAI virus ecology and possible epidemics among swine and/or humans.

Objectives: Assess susceptibility of pigs to LPAI viruses found within the United States and their direct contact transmission potential.

Capture of 0.1-μm aerosol particles containing viable H1N1 influenza virus by N95 filtering facepiece respirators.

Nosocomial infections pose an escalating threat to both patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). A widely recommended device for individual respiratory protection, the N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) has been shown to provide efficient filtration of inert particles larger and smaller than the nominal most-penetrating particle size (MPPS) range, 0.03-0.

Bioaerosol exposure to personnel in a clinical environment absent patients.

Nosocomial infections pose a significant and escalating threat to both patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). By their nature, hospitals induce antibiotic resistance in virulent and commensal strains, leading to increasingly severe hospital-acquired infections. This study measured environmental exposure experienced by domestic staff cleaning vacated patient rooms of a community hospital to bacteria in ambient bioaerosols.

Staphylococcus Alpha-Toxin Action on the Rabbit Iris: Toxic Effects and Their Inhibition.

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus infection of the anterior chamber can occur after cataract surgery, causing inflammation and extensive damage to the iris. Alpha-toxin, the most potent S. aureus corneal toxin, was tested as a possible mediator of damage to the iris, and alpha-toxin anti-serum and a chemical toxin inhibitor were tested as potential pathology-reducing agents.

Staphylococcus aureus infection of the rabbit cornea following topical administration.

Purpose: To determine the ability of diverse S. aureus strains to infect the rabbit cornea following topical inoculation, with special emphasis on a strain of unusual virulence.

Materials And Methods: S.

Identification and potency of cyclodextrin-lipid inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin.

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of bacterial keratitis, secretes α-toxin, a cytotoxin active on the corneal epithelium. This study describes the production and testing of chemical inhibitors of α-toxin action.

Methods: Purified α-toxin was titered by its ability to lyse rabbit erythrocytes in buffered saline (PBS).

Diverse virulence of Staphylococcus aureus strains for the conjunctiva.

Purpose: To determine the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus strains in the rabbit conjunctiva.

Methods: Three strains of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (8325-4, Newman, and UMCR1) and two strains of methicillin-resistant S.

Penetration and effectiveness of prophylactic fluoroquinolones in experimental methicillin-sensitive or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus anterior chamber infections.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of moxifloxacin and besifloxacin prophylactic therapy for experimental Staphylococcus aureus infections originating in the rabbit anterior chamber.

Setting: Microbiology Department, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.

Design: Experimental study.

The effectiveness of an improved combination therapy for experimental Staphylococcus aureus keratitis.

Introduction: antibiotic and steroid combination therapies, such as tobramycin with dexamethasone, are often used in ophthalmology to treat or prevent infection and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to use a model of Staphylococcus aureus keratitis to quantify and compare the effectiveness of a standard tobramycin and dexamethasone combined therapy, with each drug individually, and with a new formulation of the two drugs in a xanthan gum vehicle.

Methods: rabbit corneas were intrastromally injected with a methicillin-sensitive S.

Sustained anti-staphylococcal effect of lysostaphin in the rabbit aqueous humor.

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of ocular infections including endophthalmitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of a relatively large molecule, such as lysostaphin, to remain in the rabbit aqueous humor for extended periods while retaining its bactericidal activity.

Methods: Lysostaphin, gatifloxacin, or Tris-buffered saline (TBS) was injected into the rabbit anterior chamber.

A highly virulent Staphylococcus aureus: rabbit anterior chamber infection, characterization, and genetic analysis.

Purpose: To describe and characterize a Staphylococcus aureus strain with unique virulence that overcomes host defenses of the rabbit anterior chamber and mimics clinical cases of postcataract surgery endophthalmitis.

Methods: Nine isolates of S. aureus were tested to determine their viability in the rabbit anterior chamber.

Chemical inhibition of alpha-toxin, a key corneal virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus.

Purpose: alpha-Toxin mediates extreme corneal damage during Staphylococcus aureus keratitis. Chemical inhibition of this toxin was sought to provide relief from toxin-mediated pathology.

Methods: Inhibition of alpha-toxin by phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 0.

Effectiveness of a new tobramycin (0.3%) and dexamethasone (0.05%) formulation in the treatment of experimental Pseudomonas keratitis.

Objective: To quantitatively determine, in a Pseudomonas keratitis model, the anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties of a new formulation of tobramycin (0.3%) and dexamethasone (0.05%) that utilizes a xanthan gum vehicle.

Fluoroquinolone therapy in a rabbit model of post-LASIK methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus keratitis.

Purpose: To develop a rabbit model of post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) keratitis for studying fluoroquinolone prophylaxis and treatment.

Setting: Department of Microbiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.

Methods: An MRSA keratitis isolate (5 microL, 500 colony forming units [CFU]) was inoculated underneath a corneal flap.