Advancements in Poultry Health: New Vaccines for Spotty Liver Disease
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the USPOULTRY Foundation are proud to announce the successful completion of a pivotal research project conducted by experts from Iowa State University. This initiative focuses on the development and assessment of bacterin-based vaccines aimed at controlling spotty liver disease in poultry.
Research Overview: Project 735
Led by Dr. Orhan Sahin from the Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, the research titled “Development of Vaccines for the Control of Chicken Spotty Liver Disease” targets the growing concern surrounding this poultry affliction.
The Significance of Spotty Liver Disease
Spotty liver disease (SLD) is known for manifesting as acute infectious hepatitis and is a major factor in reduced egg production along with elevated mortality rates among layer chickens. The primary aim of this research was to develop effective bacterin-based vaccines to combat SLD.
Research Objectives
The study was structured around two key objectives:
- Evaluate the homologous protection provided by experimental bacterins against SLD.
- Assess the heterologous protection capabilities of these experimental bacterins against SLD.
Key Findings
The results indicate that a multi-strain bacterin has significant potential for further development, where it could offer broad protection against SLD caused by C. hepaticus. This advancement has promising implications for the poultry industry, especially regarding the creation of commercial vaccines that would enhance productivity and sustainability in layer chicken production.
Further Information
For a detailed summary of the completed project, visit the USPOULTRY website: Project 735 Summary. For additional information on other research initiatives, please explore the USPOULTRY website at uspoultry.org.
