New research on controlling necrotic enteritis

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project at the University of Connecticut - Storrs, in which researchers provide new insight into controlling necrotic enteritis in broilers. The project is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. A brief summary of the completed project is shown below.
The project summary is as follows:
Project #F052: Identification of Novel Virulence Factors for Necrotic Enteritis of Chickens
(Dr. Joan Smyth and Neha Mishra, Department of Pathobiology & Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut)
Necrotic enteritis is a disease in broilers that is increasing in incidence as companies reduce the use of antibiotics in feed. Little is known about the causative organism, Clostridium perfringens, and new effective control measures are needed.
Researchers at the university, led by Dr. Smyth, recently completed a research project where they performed basic research on the organism to determine the factors which allow it to cause the disease. They discovered previously unknown bacterial proteins which may be important factors involved in the disease. Further study of these proteins is underway and may lead to new vaccines or other methods to control necrotic enteritis.
For a detailed summary, click here.