Environmental Sampling for Influenza A Viruses in Turkey Barns.

We have examined a variety of sampling strategies for detecting pathogens in turkey flocks undergoing infections with low pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV). We found that viral RNA was widely distributed in the barn environment of turkey flocks undergoing an active LPAIV infection and was in both water and drinker biofilm samples. Viral RNA was concentrated in drinker biofilm and sediment and was detectable using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) and by virus isolation.

Comparative Genomic Studies of Heidelberg Isolated From Chicken- and Turkey-Associated Farm Environmental Samples.

is one of the leading causes of human foodborne gastroenteritis in the United States. In addition, contributes to morbidity and mortality in livestock. The control of is an increasing problematic issue in livestock production due to lack of effective control methods and the constant adaptation of to new management practices, which is often related to horizontal acquisition of virulence or antibiotic resistance genes.

The Possible Influence of Non-synonymous Point Mutations within the FimA Adhesin of Non-typhoidal (NTS) Isolates in the Process of Host Adaptation.

Non-typhoidal (NTS) remains a global pathogen that affects a wide range of animal species. We analyzed a large number of NTS isolates of different host origins, including Heidelberg ( = 80, avian), . Dublin (50, bovine), .

Genotypic relatedness and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella Heidelberg isolated from chickens and turkeys in the midwestern United States.

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illnesses in humans in the United States, and domestic poultry is considered an important source of this pathogen. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Heidelberg is the fourth most commonly reported Salmonella from retail meats and food animals in the United States.

Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Minnesota in 2015.

The incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into the United States during 2014 resulted in an unprecedented foreign animal disease (FAD) event; 232 outbreaks were reported from 21 states. The disease affected 49.6 million birds and resulted in economic losses of $950 million.

Historical and Recent Cases of H3 Influenza A Virus in Turkeys in Minnesota.

Subtype H3 influenza A viruses (IAVs) are abundant in wild waterfowl and also infect humans, pigs, horses, dogs, and seals. In Minnesota, turkeys are important and frequent hosts of IAV from wild waterfowl and from pigs. Over 48 yr of surveillance history, 11 hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes of IAV from waterfowl, as well as two HA subtypes from swine, H1 and H3, have infected turkeys in Minnesota.

Serological evidence for the presence of influenza D virus in small ruminants.

Influenza D virus (FLUDV) was isolated from diseased pigs with respiratory disease symptoms in 2011, and since then the new virus has also been spread to cattle. Little is known about the susceptibility of other agricultural animals and poultry to FLUDV. This study was designed to determine if other farm animals such as goats, sheep, chickens, and turkey are possible hosts to this newly emerging influenza virus.

Incorporating risk communication into highly pathogenic avian influenza preparedness and response efforts.

A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the United States will initiate a federal emergency response effort that will consist of disease control and eradication efforts, including quarantine and movement control measures. These movement control measures will not only apply to live animals but also to animal products. However, with current egg industry "just-in-time" production practices, limited storage is available to hold eggs.

Prevalence and risk factors for H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A virus infections in Minnesota turkey premises.

Influenza virus infections can cause respiratory and systemic disease of variable severity and also result in economic losses for the turkey industry. Several subtypes of influenza can infect turkeys, causing diverse clinical signs. Influenza subtypes of swine origin have been diagnosed in turkey premises; however, it is not known how common these infections are nor the likely routes of transmission.

Prospective study of avian influenza infection in backyard poultry flocks and flock handlers in Wisconsin.

Background: The continuing epizootic of H5N1 avian influenza (AI) in Asia and subsequent zoonotic transmission has led to heightened concerns about a pandemic and the demand for improved surveillance of poultry in all sectors, including backyard poultry. We conducted a 15-month prospective study to determine the prevalence of AI in backyard poultry and extent of transmission to flock handlers.

Methods: Starting July 2007, registered poultry owners in six counties in central Wisconsin were mailed invitations to participate; household members with poultry exposure were also invited.

Field estimation of the flock-level diagnostic specificity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Avian metapneumovirus antibodies in turkeys.

Routine serologic testing for Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) infection of turkey flocks at slaughter is currently being used to monitor changes in the occurrence of AMPV infection in endemic areas and can also be used to detect the emergence of infection in currently unaffected areas. Because of the costs associated with false-positive results, particularly in areas that are free of AMPV infection, there is a need to obtain improved estimates of flock-level specificity (SP). The objective of this study was to estimate flock-level SP of a program to monitor AMPV infection in turkey flocks at processing using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Newport in Minnesota.

We report a concurrent increase in the number of isolates of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport and the rate of multidrug resistance in S. Newport isolates from animal and human populations in Minnesota. Antimicrobial susceptibility and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated heterogeneity of isolates and showed that 1 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis cluster contained most of the multidrug-resistant isolates with a resistance pattern and most class 1 integron isolates, implying the clonal origin of the isolates.

Evaluation of five different antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of avian pneumovirus antibodies.

Five different antigens were evaluated in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for the detection of avian pneumovirus (APV) antibodies. Two of the 5 antigens were prepared from recent APV isolates from Minnesota. The 2 older isolates were passage 63 of a strain currently used as a live, attenuated vaccine and a Colorado strain isolated for the first time in the United States and currently used in an ELISA test.

Comparison of methods for differentiation of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis phage type 4 isolates.

Objective: To compare molecular typing methods for the differentiation of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis phage type (PT) 4 isolates that allowed for the determination of their genetic relatedness.

Sample Population: 27 Salmonella Enteritidis PT 4 strains isolated in the United States and Europe.

Procedure: Several molecular typing methods were performed to assess their ability to genetically differentiate among Salmonella Enteritidis PT 4 isolates.

Seroprevalence of avian pneumovirus in Minnesota turkeys.

Avian pneumovirus (APV) causes respiratory tract infection in turkeys and was first seen in the United States in Colorado in late 1996. In early 1997, the disease was recognized in Minnesota and caused estimated losses of up to 15 million dollars per year. This virus has not been reported in the other turkey producing states.

Development and evaluation of a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of avian metapneumovirus type C-specific antibodies in multiple domestic avian species.

The first cases of infection caused by avian metapneumoviruses (aMPVs) were described in turkeys with respiratory disease in South Africa during 1978. The causative agent was isolated and identified as a pneumovirus in 1986. aMPVs have been detected in domestic nonpoultry species in Europe, but tests for the detection of these viruses are not available in the United States.

Characterization of avian metapneumoviruses isolated in the USA.

Avian pneumovirus (APV; officially known as turkey rhinotracheitis virus) is an emergent pathogen of birds in the USA that results in upper respiratory tract disease in turkeys. Six years after the first outbreak in the USA, the disease continues to ravage turkey flocks, primarily in the state of Minnesota. From 1997 to 2000, the industry recorded losses estimated at 15 million US dollars per annum.

Molecular epidemiology of subgroup C avian pneumoviruses isolated in the United States and comparison with subgroup a and B viruses.

The avian pneumovirus (APV) outbreak in the United States is concentrated in the north-central region, particularly in Minnesota, where more outbreaks in commercial turkeys occur in the spring (April to May) and autumn (October to December). Comparison of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix (M), fusion (F), and second matrix (M2) genes of 15 U.S.