USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project by researchers at the University of Georgia that evaluated a new diagnostic tool for Infectious Laryngotracheitis detection. The research was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Pilgrim’s. The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. In total, more than $36,000,000 has been invested in research by the Association and Foundation since the 1960s. A summary of the completed project is below.

Project #F105: Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV) Molecular Diagnostics Tools in Need of an Upgrade

(Dr. Maricarmen Garcia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.)

Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV) causes respiratory disease in chickens with worldwide distribution. Dr. Maricarmen Garcia and colleagues at the University of Georgia recently completed a study that looked at a new diagnostic tool for detection of ILTV. To diagnose ILTV, one must identify the genotype of the outbreak-related virus and determine its genetic relationship to field or vaccine strains. Researchers have developed a genotyping assay suitable for clinical samples with higher discriminatory power than previously used ILTV genotype assays.

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