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<UL> <LI>Determine how Salmonella enteritidis (SE) spreads within and between poultry flocks and is deposited in eggs. <LI>Determine how phenotypic and genetic diversity influences invasion of host organs and egg contamination by SE. <LI>Identify environmental factors that influence the emergence of virulent forms of SE. <LI>Develop sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for SE in chickens and eggs. <LI>Develop effective SE vaccines. <LI>Develop methods to reduce surface and airborne dispersal of SE by dust reduction.
Chickens will be infected with SE by oral inoculation or exposure to environmental sources. Environmental factors and management practices that influence persistence and vertical or horizontal transmission of SE will be determined. Rapid and sensitive bacteriological and serological methods for detecting SE infection or contamination will be applied. Vaccine preparations will be tested for their efficacy. The pathogenic effects of SE phage types and strains will be compared. Chromosomal heterogeneity in virulence factor regulatory regions will be studied as it relates to egg contamination. The identity of protein and carbohydrate receptors that determine phage type will be established. Stages of the SE life cycle will be defined by coupling continuous cell culturing to analysis of cell surface protein and carbohydrate variability. Dust and bacterial counts will be measured in poultry production areas and techniques including ionization for reducing airborne dust and disease transmission will be evaluated. Athens, GA-SEPRL-main lab & bldg 3.11/4/99.
<LI>Gast, R.K. Salmonella enteritidis in eggs and egg products: assessing and understanding the risks and responses. In Egg Nutrition and Biotechnology, Sim, J.M., Nakai, S., Guenter, W., eds., CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK. 1999. p.431-440.
<LI>Gast, R.K. Deposition and multiplication of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs: reassessing the implications for applying refrigeration standards. Program of the Annual Meeting of the Salmonella Committee of the United States Animal Health Association. 1999. p.8 (Abstract).
<LI>Gast, R.K. Strategies and programs for controlling Salmonella enteritidis in poultry and eggs. Proceedings of 7th International Seminar on Poultry Production and Pathology, Chilean Association of Veterinary Poultry Specialists and the University of Southern Chile. 2000. p.29-35.
<LI>Gast, R.K. The relationship between the specific antibody response and the deposition of Salmonella enteritidis in eggs laid by experimentally infected hens. American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention Notes. 2000. p.695 (Abstract).
<LI>Gast, R.K., Holt, P.S.. Deposition of Salmonella enteritidis on and within egg yolks. Poultry Science. 2000. v.79 (Supplement 1). p.72 (Abstract).
<LI>Hamrita, T.K., Mitchell, B.W. Poultry environment and production control and optimization -- a summary of where we are and where we want to go. Transactions of the ASAE . 1999. v.42 (2). p.479-483.
<LI>Mitchell, B.W., Holt, P.S., Seo, K.H. Effectiveness of electrostatic space charge system for reducing dust in a caged layer room. AgEng Warwick. 2000. Abstracts Part 1. p.116-117 (Abstract).
<LI>Parker, C.T. Guard-Petter, J. The role of flagella in the pathogenesis of Salmonella enteritidis infection in chickens. 100th General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology. p.47 (Abstract).
<LI>Parker, C.T. Guard-Petter, J. The effect of O-antigen chain length on the pathogenesis of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis infection in chickens. Meeting of the Southeastern Branch of American Society for Microbiology, Oct. 28-30, 1999. p.44 (Abstract).