USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project at North Carolina State University in which researchers explored methods for preventing blackhead disease in poultry. The research was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Prestage Farms and proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. A summary of the completed project is below.

Project #BRF013: Methods for Preventing Blackhead Disease in Poultry

(Dr. Chongxiao Chen, Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.)

Dr. Chongxiao Chen, research assistant professor at North Carolina State University, and colleagues recently completed a research project to better understand the factors and pathways in which Histomonas meleagridis spread, the immune response in turkeys and the role that production practices have on the disease process. Findings showed why chickens have lower mortality than turkeys during infection. Also, various stressors during production led to an increased infection rate of blackhead. Further, several new potential vectors for H. meleagridis were discovered. The data presented in the current report provided valuable information for understanding immune responses to histomoniasis and contributes to vaccine development.

The research summary can be found on the USPOULTRY website. Information on other Association research may also be obtained by visiting the USPOULTRY website, www.uspoultry.org.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

About USPOULTRY Foundation
The USPOULTRY Foundation's mission is to support the recruitment and training of the brightest students, seek and fund scientific research, foster student scientists and promote careers in the poultry and egg industry.