Abstract Title
Current Technologies in the Development of Poultry with Enhanced Resistance to Avian Influenza Virus
Abstract
Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a highly contagious and lethal disease that can have major impacts on the global poultry industry and food supply. In recent years, increased detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in wild birds, commercial poultry, with spillover to various mammalian species, including dairy cows and humans, has been observed. In 2014/2015 and 2021-2024 outbreaks of H5 HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4 resulted in the death and destruction of over 150 million birds costing billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. Vaccines are not currently approved for use in the U.S., so control strategies for HPAIV are dependent on biosecurity and culling of infected flocks. New strategies for AIV control based on gene editing of poultry species could offer solutions for disease control. Here we discuss current technologies of gene-editing for improving disease resistance to AIV based on enhancing host immunity, targeting of the viral RNA genome via CRISPR/cas systems, or mechanisms that interfere with virus replication. While still relatively novel, gene editing for disease resistance can be a feasible strategy in the future control of AIV.
Co-Author(s)
Darrell R. Kapczynski, USDA-ARS
Kelsey Briggs, USDA-ARS
Ryan Sweeney, USDA-ARS
John Mo, USDA-ARS
Klaudia Chrzastek, Georgia State University
Abstract Category
Diagnostics, vaccination, or other mitigation strategies for poultry and wildlife