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Abstract
The complexity of parasites and their life cycles makes vaccination against parasitic diseases challenging. This review highlights this by discussing vaccination against four relevant parasites of poultry. Coccidia, i.e., Eimeria spp., are the most important parasites in poultry production, causing multiple billions of dollars of damage worldwide. Due to the trend of antibiotic-free broiler production, use of anticoccidia vaccines in broilers is becoming much more important. As of now, only live vaccines are on the market, almost all of which must be produced in birds. In addition, these live vaccines require extra care in the management of flocks to provide adequate protection and prevent the vaccines from causing damage. Considerable efforts to develop recombinant vaccines and related work to understand the immune response against coccidia have not yet resulted in an alternative. Leucozytozoon caulleryi is a blood parasite that is prevalent in East and South Asia. It is the only poultry parasite for which a recombinant vaccine has been developed and brought to market. Histomonas meleagridis causes typhlohepatitis in chickens and turkeys. The systemic immune response after intramuscular vaccination with inactivated parasites is not protective. The parasite can be grown and attenuated in vitro, but only together with bacteria. This and the necessary intracloacal application make the use of live vaccines difficult. So far, there have been no attempts to develop a recombinant vaccine against H. meleagridis. Inactivated vaccines inducing antibodies against the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae have the potential to control infestations with this parasite. Potential antigens for recombinant vaccines have been identified, but the use of whole-mite extracts yields superior results. In conclusion, while every parasite is unique, development of vaccines against them shares common problems, namely the difficulties of propagating them in vitro and the identification of protective antigens that might be used in recombinant vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruediger Hauck
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849,
- Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
| | - Kenneth S Macklin
- Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
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Hatfaludi T, Rezaee MS, Liebhart D, Bilic I, Hess M. Experimental reproduction of histomonosis caused by Histomonas meleagridis genotype 2 in turkeys can be prevented by oral vaccination of day-old birds with a monoxenic genotype 1 vaccine candidate. Vaccine 2022; 40:4986-4997. [PMID: 35835629 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Histomonosis (syn. blackhead disease) is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis and can result in high mortality in turkey flocks, a situation driven by the limitation of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Multi-locus sequence typing confirmed the existence of two genotypes, with the vast majority of reported histomonosis outbreaks being caused by genotype 1 in contrast to only a few detections of genotype 2. For the first time, genotype 2 of H. meleagridis was successfully isolated from an outbreak of histomonosis in a flock of 5-week-old turkeys and a clonal culture was established. Using this culture, an experimental infection was performed in naïve turkeys. The animal trial reflected the observations from the field outbreak and coincided with a previously reported case of histomonosis caused by genotype 2, albeit no mortality was observed in the infected birds whereas 17.1% mortality was noticed in the field outbreak from appearance of disease until slaughter. Post mortem investigations demonstrated that lesions were restricted to the caeca in the field outbreak and the experimental trial. In parallel with the experimental reproduction of pathological changes, an oral vaccination of day-old turkeys with a monoxenic genotype 1 vaccine was carried out to determine efficacy against a genotype 2 challenge. Successful vaccine uptake was characterized by the presence of the vaccine in the caeca determined by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Excretion of the vaccine strain was confirmed prior challenge, with the majority of birds developing antibodies. The new monoxenic vaccine was able to minimize lesions in the caeca demonstrating heterologous protection. No parasites were detected in the liver by IHC in any of the vaccinated birds, compared to non-vaccinated animals. However, in 6 out of 17 birds of the vaccinated group a positive signal was obtained by real time PCR from liver samples with 2 positives being typeable by conventional PCR as genotype 2. Overall, H. meleagridis genotype 2 infection was successfully reproduced. Experimental vaccination with a genetically distantly related genotype 1 was able to reduce lesions, supporting protection by a recently developed vaccine candidate as an efficacious prophylactic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Hatfaludi
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), Austria
| | | | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilic
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), Austria.
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Beer LC, Petrone-Garcia VM, Graham BD, Hargis BM, Tellez-Isaias G, Vuong CN. Histomonosis in Poultry: A Comprehensive Review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:880738. [PMID: 35601402 PMCID: PMC9120919 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.880738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histomonas meleagridis, the etiological agent of histomonosis, is a poultry parasite primarily detrimental to turkeys. Characteristic lesions occur in the liver and ceca, with mortalities in turkey flocks often reaching 80-100%. Chickens and other gallinaceous birds can be susceptible but the disease was primarily considered sub-clinical until recent years. Treating and preventing H. meleagridis infection have become more difficult since 2015, when nitarsone was voluntarily removed from the market, leaving the poultry industry with no approved prophylactics, therapeutics, or vaccines to combat histomonosis. Phytogenic compounds evaluated for chemoprophylaxis of histomonosis have varied results with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Some recent research successes are encouraging for the pursuit of antihistomonal compounds derived from plants. Turkeys and chickens exhibit a level of resistance to re-infection when recovered from H. meleagridis infection, but no commercial vaccines are yet available, despite experimental successes. Safety and stability of live-attenuated isolates have been demonstrated; furthermore, highly efficacious protection has been conferred in experimental settings with administration of these isolates without harming performance. Taken together, these research advancements are encouraging for vaccine development, but further investigation is necessary to evaluate proper administration age, dose, and route. A summary of the published research is provided in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesleigh C. Beer
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Victor M. Petrone-Garcia
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlan, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico
| | - B. Danielle Graham
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Billy M. Hargis
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Guillermo Tellez-Isaias
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Christine N. Vuong
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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Beer LC, Graham BDM, Barros TL, Latorre JD, Tellez-Isaias G, Fuller AL, Hargis BM, Vuong CN. Evaluation of live-attenuated Histomonas meleagridis isolates as vaccine candidates against wild-type challenge. Poult Sci 2021; 101:101656. [PMID: 35016048 PMCID: PMC8752950 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated serial in vitro passage of Histomonas meleagridis, the etiological agent of histomoniasis (blackhead) of turkeys, was demonstrated to markedly achieve attenuation and reduction of virulence as compared to the original wild-type isolate. Four experiments were performed to evaluate the route (oral vs. intracloacal) and age (day-of-hatch vs. d 14) for administration of attenuated H. meleagridis isolates as vaccine candidates against homologous or heterologous wild-type challenge. Attenuated H. meleagridis were developed from 2 different strains (Buford strain originating in Georgia; PHL2017 strain originating in Northwest Arkansas). Buford P80a (passage 80, assigned as isolate lineage “a” following repeated passage) was selected as the primary vaccine candidate and was evaluated in Experiments 1–3. Experiment 4 evaluated selected candidates of attenuated PHL2017 (P67, P129) and Buford (P80a, P200a, P138b, P198c) strains against Buford wild-type challenge. As has been demonstrated previously, wild-type H. meleagridis cultures administered orally after 1 day of age were not infective in the current studies, but infection with wild-type cultures could be induced orally at day-of-hatch. Infection was effectively achieved via the intracloacal route at day-of-hatch and in older turkeys (d 21, d 28–29, d 35). Intracloacal inoculation of turkeys with the attenuated passaged isolates as vaccine candidates at d 14 was shown to produce significant (P < 0.05) protection from mortality, reduction in body weight gain, as well as reduction in hepatic and cecal lesions in these experiments following challenge with either the homologous wild-type isolate or from a wild-type strain obtained years later from a geographically disparate area of the United States. Inoculation with the attenuated H. meleagridis isolates at day-of-hatch, either orally or cloacally, did not produce significant protection against subsequent wild-type challenge. While offering significant protection with minimal vaccine-related negative effects, the protection from cloacal vaccine administration was neither significantly robust nor encouraging for industry application using the methods evaluated in the present manuscript since mortalities and lesions were not completely reduced which could thereby potentially allow transmission from residual infection and shedding within a flock.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Beer
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - B D M Graham
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - T L Barros
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - J D Latorre
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - G Tellez-Isaias
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - A L Fuller
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - B M Hargis
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - C N Vuong
- University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
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Lagler J, Schmidt S, Mitra T, Stadler M, Grafl B, Hatfaludi T, Hess M, Gerner W, Liebhart D. Comparative investigation of IFN-γ-producing T cells in chickens and turkeys following vaccination and infection with the extracellular parasite Histomonas meleagridis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 116:103949. [PMID: 33253751 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The re-emerging disease histomonosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis that affects chickens and turkeys. Previously, protection by vaccination with in vitro attenuated H. meleagridis has been demonstrated and an involvement of T cells, potentially by IFN-γ production, was hypothesized. However, comparative studies between chickens and turkeys on H. meleagridis-specific T cells were not conducted yet. This work investigated IFN-γ production within CD4+, CD8α+ and TCRγδ+ (chicken) or CD3ε+CD4-CD8α- (turkey) T cells of spleen and liver from vaccinated and/or infected birds using clonal cultures of a monoxenic H. meleagridis strain. In infected chickens, re-stimulated splenocytes showed a significant increase of IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells. Contrariwise, significant increments of IFN-γ-producing cells within all major T-cell subsets of the spleen and liver were found for vaccinated/infected turkeys. This indicates that the vaccine in turkeys causes more intense systemic immune responses whereas in chickens protection might be mainly driven by local immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lagler
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Selma Schmidt
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Taniya Mitra
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Maria Stadler
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Beatrice Grafl
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Tamas Hatfaludi
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wilhelm Gerner
- Institute of Immunology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Dieter Liebhart
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Phytoncides in The Prevention and Therapy of Blackhead Disease and Their Effect on The Turkey Immune System. J Vet Res 2021; 65:79-85. [PMID: 33817399 PMCID: PMC8009584 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2021-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Turkey histomonosis poses a serious threat to poultry production due to the ban on the use of effective drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a phytoncidal feed supplement on the course of histomonosis. The preparation was also analysed for immunomodulatory properties. Material and Methods Clinical observations and production monitoring were conducted in a flock of turkeys with histomonosis from their 11th to 56th weeks of life which were treated with the adiCoxSOLPF soluble supplement in a dose of 2.5 mL/L water. Later the preparation was used in a preventive dose (1 mL/L). The influence on the immune system was evaluated in broiler turkeys having been given adiCoxSOLPF for 3 days in doses of 1 or 3 mL/L. The T and B lymphocyte percentages in turkey blood and spleen tissue were analysed with flow cytometry. ELISA was implemented to evaluate antibody titres after Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale vaccination, and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the supplement's safety. Results AdiCoxSOLPF was found effective in therapy and prevention of histomonosis. Additionally, adiCoxSOLPF stimulated both humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms, without impairing the functions of internal organs. The treated turkeys also yielded better production results (eggs/hen, fertility, and hatchability). Conclusion AdiCoxSOLPF possesses immunomodulatory properties and it can be used successfully in the prevention and therapy of histomonosis in turkeys.
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Sulejmanović T, Grafl B, Bilić I, Jaskulska B, Hess M. PCR and serology confirm the infection of turkey hens and their resilience to histomonosis in mixed flocks following high mortalities in toms. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:228. [PMID: 31088526 PMCID: PMC6518625 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3482-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histomonosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis, is a severe disease especially in turkeys where it can cause high mortalities. Recently, outbreaks were described in which turkey hens showed no clinical signs despite high mortalities in toms, from which they were separated only by a wire fence. The present study investigated three similar outbreaks of histomonosis whereby in two of them only a few hens were being affected and none in the third. Hens from all flocks were kept until end of production and slaughtered as scheduled. However, in all three cases, the disease progressed in toms reaching nearly 100% within two weeks. Methods Following diagnosis of the disease, tissue samples were obtained from toms and hens at necropsy. Environmental dust, cloacal swabs and blood were taken on three successive farm visits within compartments of hens and toms and tested by real-time PCR or ELISA. The DNA from a total of 18 samples positive for H. meleagridis was further subjected to conventional PCR utilizing the 18S rRNA primers and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Results All tissue samples and some cloacal swabs were tested positive. Dust samples confirmed the presence of H. meleagridis DNA that spread within entire houses up to 6 weeks after the first clinical signs of histomonosis. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA locus demonstrated the presence of the same strain in birds of both sexes within each of the turkey houses. Investigation of serum samples two weeks post-initial diagnosis and prior to euthanasia resulted in antibody detection in 73% of toms and 70% of hens. Until the end of the investigation the number of positive hens per farm increased up to 100% with mean OD-values approaching those noticed in toms prior to euthanasia. Conclusions For the first time it could be demonstrated that turkey hens kept in the same house as toms became infected during fatal outbreaks in toms. This highlights the value of different diagnostics methods in order to trace the parasite in connection with the host response. The strange phenomenon that only single hens succumb to the diseases despite being infected requires further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Sulejmanović
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Beatrice Grafl
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivana Bilić
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Jaskulska
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
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Liebhart D, Ganas P, Sulejmanovic T, Hess M. Histomonosis in poultry: previous and current strategies for prevention and therapy. Avian Pathol 2016; 46:1-18. [PMID: 27624771 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2016.1229458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Histomonosis is a parasitic disease of poultry with worldwide prevalence. The disease can cause morbidity and mortality in chicken and turkey flocks entailing severe economic losses. In the first half of the last century, there was a high demand to control histomonosis as the turkey industry was severely affected by the disease. Consequently, numerous chemical compounds were tested for their efficacy against Histomonas meleagridis with varying outcomes, that are summarized and specified in this review. At the same time, preliminary attempts to protect birds with cultured histomonads indicated the possibility of vaccination. Several years ago antihistomonal drugs were banned in countries with tight regulations on pharmaceuticals in order to comply with the demand of consumer protection. As a consequence, outbreaks of histomonosis in poultry flocks increased and the disease became endemic again. New approaches to prevent and treat histomonosis are, therefore, needed and recently performed studies focused on various areas to combat the disease, from alternative chemotherapeutic substances to plant-derived compounds until vaccination, altogether reviewed here. Considering existing regulations and the overall outcome of experimental studies, it can be concluded that vaccination is very promising, despite the fact that various challenges need to be addressed until the first ever developed vaccine based upon live flagellates in human or bird medicine can be marketed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Liebhart
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
| | - P Ganas
- b Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
| | - T Sulejmanovic
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
| | - M Hess
- a Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health , University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria.,b Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna , Austria
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Hussain I, Jaskulska B, Hess M, Bilic I. Detection and quantification of Histomonas meleagridis by real-time PCR targeting single copy genes. Vet Parasitol 2015; 212:382-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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