Research Preproposals on Infectious Coryza Now Open

The US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the USPOULTRY Foundation are inviting research preproposals from academic institutions and research facilities until November 3. This call for proposals aims to further advance the understanding and management of Infectious Coryza specifically in layers.

Understanding Infectious Coryza

Infectious Coryza is a respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Avibacterium paragallinarum (AP). This illness can lead to a substantial decrease in egg production, which poses significant challenges for poultry producers. The persistent carrier state in affected flocks complicates efforts for control and eradication, especially in multi-age layer complexes. As a result, economic losses not only stem from diminished egg yield but also from increased biosecurity protocols and the logistical challenges of administering inactivated vaccines to new pullets.

Challenges in Diagnosis

Currently, the standard diagnostic method utilized is real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which has been found to result in a significant number of false positives, particularly in naïve flocks with no previous exposure to the pathogen. Moreover, a limited understanding of the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of AP fuels diagnostic inaccuracies, making effective management of the disease more difficult.

Webinar for Interested Researchers

To support potential applicants, a Zoom webinar is scheduled for Monday, September 29, at 2 p.m. ET, hosted by the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC). The session will cover the Request for Proposals (RFPs) on Infectious Coryza and three additional research initiative topics, as well as the preproposal submission process. This complimentary webinar is designed for researchers keen to deepen their understanding of the RFPs and will feature a Q&A segment with the FRAC. The session will also be recorded for future access.

Interested researchers can join the webinar using this link.

Additional Information

For complete submission guidelines and more details on the proposal process, please visit the USPOULTRY website.

Source: US Poultry & Egg Association